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Waking Fire #1
Waking Fire
This incendiary YA fantasy debut follows a girl who will stop at nothing to save her village after it’s discovered by a dangerous warlord and his army of undead monsters.
Naira Khoum has only known life in Lagusa, a quiet village at the desert’s end. But to the rest of the world, Lagusa is a myth, its location shrouded in secrecy. While war rages to the north led by power-hungry Sothpike and his army of undead monsters called Dambi, Naira’s people live in peace.
Until the impossible happens—Lagusa is attacked by a Mistress sent to do Sothpike’s bidding with a hoard of Dambi under her control. The Mistress is looking for something, and she’s willing to let her Dambi destroy Lagusa to get it.
Desperate to protect her home, Naira convinces her twin brother Nez and handsome refugee Kal to join the newly formed resistance with her. Together, they’ll have to figure out what the Mistress wants—before there’s nothing left of Lagusa to save.
Naira Khoum has only known life in Lagusa, a quiet village at the desert’s end. But to the rest of the world, Lagusa is a myth, its location shrouded in secrecy. While war rages to the north led by power-hungry Sothpike and his army of undead monsters called Dambi, Naira’s people live in peace.
Until the impossible happens—Lagusa is attacked by a Mistress sent to do Sothpike’s bidding with a hoard of Dambi under her control. The Mistress is looking for something, and she’s willing to let her Dambi destroy Lagusa to get it.
Desperate to protect her home, Naira convinces her twin brother Nez and handsome refugee Kal to join the newly formed resistance with her. Together, they’ll have to figure out what the Mistress wants—before there’s nothing left of Lagusa to save.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published January 10, 2023
22 people are currently reading
9881 people want to read
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October 19, 2022
Naira has spent her life training with her oppa and twin brother, though her village nestled within the desert is always quiet. But this tranquility doesn’t last – a hoard of undead monsters led by a woman known as the Mistress attack the village, demanding that all children of a certain age be brought before her. As the village reels from this attack and tries to decide what to do, Naira takes matters into her own hands, convincing her brother and a couple friends to help. As they do their best to save their village and the people in it, secrets begin to come to light that will completely upend Naira’s life.
This was a great read! The worldbuilding was immersive – I found myself completely lost in this world while reading the book. The amount of lore that was included added to the depth of this world, and the concepts of the Mistress, the Dambi, and the different deities were just a few of the aspects that were well written. The plot was a little predictable, but given how much I enjoyed the setting, worldbuilding, characters, and the author’s writing, I didn’t mind too much.
Naira was headstrong and a little abrasive, but I enjoyed her – she was young and sheltered, so her behavior made sense. I would have liked to see a bit more character growth for her and the other secondary characters, but as this is a series, there’s still time for that. The other characters were also well written and felt like real people. I loved that Naira’s family was whole and happy – their interactions were lovely, and the sibling’s relationship and their interactions made the whole story.
I enjoyed this fantasy read and am excited to continue the series. What a fantastic debut! My thanks to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for allowing me to read and review this work, which will be published on January 10th, 2023.
This was a great read! The worldbuilding was immersive – I found myself completely lost in this world while reading the book. The amount of lore that was included added to the depth of this world, and the concepts of the Mistress, the Dambi, and the different deities were just a few of the aspects that were well written. The plot was a little predictable, but given how much I enjoyed the setting, worldbuilding, characters, and the author’s writing, I didn’t mind too much.
Naira was headstrong and a little abrasive, but I enjoyed her – she was young and sheltered, so her behavior made sense. I would have liked to see a bit more character growth for her and the other secondary characters, but as this is a series, there’s still time for that. The other characters were also well written and felt like real people. I loved that Naira’s family was whole and happy – their interactions were lovely, and the sibling’s relationship and their interactions made the whole story.
I enjoyed this fantasy read and am excited to continue the series. What a fantastic debut! My thanks to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for allowing me to read and review this work, which will be published on January 10th, 2023.
January 10, 2023
Review coming soon.
December 18, 2022
Thank you Netgalley and Jean Louise for the opportunity to read the eARC of Waking Fire!
Oh boy... This was a disaster. The story was sluggish, the Characters are bland and the romance needed to be built up for some kind of drama, enemies to lovers perhaps?. The romance wasn't interesting from the start being an instant type of hookup. The story lacked action and sufficient worldbuilding. It was a real struggle to make it through this one unfortunately.
I will post my review on Netgalley, Barnes and Noble,Goodreads and Google play and Amazon
Oh boy... This was a disaster. The story was sluggish, the Characters are bland and the romance needed to be built up for some kind of drama, enemies to lovers perhaps?. The romance wasn't interesting from the start being an instant type of hookup. The story lacked action and sufficient worldbuilding. It was a real struggle to make it through this one unfortunately.
I will post my review on Netgalley, Barnes and Noble,Goodreads and Google play and Amazon
August 15, 2022
"I will not die tonight," I say aloud once, then again and again, my voice getting stronger and louder until I'm shouting. I turn my face toward the night sky, hoping my words carry across the tombs, over the wall, and into the ears of Hamala and anyone who's ever helped her hurt others. “I will not die tonight!"
Recommended for fans of The Gilded Ones and Children of Blood and Bone.
Waking Fire has potential to be the next big YA fantasy saga, and for good reason. Naira and Nez are seventeen years old when their world implodes; zombies attack their hidden desert village under control of The Mistress who is looking for a child just their age…
The novel has an interesting and very thoroughly thought out world which unfolds in increasing detail, immersing you in a land of long dead dragons, desert catacombs, and harrowing battles against the undead. I felt overwhelmed at times by the intricate backstory and continuous descriptions of the unique setting. I was impressed by the writing overall, especially when it came to character development.
As a narrator, Naira felt well-developed and didn’t fall into the trap of being too hotheaded and stubborn to be likable. She’s well-balanced by her easygoing brother, Nez. I think it’d be cool if book two gives us Nez as a primary narrator; I’m interested in what he has to say.
There’s a bit of romance that unfolds, and it’s the most realistic and healthy teen romance I’ve seen in a YA fantasy series, probably ever.
Overall, if you’re a fan of epic fantasies set in a unique world with thoughtfully created protagonists, you should pick up Waking Fire.
Thanks for a free ARC, Inkyard Press!
Recommended for fans of The Gilded Ones and Children of Blood and Bone.
Waking Fire has potential to be the next big YA fantasy saga, and for good reason. Naira and Nez are seventeen years old when their world implodes; zombies attack their hidden desert village under control of The Mistress who is looking for a child just their age…
The novel has an interesting and very thoroughly thought out world which unfolds in increasing detail, immersing you in a land of long dead dragons, desert catacombs, and harrowing battles against the undead. I felt overwhelmed at times by the intricate backstory and continuous descriptions of the unique setting. I was impressed by the writing overall, especially when it came to character development.
As a narrator, Naira felt well-developed and didn’t fall into the trap of being too hotheaded and stubborn to be likable. She’s well-balanced by her easygoing brother, Nez. I think it’d be cool if book two gives us Nez as a primary narrator; I’m interested in what he has to say.
There’s a bit of romance that unfolds, and it’s the most realistic and healthy teen romance I’ve seen in a YA fantasy series, probably ever.
Overall, if you’re a fan of epic fantasies set in a unique world with thoughtfully created protagonists, you should pick up Waking Fire.
Thanks for a free ARC, Inkyard Press!
October 28, 2024
Language: PG13 (14 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13
Lagusa has been a place of refuge hidden in the desert and safe from Sothpike and his army of monsters. But then Naira (16yo) picks a fight she shouldn’t have and ends up alone outside Lagusa’s wall in the middle of the night. When she comes to, Naira finds herself under attack by Vra Gool Dambi, some of Sothpike’s monsters, and someone who can control them – Naira has to survive in order to warn everyone that the monsters are upon them.
I was drawn by the prologue and all the worldbuilding it introduced. The actual story happens hundreds of years later, and the different religions and groups of people described as a result of the events of the prologue were my favorite parts of the book. Naira’s story is full of battle scenes and disorienting visions, lies and love, determining when to fight and why to fight. Overall, I liked the story but I loved the worldbuilding.
Naira and Nezra are described as having “pale brown” skin, and Kal is described as having “fallow-colored” skin. The mature content rating is for alcohol use and illegal activity. The violence rating is for mentions of physical abuse, assault, fantasy violence, weapon use, mention of suicide, persistent death, blood and gore, and murder.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
Lagusa has been a place of refuge hidden in the desert and safe from Sothpike and his army of monsters. But then Naira (16yo) picks a fight she shouldn’t have and ends up alone outside Lagusa’s wall in the middle of the night. When she comes to, Naira finds herself under attack by Vra Gool Dambi, some of Sothpike’s monsters, and someone who can control them – Naira has to survive in order to warn everyone that the monsters are upon them.
I was drawn by the prologue and all the worldbuilding it introduced. The actual story happens hundreds of years later, and the different religions and groups of people described as a result of the events of the prologue were my favorite parts of the book. Naira’s story is full of battle scenes and disorienting visions, lies and love, determining when to fight and why to fight. Overall, I liked the story but I loved the worldbuilding.
Naira and Nezra are described as having “pale brown” skin, and Kal is described as having “fallow-colored” skin. The mature content rating is for alcohol use and illegal activity. The violence rating is for mentions of physical abuse, assault, fantasy violence, weapon use, mention of suicide, persistent death, blood and gore, and murder.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
December 22, 2023
This book is a YA fantasy but to me it read more like middle grade. The main character and all her friends are called "children" by everyone, including themselves. The villainess is rounding up children and kidnapping them and they are told to "hide with the other children." When the arm themselves and fight, the adults in the story are surprised because they're "just children." I think if I had been aware I would have been a little better prepared for the tone of the story, which feels strangely lighthearted even as zombies are attacking and people are getting killed left and right. Nobody really seems to be very affected by the tragedies occurring, they just keep making jokes and getting on with their lives. The juvenile characters made the romances just a little weird to me. But I'm not the target audience for this age group, so I'll just move on...
I expected more worldbuilding and magic, since this book is a fantasy. But the entire book took place in one village. I realized around the midway mark that we were never going to actually get out of this tiny town and see the world, at least not in this volume. I did find that disappointing, because the synopsis and cover art promised adventure and that's not what I feel like I got.
I would say, though, if you're struggling through, the ending makes it worth it, if that helps. There were a lot of plot twists I never saw coming and they were gooood. It's just that the middle of the book suffered from not really having anything to do, since all the characters were under siege by the villainess and couldn't leave their village.
I don't believe I (a 40-something adult) would read the second book of the duology. I don't really feel compelled to find out how the story ends because the first book wrapped up pretty nicely with handling the villainess and the next book will be about a different villain. Even though the characters will be traveling outside of town at last, I feel satisfied with the story as it is and don't need to see more. I would recommend this for elementary/middle school-age children. I feel like high school teens would be bored.
I expected more worldbuilding and magic, since this book is a fantasy. But the entire book took place in one village. I realized around the midway mark that we were never going to actually get out of this tiny town and see the world, at least not in this volume. I did find that disappointing, because the synopsis and cover art promised adventure and that's not what I feel like I got.
I would say, though, if you're struggling through, the ending makes it worth it, if that helps. There were a lot of plot twists I never saw coming and they were gooood. It's just that the middle of the book suffered from not really having anything to do, since all the characters were under siege by the villainess and couldn't leave their village.
I don't believe I (a 40-something adult) would read the second book of the duology. I don't really feel compelled to find out how the story ends because the first book wrapped up pretty nicely with handling the villainess and the next book will be about a different villain. Even though the characters will be traveling outside of town at last, I feel satisfied with the story as it is and don't need to see more. I would recommend this for elementary/middle school-age children. I feel like high school teens would be bored.
January 6, 2025
Lagusa, a quiet village on the edge of a vast desert, is the only home Naira Khoum has ever known. Nothing exciting ever happens in Lagusa, that is until a woman calling herself the Mistress arrives with a hoard of Dambi, undead monsters under the control of Sothpike, a power hungry warlord. Naira doesn't know what brought the Mistress to her village but she vows to do everything in her power to stop her, before it's too late.
Waking Fire marks the first time I have ever been sent a physical proof copy by the publisher in exchange for a review!! Thank you so much to the author and Harper36oYA for providing me with a copy of this book ❤
I had been highly anticipating this book ever since I saw its gorgeous cover so when I received an arc I was nothing short of ecstatic! I'm so happy to say that this book did not disappoint. Fantasy has been hit or miss with me recently, I think I'm in one of those phases where they're all starting to blur together, but this one was refreshingly unique! The story was so creative and the world-building rich and complex. There were lots of cool twists to the plot and the action scenes were awesome!
I loved Naira. Her character was consistently headstrong but always for the sake of doing the right thing. I really liked how, over the course of the book, her priorities and what she viewed as important shifted to reflect how the plot had advanced. There were just two things that held this was book back from being a five star read for me. The first was the gore. This is obviously a personal opinion but some of the scenes were just a bit too gruesome for my taste. And second, by the end I was getting tired of how almost every scene featuring Nez (Naira's twin brother) contained some variation of him being elbowed or playfully slapped. Not a huge issue but it's one of those little things that wears you down after awhile.
Overall though, this book was definitely a win and I already can't wait for book two to come out next year! Happy Reading :)
Waking Fire marks the first time I have ever been sent a physical proof copy by the publisher in exchange for a review!! Thank you so much to the author and Harper36oYA for providing me with a copy of this book ❤
I had been highly anticipating this book ever since I saw its gorgeous cover so when I received an arc I was nothing short of ecstatic! I'm so happy to say that this book did not disappoint. Fantasy has been hit or miss with me recently, I think I'm in one of those phases where they're all starting to blur together, but this one was refreshingly unique! The story was so creative and the world-building rich and complex. There were lots of cool twists to the plot and the action scenes were awesome!
I loved Naira. Her character was consistently headstrong but always for the sake of doing the right thing. I really liked how, over the course of the book, her priorities and what she viewed as important shifted to reflect how the plot had advanced. There were just two things that held this was book back from being a five star read for me. The first was the gore. This is obviously a personal opinion but some of the scenes were just a bit too gruesome for my taste. And second, by the end I was getting tired of how almost every scene featuring Nez (Naira's twin brother) contained some variation of him being elbowed or playfully slapped. Not a huge issue but it's one of those little things that wears you down after awhile.
Overall though, this book was definitely a win and I already can't wait for book two to come out next year! Happy Reading :)
August 28, 2022
2.5
I'm disappointed that I didn't enjoy this one more as it was on my list of most anticipated. Sadly, it fell a little too flat for me.
I was so overjoyed when I heard this was a desert fantasy and I had all these expectations of a desert adventure like fantasy but that is far from what I got. Feel free to send me desert travel adventure fantasy recs if you've got them!
For the majority of this story minus maybe 2 scenes we are in one place which is a city that is somewhat located in the desert.
This is very clearly a YA fantasy with little world building and history but maybe that's going to be expanded on with the sequel which is set up for at the end.
There is a very insta love relationship that literally takes 2 pages to get serious and use the l word and at that moment I decided I'm probably not going to enjoy the rest of this story.
I did love the use of the name Mandisa as that is my mils name! And it's very uncommon.
I probably won't be picking up the sequel as I wasn't a huge fan of the conflicts or the enemies.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my unbiased opinion.
I'm disappointed that I didn't enjoy this one more as it was on my list of most anticipated. Sadly, it fell a little too flat for me.
I was so overjoyed when I heard this was a desert fantasy and I had all these expectations of a desert adventure like fantasy but that is far from what I got. Feel free to send me desert travel adventure fantasy recs if you've got them!
For the majority of this story minus maybe 2 scenes we are in one place which is a city that is somewhat located in the desert.
This is very clearly a YA fantasy with little world building and history but maybe that's going to be expanded on with the sequel which is set up for at the end.
There is a very insta love relationship that literally takes 2 pages to get serious and use the l word and at that moment I decided I'm probably not going to enjoy the rest of this story.
I did love the use of the name Mandisa as that is my mils name! And it's very uncommon.
I probably won't be picking up the sequel as I wasn't a huge fan of the conflicts or the enemies.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my unbiased opinion.
January 10, 2023
This was an incredible debut YA Fantasy novel! If you love found family, the chosen one trope, creepy monsters created by an evil ruler, dragon gods, and a country at war then you’ll love this. Kez and Naira are twins who grew up in the desert city that most people think is a myth, until a great threat finds them. Their story unfolds from there, and it’s full of fast paced action, emotional moments and amazing plot twists. I can’t wait to get a physical copy for my shelves, and for the sequel (which is sooo far away). Thanks NetGalley and Inkyard press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 25, 2024
rlly good towards the middle, wasnt the biggest fan of the start and end! super duper YA but fun!!
March 23, 2023
I really enjoyed the setting of this book, a desert landscape and an isolated city that most of the world doesn't know about pretty cool! The worldbuilding is great, with a lot of backstory about rulers, dragons, and magic. Louise definitely set up an interesting premise here.
There's almost non-stop action throughout this, with plenty of battles against zombie-creatures and their cruel mistress who is kidnapping all the children of the city. The main character Naira is a trained fighter and it was fun seeing her take down her enemies and work with her brother and friends to take back her city.
I thought this struggled a bit with character development. There was so much going on that we didn't stop to really get to know Naira and the romance was barely anything. Maybe the sequel will focus more on the characters now that everything is established?
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Inkyard Press and NetGalley for the copy.
There's almost non-stop action throughout this, with plenty of battles against zombie-creatures and their cruel mistress who is kidnapping all the children of the city. The main character Naira is a trained fighter and it was fun seeing her take down her enemies and work with her brother and friends to take back her city.
I thought this struggled a bit with character development. There was so much going on that we didn't stop to really get to know Naira and the romance was barely anything. Maybe the sequel will focus more on the characters now that everything is established?
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Inkyard Press and NetGalley for the copy.
January 31, 2024
This was so good, loved the world and these characters, and I can't wait to continue on!
July 15, 2024
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Waking Fire
Author: Jean Louise
Book Series: Waking Fire book 1
Rating: 1/5
Diversity: BIPOC themed characters
Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy, romance, zombies
Publication Date: January 10, 2023
Genre: YA Fantasy
Age Relevance: 15+ (parental death, violence, language, blood gore, racism, death, war, child kidnapping, religion, etc)
Explanation of Above: I DNF’d this read at 34% in. The following is what I observed in that percent: parental death mentioned and shown. Death in general and war. Child kidnapping and religious themes. Violence, blood gore, and strong language. Racism.
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Pages: 384
Synopsis: Naira Khoum has only known life in Lagusa, a quiet village at the desert’s end. But to the rest of the world, Lagusa is a myth, its location shrouded in secrecy. While war rages to the north led by power-hungry Sothpike and his army of undead monsters called Dambi, Naira’s people live in peace. Until the impossible happens—Lagusa is attacked by a Mistress sent to do Sothpike’s bidding with a hoard of Dambi under her control. The Mistress is looking for something, and she’s willing to let her Dambi destroy Lagusa to get it. Desperate to protect her home, Naira convinces her twin brother Nez and handsome refugee Kal to join the newly formed resistance with her. Together, they’ll have to figure out what the Mistress wants—before there’s nothing left of Lagusa to save.
Review: I had to dnf this book. I had actually been trying to get into and read this book since about January of last year and I had only made about 34% progress in it by the time that I decided to just give up. The book is just really all over the place and it's way too fast-paced for what I think that this book should be. The book also has very quick and very little world building. I know that doesn't make any sense, but what I mean by that is whatever world building that you do get in the book, because you don't get a lot in it, it's very quick. It's a very blink and you'll miss it kind of thing. And at the end of my journey and reading this book I just found myself getting really frustrated with not knowing what the hell was going on. I did have to read the synopsis and even that didn't help. So I just gave up.
Verdict: It was not for me, but it might be for you!
Book: Waking Fire
Author: Jean Louise
Book Series: Waking Fire book 1
Rating: 1/5
Diversity: BIPOC themed characters
Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy, romance, zombies
Publication Date: January 10, 2023
Genre: YA Fantasy
Age Relevance: 15+ (parental death, violence, language, blood gore, racism, death, war, child kidnapping, religion, etc)
Explanation of Above: I DNF’d this read at 34% in. The following is what I observed in that percent: parental death mentioned and shown. Death in general and war. Child kidnapping and religious themes. Violence, blood gore, and strong language. Racism.
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Pages: 384
Synopsis: Naira Khoum has only known life in Lagusa, a quiet village at the desert’s end. But to the rest of the world, Lagusa is a myth, its location shrouded in secrecy. While war rages to the north led by power-hungry Sothpike and his army of undead monsters called Dambi, Naira’s people live in peace. Until the impossible happens—Lagusa is attacked by a Mistress sent to do Sothpike’s bidding with a hoard of Dambi under her control. The Mistress is looking for something, and she’s willing to let her Dambi destroy Lagusa to get it. Desperate to protect her home, Naira convinces her twin brother Nez and handsome refugee Kal to join the newly formed resistance with her. Together, they’ll have to figure out what the Mistress wants—before there’s nothing left of Lagusa to save.
Review: I had to dnf this book. I had actually been trying to get into and read this book since about January of last year and I had only made about 34% progress in it by the time that I decided to just give up. The book is just really all over the place and it's way too fast-paced for what I think that this book should be. The book also has very quick and very little world building. I know that doesn't make any sense, but what I mean by that is whatever world building that you do get in the book, because you don't get a lot in it, it's very quick. It's a very blink and you'll miss it kind of thing. And at the end of my journey and reading this book I just found myself getting really frustrated with not knowing what the hell was going on. I did have to read the synopsis and even that didn't help. So I just gave up.
Verdict: It was not for me, but it might be for you!
April 24, 2023
2.5✨
I did want to really enjoy this but it was rough. I expected the twists pretty easily, at least the large ones and the insta love trope turned me off right away from the romance. The plot was good but I wasn't a fan of how it stayed centralized to one area. The world was supposed to be elaborate but we never left this small village which was cute but it didn't fulfill the high stakes or danger needed to have any interest.
I did want to really enjoy this but it was rough. I expected the twists pretty easily, at least the large ones and the insta love trope turned me off right away from the romance. The plot was good but I wasn't a fan of how it stayed centralized to one area. The world was supposed to be elaborate but we never left this small village which was cute but it didn't fulfill the high stakes or danger needed to have any interest.
October 13, 2022
DNF 40%
I tried so hard to love this book that I kept picking it up again and again until it became a chore.
What did I like? In the beginning, the story was somewhat interesting and the world building was taking off. The main character was somewhat shallow but likeable. It seemed like the book had a great start.
However, that’s where development ended. There were the common tropes that most reviewers hate to see: insta love, shallow characterization, shallow world-building, and a plot that doesn’t engage your brain much.
If you’re looking for a fluff read or one that’s quick and easy, this book is for you! It just wasn’t up to my speed and I couldn’t finish. I rate books based on whether I will remember it later or not and my standards are sometimes high. That’s why I could only give this book one star, your mileage may vary.
I tried so hard to love this book that I kept picking it up again and again until it became a chore.
What did I like? In the beginning, the story was somewhat interesting and the world building was taking off. The main character was somewhat shallow but likeable. It seemed like the book had a great start.
However, that’s where development ended. There were the common tropes that most reviewers hate to see: insta love, shallow characterization, shallow world-building, and a plot that doesn’t engage your brain much.
If you’re looking for a fluff read or one that’s quick and easy, this book is for you! It just wasn’t up to my speed and I couldn’t finish. I rate books based on whether I will remember it later or not and my standards are sometimes high. That’s why I could only give this book one star, your mileage may vary.
January 4, 2023
Book: Waking Fire
Author: Jean Louise
Rating: 4 Out of 5 Stars
I would like to thank the publisher, Inkyard Press, for providing me with an ARC. I am going to start by saying that I had fun with this book. Is it the best-written one out there? No. Are the characters as complex as what I normally like? No. To me, this was like the Seafire series. It’s one of those books that you just have to sit back and relax. It’s one of those simple stories that allow you to escape for a little bit.
In this one, we follow Naira. She lives in a small village that is cut off from the rest of the world. While the rest of the world is at war, her town lives in peace. That all changes the day that the Mistress arrives with her army of the dead. Everything that Naira has ever known ends and she finds herself in this world of violence. She is not one to sit on the sidelines though. She is going to fight and not let this end her world. She convinces her brother and Kal to join the resistance and fight to hang on to their homeland.
This, to me, is a great setup. We have a teenage girl who has had an untouched life. Then, something happens and she is forced to take on this new role. Now, Naira has always been a fighter, but this is different. To see her take on this role of being a protector of her town and putting herself on the front was great. I will say though that the sense of danger was missing. This is the author’s first book and I am sure that this will be developed later on. I felt that even though our main characters were put into these very dangerous situations, there was never a sense that they were not going to make it out. Yes, it is hinted, but it just doesn’t leap across the page as it should.
Both the writing and the world were solid. Though there were times that I felt that the author was almost over explaining everything. This made some parts of the book feel a little bit uneven. Again, this all could come back to the fact that this is the author’s first book. However, whenever I was just sitting back and enjoying the ride and going along with it, I had a good time. This is what truly makes a book. You can sit and look at all of the little things and get hung up on them. If you can move on from that, then you may find yourself truly enjoying the story.
The characters could have been a little bit more developed and complex. However, for the story, they did work. I enjoyed Naira, Nez, and Kal’s dynamic. They brought so much to the story. Even though they were all different, there was something about them that made them work. I did like the family elements the most. So many times in young adults, we have teenage characters without any kind of adults. Seeing a close family in this age range gets me every time.
An untouched life with this book and I am looking forward to more from this author.
This book comes out on January 10, 2023.
Youtube: https://youtu.be/_n-qk-FpKrA
Author: Jean Louise
Rating: 4 Out of 5 Stars
I would like to thank the publisher, Inkyard Press, for providing me with an ARC. I am going to start by saying that I had fun with this book. Is it the best-written one out there? No. Are the characters as complex as what I normally like? No. To me, this was like the Seafire series. It’s one of those books that you just have to sit back and relax. It’s one of those simple stories that allow you to escape for a little bit.
In this one, we follow Naira. She lives in a small village that is cut off from the rest of the world. While the rest of the world is at war, her town lives in peace. That all changes the day that the Mistress arrives with her army of the dead. Everything that Naira has ever known ends and she finds herself in this world of violence. She is not one to sit on the sidelines though. She is going to fight and not let this end her world. She convinces her brother and Kal to join the resistance and fight to hang on to their homeland.
This, to me, is a great setup. We have a teenage girl who has had an untouched life. Then, something happens and she is forced to take on this new role. Now, Naira has always been a fighter, but this is different. To see her take on this role of being a protector of her town and putting herself on the front was great. I will say though that the sense of danger was missing. This is the author’s first book and I am sure that this will be developed later on. I felt that even though our main characters were put into these very dangerous situations, there was never a sense that they were not going to make it out. Yes, it is hinted, but it just doesn’t leap across the page as it should.
Both the writing and the world were solid. Though there were times that I felt that the author was almost over explaining everything. This made some parts of the book feel a little bit uneven. Again, this all could come back to the fact that this is the author’s first book. However, whenever I was just sitting back and enjoying the ride and going along with it, I had a good time. This is what truly makes a book. You can sit and look at all of the little things and get hung up on them. If you can move on from that, then you may find yourself truly enjoying the story.
The characters could have been a little bit more developed and complex. However, for the story, they did work. I enjoyed Naira, Nez, and Kal’s dynamic. They brought so much to the story. Even though they were all different, there was something about them that made them work. I did like the family elements the most. So many times in young adults, we have teenage characters without any kind of adults. Seeing a close family in this age range gets me every time.
An untouched life with this book and I am looking forward to more from this author.
This book comes out on January 10, 2023.
Youtube: https://youtu.be/_n-qk-FpKrA
February 24, 2023
A huge thank you to Harper 360 YA for an arc copy of this book to review, below is my honest opinion.
‘Waking Fire’ is a story of family, heartache and strength. Naira is an incredibly likeable MC. Her profound love for her family above everything else is heartwarming. She has a fierce inner strength that serves her well when her village faces an imminent danger. Naira throws herself deep into fighting for her people without a second thought about her own safety because her father taught her to always do the right thing even when others are afraid to do so. Even when making selfless decisions, Naira always goes about them with logic and care and doesn’t run recklessly into things, something a lot of YA protagonists like to do that gets tedious. Naira has a solid foundation and great mental clarity that forms her actions and deeds.
The worldbuilding is small geographically with most of the action occurring within Naira’s village which is actually really refreshing to have the core action in one place allowing for a depth of character-building. Despite the small landscape, lots of history and lore is woven into the context of the current battle that explains the Gods at work and the ruthless enemies. Sothpike and his undead army are fabulously villanious. I loved the grotesque zombie-esque vibes from the monster as they ravaged the village. Zombies are rarely seen in fantasy but to see them executed well is a treat. The violence is very gory and bloody, definitely needs a trigger warning! However, it never feels cliche or unnecessary, it’s only ever used to show visceral pain or the intensity of the suffering in battle, bringing the threat of the undead into a sharpened focus.
Besides Naira, the main characters are her twin brother Nez and her love interest Kal. The romance storyline is so tender and cute and pivots at the perfect pace. Nez is the great ying to Naira’s yang, humorous where she is serious, logical where she is emotional and has the same strength. Some of the twists and turns were predictable but the final huge twist caught me unawares right in the gut, marvellous craftsmanship! Overall, this debut feels fresh and exciting, it is meticulously crafted, jam-packed with emotionally gripping romance and family dynamics, harrowing action and immersive with its North African/West African and Middle Eastern influence. As a planned duology, I can’t wait for the next installment!
‘Waking Fire’ is a story of family, heartache and strength. Naira is an incredibly likeable MC. Her profound love for her family above everything else is heartwarming. She has a fierce inner strength that serves her well when her village faces an imminent danger. Naira throws herself deep into fighting for her people without a second thought about her own safety because her father taught her to always do the right thing even when others are afraid to do so. Even when making selfless decisions, Naira always goes about them with logic and care and doesn’t run recklessly into things, something a lot of YA protagonists like to do that gets tedious. Naira has a solid foundation and great mental clarity that forms her actions and deeds.
The worldbuilding is small geographically with most of the action occurring within Naira’s village which is actually really refreshing to have the core action in one place allowing for a depth of character-building. Despite the small landscape, lots of history and lore is woven into the context of the current battle that explains the Gods at work and the ruthless enemies. Sothpike and his undead army are fabulously villanious. I loved the grotesque zombie-esque vibes from the monster as they ravaged the village. Zombies are rarely seen in fantasy but to see them executed well is a treat. The violence is very gory and bloody, definitely needs a trigger warning! However, it never feels cliche or unnecessary, it’s only ever used to show visceral pain or the intensity of the suffering in battle, bringing the threat of the undead into a sharpened focus.
Besides Naira, the main characters are her twin brother Nez and her love interest Kal. The romance storyline is so tender and cute and pivots at the perfect pace. Nez is the great ying to Naira’s yang, humorous where she is serious, logical where she is emotional and has the same strength. Some of the twists and turns were predictable but the final huge twist caught me unawares right in the gut, marvellous craftsmanship! Overall, this debut feels fresh and exciting, it is meticulously crafted, jam-packed with emotionally gripping romance and family dynamics, harrowing action and immersive with its North African/West African and Middle Eastern influence. As a planned duology, I can’t wait for the next installment!
May 23, 2023
2,5 stars rounded up.
The worldbuilding is really promising, even though we don't see much of it yet in this installment.
The bond between Naira and Nez is strong and it is what propelled the story forward. Also Omma and Obba are great.
The insta-love was cringy (Nez and Rima a tad more convincing than Naira and Kal, as it is mentioned that Rima was once Naira's best friend and that Nez had always had a bit of crush on her).
The Dambi. Initially they sound really cool until you realise they are basically zombies. They were scary when there were like 10 or 20 of them, but when there were suddenly hundreds roaming the streets, slaying half the village, yet a couple of teenagers kill them off one by one... Only the fight with Obba was heart wrenching.
Dragons. They are mentioned a lot, but they are not actually 'in' this book. I have a feeling they will figure in further installments though.
But the thing that made me dock the most stars was definitely the inconsistencies in the plot. A few examples:
Naira gets banged on the head with a rock, awakens with what from the complaints she has sounds like a severe concussion, yet the next she's sparring and training and only has 'a mild headache'.
Nez sprains his ankle, can barely walk, is holding the group up with his limp, yet he jumps roofs like there's nothing wrong.
Kal the refugee, who could take nothing with him, who has nothing left of his dead father until someone give him an old buckle, near the end of the book miraculously has a wooden crate with a very intricately decorated telescope that he and his dad took on all their journeys.
There are plenty more of those and it really takes away from the story.
I wanted to love this book. The cover is awesome, the worldbuilding seems well thought-out, the twins balance each other out and the story of Gamikal just begs to be explored. The premise is there, it just needs a better execution. I will still read the second installment, in the hopes that the story takes on from there.
The worldbuilding is really promising, even though we don't see much of it yet in this installment.
The bond between Naira and Nez is strong and it is what propelled the story forward. Also Omma and Obba are great.
The insta-love was cringy (Nez and Rima a tad more convincing than Naira and Kal, as it is mentioned that Rima was once Naira's best friend and that Nez had always had a bit of crush on her).
The Dambi. Initially they sound really cool until you realise they are basically zombies. They were scary when there were like 10 or 20 of them, but when there were suddenly hundreds roaming the streets, slaying half the village, yet a couple of teenagers kill them off one by one... Only the fight with Obba was heart wrenching.
Dragons. They are mentioned a lot, but they are not actually 'in' this book. I have a feeling they will figure in further installments though.
But the thing that made me dock the most stars was definitely the inconsistencies in the plot. A few examples:
Naira gets banged on the head with a rock, awakens with what from the complaints she has sounds like a severe concussion, yet the next she's sparring and training and only has 'a mild headache'.
Nez sprains his ankle, can barely walk, is holding the group up with his limp, yet he jumps roofs like there's nothing wrong.
Kal the refugee, who could take nothing with him, who has nothing left of his dead father until someone give him an old buckle, near the end of the book miraculously has a wooden crate with a very intricately decorated telescope that he and his dad took on all their journeys.
There are plenty more of those and it really takes away from the story.
I wanted to love this book. The cover is awesome, the worldbuilding seems well thought-out, the twins balance each other out and the story of Gamikal just begs to be explored. The premise is there, it just needs a better execution. I will still read the second installment, in the hopes that the story takes on from there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2023
"I will defeat him -not for honor, not for riches, not for glory. For what is right."
Naira and Nez are seventeen year old twins that live in the "lost city" of Lagusa, a city across the desert that everyone outside the wall seems to have forgotten about. They live peacefully with their Omma and Obba until one day a group of refugees comes to the wall being hunted by an army of the undead. This army is led by a woman known as the mistress, a woman who Naira had a chance encounter of meeting before during a horrible bully episode gone wrong. This army sends Nez and Naira's life into upheaval.
I really enjoyed the dynamic of the twins throughout the story. I think Nez' lackadaisical/joking attitude balances well with Naira's need to fight/hot headedness. I also enjoyed the extra characters of Rima and Kal. I do wish we had gotten more build up between the romances and actually showing them talking and interacting more before they suddenly liked each other. However, I do feel it is somewhat realistic to fall that quickly when you ARE seventeen. Especially when it is the first person to catch your eye.
I felt the story was a bit slow in the beginning, I kept waiting for *more* to happen. It just felt like a lot of waiting around and one of our main characters being hurt in some way. I also felt the first twist to be somewhat obvious. HOWEVER, when the story started to get action packed I was fully invested and I did not see the other two twists coming at all. Therefore, I am excited to read the next books in the series.
Overall, I think this has some good potential to be a new well-known fantasy series. It brings some new elements to the table which I find quite fun. I would recommend this to people who are fans of An Ember in the Ashes, When Night Breaks, and Children of Blood and Bone.
Naira and Nez are seventeen year old twins that live in the "lost city" of Lagusa, a city across the desert that everyone outside the wall seems to have forgotten about. They live peacefully with their Omma and Obba until one day a group of refugees comes to the wall being hunted by an army of the undead. This army is led by a woman known as the mistress, a woman who Naira had a chance encounter of meeting before during a horrible bully episode gone wrong. This army sends Nez and Naira's life into upheaval.
I really enjoyed the dynamic of the twins throughout the story. I think Nez' lackadaisical/joking attitude balances well with Naira's need to fight/hot headedness. I also enjoyed the extra characters of Rima and Kal. I do wish we had gotten more build up between the romances and actually showing them talking and interacting more before they suddenly liked each other. However, I do feel it is somewhat realistic to fall that quickly when you ARE seventeen. Especially when it is the first person to catch your eye.
I felt the story was a bit slow in the beginning, I kept waiting for *more* to happen. It just felt like a lot of waiting around and one of our main characters being hurt in some way. I also felt the first twist to be somewhat obvious. HOWEVER, when the story started to get action packed I was fully invested and I did not see the other two twists coming at all. Therefore, I am excited to read the next books in the series.
Overall, I think this has some good potential to be a new well-known fantasy series. It brings some new elements to the table which I find quite fun. I would recommend this to people who are fans of An Ember in the Ashes, When Night Breaks, and Children of Blood and Bone.
Want to read
January 5, 2023I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Waking Fire is a compelling debut, and it has the promise to join the growing list of well-received diverse YA fantasies that have come out in recent years. While there are tonal similarities to those titles, Jean Louise very much gives the world and characters in particular her own flavor, as she’s coming at it from the perspective of a biracial woman. As such, there’s an equal representation of both Western and African diaspora features injected into the narrative. The village of Lagusa reflects this, and it’s particularly memorable as a result.
The narrative is very character driven. I like the approach of focusing a lot on Naira and her character growth throughout. She begins the story very naive, albeit rather stubborn, and it’s clear she’s only at the beginning of her journey toward coming into her own by the end of this book, with more to come in follow up installments.
The family dynamics were great, and I appreciate that this was largely not a story about a family without too many issues, which makes a nice change for much of the YA fantasy I’ve read.
The plot and pacing is a bit odd, with a lot of emphasis toward the characters and world setup, prior to the reveal of anything major that makes Naira stand out. However, the setup is well done enough that it doesn’t feel boring, and the ultimate reveal does generate the hype expected for the next book.
This is an impressive start to a series, and I can’t wait for more! If you’re looking for more diverse YA fantasy, I recommend checking this one out!
Waking Fire is a compelling debut, and it has the promise to join the growing list of well-received diverse YA fantasies that have come out in recent years. While there are tonal similarities to those titles, Jean Louise very much gives the world and characters in particular her own flavor, as she’s coming at it from the perspective of a biracial woman. As such, there’s an equal representation of both Western and African diaspora features injected into the narrative. The village of Lagusa reflects this, and it’s particularly memorable as a result.
The narrative is very character driven. I like the approach of focusing a lot on Naira and her character growth throughout. She begins the story very naive, albeit rather stubborn, and it’s clear she’s only at the beginning of her journey toward coming into her own by the end of this book, with more to come in follow up installments.
The family dynamics were great, and I appreciate that this was largely not a story about a family without too many issues, which makes a nice change for much of the YA fantasy I’ve read.
The plot and pacing is a bit odd, with a lot of emphasis toward the characters and world setup, prior to the reveal of anything major that makes Naira stand out. However, the setup is well done enough that it doesn’t feel boring, and the ultimate reveal does generate the hype expected for the next book.
This is an impressive start to a series, and I can’t wait for more! If you’re looking for more diverse YA fantasy, I recommend checking this one out!
January 12, 2023
Naira Khoum lives in Lagusa, a quiet village the rest of the world considers a myth. War rages, led by Sothpike and his army of undead monsters called Dambi. Lagusa is attacked by a Mistress with Dambi, willing to destroy it in her search for something. Naira convinces her twin brother Nez and refugee Kal to join the newly formed resistance with her. Together, they’ll figure out what the Mistress wants and save Lagusa.
We're introduced to Naira and the village bullies right away, then the horrors of the Dambi when the bullies try keeping her out of town. It draws us in immediately, feeling everything she does. The fighting is intermittent; refugee caravans brave the desert to look for Lagusa, and as they're let in, the Dambi follow. The Mistress is looking for a specific child who was presumed dead, the one that should be on the throne that Sothpike wants. Naira can't sit idle as the village is attacked and children stolen and "tested," and even wounds don't keep her down for long. Gradually we get clues to the long-forgotten history of the kingdom, gods older than the thirteen dragons, and why the Mistress persists in Lagusa.
This is a fun read that sucked me in almost immediately and made me forget about the outside world. There are glimmers of romance for Naira and Nez, but the main focus is on the fight for safety. Naira is in a dangerous place and even defeating an immediate threat doesn't mean it's over. Sothpike is approaching through the desert, an undead army and more Mistresses under his command. I can't wait to read more in this universe.
We're introduced to Naira and the village bullies right away, then the horrors of the Dambi when the bullies try keeping her out of town. It draws us in immediately, feeling everything she does. The fighting is intermittent; refugee caravans brave the desert to look for Lagusa, and as they're let in, the Dambi follow. The Mistress is looking for a specific child who was presumed dead, the one that should be on the throne that Sothpike wants. Naira can't sit idle as the village is attacked and children stolen and "tested," and even wounds don't keep her down for long. Gradually we get clues to the long-forgotten history of the kingdom, gods older than the thirteen dragons, and why the Mistress persists in Lagusa.
This is a fun read that sucked me in almost immediately and made me forget about the outside world. There are glimmers of romance for Naira and Nez, but the main focus is on the fight for safety. Naira is in a dangerous place and even defeating an immediate threat doesn't mean it's over. Sothpike is approaching through the desert, an undead army and more Mistresses under his command. I can't wait to read more in this universe.
April 10, 2023
Lagusa is a myth. To the world, it simply doesn't exist. However, to Naira, it is home. Set on the edges of the desert, away from war and prowling eyes it is completely shrouded in secrecy. When a hoard of Dambi - undead monsters, lead by the Mistress attack her quiet town demanding the children. Still recovering from the attack, Naira decides it is time to take things into her own hands along with her brother Nez and new friend Kal.
Waking Fire was a strong start to what I see being an amazing new YA series. The world is well-built, slowly growing and feeding new ideas as the story progressed. The backstory felt expertly planned, focusing excitement on the stories long dead dragons, rulers and magic. The characters and all of their interactions felt comfortable, like real people and the family dynamic between Naira, Nez and their family helped make the read so wholesome and loving. Our main character Naira did lack a little bit of development, but I'm hopeful there will be more coming for her in later books.
I highly recommend Waking Fire if you enjoyed books such as The Guilded Ones, The Prison Healer and Spice Road, mixed with the feelings of older YA trilogy books like The Hunger Games and Divergent. However, there are some themes that may not be accepted well by the younger side of the YA recommendation.
Waking Fire was a strong start to what I see being an amazing new YA series. The world is well-built, slowly growing and feeding new ideas as the story progressed. The backstory felt expertly planned, focusing excitement on the stories long dead dragons, rulers and magic. The characters and all of their interactions felt comfortable, like real people and the family dynamic between Naira, Nez and their family helped make the read so wholesome and loving. Our main character Naira did lack a little bit of development, but I'm hopeful there will be more coming for her in later books.
I highly recommend Waking Fire if you enjoyed books such as The Guilded Ones, The Prison Healer and Spice Road, mixed with the feelings of older YA trilogy books like The Hunger Games and Divergent. However, there are some themes that may not be accepted well by the younger side of the YA recommendation.
October 17, 2023
Fiery desert set fantasy. Naira lives with her twin brother, Nez, in the peaceful city of Lagusa. They know that the Sothpike, a cruel warlord, has taken over most of the country, but their city has always been safe, protected by the miles of harsh desert that separate it from the rest of the country. Until now... A woman, known only as Mistress, appears, leading a horde of terrifying zombie-like monsters, Dambi, into the city. Hotheaded Naira is determined fight. Alongside her brother, and a cute refugee named Kal, Naira joins up with the resistance. What has finally brought the Mistress to their gates? And will Naira and her loved ones make it out alive? Pick up Waking Fire to find out.
This was a very enjoyable read. I loved the worldbuilding, and the dragon lore. It's obviously the first book in a series, so there's a lot of set up, but there's also tons of action. (Zombie fights!!) I can't wait to learn more in future installments. Naira definitely has a fiery nature, but luckily her brother is there to help mellow her out. They have a very sweet sibling relationship. Great relationships between the whole family honestly. The romance with Kal was cute. It is insta-lovey, but feels true to a teen experience. I will be eagerly awaiting the sequel.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This was a very enjoyable read. I loved the worldbuilding, and the dragon lore. It's obviously the first book in a series, so there's a lot of set up, but there's also tons of action. (Zombie fights!!) I can't wait to learn more in future installments. Naira definitely has a fiery nature, but luckily her brother is there to help mellow her out. They have a very sweet sibling relationship. Great relationships between the whole family honestly. The romance with Kal was cute. It is insta-lovey, but feels true to a teen experience. I will be eagerly awaiting the sequel.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
October 21, 2022
4.5 Stars
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The storyline was unique and original, and the characters are passionate and unique. I loved watching Naira deal with her internal struggles while also facing external problems, like the Mistress. The story unfolds quickly, and I found myself eager to keep reading. I especially loved the way that Jean Louise used Naira's dreams to unfold the story even more while adding an additional layer of mystery.
Naira and Nez are my sweet, sweet babies, and I will cry if anything happens to them in the next book. Rima and Kal were also great supporting characters, if not a little two-dimensional. I would love to see more character growth and dimension from them in the next book--that I'll definitely be reading.
Obba and Omma were fantastic, and any scene that had one or both of them in it made my heart so happy. I love when books have supportive parents. Louise also does a great job making it clear just how much everyone cares about one another and the place where they live. Even the development with Hamala was fascinating to watch. I can't wait to read the next one and learn more about Gamikal and these dragons!
Thanks so much to Inkyard and Netgalley for this ARC!
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The storyline was unique and original, and the characters are passionate and unique. I loved watching Naira deal with her internal struggles while also facing external problems, like the Mistress. The story unfolds quickly, and I found myself eager to keep reading. I especially loved the way that Jean Louise used Naira's dreams to unfold the story even more while adding an additional layer of mystery.
Naira and Nez are my sweet, sweet babies, and I will cry if anything happens to them in the next book. Rima and Kal were also great supporting characters, if not a little two-dimensional. I would love to see more character growth and dimension from them in the next book--that I'll definitely be reading.
Obba and Omma were fantastic, and any scene that had one or both of them in it made my heart so happy. I love when books have supportive parents. Louise also does a great job making it clear just how much everyone cares about one another and the place where they live. Even the development with Hamala was fascinating to watch. I can't wait to read the next one and learn more about Gamikal and these dragons!
Thanks so much to Inkyard and Netgalley for this ARC!
January 4, 2023
Undead monsters and a desert setting? Like music to this fantasy fan’s ears.
The cover immediately catches the eye and depicts Naira’s arid world. It’s clear the author put a lot of time and effort into the world-building, and it’s easy to visualize the settings and terrifying Dambi. The sibling relationship between twins Naira and Nez is a strong point, and he steals the show more than once. He’s also more logical, mature, and realistic than Naira, whose actions gave me the impression she was a much younger character. With the situations they’re thrust into and losses they’re dealt, at least they had each other to rely on.
The way Naira and her family welcome Kal after the loss of his father is admirable and heartwarming. He hasn’t had an easy life. I liked him as a character, but there’s a case of serious insta-love between him and Naira that happens over a couple pages. It’s not my favorite trope, but I know plenty of readers are fans of it.
If not for some language and graphic violence and deaths, I could easily see this being an upper MG book because the characters read more like lower YA.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The cover immediately catches the eye and depicts Naira’s arid world. It’s clear the author put a lot of time and effort into the world-building, and it’s easy to visualize the settings and terrifying Dambi. The sibling relationship between twins Naira and Nez is a strong point, and he steals the show more than once. He’s also more logical, mature, and realistic than Naira, whose actions gave me the impression she was a much younger character. With the situations they’re thrust into and losses they’re dealt, at least they had each other to rely on.
The way Naira and her family welcome Kal after the loss of his father is admirable and heartwarming. He hasn’t had an easy life. I liked him as a character, but there’s a case of serious insta-love between him and Naira that happens over a couple pages. It’s not my favorite trope, but I know plenty of readers are fans of it.
If not for some language and graphic violence and deaths, I could easily see this being an upper MG book because the characters read more like lower YA.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
January 15, 2023
Naïra and her brother Nez are twins living in a secluded desert village called Lagusa. They live with their parents. Their father teaches them how to fight. It is invaded by a woman called Mistress and her warriors known as Vra Gool Dambi, an army of the dead. She wants all the children of a certain age to come to her or people will die. The villagers say no as they fear she will kill them. The Mistress has her army go house to house to grab the children. The twin’s mother wants them to hide but they end up fighting. Will they end up winning or losing? Who or what is the Mistress looking for?
The author has written an incredible fantasy. I felt as if I was there seeing and feeling everything that Naira feels. it’s a story filled with fighting and learning the twin’s background. It is a story that includes the importance of family, loyalty, and honor. It is about finding the path of your life and following it. I enjoyed this fantasy with its fast-paced adventure with unexpected surprises.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed are strictly mine.
The author has written an incredible fantasy. I felt as if I was there seeing and feeling everything that Naira feels. it’s a story filled with fighting and learning the twin’s background. It is a story that includes the importance of family, loyalty, and honor. It is about finding the path of your life and following it. I enjoyed this fantasy with its fast-paced adventure with unexpected surprises.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed are strictly mine.
January 3, 2023
A hidden village, a safe haven at the desert's end
A great place to live and there time to spend
But when the world comes crashing through
What are its citizens going to do?
They know a war rages far to the north, its true,
But never imagined it would impinge on them, too.
But when the Mistress and a hoard of Dambi arrive
They have to wonder who'll manage to survive.
Dambi are creatures created from the dead
Fighting for Sothpike, doing what he said.
Controlled by a mistress, they'll act for her, too,
Killing, attacking, pushing their way through.
In amongst this unfolding mayhem are twins Naira and Nez
Brought up to fight for right, as their father said.
Now they'll need to use all of their skills
To defeat these monsters before everyone is killed.
With old friendships rekindled and new ones made
Can the twins and others join to ensure the enemies are slayed?
An story filled with intrigue, legends, surprises and daring, too,
That I thoroughly enjoyed - so now I really need book two!!
For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.
A great place to live and there time to spend
But when the world comes crashing through
What are its citizens going to do?
They know a war rages far to the north, its true,
But never imagined it would impinge on them, too.
But when the Mistress and a hoard of Dambi arrive
They have to wonder who'll manage to survive.
Dambi are creatures created from the dead
Fighting for Sothpike, doing what he said.
Controlled by a mistress, they'll act for her, too,
Killing, attacking, pushing their way through.
In amongst this unfolding mayhem are twins Naira and Nez
Brought up to fight for right, as their father said.
Now they'll need to use all of their skills
To defeat these monsters before everyone is killed.
With old friendships rekindled and new ones made
Can the twins and others join to ensure the enemies are slayed?
An story filled with intrigue, legends, surprises and daring, too,
That I thoroughly enjoyed - so now I really need book two!!
For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.
April 6, 2023
I liked how action packed this was as well as some great twists that I could not have predicted. I am also a sucker for zombie books and this had a great version of the walking dead who are raised by a God as mindless super soldier creatures which was an interesting take that I am here for.
I will say that the focus on romance was a little too intense for me. Half the story was the battle and the other half was the main character and her brother finding love- loves that by the way don't end with HEA (at least in this book). The love was basically instant, the book takes place over a pretty short time and they are so heartbroken that everything is not roses and sunshine.
Oh did I mention this is the first book in a series so there is no real conclusion but at least there is no cliffhanger but a good transition to what will come next. I do think the world building was a little lacking as well, with a brief info dump at the beginning of the numerous gods but with a lot left unsaid and confusing. I do hope that the next book will explain more about the world as well as the religious beliefs and the war.
I will say that the focus on romance was a little too intense for me. Half the story was the battle and the other half was the main character and her brother finding love- loves that by the way don't end with HEA (at least in this book). The love was basically instant, the book takes place over a pretty short time and they are so heartbroken that everything is not roses and sunshine.
Oh did I mention this is the first book in a series so there is no real conclusion but at least there is no cliffhanger but a good transition to what will come next. I do think the world building was a little lacking as well, with a brief info dump at the beginning of the numerous gods but with a lot left unsaid and confusing. I do hope that the next book will explain more about the world as well as the religious beliefs and the war.
September 12, 2023
Neira and her twin brother, Nezra, have lived all their lives in Lagusa, an isolated village across the desert from anywhere - especially from the war for the throne being waged by Sothpike, a usurper to the throne determined to prove his claim, using any force necessary to do so.
The novel begins with a prologue written in a somewhat archaic and difficult to read format, but don’t let that stop you - once past the prologue, the text changes noticeably, and becomes much more readable. The war that their family has avoided by fleeing to Lagusa is coming at last, with Sothpike following a force of Drimba, a form of zombie, under the control of the Mistress, his devoted servant. The Mistress is seeking someone for Sothpike, and is willing to kill the entire population of the village to find the right person. This begins Lagusa’s involvement in the war. This novel is quick-paced, and has some interesting twists. It is stand-alone novel, but leaves an opening at the end for a sequel, one which I hope to read in the not-too-distant future. Recommended for middle school to adult.
I received an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
The novel begins with a prologue written in a somewhat archaic and difficult to read format, but don’t let that stop you - once past the prologue, the text changes noticeably, and becomes much more readable. The war that their family has avoided by fleeing to Lagusa is coming at last, with Sothpike following a force of Drimba, a form of zombie, under the control of the Mistress, his devoted servant. The Mistress is seeking someone for Sothpike, and is willing to kill the entire population of the village to find the right person. This begins Lagusa’s involvement in the war. This novel is quick-paced, and has some interesting twists. It is stand-alone novel, but leaves an opening at the end for a sequel, one which I hope to read in the not-too-distant future. Recommended for middle school to adult.
I received an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
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