One of my greatest fears as a book lover is missing out on exceptional books while occasionally settling f
“Death is an excellent teacher.”
One of my greatest fears as a book lover is missing out on exceptional books while occasionally settling for mediocre ones. However, I firmly believe that books have a way of finding you, often at precisely the right moment. This was precisely the case with the book I recently discovered. I had noticed it before but always put off reading it. A month ago, I noticed it had an impressive rating of 4.5 stars from over 50,000 reviewers. Without much thought, I bought a copy online, unaware that it was a YA novel and without knowing anything about its storyline. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I've made in my reading journey.
This debut by Katouh delves into the Syrian war. The narrative revolves around several characters: Salamaa, a former pharmacy student now working in a hospital; Layla, her pregnant sister-in-law; Kenan, a love interest who fights in his own way; and Khawf, the embodiment of Salamaa's fear haunting her.
“This is the land of your father, and his father before him. Your history is embedded in this soil. No country in the world will love you as yours does.”
The writing was exceptional—poetic yet accessible, effectively portraying the horrors of war. I appreciated how Arabic terms were used only when English couldn't suffice—an approach that resonated with me, as I dislike arbitrary foreign words thrown in for no reason. Another standout was the authentic portrayal of Islam, a rarity in YA literature. Katouh avoided romanticizing or altering religion to please readers, which I've seen done in other books (looking at you, Tahereh Mafi), yet managed to make it cool and even endearing in moments of romance.
The book draws from Katouh's personal experiences as a pharmacist of Syrian descent, not born in Syria but deeply connected to its culture. While it may not appeal to readers averse to its political stance, portraying one side as the perpetrator of atrocities against women and children felt justified.
Despite its heavy themes, the book handles them with intelligence, evoking a range of emotions. I found myself rooting for the characters, worrying about their fates, shedding tears, and feeling furious at the injustices depicted. The inclusion of scenes inspired by real-life events, now viewed through a slightly altered lens, added significant impact.
“Every lemon will bring forth a child, and the lemons will never die out.”
In summary, I loved everything about this book. Although categorized as YA, the characters were mature beyond their years—a testament to the transformative effect of war. The writing was superb, the characters vivid and memorable, and the plot delivered some unexpected twists. Undoubtedly, one of the finest YA novels I've read, and I won't hesitate to recommend it to friends....more
I know there was a lot of controversy surrounding the author and the reviews and ratings of this book which made some people evade the whole thing. PuI know there was a lot of controversy surrounding the author and the reviews and ratings of this book which made some people evade the whole thing. Putting that aside and from an objective standpoint, this book was amazing, and it deserved my second 5 stars for the year 2024!
Illborn is Jackson's debut novel and I had to double check this fact before writing the review as it did not feel like that at all! The storytelling is of someone who has been doing writing for a long time and the overall quality was superb. The story follows 4 characters who were born around the same time, and they start having a similar dream and awakening special powers. The writing style is fantastic, especially how certain themes recur throughout the narrative from different viewpoints.
The book is told through these four characters POV with an excellent prologue and ending. Our characters are Alanna, Corin, Arion, and Leanna. One of my pet peeves in novels are when characters names sound the same and at first Alanna and Leanna bothered me as I am also a very visual person. But moving forward they were very distinct with different stories, so this is more of me not the book problem. Each character has their own ARC at first with each facing a different challenge. Then we get to see them developing their special powers at their own paces and slowly but surely the POVs mix slowly together.
The plot is a real winner, blending a central storyline with the individual arcs of each character. The mystery element keeps you guessing about each character's powers, and the way it all unfolds is captivating. The story is very organized and the narrative flows smoothly, with each chapter shifting between POVs without favoring any one character. Plus, those cliffhangers at the end of each chapter are killer—they practically force you to keep reading.=!
I also loved the world-building, there are the dreams and the special powers but other than that, the world was just a typical epic fantasy world brimming with colorful descriptions that made the world so fleshed out and intriguing to read.
Summary: I really loved and enjoyed Illborn which exceeded my expectations. Everything was masterfully crafted from the prose to the characters and to the storyline. It also ends in a great way, and it makes me want to start book 2 right away. If the sequel is as good, this may end up becoming one of my favorite series! If you're a fan of epic fantasy, don't hesitate—grab a copy of this book ASAP! ...more
Age of Myth ★★★ 1/2 Age of Swords ★★★★ Age of War ★★★★ 1/4 Age of Legend ★★★★ Age of Death ★★★ 3/4 Age of Empyre ★★★★★
Sullivan definitely knows how to landAge of Myth ★★★ 1/2 Age of Swords ★★★★ Age of War ★★★★ 1/4 Age of Legend ★★★★ Age of Death ★★★ 3/4 Age of Empyre ★★★★★
Sullivan definitely knows how to land an ending!...more
“The memories we bury under mountains of silence are the ones that never stop haunting us.”
The Shadow of the Wind ★★★★★ The Angel's Game ★★
“The memories we bury under mountains of silence are the ones that never stop haunting us.”
The Shadow of the Wind ★★★★★ The Angel's Game ★★★★ 1/4 The Prisoner of Heaven ★★★★ 1/2 The Labyrinth of the Spirits ★★★★★
I don't throw away the word "Masterpiece" easily at novels. If you have been following me, you know I am not easy to please but also not very mean when it comes to ratings. However, this finale expected all my expectations and deserved a spot on my favorite books shelf! It masterfully ties together the threads of mystery, intrigue, and history that have been intricately laid out in the preceding novels.
Set in post-war Spain, the narrative follows both Daniel Sempere who we already know from previous novels but also Alicia Gris, a determined and enigmatic investigator, as she delves into the secrets of the past, entwined with her own personal history. The decision to add a whole new character in a fourth novel is strange and very bold, and I think only Zafón can pull up something like that while enriching his story. Through Alicia's eyes, readers are immersed in a labyrinthine plot filled with hidden identities, political conspiracies, and forbidden love. Zafón's prose is rich and atmospheric, painting vivid pictures of Barcelona's streets and its enigmatic characters.
“Every paragraph, every sentence, seemed written in a musical key. The narrative drew her eyes through a cadence of timbres and colors that sketched a theater of shadows in her mind. She read without pause for two hours, relishing every sentence and dreading the moment she would reach the end.”
One of the novel's strengths lies in its ability to seamlessly blend genres, incorporating elements of historical fiction, mystery, and even romance. This multifaceted approach keeps readers engaged and adds layers of depth to the story. Additionally, Zafón's skillful character development breathes life into each individual, making them feel real and relatable. One of my earlier criticisms of the series lies in the fact that some of the events felt unexplained but this book remedies that while also expanding the story. I think it takes a genius to connect everything properly which the author did here.
Moreover, "The Labyrinth of the Spirits" is not merely a tale of suspense and intrigue; it is also a meditation on memory, loss, and the power of storytelling. Through its exploration of the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, the novel celebrates the enduring legacy of literature and its ability to shape our understanding of the world.
“Tell our stories to the world, and never forget that we exist so long as someone remembers us.”
Overall, "The Labyrinth of the Spirits" is a fitting conclusion to Zafón's monumental literary achievement. It is a spellbinding masterpiece that will linger in the minds of readers. It was just before I picked this up that the author passed away and I was sad as the world lost one of its literary geniuses. But I am sure Zafón's legacy will continue for years to come!...more
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