This thrilling YA novel, by Annie Sullivan, is an expansive, adventurous retelling of Frank Stockton's short story "The Lady, or the Tiger?", which is one of my favorite short stories. I enjoyed the fast pacing of this story, the well-rounded character development, and the political mysteries of the desert kingdom Achra. The story left me constantly thinking about it, and I had to have my water nearby because I was always thirsty. The descriptions and dialogue were clear and compelling. It is a worthy retelling.
I think the strongest part of this book is the character development. Our main character, Kateri, starts off as a villain. She is a strong fighter, trained to beat her suitors in an arena to prove she is the strongest in the kingdom. But difficult circumstances mold and shape her into a completely different character, and I grew to love her. I do wish other characters in this book had as strong of a character arc. And I do wish that the romance wasn't so slow burning.
All in all, I liked this book. I would recommend this book to those who love retellings, and settings in mythical deserts.
Writing Aesthetic/Style: 4
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 4
Overall: 4
Thank you, NetGalley and Blink, for the ARC! This book will be released on September 10, 2019.
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