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Daughter of the Dead
A Witch Fighting for her Freedom
Centuries after the Massacre of the Witches, Nova Aarin has clawed her way out of the dirt. Through death and destruction, she has learned that above all, blood answers to her. After striking a deal—death for freedom—Nova chases all she has ever wanted: her autonomy. For someone who has brought nothing but death, will her life ever be her own?
A Princess Vying for her Throne
Fear is the most powerful emotion of all. Elaia Zūne, the Princess of Shadow, knows that, even if she cannot admit it. Her mother and sisters are dead. Her father and the girl she has loved all her life, are all who remain. Darkness and death wait in the shadows and fear slithers within her. Will she bend to it? Or will fear bend to her?
A Queen Discovering World's End
Failure was not an option, not for Syrena Savali. The Reyn of Iyvia is dead and the crown is hers. Syrena must rise to the challenge or risk losing her position. But her world is not all that is changing—under the ocean’s surface, a rift grows on the seafloor, and something poisonous leaks.
Is she strong enough to contain it, or will she fail the world?
The Descent
The world fractures and the hunt begins.
Centuries after the Massacre of the Witches, Nova Aarin has clawed her way out of the dirt. Through death and destruction, she has learned that above all, blood answers to her. After striking a deal—death for freedom—Nova chases all she has ever wanted: her autonomy. For someone who has brought nothing but death, will her life ever be her own?
A Princess Vying for her Throne
Fear is the most powerful emotion of all. Elaia Zūne, the Princess of Shadow, knows that, even if she cannot admit it. Her mother and sisters are dead. Her father and the girl she has loved all her life, are all who remain. Darkness and death wait in the shadows and fear slithers within her. Will she bend to it? Or will fear bend to her?
A Queen Discovering World's End
Failure was not an option, not for Syrena Savali. The Reyn of Iyvia is dead and the crown is hers. Syrena must rise to the challenge or risk losing her position. But her world is not all that is changing—under the ocean’s surface, a rift grows on the seafloor, and something poisonous leaks.
Is she strong enough to contain it, or will she fail the world?
The Descent
The world fractures and the hunt begins.
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About the author
K. Jamila
5 books308 followersKatie Jamila was raised in Delaware, where she spent most of her adolescence after moving around various states. She completed her B.A. in English at the University of Delaware and her M.A. in Strategic Communications at Hawai’I Pacific University. Now, she currently lives in hustle and bustle of NYC and works in Academic Publishing. From her childhood, reading has always been her escape; harboring a love for the deeply misunderstood characters, the women filled with rage, intricate fantasy worlds, and the simple beauty of romance.
As a biracial author, she writes the stories she wish she had and the characters she always wanted to see. Her biggest hope is that you find something within her books: a dream, hope, love, or the feeling of being understood.
When not reading or writing, you can find Katie with a cup of coffee, re-watching her favorite TV shows or movies obsessively, listening to her favorite music (including Taylor Swift), or lying on the floor with her pets, dreaming about fictional men and a love story of her own.
As a biracial author, she writes the stories she wish she had and the characters she always wanted to see. Her biggest hope is that you find something within her books: a dream, hope, love, or the feeling of being understood.
When not reading or writing, you can find Katie with a cup of coffee, re-watching her favorite TV shows or movies obsessively, listening to her favorite music (including Taylor Swift), or lying on the floor with her pets, dreaming about fictional men and a love story of her own.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
September 18, 2025
4.5 stars
i can attest that Daughter of the Dead is the very first fantasy novel i could read, devour, and finish this year (and for me, that feels like an exploit in itself.)
DOTD is K. Jamila’s debut fantasy novel, and while her contemporary works are already among my favorites, i was genuinely pleased to see her venture into a new genre, carrying with her that same poetic prose i love.
what sold me instantly was the diversity distilled into the cast. the opening scene set the tone with a graphic, gory scene centering on Nova (my favorite character) and from there i was completely immersed. the deeper i went, the more i wanted to unravel the threads connecting the multiple voices and perspectives narrating the novel. that multiplicity became one of the novel’s strongest pulls, alongside Cyrus, whose moments with Nova had me blushing at nothing more than simple politeness. their slow burn was laced with palpable tension, and i cannot wait to see where their bond will lead. at the same time, Elaia and Zahra carved their own space in my heart, though their storyline carried a more heartbreaking weight.
the worldbuilding absolutely blew my mind. the way different magic systems were catalogued and tied to such a wide range of characters added layers of depth and richness to the plot. it never felt forced; instead, it expanded the story’s extent with every chapter.
the last stretch of the book was packed with twists that left my jaw on the floor, and then came the inevitable cliffhanger. i knew it was coming —this is the first in a series— but it still hurt. i don’t think i’ll be over that ending anytime soon.
many thanks to the author for the eARC !
“Power is a peculiar thing. Those that desire it are often the ones who shouldn’t have it.”
i can attest that Daughter of the Dead is the very first fantasy novel i could read, devour, and finish this year (and for me, that feels like an exploit in itself.)
DOTD is K. Jamila’s debut fantasy novel, and while her contemporary works are already among my favorites, i was genuinely pleased to see her venture into a new genre, carrying with her that same poetic prose i love.
what sold me instantly was the diversity distilled into the cast. the opening scene set the tone with a graphic, gory scene centering on Nova (my favorite character) and from there i was completely immersed. the deeper i went, the more i wanted to unravel the threads connecting the multiple voices and perspectives narrating the novel. that multiplicity became one of the novel’s strongest pulls, alongside Cyrus, whose moments with Nova had me blushing at nothing more than simple politeness. their slow burn was laced with palpable tension, and i cannot wait to see where their bond will lead. at the same time, Elaia and Zahra carved their own space in my heart, though their storyline carried a more heartbreaking weight.
the worldbuilding absolutely blew my mind. the way different magic systems were catalogued and tied to such a wide range of characters added layers of depth and richness to the plot. it never felt forced; instead, it expanded the story’s extent with every chapter.
the last stretch of the book was packed with twists that left my jaw on the floor, and then came the inevitable cliffhanger. i knew it was coming —this is the first in a series— but it still hurt. i don’t think i’ll be over that ending anytime soon.
many thanks to the author for the eARC !
September 21, 2025
4.5⭐
first k jamila fantasy book and let me tell you it's intriguing, it's really interesting, it will make not want to stop reading and there's complex characters and amazing plot so i want to say it's a true success and im so grateful for k jamila and her team to let me have an arc of it!!
for me tho it started a little bit slow, not in a bad way at all just for me the start of a whole new fantasy series/book is almost always like slow and doesn't get my full attention right away and this one did that, not gonna lie and im going to be honest, it's personally tho maybe for you won't have a slow start and its just how to start a fantasy book and it might be just for me it was a little bit slow but has soon we get more into the story and getting to know nova at least, it does start to be more action and i started to have questions and getting hooked on it so slow start but definitely amazing development!! there's characters to hate, there's characters that you will want to hug and defend no matter what then characters who's in between sooo it's good, specially nova and elaia, they have more scenes and nova is my fave right now with cyrus then elaia started good then idk the decisions she makes i don't really trust but at the same time i get it just oh boy it's going to get so much worse until it gets better so im not ready to suffer but i will suffer!! also really exciting for more and to get to know more of nova's place and journey in the world and definitely more of her power because that woman is powerful has hell and i love her seriously!! then all the gods and the magic system and the different kingdoms is really intriguing and can't wait to explore so much more!! loved the prophecies and the multiple riddles we get throughout the book, i need to know more about this "order" and their true intentions because i don't really trust them but xerxes had a good introduction and fighting with elaia and their banter was good but zahra is a cutie needs more scenes and loves elaia so much and i can relate to her when she doesn't seem to know elaia anymore because of all the politics in the kingdom and elaia wanting what's best for her people and to always protect the ones she loves (obviously including zahra) puts a lot of pressure in her that makes her do maybe not amazing actions? and for zahra and to be honest me yeah i get where zahra comes from and i love her need her to never let go of elaia feels like she brings the best in her then xerxes is like the challenge you know? so idk im conflicted but zahra deserves the world!!
overall it was an amazing start to the series, need more and want so much more really excited for what's next and to fully see more of the world and nova's power and need cyrus and nova to have more cute soft scenes, cyrus that man im already down bad i want more thank you!! so grateful for the opportunity k jamila you got me i definitely will be so impatient for the next book!! that ending??? damn go read it guys please give this an opportunity and i bet you will love it!
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so grateful for k jamila and her team for this arc, this was definitely a ride and a better review to come i promise!!
COMES OUT IN TWO DAYS SO BE READY AND GO READ IT SEPTEMBER 18!!
first k jamila fantasy book and let me tell you it's intriguing, it's really interesting, it will make not want to stop reading and there's complex characters and amazing plot so i want to say it's a true success and im so grateful for k jamila and her team to let me have an arc of it!!
for me tho it started a little bit slow, not in a bad way at all just for me the start of a whole new fantasy series/book is almost always like slow and doesn't get my full attention right away and this one did that, not gonna lie and im going to be honest, it's personally tho maybe for you won't have a slow start and its just how to start a fantasy book and it might be just for me it was a little bit slow but has soon we get more into the story and getting to know nova at least, it does start to be more action and i started to have questions and getting hooked on it so slow start but definitely amazing development!! there's characters to hate, there's characters that you will want to hug and defend no matter what then characters who's in between sooo it's good, specially nova and elaia, they have more scenes and nova is my fave right now with cyrus then elaia started good then idk the decisions she makes i don't really trust but at the same time i get it just oh boy it's going to get so much worse until it gets better so im not ready to suffer but i will suffer!! also really exciting for more and to get to know more of nova's place and journey in the world and definitely more of her power because that woman is powerful has hell and i love her seriously!! then all the gods and the magic system and the different kingdoms is really intriguing and can't wait to explore so much more!! loved the prophecies and the multiple riddles we get throughout the book, i need to know more about this "order" and their true intentions because i don't really trust them but xerxes had a good introduction and fighting with elaia and their banter was good but zahra is a cutie needs more scenes and loves elaia so much and i can relate to her when she doesn't seem to know elaia anymore because of all the politics in the kingdom and elaia wanting what's best for her people and to always protect the ones she loves (obviously including zahra) puts a lot of pressure in her that makes her do maybe not amazing actions? and for zahra and to be honest me yeah i get where zahra comes from and i love her need her to never let go of elaia feels like she brings the best in her then xerxes is like the challenge you know? so idk im conflicted but zahra deserves the world!!
overall it was an amazing start to the series, need more and want so much more really excited for what's next and to fully see more of the world and nova's power and need cyrus and nova to have more cute soft scenes, cyrus that man im already down bad i want more thank you!! so grateful for the opportunity k jamila you got me i definitely will be so impatient for the next book!! that ending??? damn go read it guys please give this an opportunity and i bet you will love it!
------
so grateful for k jamila and her team for this arc, this was definitely a ride and a better review to come i promise!!
COMES OUT IN TWO DAYS SO BE READY AND GO READ IT SEPTEMBER 18!!
June 17, 2025
What an astounding debut fantasy novel!
I enjoyed the differing povs and complexity of every character. While I did prefer reading from Nova’s pov, it was interesting to read from the other characters. This switch took some getting used to, but ultimately helped the story by adding depth and details.
My favorite part was Nova’s blood bending. As an ATLA fan, this provided a more mature twist on the show which pulled me in from the beginning!
I didn’t expect any of the plot twists! I have to get my hands on a physical copy when it releases!
Thank you to K. Jamila for providing an archive in exchange for an honest review!
I enjoyed the differing povs and complexity of every character. While I did prefer reading from Nova’s pov, it was interesting to read from the other characters. This switch took some getting used to, but ultimately helped the story by adding depth and details.
My favorite part was Nova’s blood bending. As an ATLA fan, this provided a more mature twist on the show which pulled me in from the beginning!
I didn’t expect any of the plot twists! I have to get my hands on a physical copy when it releases!
Thank you to K. Jamila for providing an archive in exchange for an honest review!
November 22, 2025
This is a powerful start to a fantasy series that lays an incredibly solid foundation for future books. The author has crafted a uniquely irresistible world teeming with gods, witches, naturalists, and elementals. The BIPOC and LGBTQ+ representation among the main characters is handled authentically and with care.
We follow three women: Nova, a blood witch fighting for her freedom; Elaia, a shadow princess grappling with a need for control; and Syrena, an aqua queen burdened with newfound duty. Each is haunted by death and loss, and motivated by the taste of freedom, control, and duty. These are extremely complex and messy characters. Their emotions, especially their rage, are palpable, and I appreciated how their thoughts and actions consistently reflected their pain. Even when I wanted to shake them to choose or act differently, their decisions always made sense for who they are.
While the story focuses on Nova and Elaia in this installment, it’s clear Syrena’s arc is just beginning, and I’m eager to see how it unfolds in the books to come. This debut bursts with powerful woman leads, an undercurrent of rage, an intricate magical world, and plenty of mysteries to unravel. I’m hooked, and can’t wait to see where the series goes next!
Side note: If there’s one thing about me, it’s that I will fall for a side character. In this case, two. Between Cyrus’ cool, calm presence and Xerxes’ mysteriously arrogant flair - I was a goner🫠 Also, I will riot for Zahra!
Thank you to the author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
We follow three women: Nova, a blood witch fighting for her freedom; Elaia, a shadow princess grappling with a need for control; and Syrena, an aqua queen burdened with newfound duty. Each is haunted by death and loss, and motivated by the taste of freedom, control, and duty. These are extremely complex and messy characters. Their emotions, especially their rage, are palpable, and I appreciated how their thoughts and actions consistently reflected their pain. Even when I wanted to shake them to choose or act differently, their decisions always made sense for who they are.
While the story focuses on Nova and Elaia in this installment, it’s clear Syrena’s arc is just beginning, and I’m eager to see how it unfolds in the books to come. This debut bursts with powerful woman leads, an undercurrent of rage, an intricate magical world, and plenty of mysteries to unravel. I’m hooked, and can’t wait to see where the series goes next!
Side note: If there’s one thing about me, it’s that I will fall for a side character. In this case, two. Between Cyrus’ cool, calm presence and Xerxes’ mysteriously arrogant flair - I was a goner🫠 Also, I will riot for Zahra!
Thank you to the author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 2, 2025
I LOVED this one!!! The magic system is sooooo unique (blood bending) and it kept me on my toes as the reader. The world building was very well done and sets the stage for the rest of the series. Nova has been through a LOT but she is so tough and strong! I resonated with her a lot and I’ll be rooting for her in the next book. I have trust issues from a lot of authors so I was skeptical to trust some of our other characters but we shall see where everyone stands as the story unfolds. The cliffhanger that this book ended on though, like WOW!!! I loved it and also wanted more of the story at the same time, it was a brutal cliffhanger but a very symbolic one (iykyk)
May 29, 2025
Firstly, I am beyond grateful to have received an arc for DOTD. I’ve long been a reader of K. Jamila since before she brought her words onto physical pages. I’m pleased to still be here, reading what she puts out into the world. Seriously, is it even possible for her to write a bad book??
On with my review.
Are you kidding me?? The story, the plots, the twists, the characters!
Now, I must say, Nova made me want to claw out my brain. Girl, I understand wanting to hold your cards close, but even you should know that doing so never ends well. She had so many chances to put herself in a better light when the darkness was soon to overtake, yet she didn’t. Now, I’m not her, so obviously my decision making is vastly different, but, gah, I was so angry half the time.
Elaia. :| Don’t piss me off rn. I get where she’s coming from, but she’s just so in her head that she doesn’t see she’s almost exactly like her father. Yes, she might’ve dealt with her grief differently, but it all came down to ending the same way. While her father used alcohol to soothe his grief, Elaia’s grief was being treated with anger and vengeance. Both are hurting, hurting each other and the ones around them. I’m just curious as to how Elaia will come to fix what she’s broken.
Side-note: Elaia, dont do that to Zahra :/
I figured out the Nova x Elaia connection pretty quickly.
Syrena! Girl! We barely saw you. I don’t really have much to say in regard to Syrena and her character, as we didn’t get much of her, but so far I like her.
Cyrus, hey ;)
Xerxes, hey ;) tho, my guy, I still have no clue how to pronounce your name :D and also, don’t get close to her again, I’ll actually smack you.
Zahra!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!! STAY STRONG QUEEN!!!
That’s all. Excited for the release. Now releasing September 18th, 2025!!!!
On with my review.
Are you kidding me?? The story, the plots, the twists, the characters!
Now, I must say, Nova made me want to claw out my brain. Girl, I understand wanting to hold your cards close, but even you should know that doing so never ends well. She had so many chances to put herself in a better light when the darkness was soon to overtake, yet she didn’t. Now, I’m not her, so obviously my decision making is vastly different, but, gah, I was so angry half the time.
Elaia. :| Don’t piss me off rn. I get where she’s coming from, but she’s just so in her head that she doesn’t see she’s almost exactly like her father. Yes, she might’ve dealt with her grief differently, but it all came down to ending the same way. While her father used alcohol to soothe his grief, Elaia’s grief was being treated with anger and vengeance. Both are hurting, hurting each other and the ones around them. I’m just curious as to how Elaia will come to fix what she’s broken.
Side-note: Elaia, dont do that to Zahra :/
I figured out the Nova x Elaia connection pretty quickly.
Syrena! Girl! We barely saw you. I don’t really have much to say in regard to Syrena and her character, as we didn’t get much of her, but so far I like her.
Cyrus, hey ;)
Xerxes, hey ;) tho, my guy, I still have no clue how to pronounce your name :D and also, don’t get close to her again, I’ll actually smack you.
Zahra!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!! STAY STRONG QUEEN!!!
That’s all. Excited for the release. Now releasing September 18th, 2025!!!!
May 25, 2025
3.75⭐️🪸🐚🌊
thanks to the author for sending me the arc in exchange of an honest review
this was a really good foundation for a debut fantasy in my opinion, but it undoubtedly had some flaws.
i always loved k jamila’s writing, since i read her contemporary romances, and i also loved it in this book, but sometimes i found it hard to get through. while the story was engaging for the most part, i found myself much more interested in nova’s chapters than elaia’s or syrena’s (which weren’t many to begin with)
the characters were interesting, and i especially adored nova, xerxes, zahra and cyrus, while i found it hard to care about syrena (the only things i know about her are her dead brother and that she has water powers or something), and i didn’t really like elaia. though i have to admit that even while disliking her, i understood her motives, same as i understood amala’s point of view while also loathing her.
the backstories were really good, with some plot twists i didn’t see coming, and the ending, especially the ballroom scene, was super gripping. i’m excited to see this world being expanded (and maybe syrena being in it more😞😞) and can’t wait for the next instalment!!!
thanks to the author for sending me the arc in exchange of an honest review
this was a really good foundation for a debut fantasy in my opinion, but it undoubtedly had some flaws.
i always loved k jamila’s writing, since i read her contemporary romances, and i also loved it in this book, but sometimes i found it hard to get through. while the story was engaging for the most part, i found myself much more interested in nova’s chapters than elaia’s or syrena’s (which weren’t many to begin with)
the characters were interesting, and i especially adored nova, xerxes, zahra and cyrus, while i found it hard to care about syrena (the only things i know about her are her dead brother and that she has water powers or something), and i didn’t really like elaia. though i have to admit that even while disliking her, i understood her motives, same as i understood amala’s point of view while also loathing her.
the backstories were really good, with some plot twists i didn’t see coming, and the ending, especially the ballroom scene, was super gripping. i’m excited to see this world being expanded (and maybe syrena being in it more😞😞) and can’t wait for the next instalment!!!
May 28, 2025
4.5⭐️
This was a solid romantic fantasy, and I loved its depiction of blood bending. I was very intrigued by the storyline from start to finish—Katie Jamila built such an incredible world filled with gods, elements, and witches, and there was never a dull moment. Nova and Elaia were both bold and fiery in their own way, and the female rage was elegantly amplified in various parts of the book. I absolutely love Nova. Cyrus and Xerxes were also loveable characters, and I can't wait to see more of them in the next book. The way Nova and Cyrus interacted truly made my heart flutter. Highly recommend this if you love romantasy books, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and badass female characters.
This was a solid romantic fantasy, and I loved its depiction of blood bending. I was very intrigued by the storyline from start to finish—Katie Jamila built such an incredible world filled with gods, elements, and witches, and there was never a dull moment. Nova and Elaia were both bold and fiery in their own way, and the female rage was elegantly amplified in various parts of the book. I absolutely love Nova. Cyrus and Xerxes were also loveable characters, and I can't wait to see more of them in the next book. The way Nova and Cyrus interacted truly made my heart flutter. Highly recommend this if you love romantasy books, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and badass female characters.
September 17, 2025
feels slow but is undeniably powerful. love it or hate it, this will be a book one won't regret spending their money on!
September 19, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Even though I wasn’t immediately sure of how I felt about one of the protagonists Nova, I knew immediately that I do not like the Vahls. They are evil. Elaia, Cyrus, Asha, Syrena, Zahra, and Xerxes are all interesting characters and I mostly like them. I wanted Nova to figure out what the Elders were haunting her for. I cautiously wanted Elaia to overthrow her father – but I was also a little bored with her storyline in the middle, then it did take an unexpected turn and I really do not like her anymore. I like that we follow multiple main characters and get to learn so much of what's going on in the fictional world. Nova is definitely my favorite character so far and I look forward to future books in this universe.
🩸Bl00d Bending FMC
🖤 Sweeping, Epic, Dark Fantasy
🐺 Morally Grey Characters & Antiheroes
🌊 Female Rage
🩸 Slow (Slow!) Burn Romances
🖤 Multiple Magic Systems
🐺 Political Intrigue
🌊 Bitter Chosen Ones
🩸 BIPOC Multi-POV
I received a free advance copy of this book from the author and finished reading via KU.
Even though I wasn’t immediately sure of how I felt about one of the protagonists Nova, I knew immediately that I do not like the Vahls. They are evil. Elaia, Cyrus, Asha, Syrena, Zahra, and Xerxes are all interesting characters and I mostly like them. I wanted Nova to figure out what the Elders were haunting her for. I cautiously wanted Elaia to overthrow her father – but I was also a little bored with her storyline in the middle, then it did take an unexpected turn and I really do not like her anymore. I like that we follow multiple main characters and get to learn so much of what's going on in the fictional world. Nova is definitely my favorite character so far and I look forward to future books in this universe.
🩸Bl00d Bending FMC
🖤 Sweeping, Epic, Dark Fantasy
🐺 Morally Grey Characters & Antiheroes
🌊 Female Rage
🩸 Slow (Slow!) Burn Romances
🖤 Multiple Magic Systems
🐺 Political Intrigue
🌊 Bitter Chosen Ones
🩸 BIPOC Multi-POV
I received a free advance copy of this book from the author and finished reading via KU.
September 25, 2025
4.5⭐️
Jamila’s prose was absolutely beautiful and her descriptions of difficult emotions like grief and rage are layered and complex. It’s a beautiful blend of character development, building mystery, and plot forward action.
The stars of this read are the characters. From the leading ladies to the incredible cast of supporting characters, each story is unique and dynamic. There are so many shades of grey to each person! Also I have to mention the character art- it is STUNNING and is definitely what caught my attention and I’m so glad it did!
My only critique was that I wanted a bit more of Syrena. I was so intrigued by her story but we got so few snippets that I lost track of her plot or place within the greater story. I kept waiting for more and was bummed to not get it.
I can’t recommend this one enough, especially if you love complex, morally grey MC’s, epic fantasy with thoughtful worldbuilding, and court dynamics/political intrigue! I can’t wait for book 2 and anything else K Jamila writes!
Jamila’s prose was absolutely beautiful and her descriptions of difficult emotions like grief and rage are layered and complex. It’s a beautiful blend of character development, building mystery, and plot forward action.
The stars of this read are the characters. From the leading ladies to the incredible cast of supporting characters, each story is unique and dynamic. There are so many shades of grey to each person! Also I have to mention the character art- it is STUNNING and is definitely what caught my attention and I’m so glad it did!
My only critique was that I wanted a bit more of Syrena. I was so intrigued by her story but we got so few snippets that I lost track of her plot or place within the greater story. I kept waiting for more and was bummed to not get it.
I can’t recommend this one enough, especially if you love complex, morally grey MC’s, epic fantasy with thoughtful worldbuilding, and court dynamics/political intrigue! I can’t wait for book 2 and anything else K Jamila writes!
September 8, 2025
I loved Nova, Elaia, and Syrena! They all were such strong characters fighting their own struggles and full feminine rage! I loved all the plot twists showing how they were all tied together. This book was action packed and had me on the edge of my seat from the very beginning. And don’t get me started on Cyrus and Xerxes. As soon as they were introduced I knew I was going to love them. The cliffhanger was amazing, I love when a book ends with me yelling at it. I’m so excited to read book two and see how all our characters journeys continue and I hope to see them join each other to fight the evil that’s growing!
September 15, 2025
ARC Review!!
A wonderful and intriguing fantasy debut for K. Jamila. We start with Nova, a blood-bending Witch who is captive at the hands of a king and queen who have mastery over spirit, or mind-magic. They force her to commit atrocity after atrocity. All Nova wants is to take her freedom and reclaim her old memories. But first, the queen and king have one final task for her... to eliminate the heralds of her world's magic, the Elders. Can she do this one last devastating task if it means earning her freedom?
Other POVs we follow along are Shadow princess Elaia, who is drowning in grief and hardships from maintaining her kingdom in the aftereffects of losing her mother and siblings. Her father, the current High Shade, has supposedly lost himself and she is willing to do whatever it takes to protect her remaining loved ones, even if it means sacrificing herself in the process. We also follow along as the water-wielding Reyna Syrena claims her crown in the wake of her brother’s death, just as the world is reaching a precipice of potential destruction.
Jamila’s writing is imaginative, easy to follow, and does not hesitate to explore darker topics. She differentiated between POVs well, which is usually a big gripe I have in multi-POV novels, as they start meshing all together. The number of point of views also allows us to traverse across the world, showcasing the beauty and diversity of the different countries Jamila has created.
My favorite character by far was Nova. The first chapters are so gripping with so many questions raised from such a strong personality. However, this made me a bit deflated any time we switched to Elaia’s perspective. I think the balance between POVs was off, as it felt like 45/45 Nova and Elaia, 10% Syrena. Elaia’s storyline matches her shadowy affinity, being dark and sad, but that is not why I did not enjoy it. I felt as though it could have been condensed, as Elaia had similar conversations repeatedly, and we did not necessarily have to go through every single motion with her. I wanted more Nova time, since what we did get with her in the middle of the book at times dragged since we kept getting interrupted.
Still, each female character is strong and we can easily connect with them through their struggles. Jamila wields their emotions and obstacles well, and while the choices they make are not easy, we can understand them, even if they are wrong.
The magic aspect of the world is similar to Avatar: The Last Airbender (and Jamila honors the direct inspiration at the end) with added magical abilities. Exploring how different characters view the world and their ability to wield elements plays a big part of the book, and how Nova starts to realize she might not only be a road to destruction as she interacts with an earth elemental Cyrus, who is much more gentle and forgiving with his view of the world.
Pacing was a slight issue for me, as I mentioned the middle dragged slightly as Jamila builds up for her dramatic climax at the end. Not enough discovery or action occurred, in my opinion, compared to the whirlwind that is the finale. The revelations were very much told instead of shown, and I think Jamila can trust us readers a bit more to understand her implications instead of detailing it out. It feels more rewarding that way!
Overall, it was a great story and the crazy ending makes me excited for the sequel. Thank you to K. Jamila for the early copy!
Song I was vibing with while reading: "Tears for Fun" by Griff.
A wonderful and intriguing fantasy debut for K. Jamila. We start with Nova, a blood-bending Witch who is captive at the hands of a king and queen who have mastery over spirit, or mind-magic. They force her to commit atrocity after atrocity. All Nova wants is to take her freedom and reclaim her old memories. But first, the queen and king have one final task for her... to eliminate the heralds of her world's magic, the Elders. Can she do this one last devastating task if it means earning her freedom?
Other POVs we follow along are Shadow princess Elaia, who is drowning in grief and hardships from maintaining her kingdom in the aftereffects of losing her mother and siblings. Her father, the current High Shade, has supposedly lost himself and she is willing to do whatever it takes to protect her remaining loved ones, even if it means sacrificing herself in the process. We also follow along as the water-wielding Reyna Syrena claims her crown in the wake of her brother’s death, just as the world is reaching a precipice of potential destruction.
Jamila’s writing is imaginative, easy to follow, and does not hesitate to explore darker topics. She differentiated between POVs well, which is usually a big gripe I have in multi-POV novels, as they start meshing all together. The number of point of views also allows us to traverse across the world, showcasing the beauty and diversity of the different countries Jamila has created.
My favorite character by far was Nova. The first chapters are so gripping with so many questions raised from such a strong personality. However, this made me a bit deflated any time we switched to Elaia’s perspective. I think the balance between POVs was off, as it felt like 45/45 Nova and Elaia, 10% Syrena. Elaia’s storyline matches her shadowy affinity, being dark and sad, but that is not why I did not enjoy it. I felt as though it could have been condensed, as Elaia had similar conversations repeatedly, and we did not necessarily have to go through every single motion with her. I wanted more Nova time, since what we did get with her in the middle of the book at times dragged since we kept getting interrupted.
Still, each female character is strong and we can easily connect with them through their struggles. Jamila wields their emotions and obstacles well, and while the choices they make are not easy, we can understand them, even if they are wrong.
The magic aspect of the world is similar to Avatar: The Last Airbender (and Jamila honors the direct inspiration at the end) with added magical abilities. Exploring how different characters view the world and their ability to wield elements plays a big part of the book, and how Nova starts to realize she might not only be a road to destruction as she interacts with an earth elemental Cyrus, who is much more gentle and forgiving with his view of the world.
Pacing was a slight issue for me, as I mentioned the middle dragged slightly as Jamila builds up for her dramatic climax at the end. Not enough discovery or action occurred, in my opinion, compared to the whirlwind that is the finale. The revelations were very much told instead of shown, and I think Jamila can trust us readers a bit more to understand her implications instead of detailing it out. It feels more rewarding that way!
Overall, it was a great story and the crazy ending makes me excited for the sequel. Thank you to K. Jamila for the early copy!
Song I was vibing with while reading: "Tears for Fun" by Griff.
September 22, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Daughter of the Dead was a book rich with potential! From the very start of the book I was deeply hooked. The book begins with a bang and instantly I was rooting for our first FMC Nova. The book rotates between the POV of three, but primarily two with a sprinkle of the third, FMC. Each with a different journey and struggle they are going through. I personally was very invested in Nova’s story and also liked what little we saw of Syrena. Will get to why I wasn’t a big fan of Elaia’s arc in a little bit!
To start with the good, the book had a lot going for it. I really did appreciate the very diverse cast, truly lived up to its marketing of BIPOC fantasy. There was also a looot of world building! I think reading it on a kindle made it a little hard to keep track of all the locations and what was being referred to, but the author does a good job of mentioning some places only to hone in on our main settings. It was very fun to see the differences between the settings and the author did a great job painting the picture. I also loved our cast of FMCs even if not all their stories run out to me. They were all very strong women but very real and vulnerable as well. It was easy to relate to them because they felt so human. The overall plot of the story was interesting as well and I do wonder where it will go in Book 2.
However, I may not be picking up the second book for a few reasons! This is a personal preference, but I’m someone who enjoys a faster paced plot with a balance of character driven story. This book was very character driven which may work for many other people, but personally was not for me! My second qualm is the pacing. While the beginning starts off so strong, after the first main plot point, things start to drag on for a long time until Part 3 ish. Part 4 really picks up and almost at a pace where I found it a little hard to keep up. Lastly, the way the POVs are split isn’t with alternating chapters but rather a handful of chapters with one character, then another handful with a different one. Because I didn’t love Elaia’s arc, this made it a lot harder to get through. I think I would have preferred alternating chapters. While Elaia as a character is very interesting, a lot of her plot line is planning that is very politically focused and I found myself uninterested until a second set of characters joined the movement and shook things up. The book could have been shorter to pack the punch it intended to.
Overall, I would give this book a 3.5 stars ⭐️ I think it’s a book I would recommend to certain readers and a great start to the authors first step into fantasy. I will be reading summaries of the second book to see what happens! Thank you to the author for providing me an ARC of this novel!
Daughter of the Dead was a book rich with potential! From the very start of the book I was deeply hooked. The book begins with a bang and instantly I was rooting for our first FMC Nova. The book rotates between the POV of three, but primarily two with a sprinkle of the third, FMC. Each with a different journey and struggle they are going through. I personally was very invested in Nova’s story and also liked what little we saw of Syrena. Will get to why I wasn’t a big fan of Elaia’s arc in a little bit!
To start with the good, the book had a lot going for it. I really did appreciate the very diverse cast, truly lived up to its marketing of BIPOC fantasy. There was also a looot of world building! I think reading it on a kindle made it a little hard to keep track of all the locations and what was being referred to, but the author does a good job of mentioning some places only to hone in on our main settings. It was very fun to see the differences between the settings and the author did a great job painting the picture. I also loved our cast of FMCs even if not all their stories run out to me. They were all very strong women but very real and vulnerable as well. It was easy to relate to them because they felt so human. The overall plot of the story was interesting as well and I do wonder where it will go in Book 2.
However, I may not be picking up the second book for a few reasons! This is a personal preference, but I’m someone who enjoys a faster paced plot with a balance of character driven story. This book was very character driven which may work for many other people, but personally was not for me! My second qualm is the pacing. While the beginning starts off so strong, after the first main plot point, things start to drag on for a long time until Part 3 ish. Part 4 really picks up and almost at a pace where I found it a little hard to keep up. Lastly, the way the POVs are split isn’t with alternating chapters but rather a handful of chapters with one character, then another handful with a different one. Because I didn’t love Elaia’s arc, this made it a lot harder to get through. I think I would have preferred alternating chapters. While Elaia as a character is very interesting, a lot of her plot line is planning that is very politically focused and I found myself uninterested until a second set of characters joined the movement and shook things up. The book could have been shorter to pack the punch it intended to.
Overall, I would give this book a 3.5 stars ⭐️ I think it’s a book I would recommend to certain readers and a great start to the authors first step into fantasy. I will be reading summaries of the second book to see what happens! Thank you to the author for providing me an ARC of this novel!
September 3, 2025
ARC Review
You get:
- Dark Epic Fantasy with a romantic sublot
- BIPOC Characters (if you don't like this you're weird lmao)
- LGBTQ+ Rep
- Multi Magic Systems
- Coming of Rage
- Blood Bending
- Multiple SLOW SLOW Burns
- Multi POVs
I loved this book and I cannot wait for book 2!
I enjoyed the different povs a lot actually, which surprised me because I thought I wouldn't when I realized it was 3 very different povs. The author did a great job making the different POVs and stories cohesive, they all had one goal in the end (if they makes sense lol.)
The magic in this book was amazing! I loved the different magic systems, and it was a big part of the story.
The plot had me very invested. It was entertaining, engaging, and had my eyes glued to the book. I was never bored. I was on the edge of my seat all 583 pages. The anticipation was KILLING me, and it still is! I need book 2 NOW.
This is a Romantic Fantasy, but this book is Fantasy with romance as a subplot. This book is very heavy on the plot and very little on the romance. I'm sure we'll get more romance in the next book, but this is a SLOW SLOW burn (which is also advertised.) The plot is very entertaining, so you don't really miss the romance part yet. I am loving the extreme slow burn though; I'm eating it up and I want more!
There are so many twists and turns that I was not expecting. The gasps I let out!! I was on the edge of my seat.
This is a must read!
You get:
- Dark Epic Fantasy with a romantic sublot
- BIPOC Characters (if you don't like this you're weird lmao)
- LGBTQ+ Rep
- Multi Magic Systems
- Coming of Rage
- Blood Bending
- Multiple SLOW SLOW Burns
- Multi POVs
I loved this book and I cannot wait for book 2!
I enjoyed the different povs a lot actually, which surprised me because I thought I wouldn't when I realized it was 3 very different povs. The author did a great job making the different POVs and stories cohesive, they all had one goal in the end (if they makes sense lol.)
The magic in this book was amazing! I loved the different magic systems, and it was a big part of the story.
The plot had me very invested. It was entertaining, engaging, and had my eyes glued to the book. I was never bored. I was on the edge of my seat all 583 pages. The anticipation was KILLING me, and it still is! I need book 2 NOW.
This is a Romantic Fantasy, but this book is Fantasy with romance as a subplot. This book is very heavy on the plot and very little on the romance. I'm sure we'll get more romance in the next book, but this is a SLOW SLOW burn (which is also advertised.) The plot is very entertaining, so you don't really miss the romance part yet. I am loving the extreme slow burn though; I'm eating it up and I want more!
There are so many twists and turns that I was not expecting. The gasps I let out!! I was on the edge of my seat.
This is a must read!
November 15, 2025
What an interesting debut fantasy! I keep thinking about this one.
I was gripped to the edge of my seat and intrigued almost instantly upon starting this book. Our first FMC, Nova, has been given a rough hand in life. She has a rare form of blood magic, and she was deposited straight into the laps of those who manipulate her for it. The second she sees an out, she runs, and quickly learns who she is on multiple levels. I love seeing characters learn how to unpack their trauma and beliefs to see the light on the other side.
Our second FMC, Elaia, is a princess who sees the need for change but is in the grip of fear. Seeing her learn how to step outside the fear, even at the expense of losing those she loves, was so good to see, and a reminder that our fear is what we allow it to be.
There is a third FMC, Syrena, who is learning to rule. I'd love to see more of her in the future.
This story is character-driven and introspective. The characters have emotions, and I loved getting a front-row seat to them.
My points of contention are that I would like better spacing of the points of view and for them to be labeled with them character's name. They were clumped in a way that sometimes I'd be jarred when going from POV to POV, and without the chapters being labeled with the POV, it threw me even more. Labels would help to know when to switch mindsets. Everything was there content-wise!
I look forward to book two!
I was gripped to the edge of my seat and intrigued almost instantly upon starting this book. Our first FMC, Nova, has been given a rough hand in life. She has a rare form of blood magic, and she was deposited straight into the laps of those who manipulate her for it. The second she sees an out, she runs, and quickly learns who she is on multiple levels. I love seeing characters learn how to unpack their trauma and beliefs to see the light on the other side.
Our second FMC, Elaia, is a princess who sees the need for change but is in the grip of fear. Seeing her learn how to step outside the fear, even at the expense of losing those she loves, was so good to see, and a reminder that our fear is what we allow it to be.
There is a third FMC, Syrena, who is learning to rule. I'd love to see more of her in the future.
This story is character-driven and introspective. The characters have emotions, and I loved getting a front-row seat to them.
My points of contention are that I would like better spacing of the points of view and for them to be labeled with them character's name. They were clumped in a way that sometimes I'd be jarred when going from POV to POV, and without the chapters being labeled with the POV, it threw me even more. Labels would help to know when to switch mindsets. Everything was there content-wise!
I look forward to book two!
May 29, 2025
The Daughter of the Dead by Katie Jamila is a bloody and atmospheric journey through trauma, legacy, and the thin veil between life and death. Jamila's prose is very lyrical, painting a vivid, eerie world that feels "alive". It feels as if we are given a clear lens to view the characters and are given access to their flaws. It jarring, but done so with intent. It creates an atmosphere that supports the plot and character development.
What truly shines is the author’s ability to craft tension! I was up in arms for our friend Nova and wanted her to feel safe. Each chapter builds with a quiet dread that keeps you turning pages. The story's dark elements and supernatural lore are unique and memorable, though at times the pacing slows with heavy introspection.
Highly recommended for fans of slow burn romantacy and emotionally rich storytelling. I’m definitely looking forward to what Katie Jamila writes next.
Thank you to K. Jamila for the ARC !!!
What truly shines is the author’s ability to craft tension! I was up in arms for our friend Nova and wanted her to feel safe. Each chapter builds with a quiet dread that keeps you turning pages. The story's dark elements and supernatural lore are unique and memorable, though at times the pacing slows with heavy introspection.
Highly recommended for fans of slow burn romantacy and emotionally rich storytelling. I’m definitely looking forward to what Katie Jamila writes next.
Thank you to K. Jamila for the ARC !!!
September 6, 2025
4.5!!!
Pls hold while I get thoughts together but just know this is a great time (maybe not emotionally) lol
Pls hold while I get thoughts together but just know this is a great time (maybe not emotionally) lol
September 5, 2025
ARC
4.5
Author K. Jamila Presents Daughter of the Dead , Coming soon to your Bookshelves and E - Readers September 18 2025. All I can say is I am not ok , this book has been a roller coaster since the beginning and I am not ready to stop , I need more ! Daughter of the Dead is the first book that will have you hooked from the very beginning
4.5
Author K. Jamila Presents Daughter of the Dead , Coming soon to your Bookshelves and E - Readers September 18 2025. All I can say is I am not ok , this book has been a roller coaster since the beginning and I am not ready to stop , I need more ! Daughter of the Dead is the first book that will have you hooked from the very beginning
September 2, 2025
The imagination and the world of this story were great, as were the BIPOC and anxiety representation! I do think this book struggled with being a little over-complex, which led to it being about 20% too long, and the writing struggled at times. I would recommend this book to specific readers / situations. I probably won’t read the sequel, but I’d definitely read more from this author!
Thank you to the author for an ARC of this book so I could leave an honest review.
Thank you to the author for an ARC of this book so I could leave an honest review.
June 6, 2025
"Loss is the price we pay to become who we need to be."
Nova, a blood witch, craves freedom from her past, from the people that locked her away and, partly, from herself. When the opportunity strikes, she takes it and runs with it, trying to get her way to freedom.
Elaia, a princess, battles with grief over her family. To ensure her loved ones are safe, she is willing to do anything in her power. Even lose pieces of herself.
Syrena, a new queen, wears a heavy crown after her accession to the throne. After the loss of her closest person, she has to handle her kingdom in a world which starts to break down.
These are the three POVs we get and to be quite honest, I liked all of them. Each of the characters deals with very emotional and traumatic events from the past and has her own spin on it. They are powerful, intelligent and smart women. The world itself is also developed, the magic system is interesting, the lore is present, the countries feel different and yet, somehow, the writing falls short.
The pacing of the book is all over the place - the middle feels draggy, slow, we are getting tangled up in Nova's chapters about the things we already know, about her feelings, which we also know. I loved her interractions with other characters, Cyrus mainly, but there were many chapters where she was alone, over-thinking and re-thinking the same things. In some Elaia chapters, it was similar, but there weren't as many. I lacked development of some of the relationships, not only romantic, between characters. It seemed liked they went from 20% to 80% without any interractions in-between those percentages.
My biggest issue was the 'show, not tell' = there was a lot of telling at points where I wanted and hoped for showing. I would love for the author to trust the readers a little bit more and share hints of it in characters' actions rather than write a paragraph about certain things.
That said, the author has a knack for describing the world, the magic, the places, inner dialogues and characters. And I love that there is BIPOC & LGBTQ+ representation. This series has a lot of potential and I will definitely check out the next book in the series. For me, this book sits around 3.25*
September 12, 2025
DISCLAIMER: I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
This book has me so conflicted. The first few chapters--and even starting with the dedication--were so gripping and had me so invested in the story. But then things just . . . dragged? After Nova escaped, the story became less about action and more about political machinations (in Elaia's chapters) and Nova's recovery in a different place. Which would have been fine and actually helped build the story, except some of those chapters felt very repetitive and didn't add enough to the story. What's more, the time in each of Elaia and Nova's POVs would be so long that when it switched to the other, I found myself forgetting what happened. (Syrena, unfortunately, really doesn't get enough attention in this book.)
The world-building was generally good, but at times got overly complex and clunky. One problem with having so many territories/lands is that it was hard to keep track of who was who and I did end up having to go back to the appendix multiple times. But at the same time, some of these characters who were introduced had little to no backstory, making it hard to know who they were, and at least one played a pretty significant role in the climax.
As far as the main characters, as I said, Syrena didn't get enough attention, so to include her in the synopsis felt like a promise that wasn't kept. I really enjoyed both Elaia and Nova for different reasons. I liked Elaia's confidence and what seemed like a clear vision of what needed to happen. The politics part didn't quite live up to what I wanted and the challenge itself confused me, but I liked that she knew what she wanted and was willing to go great lengths to get it. It made for a very interesting and potentially morally gray character. Her plotline left me with a lot of questions.
I adored Nova because I thought her character was so compelling and sympathetic. I had issues with her chapters--repetitiveness, inconsistencies, unnecessary riddles/vagueness that were either not vague enough (as in, very easy to figure out) or so vague that I had a hard time understanding how they connected to the overall plot and weren't explained enough--but I really loved her. I wanted her to succeed. I wanted her to stop running and to embrace her power. I wanted her to understand that freedom comes in so many different ways. And I loved her relationship with Cyrus and Asha. How I felt about Nova is probably a big reason why I felt absolutely gutted by the ending.
So for most of the book, despite pacing issues and some clunk over-writing, this was probably going to be a 3.5-4 star read for me. Except for the ending. A LOT HAPPENS over the last few chapters (and to some extent, it felt a little like Return of the King in that you think it's done, but no, there's more happening). And while some of those elements really worked , others did not. In some ways, I felt a little betrayed by the ending in that so many things were built up to and then just . . . didn't happen. I was promised certain things and then they weren't delivered. And in many ways, it felt like we were almost right back at the beginning of the book, which then reinforced my thoughts that the book was too long--what was the point of it all if that was the ending?
It's frustrating to me because I think there's a very good book in here and some of the writing really was excellent. I loved the descriptions of the magic system, including blood bending and shadow magic. But I don't understand some of K. Jamila's storytelling choices and the book itself was over-written, with an ending I didn't like. I think it could have used some stronger editing and maybe even split into two books. I still liked it enough, but I'm not sure if I'll be picking up the sequel.
Thank you to the author for the eARC!
This book has me so conflicted. The first few chapters--and even starting with the dedication--were so gripping and had me so invested in the story. But then things just . . . dragged? After Nova escaped, the story became less about action and more about political machinations (in Elaia's chapters) and Nova's recovery in a different place. Which would have been fine and actually helped build the story, except some of those chapters felt very repetitive and didn't add enough to the story. What's more, the time in each of Elaia and Nova's POVs would be so long that when it switched to the other, I found myself forgetting what happened. (Syrena, unfortunately, really doesn't get enough attention in this book.)
The world-building was generally good, but at times got overly complex and clunky. One problem with having so many territories/lands is that it was hard to keep track of who was who and I did end up having to go back to the appendix multiple times. But at the same time, some of these characters who were introduced had little to no backstory, making it hard to know who they were, and at least one played a pretty significant role in the climax.
As far as the main characters, as I said, Syrena didn't get enough attention, so to include her in the synopsis felt like a promise that wasn't kept. I really enjoyed both Elaia and Nova for different reasons. I liked Elaia's confidence and what seemed like a clear vision of what needed to happen. The politics part didn't quite live up to what I wanted and the challenge itself confused me, but I liked that she knew what she wanted and was willing to go great lengths to get it. It made for a very interesting and potentially morally gray character. Her plotline left me with a lot of questions.
I adored Nova because I thought her character was so compelling and sympathetic. I had issues with her chapters--repetitiveness, inconsistencies, unnecessary riddles/vagueness that were either not vague enough (as in, very easy to figure out) or so vague that I had a hard time understanding how they connected to the overall plot and weren't explained enough--but I really loved her. I wanted her to succeed. I wanted her to stop running and to embrace her power. I wanted her to understand that freedom comes in so many different ways. And I loved her relationship with Cyrus and Asha. How I felt about Nova is probably a big reason why I felt absolutely gutted by the ending.
So for most of the book, despite pacing issues and some clunk over-writing, this was probably going to be a 3.5-4 star read for me. Except for the ending. A LOT HAPPENS over the last few chapters (and to some extent, it felt a little like Return of the King in that you think it's done, but no, there's more happening). And while some of those elements really worked , others did not. In some ways, I felt a little betrayed by the ending in that so many things were built up to and then just . . . didn't happen. I was promised certain things and then they weren't delivered. And in many ways, it felt like we were almost right back at the beginning of the book, which then reinforced my thoughts that the book was too long--what was the point of it all if that was the ending?
It's frustrating to me because I think there's a very good book in here and some of the writing really was excellent. I loved the descriptions of the magic system, including blood bending and shadow magic. But I don't understand some of K. Jamila's storytelling choices and the book itself was over-written, with an ending I didn't like. I think it could have used some stronger editing and maybe even split into two books. I still liked it enough, but I'm not sure if I'll be picking up the sequel.
Thank you to the author for the eARC!
September 15, 2025
K. Jamila's Daughter of the Dead is for those who love incredible worldbuilding, complex characters, political intrigue, fantasy elements, and elemental bending all woven together into a beautiful story. We follow three different female characters, each presented with a difficult problem, all pivotal to the overall storyline in the Remnants of Rage series.
As the story progresses, we learn more about each character and the world that they grew up in. Little do they know that their paths will soon intertwine, and while this may be the first book in the series, I'm curious to see how their story will unfold, and how each of our female main characters need each other to help their world, Valora.
You can't help but empathize with the different characters. Each female is strong, but flawed. The world that they grew up in has influenced who they've become and the decisions they make. Nova, with her blood bending, leaves behind a path of death and destruction every time she uses her powers. When she's given a chance to earn her autonomy, she just has to kill one last time, but will it be enough for her to finally have freedom. Fear is a powerful motivator, and for Elaia, it certainly is evident, based on her actions. Everything and everyone she loves hangs in the balance, but will fear outweigh everything she's fought for. For Syrena, failure isn't an option. Will she be able to rise to the challenge and reign over her country, or will something topple it off?
It would be remiss of me to say that this story is inspired by Avatar: The Last Airbender and it is evident throughout the writing, in the characters, the world Jamila creates, and the magic system in place. A very compelling storyline in season 3 deals with Katara and blood bending, an extension to water bending, and her learning about it and how to control it. However, we only focus on it once, and never really see it much afterward. Nova learns that she is a blood bender, but every time she uses them, she leaves behind a path of death and destruction. Much of Nova's storyline revolves around her use of her powers and the effect that they have. Nova's interaction with Cyrus, another elemental she meets, portrays a contrast between how each views the world, and how they use their bending.
The elemental bending is akin to Avatar: The Last Airbender, but with more elements added into the mix. Readers get a glimpse of some of the magic our characters wield, and I can only assume that in later books within the series we'll see more of the elements in action, and perhaps see the history unfold of how they developed and how it has shaped their world. The characters are strong, but flawed, which contributes to the plot. This story deals a lot with dichotomy, whether it be good versus evil, light versus dark, etc. Our characters deal with the moral and ethical grey area. Every decision, every choice they make weighs heavy, and while they understand why they make certain decisions, do they understand the repercussions from them? Everything is about perspective. Sometimes, it just takes someone a little bit longer to see the entire story, and not just what is presented to them.
All in all, I enjoyed the story. It was a long and arduous journey, but we've only just begun to dive into the world and unravel the complexities of living. Can't wait to read the next story.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from K. Jamila for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. My intentions are to write feedback that reflects my genuine thoughts and is written with the book’s genre and target audience in mind. I aim to review fairly and respectfully, focusing on the story’s purpose.
As the story progresses, we learn more about each character and the world that they grew up in. Little do they know that their paths will soon intertwine, and while this may be the first book in the series, I'm curious to see how their story will unfold, and how each of our female main characters need each other to help their world, Valora.
You can't help but empathize with the different characters. Each female is strong, but flawed. The world that they grew up in has influenced who they've become and the decisions they make. Nova, with her blood bending, leaves behind a path of death and destruction every time she uses her powers. When she's given a chance to earn her autonomy, she just has to kill one last time, but will it be enough for her to finally have freedom. Fear is a powerful motivator, and for Elaia, it certainly is evident, based on her actions. Everything and everyone she loves hangs in the balance, but will fear outweigh everything she's fought for. For Syrena, failure isn't an option. Will she be able to rise to the challenge and reign over her country, or will something topple it off?
It would be remiss of me to say that this story is inspired by Avatar: The Last Airbender and it is evident throughout the writing, in the characters, the world Jamila creates, and the magic system in place. A very compelling storyline in season 3 deals with Katara and blood bending, an extension to water bending, and her learning about it and how to control it. However, we only focus on it once, and never really see it much afterward. Nova learns that she is a blood bender, but every time she uses them, she leaves behind a path of death and destruction. Much of Nova's storyline revolves around her use of her powers and the effect that they have. Nova's interaction with Cyrus, another elemental she meets, portrays a contrast between how each views the world, and how they use their bending.
The elemental bending is akin to Avatar: The Last Airbender, but with more elements added into the mix. Readers get a glimpse of some of the magic our characters wield, and I can only assume that in later books within the series we'll see more of the elements in action, and perhaps see the history unfold of how they developed and how it has shaped their world. The characters are strong, but flawed, which contributes to the plot. This story deals a lot with dichotomy, whether it be good versus evil, light versus dark, etc. Our characters deal with the moral and ethical grey area. Every decision, every choice they make weighs heavy, and while they understand why they make certain decisions, do they understand the repercussions from them? Everything is about perspective. Sometimes, it just takes someone a little bit longer to see the entire story, and not just what is presented to them.
All in all, I enjoyed the story. It was a long and arduous journey, but we've only just begun to dive into the world and unravel the complexities of living. Can't wait to read the next story.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from K. Jamila for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. My intentions are to write feedback that reflects my genuine thoughts and is written with the book’s genre and target audience in mind. I aim to review fairly and respectfully, focusing on the story’s purpose.
July 20, 2025
A truly stunning fantasy debut.
Daughter of the Dead is an epic tale of grief, desperation, and self-hatred. It dives deep into mental health and the utter greyness of morality. Both vivid and atmospheric, this perfect start to a new series is full of twists, slow burns, diversity, and complexity. Truly, I believe this will be THE standout epic fantasy of the year.
•••
Onto my more chaotic portion of this review muahahahah.
DOTD is everything we could want in a fantasy. It has characters that feel so lifelike and so tragic that you can’t help but both root for them and see yourself in them. In particular, Nova is a standout amongst the beautiful cast. She is extraordinarily powerful, but like so many women in the real world, she’s caged and stifled. Her internal monologues were heartbreaking, and I know that like me, so many women out there will see themselves in her. Jamila does a wonderful job of showing humanity through Nova’s tragic story despite her fantastical abilities and the fantasy setting. Elaia holds all the complexity that so many love to see in morally gray leads. We are forced to watch as her own fear, unresolved grief, and desperation corrupts her. It’s both tragic and jaw dropping, with many of the twists in the book coming from her end. I loved that everything she did made sense in the end. Readers might not agree with her choices, but she has the perfect amount of character development that forces you to acknowledge that you understand why she did it all. I’m very excited to see more of Syrena in the coming installments as well!
The world building is intricate and fascinating, so many unique elements paired with fan favorites blending to form something other worldly. It was immersive and exciting, with sometimes complicated politics that kept me on the edge of my seat and my mind racing. I also really loved that these kingdoms felt separate and unique, but made sense as a whole. There were so many times where I was baffled by the fact that this is Jamila’s debut in the fantasy genre, because it’s just so seamlessly done!
The romance is also something that should be commended, because I was SWOONING. Nova and Elaia’s POVs both had me squealing at points, the tension palpable and oh-so DELICIOUS. I really loved that the romance took a backseat to what was so clearly a focus on mental health, but I also did love every bit of scraps we got!
Overall, this really was a stunning book. I’m so obsessed and I’m not quite sure how to move on!
Daughter of the Dead is an epic tale of grief, desperation, and self-hatred. It dives deep into mental health and the utter greyness of morality. Both vivid and atmospheric, this perfect start to a new series is full of twists, slow burns, diversity, and complexity. Truly, I believe this will be THE standout epic fantasy of the year.
•••
Onto my more chaotic portion of this review muahahahah.
DOTD is everything we could want in a fantasy. It has characters that feel so lifelike and so tragic that you can’t help but both root for them and see yourself in them. In particular, Nova is a standout amongst the beautiful cast. She is extraordinarily powerful, but like so many women in the real world, she’s caged and stifled. Her internal monologues were heartbreaking, and I know that like me, so many women out there will see themselves in her. Jamila does a wonderful job of showing humanity through Nova’s tragic story despite her fantastical abilities and the fantasy setting. Elaia holds all the complexity that so many love to see in morally gray leads. We are forced to watch as her own fear, unresolved grief, and desperation corrupts her. It’s both tragic and jaw dropping, with many of the twists in the book coming from her end. I loved that everything she did made sense in the end. Readers might not agree with her choices, but she has the perfect amount of character development that forces you to acknowledge that you understand why she did it all. I’m very excited to see more of Syrena in the coming installments as well!
The world building is intricate and fascinating, so many unique elements paired with fan favorites blending to form something other worldly. It was immersive and exciting, with sometimes complicated politics that kept me on the edge of my seat and my mind racing. I also really loved that these kingdoms felt separate and unique, but made sense as a whole. There were so many times where I was baffled by the fact that this is Jamila’s debut in the fantasy genre, because it’s just so seamlessly done!
The romance is also something that should be commended, because I was SWOONING. Nova and Elaia’s POVs both had me squealing at points, the tension palpable and oh-so DELICIOUS. I really loved that the romance took a backseat to what was so clearly a focus on mental health, but I also did love every bit of scraps we got!
Overall, this really was a stunning book. I’m so obsessed and I’m not quite sure how to move on!
October 18, 2025
4⭐️ Thank you to K Jamila for the ARC!!
I am truly blown away that this is the authors first fantasy book. If this is truly the first then I can’t wait to see how much better her future releases are. I was little apprehensive when I saw that it was 3rd person and multiple different “storylines” but I hardly noticed the the 3rd person and I loved getting snip bits of all the different characters and see how all their stories intertwined throughout the book. You bet your ass I’ll be eagerly waiting for the second book to come out March 2026!
Thoughts in Nova’s POVs:
I love powerful women!! Nova has gone through so many unimaginable things yet she still remains true to her character even when she has no reason to. I can’t wait to see how much more of a badass she becomes as the series goes on. Alsooo the tension between her and Killian, I was eating that shit uppppp!! I wish we had gotten more tbh!! The way to the book ended though makes me very nervous 😥
Thoughts on Elaia’s POV:
Girl…. She done pissed me off a lot but I know it’s only bc she is a deeply flawed character and she’s only doing what she thinks is best, even if all the warning signs are there… lol I’m interested to see where her love life goes bc I enjoyed her relationship with her betrothed but the absolute smoking got tension with Xerxes … phewwww🥵 I’m super intrigued to see where her storyline is gonna go!
Thoughts on Syrena’s POV:
Honestly we didn’t get much from her and her chapters felt a little pointless which is why this wasn’t a fully 5 stars for me. I’m confident that we will get more from her in the next book but for now we only got small fragments and I’m interested to see how she ties in with everyone. Especially after that crazy ending!!
All in all, K Jamila has once again did the damn thing!! She is one of this authors that deserves so much more recognition and praise her her work! From her romance books (which are some of my god tier books) to her fantasy debut, I don’t think there is anything this author cant do!! I’m so incredibly honored to been given an arc and even more ecstatic that it was from one of my favorite authors. Do yourself a favor and pick up this book asap or one of her other books, YOU WONT REGRET IT, I PROMISE!!!
I am truly blown away that this is the authors first fantasy book. If this is truly the first then I can’t wait to see how much better her future releases are. I was little apprehensive when I saw that it was 3rd person and multiple different “storylines” but I hardly noticed the the 3rd person and I loved getting snip bits of all the different characters and see how all their stories intertwined throughout the book. You bet your ass I’ll be eagerly waiting for the second book to come out March 2026!
Thoughts in Nova’s POVs:
I love powerful women!! Nova has gone through so many unimaginable things yet she still remains true to her character even when she has no reason to. I can’t wait to see how much more of a badass she becomes as the series goes on. Alsooo the tension between her and Killian, I was eating that shit uppppp!! I wish we had gotten more tbh!! The way to the book ended though makes me very nervous 😥
Thoughts on Elaia’s POV:
Girl…. She done pissed me off a lot but I know it’s only bc she is a deeply flawed character and she’s only doing what she thinks is best, even if all the warning signs are there… lol I’m interested to see where her love life goes bc I enjoyed her relationship with her betrothed but the absolute smoking got tension with Xerxes … phewwww🥵 I’m super intrigued to see where her storyline is gonna go!
Thoughts on Syrena’s POV:
Honestly we didn’t get much from her and her chapters felt a little pointless which is why this wasn’t a fully 5 stars for me. I’m confident that we will get more from her in the next book but for now we only got small fragments and I’m interested to see how she ties in with everyone. Especially after that crazy ending!!
All in all, K Jamila has once again did the damn thing!! She is one of this authors that deserves so much more recognition and praise her her work! From her romance books (which are some of my god tier books) to her fantasy debut, I don’t think there is anything this author cant do!! I’m so incredibly honored to been given an arc and even more ecstatic that it was from one of my favorite authors. Do yourself a favor and pick up this book asap or one of her other books, YOU WONT REGRET IT, I PROMISE!!!
May 27, 2025
Solid 4.5 Stars!!
I was lucky enough to receive a digital ARC for Daughter of the Dead. I knew going in that I would need to read slowly lest I devour it and be left with a book hangover. That plan did not work and now I have a book hangover.
The first 10-15% was a little slow but that is mostly due to the world building. The layout is very similar to that of a Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon in that each chapter could be from one of the four kingdoms/corresponding female main characters from the four kingdoms.
The hatred that I have for the Vahls could actually be used to power several island nations. Once I got past the first 15%, I was hooked. The story is unique and compelling. As a woman of color, getting to experience main characters in fantasy that look like me is a very special experience. Nova is the definition of morally grey whereas Killian genuinely has a heart of gold.
This book took me through a full gambit of emotions from fear to anxiety to frustration to heart eyed hopefulness to pockets of joy and right back to rage.
The representation from a BIPOC and LGBTQ+ perspective was fantastic. The story, once it gets its hooks into you, won't let you go and by the time you reach the end, you will be screaming in rage and be ready to turn up at the author's door to beg for the next book because you will be so invested in these characters and what is happening to them and to their world.
This book is one that takes you out of our world and immerses you so fully into each kingdom that the hours will fly by and you will look up and it'll be dark outside, and you're left wonder...where did the time go? I know because that's what happened to me repeatedly.
All in all, if you love morally grey women, strong powerful female main characters, rage inducing villains, magic, mysteries, questioning everything you thought you knew, gorgeous world building, and action packed adventures, this is the book for you. Welcome to the Remnants of Rage. We don't have cookies, but we do have blood thirsty powerful women and I think that's just as good.
I was lucky enough to receive a digital ARC for Daughter of the Dead. I knew going in that I would need to read slowly lest I devour it and be left with a book hangover. That plan did not work and now I have a book hangover.
The first 10-15% was a little slow but that is mostly due to the world building. The layout is very similar to that of a Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon in that each chapter could be from one of the four kingdoms/corresponding female main characters from the four kingdoms.
The hatred that I have for the Vahls could actually be used to power several island nations. Once I got past the first 15%, I was hooked. The story is unique and compelling. As a woman of color, getting to experience main characters in fantasy that look like me is a very special experience. Nova is the definition of morally grey whereas Killian genuinely has a heart of gold.
This book took me through a full gambit of emotions from fear to anxiety to frustration to heart eyed hopefulness to pockets of joy and right back to rage.
The representation from a BIPOC and LGBTQ+ perspective was fantastic. The story, once it gets its hooks into you, won't let you go and by the time you reach the end, you will be screaming in rage and be ready to turn up at the author's door to beg for the next book because you will be so invested in these characters and what is happening to them and to their world.
This book is one that takes you out of our world and immerses you so fully into each kingdom that the hours will fly by and you will look up and it'll be dark outside, and you're left wonder...where did the time go? I know because that's what happened to me repeatedly.
All in all, if you love morally grey women, strong powerful female main characters, rage inducing villains, magic, mysteries, questioning everything you thought you knew, gorgeous world building, and action packed adventures, this is the book for you. Welcome to the Remnants of Rage. We don't have cookies, but we do have blood thirsty powerful women and I think that's just as good.
September 22, 2025
When I first came across this book being promoted on threads, I was immediately hooked. I've been obsessed with Avatar: The Last Airbender since I was a kid and Katara's blood bending arc was ICONIC. I just wished they did more with it. So when I saw that Nova, our blood-bending witch was the main character, I HAD to sign up.
This was such an amazing fantasy debut for K. Jamila and I can't wait to read more. The world-building was a perfect balance—rich enough to let the world unfold naturally as we read, while never weighed down by excessive description.
The characters were honestly one of my favorite parts. Their introductions were EPIC! I loved the BIPOC representation and how natural it felt. They were lovable, distinct, and full of emotions—I found myself experiencing the same waves of feminine rage, triumph, and vulnerability right along with them. The descriptions alone were powerful enough to bring them alive in my imagination, while the accompanying character art elevated that experience even further, adding a visual depth that perfectly matched the writing.
That said, I wish we had more chapters from Syrena’s POV, as her perspective felt a bit underexplored. I would have loved to see more of her background, especially surrounding her brother and her family (or lack thereof). I didn’t feel fully connected to her until the very end, when she finally demonstrated why she is Reyna.
The story itself was so good. The romantic subplot was the perfect touch—like the slowest of slow burns with Nova and our Earth Daddy (and I lived for every second of it). Then there’s Elaia and Zahra, with that hint of a love triangle brewing between Elaia and Xerxes—whew, the tension was top tier. I also love how gender-normative this world is in the best way, where nobody bats an eye at someone’s sexuality. It just is, and it makes the world feel even more inclusive and real.
I actually ended up reading this twice (since the initial release got postponed), and honestly, it was just as good the second time around. There’s so much packed into this story that it’s easy to pick up on new details with each read. I really hope you enjoy this book as much as I do, because it’s such a ride. And whew—bring on book two, because there is SO much left to explore, so many unanswered questions, and I’m dying to see where these characters go next!
This was such an amazing fantasy debut for K. Jamila and I can't wait to read more. The world-building was a perfect balance—rich enough to let the world unfold naturally as we read, while never weighed down by excessive description.
The characters were honestly one of my favorite parts. Their introductions were EPIC! I loved the BIPOC representation and how natural it felt. They were lovable, distinct, and full of emotions—I found myself experiencing the same waves of feminine rage, triumph, and vulnerability right along with them. The descriptions alone were powerful enough to bring them alive in my imagination, while the accompanying character art elevated that experience even further, adding a visual depth that perfectly matched the writing.
That said, I wish we had more chapters from Syrena’s POV, as her perspective felt a bit underexplored. I would have loved to see more of her background, especially surrounding her brother and her family (or lack thereof). I didn’t feel fully connected to her until the very end, when she finally demonstrated why she is Reyna.
The story itself was so good. The romantic subplot was the perfect touch—like the slowest of slow burns with Nova and our Earth Daddy (and I lived for every second of it). Then there’s Elaia and Zahra, with that hint of a love triangle brewing between Elaia and Xerxes—whew, the tension was top tier. I also love how gender-normative this world is in the best way, where nobody bats an eye at someone’s sexuality. It just is, and it makes the world feel even more inclusive and real.
I actually ended up reading this twice (since the initial release got postponed), and honestly, it was just as good the second time around. There’s so much packed into this story that it’s easy to pick up on new details with each read. I really hope you enjoy this book as much as I do, because it’s such a ride. And whew—bring on book two, because there is SO much left to explore, so many unanswered questions, and I’m dying to see where these characters go next!
August 25, 2025
My thanks to the author for providing me with an arc in return for my honest review.
Here are my thoughts.
There are times when, in reading a thick book, you do not feel it. Everything just flows quickly, and before you realise it, the book is done. That did not happen here. Honestly, I read the first 30% and took a long break. To finish, I had to set aside the time and really focus on the book.
I was still shaky about it until around 40%. From that point on, I was pleased to have stuck around, because all the foundation work led to some interesting reveals in the lore and in the characters. This included dragons, witches, forest creatures, and human-like beings with special powers. There were many facets of power in this book. After learning about all of them, the book still felt a bit long, but it held my attention.
Now, this book might not be for all readers of fantasy, but it is engaging with rich character development. The plot is multifaceted, and we read the story of this land and its history from 3 POVs. 3 female main characters, whose power and decisions will shape what happens next.
There is a fascinating mystery unfolding here. Something horrible is coming, and this plot does a lot of building towards that revelation. This build slows the pace. Be aware of that, but know that you get answers and an ending that will have your brain screaming NO!
Daughter of the Dead is the foundation of what feels like a vast, all-encompassing fantasy series that will lock in imaginations and readers who love strong FMCs and the found families who love them.
Even though things went unexpectedly, my favorite character was and will be Elaia. She is definitely one to watch! And someone who I think will not shrink under the pressure put on her.
Pick this one up if comprehensive books with detailed foundation building are your thing.
It took me a bit, but in the end I am looking forward to seeing how all of this unfolds.
Here are my thoughts.
There are times when, in reading a thick book, you do not feel it. Everything just flows quickly, and before you realise it, the book is done. That did not happen here. Honestly, I read the first 30% and took a long break. To finish, I had to set aside the time and really focus on the book.
I was still shaky about it until around 40%. From that point on, I was pleased to have stuck around, because all the foundation work led to some interesting reveals in the lore and in the characters. This included dragons, witches, forest creatures, and human-like beings with special powers. There were many facets of power in this book. After learning about all of them, the book still felt a bit long, but it held my attention.
Now, this book might not be for all readers of fantasy, but it is engaging with rich character development. The plot is multifaceted, and we read the story of this land and its history from 3 POVs. 3 female main characters, whose power and decisions will shape what happens next.
There is a fascinating mystery unfolding here. Something horrible is coming, and this plot does a lot of building towards that revelation. This build slows the pace. Be aware of that, but know that you get answers and an ending that will have your brain screaming NO!
Daughter of the Dead is the foundation of what feels like a vast, all-encompassing fantasy series that will lock in imaginations and readers who love strong FMCs and the found families who love them.
Even though things went unexpectedly, my favorite character was and will be Elaia. She is definitely one to watch! And someone who I think will not shrink under the pressure put on her.
Pick this one up if comprehensive books with detailed foundation building are your thing.
It took me a bit, but in the end I am looking forward to seeing how all of this unfolds.
September 19, 2025
4,25 ⭐️
Thank you so much to the author for allowing me to read an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all thoughts are my own.
This is a beautiful, character driven book that despite the slower pace still manages to leave quite an impression with its immersive world and dark and powerful story. I usually gravitate more towards plot and a faster pace, so when it is a more character focused story, it's important that these characters really shine – and they did here. And when you add in the wonderful writing and strong world building, you get a story that stays with you for a long time.
I loved all three main characters and it was so impressive how the author managed to write them all with such clear, distinctive voices. Even their metaphors and ways of thinking were colored by their respective powers and their own different worlds, which was such a nice detail that made them feel more real. And even though Syrena wasn’t a big part of the story, I still liked the addition of her chapters and it’s clear she’s going to play a much bigger role in the future – and I can’t wait to see it.
Unfortunately, it could be a bit hard for me to stay focused on the story for longer periods of time. I struggled with figuring out why exactly that was, but I honestly think it's just because it was such a heavy and character driven story, and I needed some breaks throughout. And maybe also because it became a bit repetitive sometimes when showing both Nova's and Elaia's struggles and trauma. The pain, the grief, the loneliness were all huge and important parts of the characters and their journeys, but it did, in my opinion, get drawn out sometimes. But it was still such an enjoyable and amazing story – it just took me a while to read it.
I definitely recommend this book, and I think readers will love the magic (the blood bending is so cool!), the mysteries and the potential for what's to come. I'm very excited about continuing this story, especially after that INSANE cliffhanger. I want book two now!
Thank you so much to the author for allowing me to read an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all thoughts are my own.
This is a beautiful, character driven book that despite the slower pace still manages to leave quite an impression with its immersive world and dark and powerful story. I usually gravitate more towards plot and a faster pace, so when it is a more character focused story, it's important that these characters really shine – and they did here. And when you add in the wonderful writing and strong world building, you get a story that stays with you for a long time.
I loved all three main characters and it was so impressive how the author managed to write them all with such clear, distinctive voices. Even their metaphors and ways of thinking were colored by their respective powers and their own different worlds, which was such a nice detail that made them feel more real. And even though Syrena wasn’t a big part of the story, I still liked the addition of her chapters and it’s clear she’s going to play a much bigger role in the future – and I can’t wait to see it.
Unfortunately, it could be a bit hard for me to stay focused on the story for longer periods of time. I struggled with figuring out why exactly that was, but I honestly think it's just because it was such a heavy and character driven story, and I needed some breaks throughout. And maybe also because it became a bit repetitive sometimes when showing both Nova's and Elaia's struggles and trauma. The pain, the grief, the loneliness were all huge and important parts of the characters and their journeys, but it did, in my opinion, get drawn out sometimes. But it was still such an enjoyable and amazing story – it just took me a while to read it.
I definitely recommend this book, and I think readers will love the magic (the blood bending is so cool!), the mysteries and the potential for what's to come. I'm very excited about continuing this story, especially after that INSANE cliffhanger. I want book two now!
September 19, 2025
There is literally so much to talk about, I don't even know how to begin to say how much I loved this book.
Okay, I have such mixed emotions for Elaia's character. I can't even imagine how awful it must be to lose your entire family and not even know why. HOWEVER, she started pissing me off near the middle of the book. She started making horrible choices, and was abandoning Zahra which was very upsetting because Zahra has always been so supportive. Like girl you can find better than Elaia.
I really liked Syrena's character and I'm really hoping we get to see more of her in the next book!
And then there's Nova; my heart broke for Nova from the first page. She has such a rough life, and I have a feeling it may take a bit for her to finally get her happy ending aka her freedom. She worked so hard to try to escape her "parents", just for them to still try to control her. I hate those jerks; I just want to know more about them to see why they're so obsessed with her and what their end goal is with everything they've forced her to do. I did really love her connection with Cyrus; he was such a cutie pie. And did her lie a bit? Yes; but so did she, so I think that evens them out right? Right.
The plot twists were all so insane; I feel like there were some I saw coming, but many took me completely by surprise. And the cliffhanger was so good and I am so angry. I want to know what happens next sooooo bad!!!!
My only critique for this book is that the POV changes were a bit random IMO. There were the three girls with their POVs, but Nova got the most, Elaia got a good portion, and Syrena only got a few. I also wish I got to learn a bit more about her since she seemed like such an interesting character. But other than that, I really enjoyed this book! There was action, deep emotions, mysteries, betrayals, and many plot twists! I cannot WAIT to read the next book!!!
thank you K Jamila and Legends Literacy Management for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC!!
Okay, I have such mixed emotions for Elaia's character. I can't even imagine how awful it must be to lose your entire family and not even know why. HOWEVER, she started pissing me off near the middle of the book. She started making horrible choices, and was abandoning Zahra which was very upsetting because Zahra has always been so supportive. Like girl you can find better than Elaia.
I really liked Syrena's character and I'm really hoping we get to see more of her in the next book!
And then there's Nova; my heart broke for Nova from the first page. She has such a rough life, and I have a feeling it may take a bit for her to finally get her happy ending aka her freedom. She worked so hard to try to escape her "parents", just for them to still try to control her. I hate those jerks; I just want to know more about them to see why they're so obsessed with her and what their end goal is with everything they've forced her to do. I did really love her connection with Cyrus; he was such a cutie pie. And did her lie a bit? Yes; but so did she, so I think that evens them out right? Right.
The plot twists were all so insane; I feel like there were some I saw coming, but many took me completely by surprise. And the cliffhanger was so good and I am so angry. I want to know what happens next sooooo bad!!!!
My only critique for this book is that the POV changes were a bit random IMO. There were the three girls with their POVs, but Nova got the most, Elaia got a good portion, and Syrena only got a few. I also wish I got to learn a bit more about her since she seemed like such an interesting character. But other than that, I really enjoyed this book! There was action, deep emotions, mysteries, betrayals, and many plot twists! I cannot WAIT to read the next book!!!
thank you K Jamila and Legends Literacy Management for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC!!
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