Tarisai lives a sheltered and isolated life. Surrounded by tutors and carers who are afraid to be near her, she longs for family, human contact, and rare visits from her mysterious mother, The Lady. When she is sent to Aritsar's capital city to live in the Children's Palace and compete to be part of the Crown Prince's Council, the lure of a family she's never had is too strong to resist. But The Lady has sent her with a mission--to kill the Crown Prince once she's gained his trust. Will she be strong enough to break the magic which commands her, and create her own destiny?
The story is set in an expansive and captivating world, and the magical elements are loosely based on Nigerian folklore. I especially love the magic system, and parallels between the world and our own. Although the empire and surrounding realms is huge, gentle reminders are given at the right moments until orientation becomes effortless. It never felt confusing or too complicated. The world is relatable and magical, the characters driven by human motivations, and there’s not too much terminology to remember. Though there are quite a few named characters, it’s at no point overwhelming. All of this led to full immersion in a gorgeous and magical world.
The characters are beautifully complex. Tarisai is a deeply flawed heroine who struggles with her identity due to childhood emotional neglect, but is so smart and compassionate and determined that she fights to overcome magic which should be impossible to resist. The antagonist actions stem from their own troubled pasts. It's also refreshing that friendship is the most important love in this book, rather than romance.
Within the book are a lot of plot points, a complex world and character building, and the story spans more than ten years (though the majority is set when Tarisai is about seventeen). This means that there are parts that could have more depth to them. I'd like to have seen more development of the other eight council members for example, and also the time in the Children’s Palace, and Tarisai’s earlier life. There’s just so many interesting avenues to explore in this world, and the story does have a lot going on already. So basically, this isn't a criticism, it's just that I didn’t want to leave the world and the characters! I’d also love to see a prequel focussing on The Lady.
Overall, I was immersed in the world, the story, the characters, and their bonds with one another. I absolutely loved this book, and the fact that it is the first in a trilogy is a great bonus. I definitely plan to pick up book two when it’s released!
Thank you to Hot Key Books and Readers First for providing an Advance Review Copy, which I have reviewed voluntarily and based on my own opinion.
The story is set in an expansive and captivating world, and the magical elements are loosely based on Nigerian folklore. I especially love the magic system, and parallels between the world and our own. Although the empire and surrounding realms is huge, gentle reminders are given at the right moments until orientation becomes effortless. It never felt confusing or too complicated. The world is relatable and magical, the characters driven by human motivations, and there’s not too much terminology to remember. Though there are quite a few named characters, it’s at no point overwhelming. All of this led to full immersion in a gorgeous and magical world.
The characters are beautifully complex. Tarisai is a deeply flawed heroine who struggles with her identity due to childhood emotional neglect, but is so smart and compassionate and determined that she fights to overcome magic which should be impossible to resist. The antagonist actions stem from their own troubled pasts. It's also refreshing that friendship is the most important love in this book, rather than romance.
Within the book are a lot of plot points, a complex world and character building, and the story spans more than ten years (though the majority is set when Tarisai is about seventeen). This means that there are parts that could have more depth to them. I'd like to have seen more development of the other eight council members for example, and also the time in the Children’s Palace, and Tarisai’s earlier life. There’s just so many interesting avenues to explore in this world, and the story does have a lot going on already. So basically, this isn't a criticism, it's just that I didn’t want to leave the world and the characters! I’d also love to see a prequel focussing on The Lady.
Overall, I was immersed in the world, the story, the characters, and their bonds with one another. I absolutely loved this book, and the fact that it is the first in a trilogy is a great bonus. I definitely plan to pick up book two when it’s released!
Thank you to Hot Key Books and Readers First for providing an Advance Review Copy, which I have reviewed voluntarily and based on my own opinion.