PERFECTION INDEED ♥️| ARC Review: Hunted by the Sky (The Wrath of Ambar #1) by Tanaz Bhathena

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.

Disclaimer: I received an eARC copy of the book from Penguin India in exchange for an honest review! However, the thoughts, opinions expressed in the review are entirely my own.

OMG! OMG! OMG! How do I even begin to describe the beauty that is the Hunted By The Sky – the representation of Indian/Persian themes had my heart and soul singing! All the white cishet readers would never understand how it feels to be seen, to read the language and the traditions that you grew up with; on paper for the world to acknowledge.

There is a reason why every single minority has been screaming about realistic representation of their community – and if you are a Desi/Indian reader of fantasy; and still have no idea why the clamouring for representation has shook the publishing industry – THEN READ THIS BOOK! See yourself on the pages, the language you speak in; the dresses and the traditions we have always taken for granted being put on page in black and white – I promise you the feeling of joy and happiness is indescribable!

You can also check out the Posts by Uma and Fannatility for more information! ❤

Thank you for coming to my TED talk.

Now on to the actual review – Gul sees both her parents murdered at the hands of Major Shayla, a soldier in King Lohar’s army; Star Warriors who has made his life’s mission to kill any girl with a star birthmark fearing a prophecy that predicts that he will die at the hands of a girl with the star birthmark.

This just fuels Gul’s need for revenge – for it is her birthmark that was respeonsible for her parent’s death and it will be for them, she will kill King Lohar. She flees the Star Warriors and is the given refuge by the Sisters of the Golden Lotus.

A few years later, she crosses paths with Cavas; who on the face of it looks to be a mere stable boy in the palace. Bit he has his own secrets; his own reasons to even think of committing treason!

But is his passionate encounter with Gul that will change the course of both their lives, in ways they couldn’t have ever imagined. Reluctant throughout, Cavas still ends up helping Gul infiltrate the Palace for his mission!

If ya’ll think that the only thing working for is the beautiful and realistic Indian/Persian Rep – then read this book for the slow burn, enemies to lovers romance that builds in the background to the wonderful world building of intrigue and suspense of revenge against a tyrant!

Though this is the first book in the series; so I knew I have more of this deliciousness to look forward to; but darn it if I don’t want to have the next books in the series immediately in my hands! LIKE RIGHT NOW!