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The Amber Sunburst
Not yet published
Expected 31 Aug 26An exiled prince, a dying star, a wasted priestess, a silent musician, a defiant sister, and a plummeting Icarus find each other through the cracks of a 'perfect' society.
Kallipolis is a utopia built on a lie. Hidden from the post-apocalyptic world outside its walls, the Republic has spent five hundred years perfecting itself according to the teachings of Plato - or so its people believe. Alexander knows better. He doesn't belong in the Republic, and he needs to get out - before the Trials, before the Educator discovers who he really is, and before he falls completely in love with a boy who was never meant to leave. This is a story about the people who see through the illusion of a utopia - and the ones who burn it down.
Kallipolis is a utopia built on a lie. Hidden from the post-apocalyptic world outside its walls, the Republic has spent five hundred years perfecting itself according to the teachings of Plato - or so its people believe. Alexander knows better. He doesn't belong in the Republic, and he needs to get out - before the Trials, before the Educator discovers who he really is, and before he falls completely in love with a boy who was never meant to leave. This is a story about the people who see through the illusion of a utopia - and the ones who burn it down.
- GenresFantasy
464 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 31, 2026
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August 11, 2026₊✩‧₊ Pre-read
Super excited to be part of the ARC team 💛
• Plato’s republic
• Queer main couple
• Six narrators
I can’t wait!
Super excited to be part of the ARC team 💛
• Plato’s republic
• Queer main couple
• Six narrators
I can’t wait!
Review of advance copy received from Auteur
I cannot thank the author Alizeh enough for trusting me with an early digital copy of her book. That was simply incredible, and I can't give it any less than 5 stars, no hesitation whatsoever.
Sooo. Yep. This novel has left me utterly speechless. I am literally staring at my blank page wondering what I could possibly say to accurately describe what an amazing reading experience I just lived. I cannot wait for the next instalment(s) in the series. There is so much depth to this first book (which is incredible, considering this is the author’s debut) both in terms of world-building, characterisation and themes.
To put it in a few words, ‘The Amber Sunburst’ takes place in a very advanced post-apocalyptic city called Kallipolis, based on the principles and the society that Plato builds in his ‘Republic’ (which you don’t need to read as prep, don’t worry). No one outside it knows the island exists, and no one inside know there is more to the world. So, when Alexander washes up on the Republic’s shores, he has no idea where he has just landed. To survive, he plays along and pretends he is a new student at the Academy, while trying to figure out an escape plan. As the story goes on, he (and other great, GREAT characters) will learn to see through the illusions and lies that surround the seemingly utopian Republic.
If you’re like me and love all things Ancient Greece, dystopia and casually queer, then there’s no doubt you’ll love ‘The Amber Sunburst’!
With such a complex universe, I was afraid at first that I might be confused, however, that was not the case. The author does an astounding job at subtle world-building and providing the information needed at specific times.
It was mind-blowing to notice how segregated a city Kallipolis is, even though it claims it does not differentiate. The cast of characters evolve in the Academy, where Auxiliaries study in preparation for the Trials, a sort of battle for glory and power. The last ones standing will become a part of the leadership class, from Guardians who maintain order and justice to the Educator themself, who oversees the whole Republic. The Academy is decidedly a whole other world compared to the eight Arcs—the commoners’ neighbourhoods.
On that note, I do wish the novel showed a bit more of what life is like outside the Academy. I also wish I could’ve known more about is the Six Survivors—the countries outside Kallipolis. Alexander gives a bit of insight on what it is like, especially regarding the Holy American Empire, where he is from; and there is a scene where he delves into way too much detail (the only time I found the world-building was not smooth enough) on the topic. It’s not that I don’t know enough to understand the story, more that I’m curious and want to find out even more. This novel gave so much already, it has so many layers; but what can I say. I just love complex worlds and I honestly would devour the whole History of the Republic the characters have to read for class.
Speaking of characters… Did I mention they’re great? Because they are.
‘The Amber Sunburst’ revolves around six main characters: Alexander, Zeno, Eudoxia, Ophelia, Lazarus and Kallias. It might seem intimidating to jump into a story with so many perspectives, but the author does it very smoothly. Their voices are all so unique, I honestly didn’t even have to read the subtitle to know in whose head I was. I was surprised to find how easily I got attached to them, and how hard I felt and rooted for them all. Their personalities are very layered, yet their traits are almost never served to us on a silver platter. Only through their thoughts, acts and observations of one another do we get to know them. And I got familiar with all of the cast so quickly. From page one, Alexander was my best friend—his voice is so amusing, it just put me at ease!
Frankly, the characterisation is one of, if not the most amazing aspect of that novel.
Each character is thoroughly explored. Their individual issues get more or less the same amount of attention, and I loved how they all intertwined with one another and impacted the main storyline. Many difficult themes are handled—beautifully so. On that note, be aware this novel depicts scenes of abuse and predatory behaviour, as well as anxiety, dissociation and suicidal ideation. (And some vague mentions to sex as well, but the characters are in their twenties, so, yeah.) However, there is no graphic detail and those issues are decidedly not romanticised in any way. The theme that stuck out to me was definitely the feeling of being stuck in a role that doesn’t feel like yours. Though you are told you are free, there is still control being exerted over you, whether you are conscious of it or not. Mind-blowing stuff, truly. And gut-wrenching, too. I found a piece of myself, big or small, in each of them. I kind of want to take a quiz to know which one I am, or perhaps to find out which ‘social category’ I belong to. Though I think I might be most similar to Lazarus. His chapters hit a bit too close to home. I cried many, many times.
And laughed, too, because the characters’ dynamics were so entertaining. I thoroughly enjoyed all of them! Alexander and Kallias’ scenes got me wanting to throw my e-reader every two seconds, they’re so GREAT. All the relationships evolve in a noticeable yet very subtle way throughout the story. I did find the romantic subplot between Eudoxia and Zeno to be a tad redundant at times, but I do think it is precisely that redundancy that is central to the evolution of their relationship, if that makes any sense. Romance is not the only kind of dynamic, though, which I loved. The true focus is on friendships and finding a family within those friendships, in a world where family ties aren’t allowed to matter.
Side characters are also present, but unfortunately they are not as explored as the main cast—though that is understandable. There is a barista at the beginning who acts as an introduction to Kallipolis for Alexander, but we just never see him again, unfortunately. (He is mentioned once, though, so I guess that is something.) I wish we could’ve known more about Theokleia as well, and her relationship with Lazarus. I get the feeling there is much more to her than we got to see… Something else to look forward to in Book II, I hope!
Thus I feel the plot is truly driven by characters’ choices. But also, retrospectively,
There are so many things that I understood only after finishing it. Most notably, the very beginning of the story. I admit I was a bit skeptical: When Alexander arrives and pretends he is a new Academy student pulled up from the countryside, everyone believes him, no questions asked. It is stated that there are close to no Auxiliary that isn’t blood-related to members of the leadership class, and I assume it is also not regular for people from different areas of the Republic to interact, but it just felt…off. Too easy for such a world. That feeling eased as I read and I almost forgot about it entirely as Alexander became friends with other Auxiliaries and all; but what I’m trying to say is: do not be put off! It is there for a reason! EVERYTHING in this novel is there for a reason! Once again, mind-blowing stuff. That’s another really interesting aspect of the novel that I loved: all the foreshadowing and seemingly useless details that go unnoticed until you finish reading. I kind of want to re-read the book already to pinpoint everything!
Apart from the character-focused story arcs, the main plot is basically this: the cast trying to escape the Republic, while fighting for their lives in the Trials. Needless to say, the stakes are quite high. I was literally gripping my e-reader by the end of Trial I, and also all throughout the last few chapters. I was thoroughly invested and captivated the whole course of the novel. The tension was not constant, though; there are many sweet and humorous moments that made me forget all about the inevitable tragedy to come. Most of the said-tragedy is a little predictable, as far as I’m concerned. You know that dread you feel, like something very bad is going to happen, but you still hope it won’t, and when it happens eventually, you’re still shocked and shaken? Well, that is exactly how I felt. Though maybe that’s just my tendency over-analyse things and presume the worst. (Not that I hope the worst happens. If the characters don’t get the happy ending they deserve and get to do shenanigans together, I will be MAD.) Still, there are several plot-twists I didn’t see coming at ALL. I cried AND gasped. Emotional roller-coaster.
As it is a first instalment, there are still questions left unanswered, which I will now list below:
Admittedly, they don’t need to be answered. But, as I said, I am curious and want to know everything, even if it doesn’t impact the plot, even if it doesn’t matter, even if it breaks the AMAZING pace this novel has.
If the extreme length of that review wasn’t clear enough: I loved ‘The Amber Sunburst’. I could probably go on and on about details, but I want to be relatively spoiler-free because this is a novel that needs to be Experienced. I will just say: this book has left me sobbing, grieving, longing for more; it doesn’t want to leave my mind; it has filled me with hope, and then tore it away from me with its AWFUL (/pos) ending. Basically, I’m a mess. And I cannot wait to find out what happens next.
In spite of all the awful things that happen, there is one clear message that I gathered and will probably stay with me for a while:
"The only options aren’t to sink or swim."
Sometimes, you can just float, and let it be okay.
Sooo. Yep. This novel has left me utterly speechless. I am literally staring at my blank page wondering what I could possibly say to accurately describe what an amazing reading experience I just lived. I cannot wait for the next instalment(s) in the series. There is so much depth to this first book (which is incredible, considering this is the author’s debut) both in terms of world-building, characterisation and themes.
To put it in a few words, ‘The Amber Sunburst’ takes place in a very advanced post-apocalyptic city called Kallipolis, based on the principles and the society that Plato builds in his ‘Republic’ (which you don’t need to read as prep, don’t worry). No one outside it knows the island exists, and no one inside know there is more to the world. So, when Alexander washes up on the Republic’s shores, he has no idea where he has just landed. To survive, he plays along and pretends he is a new student at the Academy, while trying to figure out an escape plan. As the story goes on, he (and other great, GREAT characters) will learn to see through the illusions and lies that surround the seemingly utopian Republic.
If you’re like me and love all things Ancient Greece, dystopia and casually queer, then there’s no doubt you’ll love ‘The Amber Sunburst’!
With such a complex universe, I was afraid at first that I might be confused, however, that was not the case. The author does an astounding job at subtle world-building and providing the information needed at specific times.
It was mind-blowing to notice how segregated a city Kallipolis is, even though it claims it does not differentiate. The cast of characters evolve in the Academy, where Auxiliaries study in preparation for the Trials, a sort of battle for glory and power. The last ones standing will become a part of the leadership class, from Guardians who maintain order and justice to the Educator themself, who oversees the whole Republic. The Academy is decidedly a whole other world compared to the eight Arcs—the commoners’ neighbourhoods.
On that note, I do wish the novel showed a bit more of what life is like outside the Academy. I also wish I could’ve known more about is the Six Survivors—the countries outside Kallipolis. Alexander gives a bit of insight on what it is like, especially regarding the Holy American Empire, where he is from; and there is a scene where he delves into way too much detail (the only time I found the world-building was not smooth enough) on the topic. It’s not that I don’t know enough to understand the story, more that I’m curious and want to find out even more. This novel gave so much already, it has so many layers; but what can I say. I just love complex worlds and I honestly would devour the whole History of the Republic the characters have to read for class.
Speaking of characters… Did I mention they’re great? Because they are.
‘The Amber Sunburst’ revolves around six main characters: Alexander, Zeno, Eudoxia, Ophelia, Lazarus and Kallias. It might seem intimidating to jump into a story with so many perspectives, but the author does it very smoothly. Their voices are all so unique, I honestly didn’t even have to read the subtitle to know in whose head I was. I was surprised to find how easily I got attached to them, and how hard I felt and rooted for them all. Their personalities are very layered, yet their traits are almost never served to us on a silver platter. Only through their thoughts, acts and observations of one another do we get to know them. And I got familiar with all of the cast so quickly. From page one, Alexander was my best friend—his voice is so amusing, it just put me at ease!
Frankly, the characterisation is one of, if not the most amazing aspect of that novel.
Each character is thoroughly explored. Their individual issues get more or less the same amount of attention, and I loved how they all intertwined with one another and impacted the main storyline. Many difficult themes are handled—beautifully so. On that note, be aware this novel depicts scenes of abuse and predatory behaviour, as well as anxiety, dissociation and suicidal ideation. (And some vague mentions to sex as well, but the characters are in their twenties, so, yeah.) However, there is no graphic detail and those issues are decidedly not romanticised in any way. The theme that stuck out to me was definitely the feeling of being stuck in a role that doesn’t feel like yours. Though you are told you are free, there is still control being exerted over you, whether you are conscious of it or not. Mind-blowing stuff, truly. And gut-wrenching, too. I found a piece of myself, big or small, in each of them. I kind of want to take a quiz to know which one I am, or perhaps to find out which ‘social category’ I belong to. Though I think I might be most similar to Lazarus. His chapters hit a bit too close to home. I cried many, many times.
And laughed, too, because the characters’ dynamics were so entertaining. I thoroughly enjoyed all of them! Alexander and Kallias’ scenes got me wanting to throw my e-reader every two seconds, they’re so GREAT. All the relationships evolve in a noticeable yet very subtle way throughout the story. I did find the romantic subplot between Eudoxia and Zeno to be a tad redundant at times, but I do think it is precisely that redundancy that is central to the evolution of their relationship, if that makes any sense. Romance is not the only kind of dynamic, though, which I loved. The true focus is on friendships and finding a family within those friendships, in a world where family ties aren’t allowed to matter.
Side characters are also present, but unfortunately they are not as explored as the main cast—though that is understandable. There is a barista at the beginning who acts as an introduction to Kallipolis for Alexander, but we just never see him again, unfortunately. (He is mentioned once, though, so I guess that is something.) I wish we could’ve known more about Theokleia as well, and her relationship with Lazarus. I get the feeling there is much more to her than we got to see… Something else to look forward to in Book II, I hope!
Thus I feel the plot is truly driven by characters’ choices. But also, retrospectively,
There are so many things that I understood only after finishing it. Most notably, the very beginning of the story. I admit I was a bit skeptical: When Alexander arrives and pretends he is a new Academy student pulled up from the countryside, everyone believes him, no questions asked. It is stated that there are close to no Auxiliary that isn’t blood-related to members of the leadership class, and I assume it is also not regular for people from different areas of the Republic to interact, but it just felt…off. Too easy for such a world. That feeling eased as I read and I almost forgot about it entirely as Alexander became friends with other Auxiliaries and all; but what I’m trying to say is: do not be put off! It is there for a reason! EVERYTHING in this novel is there for a reason! Once again, mind-blowing stuff. That’s another really interesting aspect of the novel that I loved: all the foreshadowing and seemingly useless details that go unnoticed until you finish reading. I kind of want to re-read the book already to pinpoint everything!
Apart from the character-focused story arcs, the main plot is basically this: the cast trying to escape the Republic, while fighting for their lives in the Trials. Needless to say, the stakes are quite high. I was literally gripping my e-reader by the end of Trial I, and also all throughout the last few chapters. I was thoroughly invested and captivated the whole course of the novel. The tension was not constant, though; there are many sweet and humorous moments that made me forget all about the inevitable tragedy to come. Most of the said-tragedy is a little predictable, as far as I’m concerned. You know that dread you feel, like something very bad is going to happen, but you still hope it won’t, and when it happens eventually, you’re still shocked and shaken? Well, that is exactly how I felt. Though maybe that’s just my tendency over-analyse things and presume the worst. (Not that I hope the worst happens. If the characters don’t get the happy ending they deserve and get to do shenanigans together, I will be MAD.) Still, there are several plot-twists I didn’t see coming at ALL. I cried AND gasped. Emotional roller-coaster.
As it is a first instalment, there are still questions left unanswered, which I will now list below:
Admittedly, they don’t need to be answered. But, as I said, I am curious and want to know everything, even if it doesn’t impact the plot, even if it doesn’t matter, even if it breaks the AMAZING pace this novel has.
If the extreme length of that review wasn’t clear enough: I loved ‘The Amber Sunburst’. I could probably go on and on about details, but I want to be relatively spoiler-free because this is a novel that needs to be Experienced. I will just say: this book has left me sobbing, grieving, longing for more; it doesn’t want to leave my mind; it has filled me with hope, and then tore it away from me with its AWFUL (/pos) ending. Basically, I’m a mess. And I cannot wait to find out what happens next.
In spite of all the awful things that happen, there is one clear message that I gathered and will probably stay with me for a while:
"The only options aren’t to sink or swim."
Sometimes, you can just float, and let it be okay.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Okay, to start this off, this book was absolutely fantastic. Easiest 5 stars I've ever given in my life. This may turn into something of an analysis, but I plan to save that analysis for a full analysis doc I'll write later. In case you are like me and like to go into books blind, I want to note that this in book 1 of an ongoing series. I started reading this book while knowing the bare minimum about it (I like to be surprised), and didn't know that it was meant to be a series, so I was distraught when the end didn't give me closure. If that sounds like you, just read my bullet points and ignore the paragraphs.
Real quick:
- Some implied sexual connotations, but nothing explicit happens between characters, so it's a clean read for those who don't like spice. All main characters are adults and are aged 20+.
- Content Warnings: graphic violence (in a later chapter), referenced grooming (briefly referenced, but previously implied), abuse (both implied and explicitly stated), sexual coercion (mild), predatory behavior (mild), various mental illnesses (including suicidal ideation), and suicide (brief and prior to the novel's setting)
With that said, let's get into it!!
Summary of my review:
- Amazing depth and complexity in all aspects of the book
- Amazing characters and character POV writing
- Amazing inter-character relationships
- Amazing mental health representation
- Amazing natural plot, subplot, and relationship progression
- Amazing at subtle detailing (not a lot of listed detail, but a lot of passively naturally implied details)
- Amazing job foreshadowing and weaving small details back into the main plot
- Amazing pacing (fast enough to keep you engaged and invested, but slow enough to keep up the suspense and let you take your time enjoying the moments and journey of the novel)
- Did I say that it was overall amazing?
ANYWAYS, for the more detailed breakdown:
Reading this book is a genuine experience. There is so much depth and so many layers to everything written in this novel. It pulls you into the book and makes you feel so connected with the world before it's even really described to you properly. The setting (a futuristic, evolved version of Plato's Republic called Kallipolis that's hidden away in a post-nuclear-apocalyptic world) is easy to grasp despite its complexities, and the Kallipolis social classes and community as well as the general world's overview are all fluidly established in the first chapter. Of course, the world is further elaborated on naturally as the story progresses, and it's absolutely brilliant how you learn things at the same pace as our main characters without getting lost or feeling uncertain any certain details. Any details you are confused about while reading The Amber Sunburst are the same details that our main characters are confused about, so you experience everything alongside them. When I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING. You will be taken on such a rollercoaster.
On that note, this level of depth extends way past the world building, which brings me to my absolute favorite part of this book: THE CHARACTERS. MY SHAYLAS. OH MY GODS, I LOVE THEM. Every single character has their own distinct traits and qualities that make them who they are. Alizeh, the author, does an absolutely phenomenal job defining each character's personality through the writing in their POVs. The wording and tonality shifts. They react to emotional situations differently, sometimes even resulting in unspoken tension, or lack of, with our characters. They all have one main noticeable fundamental flaw, and many other smaller ones that make them feel so human. None of the characters are by any means perfect. Their flaws and worldviews are tailored to their characters and past, and it's a beautifully portrayed insight to their past and who they are as people. Their behaviors and focuses and the details that get their attention all help you to understand the character's depths without explicitly being wrote out. There's one specific character that I have in mind while writing this. We don't get a single POV of this character until the very end, and you learn everything about how his mind works through the observations of others. No, they don't say anything about him flat out except maybe twice. Everything we learn about him is through observing his behaviors and presence and attachment style as he shows up more and more prominently. I cannot express how beautifully it is done. There are so many layers to every character that you learn indirectly and passively, and it's just absolutely enamoring. I'm cutting myself off here because I can literally write paragraphs about these characters (I have written paragraphs about this to Alizeh), and I won't stop if I keep going.
Moving on, the plot evolves so naturally in this book. The story and characters aren't forced in the slightest. Their relationships progress so naturally that you can't even define exactly when the shifts happen. There are so many small details about character relationships (both implied and stated) that make them feel infinitely more real and keep you invested in their dynamics. They grow and confront emotions and difficulties that reflect on their development as characters while simultaneously pushing the plot forward passively. There are so many subplots playing out at the same time as the main story that end up feeding back into it one way or another. The subplots weave perfectly into the main plot, and all actions (even the ones that are just details of subplots) have consequences that play into the momentum of the overall story. Character decisions, interests, hobbies, bonding, and internal conflicts effect the plot so heavily without you even noticing it unless they're thrown in your face (which they occasionally are as a reality check). You don't notice their significance until the characters do, and it's truly beautiful.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book, and it easily made my top 3 books of all time. The depth was amazing, and the pacing was fast enough to keep you engaged while remaining slow enough to let you appreciate the moments little moment and walk the journey that the book takes you on while building up the suspense that just pulls you in deeper. I finished this book in under 48 hours and was so very honored to be told that I was the first ARC reader to ever finish reading it. Character development and character parallels were absolutely lovely to experience, the foreshadowing throughout the book was utterly brilliant, and moving through the plot at the same pace as the characters was entirely devastating and beautiful. I connected so deeply with all Alizeh's characters, their relationships, their flaws, and their problems. I am so invested in each and every character in this novel, and it left me with so many theories and questions and overall thoughts. I 100% recommend that you read this book and that you take your time enjoying it. That's my only regret in reading this book. I read it too fast, and now I'm looking back at it and thinking how much more I would have enjoyed it if I paced myself, but alas, it was just that engaging. Everything about this book has been living rent free in my head since I first started it, and I have absolutely no complaints about that.
Real quick:
- Some implied sexual connotations, but nothing explicit happens between characters, so it's a clean read for those who don't like spice. All main characters are adults and are aged 20+.
- Content Warnings: graphic violence (in a later chapter), referenced grooming (briefly referenced, but previously implied), abuse (both implied and explicitly stated), sexual coercion (mild), predatory behavior (mild), various mental illnesses (including suicidal ideation), and suicide (brief and prior to the novel's setting)
With that said, let's get into it!!
Summary of my review:
- Amazing depth and complexity in all aspects of the book
- Amazing characters and character POV writing
- Amazing inter-character relationships
- Amazing mental health representation
- Amazing natural plot, subplot, and relationship progression
- Amazing at subtle detailing (not a lot of listed detail, but a lot of passively naturally implied details)
- Amazing job foreshadowing and weaving small details back into the main plot
- Amazing pacing (fast enough to keep you engaged and invested, but slow enough to keep up the suspense and let you take your time enjoying the moments and journey of the novel)
- Did I say that it was overall amazing?
ANYWAYS, for the more detailed breakdown:
Reading this book is a genuine experience. There is so much depth and so many layers to everything written in this novel. It pulls you into the book and makes you feel so connected with the world before it's even really described to you properly. The setting (a futuristic, evolved version of Plato's Republic called Kallipolis that's hidden away in a post-nuclear-apocalyptic world) is easy to grasp despite its complexities, and the Kallipolis social classes and community as well as the general world's overview are all fluidly established in the first chapter. Of course, the world is further elaborated on naturally as the story progresses, and it's absolutely brilliant how you learn things at the same pace as our main characters without getting lost or feeling uncertain any certain details. Any details you are confused about while reading The Amber Sunburst are the same details that our main characters are confused about, so you experience everything alongside them. When I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING. You will be taken on such a rollercoaster.
On that note, this level of depth extends way past the world building, which brings me to my absolute favorite part of this book: THE CHARACTERS. MY SHAYLAS. OH MY GODS, I LOVE THEM. Every single character has their own distinct traits and qualities that make them who they are. Alizeh, the author, does an absolutely phenomenal job defining each character's personality through the writing in their POVs. The wording and tonality shifts. They react to emotional situations differently, sometimes even resulting in unspoken tension, or lack of, with our characters. They all have one main noticeable fundamental flaw, and many other smaller ones that make them feel so human. None of the characters are by any means perfect. Their flaws and worldviews are tailored to their characters and past, and it's a beautifully portrayed insight to their past and who they are as people. Their behaviors and focuses and the details that get their attention all help you to understand the character's depths without explicitly being wrote out. There's one specific character that I have in mind while writing this. We don't get a single POV of this character until the very end, and you learn everything about how his mind works through the observations of others. No, they don't say anything about him flat out except maybe twice. Everything we learn about him is through observing his behaviors and presence and attachment style as he shows up more and more prominently. I cannot express how beautifully it is done. There are so many layers to every character that you learn indirectly and passively, and it's just absolutely enamoring. I'm cutting myself off here because I can literally write paragraphs about these characters (I have written paragraphs about this to Alizeh), and I won't stop if I keep going.
Moving on, the plot evolves so naturally in this book. The story and characters aren't forced in the slightest. Their relationships progress so naturally that you can't even define exactly when the shifts happen. There are so many small details about character relationships (both implied and stated) that make them feel infinitely more real and keep you invested in their dynamics. They grow and confront emotions and difficulties that reflect on their development as characters while simultaneously pushing the plot forward passively. There are so many subplots playing out at the same time as the main story that end up feeding back into it one way or another. The subplots weave perfectly into the main plot, and all actions (even the ones that are just details of subplots) have consequences that play into the momentum of the overall story. Character decisions, interests, hobbies, bonding, and internal conflicts effect the plot so heavily without you even noticing it unless they're thrown in your face (which they occasionally are as a reality check). You don't notice their significance until the characters do, and it's truly beautiful.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book, and it easily made my top 3 books of all time. The depth was amazing, and the pacing was fast enough to keep you engaged while remaining slow enough to let you appreciate the moments little moment and walk the journey that the book takes you on while building up the suspense that just pulls you in deeper. I finished this book in under 48 hours and was so very honored to be told that I was the first ARC reader to ever finish reading it. Character development and character parallels were absolutely lovely to experience, the foreshadowing throughout the book was utterly brilliant, and moving through the plot at the same pace as the characters was entirely devastating and beautiful. I connected so deeply with all Alizeh's characters, their relationships, their flaws, and their problems. I am so invested in each and every character in this novel, and it left me with so many theories and questions and overall thoughts. I 100% recommend that you read this book and that you take your time enjoying it. That's my only regret in reading this book. I read it too fast, and now I'm looking back at it and thinking how much more I would have enjoyed it if I paced myself, but alas, it was just that engaging. Everything about this book has been living rent free in my head since I first started it, and I have absolutely no complaints about that.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to Alizeh and for trusting me with an advance copy of the book!
Rating: upper end of 2 stars (2.5)
I’ll start with some things I really enjoyed. The world building - such a cool concept. Great social commentary through the Arcs with the staircase. I really liked the line about how it’s easy to fall down them and hard to climb up, very much like society today.
I also thought it was really cool how Alexander’s brother was named Cain with how they parallel Cain and Abel.
As for the plot and pacing, the characters felt underdeveloped, the stakes felt too low, and the pacing was slow for me.
About the characters, they tended to swallow each other’s voices, often feeling indistinguishable without a dialogue tag. For instance, Eudoxia, Kallias, and Alexander all call people idiots a lot, and Zeno makes an idiot comment as well. If the characters had their own insults, it could have helped distinguish them more. However, Ophelia tends to say/think “stupid” rather than idiot, and that helped make her voice stand out more than the others.
The characters were also all extremely witty, with quips and quick remarks for everything thrown at them, which tended to obfuscate individual personalities. The constant banter made for a lot of great pull lines, but when the relationships are built almost entirely on banter, they fall flat and stretch the readers’ & relationships’ credulity.
Additionally, I’d have loved for the romantic pairings to be further developed. Seeing more open vulnerability between the love interest pairs, a part of themselves that they don’t share with the other characters, would have strengthened the logic behind their pairings.
In regards to character arcs, I know this is book 1 so there is more depth and development to come, but even within this individual arc I couldn’t quite get a sense of each character going through a transformation from beginning to end. With a cast so big it’s especially difficult to pull this off. Alexander had the most potential to be fleshed out with his brother lore and ending up in a new place, but even he was a little confusing on how quickly he adapted to the new world. Cain also exists as this illusive backdrop but doesn’t really add to Alexander’s character much aside from background knowledge. Alexander’s extremely flirty, forward personality and actions sometimes didn’t feel like it reflected his history. Ophelia had more defined stakes and motivations with her sister which I liked.
The plot also moved quite slowly, and while the huge question was answered at the very end, it left me unsatisfied with more questions than answers.
The prose is mostly dialogue and interiority, but I would have liked to see more expanded descriptions that ground us in their interesting world and surroundings. I wish I saw more of what was going on around them and what things looked like through the characters’ eyes.
Also, this is especially subjective, but the tagline, especially with how it was used, felt too canny with “May the odds be ever in your favor,” especially given that HG was a comp title. The writing style felt closer to middle grade, but the dirty jokes imply this should be on a more mature side of YA.
I’m so grateful to have been part of the ARC team!! Wishing the very best for the next installment.
Rating: upper end of 2 stars (2.5)
I’ll start with some things I really enjoyed. The world building - such a cool concept. Great social commentary through the Arcs with the staircase. I really liked the line about how it’s easy to fall down them and hard to climb up, very much like society today.
I also thought it was really cool how Alexander’s brother was named Cain with how they parallel Cain and Abel.
As for the plot and pacing, the characters felt underdeveloped, the stakes felt too low, and the pacing was slow for me.
About the characters, they tended to swallow each other’s voices, often feeling indistinguishable without a dialogue tag. For instance, Eudoxia, Kallias, and Alexander all call people idiots a lot, and Zeno makes an idiot comment as well. If the characters had their own insults, it could have helped distinguish them more. However, Ophelia tends to say/think “stupid” rather than idiot, and that helped make her voice stand out more than the others.
The characters were also all extremely witty, with quips and quick remarks for everything thrown at them, which tended to obfuscate individual personalities. The constant banter made for a lot of great pull lines, but when the relationships are built almost entirely on banter, they fall flat and stretch the readers’ & relationships’ credulity.
Additionally, I’d have loved for the romantic pairings to be further developed. Seeing more open vulnerability between the love interest pairs, a part of themselves that they don’t share with the other characters, would have strengthened the logic behind their pairings.
In regards to character arcs, I know this is book 1 so there is more depth and development to come, but even within this individual arc I couldn’t quite get a sense of each character going through a transformation from beginning to end. With a cast so big it’s especially difficult to pull this off. Alexander had the most potential to be fleshed out with his brother lore and ending up in a new place, but even he was a little confusing on how quickly he adapted to the new world. Cain also exists as this illusive backdrop but doesn’t really add to Alexander’s character much aside from background knowledge. Alexander’s extremely flirty, forward personality and actions sometimes didn’t feel like it reflected his history. Ophelia had more defined stakes and motivations with her sister which I liked.
The plot also moved quite slowly, and while the huge question was answered at the very end, it left me unsatisfied with more questions than answers.
The prose is mostly dialogue and interiority, but I would have liked to see more expanded descriptions that ground us in their interesting world and surroundings. I wish I saw more of what was going on around them and what things looked like through the characters’ eyes.
Also, this is especially subjective, but the tagline, especially with how it was used, felt too canny with “May the odds be ever in your favor,” especially given that HG was a comp title. The writing style felt closer to middle grade, but the dirty jokes imply this should be on a more mature side of YA.
I’m so grateful to have been part of the ARC team!! Wishing the very best for the next installment.
August 17, 2026
Omg this book is everything to me don’t even get me started on how good it was (thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read it early 🤭)!
First of all can I just say that indie authors are the ones to bet on? I haven’t given out anything less than 4 stars to the past ARCs I’ve read, they’ve all been phenomenal ✨
Now where do I even start with The Amber Sunburst?! Never have I ever read a novel where I enjoyed each POV (no really). No boring chapters to sludge through until you get back to the MC, just a stunning cast that feels so put together while still maintaining originality between the characters. Our main guy Alexander appears to be your goofy, class clown archetype on the surface but is also extremely courageous with a strong sense of heart. You follow him as he tries to escape from a corruptive academy back home with his group of misfits he picks up along the way. His love interest Kallias carries this brooding mask to cover up his dark past, and as Alex starts to break it secrets and loyalties unravel. Alexander’s other friends (Zeno, Ophelia, Xos, Lazarus, and more) play pivotal roles in the breakout while actively creating a found family bond between each other.
When I was reading this novel, it felt like I was immersed in a warm, tight knit circle. Something about the dialogue is like you’ve transported yourself into a safe space of freedom and openness. Everyone in the main group genuinely cares for one another and the judgement is nonexistent. I think this aspect is what kept drawing me back to read (along with the slow burn romance) because it felt so real. It made the mundane sequences of attending school so much better with funny banter and chemistry between characters that I couldn’t help but giggle at.
My only “gripe” with this book was the assumption that the world survived FIVE world wars without completely eradicating the population ✌️😭 Like I know the author mentioned nuclear winters destroying most of the planet but the fact that any nations remain is still baffling to me. Additionally, I unfortunately cannot see humans giving up/renouncing advanced technology and living primitively to prevent warfare because there are always incomprehensibly greedy people around 🥀 However, I am willing to let these inaccuracies slide because the plot is not focused on the nations and they’re more of an exaggerated setting to convey the world’s current state.
Thus I HIGHLY recommend that you check out this book once released and support an amazing indie author! 💪 She also has beautiful illustrations of the characters that are fun to view so check that out too! Hoping to be back and review book 2 someday (that ending was brutalllll so I better see one soon 😩🙏)!
Pstttt I have so many ideas for fanart now I’m about to go crazy lol
First of all can I just say that indie authors are the ones to bet on? I haven’t given out anything less than 4 stars to the past ARCs I’ve read, they’ve all been phenomenal ✨
Now where do I even start with The Amber Sunburst?! Never have I ever read a novel where I enjoyed each POV (no really). No boring chapters to sludge through until you get back to the MC, just a stunning cast that feels so put together while still maintaining originality between the characters. Our main guy Alexander appears to be your goofy, class clown archetype on the surface but is also extremely courageous with a strong sense of heart. You follow him as he tries to escape from a corruptive academy back home with his group of misfits he picks up along the way. His love interest Kallias carries this brooding mask to cover up his dark past, and as Alex starts to break it secrets and loyalties unravel. Alexander’s other friends (Zeno, Ophelia, Xos, Lazarus, and more) play pivotal roles in the breakout while actively creating a found family bond between each other.
When I was reading this novel, it felt like I was immersed in a warm, tight knit circle. Something about the dialogue is like you’ve transported yourself into a safe space of freedom and openness. Everyone in the main group genuinely cares for one another and the judgement is nonexistent. I think this aspect is what kept drawing me back to read (along with the slow burn romance) because it felt so real. It made the mundane sequences of attending school so much better with funny banter and chemistry between characters that I couldn’t help but giggle at.
My only “gripe” with this book was the assumption that the world survived FIVE world wars without completely eradicating the population ✌️😭 Like I know the author mentioned nuclear winters destroying most of the planet but the fact that any nations remain is still baffling to me. Additionally, I unfortunately cannot see humans giving up/renouncing advanced technology and living primitively to prevent warfare because there are always incomprehensibly greedy people around 🥀 However, I am willing to let these inaccuracies slide because the plot is not focused on the nations and they’re more of an exaggerated setting to convey the world’s current state.
Thus I HIGHLY recommend that you check out this book once released and support an amazing indie author! 💪 She also has beautiful illustrations of the characters that are fun to view so check that out too! Hoping to be back and review book 2 someday (that ending was brutalllll so I better see one soon 😩🙏)!
Pstttt I have so many ideas for fanart now I’m about to go crazy lol
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to Alizeh Abulail for providing me an eARC as part of the ARC team, in exchange for an honest review.
Extraordinarily ambitious book. For a debut novelist, self publishing, I think it should be commended that there was an attempt at all to make a multi-POV story.
I feel like the author wasn’t confident at times that the audience would understand/accept their unique nomenclature. There were paragraphs like ‘Oh Forms!’ and then the main character would say something like ‘Are Plato's prophecies their version of oh my god?’
There are much more elegant ways of feeding this information to the reader. It’s not too hard for a reader to just accept, so it could have gone without explanation as well.
The pacing was very slow for a YA novel. There were some bloated, overwritten sentences that halted the pace of the story, almost as if word count mattered more than telling the story.
I also felt like the characters, despite having distinguishing character traits, didn’t have differing voices, so it often made it difficult to remember whose POV I was in if I put the book down in the middle of a chapter.
This is the first book in a series and I think if the book was a single POV of Alexander, letting the other characters be full side characters, it would make the scope much more manageable for both author and reader. It means that the character can be properly fleshed out without begging for space between characters that are equally not as well-rounded.
The writing felt closer to Middle Grade than YA, but there would be a lot of content flags that make the story better suited to YA. It makes it hard to know who to recommend this to as I feel those who read YA would find the prose too simple but Middle Grade might be shocked by some language and some content.
The romance was very cute, I also liked how quickly it started. It was the highlight of the book for me!
I would like to see more story regarding the wars and what the world endured to bring us to this world-state, as it doesn’t seem plausible that there would be nuclear winters and multiple world destroying wars and seemingly not impact the population of any of the states. But maybe there just wasn’t the space to flesh this out in the first book because there was so much to establish in the current worldstate.
A comparable book to what was attempted here is the Will of the Many, so if this book appealed to you, I think that you might have a good time with that.
It has also been compared to the Hunger Games in a broader sense.
Extraordinarily ambitious book. For a debut novelist, self publishing, I think it should be commended that there was an attempt at all to make a multi-POV story.
I feel like the author wasn’t confident at times that the audience would understand/accept their unique nomenclature. There were paragraphs like ‘Oh Forms!’ and then the main character would say something like ‘Are Plato's prophecies their version of oh my god?’
There are much more elegant ways of feeding this information to the reader. It’s not too hard for a reader to just accept, so it could have gone without explanation as well.
The pacing was very slow for a YA novel. There were some bloated, overwritten sentences that halted the pace of the story, almost as if word count mattered more than telling the story.
I also felt like the characters, despite having distinguishing character traits, didn’t have differing voices, so it often made it difficult to remember whose POV I was in if I put the book down in the middle of a chapter.
This is the first book in a series and I think if the book was a single POV of Alexander, letting the other characters be full side characters, it would make the scope much more manageable for both author and reader. It means that the character can be properly fleshed out without begging for space between characters that are equally not as well-rounded.
The writing felt closer to Middle Grade than YA, but there would be a lot of content flags that make the story better suited to YA. It makes it hard to know who to recommend this to as I feel those who read YA would find the prose too simple but Middle Grade might be shocked by some language and some content.
The romance was very cute, I also liked how quickly it started. It was the highlight of the book for me!
I would like to see more story regarding the wars and what the world endured to bring us to this world-state, as it doesn’t seem plausible that there would be nuclear winters and multiple world destroying wars and seemingly not impact the population of any of the states. But maybe there just wasn’t the space to flesh this out in the first book because there was so much to establish in the current worldstate.
A comparable book to what was attempted here is the Will of the Many, so if this book appealed to you, I think that you might have a good time with that.
It has also been compared to the Hunger Games in a broader sense.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5⭐/5
The premise of this book caught my eye, and I was lucky to receive an ARC from the author, thanks to finding her on social media. I was drawn to it for a few reasons, like the cover art (done by the author herself), and the name. The funny thing is, upon reading the book, I discovered 2 more random connections with other names from the story! All this to say, I was clearly meant to read this.
The book thrusts you into a new world right away, and we are discovering it with Alexander, the main character. At first, it can seem jarring, like everything is a little too easy, but as the story develops you learn more about why that is. You're introduced to a cast of delightful characters, ranging from grumpy, to strong, to entitled, to kind. The found family vibes are very strong here, as the characters grow closer through the story development. It wasn't advertised as young adult, but it's a jaunty book, that feels like it has YA pacing, and YA attitudes among the characters, who are in an academy, sometimes partying, and often times ignoring the looming anxiety of the Trials, that come in the later half of the book. This is by no means a bad thing! It anything, it made it hard to put down, because all I wanted to know was more! More lore, more world building, more inner dialogue! There are some heavier scenes toward the end though, but no spoilers.
Also the pining between the characters who have, or develop, feelings for one another is so delicious, and there was one particular scene involving pendants that made my heart ache.
All in all, this was such a joy to read, and I'm eager to see the author continue the story in book two. This series has so much potential, and I can definitely see it being traditionally published in the future!
The premise of this book caught my eye, and I was lucky to receive an ARC from the author, thanks to finding her on social media. I was drawn to it for a few reasons, like the cover art (done by the author herself), and the name. The funny thing is, upon reading the book, I discovered 2 more random connections with other names from the story! All this to say, I was clearly meant to read this.
The book thrusts you into a new world right away, and we are discovering it with Alexander, the main character. At first, it can seem jarring, like everything is a little too easy, but as the story develops you learn more about why that is. You're introduced to a cast of delightful characters, ranging from grumpy, to strong, to entitled, to kind. The found family vibes are very strong here, as the characters grow closer through the story development. It wasn't advertised as young adult, but it's a jaunty book, that feels like it has YA pacing, and YA attitudes among the characters, who are in an academy, sometimes partying, and often times ignoring the looming anxiety of the Trials, that come in the later half of the book. This is by no means a bad thing! It anything, it made it hard to put down, because all I wanted to know was more! More lore, more world building, more inner dialogue! There are some heavier scenes toward the end though, but no spoilers.
Also the pining between the characters who have, or develop, feelings for one another is so delicious, and there was one particular scene involving pendants that made my heart ache.
All in all, this was such a joy to read, and I'm eager to see the author continue the story in book two. This series has so much potential, and I can definitely see it being traditionally published in the future!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Format: eBook ARC
Thoughts 💭
10/10 read and I can't wait for more from Alizeh. Found family, yearning, fast-paced plot, and absolutely nothing surface level about it. Every moment of this was captivating. I laughed and I cried quite a bit. Kallixander is my new Roman empire 🌠
Plato should be displeased.
Reading The Amber Sunburst is like diving into the deep end head first— and then letting yourself be immersed in these characters stories. The way that Alizeh writes and the flow that comes from her sentences is so smooth. Nothing feels disjointed: the switch from POVs is smooth and doesn't rip you out of the story when it changes.
The world building isn't thrown at you, it builds up with the plot; often times we're learning through the characters rather than the scene setting itself. And the world is expansive, there's far more to it than what I initially expected of it. My standards have been lifted so high from the first few chapters alone.
Every story that follows our hexad is deeply intertwined with each other. I feel like I can't, or rather shouldn't, say anything specific as to avoid spoilers for new readers. I want everyone to be able to experience this story the way I did and have a little piece of it branded into your soul.
I swear I have so much more to say about this but there's just so much potential for me to spoil this for somebody. I have been forever changed by the characters and I'd have it no other way 🥹
Thoughts 💭
10/10 read and I can't wait for more from Alizeh. Found family, yearning, fast-paced plot, and absolutely nothing surface level about it. Every moment of this was captivating. I laughed and I cried quite a bit. Kallixander is my new Roman empire 🌠
Plato should be displeased.
Reading The Amber Sunburst is like diving into the deep end head first— and then letting yourself be immersed in these characters stories. The way that Alizeh writes and the flow that comes from her sentences is so smooth. Nothing feels disjointed: the switch from POVs is smooth and doesn't rip you out of the story when it changes.
The world building isn't thrown at you, it builds up with the plot; often times we're learning through the characters rather than the scene setting itself. And the world is expansive, there's far more to it than what I initially expected of it. My standards have been lifted so high from the first few chapters alone.
Every story that follows our hexad is deeply intertwined with each other. I feel like I can't, or rather shouldn't, say anything specific as to avoid spoilers for new readers. I want everyone to be able to experience this story the way I did and have a little piece of it branded into your soul.
I swear I have so much more to say about this but there's just so much potential for me to spoil this for somebody. I have been forever changed by the characters and I'd have it no other way 🥹
Review of advance copy received from Author
Alexander stumbles from his life as a post-apocalyptic prince into an isolated, hidden society based on Plato’s Republic. Within the ancient marble columns, an adventure full of deadly trials, stolen glances, and sleepless nights awaits him. Can he make it back to his own world, or will the people he meets in this one prevent him from doing so?
This book is for fans of star-crossed lovers, Ancient Greece, academies with dark secrets, and found family (aka me!)! I loved reading this book and I am already awaiting the sequel. I also loved meeting the different characters within Kallipolis. Their personalities are very endearing, and it is easy to root for Alexander and his friends. The only things I wanted more of in this book were slightly higher stakes and more depth of the main characters/more supporting characters. There are also some unanswered questions at the end, but I hope they will be addressed in Book 2! Overall, a super fun read! Lovers of Percy Jackson, The Will of the Many, and The Hunger Games will enjoy this.
I am so grateful to have been able to read this book in advance, thank you Alizeh!! ❤️❤️
This book is for fans of star-crossed lovers, Ancient Greece, academies with dark secrets, and found family (aka me!)! I loved reading this book and I am already awaiting the sequel. I also loved meeting the different characters within Kallipolis. Their personalities are very endearing, and it is easy to root for Alexander and his friends. The only things I wanted more of in this book were slightly higher stakes and more depth of the main characters/more supporting characters. There are also some unanswered questions at the end, but I hope they will be addressed in Book 2! Overall, a super fun read! Lovers of Percy Jackson, The Will of the Many, and The Hunger Games will enjoy this.
I am so grateful to have been able to read this book in advance, thank you Alizeh!! ❤️❤️
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow.. I was drawn to this book after seeing the art from the author, and I am so glad I was selected for this ARC team. This book was phenomenal. The plot was so well written, as well as the characters. It is impossible for me to even choose a favorite character. They were each so beautiful in so many different ways. I am also a huge fan of the found family trope, and it was executed perfectly here! This is one I will definitely be thinking about for a while, and I'm already so excited for book 2!!
Wow.. I was drawn to this book after seeing the art from the author, and I am so glad I was selected for this ARC team. This book was phenomenal. The plot was so well written, as well as the characters. It is impossible for me to even choose a favorite character. They were each so beautiful in so many different ways. I am also a huge fan of the found family trope, and it was executed perfectly here! This is one I will definitely be thinking about for a while, and I'm already so excited for book 2!!
Currently Reading
August 14, 2026Want to Read
I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of the ARC team❤️
I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of the ARC team❤️
August 15, 2026
— 3.5 stars
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