4.8 on the Masq Scale. SUNBOLT by @IntisarKhanani #ya #fantasy #bookreview

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Cover links to Amazon.com

Sunbolt

(The Sunbolt Chronicles)

Written by Intisar Khanani




Genre: Young Adult Fantasy


Book Synopsis


The winding streets and narrow alleys of Karolene hide many secrets, and Hitomi is one of them. Orphaned at a young age, Hitomi has learned to hide her magical aptitude and who her parents really were. Most of all, she must conceal her role in the Shadow League, an underground movement working to undermine the powerful and corrupt Arch Mage Wilhelm Blackflame.

When the League gets word that Blackflame intends to detain—and execute—a leading political family, Hitomi volunteers to help the family escape. But there are more secrets at play than Hitomi’s, and much worse fates than execution. When Hitomi finds herself captured along with her charges, it will take everything she can summon to escape with her life.

Diantha's Review


I love when a book catches you by surprise like this. I didn’t know what to expect from Sunbolt, but I tell you, I was impressed. And I ain’t easily impressed by anything.

This story is short (too short!) but it packed a major punch and I really, really liked it. First of all, Khanani’s writing is fantastic. It’s just so nice when an author gets it. She totally understands how a fantasy story is supposed to be written and she executed it flawlessly. Her use of imagery is amazing and she paints a perfect setting without over-describing any of it. Trust me, it takes real skill to do this.

Hitomi was a character I liked right away. She’s the problem and the solution all wrapped up into one tiny bundle. She’s fierce though, and I liked that. She’s got secrets and they’re HUGE. If anyone finds out what she can do...problems. Supporting characters like the Ghost and Kenta were pretty cool. Some others? Yeah, not so much. I wouldn’t have minded seeing Blackflame walk right off of a cliff, but what’s a fantasy story without the terrible villain? Oh, a vamp and a werewolf also make an appearance. I was too excited about that, especially with the way Khanani wrote them. Awesome!

Then there’s Val, the Breather. Yup, I see something going on between him and Hitomi in the future, but who knows. Maybe I’m wrong. This book was void of romance which would bother me in most cases but not in this one. It would have just gotten in the way. There is also a really great plot twist that I’m interested in watching unfold and I just know that when we next meet Hitomi she is going to be more fierce than ever. Can’t wait!

Besides being too short, there’s nothing bad about this novella. I want more and I want it now. Please, Intisar! Hurry up with the next book!

Review Disclaimer: Book provided in exchange for an honest review.

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