content warnings: 

major char death(s), loss of loved ones, grief, past attempted infanticide, ableism, classism, civilian casualties

rep: 

Indian-inspired premise (Mahabharata retelling) & Asian-inspired setting; implied-PoC main cast, blind major char [Elvar], WLW secondary char [Sybilla], implied bi/pan major char [Alexi]

"Do you know what happens when a pawn gets all the way across the board?
She becomes a queen."*

I adore this combination of space opera and mythology — complete with prophecies and curses — and a family divided and love in many forms. There's some casual, mostly implicit diversity (though the #ownvoices premise is in and of itself objectively fairly solid rep). Romance is present but on the lighter side, perhaps slightly underdeveloped but more than an afterthought; it ties into the main storyline without taking it over.

As far as the characters, we're introduced to quite a charismatic set: nuanced individuals, each with their own beliefs and values and secrets, and also incredibly likable. I particularly appreciated that this isn't a classic "heroes vs. villains" setup where the Good Guys are obviously perfect and the Bad Guys epitomize greed and cruelty. In fact, at times Esmae has to question her preconceptions because it's not entirely clear who's in the right ... if anyone. (The only blameless character is 

the sassy, sentient, non-bloodthirsty warship Titania

.)

Esmae's willingness to actually consider others' perspectives and needs, as well as her fierce loyalty and unwavering trust, make her a protagonist that I had absolutely no trouble rooting for. Which is not to say that she doesn't make mistakes, but she takes responsibility and learns from them, which is all you can ask for.

Overall, the story has excellent flow. Though the first chapter felt a bit more like the recap-exposition of a sequel rather than the exposition for a new series; I'm not exactly sure why or how to explain it better, my best guess is that it's due to the syntax and pacing. (Possibly a by-product of being a retelling?) But in any case, once the narrative hits its stride, it's so easy to get caught up in the adventure — I finished this book in just one or two sittings.

The prose works pretty well, though some of the dialogue feels a bit contrived and/or overly grandiose. Mandanna has a very cinematic storytelling style, transcribed through plain language: scenes are often visual-heavy, but in a way that shows rather than tells what's going on and how they feel; it paints a specific picture and tone, but leaves room for the reader's interpretation too. (

Sybilla throwing a cup against a wall after learning about the duel

: upset? angry? frustrated? You decide.)

Symbolism and foreshadowing are used sparingly, so they retain their impact; for example, there's an extended chess-adjacent* metaphor in the beginning, which I liked all the better because it's not dragged out and worn out. And throughout the book subtle clues are laid out, so that the reader can gloat about putting the pieces together before the twist / reveal, or bemoan that you should have seen it coming.

There are also a few threads that haven't been addressed yet but which hint at more big developments; added to the way this book ends, I'm (virtually) headed straight to my library to get the next installment.

ADDENDUM, JUNE 2021: This holds up well upon reread — there's a lot of dense description and borderline-infodumps in the beginning, but you can see quite clear foreshadowing/ buildup to later developments and reveals. And I still love the characters and their dynamics.

[* Tbqh my immediate reaction to this quote got pedantic: in chess, technically a pawn that reaches the end of the board can become any other piece; players often choose the queen for its power, though it's not always the best strategic move. But it's later clarified/implied that this extended metaphor references not chess but Warlords, a fictional analogue whose rules aren't detailed ... so this whole endnote doesn't really have a point except me affirming that I know the rules of chess, I suppose.]

-----------
[original rating]

CONVERSION: 12.13 / 15 = 4.5 stars

Prose: 6 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 8 / 10
Emotional Impact: 9 / 10
Development / Flow: 7 / 10
Setting: 9 / 10

Diversity & Social Themes: 4 / 5
Originality / Trope Execution: 5 / 5
Memorability: 4 / 5

-----------
[2021 reread rating]

CONVERSION: 12.05 / 15 = 4.5 stars

Prose: 6 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 9 / 10
Emotional Impact: 7 / 10
Development / Flow: 8 / 10
Setting: 9 / 10

Diversity & Social Themes: 4 / 5
Intellectual Engagement: 4 / 5
Originality / Trope Execution: 5 / 5
Rereadability: 4 / 5

content warnings: 

major character death(s), loss of loved ones, grief & guilt, war, blood, non-graphic violence, mind manipulation

rep: 

Indian mythology & worldbuilding; WLW MCs [Sybilla & Radha], F/F main romance, blind secondary character [Elvar], physical disability [Esmae, Rickard & others]; diverse minor & secondary characters

 

I received an advance review copy from Sky Pony (Skyhorse Publishing) through Netgalley; all opinions are my own and honest.

[review]

-----------
CONVERSION: 12.67 / 15 = 4.5 stars

Prose: 5 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 9 / 10
Emotional Impact: 9 / 10
Development / Flow: 8 / 10
Setting: 9 / 10

Diversity & Social Themes: 5 / 5
Intellectual Engagement: 4 / 5
Originality / Trope Execution: 5 / 5

content warnings: 

major character death(s), war, blood, non-graphic violence, murder & attempted murder, amputation

rep: 

Indian mythology & worldbuilding; F/F secondary romance, diverse secondary & minor characters including M/M, genderfluid/ nonbinary, PoC

A more-than-solid middle installment of the trilogy, building on the first book with further plot and character complications, reveals, heartbreaking and heartwarming moments alike. FRTC

-----------
CONVERSION: 11.6 / 15 = 4.5 stars

Prose: 5 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 9 / 10
Emotional Impact: 8 / 10
Development / Flow: 7 / 10
Setting: 9 / 10

Diversity & Social Themes: 4 / 5
Intellectual Engagement: 4 / 5
Originality / Trope Execution: 5 / 5
Rereadability: 3 / 5

-----------
[2020 original rating]

CONVERSION: 12.2 / 15 = 4.5 stars

Prose: 8 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 9 / 10
Emotional Impact: 8 / 10
Development / Flow: 7 / 10
Setting: 9 / 10

Diversity & Social Themes: 4 / 5
Originality / Trope Execution: 4 / 5
Rereadability: 4 / 5

I received an advance review copy through Netgalley; all opinions are my own and honest.

"Here walks Ollie Di Fiore. Master of his feelings, expert detacher, only mostly devastated. Now there was something to put on my tombstone."

Do we still call characters cinnamon rolls? Because Ollie is the epitome of one. Despite the requisite teenage sarcasm and some cynicism, he's a fiercely loyal and supportive friend, a patient and helpful big cousin/nephew, and he makes the dorkiest jokes. He stands up for those he cares about, as well as himself; clearly he believes that people deserve happiness and to be treated with respect, and it's a belief he backs up with action. Perhaps most importantly, he acknowledges and actively tries to improve his shortcomings.

In fact, all of the characters are incredibly well-written. Each member of Ollie's social circle has distinct ambitions and personality, though even the minor characters are wholly believable teenagers, representing the best, worst, and in-between aspects of their age group: gossiping, or spouting queerphobic vitriol, or talking back to teachers. We get to see some fantastic growth of individual characters and of their relationships, not just the romance, which I loved. (Also,

as a bi girl I am SO HERE for the love interest and one of the best friends being bi — especially since the latter was already comfortable with her sexuality

.)

Although I wouldn't call the plot unique (just look at the marketing: Simon vs and Clueless and Grease), it's engaging. It was easy not only to follow but to connect emotionally with each scene; I found myself tearing up more than once and laughing out loud more times than I could count.

content warnings: 

terminally ill secondary character, secondary character death, (unintentional) outing, bullying, fat-shaming, possibly toxic friendships, queerphobia [actively challenged], emotional manipulation/borderline gaslighting, slut-shaming [actively challenged], bi erasure [actively challenged]

rep: 

gay MC, (closeted) bi/questioning Venezuelan love interest, plus-size secondary character with PCOS, bi secondary character

-----------
CONVERSION: 13.3 / 15 = 4.5 stars

Prose: 9 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 9 / 10
Emotional Impact: 9 / 10
Development / Flow: 10 / 10
Setting: 7 / 10

Diversity & Social Themes: 5 / 5
Intellectual Engagement: 4 / 5
Originality / Trope Execution: 5 / 5
Rereadability: 4 / 5
Memorability: N/A