100booksyearly's reviews
382 reviews

The novel explores themes of slavery, colonialism, love, and betrayal in a society undergoing radical transformation as foreign missionaries, monarchs, and colonial powers come into play.

It’s a story filled with emotion, history, and cultural depth, offering a rare glimpse into a pivotal period in Madagascar’s history.

A Holocaust survivor whose life began in defiance of a Nazi decree banning Jewish births in Lithuania. After her parents perished in the Holocaust, Elida was adopted by a couple who, despite good intentions, were abusive due to their own unresolved trauma.

The author explores the impact of intergenerational trauma as Elida, after reconnecting with her biological family and moving to America, struggles with guilt, anger, and religious conflict. She seeks peace but faces rejection and societal pressures, ultimately abandoning her own dreams to conform to her family’s expectations. The book highlights the importance of emotional healing and how untreated trauma can prevent personal happiness and fulfillment.

An adventurous and humorous read, perfect for middle grade or teen fantasy. 
Its narrative is easy to follow, making it accessible to younger readers. 

While it can be overly descriptive at times, isn’t that part of what makes an adventure so immersive? Those rich details pull you deeper into the story, enhancing the experience.

Three friends, once united in their defiance of Gaddafi’s regime, find themselves on divergent paths as their lives are shaped by the struggle for freedom. Two rise to the forefront of the resistance, while one becomes consumed, unable to stop. The notorious Libyan embassy shooting in London marks a turning point, shaping their fates. Exiled for years, unable to return home after opposing the government that had sponsored their education abroad, one finally makes his way back to Libya to continue the fight. The other, trapped by his own uncertainty, cannot find his way home.

Themes of exile, loyalty, and the cost of revolution run through the story. It explores the sacrifices made for freedom, the burden of resistance, and the haunting question of whether one can ever truly return after losing everything for a cause.

A journey of fleeing home into the unknown—the hope of being accepted into a country far from all that is familiar. 

The uncertainty of asylum is daunting, compounded by the loss of oneself through trauma and the unbearable grief of losing a loved one. 

Yet, amid this pain, there is endurance, carried by the belief that, in the end, things will get better. 

There is hope, and even in the most difficult circumstances, that hope can prevail and bring change.

Set in Ilmar, a city under Palleseen occupation, where resistance brews. The occupiers maintain order through groups like the Schools of Correct Speech and Conduct, while dangerous magical forces linger in the Anchorwood. 

Ilmar itself feels alive. The story shifts between criminal, academic, and supernatural viewpoints, with standout characters including Blackmane, Lemya, Ruslav, Ivarn Ostravar, and Yasnic. 

The pacing drags at times, the world’s depth and character complexity make it rewarding.

Such a powerful, intimate exploration of identity, trauma, and love. 

It’s a beautifully raw portrayal of how our personal and familial histories shape us, especially the weight of inherited trauma.