Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
THE MIND OF SABAA TAHIR. the most epic high fantasy book i've laid my eyes on. i didn't even plan to buy this book but it was on sale so i decided to give it a go. BEST DECISION THIS BRAIN HAS EVER MADE. where do i begin... this review will start with my fangirling and end with my fangirling.
i felt myself not breathing more than once during the duration of this book. reading it is like drowning in liquid gold - it's fucking gorgeous but you're literally suffocated. this world is so intense that you can't help but feel for the main characters. your blood will boil in half a second and your heart will break even faster. even though the Empire is a fictional world; it has an insane resemblance with the world we live in - how people are forced to categorize each other to avoid pain. The system, the leaders, the creatures; this book is the epitome of dystopian novels.
i adored the main characters so much, and it is incredibly refreshing to see into the characters i've deemed "shallow" when i read the first few chapters. Laia is the most wonderful breath of air. she's the main character that i'm sure many people will see themselves in (even if this is a fantasy novel) i surely did. so many times i just wanted to hug her, comfort her and assure her of her abilities. her bravery, selflessness and strength will forever inspire me. Elias is... my entire soul aches for him. i cannot imagine the amount of stress, trauma and dilemma he has to face every day. he reminds me of Achilles, but better :) he's so broken, cracked, but possesses the warmest heart. aside from the darker stuff, Elias' humor is top tier. Laia and Elias is an iconic duo, i grinned like a maniac at the most unexpected scenes. finally Helene. i don't want to spoil anything, but i think she is the character that has the most depth i've ever read about. i'm more in awe with her the further i read. and she is a BADASS. i'm eager to find out more about her character development.
Sabaa Tahir crafted the maddest world and developed it in the most captivating way. her writing skills is out of this world, the character development >>> everything. i can see everything, feel everything so vividly. i obsessively underlined quotes in this book. she can stab me with a scim and i will say thank you.
i can't stop thinking about this book. and i'm even more excited for the next 3 books. ms. Sabaa Tahir has my bank account in a chokehold, idc, be my guest.
i was nervous writing this review because i felt the need to do this book its justice.
gripping, emotional, marvelous.
this book is definitely going in my top 5 books of 2021. the themes developed in this book are family,customs vs change, identity and more, and they're all told in such a heartwarming and enthralling sense.
i originally picked up this book through booktok, as they were recommending it as an enemies to lovers romance, and this book delivered all that, AND MORE. the enemies to lovers part is definitely present, but it doesn't overshadow the other themes discussed.
i was captivated since the first scene (a battle scene folks) and putting the book down was nearly impossible. Eelyn is a badass and brilliant main character, Fiske raised my standards so high it had touched mars. Halvard, Inge and Iri has my entire heart. the scenery, the narration, the depth of the characters, all written to absolute perfection. i was so deeply connected to the characters and the story that the real world felt foreign. i may have cried tears of joy and sadness while reading the last chapter.
if i can shove this book down your throat, i will. if you have it, READ IT. if you like vikings, READ IT, if you want to go on a fascinating adventure, READ IT.