Daughter of the Burning City

Daughter of the Burning City is another exciting addition to the young adult section this year that not only boasts an impressive, mysterious plot but also a variety of characters each with their own personal touches to this spiralling story. There seem to be more festival/carnival type settings popping up in recent YA and I'm all for that. I love the mysterious danger these places have where the idea of everything being fun and carefree can turn into a deadly game or hunt at the flip of a top hat. Although, since it is such a popular theme lately, I wasn't initially really interested in this book because I've read things really similar in the field the past year and I went past it a few times before I picked it up but I'm glad I did end up reading it because there was a really awesome plot waiting to be discovered inside.

Sorina is a fascinating character because, firstly, she doesn't have eyes, nothing at all there and secondly she has the ability to create "illusions" of people she dreams up in her head that become her family. She is also the adoptive daughter of the proprietor of the travelling Burning City so she's had a relativity normal and sheltered life so far under his protection but stares have always followed her so she often wears a mask when she wonders anywhere and feels most at peace with her family and her Freak Show act at the festival. While she may be blind herself her jynx-work that allows her to create illusions helps her see as a moth becomes her eyes that she can see through much like Sarai from Strange the Dreamer! She's very comfortable in this life she's moulded and her family is something she sees as always being permanent and unchanging until one day she finds one of them dead. It then becomes a burning question of how her illusions are able to be killed and more importantly, who killed them and why?

Honestly, I picked who was behind the murders almost as soon as the first one occurred and while it was disappointing to not be shocked or fooled by the whodunit I was still pleasantly surprised with the reasoning behind the culprit. I can't say I agree with why the villain did it at all but it was ingenious and very, very cool that could be expanded on greatly if there is a second book. I was so upset by one death in particular and also so frustrated that even some of her family members didn't believe someone was targeting them because it was so obviously not accidents, geez! I love when books make me feel that urge to just shake a character though and I think a duology would be perfect because the first one left me wanting more but you still want to leave some mystery!

I also think the pacing of the book was pretty well done too because there wasn't a moment throughout the book where I thought it was slowing down or I was starting to lose interest. The end of the book was, of course, heavy with sudden information as the secrets were uncovered but the start and middle also had great points that kept fueling the fire. I think readers will also enjoy the illustrations of the illusions throughout the book because they give you a better idea of what Sorina's creations look like (because they too have their own quirks and abilities) as well as information about their character. I'd recommend this book to lovers of The Night Circus, Strange the Dreamer and Caraval because they share the same lush fantasy and general setting/plot.

Cover Art:
Both the cover above and the other cover are gorgeous. I especially love the colour and how simple most of it is except the city of tents at the bottom. I also like the smoke around the text representing the smoke over the city.

Writing:
I’m loving Amanda Foody’s writing, especially for a debut author, this book is amazing. The world building in this book was amazing, Foody created a crazy and unique world that was so easy to vividly imagine. I also really enjoy that this is a standalone book, stand alones are unique in fantasy writing and having a book that was this well done and rounded off in 400 pages is remarkable and also refreshing. I can’t wait for what she comes up with next!

Plot:
This book is not only a YA fantasy but also a mystery! This book was unique in every way and had so many unexpected twists and turns that it was hard to put the book down at times. When going into this I wasn’t expecting such a mysterious book so I was joyfully surprised because of it. This book was a bit slower at times, but during those times it allowed for that amazing world development that this book had.

Characters:
I really enjoyed that this book was mostly about family. Sorina was an enjoyable character and I liked seeing her develop. She also always felt real, her struggles were still there, she didn’t just one day wake up as badass female as it seems like most YA characters do after something bad happens.
Luca is a mysterious and interesting character and I won’t share much as I don’t want to spoil anything. But I did enjoy his character, he was loyal even when everything was kinda going to crap.
Kahina was the kind and caring motherly figure that always knew what Sorina needed to hear, even if she didn’t want to hear it.

I also loved all of her illusions, they reminded me of the Peculiar Children in some ways as their gifts and powers were just so unique. They were all so loyal to their family and would do anything to keep each other safe. Some we got to know more than others. Venera was the fun reckless sister and Nicoleta the one that held them all together. I liked Hawk’s gift the most out of them all, I mean who wouldn’t want to be able to fly?!

Overall:
Overall I really enjoyed this book! The world building, the characters, and the mystery are all amazing in this book. This book was beautifully written and I can’t wait to see what’s next from Amanda Foody!