Book: Sins of Solnexus by Steph Ziders
Reviewed by Kayleigh
Rating: 4/5
Sin of Solnexus delivers an intriguing fantasy world with a premise that feels strikingly relevant, reflecting the divisions and segregation of our own society through a compelling fantasy lens. The concept is strong and thought provoking, although I would have loved a little more detail and description of the world itself to fully immerse me in the setting.
The characters were easily one of the book’s greatest strengths. Calista is a fascinating protagonist whose trauma is written so openly that it shapes every decision she makes. Watching her wrestle with the desire to change a world that has hurt her so deeply, while also feeling tempted to simply let it burn, made her feel incredibly human. Kash carries wounds of his own, and I’m eager to see where his character arc takes him next. That said, Devon completely stole my heart. His kindness and warmth make him stand out in a story filled with pain and conflict, and he may well be my favourite character in the entire book.
While I thoroughly enjoyed Sin of Solnexus , I finished it with far more questions than answers. Whether that’s a testament to the depth of the story or simply my impatience to know more, I’m not entirely sure. Either way, it’s left me wanting the next instalment, which is never a bad thing. A captivating read with memorable characters and a promising world, even if I was left craving more answers by the final page.
Overall, Sin of Solnexus is a compelling start to a story that clearly has much more to reveal. Between its thought provoking themes, emotionally complex characters, and intriguing world, it kept me invested from beginning to end. Even though I was left with plenty of unanswered questions, my curiosity never felt frustrated, only heightened. Steph Ziders has created a story with real heart and potential, and I’ll definitely be picking up the next book to see where these characters’ journeys lead.