The Exes by Anam Iqbal

The Blurb On The Back:

Do opposites ever really attract?
When Karim and Zara’s works collide, they have to work out just how far they’re willing to go to give their love a chance.

They’ve got nothing in common: Karim is a globally renowned influencer while Zara is just a normal teen.

With Zara, Karim can finally let his guard down, and his glamorous world offers Zara an escape.

But someone has their eye on them - a secret gossip who’s been spilling truths for years.

As their dates get swooned, the blogger’s posts get more personal - and more threatening.

Can they unmask their tormentor in time to get their happily ever after?

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Anam Iqbal’s thoughtful debut YA romance uses the opposites attract trope to explore issues relevant to the British Muslim community. However, even for me there’s a lot of plot here while the book’s key mystery goes unresolved (albeit there’s scope for a sequel) and the privilege porn wasn’t questioned enough for me. That said, it’s good to see a YA romance with Muslim characters and there’s enough here for me to want to Iqbal’s next book.

THE EXES was released in the United Kingdom on 2nd May 2024. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

Of Jade And Dragons by Amber Chen

The Blurb On The Back:

First they killed my father.
Then they threatened my family.
Now I’m coming for them.

Aihui Ying’s life is viciously torn apart when her father is killed by a masked assassin. Left with only his journal and a jade pendant snatched from his killer, she vows to take her revenge.

Seeking answers, King infiltrates the prestigious Engineers Guild - the ancient institution home to her father’s secret past. With the help of an unlikely ally - Aogiya Ye-yang, the nation’s cold but distractingly handsome prince - she begins to navigate a world fraught with politics and treachery.

Soon though, Ying’s quest for vengeance turns into a fight for survival and she’ll have to stay one step ahead of everyone … if she’s to make it out alive.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Amber Chen’s Chinese-inspired YA fantasy (the first in a duology) has interesting world-building and I liked the focus on engineering. However the pacing is inconsistent (especially in the final quarter), the plot relies heavily on things happening to Ying rather than her agency and her romance with Ye-yang is unconvincing, in part because Ye-yang is under-drawn as a character. That said, the ending is interesting and I would read the sequel.

OF JADE AND DRAGONS was released in the United Kingdom on 20th June 2024. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.