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dominiq_ec's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
jessicastephenson's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-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
3.75
We love to see queer normative fantasy worlds! I did enjoy this book, but I feel like I was missing so much. I think I would've enjoyed this even more if it was a full length novel and I got to learn more about the characters.
kittyhearted's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
mayormccheese's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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
4.5
afantasysky's review
4.5
The Bruising of Qilwa by Naseem Jamnia was a great novella and I was sucked in immediately. I loved Firuz, our protagonist, who gets a job as an assistant healer in order to support their family. They are a refugee in Qilwa, fleeing the slaughter in their homeland.
There was so much packed into this book but the main plot is a unknown mysterious disease which is spreading and killing. Firuz and their mentor Kofi are trying to figure out a cure while political forces are trying to control the clinic.
I really liked the family dynamics, Firuz's relationship with their brother and with an orphan girl they help was so well drawn. I also thought the magic system was really interesting and how it ties in the historical context leading to prejudice against certain skills.
It's a wild amount of world building, characterisation and plot to fit into a novella but I think it was brilliantly done and I'm really looking forward to seeing what the author does next.
There was so much packed into this book but the main plot is a unknown mysterious disease which is spreading and killing. Firuz and their mentor Kofi are trying to figure out a cure while political forces are trying to control the clinic.
I really liked the family dynamics, Firuz's relationship with their brother and with an orphan girl they help was so well drawn. I also thought the magic system was really interesting and how it ties in the historical context leading to prejudice against certain skills.
It's a wild amount of world building, characterisation and plot to fit into a novella but I think it was brilliantly done and I'm really looking forward to seeing what the author does next.
emmjee's review
funny
mysterious
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
3.5
untraveledworld's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
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
onegalonelife27's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.0
I found the plot interesting with Firuz being really kind; trying their best to take care of their family by making a living as healer, hiding their true magical abilities in their new country, and figuring out the cause of a new plague emerging in their new country.
I also liked the way the story was format, dividing Firuz's story into three chapters or years. First, the first year with them trying to get a job as a healer and adjusting to their new life. The second focusing on the new plague spreading on their relationship with their brother and student. The last one a dramatic conclusion to everything!
Though I have to admit, I do feel this book does more telling and showing. Like different parts of characters' backstory are just told to the reader at certain moments with not much hinting. The backstories make sense, but I'd prefer to not be used as dramatic fodder.
Overall, pretty good if you want a different kind of fantasy story that keeps you on your toes.
I also liked the way the story was format, dividing Firuz's story into three chapters or years. First, the first year with them trying to get a job as a healer and adjusting to their new life. The second focusing on the new plague spreading on their relationship with their brother and student. The last one a dramatic conclusion to everything!
Though I have to admit, I do feel this book does more telling and showing. Like different parts of characters' backstory are just told to the reader at certain moments with not much hinting. The backstories make sense, but I'd prefer to not be used as dramatic fodder.
Overall, pretty good if you want a different kind of fantasy story that keeps you on your toes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Medical content, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Death
Moderate: Xenophobia, Dysphoria, and Colonisation
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Vomit, and Death of parent
bookmarc's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
stellarkestrel's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0