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natsavage19's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
galexandriaw's review against another edition
5.0
4.5/5 stars rounding up to 5 cause I had such a good time
I forgot how much I love a pirate story! Getting the band back together and getting into shenanigans, what could go wrong? (spoiler: everything)
It is so refreshing having an adult main character that has depth and desires. All the side characters felt so diverse and important as well, I can't wait to see more of them in the future books. The whole book had a very strong and distinct voice from the get-go which really drew me in. The story took a fantastical and supernatural route I wasn't expecting, which I threw off my groove a bit. But once I was in it, I was in it deep. It had been a minute since I stayed up late to read a book; it was absolutely worth it!
I forgot how much I love a pirate story! Getting the band back together and getting into shenanigans, what could go wrong? (spoiler: everything)
It is so refreshing having an adult main character that has depth and desires. All the side characters felt so diverse and important as well, I can't wait to see more of them in the future books. The whole book had a very strong and distinct voice from the get-go which really drew me in. The story took a fantastical and supernatural route I wasn't expecting, which I threw off my groove a bit. But once I was in it, I was in it deep. It had been a minute since I stayed up late to read a book; it was absolutely worth it!
eastcoastcandice's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
5.0
One of my favourite reads this year. I enjoyed the audiobook - the performances from both voice actors were phenomenal. I found myself laughing a lot, and appreciated the interactions 'off screen' when 'Amina' would pull away from the mic and ask 'Jamal' a question or tell him to let her tell it her way... it made it feel like I was in the room with them and they were telling the story to an audience.
As a middle-aged woman, I have to say I appreciated that the charcters weren't all young, teen or early 20-somethings with the perfect beauty and grace that many fantasy book characters have. Having a FMC with a bad knee and wanting to return to her quieter life with her daughter and family instead of pine after a man or money was refreshing. Not that her eyes didn't stray that direction at times - she is human after all! I also found her interactions withRaksh hilarious and relatable on some level. Haven't we all had that partner we'd rather forget about?
One other note: I read this book immediately after finishing the Daevabad Trilogy (well, all four books) as I wanted to read more of Chakraborty's work. I knew it was set in the same part of the world and would have some of the same legends and mythology. However, I didn't realize it was intended to be in the exact same world, just centuries before the Daevabad stories. For example, the first timethe marid were mentioned, it suddenly felt familiar - especially later on when one had a close interaction with Amina. And I was so happy when the peri arrived - it seemed they were the same group from the Empire of Gold - and Khayzur, too! It was nice to revisit some of the background characters from her previous books.
That said, this book stands on its own and you don't need to read the author's other work to enjoy it!
As a middle-aged woman, I have to say I appreciated that the charcters weren't all young, teen or early 20-somethings with the perfect beauty and grace that many fantasy book characters have. Having a FMC with a bad knee and wanting to return to her quieter life with her daughter and family instead of pine after a man or money was refreshing. Not that her eyes didn't stray that direction at times - she is human after all! I also found her interactions with
One other note: I read this book immediately after finishing the Daevabad Trilogy (well, all four books) as I wanted to read more of Chakraborty's work. I knew it was set in the same part of the world and would have some of the same legends and mythology. However, I didn't realize it was intended to be in the exact same world, just centuries before the Daevabad stories. For example, the first time
That said, this book stands on its own and you don't need to read the author's other work to enjoy it!
buginasuit's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
aalmasy's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best fantasy books I’ve read. Full of adventure, wit, and tension. Will be recommending to everyone I know. The rest of the series can’t come out soon enough.
stefyramos's review against another edition
adventurous
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
5.0
cailana's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
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
astronouti's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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? No
4.0
This was my first book from Chakraborty and one that I had been wanting to read since it came out.
It started a bit slowly for me and I don't know why, but I found Amina's voice very irritating to begin with - but then something clicked and I couldn't stop turning the pages.
Amina turned out to be such a unique character: I don't think I've ever read of a fantasy MC who's a middle-aged Muslim mother with the wildest past imaginable. I ended up absolutely adoring her and all the friendships and relationships in her life. They felt so heartwarmingly real, and I also love that Amina stayed true to her values throughout.
Although I have to say that things only got truly interesting whenRaksh turned up. He may have been my favourite character.
Once the book picked up the pace, the adventures were gripping. Some of the grisly scenes even turned up in my nightmares (check out the CWs if you're a sensitive reader)... What can I say, she writes so well.
Overall, it was such a unique and wonderful read, and it was obvious that a lot of research had gone into it. Can't wait for Amina's adventures to continue!
It started a bit slowly for me and I don't know why, but I found Amina's voice very irritating to begin with - but then something clicked and I couldn't stop turning the pages.
Amina turned out to be such a unique character: I don't think I've ever read of a fantasy MC who's a middle-aged Muslim mother with the wildest past imaginable. I ended up absolutely adoring her and all the friendships and relationships in her life. They felt so heartwarmingly real, and I also love that Amina stayed true to her values throughout.
Although I have to say that things only got truly interesting when
Once the book picked up the pace, the adventures were gripping. Some of the grisly scenes even turned up in my nightmares (check out the CWs if you're a sensitive reader)... What can I say, she writes so well.
Overall, it was such a unique and wonderful read, and it was obvious that a lot of research had gone into it. Can't wait for Amina's adventures to continue!
kwthor's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
katiebannasch's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0