A review by emohan
A City of Flames by Rina Vasquez

adventurous challenging emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Curiously executed book. I loved the plot and the basis for the fantasy world. I loved the concept of dragon shifters, witches, sorcerers, elves, and other creatures. The relationship Nara has with her brother was genuine and it was refreshing to see. Many of the books I read focus on parental relationships, but I loved seeing how she interacted with each of her brothers and the care she has for all of them. While I loved this world and book concept, I felt as if the author was more telling me how to feel and think and what to expect about the characters; there was very limited show not tell.

I mainly think of the scene where Nara is dreaming and instead of describing the individual and drawing it out more, the author blatantly just tells the reader it’s Darius. It would have been more impactful if she played it out in her mind thinking or leading it to be Lorcan and not Darius.

Of all the characters, I do think that Lorcan was on and off, but showed the most growth.

It was shocking how he ended up killing the General at the end, who forthcomingly admitted that he turned Lorcan on his brother Darius and shifters. Then subsequently Lorcan dying and the hands of a rümen.