For some reason I didn’t think I was going to like this book, I’ve been putting it off for months and months now and I was pleasantly surprised how much I loved this book!
It follows Nahri a young woman in 18th century Cairo, who masquerades as a healer for the wealthy but ends up stealing from them to make ends meet. During one of her ceremonies Nahri ends up inadvertently summoning a djinn, thrusting her into a magical world she didn’t believe existed.
I really liked Nahri’s character and her development over the course of the story. It was a subtle shift but we really see her become a lot more open and honest both with Dara and herself. She was a little frustrating at times, especially when she refused to see the patients and didn’t even try to listen to Nisreen about the Daeva clan and what was happening to them out in the city. I’m glad Nisreen gave it to her straight and tried to make her accountable for her actions.
I’m not a fan of how Dara kept so many secrets from Nahri and just expected her to follow him with no explanation on his part. He did become a little too possessive over her in the end there and that did grate my nerves a little. He still intrigues me a lot and I am so very much invested in his storyline, what really happened all those years ago, who freed him from his slavery and what other secrets he is hiding.
Ali’s plotIine I wasn’t as invested in as the others, I guess I am a bit more biased towards the Daeva clan than I am with his family. I appreciated that he is trying to go against his father and help the Shafit plight in the city but he gives up to easily in my opinion, and I thought he deserved the punishment he got in the end. He was completely outclassed by his father and the Sheik’s death was pretty much in vain at this point. I guess I just expected more from his character, especially since he is built up to be this feared warrior.
I loved the overall concept and the premise of the story. The world building was wonderful and highly atmospheric. I could do with a little more information about the magic system and the extent of the powers of the different clans. I can’t wait to find out this world and how each of the characters develops as the story continues!
⭐️4/5 stars I need to continue ASAP!
Beach Read by Emily Henry – This was a fantastic book. I went into it with the expectations that it would be a light fluffy contemporary yet it delves so much more into deeper topics and was quite thought provoking and touching. This was definitely a slow burn. There were various scenes that got me very eager to read on and find out whether or not January will get her happy ending! ⭐️5/5 stars
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo – It was a little too info dumpy at the start of the book. For those first hundred or so pages it was really a struggle to get through. It was slower paced and there are just so many dates, code names, characters, rules and regulations as well as all the magical elements woven in as well. It was a lot more rooted into the historical elements of the houses and it kind of bored me. However, once I was settled into the story and the investigation about Tara’s death began the pacing definitely picked up and the action intensified. ⭐️3/5 stars
Get A Life Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert – This book was fantastic! It was fast paced, cute and quirky! One thing I appreciated about the book was the communication between the characters. If one of them was upset they would express that to each other and kind of work their way through all of their obstacles. I thought Chloe’s sisters were really distinct and funny. Again they were always making sure Chloe was ok and checking in on her and was very supportive of her and her chosen lifestyle. I’m really interested to hear more about them! ⭐️5/5 stars
House of Salt and Sorrow by Erin A. Craig – The pacing was a little bit off at times. The beginning I thought really captured my attention and was very engaging and then there were a few sections in the middle of the story that was a little harder to get through and then the ending felt a little rushed to me. It felt like everything was kind of exposed suddenly and then wrapped up equally suddenly. However, I really enjoyed this book. It ebbed and flowed and had me intrigued enough to finish it quite quickly! ⭐️3.5/5 stars
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin – I thought this book was cleverly done. I had heard it involved a witch and witch hunter being forcing to get married and I didn’t quite understand how it was going to happen, but the way the plot line played out it made sense. It wasn’t at all insta-lovey and there was definitely a period of hatred, turned to indifference, to mutual respect and then we started getting more feelings involved. It definitely progressed on the slower side of thing but I didn’t mind it. I thought the premise was highly original and the whole dichotomy between the witches and the different covens was fascinating to get into. ⭐️4/5 stars
