The opening lines effortlessly captured my attention and set the tone for the entire story. I soon found myself engaged and invested in the story because of the subtle humour and clever use of cliffhangers at the end of most chapters. I also enjoyed the multiple points of view as each had a distinct and realistic voice.
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THIS WOVEN KINGDOM by Tahereh Mafi
The gold design with pops of red and green immediately draws the eye. I love the contrast between the lush yellow background and the simple, central illustration. Although this illustration is suitable for the genre, it fails to capture a significant element of the story it is supposed to represent.
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BLOOD SCION by Deborah Falaye
Steeped in Yoruba-Nigerian mythology, the world Deborah Falaye creates is immersive, graphic and fascinating. I particularly enjoyed the extensive history and culture that unapologetically showcases the Yoruba language. While there is no avoiding the wealth of information needed to establish this complex world, I love that Deborah takes her time to gradually weave this information into the story. This allows the fast pace of the story to be maintained and presents the details in manageable pieces.
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THE BRIDGE KINGDOM by Danielle L. Jensen
The world-building is undeniably unique. The kingdoms, the bridge, the politics – all these are not only fascinating but are all presented relatively simply. Through this, Danielle smoothly avoids the dreaded info dump often seen in fantasy books while still creating a vivid world. I must also acknowledge the large amount of tension that builds gradually throughout the story. Although I was frustrated with the events driving this tension, it did keep me invested in the story and eager for the inevitable train wreck.
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A PHO LOVE STORY by Loan Le
The simple writing is easy to follow and enjoyable, but it is not hugely striking or engaging. Even the alternating points of view between the two main characters fail to add much to the story as information is often summarised and repeated with each narrative switch. What I loved was the slight integration of the Vietnamese language. This is just one of the many ways Loan Le shows that she is unapologetically proud of her culture, and I was here for it!
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THE HERO OF AGES by Brandon Sanderson
If there were any doubts in my mind about Brandon Sanderson’s ability to create a deep and complex world, this book erased them all. His writing is just as vivid and effortless as ever, with every word coming to life in my mind. I was also amazed by how much depth Brandon adds to the world and characters of the Final Empire. This information is gradually introduced through multiple points of view, so it is not overwhelming.
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GOOD RICH PEOPLE by Eliza Jane Brazier
There is something hypnotic and compelling about Eliza Jane Brazier’s writing in this book. Her conversational writing style and the constant atmosphere of unease kept me deeply engaged. I also enjoyed the two alternating points of view (POVs), as it gives readers the whole picture and adds more tension to the story. The contrast between these two narratives is skillfully used to raise interesting points for readers to consider.
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SHE WHO BECAME THE SUN by Shelley Parker-Chan
The clear writing style is easy to follow and immerse oneself within. Even the numerous time jumps are done smoothly without making the story disjointed. However, there are far too many points of view! These switched rapidly, leaving me confused and needlessly drawing out the story. What’s more, despite this book being classed as fantasy, it actually has very few fantasy elements. The worldbuilding seemed far too ordinary and shallow to keep me intrigued.