bookshop_b's review against another edition
5.0
This was so much fun! I cannot WAIT for the next one!
maiamatson's review against another edition
3.0
Read this book if you enjoy character driven stories. I absolutely loved the two main characters however the plot felt like an after thought. I'm really conflicted. I'd give the main characters and their scenes together 5 stars but the plot feels like a 2 star read.
I'm also conflicted because I love South Asian inspired fantasy and I love having more representation within the genre. However after finishing this novel I realized that Dana Swift is a white author. I understand that white authors as well as authors of colour need to have representation within their books but I don't know how I feel about a white author profiting of off south asian representation. There is definitely a whole white authors have the opportunity to fill but I just don't know where this falls.
If you're looking for South Asian inspired fantasy by South Asian authors I'd definitely recommend An Ember in the Ashed by Sabaa Tahir or The Wrath & the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh.
I'm also conflicted because I love South Asian inspired fantasy and I love having more representation within the genre. However after finishing this novel I realized that Dana Swift is a white author. I understand that white authors as well as authors of colour need to have representation within their books but I don't know how I feel about a white author profiting of off south asian representation. There is definitely a whole white authors have the opportunity to fill but I just don't know where this falls.
If you're looking for South Asian inspired fantasy by South Asian authors I'd definitely recommend An Ember in the Ashed by Sabaa Tahir or The Wrath & the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh.
junghoseok's review against another edition
5.0
Easily the best book I've read this year so far. I loved the main characters, the arranged marriage/hidden identity/rivals to lovers tropes, and the world that was both magical and normal thanks to the accessible, realistic way the author wrote it. Plus, it was full of twists and a not-so-typical fantasy world with underground shady business and cage casting/fighting. I loved every word.
stuckinatimeloop's review against another edition
4.0
decent plot, decent characters, loved that there wasnt unnecessary petty drama with the identity reveal stuff
njgirloutwest's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
3.0
hannahlferguson1's review against another edition
3.0
3.5. I liked this book, but found myself not invested in the outcome near the 80% point.
It had a really interesting magic system and the writing was engaging and easy to follow. Perhaps I am growing out of YA books.
It had a really interesting magic system and the writing was engaging and easy to follow. Perhaps I am growing out of YA books.
nicolecook30's review against another edition
3.0
Cast in Firelight took a few chapters to suck me in, but by the time we get Jatin's perspective, I'm sold. It was chapter four when I was calling my mom to gush about my newest book boyfriend, the loyal, sweet, soul that he is.
Based off the description, I was expecting something totally different than what I got, which I think made me appreciate the way the story unfolds even more. Not one, not two, but three mistaken identities? A would-be love triangle condensed into a straight line? Powerful wholesome lovely characters? It was a great quick read.
I was easily led by both characters and found myself excited to get both of their perspectives throughout the story, But Jatin with his wholesome heart was definitely my favorite character to live through.
Ultimately, I give this book a 3.5 stars. I enjoyed it. I even cried. I will definitely read the second one when it comes out. But, the story didn't divert me in the same way other books sometimes capture me.
Thanks to Netgalley, TBR and Beyond Tours, and Dana Swift for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!
michellesantiago's review against another edition
2.0
I had such high hopes for this. I really wanted to read a YA fantasy I could really sink my teeth into and this was not it. It read very much like an Avatar The Last Airbender fanfic and I wasn't a fan of the author's writing. Basically, our two protagonist were betrothed when they were young, and their first meeting didn't go so well. So, over the years, they tried to one-up each other (all of this was off-page) and when they finally meet again as 17-year-olds (I think that's how old they were), they were both using fake names. They work together (without knowing who the other really is) to figure out who was behind selling these fire thingies (created by the heroine through her magic) at a much higher price than what she intended, hence, depriving the poor access to the fire thingies. The last 20%-ish percent got kind of interesting when the big bad really came into the picture and the deities came into play, but not enough to make me read the next book in the series.
It had a good premise, but it didn't deliver. I never felt the chemistry between the two protagonists. The world, the magic, and the plot lacked that high stakes, epic feel a high fantasy is supposed to have. I just finished it to finish it. I didn't hate it, but it was very blah. Forgettable.
It had a good premise, but it didn't deliver. I never felt the chemistry between the two protagonists. The world, the magic, and the plot lacked that high stakes, epic feel a high fantasy is supposed to have. I just finished it to finish it. I didn't hate it, but it was very blah. Forgettable.