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A review by aksmith92
Asiri and the Amaru by Natalia Hernandez
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.0
The setup: Asiri and the Amaru by Natalia Hernandez is an enchanting tale that intertwines Peruvian mythology with a heartwarming romance. The story follows Asiri, a young woman with the unique ability to communicate with animals, seeking a fresh start away from her manipulative father. She finds refuge in a coastal town where she meets Dario, a charming local veterinarian. Their interactions are filled with tension and a potential romance, complicated by Asiri's need to keep her abilities secret and his insecurities of talking too much.
The story takes an intriguing turn when Asiri and Dario stumble upon an injured Amaru, a mythical creature thought to be a mere legend. Their quest to shield the Amaru from the superstitious villagers adds layers of excitement and tension. At its core, this is a charming fantasy with a strong romantic element, set against a backdrop of Peruvian mythology. The stakes are low, the adventure is engaging, and a chatty guinea pig adds a touch of humor (or perhaps annoyance).
What I Liked: I liked this book for what it was: a cozy fantasy with a heavy dose of romance. I loved the fantasy part - Asiri communicating with the animals. It beautifully intertwined Peruvian (Quechan) mythology and culture while still being a unique perspective on a fantasy book without it being very complicated or confusing. The characters were refreshing and funny, and I loved the animals in this book, who all seemed to have their own "personalities," flaws, and quirks. It was a fun read that went quickly.
What I Didn't Like: Honestly, the romance. The build-up was decent, and I enjoyed the tension. However, this was a bit of "love at first sight." There was a lot of miscommunication simply because they didn't talk to each other. The spicy scenes were a bit out of the blue, but they were tasteful, and I appreciated the assumption that both parties knew what they were doing. Regardless, I was not sold on it, but that was ok because there were other elements I enjoyed. Additionally, Asiri, someone cooped up in her home while living with her dad without much social interaction other than animals, seemed to be much more put together than I expected. I don't know why that factored into my decision-making, but it seemed a little out of place. Lastly, the writing seemed fan-fic-like but still put together and readable.
Three stars is truly the middle of the road for me. I recommend this for a lighthearted and fun little read when you need a little spice and joy. It's not that deep, and that's not what this book was meant for. It was decent, and I had a good time.
The story takes an intriguing turn when Asiri and Dario stumble upon an injured Amaru, a mythical creature thought to be a mere legend. Their quest to shield the Amaru from the superstitious villagers adds layers of excitement and tension. At its core, this is a charming fantasy with a strong romantic element, set against a backdrop of Peruvian mythology. The stakes are low, the adventure is engaging, and a chatty guinea pig adds a touch of humor (or perhaps annoyance).
What I Liked: I liked this book for what it was: a cozy fantasy with a heavy dose of romance. I loved the fantasy part - Asiri communicating with the animals. It beautifully intertwined Peruvian (Quechan) mythology and culture while still being a unique perspective on a fantasy book without it being very complicated or confusing. The characters were refreshing and funny, and I loved the animals in this book, who all seemed to have their own "personalities," flaws, and quirks. It was a fun read that went quickly.
What I Didn't Like: Honestly, the romance. The build-up was decent, and I enjoyed the tension. However, this was a bit of "love at first sight." There was a lot of miscommunication simply because they didn't talk to each other. The spicy scenes were a bit out of the blue, but they were tasteful, and I appreciated the assumption that both parties knew what they were doing. Regardless, I was not sold on it, but that was ok because there were other elements I enjoyed. Additionally, Asiri, someone cooped up in her home while living with her dad without much social interaction other than animals, seemed to be much more put together than I expected. I don't know why that factored into my decision-making, but it seemed a little out of place. Lastly, the writing seemed fan-fic-like but still put together and readable.
Three stars is truly the middle of the road for me. I recommend this for a lighthearted and fun little read when you need a little spice and joy. It's not that deep, and that's not what this book was meant for. It was decent, and I had a good time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse