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Revenge in Violent Hues
The Headmaster has been killed.
Welcome to Citra Buana, an academy built to weaponise the dead. Hidden within the enchanted forests of Gemerlapan, a Reflection inside the Mirror of 1990s Alor Setar, the enemy is quick to claim the throne like moths to a flame.
Amalia Maganti can communicate with ghosts ever since the mysterious death of her father six years ago. On the night of her 18th birthday, she discovers that her father’s paintings are portals to the hidden realm—a direct entry to the different parts of Gemerlapan, right beneath her abusive mother’s nose.
Armed with the dead, a secretive mentor, a weretiger, and the voice of an unknown creature buried deep inside her mind, will Amalia succeed in finding the truth behind her father’s death?
Will she learn to control the shadows and summon her true power against those who have wronged her, once and for all?
Welcome to Citra Buana, an academy built to weaponise the dead. Hidden within the enchanted forests of Gemerlapan, a Reflection inside the Mirror of 1990s Alor Setar, the enemy is quick to claim the throne like moths to a flame.
Amalia Maganti can communicate with ghosts ever since the mysterious death of her father six years ago. On the night of her 18th birthday, she discovers that her father’s paintings are portals to the hidden realm—a direct entry to the different parts of Gemerlapan, right beneath her abusive mother’s nose.
Armed with the dead, a secretive mentor, a weretiger, and the voice of an unknown creature buried deep inside her mind, will Amalia succeed in finding the truth behind her father’s death?
Will she learn to control the shadows and summon her true power against those who have wronged her, once and for all?
- GenresFantasy
368 pages, Paperback
First published May 24, 2024
52 people are currently reading
597 people want to read
About the author
Nadiah Zakaria
4 books120 followersNadiah is a Malaysian dark fantasy and horror author.
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May 27, 2024I wrote this book during a very hard time. It was rushed, changed a few times, and in the end led me to a massive burnout that made me not want to write for months.
It's not perfect. I would've done so much more for the characters if I had more time (and more word count), which is why limitations are never good for books. You can't force and rush creativity either, so if you see it reflected in my writing, know that I understand.
But despite all the flaws that it may (without a doubt) bear, I hope you'll enjoy Revenge in Violent Hues as much as I enjoyed imagining the final act of the book in my head when I wrote it. I recommend giving Luminary by Joel Sunny a listen, because it helped me so much throughout my writing process.
And of course, Halsey's album, If I Can't Have Love I Want Power played a big role in my writing process as well.
Hope you can be inspired by the book, and know that I truly appreciate you giving it a chance 🖤
P.S. Bane of Widuri lovers, I included a little something special in here for you. Just some easter eggs that you can pinpoint, hopefully 🥀✨
It's not perfect. I would've done so much more for the characters if I had more time (and more word count), which is why limitations are never good for books. You can't force and rush creativity either, so if you see it reflected in my writing, know that I understand.
But despite all the flaws that it may (without a doubt) bear, I hope you'll enjoy Revenge in Violent Hues as much as I enjoyed imagining the final act of the book in my head when I wrote it. I recommend giving Luminary by Joel Sunny a listen, because it helped me so much throughout my writing process.
And of course, Halsey's album, If I Can't Have Love I Want Power played a big role in my writing process as well.
Hope you can be inspired by the book, and know that I truly appreciate you giving it a chance 🖤
P.S. Bane of Widuri lovers, I included a little something special in here for you. Just some easter eggs that you can pinpoint, hopefully 🥀✨
December 23, 2025
it wasn't exactly my cup of tea.
It tries to be this dark and mysterious story, but honestly, it felt a bit all over the place.
There was this Amelia, this chick who's still hung up on her dad dying ages ago. I get it, losing a parent is rough, but the story spends way too long moping about it. Then out of nowhere, her dad's paintings turn into magic keys to a secret ghost world called Gemerlapan. Cool concept, but hold on, there's more. There's also this hidden ghost school called Citra Buana where they, train people to be ghostbusters. I mean, the ideas are there, but they felt kinda thrown together.
The whole revenge angle seemed pretty weak. Amelia wants payback for her dad's death, but the story never really digs deep into why. Is it just anger? Is there something more? It felt one-dimensional, like they just needed a reason to shove her into this ghost world.
Amelia gets this whole crew of helpers - a mentor, a weretiger, and even a mysterious voice in her head. But none of them felt fleshed out. They were just there to help Amelia on her quest, not interesting characters in their own right and I’m curious where’s the characters come from…
The world-building sounded promising - a hidden ghost world based on Malaysian folklore. But in the end, it felt shallow. The story kept hinting at this cool world, but it never really delivered.
Don't get me wrong, the idea of ghosts and a secret ghost school has potential. But this book felt slow, repetitive, and like it didn't quite know what it wanted to be. But if you're looking for a dark and suspenseful read, it’s an OK book to consider.
3 / 5 stars. I’m hoping for more from Nadiah - brilliant ideas with better execution. Good luck, Nadiah. Good luck.
It tries to be this dark and mysterious story, but honestly, it felt a bit all over the place.
There was this Amelia, this chick who's still hung up on her dad dying ages ago. I get it, losing a parent is rough, but the story spends way too long moping about it. Then out of nowhere, her dad's paintings turn into magic keys to a secret ghost world called Gemerlapan. Cool concept, but hold on, there's more. There's also this hidden ghost school called Citra Buana where they, train people to be ghostbusters. I mean, the ideas are there, but they felt kinda thrown together.
The whole revenge angle seemed pretty weak. Amelia wants payback for her dad's death, but the story never really digs deep into why. Is it just anger? Is there something more? It felt one-dimensional, like they just needed a reason to shove her into this ghost world.
Amelia gets this whole crew of helpers - a mentor, a weretiger, and even a mysterious voice in her head. But none of them felt fleshed out. They were just there to help Amelia on her quest, not interesting characters in their own right and I’m curious where’s the characters come from…
The world-building sounded promising - a hidden ghost world based on Malaysian folklore. But in the end, it felt shallow. The story kept hinting at this cool world, but it never really delivered.
Don't get me wrong, the idea of ghosts and a secret ghost school has potential. But this book felt slow, repetitive, and like it didn't quite know what it wanted to be. But if you're looking for a dark and suspenseful read, it’s an OK book to consider.
3 / 5 stars. I’m hoping for more from Nadiah - brilliant ideas with better execution. Good luck, Nadiah. Good luck.
July 28, 2024
I was so close to dnf this sebab 2/3 cerita yg sangat disappointing. Side characters macam tak bernyawa, plot mendatar macam bawak kereta dekat highway wce. TETAPI final part buku ni SANGAT interesting. Dan benda tu buatkan aku bersyukur tak dnf.
plot awal dia buatkan aku rasa macam buku ni takde rempah ratus yg menarik. Terlalu bland. Then, aku macam tak nampak betapa wow nya Citra Buana tu. Macam aku tak kisah pun la kalau akademi tu nak roboh pun.
Dan aku tak rasa aku macam emotionally attached dengan semua watak dalam ni.
Kalau depa mati pun aku tak rasa "OHH NOOOO!!”
plot awal dia buatkan aku rasa macam buku ni takde rempah ratus yg menarik. Terlalu bland. Then, aku macam tak nampak betapa wow nya Citra Buana tu. Macam aku tak kisah pun la kalau akademi tu nak roboh pun.
Dan aku tak rasa aku macam emotionally attached dengan semua watak dalam ni.
Kalau depa mati pun aku tak rasa "OHH NOOOO!!”
June 9, 2024
Weak characters, weak world building, clumsy writings, terrible explanations, very straight forward plot.
If you are someone who likes to read a book where informations are being thrown here and there without good and proper explanations, this book is definitely for you. It is straight forward, and requires little to no imaginations (and this is a FANTASY book) so that says a lot lol
This book was written in a rushed, yes. But that doesn’t give you the excuse to deliver this kind of writing to your readers, no? Anyhow, this book carry SOOOO much potential, IF and only if it was written in a better way. Just sad that something with this amount of potential got wasted huhu
If you are someone who likes to read a book where informations are being thrown here and there without good and proper explanations, this book is definitely for you. It is straight forward, and requires little to no imaginations (and this is a FANTASY book) so that says a lot lol
This book was written in a rushed, yes. But that doesn’t give you the excuse to deliver this kind of writing to your readers, no? Anyhow, this book carry SOOOO much potential, IF and only if it was written in a better way. Just sad that something with this amount of potential got wasted huhu
May 25, 2024
3.75 ⭐️
Revenge in Violent Hues is Nadiah Zakaria’s second book after debuting her first one, Bane of Widuri in 2023. And right off the bat, the book was able to capture my attention with a shocking scene of a mom being cruel enough to put her own daughter’s face onto a bloody stove. Officially shoooketh.
Our main character Amalia Maganti realized her father’s magical paintings are portals to another magical universe called Gemerlapan. She began to be able to communicate with ghosts and spirits after her father’s death, and was subsequently invited to a school for shadow wielders in Citra Buana. Having been abused by her mother for many years, the academy now serves as an escape for her but she slowly learns that there’s more to her father’s death than she realizes. She then goes onto these rampage acts of revenge onto those who have wronged her with the help of a fire bird spirit and a demon king. The book is set in Alor Setar, Kedah so it features a lot of Malay and Indonesian inspired mythological spirits and ghosts.
Where do I even begin talking abou this book? It was like a rollercoaster ride but this rollercoaster starts off at very slow ascend all the way to the peak and has the steepest fall you’ll ever experience. Similarly, the book starts off as a slow burn but things get really ramped up towards the end of the book and would have you double taking each chapter like “did she REALLLLLY do that?”
By the second and third act, I was quite invested in Amalia’s journey already. I really enjoyed the twists and turns that Nadiah wrote around Arjuna and Mona and boy did I take a bit of time to recover when the truth was revealed about Arjuna. And the third act just went from zero to a hundred real quick where Amalia really was the ruthless MVP.
This book is a combination of books that i’ve loved. It has the creature living inside our character’s mind trope from One Dark window, it has the talking to ghosts mechanic that reminds me of Spirit Bares Its Teeth, it also has the female rage / revenge element that reminded me of The Poppy ar.
As much as I enjoyed the reading experience, I wished that the exposition of the story was a bit more ambiguous and did more show than tell. I felt like Nadiah was over explaining the magic system and the world directly through character dialogues and it didn’t really fit the mysterious and dark vibes of the atmosphere that the story was trying to create. And it felt like some of these dialogues are not something that the characters would say it out loud.
Due to the the "creature living inside our main character" trope, I thought the book would have been more immersive and more engaging had it been written in first person POV. I had some difficulty in the beginning relating to Amalia and her connection with Fire (the fire bird spirit).
[SPOILER ALERT]
And there were some characters’ relationship development that didn't really make much sense to me especially Amalia and Sophie’s. I felt like their dynamics as BFF wasn’t built up enough to the point where it would have warranted such a dramatic response from Amalia when Sophie was murdered. Which was why I didn’t really feel anything when she died.
I also wanted to mention that the interlude quotes at the beginning of each act were a bit inconsistent to me. The first quote Nadiah used was a quote from Oscar Wilde’s Picture of Dorian Gray which I thought was a good start to the story and it sets the tone and atmosphere perfectly. But the second and third act had quotes from songs by Halsey…which I thought was a weird choice cause it brought me out of the setting entirely. That was a bit of a shame.
Also, it would have been great if the book could have included an illustration of the painting the Adrian Maganti painted, I feel like that would have made the book way more engaging.
Giving the book a 3.75 stars. As much as I enjoyed the whole reading experience, Revenge in Violent Hues has its flaws that might have been rectified if not restricted by word limit and time. I think this is a breath of fresh air in the local publishing scene. It’s not everyday you get such an honest and raw representation of rage and retribution especially when we don’t get a lot of YA Dark Fantasy genre here in Malaysia.
Revenge in Violent Hues is Nadiah Zakaria’s second book after debuting her first one, Bane of Widuri in 2023. And right off the bat, the book was able to capture my attention with a shocking scene of a mom being cruel enough to put her own daughter’s face onto a bloody stove. Officially shoooketh.
Our main character Amalia Maganti realized her father’s magical paintings are portals to another magical universe called Gemerlapan. She began to be able to communicate with ghosts and spirits after her father’s death, and was subsequently invited to a school for shadow wielders in Citra Buana. Having been abused by her mother for many years, the academy now serves as an escape for her but she slowly learns that there’s more to her father’s death than she realizes. She then goes onto these rampage acts of revenge onto those who have wronged her with the help of a fire bird spirit and a demon king. The book is set in Alor Setar, Kedah so it features a lot of Malay and Indonesian inspired mythological spirits and ghosts.
Where do I even begin talking abou this book? It was like a rollercoaster ride but this rollercoaster starts off at very slow ascend all the way to the peak and has the steepest fall you’ll ever experience. Similarly, the book starts off as a slow burn but things get really ramped up towards the end of the book and would have you double taking each chapter like “did she REALLLLLY do that?”
By the second and third act, I was quite invested in Amalia’s journey already. I really enjoyed the twists and turns that Nadiah wrote around Arjuna and Mona and boy did I take a bit of time to recover when the truth was revealed about Arjuna. And the third act just went from zero to a hundred real quick where Amalia really was the ruthless MVP.
This book is a combination of books that i’ve loved. It has the creature living inside our character’s mind trope from One Dark window, it has the talking to ghosts mechanic that reminds me of Spirit Bares Its Teeth, it also has the female rage / revenge element that reminded me of The Poppy ar.
As much as I enjoyed the reading experience, I wished that the exposition of the story was a bit more ambiguous and did more show than tell. I felt like Nadiah was over explaining the magic system and the world directly through character dialogues and it didn’t really fit the mysterious and dark vibes of the atmosphere that the story was trying to create. And it felt like some of these dialogues are not something that the characters would say it out loud.
Due to the the "creature living inside our main character" trope, I thought the book would have been more immersive and more engaging had it been written in first person POV. I had some difficulty in the beginning relating to Amalia and her connection with Fire (the fire bird spirit).
[SPOILER ALERT]
And there were some characters’ relationship development that didn't really make much sense to me especially Amalia and Sophie’s. I felt like their dynamics as BFF wasn’t built up enough to the point where it would have warranted such a dramatic response from Amalia when Sophie was murdered. Which was why I didn’t really feel anything when she died.
I also wanted to mention that the interlude quotes at the beginning of each act were a bit inconsistent to me. The first quote Nadiah used was a quote from Oscar Wilde’s Picture of Dorian Gray which I thought was a good start to the story and it sets the tone and atmosphere perfectly. But the second and third act had quotes from songs by Halsey…which I thought was a weird choice cause it brought me out of the setting entirely. That was a bit of a shame.
Also, it would have been great if the book could have included an illustration of the painting the Adrian Maganti painted, I feel like that would have made the book way more engaging.
Giving the book a 3.75 stars. As much as I enjoyed the whole reading experience, Revenge in Violent Hues has its flaws that might have been rectified if not restricted by word limit and time. I think this is a breath of fresh air in the local publishing scene. It’s not everyday you get such an honest and raw representation of rage and retribution especially when we don’t get a lot of YA Dark Fantasy genre here in Malaysia.
September 23, 2024
2.5⭐️
i'm not gonna lie, i only picked up this book at the store just wanting to try out local authors. i read BOW first (thank God cuz i could've spoiled myself) and enjoyed it, but this one disappointed me.
the writing was... bad? seemed rush, and the world building was confusing for me. imo there were tons of plot holes. i didn't expect this book to turn dark and mia to turn evil. i didn't like it, i understand the rage she has towards her mother and alastor and all, but i feel like it's such an extravagant revenge for her. if there was more in depth explanation of her feelings, rather than descriptions of colours, it would've been better i suppose. but points to the author for such vivid imagination and putting it into words.
i thought azrail was gonna be a love interest but i was disappointed with his fate (but this is because i'm a sucker for romance so that's my fault). but i CAN'T believe the author gave them that good chemistry, banter and a whole "who did this to you?" moment and threw it all away 😭 i get that mia is angry that he killed sophie and aided his dad, but seems like he grew up forced to do such things and hates his dad? his fate of living and getting burned again and again seemed like.. too much? like i don't understand why mia is so angry with him, is it because he treated her like shit at first too? does she feel betrayed? i feel like her mom was the one who deserved his fate.
and i also don't understand why she killed indra?? someone enlighten me please 😔 maybe i'm the one who just doesn't understand her rage (besides towards her mom) and punishing everyone? i saw a review that i think compared her to adelina from the young elites by marie lu, but imo adelina is morally grey while mia here just turned pure evil 😭
but nonetheless, this book was enjoyable before the 180° turn at the last 50ish pages.
i'm sorry if the review seems harsh, this is my first time writing/ranting about a book.
i'm not gonna lie, i only picked up this book at the store just wanting to try out local authors. i read BOW first (thank God cuz i could've spoiled myself) and enjoyed it, but this one disappointed me.
the writing was... bad? seemed rush, and the world building was confusing for me. imo there were tons of plot holes. i didn't expect this book to turn dark and mia to turn evil. i didn't like it, i understand the rage she has towards her mother and alastor and all, but i feel like it's such an extravagant revenge for her. if there was more in depth explanation of her feelings, rather than descriptions of colours, it would've been better i suppose. but points to the author for such vivid imagination and putting it into words.
i thought azrail was gonna be a love interest but i was disappointed with his fate (but this is because i'm a sucker for romance so that's my fault). but i CAN'T believe the author gave them that good chemistry, banter and a whole "who did this to you?" moment and threw it all away 😭 i get that mia is angry that he killed sophie and aided his dad, but seems like he grew up forced to do such things and hates his dad? his fate of living and getting burned again and again seemed like.. too much? like i don't understand why mia is so angry with him, is it because he treated her like shit at first too? does she feel betrayed? i feel like her mom was the one who deserved his fate.
and i also don't understand why she killed indra?? someone enlighten me please 😔 maybe i'm the one who just doesn't understand her rage (besides towards her mom) and punishing everyone? i saw a review that i think compared her to adelina from the young elites by marie lu, but imo adelina is morally grey while mia here just turned pure evil 😭
but nonetheless, this book was enjoyable before the 180° turn at the last 50ish pages.
i'm sorry if the review seems harsh, this is my first time writing/ranting about a book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2025
DNF. if i could rate this zero, i would. 💔
this is my first fantasy book and i'm very disappointed ☹️ idk why my review was deleted but I'm gonna say the reasons why I stopped reading, again. basically, if you're all in more for the VIBES and not the plot, I recommend this book.
1) lifeless, one-dimensional side characters. they're so lifeless that when a certain character's family was dying somewhere between pages 100–120, I couldn't bring myself to care. weirdly, I found the scene a bit funny for idk what reason.
2) unrelatable main character too. i can't seem to understand some of her motives. i skipped to the third act of the story and never understood why she felt the need to kill innocent people in the end?? so tiber 😅
3) the writer used a lot of big or fancy words, but I still could not feel what was so "amazing" about CitraBuana. It feels like the author was trying to be like Harry Potter, but failed terribly.
4) not the reason for my DNF, but I just felt the need to say this. I find Sophia really annoying tbh. the moment she started talking I was like "yeah I bet she's gonna be an annoying version of Enid from Wednesday..."
and idk why but
5) I admit, the beginning piqued my interest. but the plot is so slow for me that I decided to DNF during the scene where Azrail and Amalia were training for a fight in front of a crowd (i think?).
6) weak world-building.
all in all, i wish the characters and plot were explored more, ngl. yes I'm aware that the writer wrote this book during hard times, but that doesn't change the fact i dislike it.
i'm glad that I DNF this bcs when I spoiled myself by reading the ending, I found it so weird ngl, like "ha why did she do that??" 🥀
so i'mma say this again... if you're all in for the VIBES rather than the plot, maybe you'll enjoy this. otherwise, consider yourself WARNED.
this is my first fantasy book and i'm very disappointed ☹️ idk why my review was deleted but I'm gonna say the reasons why I stopped reading, again. basically, if you're all in more for the VIBES and not the plot, I recommend this book.
1) lifeless, one-dimensional side characters. they're so lifeless that when a certain character's family was dying somewhere between pages 100–120, I couldn't bring myself to care. weirdly, I found the scene a bit funny for idk what reason.
2) unrelatable main character too. i can't seem to understand some of her motives. i skipped to the third act of the story and never understood why she felt the need to kill innocent people in the end?? so tiber 😅
3) the writer used a lot of big or fancy words, but I still could not feel what was so "amazing" about CitraBuana. It feels like the author was trying to be like Harry Potter, but failed terribly.
4) not the reason for my DNF, but I just felt the need to say this. I find Sophia really annoying tbh. the moment she started talking I was like "yeah I bet she's gonna be an annoying version of Enid from Wednesday..."
and idk why but
5) I admit, the beginning piqued my interest. but the plot is so slow for me that I decided to DNF during the scene where Azrail and Amalia were training for a fight in front of a crowd (i think?).
6) weak world-building.
all in all, i wish the characters and plot were explored more, ngl. yes I'm aware that the writer wrote this book during hard times, but that doesn't change the fact i dislike it.
i'm glad that I DNF this bcs when I spoiled myself by reading the ending, I found it so weird ngl, like "ha why did she do that??" 🥀
so i'mma say this again... if you're all in for the VIBES rather than the plot, maybe you'll enjoy this. otherwise, consider yourself WARNED.
July 14, 2024
The premise is so good. Writing also sangat berbunga-bunga.
Cumanya, disebabkan buku ini elemen utamanya adalah misteri, aku rasa perlu untuk di-tone downkan sedikit ayat yang yang berbunga tu untuk bagi suspense pula masuk.
Setiap kali babak suspense, aku rasa macam melawan arus deras. Aku nak rasa suspense tu tapi penulisan yang terlalu berprosa (purple prose kot orang panggil) membuatkan aku banyak kali letak tepi buku ini. Don't get me wrong, aku suka gila penulisan Nadiah. Cuma, aku penat, macam nak bersin tapi tak nak lepas gayanya aku membaca novel ni.
Yang lain taknak sentuh. I believe author knows better. Purposely kot dia buat gitu.
Dengar macam nak ada buku kedua. Aku harap sangat author explore lebih lagi pasal watak utama, dan ada konflik lain yang kita boleh anticipate ++ mystery element.
Thank you so much tulis buku ni!
Cumanya, disebabkan buku ini elemen utamanya adalah misteri, aku rasa perlu untuk di-tone downkan sedikit ayat yang yang berbunga tu untuk bagi suspense pula masuk.
Setiap kali babak suspense, aku rasa macam melawan arus deras. Aku nak rasa suspense tu tapi penulisan yang terlalu berprosa (purple prose kot orang panggil) membuatkan aku banyak kali letak tepi buku ini. Don't get me wrong, aku suka gila penulisan Nadiah. Cuma, aku penat, macam nak bersin tapi tak nak lepas gayanya aku membaca novel ni.
Yang lain taknak sentuh. I believe author knows better. Purposely kot dia buat gitu.
Dengar macam nak ada buku kedua. Aku harap sangat author explore lebih lagi pasal watak utama, dan ada konflik lain yang kita boleh anticipate ++ mystery element.
Thank you so much tulis buku ni!
October 3, 2024
Mia @ Amalia Maganti menjumpai portal yang membawanya ke Gemerlapan dunia di sebalik cermin menjelang usianya 18 tahun. Dia yang kerap menjadi mangsa kekasaran ibunya sendiri semakin seronok belajar di Citra Buana sebuah akademi di Gemerlapan.
Jalan cerita seronok dan agak laju. Konsep dua dunia yang wujud di sebalik cermin sangat-sangat menarik perhatian SH. Walaupun agak 'gelap' tapi buat SH puas dengam kesudahan bagi cerita itu.
SH tak faham bagaimana seorang ibu seperti Mona sanggup berbuat sebegitu kepada anaknya sendiri. Mental dan fizikal terdera dek kerana ibu kandung sendiri. Ramai orang yang teringinkan anak. Tapi Mona dah ada anak didera pula. Padahal Mia tidak berbuat apa-apa padanya.
Perebutan kuasa memang berlaku tak kira di mana jua. Begitu juga di Citra Buana yang nampak aman dan tenteram. Namun itulah sifat makhluk. Tidak pernah puas dengan apa yang ada.
Jalan cerita seronok dan agak laju. Konsep dua dunia yang wujud di sebalik cermin sangat-sangat menarik perhatian SH. Walaupun agak 'gelap' tapi buat SH puas dengam kesudahan bagi cerita itu.
SH tak faham bagaimana seorang ibu seperti Mona sanggup berbuat sebegitu kepada anaknya sendiri. Mental dan fizikal terdera dek kerana ibu kandung sendiri. Ramai orang yang teringinkan anak. Tapi Mona dah ada anak didera pula. Padahal Mia tidak berbuat apa-apa padanya.
Perebutan kuasa memang berlaku tak kira di mana jua. Begitu juga di Citra Buana yang nampak aman dan tenteram. Namun itulah sifat makhluk. Tidak pernah puas dengan apa yang ada.
June 16, 2024
First of all, I’m immensely grateful that this fantasy book is set in my home country, with the author painting such vivid details of Citra Buana and Gemerlapan.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Amalia’s character. She’s complex, having suffered significant trauma, which drives her actions. The honest and raw portrayal of female rage is refreshing and rare in local literature.
However, I feel the plot wasn’t fully fleshed out. Upon finishing the book, I wondered if that was all, as I had hoped for more about Citra Buana. Additionally, aside from the main character, the other characters feel flat, serving only one purpose without any other distinguishing traits.
Despite this, it is a good read, especially if you’re looking to diversify your reading list.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Amalia’s character. She’s complex, having suffered significant trauma, which drives her actions. The honest and raw portrayal of female rage is refreshing and rare in local literature.
However, I feel the plot wasn’t fully fleshed out. Upon finishing the book, I wondered if that was all, as I had hoped for more about Citra Buana. Additionally, aside from the main character, the other characters feel flat, serving only one purpose without any other distinguishing traits.
Despite this, it is a good read, especially if you’re looking to diversify your reading list.
July 19, 2024
Buku ni kan, aku tahu lah konsep dia dark. Tapi aku tak sangka lah dia akan jadi THAT dark. Ingat kan biasa-biasa je. Rupanya tidak ye.
Pada mula cerita tu memang aku agak overwhelmed lah dengan tiba-tiba banyak watak yang diperkenalkan. Dengan manusia nya, dengan hantu nya, dengan spiritnya. Dengan binatang jadian nya. Pastu dengan nama-nama yang hampir similar. Arjuna. Azazel. Amalia. Alastor. Azrail. Adrian. Huh!?
Aku suka konsep cerita ni di mana dia boleh kawal spirits dan hantu. Siap memperkenalkan lagi hantu-hantu malaysia macam penanggal dan toyol. Tapi one of the plot twist tu, aku mmg, WOW lah. SIYES lah! NOO!!
Aku memang tak berapa nak suka cerita yang penuh gore ni. Sebab geli weh kalau bayangkan. Penanggal tu muncul dengan isi perut dia pun aku dah EUW~~ Lagi-lagi babak hujung-hujung, aku dah macam.. APEKAH INI?! Kenape ngeri ni.?? Sebab nak tahu sangat ending dia, kena habiskan. Ending dia ngeri tapi puas hati. Yeah!
Tapi kan, aku bila baca buku ni, aku banyak sangat rujuk kamus bahasa inggeris. Banyak sangat perkataan bombastik yang ada nye. Tahu tak the white part of eye di panggil sclera?
I Hate you MONA! Kurang ajar lor! URGH!!
Anyway, ada cameo Bane of Widuri lah.
Pada mula cerita tu memang aku agak overwhelmed lah dengan tiba-tiba banyak watak yang diperkenalkan. Dengan manusia nya, dengan hantu nya, dengan spiritnya. Dengan binatang jadian nya. Pastu dengan nama-nama yang hampir similar. Arjuna. Azazel. Amalia. Alastor. Azrail. Adrian. Huh!?
Aku suka konsep cerita ni di mana dia boleh kawal spirits dan hantu. Siap memperkenalkan lagi hantu-hantu malaysia macam penanggal dan toyol. Tapi one of the plot twist tu, aku mmg, WOW lah. SIYES lah! NOO!!
Aku memang tak berapa nak suka cerita yang penuh gore ni. Sebab geli weh kalau bayangkan. Penanggal tu muncul dengan isi perut dia pun aku dah EUW~~ Lagi-lagi babak hujung-hujung, aku dah macam.. APEKAH INI?! Kenape ngeri ni.?? Sebab nak tahu sangat ending dia, kena habiskan. Ending dia ngeri tapi puas hati. Yeah!
Tapi kan, aku bila baca buku ni, aku banyak sangat rujuk kamus bahasa inggeris. Banyak sangat perkataan bombastik yang ada nye. Tahu tak the white part of eye di panggil sclera?
I Hate you MONA! Kurang ajar lor! URGH!!
Anyway, ada cameo Bane of Widuri lah.
June 14, 2024
I feel like this book doesn’t require much thinking from the reader. All informations are spoon-fed us - there are no surprise revelation or anything alike. The only thing I was surprised of is *SPOILER* her brother’s death.
The characters are one dimensional which I agree from another commenter. Everyone has one purpose only; hence everything felt a bit flat.
Read this in one seating - 2.75 ⭐️
The characters are one dimensional which I agree from another commenter. Everyone has one purpose only; hence everything felt a bit flat.
Read this in one seating - 2.75 ⭐️
October 12, 2024
Female rage in a book. Overall it was an okay read. Amalia literally killed almost everyone and now she only has ghosts/spirits & werewhatever as friends🥴 Did the apprentices really have to die ? 🥹 The only big bad guys here were Alastor & Mona. So like why did the students fight alongside with the headmaster? 😭 Amalia’s only friend Emily, literally got killed & JUSTICE FOR BADRUL!!!
January 25, 2025
This book was the talk of the town when it was first released at last year’s PBAKL. I haven’t been to the event for maybe close to 10 years now and for these past years, I’ve been scrolling social media to get the updates and vibes of the event. And of course, what books that were on the bestseller list. Been eyeing this book for so long and one fine day I got it during my visit to a random pasar malam/uptown at Bandar Perda haha.
Fantasy is totally not my genre at all to begin with. I’m totally bad at imagining things and what more if it’s not real. The story succeeded in hooking me at the first few chapters on how Amalia (almost the same as my name hee) or Mia (her short/nickname) has been experiencing traumatising incidents related to her family. She was given the ability to see and communicate with spirits. The building of the story gets interesting after the world of Gemerlapan and the Citra Buana school were introduced. I also loved it when the author used a lot of malay terms for that world.
I lost it after reading halfway through, as I said before, I’m so bad at reading fantasy. Giving myself a break for a few weeks before resuming the journey at Gemerlapan. I’ve been imagining Gemerlapan as similar to Dream Forest, Langkawi. Dark but full of colours. After a while, the story gets dark and darker, if you know what I mean. Didn’t see that coming at all. Enjoyed it so much more after the second half.
My experience with this book varies. From being able to relate with that angry oldest daughter feeling to being so lonely and vulnerable at the same time. At one point, I didn't even understand Mia’s character because of so many things happening that were not clearly explained (as the story wants the readers to connect the dots). However, kudos to the author for her ability to describe things so thorough and dreamy. Her writing skills and english vocabulary was top notch. I need to find the meaning of so many English words.
Anyway, just realised that the author is my junior at Uni yayy but didnt get a chance to meet her because I graduated way earlier haha. Tua mode alert. Congratulations to @NadiahZakaria and keep on writing ok. Can’t wait to read your next gems !
Fantasy is totally not my genre at all to begin with. I’m totally bad at imagining things and what more if it’s not real. The story succeeded in hooking me at the first few chapters on how Amalia (almost the same as my name hee) or Mia (her short/nickname) has been experiencing traumatising incidents related to her family. She was given the ability to see and communicate with spirits. The building of the story gets interesting after the world of Gemerlapan and the Citra Buana school were introduced. I also loved it when the author used a lot of malay terms for that world.
I lost it after reading halfway through, as I said before, I’m so bad at reading fantasy. Giving myself a break for a few weeks before resuming the journey at Gemerlapan. I’ve been imagining Gemerlapan as similar to Dream Forest, Langkawi. Dark but full of colours. After a while, the story gets dark and darker, if you know what I mean. Didn’t see that coming at all. Enjoyed it so much more after the second half.
My experience with this book varies. From being able to relate with that angry oldest daughter feeling to being so lonely and vulnerable at the same time. At one point, I didn't even understand Mia’s character because of so many things happening that were not clearly explained (as the story wants the readers to connect the dots). However, kudos to the author for her ability to describe things so thorough and dreamy. Her writing skills and english vocabulary was top notch. I need to find the meaning of so many English words.
Anyway, just realised that the author is my junior at Uni yayy but didnt get a chance to meet her because I graduated way earlier haha. Tua mode alert. Congratulations to @NadiahZakaria and keep on writing ok. Can’t wait to read your next gems !
July 25, 2024
✫ what was all the RIVH slanders about?? I thought it's that bad yall but whatever 🍃 you're on, I want some of it bcs wth💀
✫ Some people said it's too descriptive but I thought it was enough, in fact, give 👏🏻me👏🏻more👏🏻 Please shower me with words, tell me even the color of the tablecloth.
What is a fantasy book without a bunch of descriptions you guys? I don't know about you but a good fantasy book to me is one I could imagine vividly and take me on a journey i to a new world.
✫ Mia's character grew so much. She went from someone who survived the abuse until she felt so tiny & unwanted to someone who accepted her true self despite the flaws, braved herself to stood up for the people she loved.
- possible spoiler starts below, skip to the next part -
✫ this book is a villain origin story. Don't weep if Mia doesn't turn out an angel. This is how the author wanted it to be and I LOVE IT. Not every fantasy book has to end with the FMC being a hero 💀
- possible spoiled ENDS -
✫ If you've read The Young Elite by Marie Lu and loved it, this book is for you. If you want a merciless, STRONG FMC, pick this book up quickly.
Idk if Nadiah took TYE as its inspiration bcs both the FMC are pretty much similar but if not or even if it is, she wrote RIVH with a whole new concept 🖤
✫ For a book that was written in just 2 months, the plot was well thought. I'm sure if Nadiah was given more - this book could be further improved.
My one wish is only for this book to be published internationally so that it can reach its deserved and intended audiences.
My rating: 4.5⭐️
✫ Some people said it's too descriptive but I thought it was enough, in fact, give 👏🏻me👏🏻more👏🏻 Please shower me with words, tell me even the color of the tablecloth.
What is a fantasy book without a bunch of descriptions you guys? I don't know about you but a good fantasy book to me is one I could imagine vividly and take me on a journey i to a new world.
✫ Mia's character grew so much. She went from someone who survived the abuse until she felt so tiny & unwanted to someone who accepted her true self despite the flaws, braved herself to stood up for the people she loved.
- possible spoiler starts below, skip to the next part -
✫ this book is a villain origin story. Don't weep if Mia doesn't turn out an angel. This is how the author wanted it to be and I LOVE IT. Not every fantasy book has to end with the FMC being a hero 💀
- possible spoiled ENDS -
✫ If you've read The Young Elite by Marie Lu and loved it, this book is for you. If you want a merciless, STRONG FMC, pick this book up quickly.
Idk if Nadiah took TYE as its inspiration bcs both the FMC are pretty much similar but if not or even if it is, she wrote RIVH with a whole new concept 🖤
✫ For a book that was written in just 2 months, the plot was well thought. I'm sure if Nadiah was given more - this book could be further improved.
My one wish is only for this book to be published internationally so that it can reach its deserved and intended audiences.
My rating: 4.5⭐️
July 26, 2024
Well, how should I say this. I don't feel it. I like the world building inspired from Malaysian folklore with ghosts and spirits but I think it was scattered. A bit all over the places with too many characters to remember but I still very much appreciate the existence of unfamiliar Malay vocabs like Mergastua. But like I said it has too many people to remember. Had to flip pages from the beginning in between my reading to trace who the heck is this person.
I thought it would be more diabolical and devilish revenge like it's a real pay back time but the ending seems weak. However, it was still good! Kinda scary when I read what happened to Azrail in the end, like it was never ending torture! Eh macam neraka pulak. Takut weh! Also it has those magical elements with ghosts, penanggal, toyol and more aktiviti khurafat like santau and calling demon in ceremonies like okay it was soo Malay. Haha. I genuinely love that part. I did imagine this to be like Harry Potter since there's Citra Buana, an academy built to weaponise death like you can wield and command the deads and the shadow. It was cool! But it was waaayy cooler! Again I love the concept! I devoured it! Since I read Bane of Widuri first, the short appearance of Dahlia excites me! Likee heeyy I know you and you Ever After seed! I was that proud! Overall it is a 3.5 read! 💜✨🔮🪄👻👹🧌
I thought it would be more diabolical and devilish revenge like it's a real pay back time but the ending seems weak. However, it was still good! Kinda scary when I read what happened to Azrail in the end, like it was never ending torture! Eh macam neraka pulak. Takut weh! Also it has those magical elements with ghosts, penanggal, toyol and more aktiviti khurafat like santau and calling demon in ceremonies like okay it was soo Malay. Haha. I genuinely love that part. I did imagine this to be like Harry Potter since there's Citra Buana, an academy built to weaponise death like you can wield and command the deads and the shadow. It was cool! But it was waaayy cooler! Again I love the concept! I devoured it! Since I read Bane of Widuri first, the short appearance of Dahlia excites me! Likee heeyy I know you and you Ever After seed! I was that proud! Overall it is a 3.5 read! 💜✨🔮🪄👻👹🧌
December 28, 2025
Nadiah really knows how to express pain without it feeling over the top. The way she uses colours and visuals made it feel like I was watching someone paint revenge right in front of me. The world-building is fantastic, Gemerlapan, reflections, weretigers, it all feels like you're caught in a beautiful fever dream.
That said, I wish some of the side characters were a bit more fleshed out. A few of them just kind of blended into the background.
That said, I wish some of the side characters were a bit more fleshed out. A few of them just kind of blended into the background.
August 3, 2024
Revenge in Violent Hues tells us about Amalia Maganti (nickname: Mia) who on her 18th birthday, discovers that her father's paintings are portals to the hidden realm called Gemerlapan. There, she enrolls in Citra Buana, an academy where she learns how to wield shadows, and much more.
"The same night sky stretched beyond the veil, but it was bursting with stars. Hues of violet and navy woven through twinkling stars illuminating the path."
- The writing is gorgeous! Since its genres are dark fantasy and magical realism, the author does a really great job in describing everything for the readers. I'm someone who is not creative in imagination, so I'm so thankful that I can at least visualize what the author has in her mind when it comes to Gemerlapan.
"It's time to take back what has always been rightfully mine."
- The plot and the characters live up to the title's name! When the title has the word "revenge", I imagine it will be a pure, no mercy kind of revenge and guess what? That's what it delivers. I love how it's not your typical fantasy plot that has a definite happy ending. It feels so satisfying!
- I love how the author includes the cameo of Dahlia from Bane of Widuri. It's actually the right timing, even! I was still navigating where Alastor stands, but that scene makes me connect all the dots.
"Don't deny yourself your emotions. Don't try to defend your mother's actions and downplay the hurt she inflicted in you."
- The revelation of Mia's real past and current life tears me up. I never thought that that's what happening to her all along. Her whole family - father, mother and brother then even what happened to Sophie and Badrul are very tragic.
- My favourite character? Bael, Valdis,Taha, and Fusilis but you have to read the book to find out why 🤓
- I picked this book up for @badass.bookclub 's July Theme - Read Local and I must say that I chose the right book 😻
Rate: 4.5⭐
"The same night sky stretched beyond the veil, but it was bursting with stars. Hues of violet and navy woven through twinkling stars illuminating the path."
- The writing is gorgeous! Since its genres are dark fantasy and magical realism, the author does a really great job in describing everything for the readers. I'm someone who is not creative in imagination, so I'm so thankful that I can at least visualize what the author has in her mind when it comes to Gemerlapan.
"It's time to take back what has always been rightfully mine."
- The plot and the characters live up to the title's name! When the title has the word "revenge", I imagine it will be a pure, no mercy kind of revenge and guess what? That's what it delivers. I love how it's not your typical fantasy plot that has a definite happy ending. It feels so satisfying!
- I love how the author includes the cameo of Dahlia from Bane of Widuri. It's actually the right timing, even! I was still navigating where Alastor stands, but that scene makes me connect all the dots.
"Don't deny yourself your emotions. Don't try to defend your mother's actions and downplay the hurt she inflicted in you."
- The revelation of Mia's real past and current life tears me up. I never thought that that's what happening to her all along. Her whole family - father, mother and brother then even what happened to Sophie and Badrul are very tragic.
- My favourite character? Bael, Valdis,Taha, and Fusilis but you have to read the book to find out why 🤓
- I picked this book up for @badass.bookclub 's July Theme - Read Local and I must say that I chose the right book 😻
Rate: 4.5⭐
August 16, 2024
This was my first book. I have no idea on what kind of books and genre they are but i just so happened to pick this up. It was an enjoyable experience at first, reeling me in with the exciting story, yet the ending was more to be desired. I'm almost angry at it.
November 4, 2024
Revenge in Violent Hues by Nadiah Zakaria
Nothing prepared me for this book. This book surprised me with its daring attempt to allow an anti-hero to shine. Amalia Maganti represents all my intrusive and dark thoughts, which are hidden deep inside of me. At the end of my reading, I needed a moment to digest everything as it all coalesced into a bigger picture.
The story is set in Citra Buana, an academy nestled deep within the enchanted forests of Gemerlapan. The protagonist, Amalia Maganti, is unlike most fantasy heroines. Amalia doesn’t just seek justice for his father’s death, she will also after vengeance and blood once the answers to her questions emerge. She soon learns that her father’s paintings are portals to secret corners of Citra Buana and Mergastua, where all the spirits, shadows, ghosts, and wereanimals reside. I love wereanimals, and I’m glad this book is filled with them! I love her detailed descriptions of Citra Buana and the creatures, often filled with vivid and colourful imagery. It reminds me of the series Fate: The Winx Saga + Harry Potter.
Nadiah Zakaria did a marvelous job in giving a voice to the Malaysian version of the fantasy genre by blending Malaysian culture, folklore, and spine-chilling elements into an unforgettable story. My mind marvels at her creativity in using the horrifying lores we are exposed to in a school that weaponised the dead. (AWESOME! 😍)
What I love the most about the book is that the author doesn’t shy away from exploring the morally complex. Amalia does not sugarcoated her revenge. She goes full throttle into her desire for retribution. This bold choice makes Amalia both unsettling and fascinating, a character who’s unafraid to explore her darkest impulses.
Lastly, kudos to the author for representing all the suppressed desires of finding justice in life. Where in the real world this is impossible, as the world is morally dictated by society, Nadiah offers us a perfect escapism where victims can be in power, at last.
I’m so proud of both Amalia, and Nadiah. ✨💖
Nothing prepared me for this book. This book surprised me with its daring attempt to allow an anti-hero to shine. Amalia Maganti represents all my intrusive and dark thoughts, which are hidden deep inside of me. At the end of my reading, I needed a moment to digest everything as it all coalesced into a bigger picture.
The story is set in Citra Buana, an academy nestled deep within the enchanted forests of Gemerlapan. The protagonist, Amalia Maganti, is unlike most fantasy heroines. Amalia doesn’t just seek justice for his father’s death, she will also after vengeance and blood once the answers to her questions emerge. She soon learns that her father’s paintings are portals to secret corners of Citra Buana and Mergastua, where all the spirits, shadows, ghosts, and wereanimals reside. I love wereanimals, and I’m glad this book is filled with them! I love her detailed descriptions of Citra Buana and the creatures, often filled with vivid and colourful imagery. It reminds me of the series Fate: The Winx Saga + Harry Potter.
Nadiah Zakaria did a marvelous job in giving a voice to the Malaysian version of the fantasy genre by blending Malaysian culture, folklore, and spine-chilling elements into an unforgettable story. My mind marvels at her creativity in using the horrifying lores we are exposed to in a school that weaponised the dead. (AWESOME! 😍)
What I love the most about the book is that the author doesn’t shy away from exploring the morally complex. Amalia does not sugarcoated her revenge. She goes full throttle into her desire for retribution. This bold choice makes Amalia both unsettling and fascinating, a character who’s unafraid to explore her darkest impulses.
Lastly, kudos to the author for representing all the suppressed desires of finding justice in life. Where in the real world this is impossible, as the world is morally dictated by society, Nadiah offers us a perfect escapism where victims can be in power, at last.
I’m so proud of both Amalia, and Nadiah. ✨💖
December 12, 2024
My thoughts?
1. This is a dark fantasy novel by Malaysian author, Nadiah Zakaria. Jarang2 jumpa penulis yang tulis genre ni. Guess what? I love this book! Vibe buku ni gothic betul. Me likey 😆
2. Amalia - aku suka gila main character buku ni. Because she's different. Kalau dalam mana2 buku character development biasanya from bad to good. Atau from good to bad, and become good again. Tapi dalam buku ni menentang arus. Amalia ni dari baik, innocent terus jadi villainess. A very powerful villainess. Protagonist + antagonist at the same time 😆
3. Magic system dalam buku ni sangat menarik - shadow wielding. Of course Amalia punya shadow paling awesome sekali, Garuda. Macam Phoenix I think. Yang Fire dok bercakap dalam kepala dia tu rupa2nya memang already si Garuda. Yang tengah menunggu untuk di summoned selama ini. Tapi yang paling scary sekali shadow si Sophie, hantu penanggal sia 🤣
4. Aku speechless bila dapat tahu pasal adik dia Arjuna. Scene masa Azrail ikut dia balik, pastu dia nak kenalkan Azrail dengan Arjuna, pastu ghost friend dia Peter tak bagi masuk bilik Arjuna tu 😭
3. Too bad aku sangat suka watak Azrail sebenarnya. I thought it's gonna be enemies to lovers trope. Tapi bukan. Aku rasa Azrail ni bukan completely evil, tapi dia terpaksa ikut kemahuan ayah dia. But then again, he had a choice. And he chose not to defy his father. I was devastated for what happened to him at the end. It should be Alastor. Hmm
4. Overall i really love this book. Memang lain dari yang lain sangat neh. Ceritanya fast paced dan tak boring. Writing style simple dan senang nak faham. I think beginners pun boleh baca.
1. This is a dark fantasy novel by Malaysian author, Nadiah Zakaria. Jarang2 jumpa penulis yang tulis genre ni. Guess what? I love this book! Vibe buku ni gothic betul. Me likey 😆
2. Amalia - aku suka gila main character buku ni. Because she's different. Kalau dalam mana2 buku character development biasanya from bad to good. Atau from good to bad, and become good again. Tapi dalam buku ni menentang arus. Amalia ni dari baik, innocent terus jadi villainess. A very powerful villainess. Protagonist + antagonist at the same time 😆
3. Magic system dalam buku ni sangat menarik - shadow wielding. Of course Amalia punya shadow paling awesome sekali, Garuda. Macam Phoenix I think. Yang Fire dok bercakap dalam kepala dia tu rupa2nya memang already si Garuda. Yang tengah menunggu untuk di summoned selama ini. Tapi yang paling scary sekali shadow si Sophie, hantu penanggal sia 🤣
4. Aku speechless bila dapat tahu pasal adik dia Arjuna. Scene masa Azrail ikut dia balik, pastu dia nak kenalkan Azrail dengan Arjuna, pastu ghost friend dia Peter tak bagi masuk bilik Arjuna tu 😭
3. Too bad aku sangat suka watak Azrail sebenarnya. I thought it's gonna be enemies to lovers trope. Tapi bukan. Aku rasa Azrail ni bukan completely evil, tapi dia terpaksa ikut kemahuan ayah dia. But then again, he had a choice. And he chose not to defy his father. I was devastated for what happened to him at the end. It should be Alastor. Hmm
4. Overall i really love this book. Memang lain dari yang lain sangat neh. Ceritanya fast paced dan tak boring. Writing style simple dan senang nak faham. I think beginners pun boleh baca.
June 5, 2025
tak sekarang ni kenapa mia kena balas dekat semua??!! like yang tak bersalah pun dia tibai 😅 lepastu daripada balas dendam untuk bapak dia tiba tiba macam focus pada adik dia saja. Tapi apa apa pun saya akan tetap support the author 💗
July 13, 2024
4.25 - 4.5 ish but LOVE LOVE LOVE such a fantastical world and read for me brb let me breathe for a second-
June 21, 2025
3.75 🌟
I’m just sitting here trying to conjure up words but nothing is coming out right. I do know that i enjoyed the book, that one’s for sure. I just… hoped that some things in the book could have been different. I will be picking up Bane of Widuri next though bc i love the author. ♥️
I’m just sitting here trying to conjure up words but nothing is coming out right. I do know that i enjoyed the book, that one’s for sure. I just… hoped that some things in the book could have been different. I will be picking up Bane of Widuri next though bc i love the author. ♥️
December 30, 2024
This book contains mystery and problem solved. But the mc was just.. a bit harsh? I did not expect for her to do such things to her father's best friend. What is his name again? Indra? Well, he's actually a green flag. Really recommend 🤭. He's just a side character, though..
October 31, 2024
The first part of the book was rather slow but once I enter the second part I found myself fully invested with the story. I love the overall setting, but I just wish the writer could expend on the world building like, I want to know more about Citra Buana, Kampung Bianglala and Mergastua it feels so small. As for the story itself, it was a solid read. The third part of the book was a page turner filled with revelation after revelation.
My only qualm with this novel are the characters. They feels like they are create just to filled and assist the story further with not much thought. Even Amelia and Sophie friendship seems not that close. They are so many questions left unanswered. But the most important thing, why does Amelia need to summon the Demon King? Why Adrian needs to do that, to pay of what debt ? What happen if she never call out to the Demon King ?Even the whole Demon King ordeal seems like an afterthought.
I know that Amelia was not meant to be written as a heroic figure, but I really feels like reading a villain origin story. At the end of this book i feels like Amelia is not that much different than her father, mother or even Alistor Crowe. I know that she was doing it out of spike and rage to get a revenge but i can't relate to her at all. Does she does it to avenge his father ? She easily extinguish his father's ghost when he reached out to Mona. She even said that she cant feel the love from him. To avenge Sophie? They are not even that close. To avenge Arjuna, mona is the only one who killed him. Does she has to start an entire war and killed off other students for that?
Why does out of all the people who done her wrong, Azrail suffered the most ? Even Alistor Crowe the mastermind and Mona was punished with an immediate torture followed with death. The way she immediately killed off Indra with not much thought either really doesn't sit right with me, how is she different than the people who killed others for power ? Isn't Amelia is the same as them? Basking in her newfound power and eradicate whom she hate with not a shred of mercy. Even the one who are simply victims of the situation like Azrail, Indra and students of Citra Buana. Amelia is bonded to the demon king is that why she is so evil? On second thought maybe the writer intended for it to be that way cus a demon cant be nice and merciful, right?
Nevertheless, i thought the book was good. I'm the type of person who read for the plot not for the writing or anything else and that's what it delivered. I'm interested to pick up this author other book now. I hope she keep on writing this type of genre because its so hard to find locally.
My only qualm with this novel are the characters. They feels like they are create just to filled and assist the story further with not much thought. Even Amelia and Sophie friendship seems not that close. They are so many questions left unanswered. But the most important thing, why does Amelia need to summon the Demon King? Why Adrian needs to do that, to pay of what debt ? What happen if she never call out to the Demon King ?Even the whole Demon King ordeal seems like an afterthought.
I know that Amelia was not meant to be written as a heroic figure, but I really feels like reading a villain origin story. At the end of this book i feels like Amelia is not that much different than her father, mother or even Alistor Crowe. I know that she was doing it out of spike and rage to get a revenge but i can't relate to her at all. Does she does it to avenge his father ? She easily extinguish his father's ghost when he reached out to Mona. She even said that she cant feel the love from him. To avenge Sophie? They are not even that close. To avenge Arjuna, mona is the only one who killed him. Does she has to start an entire war and killed off other students for that?
Why does out of all the people who done her wrong, Azrail suffered the most ? Even Alistor Crowe the mastermind and Mona was punished with an immediate torture followed with death. The way she immediately killed off Indra with not much thought either really doesn't sit right with me, how is she different than the people who killed others for power ? Isn't Amelia is the same as them? Basking in her newfound power and eradicate whom she hate with not a shred of mercy. Even the one who are simply victims of the situation like Azrail, Indra and students of Citra Buana. Amelia is bonded to the demon king is that why she is so evil? On second thought maybe the writer intended for it to be that way cus a demon cant be nice and merciful, right?
Nevertheless, i thought the book was good. I'm the type of person who read for the plot not for the writing or anything else and that's what it delivered. I'm interested to pick up this author other book now. I hope she keep on writing this type of genre because its so hard to find locally.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2025
What in the eldest daughter's wrath? Page turner FOR REAL! Before you read this book, check content warnings for the book.
I have previously read the author's other work (the novella: Bane of Widuri) & I fell in love with their amazing writing skills! So good! For a dark fantasy style story, the world building & its description of the 2 dimension travel WAS SO GOOD!!!!!
The characters written in the book is amazing, I can't stop imagining myself wearing a gorgeous shape shifting dress just like the main character! Everything in the plot is just CHEF'S KISS!
I highly recommend this book for the fantasy lovers in your life, aspiring writers that needed a writing references & inspiration & young readers who wants to up their English writing skills.
I have previously read the author's other work (the novella: Bane of Widuri) & I fell in love with their amazing writing skills! So good! For a dark fantasy style story, the world building & its description of the 2 dimension travel WAS SO GOOD!!!!!
The characters written in the book is amazing, I can't stop imagining myself wearing a gorgeous shape shifting dress just like the main character! Everything in the plot is just CHEF'S KISS!
I highly recommend this book for the fantasy lovers in your life, aspiring writers that needed a writing references & inspiration & young readers who wants to up their English writing skills.
July 27, 2025
i was honestly really excited about the whole concept at first, spirits, ghosts, and a hidden world behind a mirror based in alor setar? super cool, but as i kept reading the plot just didn’t make any sense to me.
this is my first read from a local author, and i am kinda disappointed by it. hope the author can do better in the future.
this is my first read from a local author, and i am kinda disappointed by it. hope the author can do better in the future.
June 2, 2024
I first came across the book on Tiktok which, if I remember correctly, was promoted by the author herself. I was attracted to the beautiful cover and sprayed edges, plus I always appreciate English fantasy books written by local authors. The book was one of the books on top of my list during PBAKL and I wasted no time in getting it.
For me the book is a 5-star, maybe owing to the fact that I may not be highly critical when it comes to books. An author writing a book and publishing it is already a big feat. I’m more impressed with the fact that the author of this book said this story was written within 3 months.
The language used helped me create a vivid imagination of the world of Gemerlapan, while at the same time it’s not too complicated where I had to pause simply just to search the meaning of a word. The book started off strong (TW: abusive mother) so even that first sentence alone had managed to pull me in. What I understood was the story was made up of a single plot and there was not much branching or conflicts. To quote another review, we were mostly spoon-fed in regard to the plot. The characters were interesting, but I would love if they are given a chance for more development.
But still, I loved this book. I appreciate the world building and the fantasy element around it, and for me it feels like a ‘cosy’ book in which I may reread simply to be taken to another world again.
Thank you author and definitely no regrets in reading the book 💜
For me the book is a 5-star, maybe owing to the fact that I may not be highly critical when it comes to books. An author writing a book and publishing it is already a big feat. I’m more impressed with the fact that the author of this book said this story was written within 3 months.
The language used helped me create a vivid imagination of the world of Gemerlapan, while at the same time it’s not too complicated where I had to pause simply just to search the meaning of a word. The book started off strong (TW: abusive mother) so even that first sentence alone had managed to pull me in. What I understood was the story was made up of a single plot and there was not much branching or conflicts. To quote another review, we were mostly spoon-fed in regard to the plot. The characters were interesting, but I would love if they are given a chance for more development.
But still, I loved this book. I appreciate the world building and the fantasy element around it, and for me it feels like a ‘cosy’ book in which I may reread simply to be taken to another world again.
Thank you author and definitely no regrets in reading the book 💜
August 6, 2024
Suka dengan idea & konsep cerita ni. Ghost, spirits, secrets school, mergastua and all. Tapi kadang tak berapa faham apa yg dimaksudkan dengan Gemerlapan, Mirror, Reflection dan sebagainya. Penulis dah cuba terangkan setiap world tu tapi still i couldn't registered it properly. Mcm ada yg tak lengkap/hilang.
Bahasa yg digunakan juga lebih kepada "lyrical & metaphorical" so sometimes rasa mcm baca a thesaurus. But in positive side, quite helpful for readers yg nk tambah vocab especially those who likes this kind of writing.
For characters, sepatutnya boleh dikembangkan lagi terutama sekali Sophie dan Badrul even the orang kerdil itself. Utk watak Mia sendiri pun rasa mcm tak emotionally attached with the character. Mia's rage feels like Rin's rage in The Poppy War and i dont like her 😅 But Mia is only 18 so acceptable lah utk that kind of rage
Story can get too graphic and gore sometimes but you read it on your own cause the trigger warning is there.
Loved the BOW reference in there and Azrail's fate at the end. Boy i dont like him one bit hahahaha.
Walaubagaimanapun, saya gembira sekarang ramai penulis yg berani utk tulis genre mcm ni mcm Nadiah. Good luck in your next book Nadiah 👍🏻
Bahasa yg digunakan juga lebih kepada "lyrical & metaphorical" so sometimes rasa mcm baca a thesaurus. But in positive side, quite helpful for readers yg nk tambah vocab especially those who likes this kind of writing.
For characters, sepatutnya boleh dikembangkan lagi terutama sekali Sophie dan Badrul even the orang kerdil itself. Utk watak Mia sendiri pun rasa mcm tak emotionally attached with the character. Mia's rage feels like Rin's rage in The Poppy War and i dont like her 😅 But Mia is only 18 so acceptable lah utk that kind of rage
Story can get too graphic and gore sometimes but you read it on your own cause the trigger warning is there.
Loved the BOW reference in there and Azrail's fate at the end. Boy i dont like him one bit hahahaha.
Walaubagaimanapun, saya gembira sekarang ramai penulis yg berani utk tulis genre mcm ni mcm Nadiah. Good luck in your next book Nadiah 👍🏻
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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