An incredible book rich with history, an intense magic system, and a caste system that is complex yet easy to understand. This book deals a lot with prejudice and injustice, showing how the Prince is so blind to the actual machinations of his own Kingdom. No one, but the crows, know how truly cruel and dangerous Sabor is. But, thoughtless Princes ask why the crows don't just leave their home, instead of why this okay or how they can stop it. Each caste has their own form of magic, but only witches within the caste can use this magic. However, the crows have the ability to steal other castes magic through the use of their bones (usually milk teeth). Fie is on her way to becoming the Chief of a crow clan, because she was born with the ability to use magic (she is a bone witch). One day she hopes to inherit a string of teeth from a retiring chief and have the ability to protect her own. It was fascinating to learn what each bird caste could do; vultures are skin witches that detect others magic, sparrows have the ability to blend into the background, to disappear, phoenixes (the ruling class) have the power of fire, etc. This book has tons of action and is gripping, but it also has immense character growth. From Fie learning what it truly means to be a Crow Chief and learning to sacrifice for the greater good. To Prince Jasimir and his bodyguard, Tavin, truly learning what it means to be the lowest rank within Sabor's society. Tavin learns quickly the injustice of silence and acceptance, but Jasimir needs more prodding to truly shed the glamor of Sabor and his cushioned life in court. The slowly emerging relationship between Fie and Tavin also was interwoven with their own prejudices and personal misgivings. Fie must learn to trust her own instincts and to truly see her worth. Tavin must remove himself from the shadow of Jasimir and court politics, look beyond the life as a sacrificial body double. Both have always felt the world constricting them to one role, one that would see them dead young. So, them working to save each other and dream of more was beautiful. A truly unique and superb fantasy novel that had me engrossed from beginning to end. I was so enamored with Fie and her nomad family of misfit crows. I yearned for them to destroy and defy anyone who would make them feel worthless. Cannot wait for the second book in this duology!
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Currently ReadingGraphic Novel
Romance Audiobook
Archives
April 2024
|