Sahi

Been a long while since I've read a contemporary romance novel and the only reason I even preordered the audiobook for this one is because Jacob Morgan and Teddy Hamilton narrated it. They are my absolute favorite duo, after listening to Him and Us and I can confidently say that they both made this book extra enjoyable. I had fun listening to this during a couple of days which were otherwise very tough for me.

Wow this was just so beautiful. It's been a while since I've read Ken Liu's short stories but I've loved everything I've read of his before and this one is no different. The writing is lyrical and beautiful and every line is brimming with meaning, I almost wanted to have it in physical form so I could highlight the many inspiring sentences here. The theme of this story is about the subjectivity of art, the relationship between an artist and their audience, and the importance of realizing that every single person who views an art piece will bring their own biases with them while appreciating or not liking it, and no opinion is really wrong. It's a very thoughtfully written story which is highly relevant to our current social media culture of pile-ons, with many insisting that their opinions are objective and right and everyone else is wrong.

Truly, I think most of us who review books or consume art in any form should give this story a try and realize that art can have myriad of interpretations based on the eye of the beholder, and we shouldn't be spending our time arguing about the validity of a single pov. It's time we accept and appreciate diversity of thoughts and opinions, not only about art, but everything else in life.

I've read the previous two sci-fi novellas from the author and really enjoyed them, so I had to give this new fantasy a try. Set in 1600s London and following an apprentice midwife who happens to have some otherworldly powers, this short book turned out to be atmospheric, spooky, a bit horrific, and very interesting on the whole. Sarah is a nice protagonist to follow - one with a past she is escaping, desires she is scared to act upon lest she lose her reputation and vocation, someone who just wants to be seen as a whole person for who she is. While the book is very short, I liked her character arc and where she ended up. The plot itself isn't too complex and was pretty predictable too I guess, but it still left me satisfied. I don't think this will be a series, so I can only hope for a new installment in the author's Sisters of the Vast Black series.

Not a bad book but I guess I was expecting something much deeper, with more historical and philosophical insights which I didn't ultimately get. However, the author does talk a lot about her own experiences and those of other women, which I found very relatable. I'm also not much aware of the concept of the Seven Deadly Sins, so I definitely learnt quite a bit. Overall, it just wasn't the kind of the expecting and what I got was not entirely new material.

More of a 3.5 but I'm rounding up.

This turned out to be one of those books where I'm completely confused as to what I feel about it and what can I even write in this review. It was a very intriguing read in parts while very slow to get through in others, and throughout my reading I kept wondering where it was going and what was the point of it all. I can see the influences of Sri Lankan politics in the world building but I guess it was the writing style that just wasn't for me.

But I'm still glad I finally got to read this author's work. And the well narrated audiobook definitely helped me to want to pick it up whenever I could find little time.

Lost You Forever was a drama that I didn't think I wanted to watch because I had heard it was gonna be very angsty. Also one female lead with four guys seemed like a perfect recipe for heartbreak. But I kept seeing clips and highlights about it all across my socials and couldn't resist, instantly falling in love with the drama. After almost coming closer towards the end of season 1, I found the completed fan translation of the book and just had to binge read it every second of free time I had, because who knows when the second season will air.

And wow was the book absolutely brilliant. It's been a while since I've read a new cnovel, so it was exciting to dive into it. Also, I like going into these books after watching a bit of the drama, because I like visualizing the actors while reading and it was such a wonderful experience here. The writing and translation were great, with amazing dramatic moments, so much emotion throughout, complicated relationship dynamics, and overall a very heart wrenching story. I didn't know that there was a prequel book with the previous generation as the main characters and I loved that the translator gave enough background (and sometimes even some important scenes from the prequel), so that we could understand the stakes of the current characters better. It made for an even more meaningful read and I really appreciated getting the little details which aren't necessarily in the drama adaptation.

But the heart of this book are the characters. The author is clearly very talented at creating an ensemble of characters, every one of whom is impressive and unique in their own ways, making the reader unable to pick our favorites. I obviously went into the book with already my favs in mind coz of the drama and that didn't change much as the book progressed deeper. I definitely appreciated Xiaoyao much more because all she wants is a simple happy life with the man she loves and she has to suffer so much to get there. Tushan Jing is definitely not in my top 3 but I can totally see how he is the one and only for Xiaoyao. Feng Long is a lot of fun to follow along, so I didn't actually predict the way his character arc would develop.

Ultimately though, my heart is swayed by the stunningly written characters of Zhuan Xu (Cang Xuan in the drama) and Xiang Lu. They both look cold and keep their feelings buried deep in their hearts, but the lengths to which they'll go for the sake of their loved ones is beautiful as well as heartbreaking. For the most part of the book, I absolutely adored the relationship between Xiaoyao and Xuan, and how much they were devoted to each other. While I did like Xiang Lu's character and imagining Tan Jianci playing him in the drama is amazing, I completely fell in love with him towards the latter half of the story, and I can't wait to see all that angst on screen in season 2 and bawl my eyes out.

On the whole, I really didn't think this would become a favorite but now I can't imagine not having experienced this brilliant story. It has an interesting world, very captivating storyline of fighting for your love in various ways, and characters to die for and who are utterly unforgettable. I'm gonna remember this story for a long time to come and let's see, maybe I will checkout if I can find any other translations of this author's works.

I'm definitely giving it a 4.5.

It's always fun diving into a Sigma book and this was no different. At the time when I'm having difficulty reading much and can't find enough time to focus, this was the perfect thrilling read. Even the apocalyptic events happening in the book couldn't stop me from thoroughly enjoying it. I also liked how it was resolved towards the end. But the last line promises a very different kind of next book and I have a feeling we're gonna meet a lot of old and new characters. I'm only sorry that I have to wait an year for it.

Mostly a 3.5 but I'm rounding up.

I typed up a whole review here and the GR app closed down suddenly without saving any of it. I'm just out of the hospital and in pain with very low energy, so I'm not typing it all out again.

Just wanna say this book was a light and enjoyable company when I was admitted to the hospital and I will always remember it as the first book I read after I had my baby, so it's always gonna be special. Check it out if you want something lighter and entertaining, with good characters, lovely romance, wonderful relationships, a very well narrated audiobook, or if you just want a break from all the series and would love to read a stand-alone fantasy.

A good one. Necessary focus on intersectionality and inclusivity. But it was was traumatic in a way because the author is blunt in the kind of fat shaming that exists irl and all of it reiterated only made me feel bad.

But still a book that can be illuminating for someone who hasn't read much literature on anti fatness discrimination across various aspects of life.

I know I've been neglecting my arcs for a while but now that I'm feeling all the fomo, it was so easy to read this book very very quickly.

It's always such fun to be back in Miracle Springs and even though this is the only cozy mystery I've ever read, I hope the author continues to write more and more. This time the plot hits too close to home because Nora's repressed past finally comes back to haunt her, but it was as always nice to see that she had all the support of her friends, her community and boyfriend. The mystery as always isn't too difficult to solve though it did take an unexpected turn towards the end, which was interesting. We also have a new addition of characters to the town and while their introduction felt a bit hostile, they ended up being pretty cool towards the end. All our four ladies are also embarking on new avenues in their lives and I was very happy to see that.

Overall, this book as always gave me the comfort I was seeking, along with a super fun booklist towards the end. The next one will hopefully come out next year and I will be eagerly waiting for sure.

Another fun ride with Steve Berry and Cotton Malone. I enjoyed getting to know the history of the kingdom of Bavaria and it's enigmatic king Ludwig II and all of his family, but I didn't expect I'll also get acquainted with the coup that made the kingdom of Hawaii the 50th state.

Cotton's adventures are always fun and this was equally good, especially because all the player's motivations kept changing and the betrayals were pretty unexpected. It was nice to see Luke be a part of the team this time, as well as some new characters who I feel like we may not be seeing the last of. The mystery itself was interesting too, but I've come to expect that from the author. Overall a very enjoyable read which I finished very quickly and can't wait to see what the author comes up with next.

Possibly more of a 4.5 though.

I mean did decide to buy this novella because it had some great reviews. But I really wasn't expecting to love it so much instantly.

Turns out, it's another wonderful example of what cozy fantasy is all about. The writing is evocative and charming, even though we are following our MC, who is an intern at a corporate wizarding call center, and is completely drained by the bureaucratic/ capitalistic nightmare that is her job. The story is told in second person and we don't even get to know our protagonist's name till almost the end but that doesn't matter because one phone call changes the trajectory of their life and we are hooked. Then we get a delightful story of found family, love, possession, a demon prince from Hell and possibly some unexpected deal making - but who cares because I found myself swept away in the tenderness of the bonds that develop, and the kindness and compassion that our protagonist exemplifies in a world that probably doesn't reward them for these qualities.

Overall, this maybe a completely different world and writing style, but this little novella gave me the same joy I have felt while reading the exploits of Murderbot. So if you want to read an unexpectedly sweet little novella about love and hope, in a possibly bleak world, go for it. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Another Kingfisher book I'm reading this year and who knows, it'll probably not even be the last. And every book of hers always manages to leave me feeling satisfied but wanting more.

This is a Sleeping Beauty retelling told from the POV from the faerie guarding the tower, Toadling. She is such an endearing character who is scared and unsure of herself, hasn't gotten much of a chance to make choices in her long life, and always tries to help in whatever way she can. The way the author reveals her backstory little by little is beautiful and she is definitely what makes this little novella memorable. The knight Halim on the other hand is a nice guy - no doubt - but the kind of nice guy who thinks he is doing the right thing, irrespective of the wishes of those around him. So while I thought he could be better, I wasn't totally swept off by him.

The prose is lyrical and haunting and sweet, something I've come to expect from the author, and it always marvels me how she manages to show the darkness in her stories but still ensures that there's enough light to be found at the end of the tunnel and the readers are always left with hope. It's the same feeling I got after finishing this story - it's too short but we get enough of it that we are satisfied despite all the awful moments that have passed, and we are left with hope for the many adventures Toadling might go on after this end.

To finish this off, you can't miss this if you are a Kingfisher fan like I am. And if you haven't encountered her works yet, this little novella is not a bad starting point. Just go in expecting something weird and horrific but also sweet and cozy and get swept up in its magic. I do have to mention that the audiobook narrator Jennifer Blom does a lovely job bringing Toadling's story to us and I would surely recommend the audio format to those who enjoy listening to fairytales.

CW: on page death, anxiety and panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, racism

I may not have finished Babel but it's still on my list and maybe I'll read next year, but there was never any doubt that I'll read this one despite it not being SFF. And I was actually very glad I got to buy the paperback for a very good price on sale. Turns out, it was such an unputdownable read.

I'll be honest, I'm still not completely sure what I feel about the book on the whole. It's immensely readable and a breeze to get through - once I started, I didn't wanna stop and didn't even realize how much I had read when I had to take a break. I also listened to the audiobook in parts and I have to commend the narrator Helen Laser because she just brings the voice of June to life and her voice acting made it an equally wonderful listen.

The plot is a mix of a satirical take on how US publishing works with its seasonal trends and intermittent commitments to “diversity”, the real struggles that POC authors have to go through to make it, the resentment that white authors might feel because they aren't always the most sought after anymore, and how social media mobs can twist and turn narratives and upend people's lives. As a perpetually online booktwt person, the whole book felt acutely familiar to me and I could especially see the exact Twitter comments coming before I even read them on page. I know there have been many criticisms about this particular aspect of the book because many instances seem to have been lifted directly from things that have happened on booktwt in the past few years, but I actually enjoyed that.

As for the characters, this is probably one of those rare characters where I didn't like a single one of them but still enjoyed the book as a whole - which is surprising for me because I'm a very character focused person. I won't deny that there were parts where I could feel June's pain but overall she is hardly likable because she is petty and jealous and in denial that she is racist. Maybe she could have been written with more nuance and came across more like a racist stereotype, but there have been enough ppl who talk like her on social media that I've encountered so it didn't bother me. It almost felt petty on my part to enjoy her rise and fall in the story but it's just funny to see how she justifies every action of hers while simultaneously spiraling down.

I did really like how Athena's character was written. I know many readers have complained that it felt like too much of a self insert, but it didn't bother me much because I don't follow RFK closely enough to realize how much of her own voice bleeds through in the narrative. Athena is a very interesting example of what it might take to be successful as a WOC in this industry, and how your brilliant writing skills aren't enough - you have to be deemed young and beautiful so that you can be marketed, painful narratives from one's personal history being written feels almost like a necessity to get published, but it also provokes the question about how this exploitation of other's pain for her own writing and eventual success leaves behind many people in further pain - and isn't that the irony of it all.

I frankly don't know what else to write. Maybe I do have more thoughts but I'm not sure I want to put them out there. I'm not even sure whom to recommend this book to. But if you like RFK, then do give this a try. If you think you'll enjoy an easily readable satirical take on publishing, diversity, social media mobs and cancel culture, then maybe this book is for you. The open ending was a nice touch because I feel that's how the real world works. But I still think the book could have said more with a narrower focus. I don't really have complains that it wasn't in-depth enough, but maybe that's why it's not a full 5 stars from me. Maybe I just have too much expectations from the author. Can't wait to read her next book - isn't it the one set in Hell..???

Very interesting, creative, thought provoking, and scarily possible futuristic debut. I just currently don't have the patience to write a review but this one is a definite recommendation from me, if you like your sci-fi to be more personal.

Probably more of a 3.5 but I'm rounding up.

This is a retelling of the Japanese folktale The Crane Wife and while I couldn't fully recollect what it was about, it is mentioned in this novella too, so that was a good way to refresh my memory. While the original is about greed, this novella deals with grief, loss, generational trauma, domestic abuse, and survival - and does it so marvelously in just 120 pages.

The writing is absolutely magical - very poetic and lyrical, giving it a fairytale feel, even though the content itself is absolutely horrific at times. We knows it's set in the American Midwest but there's not really a clear vision of whether this is the past or some dystopian future, or maybe a combo of the two. But the bleakness of the town, the numbness of drones monitoring the endless farmland, the daily grind of our narrator taking care of everything in her home as well as her mother and little brother while not even bothering about what it's going to her - it all makes for a heartbreaking but resilient tale of a young woman determined to protect her beloved brother and ensure that he is able to escape this cycle of abuse.

I'm not sure I completely understood every metaphor here, and the power of art and transformation while being an integral part here didn't really move me. What I loved was our unnamed narrator's relentless strength and selfless love and the ending was both bittersweet but hopeful. Just go for this short novella if you have some time and want to experience something which is beautifully dark and nightmarish but also full of love.

How could I stop myself from reading this lovely novella..?? I know there's still time for the release but I just needed a bit of familiarity and being back in the world of Singing Hills was a joy and I'm so glad I got the arc of this book.

Our favorite cleric Chih is back at Singing Hills too and it was so nice to finally see their home through their eyes, even though it's dampened by the grief of losing their mentor and the threat of mammoths at their gates. Almost Brilliant also finally makes an appearance, now already a mother and even more authoritative than I remember. But what this lovely novella is ultimately about grief and loss - how losing someone important maybe inevitable but how we grieve them can be different, each person's grief can manifest in myriad unexpected ways but nothing is wrong with that, and it's the bonds we have built and shared that help us through the tough times.

This is a short and maybe bittersweet but also hopeful tale about losing, grieving and moving on, finding our ways through change, and cherishing the friendships and relationships we have built over the years - all told through the form of stories. It's a perfect addition to this amazing series, carrying forward its theme of how stories keep memories alive, and paving the way for our main characters' future adventures. I can only hope that the author will let us be a part of these future journeys too.

Another 4.5 read this month, yay !!!!

I've been eager to read this third installment of the Regency Faerie Tales since I got a copy last year but it just never worked out. But I definitely needed something sweet to get through my troubles this month and this book turned out to be the perfect medication.

The writing is as charming, witty, whimsical and lovely as the first two books and I was instantly delighted to be back in this world. It was also nice to be back in this world among familiar characters, because this is kind of a direct sequel to Half A Soul. Abigail is the adopted daughter of Elias and Dora and their relationship is one of the sweetest in the book, along with Abby's dynamic with Hugh, her cool ghost brother. It's just such an endearing family and I loved following their quest to solve murders involving the ton in this book. Abby is ably assisted by Mercy who is as mysterious as her shadow magic and while they both start off as adversaries, the development of their love story absolutely adorable.

While family and love are the core of this book, I also liked how the author tackled important themes without them overwhelming the cozy tone of the story. We see the kind of classist and snobby behavior the ton exhibits and how Abby has to lie or trick her way through conversations even when she is investigating murders among their own. The other theme that is quite deeply explored is the idea of death and while it's true that it's inevitable for everyone, it doesn't mean that it's wrong for a person to want to fight to live, or even want to remain a ghost without moving on from their loved ones. The author integrates these ideas through character development and I thought it was masterfully done.

Overall, this was a delightful read and something that made me very happy. While the first two books of the trilogy can work as standalones, you'll enjoy this book more if you've read both of them. If you are in the mood for a regency sapphic romance, some delightful family moments, as well as some cool magical and ghostly sleuthing, do pick up this book and I promise you will not be disappointed.

It almost feels like after a horrible reading slump and being frustrated that I'm not keeping up with any of my reading plans all through this pregnancy, I'm finally feeling the FOMO in these last weeks before my due date and trying to catch up as much as I can. This time it was the turn of the very beautiful looking The Ten Percent Thief by Lavanya Lakshminarayan, which got an international release early this year after being debuted previously in South Asia with a different title. I was expecting quite a bit from this book but turns out, it's even better and I finished the book in just 2 days, to my utter surprise and delight.

This is a mosaic novel, a bit reminiscent of the profound How High We Go in the Dark, though this one takes place in a much more near future technocratic dystopia, within a much shorter time frame. Set in erstwhile Bangalore but now called Apex City, run by the Bell Corp where all citizens are rated on the bell curve, this book through the eyes of both the privileged and oppressed characters, gives us a glimpse into what this world controlled by a mega corp, optimized by algorithms, and driven by themes of productivity and conformity, has turned into.

While we get various POVs, each of different age groups and professions, we see their lives closely and what motivates them to keep going - how some of them have to work extra hard to conform and ensure that they don't fall down on the curve, how they are ready to completely transform themselves to achieve this outcome, how utterly dependent every single aspect of life is on technology and how some of the Analogs are ready to fight back. Even though there are through lines between the stories, we don't always meet the characters again but even in the short time we spend with them, it's very easy to feel for them. But the beauty of this book is in how realistic and plausible the author makes this future feel - already we see ourselves living out social lives at the whims of algorithms everyday and it's no surprise that the world envisioned in this book feels like a logical conclusion. I was captivated by the writing and the while it's not necessarily a singular plot focused, it still moves at a fast pace building towards a thrilling end.

To be honest, I feel like I've not done justice to the book in this haphazard review of mine. But what can I say. I don't have the right words in me at the moment. Just know that this book is very impressive, the futuristic world the author creates very familiar and scary and prescient, and a uniquely structured tale that is easy to read as well as hard to put down. I can't wait to see what the author writes next.

Maika is a badass heroine, who is fighting her own inner monster to try and find the truth about her past. She doesn't trust anyone, even herself and would do absolutely anything to get her answers and reunite with her only friend Tuya.

There are lots of side characters including humans, witches, monsters, half breeds and cats, but my favorite was definitely Kippa - a cute little arcana child, who is super afraid of Maika and her inner monster but still stays loyal and decides to fight. I just wanted to keep her safe

This book has been on my top most anticipated lists since the first time it came onto my radar but I didn't want my horrible reading slump to affect my reading experience, so I decided to wait till I got both a physical copy and audiobook before I attempted to read it. And wow this was everything I wanted.

It's scary to go into a book from which you have too many expectations. It can be particularly heartbreaking if doesn't live up to it. But I'm glad I didn't have to worry about that here. Not that there's no heartbreak here, it's just the more cathartic and satisfying kind. The writing and plot took its time to make me feel invested because this is a very complex world, and the author dispenses information very slowly, like peeling an onion, so that we can try and understand the things which are left unsaid. I felt very reminiscent of The Broken Earth trilogy while reading this one because both have a commonality of the home planet being ravaged by geological disasters - in this case, earthrages - and the author does a brilliant job of creating a fantasy world inspired by Hindu philosophy/ mythology but which also has an in-world scientific base. I particularly loved the usage of the concept of rebirth from Hinduism, and how even if we don't have concrete memories of the previous lives, there is still an imprint of our desires and regrets that we carry forward. The way the philosophical elements and the magic/science of trajection tie in together towards the end is masterfully written.

I was very excited to meet our main characters because it's so rare to have protagonists in their 30s with marital problems in the usual kind of SFF books I read. And both Ahilya and Iravan are a delight to read - they are aggravating and got on my nerves and I wanted to give them a good shake many times over, but it was still a lot of fun to get to know them. However, what we mainly get to see is a marriage in trouble, one where the power imbalance and both of their stubbornness has led to a loss of trust and buildup of anger - and while I did feel amused by some of their arguments which really went nowhere (I did relate to some of them too deeply), I also would have loved to get some more glimpses of the good times so that I could believe more convincingly that their love was strong enough to weather the various storms.

In the end though, all I can say is that I finished the book feeling immensely satisfied. The beginning took a bit of time, but I breezed through the second half in just a couple of days. I really have to thank the author because it's been a while since I've read a book so fast. It also immensely helped that I could alternate between the book and audio, very beautifully narrated by Sharmila Devar and Pranshu Mishra. I have been thoroughly thrilled by this debut science fantasy, with a very unique and complex world which got my brain working quite a bit, and characters who could be infuriating but I couldn't help but love them. Can't wait to see where this story goes next coz the possibilities are very intriguing.

Definitely more of a 4.5 and I'm only not giving a 5 coz I was able to guess the twists.

I came across the hype of this book a bit late because I haven't been keeping up with bookish updates recently and by the time I realized what was happening, I kept seeing both raving reviews and criticisms. As I have been in a reading slump this whole year and have a huge list of pending arcs, I wasn't sure I would get to this book but I've always been a sucker for hype and I couldn't help myself. And this was definitely something I needed at this time.

As I'm used to reading a lot of reviews before I pick up a book which wasn't on my radar, I knew what to expect going in. This isn't the kind of book where you are looking for sublime prose or a world you'll get lost in. The world building is interesting but not extensive - we only get enough that is required for the purpose of propelling the characters' journeys but I did love the sudden revelations that happened towards the end because it suddenly opened up the possibilities for the sequel. The best part of this book is how fast paced it is - it's a breeze to read and it's very easy to forget the time once you start reading because it really sucks you in. The plot is also very straightforward and easy to follow and has familiar beats, so while some may find it very predictable, I think that's what I liked. It gave me a comforting reading experience which I really needed at this time.

The highlight of the book is definitely the characters. Violet is the protagonist whose POV we follow exclusively and she is so real and honest and strong and an absolute joy to follow along. She is hampered by her chronic health condition but the whole book is about her working hard to overcome her body's shortcomings because she is strong and smart and compassionate otherwise, and just needs to convince herself and the others that she is equally capable of being a dragon rider. The friends she makes in the riders quadrant, the way they support each other during life and death stakes, and all the trials themselves - it was all very enjoyable to read.

And ofcourse the one element that has blown everyone's mind - the romance. It's a solid enemies to lovers trope with intense attraction right from the get go and the tension is palpable in every interaction. Xaden as a character is also the typical brooding bad boy archetype that we've come to love in our fantasy romances for ages and the way he is written makes for perfect book boyfriend material. Violet and Xaden's chemistry is really electrifying and makes for some very smutty moments but thankfully it didn't take over the plot, which is what I prefer.

The dragons and how they choose their riders and the way their bonds work is also pretty cool, but the best part is the way they communicate and how it's both intense and hilarious but also equally emotional.

Overall, I can only say the hype is real. This may not be a masterpiece in writing but it's very entertaining and has its emotions in the right place, ready to ensnare the reader. If you're especially one of those who used to love reading the magical boarding school fantasy romances in the late 2000s/early 2010s or need a Divergent/ Hunger Games fix, then this book is the perfect solution. The audiobook is also pretty well narrated though it might be better to read the initial chapters so that you can get a hang of the terminology in this world. In the end, this is like a proper desi masala film, which is full of enjoyable and nostalgic elements and you don't need to think too much, just surrender to it.

As I keep reiterating all the time on the blog, I didn't grow up on classics so while I know the basic premise of Robin Hood, I've never actually read the book nor watched any adaptations. In a similar vein, I bought a book about the Crusades years ago but like many others, I never managed to read much of it. So when I saw this classic and history colliding in this remix version, I knew I would enjoy this book and I'm glad that I did.

I preordered this audiobook because I had a feeling it would be cool and it really was such an easy one to get through. The narrator Shiromi Arserio kept me engaged with her beautiful voice right from the get go and I didn't take much breaks while listening. It also helps that this is a quick read, throughly entertaining, and with a motley group of characters who are easy to like. Even though the storyline is set during the Crusades, in the middle of the war between multiple countries, factions and religions, and Jerusalem stands as a prize to be snatched, we mostly only get a sense of adventure here and other than a couple dark and emotional scenes, we don't see the gruesome effects of this war first hand.

Similarly, our characters are traversing through multiple sieges and armies and while the stakes seem too high and dangerous, after the first couple of times, I was sure that nothing would happen to any of them. Then it was time to just enjoy their adventure. We only get one POV, that is Rahma and she is a fun one to be in the head of. She landed up so far away from home because she couldn't let her elder sister go alone to war. Her heart may not be in fighting for a cause like religion and the Holy Land but she is a scrappy survivor and resourceful enough to get herself out of tricky situations and protect her sister by coming up with one harebrained scheme after another. But she also has this kind and compassionate side to her and even though she doesn't have a cause like all the others fighting in the war, she makes it her choice to fight for all the normal people who are suffering due to the warmongering of their rulers. Her path to becoming an accidental Robin Hood-esque figure is both endearing and fun and I loved her maneuvering everyone into doing what she wanted.

And there's the accidental crew or found family she gathers around her who are very different from each other but also fit together so perfectly. First there's Rahma's sister Zeena who has deep conviction that she needs to fight for the Holy Land and is full of anger. Both of them are bickering almost every single moment and while it took me a while to get to used to, their love for each other is immense.

They are first joined by Teni, a warrior from beyond the steppes, who isn't ready to go back home yet and joins them to maybe find her own adventure. Then comes Viva who is young Jewish alchemist who doesn't really have a home because of how all the invaders have destroyed her people. And then the group is rounded off by John, who is a disillusioned chaplain with the Knights Templar and also a healer, who probably just wants a new purpose in life without the violence. They are also joined sometimes by Majid, a mysterious spy and Rahma's childhood friend who might be more than that. Teni's bravery, Viva's honesty, John's quick thinking and Majid's convincing skills all combine with Rahma's scheming to give us a whole lot of adventures along their journey. I also loved how the author managed to get together a crew belonging to all the faiths who have stake in the Holy Land and despite what the wars the rulers representing these faiths are fighting, the author managed to convey beautifully that the common people could get along well if they wanted to because ultimately they were suffering equally. It was also interesting to see the other side of this, getting small glimpses into what Richard the Lionheart, Sultan Saladin and Queen Isabella of Jerusalem.

In conclusion, this one felt like a classic adventure tale that captured the spirit of Robin Hood while giving us a very interesting setting like the cities around Jerusalem during the Crusades in the late 12th century. While I can't say how close or different it is from the original, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. And even though things felt like they came too easy for our heroine, it was still a fun journey to be on with a cool group of characters. This remixed classics series is turning out to be such a unique experience and I can't wait to next get my hands on the new versions of Wuthering Heights and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Merged review:

As I keep reiterating all the time on the blog, I didn't grow up on classics so while I know the basic premise of Robin Hood, I've never actually read the book nor watched any adaptations. In a similar vein, I bought a book about the Crusades years ago but like many others, I never managed to read much of it. So when I saw this classic and history colliding in this remix version, I knew I would enjoy this book and I'm glad that I did.

I preordered this audiobook because I had a feeling it would be cool and it really was such an easy one to get through. The narrator Shiromi Arserio kept me engaged with her beautiful voice right from the get go and I didn't take much breaks while listening. It also helps that this is a quick read, throughly entertaining, and with a motley group of characters who are easy to like. Even though the storyline is set during the Crusades, in the middle of the war between multiple countries, factions and religions, and Jerusalem stands as a prize to be snatched, we mostly only get a sense of adventure here and other than a couple dark and emotional scenes, we don't see the gruesome effects of this war first hand.

Similarly, our characters are traversing through multiple sieges and armies and while the stakes seem too high and dangerous, after the first couple of times, I was sure that nothing would happen to any of them. Then it was time to just enjoy their adventure. We only get one POV, that is Rahma and she is a fun one to be in the head of. She landed up so far away from home because she couldn't let her elder sister go alone to war. Her heart may not be in fighting for a cause like religion and the Holy Land but she is a scrappy survivor and resourceful enough to get herself out of tricky situations and protect her sister by coming up with one harebrained scheme after another. But she also has this kind and compassionate side to her and even though she doesn't have a cause like all the others fighting in the war, she makes it her choice to fight for all the normal people who are suffering due to the warmongering of their rulers. Her path to becoming an accidental Robin Hood-esque figure is both endearing and fun and I loved her maneuvering everyone into doing what she wanted.

And there's the accidental crew or found family she gathers around her who are very different from each other but also fit together so perfectly. First there's Rahma's sister Zeena who has deep conviction that she needs to fight for the Holy Land and is full of anger. Both of them are bickering almost every single moment and while it took me a while to get to used to, their love for each other is immense.

They are first joined by Teni, a warrior from beyond the steppes, who isn't ready to go back home yet and joins them to maybe find her own adventure. Then comes Viva who is young Jewish alchemist who doesn't really have a home because of how all the invaders have destroyed her people. And then the group is rounded off by John, who is a disillusioned chaplain with the Knights Templar and also a healer, who probably just wants a new purpose in life without the violence. They are also joined sometimes by Majid, a mysterious spy and Rahma's childhood friend who might be more than that. Teni's bravery, Viva's honesty, John's quick thinking and Majid's convincing skills all combine with Rahma's scheming to give us a whole lot of adventures along their journey. I also loved how the author managed to get together a crew belonging to all the faiths who have stake in the Holy Land and despite what the wars the rulers representing these faiths are fighting, the author managed to convey beautifully that the common people could get along well if they wanted to because ultimately they were suffering equally. It was also interesting to see the other side of this, getting small glimpses into what Richard the Lionheart, Sultan Saladin and Queen Isabella of Jerusalem.

In conclusion, this one felt like a classic adventure tale that captured the spirit of Robin Hood while giving us a very interesting setting like the cities around Jerusalem during the Crusades in the late 12th century. While I can't say how close or different it is from the original, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. And even though things felt like they came too easy for our heroine, it was still a fun journey to be on with a cool group of characters. This remixed classics series is turning out to be such a unique experience and I can't wait to next get my hands on the new versions of Wuthering Heights and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

I've wanted to read this book for a while. And I was right in my assumption that I would find it very very relatable. Even though the author is a Pakistani, the South Asian culture, family dynamics, the association with food, as well as all the horrible intrusive fatphobic messaging fed to us since childhood - every single aspect of this memoir hit pretty close to my heart, except maybe my family didn't have as much lavish feasts as Arabia's did. There's a lot of heart and joy and vulnerability in the way she narrates her life story and I thoroughly enjoyed all those parts.

While I agree that her struggles with binge eating, dieting, all weight loss struggles, hating her own body and so much more was hard to read, I could also empathize with where she was coming from and why she felt that way. While I've had some similar and some very differing experiences than her, it was easy for me to understand her journey of coming to accept her body that way it is or doing whatever she felt was necessary to arrive at that acceptance stage. It may not be what the body positivity/ fat positivity movement (especially in the west) expects from a known public figure, but I'm not going to judge her for what she does to feel better in her own body, because I know how hard it is to unlearn the toxic fatphobic nonsense we desi people are fed from childhood. I hope she grows even more accepting and happy with herself in this journey and I hope I will too.

I don't know if I can recommend this to everyone because some might find it triggering and uncomfortable. But it is steeped in both Pakistani and immigrant culture, has loads of delicious desi food descriptions that'll make you drool and feel hungry, and the book ends with some very delicious Pakistani recipes including how to make homemade ghee and I thought that was such a highlight to end on.

This book is too short to form concrete opinions about the characters but Nick looks like a hardworking boy who has strived very hard to learn fencing and join King's Row school. Seiji is a champion and his success definitely seems to have made him into an arrogant douche. Their first match cements their rivalry and the ending sets up for some explosive moments for the upcoming books.

I really loved the art style. It's very minimalistic but captures the essence of the story beautifully. I also love the direction the story seems to be going. The cast is wonderfully diverse and I wouldn't have expected anything else from one of my most recent favorite authors. Very excited to jump into the next book.

Merged review:

This book is too short to form concrete opinions about the characters but Nick looks like a hardworking boy who has strived very hard to learn fencing and join King's Row school. Seiji is a champion and his success definitely seems to have made him into an arrogant douche. Their first match cements their rivalry and the ending sets up for some explosive moments for the upcoming books.

I really loved the art style. It's very minimalistic but captures the essence of the story beautifully. I also love the direction the story seems to be going. The cast is wonderfully diverse and I wouldn't have expected anything else from one of my most recent favorite authors. Very excited to jump into the next book.