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lrm11's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexual violence, and Violence
timelapse's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
this book has not figured out what it wants to be. it’s not quite fully dystopian, because both the main characters are solely worried about their individual suffering, and there is very little awareness of the regime in place. there is magic in the book, but for some reason it isn’t essential to the workings of the plot? so the book isn’t really fantasy. and there’s genuinely nothing roman-esque about this (there’s a xenophobic tribal vs empire tension hinted at in the books? and jinns????) besides them having slaves.
my main gripe with the magic being weirdly absent and underdone is honestly mostly that i hate omniscient prophecy figures lol and it feels very cheaply incorporated here, but at least this book doesn’t try to be a super fantasy-forward book.
however, it’s a real crime that the worldbuilding is so toothless, considering that the book really sets itself up to try to be a classic ya dystopia novel. for a book about claiming your own destiny, the characters are extremely self-motivated, and as a dystopian book, it’s very myopic.
despite there being an oppressive martial regime that has created subclasses of humans, the primary threat faced by the main character is… misogyny? and not even particularly interesting or insightful misogyny; the author treats brutality against women as commonplace, but still something that happens to exceptional individuals. tahir clumsily tells you every! other! minute that laia is soooo pretty, and that’s why every man wants to violate her. (besides for this OTHER man who is soo not like the others who also fell for her looks at first sight but again is sooo not like the others)
it makes it really hard to give a fuck about the characters when most of the “love” is male saviorism for this beautiful, exceptional woman, but it’s even harder to try to give a fuck about anything that happens in this world when the author is unable to elaborate on a social structure more complex than women being brutalized. it seemed like “men hate women” was the lowest hanging, most absolute evil that she could write, and in reiterating it so many times so pointlessly, she neglected everything else necessary to writing a compelling novel.
i think this book could’ve been done better if it was an adult dystopian novel, and not a ya one, to really lean into the violence of the world (that the book does not shy away from) and give it more complex backstories than a stupid love triangle, but i honestly don’t think this author could accomplish writing a more complicated and fleshed out world. i remember distinctly that even at 10% into the book i was really confused by the pacing and how little i was learning about the world despite how many things were being explained, and that really never got better even when i finished the whole book. it’s a pity, because i do think helene's arc will get more interesting in the subsequent books, but i feel like i'd be wasting my time to keep reading in this series
my main gripe with the magic being weirdly absent and underdone is honestly mostly that i hate omniscient prophecy figures lol and it feels very cheaply incorporated here, but at least this book doesn’t try to be a super fantasy-forward book.
however, it’s a real crime that the worldbuilding is so toothless, considering that the book really sets itself up to try to be a classic ya dystopia novel. for a book about claiming your own destiny, the characters are extremely self-motivated, and as a dystopian book, it’s very myopic.
despite there being an oppressive martial regime that has created subclasses of humans, the primary threat faced by the main character is… misogyny? and not even particularly interesting or insightful misogyny; the author treats brutality against women as commonplace, but still something that happens to exceptional individuals. tahir clumsily tells you every! other! minute that laia is soooo pretty, and that’s why every man wants to violate her. (besides for this OTHER man who is soo not like the others who also fell for her looks at first sight but again is sooo not like the others)
it makes it really hard to give a fuck about the characters when most of the “love” is male saviorism for this beautiful, exceptional woman, but it’s even harder to try to give a fuck about anything that happens in this world when the author is unable to elaborate on a social structure more complex than women being brutalized. it seemed like “men hate women” was the lowest hanging, most absolute evil that she could write, and in reiterating it so many times so pointlessly, she neglected everything else necessary to writing a compelling novel.
i think this book could’ve been done better if it was an adult dystopian novel, and not a ya one, to really lean into the violence of the world (that the book does not shy away from) and give it more complex backstories than a stupid love triangle, but i honestly don’t think this author could accomplish writing a more complicated and fleshed out world. i remember distinctly that even at 10% into the book i was really confused by the pacing and how little i was learning about the world despite how many things were being explained, and that really never got better even when i finished the whole book. it’s a pity, because i do think helene's arc will get more interesting in the subsequent books, but i feel like i'd be wasting my time to keep reading in this series
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
cheytaydemi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Torture, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual violence, Torture, and Sexual harassment
mikasana's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Slow in the beginning but it picks up a bit and then goes full speed towards the end.
Honestly, the storytelling was perfect. I got really attached to Laia and Elias and their character arcs. And the villains?? Black hearted killers who couldn’t have been written any better (shout out to mummy dearest ).
The weight and finality of all the injustices this world festered really just slapped you in the face over and over as the pages went by. The tension from it burned me and had me fully entranced just hoping some good would prevail.
However, if you are looking at this first book expecting romance, look away. The two main characters don’t truly get to know each other in this book and spend much of their time apart. In fact most of the “romance” that exists is spent onthe giant love square (yes, not triangle) between the two main characters and their wooed side pieces. I find love triangles, or any semblance of them, completely unnecessary and distracting. It dampens the potential of the main relationship every single time. Irritating.
This actually would have been a lower rating due to how irritated I was by thelove square but that ending? A chef’s kiss. Perfection.
Honestly, the storytelling was perfect. I got really attached to Laia and Elias and their character arcs. And the villains?? Black hearted killers who couldn’t have been written any better (
The weight and finality of all the injustices this world festered really just slapped you in the face over and over as the pages went by. The tension from it burned me and had me fully entranced just hoping some good would prevail.
However, if you are looking at this first book expecting romance, look away. The two main characters don’t truly get to know each other in this book and spend much of their time apart. In fact most of the “romance” that exists is spent on
This actually would have been a lower rating due to how irritated I was by the
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Murder, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Rape, Trafficking, Pregnancy, and War
crybabybea's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A good YA dystopian-ish scifi-ish fantasy-ish romance-ish read! I appreciated the unique setting based on West Asia and the inclusion of Arabic mythology. At first, I wasn't super into the story because it felt very typically YA to me, especially the info-dumpiness of the beginning, and I was expecting more immediate fantasy. The fantasy elements are subtle and the overall story leans more toward sci-fi/dystopia. Because of this the world-building doesn't feel as complex as I would like, and a lot of the settings don't feel fully fleshed out.
I had my doubts about the characters but I ended up liking the main characters for their individual arcs, especially Laia. I wish the side characters got more attention and felt more fully developed.
I was pleasantly surprised at the complexity of the themes explored and the story beats. I wasn't expecting anything crazy from YA but this book was very dark and the author made some crazy choices that really flipped the typical YA experience on its head. Of course it had its tropey moments but I enjoyed the story a lot and found it compelling.
Definitely a page-turner, an intriguing thriller of a story with unique, subtle fantasy elements to get lost in for a few days.
I had my doubts about the characters but I ended up liking the main characters for their individual arcs, especially Laia. I wish the side characters got more attention and felt more fully developed.
I was pleasantly surprised at the complexity of the themes explored and the story beats. I wasn't expecting anything crazy from YA but this book was very dark and the author made some crazy choices that really flipped the typical YA experience on its head. Of course it had its tropey moments but I enjoyed the story a lot and found it compelling.
Definitely a page-turner, an intriguing thriller of a story with unique, subtle fantasy elements to get lost in for a few days.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
amre23's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book was dark and violent but believe the start to a great story. This starts about a girl thrown into conflict larger than simply finding and saving her brother and a boy who is trying to escape the expectations and confines of his life. She is adamant to find her brother but constantly is navigating who her true allies are and how to complete the requests from everyone around her. He is constantly navigating between the "mask" he wears for everyone and who he wants/wishes to be.
The Dual POVs made the story progress faster. Was nice to see when the 2 main characters weren't interacting how their actions and inactions impacted each other.
At times could truly feel her worry and anxiety through the pages.
The Dual POVs made the story progress faster. Was nice to see when the 2 main characters weren't interacting how their actions and inactions impacted each other.
At times could truly feel her worry and anxiety through the pages.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Grief, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and War
Minor: Self harm, Medical content, Abortion, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
risten's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Murder, Sexual harassment, War, and Classism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Self harm, Sexual content, Vomit, Stalking, Abortion, and Alcohol
_ashleyslibraryy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
i am so mad at myself for not starting this sooner. this was amazing!!!
a little bit about this book.. we start out with laia’s brother being arrested and now she needs to find a way to save him. in exchange for the resistances help she must become a slave for the commandant of blackcliff academy and spy for them. this is where she meets elias, a soilder who yearns for freedom.
thats where our story begins and let me just tell you, it’s SO good. i lovedddd laia and elias, literally cannot stop thinking about them. this book was definitely more focused on the fantasy plot side of things and doesn’t have much romance but it didn’t bother me at all because i was so captivated with the story.
sabaa tahir’s writing is so enthralling, i could not put down this book. while it was a slower start because its a set up for the rest of the books in the series, i felt like it was still very interesting.
friendships are formed and some are betrayed, there’s a bit of drama, and some trials which i was not expecting! i cannot wait to jump into a torch against the night <3
*i would recommend checking trigger warning!*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, and Torture
deannereads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Death of parent, and War
alexasolis98's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
First, I do not understand how this book is marketed as YA.
As for my reread of this book after 9 years, this book hurts so much. There is so much darkness yet people are still able to have hope and kindness. I worry about Helene, Laia and Elias. I don't trust Keenan.
As for my reread of this book after 9 years, this book hurts so much. There is so much darkness yet people are still able to have hope and kindness. I worry about Helene, Laia and Elias. I don't trust Keenan.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Murder, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Abortion