Name: Sarah Sammis's review of Hunted by the Sky by Tanaz Bhathena
Item: Hunted by the Sky
Rating: 3
Author: Sarah Sammis

Tanaz Bhathena

Exploring identity, class struggles, and high-stakes romance, Tanaz Bhathena's Hunted by the Sky is a gripping adventure set in a world inspired by medieval India. Gul has spent her life running. She has a star-shaped birthmark on her arm, and in the kingdom of Ambar, girls with such birthmarks have been disappearing for years. Gul’s mark is what caused her parents’ murder at the hand of King Lohar’s ruthless soldiers and forced her into hiding to protect her own life. So when a group of rebel women called the Sisters of the Golden Lotus rescue her, take her in, and train her in warrior magic, Gul wants only one thing: revenge. Cavas lives in the tenements, and he’s just about ready to sign his life over to the king’s army. His father is terminally ill, and Cavas will do anything to save him. But sparks fly when he meets a mysterious girl—Gul—in the capital’s bazaar, and as the chemistry between them undeniably grows, he becomes entangled in a mission of vengeance—and discovers a magic he never expected to find. Dangerous circumstances have brought Gul and Cavas together at the king’s domain in Ambar Fort...a world with secrets deadlier than their own.

Hunted by the Sky

Nimita Lal

A riveting story of discovery, forbidden romance and idealism against all odds, set in a fantasy world inspired in part by Indian history and myth. For fans of Sabaa Tahir and Tomi Adeyemi. Gul has spent her life running. She has a star-shaped birthmark on her arm, and in the kingdom of Ambar, girls with such birthmarks have been disappearing for years. Gul's mark is what caused her parents' murder at the hand of King Lohar's ruthless soldiers and forced her into hiding to protect her own life. So when a group of rebel women called the Sisters of the Golden Lotus rescue her, take her in, and train her in warrior magic, Gul wants only one thing: revenge. Cavas lives in the tenements, and he's just about ready to sign his life over to the king's army. His father is terminally ill, and Cavas will do anything to save him. But sparks fly when he meets a mysterious girl--Gul--in the capital's bazaar, and as the chemistry between them undeniably grows, he becomes entangled in a mission of vengeance--and discovers a magic he never expected to find. Dangerous circumstances have brought Gul and Cavas together at the king's domain in Ambar Fort . . . a world with secrets deadlier than their own. Exploring identity, class struggles, and high-stakes romance, Hunted by the Sky is a gripping adventure set in a world inspired by medieval India.

Sarah Sammis

The world building is lovely, doing for the Agra area of India what A Song of Wraiths and Ruin does with West African lore. But the pacing is off, especially since there's no even split between the POV chapters of Gul and Cavas.

If Cavas's chapters were cut and the novel were slimmed down to a tight two hundred and fifty pages, it would have been a page turner. Instead, I found much of it a chore to read

http://pussreboots.com/blog/2020/comm...

jenn kause

While this book took me awhile to push through, probably around half way in it was impossible to put it down. It was amazingly done with the characters, fight scenes, and additions of cultural aspects. Cavas can be my stable boy anytime 👀

I also learned by finishing it there was a glossary in the back (which would’ve been helpful particularly in understanding some small contexts). 
Super stoked to read book 2!!

Fabiana Neves Miranda

Sahi K

Definitely a 4.5.

I was initially pretty disappointed when I got rejected for the ARC, but I guess that ended up being a good thing because I had one less book to feel guilty about for missing the release date. And then I was pretty excited to get to it because all my friends loved it so much and now I know exactly why. 

This book is so fast paced that it starts with a bang and doesn’t let up. The plot does have some quieter and somber moments where the characters get to show their softer or vulnerable sides, but otherwise this story is relentless and we as readers are on our toes for most of it, wondering eagerly what’s gonna happen next. The prose is easy to follow, just how I like it and I got through it in just a few hours. 

And coming to the desi elements, this world was so steeped in them that I was completely lost and absolutely gleeful about it. The medieval India based kingdoms, their customs and traditions, the gods and goddesses bearing so much similarity to Hindu mythology, the delightfully described food and clothes and setting - it was all utterly perfect. But ultimately what really made me emotional was the abundant use of mostly Hindi language vocabulary - sometimes explained, sometimes not - and I just loved the author for doing that. 

Gul and Cavas are such amazing characters to follow. Gul is defined by what happened to her parents and wants revenge, prophecy or not; on the other hand, Cavas is shaped by the prejudices of this world which keep his father ill and himself unable to do anything but survive despite being capable of so much more. They can feel like impulsive teenagers at times, but we also understand where they are coming from and root for them every step of the way. And right from their first meeting, their destinies feel connected and I think the author captured that push and pull between them very effectively. The story is also about them coming to think beyond themselves and concentrate on the big picture, and take actions for the sake of the greater good. 

There are many other side characters here and I really enjoyed every one of them. Whether it’s Juhi with her strategic mind and motherly concern, Amira with her sharp tongue, Kali with her soft strength, Xerxes with his secrets, Amar with his mysterious actions in the shadows, Malti with her delightful disposition or ultimately Shayla with her pointed cruelty - every single character leaves a mark on us and I can’t wait to see what happens to each of them further in the story. 

In the end, this was an action packed YA fantasy based on a medieval India filled with gods and magic, with a chosen one trope executed very well, an excellent ensemble of characters, and a story that wraps up nicely while leaving enough breadcrumbs that we crave for the sequel. If you are an ownvoices desi reader and haven’t read this yet, I promise you are missing out.

Sheila Goicea

I received an ARC of this book from FierceReads in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! In no way does this affect my rating or review.



All included quotes have been taken from an ARC and may not match the finished publication. 

Content Warning Indentured Servitude, Animal/Cage Fighting, Animal Cruelty, Death, Murder

  The sky will fall, a star will rise
Ambar changed by the king’s demise
Her magic untouched and unknown by all
Marked with a star, she’ll bring his downfall.

Hunted for the star birthmark on her arm, magi child Gul witnesses the murder of her mother and father at a young age as they tried to protect her from the sky warriors. Girls with birthmarks hadn’t always been hunted by the king. When King Lohar ascended the throne of Boohmi, a prophecy was foretold that a girl with a star-shaped birthmark would be his undoing. Without knowing more, the King passes a terrible decree that allows for girls with birthmarks and magical abilities to be taken and drained of their magic.
”Kill Major Shayla,” I whisper. “Kill Raja Lohar.”
Gul, scared and on her own, hides in a stable where she is found by Sisters of the Golden Lotus, a group of women that take it upon themselves to help those in need. In this moment, Gul discovers that she is a Whisperer, and can speak with animals. 

After being taken under their wing, Gul learns how to use warrior magic, but struggles immensely. She grows frustrated with her lack of progress but learns the truth about her magic and why she had struggled with it. On a journey of vengeance for her slain parents, she also discovers that her journey challenges her to have confidence in herself.
”You have magic in you, daughter, and it is strong. Always remember that--even when I am not there to protect you.”
It is not long after that Cavas’ point-of-view is introduced. The son of a widowed father, Cavas is destined to become part of the king’s army. With no status and no options, Cavas much do what he can to provide for his ailing father. One night, he happens to meet Gul at the capital’s bazaar and the two are instantly attracted to one another. 
Certain sufferings harden you more than others.
Their budding acquaintance is challenged though, as Cavas, a non-magus discovers that Gul can wield magic. Prejudice between these two classes is evident in the book’s history and culture. Those without magic are referred to with derogatory terms and aren’t appreciated for being who they are. This is all the more reason why Cavas desperately works to get out of the tenements with his father. 

Deeply relevant to present-day discussions, Hunted By The Sky has something for everyone. Inspired by an Indian landscape and Hindu beliefs, a battle for equality against cultural and socioeconomic differences finds its way to the center of this entire story. Despite it being endowed with magic, the structure of this tale houses a very important message for its readers: no matter what life a person was born into, we are all valuable and have a little magic of our own. This fact unites everyone fictionally, and factually. Whether you enjoy magic-wielding protagonists, rich world-building, Hindu mythology, real-life applicability, or even the paranormal, this book has something for you. 

Vulgarity: Moderate.
Sexual content: Minimal, but there are references to a "flesh market" where people sell themselves into indentured servitude. 
Violence: Moderate.

My Rating: ★★★★

My Blog ¦ Bookstagram ¦ Twitter ¦ Pinterest ¦ Facebook

Heather Killeen

Rating: 3/5 Star-shaped birthmarks

Format: ebook. I’d like to thank the author and Macmillan Publishing Group for a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review!

To sum up:
Gul is a girl born with a star-shaped birthmark on her arm - a birthmark that has been foretold to mark the one destined to bring the end of the King’s reign. When Gul’s parents are murdered, she vows to get revenge for their deaths. Her journey places her in the path of Cavas, a non-maji who is focused on taking care of his ill father, and the two become inextricably linked. Cavas helps her gain access to the King’s court where she can plot her revenge, but the longer she is there, the more she realizes she has to lose. 

What I enjoyed: 
I really enjoyed the lush world of this book. It is inspired by medieval India and the descriptions of everything from the clothes to the food they ate were wonderfully detailed. I could definitely get lost in this world for a while! The characters were pretty interesting too. The two main characters have interesting secrets and backstories which give them purpose and tension which I found compelling. The magic in this world was pretty interesting too although I didn’t really understand its full scope.

What was meh:
The plot and pacing were pretty off for me in this one. The decisions made that moved the characters forward felt oddly stilted and arbitrary for some reason, which made me feel really disconnected from the character’s motives, feelings, and fates. While I was interested in how the prophecy would play out, I didn’t feel as emotionally invested in the plot or characters as I would have liked. 

Overall, I thought this was a really cool perspective and world for a YA fantasy story, but there was something lacking in the plotting for me, and I probably won’t read the sequel.

Manon van Heumen

You should read this book for world-building alone. It was so good.

Ashton Reed

The sky will fall, a star will rise. 


3.5/5 stars

I really enjoyed all this book had to offer!! However, I do wish that some aspects were explored deeper.

Goodreads synopsis:
Gul has spent her life running. She has a star-shaped birthmark on her arm, and in the kingdom of Ambar, girls with such birthmarks have been disappearing for years. Gul's mark is what caused her parents' murder at the hand of King Lohar's ruthless soldiers and forced her into hiding to protect her own life. So when a group of rebel women called the Sisters of the Golden Lotus rescue her, take her in, and train her in warrior magic, Gul wants only one thing: revenge.

Cavas lives in the tenements, and he's just about ready to sign his life over to the king's army. His father is terminally ill, and Cavas will do anything to save him. But sparks fly when he meets a mysterious girl--Gul--in the capital's bazaar, and as the chemistry between them undeniably grows, he becomes entangled in a mission of vengeance--and discovers a magic he never expected to find.

Dangerous circumstances have brought Gul and Cavas together at the king's domain in Ambar Fort . . . a world with secrets deadlier than their own. Exploring identity, class struggles, and high-stakes romance, Hunted by the Sky is a gripping adventure set in a world inspired by medieval India.

This book truly is a fun ride!! High-stakes is definitely the word for it; the action and the tension is non-stop as Gul infiltrates the palace and constantly has to hide her birthmark and her intentions from the people around her. The only person she feels she can trust is Cavas, but she’s not sure why, for he tries to avoid her at all costs in order to protect himself and his father. Despite his hesitations, he can’t seem to stay away either, as if they’re tied together by a force stronger than themselves. The tenuous peace between the kingdoms (if it can even be called that) is wearing thin, and there seems to be a divine hand stirring the pot as the prophecy is fulfilled. It all adds up to a whirlwind of a plot that is quite the adventure.


   “Raja Lohar’s rule is coming to an end. What will follow will be more terrible than you can imagine – if you don’t accept your destiny. The king’s death will not save Ambar from destruction. Only you will.” 


This book has the magic, mythology, and action to take it to the next level - but see, it never really gets there. As I puzzled through why, exactly, it never blew me away, I realized it lacks a solid story arc. You know, a beginning that increases steadily into a climax, then back down to a resolution and some level of a cliffhanger to keep you ready for the sequel. But this entire book feels like an introduction because the intensity level stays consistent (though there are a few slower parts), around the middle of the spectrum throughout the whole book. And the romance is always kind of middle-ground angsty: there is attraction since they meet, but there’s never a breakthrough where they get past the angsty, I’m-not-supposed-to-like-you phase. There is an identifiable climax, but it didn’t have the intensity it should’ve.

Basically, this book is worth the read if you’re looking for a binge-able duology (the sequel has been released) packed full of action, tension, and magic!!! It didn’t quite reach the potential intensity it could’ve achieved, but overall, it is a great fantasy read and a great introduction to the duology! I’m very excited to experience the rest of Gul and Cavas’s story! 








If you enjoyed this review, you can friend me here on Goodreads and follow me on Instagram/Pinterest @ashton_reads for more bookish content! Thanks for reading!

Megan During

A riveting story of discovery, forbidden romance and idealism against all odds, set in a fantasy world inspired in part by Indian history and myth. For fans of Sabaa Tahir and Tomi Adeyemi. Gul has spent her life running. She has a star-shaped birthmark on her arm, and in the kingdom of Ambar, girls with such birthmarks have been disappearing for years. Gul’s mark is what caused her parents’ murder at the hand of King Lohar’s ruthless soldiers and forced her into hiding to protect her own life. So when a group of rebel women called the Sisters of the Golden Lotus rescue her, take her in, and train her in warrior magic, Gul wants only one thing: revenge. Cavas lives in the tenements, and he’s just about ready to sign his life over to the king’s army. His father is terminally ill, and Cavas will do anything to save him. But sparks fly when he meets a mysterious girl—Gul—in the capital’s bazaar, and as the chemistry between them undeniably grows, he becomes entangled in a mission of vengeance—and discovers a magic he never expected to find. Dangerous circumstances have brought Gul and Cavas together at the king’s domain in Ambar Fort . . . a world with secrets deadlier than their own. Exploring identity, class struggles, and high-stakes romance, Hunted by the Sky is a gripping adventure set in a world inspired by medieval India.

Nimita Lal &
Hunted by the Sky by Tanaz Bhathena

Reviews

Join the club

Nimita Lal &Hunted by the Sky by Tanaz Bhathena

Reviews

Join the club

Nimita Lal &
Hunted by the Sky by Tanaz Bhathena