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yodamom's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this cultural urban fantasy tale. Climate change, racism, social classes, political corruption, abuse, death, friendship, family ties, ancestry, magic and more. It had just enough and never too much.
Nubian’s had to evacuate their country after a storm destroyed destroyed their lands. They landed in NY where the are segregated to the swamp aka slums. The rich live in high towers with all the extras money can buy, the Nubians have nearly nothing. It’s a classic tale of the rich vs the poor, with oppression, racism, and hatred, but there is a twist that makes this so much more. The once great Nubian’s get some of their history reborn. This will be the change of everything.
Cliffhanger ending
Nubian’s had to evacuate their country after a storm destroyed destroyed their lands. They landed in NY where the are segregated to the swamp aka slums. The rich live in high towers with all the extras money can buy, the Nubians have nearly nothing. It’s a classic tale of the rich vs the poor, with oppression, racism, and hatred, but there is a twist that makes this so much more. The once great Nubian’s get some of their history reborn. This will be the change of everything.
Cliffhanger ending
shutupiamreading's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bwadae's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
fast-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
4.0
amesnotamy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-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
4.0
donisha09's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
mandukation's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
nora_sophia's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
nearly_empty_nesting's review
4.0
Climate impact on the future cause the water levels to rise. The island population of Nubia is displaced to New York City. The impact forces the displaced Nubians to manage the social classes in a big city where there is a significant disparity between those that have and those who do not. This is where fantasy comes in. Nubian special powers (which have been dormant since the move to NYC), start to generate in the teenage generation.
Along with superhero-type magic, this book touches on some heavy topics like racism, corruption, and social issues.
I found the beginning to read a bit slow. There were many characters introduced and some complex background development. Once that setup occurs, the pace picks up and it is hard to put down by the end, clearly set up for a sequel.
Along with superhero-type magic, this book touches on some heavy topics like racism, corruption, and social issues.
I found the beginning to read a bit slow. There were many characters introduced and some complex background development. Once that setup occurs, the pace picks up and it is hard to put down by the end, clearly set up for a sequel.
caylieratzlaff's review
4.0
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 4/5 stars (maybe 3.75?)
I'm kind of a sucker for anything that's dystopian and inspired by non-white folklore and legend, so I was super excited for this science fiction/dystopian novel. The cover is STUNNING, and the premise sounded exciting and different than the usual stuff appearing.
The novel has a wide range of POVs, and at times it felt like it didn't let the characters develop as much as they could have, but it's also definitely the first book in a series. I think a lot more world building could have happened, as I'm still confused on a LOT of stuff as it gets revealed to the characters. Krazen is perfectly done as the villain though, along with his daughter, as I hate BOTH of them so much by the end of the novel and how manipulative they are to get what they want.
I both like and dislike separating the Nubians as a plot point, but it really just made me frustrated how it was used as an element to further separation and politics...but I'm pretty sure that's the point of it.
It is a relatively quick read though, and the action is nonstop.
I'm kind of a sucker for anything that's dystopian and inspired by non-white folklore and legend, so I was super excited for this science fiction/dystopian novel. The cover is STUNNING, and the premise sounded exciting and different than the usual stuff appearing.
The novel has a wide range of POVs, and at times it felt like it didn't let the characters develop as much as they could have, but it's also definitely the first book in a series. I think a lot more world building could have happened, as I'm still confused on a LOT of stuff as it gets revealed to the characters. Krazen is perfectly done as the villain though, along with his daughter, as I hate BOTH of them so much by the end of the novel and how manipulative they are to get what they want.
I both like and dislike separating the Nubians as a plot point, but it really just made me frustrated how it was used as an element to further separation and politics...but I'm pretty sure that's the point of it.
It is a relatively quick read though, and the action is nonstop.