Sunbolt (The Sunbolt Chronicles #1): Review

About the Book:

Title: Sunbolt (The Sunbolt Chronicles #1)

Author: Intisar Khanani

Publisher: Snow Wings Publishing

Release Date: September 19, 2023

Pages: 153

Genre: YA Fantasy, YA Paranormal

Synopsis:

The winding streets and narrow alleys of Karolene hide many secrets, and Hitomi is one of them. Orphaned at a young age, Hitomi has learned to hide her magical aptitude and who her parents really were. Most of all, she must conceal her role in the Shadow League, an underground movement working to undermine the powerful and corrupt Arch Mage Wilhelm Blackflame. 152864846

When the League gets word that Blackflame intends to detain—and execute—a leading political family, Hitomi volunteers to help the family escape. But there are more secrets at play than Hitomi’s, and much worse fates than execution. Betrayed and captured along with her charges, it will take everything Hitomi can summon to save them–and herself.

Fans of Robin McKinley and Tamora Pierce will love this action-packed story of one girl fighting monsters both human and not. Pick up Sunbolt now and set off on a high-stakes adventure through the gorgeously diverse world of Intisar Khanani’s Sunbolt Chronicles.

Review:

*I received an arc from the author for review. Thank you! All thoughts are my own*

I was so excited to dive into Sunbolt after reading the prequel novella, Shadow Thief. Sunbolt did not disappoint! Intisar Khanani’s writing is beautiful, and she just makes her worlds come alive. There’s a wonderful main character, and we meet some amazing side characters, that really contribute to the story.

Hitomi has grown up on the streets of Karolene. She was orphaned at a young age and has had to hide her magical abilities and who her parents really were. Most of all, she has had to hide her role in the Shadow League, an underground organization that is trying to overthrow the corrupt and very powerful Arch Mage Wilhelm Blackflame.

When the league gets word that Blackflame plans to detain and execute a leading political family, Hitomi volunteers to help on the mission. But there are more secrets at play than Hitomi could have imagined. Betrayed and captured with her charges, it will take more than Hitomi bargained for to save them and save herself.

If you love books with a strong female MC, action, adventure, magic, and folklore, I think you’ll enjoy this one. I highly recommend and I can’t wait to read book two!

About the Author:

Intisar Khanani grew up a nomad and world traveler. Born in Wisconsin, she has lived in five different states as well as in Jeddah on the coast of the Red Sea. She currently resides in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her husband and two young daughters. Prior to publishing her novels, Intisar worked as a public health consultant on projects relating to infant mortality and minority health, which was as close as she could get to saving the world. Now she focuses her time on her two passions: raising her family and writing fantasy. download (36)