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jollygreenreader's review against another edition
Could not get interested in the world or characters. Felt similar to plenty of other standard fantasy world books. Read a different story by author released after this one and the story was much better.
emaretea's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
timinbc's review against another edition
4.0
Very good for a first novel, and only slightly less so for any level of authorial experience.
As others noted, if you liked City of Brass you'll probably like this.
Tough female hero who is by no means a Mary Sue.
Good setting in a culture some of which could have been on our own world.
An acceptable amount of magic, not overused, and explained adequately for this purpose.
It's slow in places, but if you accept that, you may accept that it's the right pace for this story.
The plot fails to surprise, but this story isn't meant as an Action! Adventure!
I'm not sure Maha had to be so VERY mean, but if we were supposed to read into it that absolute power corrupts absolutely, fair enough.
This is tabbed as a romantic fantasy, so I doubt that anyone got two pages into the introduction of Amun without realizing that this is a classic Noble Hero, and after four pages you know he's one of those Actually Too Damn Noble For His Own Good characters who isn't going to fall in love with the heroine until page 350. It's OK, it works anyway, he's good.
Nor was there ever any doubt that Mehr was going to make an ally of the Daiva.
I award a point for the careful plot layout that allowed us to believe that Maha's story arc could end as it did.
Another point for stylish writing in general. Someone's been reading Guy Gavriel Kay, I'll bet.
I'll definitely read #2 and recommend this one to others.
As others noted, if you liked City of Brass you'll probably like this.
Tough female hero who is by no means a Mary Sue.
Good setting in a culture some of which could have been on our own world.
An acceptable amount of magic, not overused, and explained adequately for this purpose.
It's slow in places, but if you accept that, you may accept that it's the right pace for this story.
The plot fails to surprise, but this story isn't meant as an Action! Adventure!
I'm not sure Maha had to be so VERY mean, but if we were supposed to read into it that absolute power corrupts absolutely, fair enough.
This is tabbed as a romantic fantasy, so I doubt that anyone got two pages into the introduction of Amun without realizing that this is a classic Noble Hero, and after four pages you know he's one of those Actually Too Damn Noble For His Own Good characters who isn't going to fall in love with the heroine until page 350. It's OK, it works anyway, he's good.
Nor was there ever any doubt that Mehr was going to make an ally of the Daiva.
I award a point for the careful plot layout that allowed us to believe that Maha's story arc could end as it did.
Another point for stylish writing in general. Someone's been reading Guy Gavriel Kay, I'll bet.
I'll definitely read #2 and recommend this one to others.
thelostvoid's review
4.5
This was an absolutely stunning book my god. The writing was so beautiful, the world building and characters so engaging and interesting. I cried at multiple points because goddamn Mehr and Amun are simply so precious to me and also to each other aahhhh.
I am thrilled that I loved this so much because Past Me did buy every book Tasha Suri has written and my god it would be awkward if I didn't like her writing haha. I greatly look forward to reading Realm of Ash soon, and then delving into the Burning Kingdom trilogy.
I am thrilled that I loved this so much because Past Me did buy every book Tasha Suri has written and my god it would be awkward if I didn't like her writing haha. I greatly look forward to reading Realm of Ash soon, and then delving into the Burning Kingdom trilogy.
thewordslinger's review
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-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
I am so, so impressed with the rich, unique mythology in this book. The world building and culture is <i>phenomenal.</i> It grabbed me from the very first chapter and didn't let me go until I closed the book.
The dream magic and sleeping gods aspect of this book is equally as complex and unique. As is Mehr's ability to compel the dreams with dance. It's one of the best I've come across in recent memory.
This whole book has an atmosphere to it that just sucks you in.
With regards to the world: This world comments a lot on faith and prejudice. It confronts topics of sexism and how women grasp power in a patriarchal society. I couldn't help but think about some of the injustices going on in today's world while watching Mehr struggle to hold on to her identity, her freedom, and her mother's culture, even as the empire she lives in seeks to suppress, stomp out, or enslave her and her kin. This made Mehr's and Amun's story all the more poignant. It makes this book so much more. There's <i>intention</i> here.
Speaking of Mehr and Amun, the romance in this book felt natural despite the arranged marriage and their less-than-ideal circumstances. Their physical closeness was slow-moving, by necessity, but it evolved naturally as the characters grew and changed and learned to trust one another. Amun has a complicated past and a lot of his own weighty issues he's dealing with. Yet he's willing to die to give Mehr any freedom he can afford her, knowing that completing the marriage vow (through consummation)would tie her to the Maha irreparably, and not completing it means immense pain and death for himself. He lies to his master to buy them time, and fights his own vows to the Maha in order to keep Mehr from making a choice that's not a choice--one that could harm her (and Amun) in other, devastating ways.
And yet, Mehr chooses to love him anyway. Even knowing that choice will damn her to servitude to an empire that's hell-bent on destroying everything she knows and loves.
Suri weaves this romantic subplot expertly into the overarching part of the book. There's tenderness and compassion, genuine love and respect built between Amun and Mehr. And because of that, we get to see Mehr be the brave, strong-willed woman we all hope for in our books. It's been a long while since I've seen such a complicated relationship so beautifully wrought.
So what keeps this from being a 5 star read for me? The pacing. This isn't a quick read, despite it being a relatively short book for a fantasy. Yes. It's immersive. Yes, it's got gorgeous world-building, an interesting culture, engaging characters a plot that keeps you turning pages...but it felt like I was never going to finish this book. As engaged as I was, things happened SLOOOOOOWLY. And after the first, oh, 30% I realized this wasn't going to be one of those books that just takes a while to get going--nope. The whole book moves at it's own pace, and you have to commit to the ride, if you want to finish it. And I won't lie, the middle bit is a bit of a slog.
I will say this, slow or not, I do think this book's worth it, if you are a fantasy lover (and especially if you enjoy stories inspired by South Asian folklore and mythology). There's some GREAT, truly unique stuff in here and you won't regret the time you spend in this world.
The dream magic and sleeping gods aspect of this book is equally as complex and unique. As is Mehr's ability to compel the dreams with dance. It's one of the best I've come across in recent memory.
This whole book has an atmosphere to it that just sucks you in.
With regards to the world: This world comments a lot on faith and prejudice. It confronts topics of sexism and how women grasp power in a patriarchal society. I couldn't help but think about some of the injustices going on in today's world while watching Mehr struggle to hold on to her identity, her freedom, and her mother's culture, even as the empire she lives in seeks to suppress, stomp out, or enslave her and her kin. This made Mehr's and Amun's story all the more poignant. It makes this book so much more. There's <i>intention</i> here.
Speaking of Mehr and Amun, the romance in this book felt natural despite the arranged marriage and their less-than-ideal circumstances. Their physical closeness was slow-moving, by necessity, but it evolved naturally as the characters grew and changed and learned to trust one another. Amun has a complicated past and a lot of his own weighty issues he's dealing with. Yet he's willing to die to give Mehr any freedom he can afford her, knowing that completing the marriage vow (through consummation)would tie her to the Maha irreparably, and not completing it means immense pain and death for himself. He lies to his master to buy them time, and fights his own vows to the Maha in order to keep Mehr from making a choice that's not a choice--one that could harm her (and Amun) in other, devastating ways.
And yet, Mehr chooses to love him anyway. Even knowing that choice will damn her to servitude to an empire that's hell-bent on destroying everything she knows and loves.
Suri weaves this romantic subplot expertly into the overarching part of the book. There's tenderness and compassion, genuine love and respect built between Amun and Mehr. And because of that, we get to see Mehr be the brave, strong-willed woman we all hope for in our books. It's been a long while since I've seen such a complicated relationship so beautifully wrought.
So what keeps this from being a 5 star read for me? The pacing. This isn't a quick read, despite it being a relatively short book for a fantasy. Yes. It's immersive. Yes, it's got gorgeous world-building, an interesting culture, engaging characters a plot that keeps you turning pages...but it felt like I was never going to finish this book. As engaged as I was, things happened SLOOOOOOWLY. And after the first, oh, 30% I realized this wasn't going to be one of those books that just takes a while to get going--nope. The whole book moves at it's own pace, and you have to commit to the ride, if you want to finish it. And I won't lie, the middle bit is a bit of a slog.
I will say this, slow or not, I do think this book's worth it, if you are a fantasy lover (and especially if you enjoy stories inspired by South Asian folklore and mythology). There's some GREAT, truly unique stuff in here and you won't regret the time you spend in this world.
charvi_not_just_fiction's review
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.5
I don't even know where to begin with this book.
I don't think I have the words to write a review but this book is absolutely magical and immersive. I loved exploring the world and the Amrithi culture and rituals alongside our protagonist Mehr. Mehr is such a teenager, I was often yelling at her for being reckless or showing that typical teenage bravado. But I absolutely loved her arc and the lessons the world taught her. The themes of sacrifice, racism and relationships lie at the core of this story and Tasha Suri executed them all brilliantly. I was screaming at the amount of torture our main characters had to go through but you know what, at least we get a happy ending. Also, I adore Amun. He's a precious cinnamon roll who needs to be showered with love. Amun and Mehr's relationship was quite interesting and I loved watching it bloom so beautifully.
Also, hi, where's the line to stab the Maha a hundred times? I'd like to have a go thank you. He's an interesting villain and an absolutely vile person.
This review is such random strands of thoughts but also shout out to the beautiful ritual dance descriptions, they felt so vivid! The author said that they were inspired by the Bharatnatyam dance style and oh my god I'm in love. I simply cannot wait to read the second book!
I don't think I have the words to write a review but this book is absolutely magical and immersive. I loved exploring the world and the Amrithi culture and rituals alongside our protagonist Mehr. Mehr is such a teenager, I was often yelling at her for being reckless or showing that typical teenage bravado. But I absolutely loved her arc and the lessons the world taught her. The themes of sacrifice, racism and relationships lie at the core of this story and Tasha Suri executed them all brilliantly. I was screaming at the amount of torture our main characters had to go through but you know what, at least we get a happy ending. Also, I adore Amun. He's a precious cinnamon roll who needs to be showered with love. Amun and Mehr's relationship was quite interesting and I loved watching it bloom so beautifully.
Also, hi, where's the line to stab the Maha a hundred times? I'd like to have a go thank you. He's an interesting villain and an absolutely vile person.
This review is such random strands of thoughts but also shout out to the beautiful ritual dance descriptions, they felt so vivid! The author said that they were inspired by the Bharatnatyam dance style and oh my god I'm in love. I simply cannot wait to read the second book!
mangonight's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.5
cedartonk's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
3.25
setauuta's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Blood, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Blood, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, and Toxic relationship