Rori

While a some what predictive storyline and annoying, nonscensical decisions made by the main character, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was an easy read and I devoured it. I loved the imagery from the perspective of a protagonist who is a painter. It was very refreshing.

This book was insufferable to begin with. I liked the direction of the story but it was hard to swallow at the beginning. Sarah J. Maas has an idea of where she wants to get the story to but she gets there too quickly, leaving the reader a bit whiplashed and mourning of what's been ripped away (and not in the good way). She unpacks it all later, which is when the book becomes much more enjoyable and I gobbled it all up but some of that information or thought process from the character would have been appreciated much earlier on. Plots and characters from the first book being dropped is fine but when it all happens in the first few pages, it feels like I wasted my time reading the first book. I like where the story went and I liked that it was challenging and confronting. That IS good in a book but needs to be done correctly. I see what people mean by Maas' writing being repeative and some of her word choices were annoying (for lack of a better word) but overall I enjoyed the writing. Maas is clever when it comes to reveals. Some of them are a bit cliche but that's not to say that I wasn't sitting there going “OH MY GOD NO WAY” still. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

I like Sarah J Maas' lore and world building, but this book didn't need to be 800+ pages long. I don't know if her editor sucks or if she just doesn't listen to her editor, but this book didn't need to be this long. I went on a 3 month reading slump in the middle of this book because I was so bored. And, oh my god, don't get me started on how cringe the relationship gets. I'm happy for you if you liked it and if you were shocked by the incredibly predictable twist at the end, but it was infuriating for me. I don't know if I'll read the next one because I'm sure it'll be 800+ pages again when it really could be at least 400 pages, if not less.

I thoroughly enjoyed Tasha Suri's writing. It was fast paced enough that I felt enwrapped in what was going to happen next but was peppered enough with slower scenes that made you have a breather. The world building was intriguing and Suri's description of the nature of Ahiranya's magic was delicious. Few authors I've read have been able to capture the feeling of the magic of their worlds. When characters talked about how they could feel the land and the power from the earth, I could feel the land and the power from the earth.
The complex character relationships was also wonderfully well done. I always get frustrated with dialogue in books where they seem unrealistic or certain dialogue is/isn't said purely for plot (such as miscommunication tropes) but Suri always made the characters say exactly what should have been said and it was so satisfying. That may not make sense but once you read the book you'll understand. There are some truly satisfying scenes that make you go “Yes! Finally! Somebody said it!”
The fact that the main characters were realistically complex and flawed made them even more likable. Even when characters made decisions I didn't want them to make, I was eating it up.
As someone who's read a lot of fantasy, it was refreshing to read a story set in a rich world that isn't set in a European Centric environment. I learnt a lot about ancient Indian culture for which I am truly grateful for. A fantastic read and one I will be recommending to everyone I talk to.

So many emotions.. I wish I could see it on the stage! It would be amazing!! And intense... Yeah for warning for those still yet to read it... It is IMMENSELY intense!!! I bought chocolate after finishing it.

Also kind of spoilers but not really (you just won't understand if you haven't read it).
Page 307 what a plot twist (not of the actual plot but like a “WHOA PLOT TWIST!” kind of event/revelation) and also .... Page 317 was... I'm going to say unnecessary... As in I don't recommend reading it in public because it's beat-the-tears-out-of-your-heart painful... But I thoroughly enjoyed visiting the wizarding world once more..