A review by 13anna17
Rebel of Fire and Flight by Aneesa Marufu

adventurous dark inspiring reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Fast-paced adventure/fantasy story set in a believable secondary world based on Arabic culture where hot air balloons are the primary mode of transport. Well-developed characters with complex relationships. The two POV characters are not romantically involved, which is a refreshing change, but Khadija is older and more mature than Jacob to the degree that the two stories almost feel like they fit in different age groups. That said, I enjoyed both characters' arcs.

There is a trans character who is generally a fantastic character. There are on-page depictions of transphobia that I'm not sure were necessary.

In general, I thought the exploration of radicalism and what draws people towards it was handled well. There were places where the pacing could be improved and the worldbuilding could have been more comprehensive, but character development leads the story in a powerful way. I think this is an author to watch. 3.75/5 stars
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