husnaibrahim_'s reviews
228 reviews

My goodness this was such a book! I never felt a moment of boredom, which is quite remarkable considering the complexity of the storyline. I mean this book had so much going on all at once with all these different people and povs, but it somehow doesn’t feel chaotic.

At first, I was a bit puzzled by all these different main characters telling their stories, but as I got deeper into it, it totally made sense and actually added to the excitement.

I think this book had so many things going right for it. Following the main characters as the big convergence day was approaching added a lot of anticipation. So when Serapio finally played his role and Naranpa wasn’t there, it was like a big, satisfying revelation. This carefully woven approach made the story even more engaging.

Now, speaking of Naranpa, her pov was the only one that didn’t immediately grab my attention. It wasn’t necessarily her character, but rather the dynamics around her that didn’t click for me. It’s not her fault but everyone around her was kind of irritating. At first, I didn’t mind her, and I even liked Iktan, but as the story unfolded, I found myself getting frustrated with both of them. Naranpa is the Sun Priest for for God’s sake, but it seemed like she had zero power, which was weird. But, turns out it’s because she’s being oppressed. And you know what, I’m actually glad her and Iktan’s potential romance didn’t materialize. I felt that Okoa had better chemistry with her.

In terms of chemistry, Xiala and Serapio worked really well too. I wouldn’t say that I saw it coming, nor am I strongly rooting for them, but I think it’ll be interesting to see if it actually goes somewhere. Alternatively, the idea of Xiala working with Iktan is also worth considering? Idk we’ll see because we’ve got so many unanswered questions and possibilities.

So yes, I’m really excited about the second book. I need to know what’s up with Naranpa, whether Benundah was right about Serapio still being around, and his impending bond with the crows, which is just fascinating. I mean his crows seem to be really efficient and loyal to him and I hope that relationship is explored more honestly. Also, I’m dying to find out what happened to Iktan and if he is the one who helped Xiala in the end.

There’s just so much going on, so much left to uncover and so much to look forward to and I can’t wait honestly. 

This book was beautifully written. Those little details, and the way Alaska is woven into the story, it’s like Alaska’s a character itself. It’s beautiful. The relationship between Leni and her mom, that’s beautiful too. Their resilience in the face of what they went through was also beautiful to see. All these are just a few of the many things that makes this book beautiful, yet they couldn’t completely rescue where the story was headed.

Let’s begin with the setting, which was undoubtedly well-described. But it became somewhat repetitive and kind of drawn out. As I mentioned, it felt like the description of Alaska itself was competing for page space with the main characters. It wouldn’t have been an issue if the mcs had a stronger presence when we experienced their povs, but that wasn’t the case.

Now, about Leni, she grows during the story, no doubt. But I kind of wished she had more layers. Because her character just seemed to lack depth. She appeared somewhat one-dimensional. If you strip away the connection she had with her environment, there’s not a ton left to her character. 

And her mom, I got frustrated with her at times. She endured a lot, perhaps too much, but it’s realistic considering she got pregnant and married young, right after high school. I mean It’s not unusual for someone in her situation to lack the motivation to escape. It’s like an old-school abuse situation, you know? So even though it was hard to like her at times, especially when she was going on about how he used to be so “good” and how now was the time to “love him back to health”, I got where she was coming from.

Now, setting aside these things I’ve mentioned, here’s the big problem - there’s no breather. I mean, for the characters and for us readers. We are continually pulled from one dramatic event to another, often with little time for processing it all. Many of these events could and should have been preventable, obviously with the father at the center of it all. Initially, it was easy to feel sympathy for the father due to his PTSD, but then the story suddenly takes this dark turn.

I think it would have worked well with just his PTSD as a central issue. With his extreme reactions, then that becomes heavy. Which would have been fine in any other book but this one. Then there’s the fact that Leni ends up in a seemingly perfect and convenient romance in the middle of everything. Which doesn’t quite fit the boy’s family or background btw. I think the only time I felt some sort of relief or hope was whenever the community, especially the women, rallied behind them. It definitely was nice to see. 

Finally, the end, so much stuff happens all at once, it’s a whirlwind. It’s tough to go through, especially after the rollercoaster in the middle of the book. It’s like, this book is beautiful, no doubt. But its “issues” seemed too perfectly constructed, making it challenging not to become kind of mad. It felt like I was meant to be upset, traumatized, and angry, which left me frustrated because it all seemed a bit too neat, if you know what I mean.

I know I might develop a different opinion in a few days or weeks, but for now, I can’t say I liked it all that much.

I’m incredibly sad that I didn’t end up liking this book as much as I’d hoped I would. 

The plot has so much potential, especially with Saint Mortain and his daughters, but it felt underdeveloped and derailed. It all begins with Ismae in a dreadful situation. We literally start it off with her getting assaulted by the men in her life, so it makes sense that she’d embrace the opportunity to be one of Death’s handmaidens when she’s rescued and recognized as St. Mortain’s daughter.

What I really wanted to see more of was the process of the training. It would’ve been great to get into her relationships with her training sisters, Annith and Sybella. Maybe as a prequel, it could’ve helped us understand her connection with the covenant better. Then I think I would have been able to understand why she could so easily doubt the covenant.

This book could’ve been exceptional if it focused less on her questioning the covenant and believing everything Duval says, then promptly falling in love with him. It would be far more intriguing if the Covenant of women was unshakably strong, with Duval, in turn, questioning himself instead.

Why did we follow the overused path of her doubting her “family” and authority figures to believe the potential romantic partner and then betraying those who saved her long before he even entered her life? Then subsequently leaving them to be with him and changing or modifying her paths to fit this new life with him? It all just felt too cliché, and it’s disappointing because nothing about this story should be that predictable.

It would have been so compelling if the covenant remained this formidable force that could never be wrong because, that itself is a powerful storyline. Instead, we got an underdeveloped romance that wasn’t moving. At all!

Sure, I liked Duval, and I enjoyed his relationship with his younger sisters, particularly the duchess. However, the romance between Ismae and him didnt have that depth. I didn’t feel that intense urge to keep reading their scenes or giggling with anticipation when scenes of Ismae and him alone happened. I mean I get the concept of them gradually falling in love, especially because he spent his nights in her room, but we didn’t even see much of that. It shouldn’t have required sidelining the who covenant/ assassin storyline to develop their romance, yet that’s exactly what happened. Then the whole issue with brittany and the duchess took front and center, so it felt like everything else in the plot got left behind. 

In the end, I think the book had its moments, but it didn’t quite reach its potential. I would’ve preferred a female protagonist who didn’t feel helpless because she can’t not fall in love with this guy she is supposed to be investigating. It’s sooo frustratingly cliché, especially when this story had the ingredients to be something fresh! 

The covenant’s mysterious angle and Ismae’s skills as an assassin should definitely have been explored further. I would have loved to see her in action more than what we got with the whole Brittany courts and politics situation. 

I’m curious about where this series is headed. It’s all about murder mysteries in a small town, and that’s intriguing. Especially because at the start of this book, we learned that the town hasn’t had a murder for almost ten years. So how will they handle it when multiple homicides occur in such a short time span? In any case, I have no doubt Zak will be up to task.

I mean I really liked him. He’s the type of character you can connect with - logical but not overpowering. This book has multiple povs, so as we follow several people in the small town, It felt like there were more subplots and storylines than the homicide investigation itself. So I’m not entirely sure if I like or dislike that, but I assume this is the series’ style, and I’m curious to see how it all plays out.

I also wonder about the potential romance between Deputy Nadine Black and Zak. It’s intriguing, especially since they share similar hobbies. Also, It seemed to me like they had better chemistry than Tiff and Kenny. Maybe it’s because Kenny didn’t make the best impression from the start, and then we didn’t get enough time at the end to come to terms with the fact that he isn’t all that bad.

Then there’s Willow. I’m sure she’ll reappear again when her luck with Paul runs out. What she did was just pretty messed up, and I can’t wait to see how Justin and his dad handle her when she returns. I’m really just hoping they don’t let her walk all over them.

And, I hope Zak won’t be a pushover either when it comes to dealing with the sheriff in the future. He might be just a dispatcher but he definitely deserves way more respect from them. 

The sense of nostalgia that washes over me when reading African books with magical realism themes is truly unparalleled.

This book was a real delight. I have to admit, I wasn’t sure about Simi at first, a city kid visiting a remote village, especially with her preconceived stereotypes. Yet, she managed to surprise me how  open-minded she was. Her secular, city upbringing turned out to be exactly what the story needed.

Now, one thing that had me a bit puzzled and maybe even a tad irritated was the way her mom referred to Iyanla, Simi’s grandmother. Family is a big deal for me, and their relationship seemed a bit off. But considering the chaotic circumstances, it somehow made sense.

Being a Nigerian, I grew up with stories of juju and traditional worship. So, the storyline didn’t catch me off guard; in fact, that’s precisely why I picked up this book. It was like taking a stroll down memory lane.

Iyanla’s character resonated with me deeply. She embodied the wisdom and seriousness of many elderly women from the village. While not outwardly affectionate,  you’d better believe they loved you more than most people you’d encounter in your life. So, when it turned out she was a priestess, it wasn’t much of a shocker.

Then the whole world of Oshun, Layo, and the children of the quicksands honestly had me captivated. The author’s descriptions of this underground realm were so vivid. 

And I loved how Simi didn’t fail to behave like a city kid because why on earth would she think it’s her destiny to end it all?? I mean yes it ended up being just that but Abeg now! You are a Nigerian o, not a white person. Like please be serious now. I mean at least 
jay had more sense than Simi and behaved like a typical village boy because what do you mean you have to go back down there and that it's your destiny??

There were honestly so many things I loved about this book. Simi’s surprising ease in adapting to village life despite her city upbringing, the endearing presence of Bubu, who was like that younger cousin always follwing you around when you visit the village, Mr. Balogun’s humor, Baba Morayo’s significant role, and, most importantly, seeing her mom come to terms with her childhood memories—it was all so heartwarming.

Honestly, there’s very little I didn’t love about this book. My main quibbles revolved around the prolonged delay in Simi learning the truth about the lake and her decision to keep her discovery to herself until it was too late.  Nevertheless, this is a book I’m eager to recommend and revisit in the future because it so beautifully written and the book cover does it justice. 

This one is easily among my favorites from the series. There’s just something special when Lieutenant Eve Dallas investigates a murder involving her closest circle. What’s not to love about solving a murder over breakfast with your girlfriends, especially after a night of, well, let’s say adventurous activities? Like drunk swimming while naked. 

I’ve always had a soft spot for the books where Eve’s entire friend group gets involved, and this one doesn’t disappoint in that regard. Except the fact that Morris is the one at the end of the short stick this time around. I genuinely wished things didn’t unfold the way they did for Ammy. I had a feeling Eve might have really liked her if they had a chance to get to know each other better. But I guess Morris was one of the few out of the friend group that we didn’t get to see have a portion of his life upturned by murder.

 Honestly, I didn’t suspect the murderer at all, not until the memorial. It’s funny how I had my eye on the ex, even though I actually liked him. I suppose mysteries can’t always be so obvious. The one thing that still piques my curiosity is whether he got to witness the final moments of the interrogation, considering he was at Central. That would have added an interesting twist, to say the least.