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ameserole's review
4.0
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Descent of the Drowned was one of those books that I really wanted once I saw the cover. It was just beautiful and intrigued me so freaking much. Then I read the synopsis and I was basically sold. So when I got the beautiful eARC to read it, well - I freaked the freak out!
So, yeah, long story short - I was really excited to dive into it. Once I did though, meh, it was an okay book. I wouldn't necessarily say the entire book blew me away because it felt like for most of this book - nothing happened. Zero. Zilch. Yeah, we see Roma's eyes finally opening up to how horrible her life is and that she lives near or with a bunch of assholes.
In other words, she gets in trouble a lot. It just sucks that she does because she makes some really good points and everyone's like - stop spreading lies and start spreading your legs. Yeah, no thanks.
Back to Roma, now she was an interesting character that we didn't know much about. There was something dark about her and I just wanted to know more about that. Eventually we did get to see it and that's when the action really picked up. I mean, the entire book was just better in the last 25% of it.
Plus I kind of like her and Levi together as work partners. Not sure if there's going to be a romance between them or not but after that ending - I really want the next book. I need revenge and fire so freaking badly. Bring it on.
The Descent of the Drowned was one of those books that I really wanted once I saw the cover. It was just beautiful and intrigued me so freaking much. Then I read the synopsis and I was basically sold. So when I got the beautiful eARC to read it, well - I freaked the freak out!
So, yeah, long story short - I was really excited to dive into it. Once I did though, meh, it was an okay book. I wouldn't necessarily say the entire book blew me away because it felt like for most of this book - nothing happened. Zero. Zilch. Yeah, we see Roma's eyes finally opening up to how horrible her life is and that she lives near or with a bunch of assholes.
In other words, she gets in trouble a lot. It just sucks that she does because she makes some really good points and everyone's like - stop spreading lies and start spreading your legs. Yeah, no thanks.
Back to Roma, now she was an interesting character that we didn't know much about. There was something dark about her and I just wanted to know more about that. Eventually we did get to see it and that's when the action really picked up. I mean, the entire book was just better in the last 25% of it.
Plus I kind of like her and Levi together as work partners. Not sure if there's going to be a romance between them or not but after that ending - I really want the next book. I need revenge and fire so freaking badly. Bring it on.
spicedragon's review
3.0
tw sexual assault and also possible spoilers?
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I want to preface this with saying Ana Lal Din is an amazing writer, honestly what had me hooked with this book from the start was the atmosphere she sets and the scene she paints of the town and it's people. Genuinely, she is an amazing writer, and I will be reading the second book and any hopefully any other book she puts out.
What I found disappointing thought, was Roma's perspective... She starts off as a fierce girl who, despite her past, has sharp edges and is willing to do whatever to defend her loved ones. She constantly questions her community's objective, criticizing their traditions which cause women harm. But for some reason when another character looks to break free of that same tradition Roma seems furious? I don't know if it was her jealousy of not being able to run away, but I thought she would've been more supporting.
Furthermore, I personally found it uncomfortable how Roma was always close to being re-traumatized every other chapter... as a survivor of sexual assault she underwent so many situations that reopened her wounds... ESPECIALLY near the end... I felt as though... there was a better way to go about that... I hope the second book does Roma better because... her chapters compared to Leviathan's were so jarring....
On one hand we have Levi, broody grey eyed brown man who is skilled soldier... going around trying to repent for his sins against his mother's people.... and his chapters are literally just him solving mysteries and killing child traffickers... compared to Roma where she just continues to relive her trauma...
So that's what made me drop 2 stars... There's a lot of potential in this story and I do hope Book 2 handles Roma better and actually gives her a chance to heal. I know Ana Lal Din was trying to show the realities of caste and gender based violence, it was interesting criticism of upper caste brahminical society but REALLY wish that Roma's chapters had been more than her lamenting the devdasi's position and being traumatized at every corner.
.
.
.
I want to preface this with saying Ana Lal Din is an amazing writer, honestly what had me hooked with this book from the start was the atmosphere she sets and the scene she paints of the town and it's people. Genuinely, she is an amazing writer, and I will be reading the second book and any hopefully any other book she puts out.
What I found disappointing thought, was Roma's perspective... She starts off as a fierce girl who, despite her past, has sharp edges and is willing to do whatever to defend her loved ones. She constantly questions her community's objective, criticizing their traditions which cause women harm. But for some reason when another character looks to break free of that same tradition Roma seems furious? I don't know if it was her jealousy of not being able to run away, but I thought she would've been more supporting.
Furthermore, I personally found it uncomfortable how Roma was always close to being re-traumatized every other chapter... as a survivor of sexual assault she underwent so many situations that reopened her wounds... ESPECIALLY near the end... I felt as though... there was a better way to go about that... I hope the second book does Roma better because... her chapters compared to Leviathan's were so jarring....
On one hand we have Levi, broody grey eyed brown man who is skilled soldier... going around trying to repent for his sins against his mother's people.... and his chapters are literally just him solving mysteries and killing child traffickers... compared to Roma where she just continues to relive her trauma...
So that's what made me drop 2 stars... There's a lot of potential in this story and I do hope Book 2 handles Roma better and actually gives her a chance to heal. I know Ana Lal Din was trying to show the realities of caste and gender based violence, it was interesting criticism of upper caste brahminical society but REALLY wish that Roma's chapters had been more than her lamenting the devdasi's position and being traumatized at every corner.
wildfaeriecaps's review
4.0
This book was amazing. I adore the main characters and can't wait to see how book 2 unfolds. The story is so compelling and well written. Love love love it!
millennialbookreview's review
3.0
The Descent of the Drowned is not a book that’s going to be for everyone. It’s a dense story. The world can be hard to fully grasp and the story deals with some very heavy subject matter. The plot was compelling, but wasn’t made a main focus at the beginning. At the same time, it has some fantastic characters and the overall writing is rich. I didn’t like the novel quite as much as I expected to, but I can tell how much love and dedication the author put into writing this story. I’m inclined to read the next book, whenever it comes out, because I want to see where this story is headed.
My full review can be found here
My full review can be found here
kirsty_bookworm's review
Thank you to NetGalley for an Arc of The Descent of the Drowned
Ahh. I loved the title, i loved the cover and the synopsis interested me. However the first few chapters was such an information dump mixed with pretty writing that i couldn't take anything in and by the end of the second chapter id forgotten everything from the first chapter along with the meanings of the words and the gods i'd just been told about. I just couldnt make end or tail of it. So to save myself some frustration and forced reading under confusion i gave up.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this arc.
Ahh. I loved the title, i loved the cover and the synopsis interested me. However the first few chapters was such an information dump mixed with pretty writing that i couldn't take anything in and by the end of the second chapter id forgotten everything from the first chapter along with the meanings of the words and the gods i'd just been told about. I just couldnt make end or tail of it. So to save myself some frustration and forced reading under confusion i gave up.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this arc.
lightqueer's review against another edition
5.0
THE DESCENT OF THE DROWNED terrified me in ways that i can't quite explain. Ana Lal Din has created a world of magic, fear, and hope that i find has rooted deep within me to the point where i cannot have this be the end for roma or levi because i simply would not be able to bear it. the writing, the imagery, and the dialogue within this book are all masterful and expertly wielded. the stakes are higher than i had ever expected and the realism of the tragedy and pain that we see roma and the fellow women in her life go through is striking, visceral, honest. i expected to be triggered by a lot of the topics presented in this book, but i felt somehow protected by roma and emboldened by her strength to continue on. i have no regrets - i am wonderfully happy to have had the chance to read this book, and grateful as well.
harrowhcrk's review
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and White Tigress Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The Descent of the Drowned incorporates a lot of dark and heavy themes that could be very triggering, so make sure you check the trigger warnings before reading! Because of this, I would definitely consider this book more NA than YA.
This book is SO GOOD. It’s refreshingly unique, and the Indo-Persian and pre-Islamic Arab influence creates such a fascinating world, mythos, and magic system. All of the characters are incredibly complex. Roma and Leviathan are both flawed in a way that makes them feel very human. I hurt with them and i rooted for them, and many of the side characters are just as complex and well-written. The writing itself was clear and easy to follow, and the plot left you guessing—I absolutely devoured the last 15 or so chapters because I needed to know what happened. Plus, I just love a book that includes a glossary.
I won’t lie—this started a bit slow, but I was never bored. In the first half of the book, a number of different plot threads are set up, and while all of them were interesting, it made it a bit confusing to figure out what exactly was the overarching plot. Many of the threads seemed virtually unrelated, and while some of them came together towards the end of the book, I felt some could have been incorporated sooner or had more emphasis placed on them.
As the first in a series, this book does exactly what it needs to: it gets you invested in the story and characters, sets up the world, and leaves you anxious to find out what happens next.
The Descent of the Drowned incorporates a lot of dark and heavy themes that could be very triggering, so make sure you check the trigger warnings before reading! Because of this, I would definitely consider this book more NA than YA.
This book is SO GOOD. It’s refreshingly unique, and the Indo-Persian and pre-Islamic Arab influence creates such a fascinating world, mythos, and magic system. All of the characters are incredibly complex. Roma and Leviathan are both flawed in a way that makes them feel very human. I hurt with them and i rooted for them, and many of the side characters are just as complex and well-written. The writing itself was clear and easy to follow, and the plot left you guessing—I absolutely devoured the last 15 or so chapters because I needed to know what happened. Plus, I just love a book that includes a glossary.
I won’t lie—this started a bit slow, but I was never bored. In the first half of the book, a number of different plot threads are set up, and while all of them were interesting, it made it a bit confusing to figure out what exactly was the overarching plot. Many of the threads seemed virtually unrelated, and while some of them came together towards the end of the book, I felt some could have been incorporated sooner or had more emphasis placed on them.
As the first in a series, this book does exactly what it needs to: it gets you invested in the story and characters, sets up the world, and leaves you anxious to find out what happens next.
naphoeleon's review
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and White Tigress Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The Descent of the Drowned incorporates a lot of dark and heavy themes that could be very triggering, so make sure you check the trigger warnings before reading! Because of this, I would definitely consider this book more NA than YA.
This book is SO GOOD. It’s refreshingly unique, and the Indo-Persian and pre-Islamic Arab influence creates such a fascinating world, mythos, and magic system. All of the characters are incredibly complex. Roma and Leviathan are both flawed in a way that makes them feel very human. I hurt with them and i rooted for them, and many of the side characters are just as complex and well-written. The writing itself was clear and easy to follow, and the plot left you guessing—I absolutely devoured the last 15 or so chapters because I needed to know what happened. Plus, I just love a book that includes a glossary.
I won’t lie—this started a bit slow, but I was never bored. In the first half of the book, a number of different plot threads are set up, and while all of them were interesting, it made it a bit confusing to figure out what exactly was the overarching plot. Many of the threads seemed virtually unrelated, and while some of them came together towards the end of the book, I felt some could have been incorporated sooner or had more emphasis placed on them.
As the first in a series, this book does exactly what it needs to: it gets you invested in the story and characters, sets up the world, and leaves you anxious to find out what happens next.
The Descent of the Drowned incorporates a lot of dark and heavy themes that could be very triggering, so make sure you check the trigger warnings before reading! Because of this, I would definitely consider this book more NA than YA.
This book is SO GOOD. It’s refreshingly unique, and the Indo-Persian and pre-Islamic Arab influence creates such a fascinating world, mythos, and magic system. All of the characters are incredibly complex. Roma and Leviathan are both flawed in a way that makes them feel very human. I hurt with them and i rooted for them, and many of the side characters are just as complex and well-written. The writing itself was clear and easy to follow, and the plot left you guessing—I absolutely devoured the last 15 or so chapters because I needed to know what happened. Plus, I just love a book that includes a glossary.
I won’t lie—this started a bit slow, but I was never bored. In the first half of the book, a number of different plot threads are set up, and while all of them were interesting, it made it a bit confusing to figure out what exactly was the overarching plot. Many of the threads seemed virtually unrelated, and while some of them came together towards the end of the book, I felt some could have been incorporated sooner or had more emphasis placed on them.
As the first in a series, this book does exactly what it needs to: it gets you invested in the story and characters, sets up the world, and leaves you anxious to find out what happens next.
powersureater's review against another edition
5.0
Trigger + content warnings: self harm (mentioned), death, parent death, sickness (mentioned), violence, guns, sexual assault, sodomization, grief, addiction, drug abuse, suicide (mentioned), castration (mentioned), transphobia, bigotry, human trafficking.
The book does come with trigger warnings at the beginning which is great but I definitely think it could be a bit more extensive considering how heavy the themes of this book are.
I cannot begin to describe how much I loved this book. A dual-perspective, fast-paced book that deals with human morality is all I want and need and oh how The Descent of the Drowned delivered. Roma is a sacred slave, sold to men who want the honour of sleeping with a goddess. While she has faced many abuses and violations, I loved Roma because she is a fighter, and her heart remains so big despite all that she has experienced. Her story is heartbreaking but she isn't defined by the horrors committed against her, her story is about freedom, power and self-discovery.
Roma's story entwines with that of the bastard son of the immortal tyrant. While honed to be his father's weapon, Leviathan's mother was from one of the persecuted clans, leaving him a ghost to both, being too much of the other to fit in. While he has done terrible things in his father's name, Levi has come to realise that he is also in a position to bring change and that he doesn't have to contribute to the system of power and inequality, that helping even a single person is worth it.
The side characters were also phenomenal, including Chirag, Junho, Malev, and all the others, who felt very fleshed out and just as important as Levi and Roma despite not being the focus.
While dark, I appreciate that Ana Lal Din held a mirror to our world and showed us the long-standing problems that have been allowed to flourish at the expense of the less fortunate. She mentions herself in her acknowledgements all the sources in our world that the aspects of the story come from, and nothing is adding just for the dark aesthetic or for shock value. "What is humankind in a world without humanity?" is definitely a question we should be asking ourselves in our world that still has so far to go, but Ana Lal Din has done such a good job of encapsulating the power of choice.
25/8/21 - it was just as good as the first time if not better. i’m in awe. i literally have zero words.
The book does come with trigger warnings at the beginning which is great but I definitely think it could be a bit more extensive considering how heavy the themes of this book are.
I cannot begin to describe how much I loved this book. A dual-perspective, fast-paced book that deals with human morality is all I want and need and oh how The Descent of the Drowned delivered. Roma is a sacred slave, sold to men who want the honour of sleeping with a goddess. While she has faced many abuses and violations, I loved Roma because she is a fighter, and her heart remains so big despite all that she has experienced. Her story is heartbreaking but she isn't defined by the horrors committed against her, her story is about freedom, power and self-discovery.
Roma's story entwines with that of the bastard son of the immortal tyrant. While honed to be his father's weapon, Leviathan's mother was from one of the persecuted clans, leaving him a ghost to both, being too much of the other to fit in. While he has done terrible things in his father's name, Levi has come to realise that he is also in a position to bring change and that he doesn't have to contribute to the system of power and inequality, that helping even a single person is worth it.
The side characters were also phenomenal, including Chirag, Junho, Malev, and all the others, who felt very fleshed out and just as important as Levi and Roma despite not being the focus.
While dark, I appreciate that Ana Lal Din held a mirror to our world and showed us the long-standing problems that have been allowed to flourish at the expense of the less fortunate. She mentions herself in her acknowledgements all the sources in our world that the aspects of the story come from, and nothing is adding just for the dark aesthetic or for shock value. "What is humankind in a world without humanity?" is definitely a question we should be asking ourselves in our world that still has so far to go, but Ana Lal Din has done such a good job of encapsulating the power of choice.
25/8/21 - it was just as good as the first time if not better. i’m in awe. i literally have zero words.
trisha_thomas's review
3.0
"Why do we believe in a goddess who would have us worship men?"
This is a rough story, hard to rate. It's slow moving, taking it's time to really introduce a world and 2 very different people in this world. There is a lot around both gods and goddesses and about prostitution and what woman is worth.
And there is a whole lot of suffering. Because the story is a lot about survival - and what it takes to do it. For some, it's to fight back and for others, it's to endure. It's ugly, this suffering and being brought down again and again. It's hard to read and can make chapters feels like a lot more pages than they are. It's hard to read your character's suffering.
but it did end well and left me wondering - I think I might want to read more if the next one is less back story and build up and more action and character progress.
An e-ARC was provided to me by the author and publishing via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
This is a rough story, hard to rate. It's slow moving, taking it's time to really introduce a world and 2 very different people in this world. There is a lot around both gods and goddesses and about prostitution and what woman is worth.
And there is a whole lot of suffering. Because the story is a lot about survival - and what it takes to do it. For some, it's to fight back and for others, it's to endure. It's ugly, this suffering and being brought down again and again. It's hard to read and can make chapters feels like a lot more pages than they are. It's hard to read your character's suffering.
but it did end well and left me wondering - I think I might want to read more if the next one is less back story and build up and more action and character progress.
An e-ARC was provided to me by the author and publishing via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.