Member Review
Review by
Sara B, Reviewer
The Battle Drum by Saara El-Arifi
Thank you Netgalley for an arc for an unbiased review.
This is the 2nd book of a trilogy, and the 1st book, The Final Strife, was without a doubt one of my favourite books from 2022. So I was waiting for this one, both with excitement but anticipation that it might suffer 2nd book syndrome.
It absolutely did not suffer. Good grief, it was incredibly good.
As with The Final Strife, we have different religions, history, castes (by blood, literally) and culture. Saara El-Arifi weaves through differing points of view, that as before, I found fascinating. I didn't want to leave a perspective, only to find myself immediately drawn into the new one with ease.
Saara El-Arifi just knows how to foreshadow events, that you don't necessarily see until it is hitting you like a blow to the chest.
In this book, I felt Hassa was the stand out character, but with Anoor and Sylah still being strong contenders. Flaws and strengths are remarkably built and left me longing for so much more.
Strong characters though are only one part of it. The world building feels exquisite. It is magical and vibrant and so expansive. I felt it all.
The lore was also exceptionally well poised throughout.
If there was one slight niggle, and this is me being ultra picky, I felt a couple of things towards the end were perhaps a little more rushed than it deserved. But the rest is just so good, it really doesn't detract for me. It might for others though.
I truly want so many others to read this book. I said in a review I did on The Final Strife, the book is exquisite as its cover.
The Battle Drum is as exquisite as its cover. I can't wait to see it being unleashed to the world. You're in for one heck of a treat. Just take a deep breathe first, clear the calendar, have snacks and drinks to hand, because you're not going to want to put this down.
5/5 stars 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thank you Netgalley for an arc for an unbiased review.
This is the 2nd book of a trilogy, and the 1st book, The Final Strife, was without a doubt one of my favourite books from 2022. So I was waiting for this one, both with excitement but anticipation that it might suffer 2nd book syndrome.
It absolutely did not suffer. Good grief, it was incredibly good.
As with The Final Strife, we have different religions, history, castes (by blood, literally) and culture. Saara El-Arifi weaves through differing points of view, that as before, I found fascinating. I didn't want to leave a perspective, only to find myself immediately drawn into the new one with ease.
Saara El-Arifi just knows how to foreshadow events, that you don't necessarily see until it is hitting you like a blow to the chest.
In this book, I felt Hassa was the stand out character, but with Anoor and Sylah still being strong contenders. Flaws and strengths are remarkably built and left me longing for so much more.
Strong characters though are only one part of it. The world building feels exquisite. It is magical and vibrant and so expansive. I felt it all.
The lore was also exceptionally well poised throughout.
If there was one slight niggle, and this is me being ultra picky, I felt a couple of things towards the end were perhaps a little more rushed than it deserved. But the rest is just so good, it really doesn't detract for me. It might for others though.
I truly want so many others to read this book. I said in a review I did on The Final Strife, the book is exquisite as its cover.
The Battle Drum is as exquisite as its cover. I can't wait to see it being unleashed to the world. You're in for one heck of a treat. Just take a deep breathe first, clear the calendar, have snacks and drinks to hand, because you're not going to want to put this down.
5/5 stars 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟
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