Dawn of the Firebird, Sarah Mughal Rana (Review by Skylar Wetzel)

Rating: 4.0/5 Stars

Dawn of the Firebird is a complex fantasy novel about Khamilla Zahr-zads’s life and her trials of having the heavenly magic of nur. You watch Khamilla grow up and become a loyal family member but be continuously taken advantage with her trust. She longs to belong and gain acceptance which makes her blind to those closest to her abusing and lying to her. This theme carries throughout the book, and you can almost foreshadow it being her downfall at times. The author writes an honest representation of Khamilla where you can see her flaws as a character, but still have great sympathy for the obstacles in her life. It is fascinating to see how Khamilla uses her magic as a coping mechanism to gain success and avoid her past traumas. As a reader, you cannot help but slowly fall in love with her gritty character.

If you are a fan of a fast plot with unexpected turns and intricate world building, then this is the book for you. The author is constantly developing the world building throughout the text and adding to the social and magical systems as Khamilla is learning about them. This fantasy world is built on the backdrop of some religious stories and themes, and I found it captivating how the author wove those in while still creating a new unique world. At times, the writing can be whimsical or poetic in style, and the beginning does contain a lot of information to digest. Once you get into the heart of the book, the plot flows and you can’t put it down. There are many epic quests written in the latter half that suck you in and have you craving for more.

This story does end on a cliffhanger that reveals a lot of unanswered questions and leaves you guessing what Khamilla’s future might hold. I would strongly recommend this book for anyone who loves high fantasy.