This book suffered from next book-itis. I started reading it but got distracted by wanting to read other books when I realized that two more bingo squares would give me a second bingo (Between the Bridge and the River and Eleanor and Park). I half-heartedly kept reading City of Brass while waiting to get to my main city library where I could pick up both books. At the time of stopping reading, I was feeling so so about the City of Brass. I was having trouble keeping track of the […]
Is a Western fantasy set in a Middle Eastern environment an Eastern?
Amani Al-Hiza is poor orphan, raised by uncaring relatives in a small desert town where most inhabitants work in the local mine. She knows that if she doesn’t collect enough money to get out soon, she’ll end up as third wife to her unpleasant uncle, a fate she would rather die than accept. One night, she disguises herself as a boy and enters a shooting competition at the local watering hole, trying to win enough money to finally leave. She’s an excellent shot, and sure […]

