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Obsidian #1
Obsidian: Awakening
Alternate cover edition of ASIN B09MB94GCY
An epic tale of humanity that survives its ugliest and most admirable moments, one that will change your perception on love, life, and what it means to be human forever.
When Hasheem, a legendary male-escort-turned-assassin finally escapes the city that enslaved him as a child, he finds himself trapped in the centuries-long war between his nomadic race of desert warriors and an empire that seeks to rule them. There, a new set of shackles awaits him in the form of a fifteen-year-old girl and her oracle brother whose agenda plunges him into the blood sport of power and politics. As warfare exacts its price and the line between good and evil gets put to the test, the men and women from both sides are forced to fight a common enemy that remains the greatest threat to mankind: humanity and all its flaws.
An epic tale of humanity that survives its ugliest and most admirable moments, one that will change your perception on love, life, and what it means to be human forever.
When Hasheem, a legendary male-escort-turned-assassin finally escapes the city that enslaved him as a child, he finds himself trapped in the centuries-long war between his nomadic race of desert warriors and an empire that seeks to rule them. There, a new set of shackles awaits him in the form of a fifteen-year-old girl and her oracle brother whose agenda plunges him into the blood sport of power and politics. As warfare exacts its price and the line between good and evil gets put to the test, the men and women from both sides are forced to fight a common enemy that remains the greatest threat to mankind: humanity and all its flaws.
ebook
First published December 25, 2021
156 people are currently reading
1287 people want to read
About the author
Sienna Frost
9 books70 followersSienna Frost is a mother, a wife, and a traveler who has spent a good ten years writing to entertain only herself and the next two decades sharing her stories online for free. Her previous works have been fan-translated into seven languages and shared around the world. Obsidian is the first book she has decided to publish due to requests from fans who have been following this story on the internet. She does not consider herself a writer. She writes and hopes to find readers who want to share her journey.
Sienna loves to talk to her readers. Visit her on Twitter with this handle: @Siennafrst or on Wattpad.com @siennafrost for more stories from her.
Sienna loves to talk to her readers. Visit her on Twitter with this handle: @Siennafrst or on Wattpad.com @siennafrost for more stories from her.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
December 19, 2024
This review was originally posted on Before We Go Blog
4.5 stars (rounded up)
“Fate is a condescending, angry, sadistic bitch with few things to do and too much free time. But when Fate decides to strike, you can choose to die broken, or you can break like obsidian.”
From the moment this book first came onto my radar, I just had a feeling that I would love it. Described as being emotionally impactful, unapologetically dark, and painfully human, this book had all the trappings to become a new favourite of mine. And even with me hyping it up so much in my head, it still managed to completely blow all my expectations out of the water. Obsidian: Awakening is the slow-burn, character-driven, grimdark political fantasy of your dreams.
Set against the backdrop of a centuries-long war between a nomadic race of warring desert clans and the covetous empire that is trying to subjugate them, we follow seven people, on both sides of the conflict, who have been dealt a bad hand by Fate. The power to change the course of history rests in their hands, whether they know it or not, and now they are forced to choose between their duty/destiny and their personal desires. What follows is a soul-stirring and unforgiving tale of survival, humanity, destiny, duty, loyalty, sacrifice and love.
The opening chapter of this book honestly could not have been stronger in my opinion. It wastes no time on slow or pretty introductions, but instead just drops you straight into the chaos and trauma. It’s visceral and unflinching in its brutality, and that beautifully sets the tone for the rest of the story.
“But the gods don’t always listen, and life will take what it wants from you, even if you plead and scream.”
At first you might feel a bit overwhelmed by the unfamiliar terms and names, but I personally really liked the ‘no hand holding’ approach here. Entering this world felt similar to travelling to a new country and being faced with a completely different culture, in the sense that it was overwhelming in the best way possible. That feeling of being slightly lost yet also utterly fascinated and intrigued immediately hooked me into the story, and I was fully immersed the entire way through.
While there is not much magic in this world aside from an oracle character sharing prophecies, this story somehow still felt utterly magical and entrancing because of how beautifully the world is brought to life through the evocative and vivid descriptions. The middle-eastern inspired setting is so incredibly atmospheric and lush, and I loved how this rich world with its diverse cultures, complex history, and tense political landscape naturally unfolded as the story progressed.
Though, as much as I adored the magnificent world building, it was really the phenomenal character work that quickly became my favourite aspect of this book. At first I was worried that following such a large cast of characters would prevent me from getting emotionally invested, but the opposite couldn’t be more true. At one point or another, I found myself rooting for each of these seven main characters, even against my own will and better judgement at times.
I feel like it has become rather popular these days, especially in grimdark fantasy, to describe characters as morally grey, but I honestly feel like describing these characters in that manner would be doing them a disservice. They are not morally grey, they are just painfully and realistically human. And we all know that humans are often not logical and that they sometimes let their complex and messy emotions get the better of them, which is exactly what makes their journeys so unpredictable and compelling to follow.
“Everyone broke, eventually, one way or another. Some broke into weapons, others into pieces. Some lived, some took another life, some died bringing to life monsters and beasts.”
I really liked how most of these characters are either directly related or know of each other, which made it super interesting to explore and compare how they view and present themselves versus how they are perceived by the other characters. The character dynamics are so complicated and I was especially impressed with the nuanced depiction of familial and romantic bonds in this story. We get to explore both the most tender, innocent and passionate expressions of love, while simultaneously being confronted with the most ugly, toxic and unhealthy forms of it.
Some of the character interactions had my heart rate spiking to unhealthy levels and I was completely gripped by the insanely dangerous games that they are all playing with each other. The tension, both on a grand political scale and on an intimate personal scale, is simply sharper than a knife and left me completely breathless at times, which made this an exhausting reading experience in the best way possible.
"You are an extension of me."
Also, I absolutely adored that even though this story is set in a deeply patriarchal world, we still follow some incredibly strong female characters who are true forces to be reckoned with. And not even in the sense that they are all physically strong warrior women, but more in the sense that they are resilient, defiant, cunning and also not afraid to be dangerously seductive when they need to be.
And on top of that, there is also some casual and quiet representation of queer love that I was not expecting, but pleasantly surprised by. Their sexuality is never a point of contention in the story and also doesn’t become their entire personality, which made that representation feel so authentic and refreshing to me.
““There are things you cannot have in this world, and my heart is among them.” She spelled the words, carving them into his memory, into hers. “It’s beating to see you die, never for you to claim.””
All that said, this book also does not shy away from showing the darkest depths of human depravity, which includes a lot of vivid descriptions of brutal sexual violence against women. At first I was quite put-off by some of the disturbing on-page savagery, but then in hindsight I slowly found myself appreciating some of those events more as I saw how they continued to have a long-lasting impact on the characters and realised how pivotal they were to their personal journeys. Every single scene in this book carries weight and nothing is in here for shock-value, which is exactly what makes this story so engrossing, emotionally impactful, and ultimately just unputdownable.
Now, as this is the first instalment in an epic fantasy series, I do have to say that there is a lot of slow set-up, and especially the first half of the book requires a lot of trust and patience from the reader. However, that does not mean that the story is boring. I personally really loved getting the time to get familiarised with the world and characters before everything went to utter shit, because that made all the twists and turns later on hit all the harder. And there were even some chapters that initially didn’t fully capture my interest, but then became some of my favourites in hindsight as they gained more significance with new reveals.
I honestly just really love and appreciate that the author didn’t choose to write this story in the most conventional or crowd pleasing way, but instead allowed it to be told exactly as it needs to be. The storytelling is impressively bold, unconventional and intricate, which is exactly what makes this book stand out from the crowd. And all the slower build up is already proving to be so worth it by the end of this book, so I can only imagine how rewarding and impactful the final end result will be.
“He realized then that even after all this time, he was always looking for something, always trying to survive to reach somewhere. A place, perhaps, where there would be no more need or desire to run.”
All in all, I am truly blown away by this story and I have a feeling it will linger on in my mind for a very long time. I am not kidding when I say that I read the final 300 pages of this book in one day, because it was simply that compelling to me.
Obsidian: Awakening is a relentless story of endurance that tackles heavy real-world topics in a brutally honest way, while also being utterly transportive and serving as a safe haven for broken souls who seek refuge from the real world. If you are looking for a dark and slow-burn grimdark fantasy with a lush desert setting, rich world building, complex characters that creep under your skin, intricate political scheming, soul-stirring prose, and all the emotional destruction, then I can’t recommend this book highly enough.
**********************
Re-read 2024: 5 stars
For the love of all that is holy, this book has no business being such a masterpiece. It's one of those meticulously crafted stories that is so layered and nuanced that every new re-read will bring new hidden depths to light. Now I am even more excited to go into book 2 and see how the journey continues, although I don't think my heart and soul will be safe.
4.5 stars (rounded up)
“Fate is a condescending, angry, sadistic bitch with few things to do and too much free time. But when Fate decides to strike, you can choose to die broken, or you can break like obsidian.”
From the moment this book first came onto my radar, I just had a feeling that I would love it. Described as being emotionally impactful, unapologetically dark, and painfully human, this book had all the trappings to become a new favourite of mine. And even with me hyping it up so much in my head, it still managed to completely blow all my expectations out of the water. Obsidian: Awakening is the slow-burn, character-driven, grimdark political fantasy of your dreams.
Set against the backdrop of a centuries-long war between a nomadic race of warring desert clans and the covetous empire that is trying to subjugate them, we follow seven people, on both sides of the conflict, who have been dealt a bad hand by Fate. The power to change the course of history rests in their hands, whether they know it or not, and now they are forced to choose between their duty/destiny and their personal desires. What follows is a soul-stirring and unforgiving tale of survival, humanity, destiny, duty, loyalty, sacrifice and love.
The opening chapter of this book honestly could not have been stronger in my opinion. It wastes no time on slow or pretty introductions, but instead just drops you straight into the chaos and trauma. It’s visceral and unflinching in its brutality, and that beautifully sets the tone for the rest of the story.
“But the gods don’t always listen, and life will take what it wants from you, even if you plead and scream.”
At first you might feel a bit overwhelmed by the unfamiliar terms and names, but I personally really liked the ‘no hand holding’ approach here. Entering this world felt similar to travelling to a new country and being faced with a completely different culture, in the sense that it was overwhelming in the best way possible. That feeling of being slightly lost yet also utterly fascinated and intrigued immediately hooked me into the story, and I was fully immersed the entire way through.
While there is not much magic in this world aside from an oracle character sharing prophecies, this story somehow still felt utterly magical and entrancing because of how beautifully the world is brought to life through the evocative and vivid descriptions. The middle-eastern inspired setting is so incredibly atmospheric and lush, and I loved how this rich world with its diverse cultures, complex history, and tense political landscape naturally unfolded as the story progressed.
Though, as much as I adored the magnificent world building, it was really the phenomenal character work that quickly became my favourite aspect of this book. At first I was worried that following such a large cast of characters would prevent me from getting emotionally invested, but the opposite couldn’t be more true. At one point or another, I found myself rooting for each of these seven main characters, even against my own will and better judgement at times.
I feel like it has become rather popular these days, especially in grimdark fantasy, to describe characters as morally grey, but I honestly feel like describing these characters in that manner would be doing them a disservice. They are not morally grey, they are just painfully and realistically human. And we all know that humans are often not logical and that they sometimes let their complex and messy emotions get the better of them, which is exactly what makes their journeys so unpredictable and compelling to follow.
“Everyone broke, eventually, one way or another. Some broke into weapons, others into pieces. Some lived, some took another life, some died bringing to life monsters and beasts.”
I really liked how most of these characters are either directly related or know of each other, which made it super interesting to explore and compare how they view and present themselves versus how they are perceived by the other characters. The character dynamics are so complicated and I was especially impressed with the nuanced depiction of familial and romantic bonds in this story. We get to explore both the most tender, innocent and passionate expressions of love, while simultaneously being confronted with the most ugly, toxic and unhealthy forms of it.
Some of the character interactions had my heart rate spiking to unhealthy levels and I was completely gripped by the insanely dangerous games that they are all playing with each other. The tension, both on a grand political scale and on an intimate personal scale, is simply sharper than a knife and left me completely breathless at times, which made this an exhausting reading experience in the best way possible.
"You are an extension of me."
Also, I absolutely adored that even though this story is set in a deeply patriarchal world, we still follow some incredibly strong female characters who are true forces to be reckoned with. And not even in the sense that they are all physically strong warrior women, but more in the sense that they are resilient, defiant, cunning and also not afraid to be dangerously seductive when they need to be.
And on top of that, there is also some casual and quiet representation of queer love that I was not expecting, but pleasantly surprised by. Their sexuality is never a point of contention in the story and also doesn’t become their entire personality, which made that representation feel so authentic and refreshing to me.
““There are things you cannot have in this world, and my heart is among them.” She spelled the words, carving them into his memory, into hers. “It’s beating to see you die, never for you to claim.””
All that said, this book also does not shy away from showing the darkest depths of human depravity, which includes a lot of vivid descriptions of brutal sexual violence against women. At first I was quite put-off by some of the disturbing on-page savagery, but then in hindsight I slowly found myself appreciating some of those events more as I saw how they continued to have a long-lasting impact on the characters and realised how pivotal they were to their personal journeys. Every single scene in this book carries weight and nothing is in here for shock-value, which is exactly what makes this story so engrossing, emotionally impactful, and ultimately just unputdownable.
Now, as this is the first instalment in an epic fantasy series, I do have to say that there is a lot of slow set-up, and especially the first half of the book requires a lot of trust and patience from the reader. However, that does not mean that the story is boring. I personally really loved getting the time to get familiarised with the world and characters before everything went to utter shit, because that made all the twists and turns later on hit all the harder. And there were even some chapters that initially didn’t fully capture my interest, but then became some of my favourites in hindsight as they gained more significance with new reveals.
I honestly just really love and appreciate that the author didn’t choose to write this story in the most conventional or crowd pleasing way, but instead allowed it to be told exactly as it needs to be. The storytelling is impressively bold, unconventional and intricate, which is exactly what makes this book stand out from the crowd. And all the slower build up is already proving to be so worth it by the end of this book, so I can only imagine how rewarding and impactful the final end result will be.
“He realized then that even after all this time, he was always looking for something, always trying to survive to reach somewhere. A place, perhaps, where there would be no more need or desire to run.”
All in all, I am truly blown away by this story and I have a feeling it will linger on in my mind for a very long time. I am not kidding when I say that I read the final 300 pages of this book in one day, because it was simply that compelling to me.
Obsidian: Awakening is a relentless story of endurance that tackles heavy real-world topics in a brutally honest way, while also being utterly transportive and serving as a safe haven for broken souls who seek refuge from the real world. If you are looking for a dark and slow-burn grimdark fantasy with a lush desert setting, rich world building, complex characters that creep under your skin, intricate political scheming, soul-stirring prose, and all the emotional destruction, then I can’t recommend this book highly enough.
**********************
Re-read 2024: 5 stars
For the love of all that is holy, this book has no business being such a masterpiece. It's one of those meticulously crafted stories that is so layered and nuanced that every new re-read will bring new hidden depths to light. Now I am even more excited to go into book 2 and see how the journey continues, although I don't think my heart and soul will be safe.
Read
August 7, 2025Love and hate lie closer together than indifference.
This is a political intrigue tale spun from love, hatred, kindness, and cruelty unyielding as flint. The tapestry of characters, drawn from intractable ideologies and cultures, neither side willing to give, and pride unwilling to tolerate ambiguity, presents a riveting, unforgettable read. Told in a wry style that does not flinch from the extremes of human nature, and built upon traditions that embrace retaliation, mutilation, and death with sharp lines, where duty and inflexible culture do not bend for the heart or compassion. Yet compassion runs under the dictates of necessity, often at war with emotion, intellect, and the gift of reason as compromise.
Rulers in this conflict do not bend, or they die, and any commitment not built upon ruthless strength becomes a weakness and a target for enemies.
If you love intrigue, complex society at war over differences, where cruelty, abuse, assault, and disfiguring punishments forge two proud peoples into unyielding opposition, this is a splendid tale and a colorful tapestry that does not hesitate to twist the knife of suspense to the breaking point.
A build that becomes an unstoppable page turner, with a cliffhanger that leaves an unbearable mark at the ending - this book is an edgy read, skillfully told, not for those seeking the cozy haze of escapism, or for readers with triggers for assault - here is beauty and lush setting, shocking violence, tragedy and conflict, with characters whose intertwined fates are not a pursuit for the faint of heart. A brilliant exploration of two sides of a conflict, ongoing, ingrained, and intractable.
Advise: if you enjoy this read, have the sequel on hand to continue.
This is a political intrigue tale spun from love, hatred, kindness, and cruelty unyielding as flint. The tapestry of characters, drawn from intractable ideologies and cultures, neither side willing to give, and pride unwilling to tolerate ambiguity, presents a riveting, unforgettable read. Told in a wry style that does not flinch from the extremes of human nature, and built upon traditions that embrace retaliation, mutilation, and death with sharp lines, where duty and inflexible culture do not bend for the heart or compassion. Yet compassion runs under the dictates of necessity, often at war with emotion, intellect, and the gift of reason as compromise.
Rulers in this conflict do not bend, or they die, and any commitment not built upon ruthless strength becomes a weakness and a target for enemies.
If you love intrigue, complex society at war over differences, where cruelty, abuse, assault, and disfiguring punishments forge two proud peoples into unyielding opposition, this is a splendid tale and a colorful tapestry that does not hesitate to twist the knife of suspense to the breaking point.
A build that becomes an unstoppable page turner, with a cliffhanger that leaves an unbearable mark at the ending - this book is an edgy read, skillfully told, not for those seeking the cozy haze of escapism, or for readers with triggers for assault - here is beauty and lush setting, shocking violence, tragedy and conflict, with characters whose intertwined fates are not a pursuit for the faint of heart. A brilliant exploration of two sides of a conflict, ongoing, ingrained, and intractable.
Advise: if you enjoy this read, have the sequel on hand to continue.
November 14, 2022
Obsidian: Awakening is a powerful tale, thoughtfully told. It has deep themes to explore through wonderfully complex and morally grey characters. It is a human tale of survival, an exploration of control of both the self and others. How far will people go to stay true to their duty and beliefs? How much can a person take before they break and become the monster they are fighting? These are some of the fascinating aspects explored in this truly mesmerizing tale. I cannot wait for the next book in this series.
You can read my full review here:
https://escapistbookcompany.com/2022/...
You can read my full review here:
https://escapistbookcompany.com/2022/...
January 15, 2023
Overview:
🤘 Warring factions
😍 Bodyguard committed to his charge
😍 A fucked up family of rich people
🤘 Court politics
🆗 Multi POV
😍 Enemies and lovers
Two cultures engaged in a longstanding war become enflamed as the manipulations of those who wants to take a powerful king down start turning the wheels in motion. An assassin turned bodyguard, a teenage 'royal', a wayward prince, and a concubine queen all find themselves at the center of a dangerous game of war and politics.
This is the best self pubbed i've read since The Sword of Kaigen. Sienna Frost writes like a tradepub author.
I was so impressed with the characterwork, which plays on popular tropes that people love while also being sharp and original. its very easy to get attached to these characters and I found myself addicted to catching up with my favorites. The prince Lasura and his insane 'Lannister' style family were absolutely top tier for me...this series is amazing for people who like the 'fucked up rich family destroys itself" dynamic. I constantly felt like I was never getting enough of them, but every moment I had with them I became even more obsessed. Their love/hate relationship with each other gave me LIFE, and I am pretty sure I ended up picking the most evil character in the bunch as my favorite because he was so charming.
Admittedly, I did feel less interested in some of the main POVs, who had some interesting elements but ultimately had lower journeys. This is possibly my biggest criticism of the book...it could have been shorter and edited down a bit during some of the 'good' characters charters...which go on for awhile and sometimes feel dull.
That said, even those characters are so very likable, but this prevented a 5 star review for me.
There are also a lot of side POVs and its hard to keep track at times, however, the book is easy enough to read that you never feel overwhelmed and once you realize the new POVs place in the story you can adapt to them easily. I cant wait to see how everyone is expanded on in book 2.
If you are a fantasy fan looking to explore self pubbed work, I think this is the perfect opportunity. PICK THIS ONE UP. It’s very much in the spirit of modern dark fantasy only with diverse characters and accessible prose. I really hope a trade pub pays this woman a lot of money to adapt her work. She’s exceptional.
🤘 Warring factions
😍 Bodyguard committed to his charge
😍 A fucked up family of rich people
🤘 Court politics
🆗 Multi POV
😍 Enemies and lovers
Two cultures engaged in a longstanding war become enflamed as the manipulations of those who wants to take a powerful king down start turning the wheels in motion. An assassin turned bodyguard, a teenage 'royal', a wayward prince, and a concubine queen all find themselves at the center of a dangerous game of war and politics.
This is the best self pubbed i've read since The Sword of Kaigen. Sienna Frost writes like a tradepub author.
I was so impressed with the characterwork, which plays on popular tropes that people love while also being sharp and original. its very easy to get attached to these characters and I found myself addicted to catching up with my favorites. The prince Lasura and his insane 'Lannister' style family were absolutely top tier for me...this series is amazing for people who like the 'fucked up rich family destroys itself" dynamic. I constantly felt like I was never getting enough of them, but every moment I had with them I became even more obsessed. Their love/hate relationship with each other gave me LIFE, and I am pretty sure I ended up picking the most evil character in the bunch as my favorite because he was so charming.
Admittedly, I did feel less interested in some of the main POVs, who had some interesting elements but ultimately had lower journeys. This is possibly my biggest criticism of the book...it could have been shorter and edited down a bit during some of the 'good' characters charters...which go on for awhile and sometimes feel dull.
That said, even those characters are so very likable, but this prevented a 5 star review for me.
There are also a lot of side POVs and its hard to keep track at times, however, the book is easy enough to read that you never feel overwhelmed and once you realize the new POVs place in the story you can adapt to them easily. I cant wait to see how everyone is expanded on in book 2.
If you are a fantasy fan looking to explore self pubbed work, I think this is the perfect opportunity. PICK THIS ONE UP. It’s very much in the spirit of modern dark fantasy only with diverse characters and accessible prose. I really hope a trade pub pays this woman a lot of money to adapt her work. She’s exceptional.
September 11, 2023
4.5 stars
Obsidian: Awakening was an early addition to my personal SPFBO-9 list. I had this slated for the month of August as it became a buddy read with Dom's Book Club discord server. I had been anxiously waiting to get to this one. It didn't let me down!
I will state that this was a surprisingly brutal story. I don't feel it ever detracted from the other all story. I've had some reads in the past where it seemed like the author was just going for that shock value and it didn't really seem to add much to the story itself. Not this one thankfully!
The pacing was smooth. This isn't a short novel by any means but the pages do tend to fly by fairly quickly whenever I got the chance to pick it up. There are a lot of characters and names to get used to in this one so be prepared. This may slow some readers down just to keep up with what is going on with who. But this didn't seem to trip me up much while I was progressing through.
The world building was really good in this one. There are some various regions where our story is taking place but more importantly some reach cultures within this world. In my opinion the author did a great job in teach us readers about these different cultures, their differences and their relationships with each other.
The character development was also done really well. As previously mentioned there are a lot of characters to share with this one. We spend quite a bit of time in book one seeing these characters both grow and struggle. We also see some relationships grow stronger as well as some that appear to be crumbling. I always find these characters more relatable as they seem more human to me rather than the constantly strong character or the ones accidentally find ways to prevail.
Overall, I found this read very enjoyable and I will be looking forward to continuing this series in the future.
I'd recommend this read to those who enjoy their fantasy stories more on the darker side. As I mentioned there are a lot of brutal aspects to this one, so be ready for that!
Obsidian: Awakening was an early addition to my personal SPFBO-9 list. I had this slated for the month of August as it became a buddy read with Dom's Book Club discord server. I had been anxiously waiting to get to this one. It didn't let me down!
I will state that this was a surprisingly brutal story. I don't feel it ever detracted from the other all story. I've had some reads in the past where it seemed like the author was just going for that shock value and it didn't really seem to add much to the story itself. Not this one thankfully!
The pacing was smooth. This isn't a short novel by any means but the pages do tend to fly by fairly quickly whenever I got the chance to pick it up. There are a lot of characters and names to get used to in this one so be prepared. This may slow some readers down just to keep up with what is going on with who. But this didn't seem to trip me up much while I was progressing through.
The world building was really good in this one. There are some various regions where our story is taking place but more importantly some reach cultures within this world. In my opinion the author did a great job in teach us readers about these different cultures, their differences and their relationships with each other.
The character development was also done really well. As previously mentioned there are a lot of characters to share with this one. We spend quite a bit of time in book one seeing these characters both grow and struggle. We also see some relationships grow stronger as well as some that appear to be crumbling. I always find these characters more relatable as they seem more human to me rather than the constantly strong character or the ones accidentally find ways to prevail.
Overall, I found this read very enjoyable and I will be looking forward to continuing this series in the future.
I'd recommend this read to those who enjoy their fantasy stories more on the darker side. As I mentioned there are a lot of brutal aspects to this one, so be ready for that!
May 18, 2025
Coup de cœur/5 🔞‼️
C’était brillant et terrifiant à la fois. J’aurais pu lire ce livre en une journée mais j’ai choisi de le faire en une semaine pour profiter de chaque ligne.
C’est une grim dark fantaisie, qui mélange intrigue de court royale et guerre au cœur du désert, plongé dans un monde inspiré du moyen orient et de l’Asie centrale. Il y a des peuples nomades, des romances interdites, de la représentation queer, la romance en 2nd plan ma littéralement retourné l’estomac..
C’est brillant, la plume est puissante, les personnages sont complexes et nuancés. Il n’y a pas de vrais villains dans ce livre car tout le monde se bat pour ses intérêts et ses convictions et chaque acte entraîne son lot de conséquences.
C’était juste très beau et j’ai hâte de lire la suite.
Je précise les TW car c’est mentionné nul part !
Violence, vi*l non skippé (pas de romantisation des agressions sexuelles ni de la violence), dubious consent.. en gros tout ce que vous pouvez imaginer arriver dans une dark fantaisie, arrive dans ce livre.
C’était brillant et terrifiant à la fois. J’aurais pu lire ce livre en une journée mais j’ai choisi de le faire en une semaine pour profiter de chaque ligne.
C’est une grim dark fantaisie, qui mélange intrigue de court royale et guerre au cœur du désert, plongé dans un monde inspiré du moyen orient et de l’Asie centrale. Il y a des peuples nomades, des romances interdites, de la représentation queer, la romance en 2nd plan ma littéralement retourné l’estomac..
C’est brillant, la plume est puissante, les personnages sont complexes et nuancés. Il n’y a pas de vrais villains dans ce livre car tout le monde se bat pour ses intérêts et ses convictions et chaque acte entraîne son lot de conséquences.
C’était juste très beau et j’ai hâte de lire la suite.
Je précise les TW car c’est mentionné nul part !
Violence, vi*l non skippé (pas de romantisation des agressions sexuelles ni de la violence), dubious consent.. en gros tout ce que vous pouvez imaginer arriver dans une dark fantaisie, arrive dans ce livre.
September 7, 2023
There are a lot of characters here and the author likes to showcase that there are no really "good" or "bad" ones, no main protagonist or antagonist, everyone is a little bit of both. There are characters on opposing sides, but we're not necessarily supposed to be rooting for one over another. I appreciate that, but for me, I would have preferred to have the main POV character list pared down a little (from I think it was seven) so we could spend a bit more time with each of them. As it was, I found it difficult to become invested in any one character as a lot of them were quite similar and then we'd take time away to go and spend with someone else, rather than really building up a smaller group.
There were two main things in the story though that didn't really work for me. One was that there were a few action scenes that I really struggled to picture as I was reading them. I am usually pretty good at visualising a battle scene, if it's well written, and here there were scenes of fighters on horseback reaching under the necks of other horses, and of grabbing ropes from their opponents and tying nooses (one-handed) to strangle them, and it was just a picture I couldn't paint in my head.
The main thing, however, was the sexual violence in the book. I thought a lot of this (all of it?) was unnecessary. It mostly seemed to be a way to show the power held by a certain character, and that could have been done differently. One instance had a man in a position of religious power forcing a young girl to pleasure him "in service of [God]" and in front of other people, another had a POV character graphically assaulted for what seemed to me to have been character development. This is always a tricky subject to include, and for me it felt that it wasn't included here for the right reasons, or in the right way, and it was one of the key things that soured the overall reading experience for me.
There were two main things in the story though that didn't really work for me. One was that there were a few action scenes that I really struggled to picture as I was reading them. I am usually pretty good at visualising a battle scene, if it's well written, and here there were scenes of fighters on horseback reaching under the necks of other horses, and of grabbing ropes from their opponents and tying nooses (one-handed) to strangle them, and it was just a picture I couldn't paint in my head.
The main thing, however, was the sexual violence in the book. I thought a lot of this (all of it?) was unnecessary. It mostly seemed to be a way to show the power held by a certain character, and that could have been done differently. One instance had a man in a position of religious power forcing a young girl to pleasure him "in service of [God]" and in front of other people, another had a POV character graphically assaulted for what seemed to me to have been character development. This is always a tricky subject to include, and for me it felt that it wasn't included here for the right reasons, or in the right way, and it was one of the key things that soured the overall reading experience for me.
Want to read
July 13, 2022I've been looking for something similar to ASoIaF for so long and this seems perfect! Wanna read it soon!
December 31, 2024
Impossible to put down from the first word to the last.
January 24, 2023
An Epic Fantasy which takes place in a desert. A wide variety of characters fill the pages with turmoil and beauty. Sienna Frost has given us this powerful story entwined with her experiences in world travel. Storytelling which compliments different cultures.
An added special bonus to Obsidian: Awakening are the character pictures on Sienna Frost's Twitter page. I really like how I can see some celebrity likeness in the AI pictures. I see Johnny Depp, DiCaprio, Keanu Reeves and one who I think must be Farrah Fawcett.
There were some descriptive passages that were not only visual, but also audible. I would LOVE to share this example:
The last 15% of the novel was page turning, heart wrenching, and soul soaring. What an absolute brilliant and beautiful book this was. Absolutely worth the re-read, and I think I will purchase the physical book so I can behold the artwork inside.
An added special bonus to Obsidian: Awakening are the character pictures on Sienna Frost's Twitter page. I really like how I can see some celebrity likeness in the AI pictures. I see Johnny Depp, DiCaprio, Keanu Reeves and one who I think must be Farrah Fawcett.
There were some descriptive passages that were not only visual, but also audible. I would LOVE to share this example:
Even now, standing in front of a window through which a blistering wind rushed past her small frame, her long, tangled silver hair danced defiantly in it, coiling in and out like a band of unforgiving creatures made to sink their teeth into anyone who approached. The harsh lines of her face made harsher in the flashes of lightning multiplied the severity of her presence, complemented, all too appropriately, by the brutal sound of her silk dress snapping in the storm that raged and poured into the room.Stunning.
The last 15% of the novel was page turning, heart wrenching, and soul soaring. What an absolute brilliant and beautiful book this was. Absolutely worth the re-read, and I think I will purchase the physical book so I can behold the artwork inside.
January 27, 2024
This will take root in your soul.
Loss-love-retribution-betrayal-redemption & more
World building is vivid.
Characters are complex & compelling.
Dialogue is engaging & natural.
Pace/flow carry the reader effortlessly.
A captivating read that you regret having to put down.
Frankly, Frost blurs the lines between protagonist and antagonist and it is delicious.
The characters are put through a gauntlet of unrelenting tragedy and brutality.
Obsidian is no happily ever after fairy tale.
It is a world built for you to experience viscerally.
Obsidian is for you if you want Malazan's style themes on what humanity is capable of at its darkest.
Loss-love-retribution-betrayal-redemption & more
World building is vivid.
Characters are complex & compelling.
Dialogue is engaging & natural.
Pace/flow carry the reader effortlessly.
A captivating read that you regret having to put down.
Frankly, Frost blurs the lines between protagonist and antagonist and it is delicious.
The characters are put through a gauntlet of unrelenting tragedy and brutality.
Obsidian is no happily ever after fairy tale.
It is a world built for you to experience viscerally.
Obsidian is for you if you want Malazan's style themes on what humanity is capable of at its darkest.
February 15, 2023
'Obsidian: Awakening' is a grimdark fantasy inspired by the desert cultures of the Mongolian nomads and the Bedouins. As the first book in an intended series, it explores the world of two warring cultures and, at its heart, is a story about people who find resilience and love in the absence of hope and kindness.
Click here to read my full review over at Grimdark Magazine.
Click here to read my full review over at Grimdark Magazine.
October 3, 2023
Obsidian: Awakening had been on my TBR for some time so I jumped at the opportunity to take part in a buddy read on Dom’s Book Club Discord channel.
I’d seen rave reviews of it from esteemed reviewers such as Esmay Rosalyne and Craig Bookwyrm so knew I was in for a treat but wow, I wasn’t expecting the impact it would have on me.
In fact, it’s taken me a few weeks to fully absorb everything I loved about the book so I can attempt to condense it into a review.
I almost always choose the books I read very carefully, with research, because time is precious and I want to be assured I’m well rewarded for my investment. With Obsidian, I struck gold.
I was hooked from the first few pages by the quality of writing, intriguing premise, the intensity and passion of the character dynamics, and the world Frost has created.
Inspired by, rather than based on, Arabic and Mongolian cultures, the peninsula setting of the Black and White Deserts is so rich and in-depth, and the worldbuilding is weaved masterfully through the narrative.
It imbues every aspect of the book and provides a living, breathing foundation to everything which happens. The world history and cultural traditions give meaning to every action and the story is all the more believable and resonant for it.
The characters are the result of their places in this world, shaped by the prejudices and experiences of previous generations as much as the desert around them is sculpted by the winds and sun.
And what a brutal world it is. Harsh and unforgiving, like the people who inhabit it.
Life is tough. Even for those with wealth, power and influence - in some ways, more so - survival is the most people can hope for. There is no oasis of peace and safety in these deserts.
I’m not going to cover the plot – or rather the plots – in this review, as you can read that elsewhere. Instead, I’m focussing on my personal reading experience and my opinions of the book.
What I will say, however, is that the plotting involves a super complex spiderweb of threads between characters and events. I lapped up the multiple push and pull, cause and effect connections between all the personal and political factors and motivations at play.
It has more twists and turns than a rollercoaster, with cliff-hangers at the end of most chapters, and is full of nuances and subtext.
There were so many things I didn’t see coming even though I took my time reading, searching for any clue and coming up with all sorts of theories.
And I prolonged the enjoyable torture of wanting to find out what happens, restraining myself from galloping through the book like a Valerian stallion.
I loved all the cloak and dagger mystery in this book. It’s a desert storm of enthralling confusion, of incense smoke and mirrors, packed with duality, prophecy, foreshadowing and hidden meanings, and offering reflections on the failings of our own world.
The power plays, cunning scheming, alliances and betrayals kept me constantly on my toes. It’s all so juicy, and the passion and frisson between some of the characters adds extra zest and spice to proceedings. Things can get hot in the desert!
The sexual and non-sexual relationships in Obsidian are as satisfyingly complicated as the political ones and are usually intertwined with them and the geopolitical landscape. They’re as dangerous too, adding to the seams of conflict which layer this riveting tale.
However, it’s not all doom, gloom, threat and violence. There are sprinklings of humour in the parched sands of this menacing world and it brings some light relief from the darkness which otherwise rarely lifts from shrouding events in a deep sense of foreboding.
That feeling that the world is full of shit and things are only going to get worse.
And that’s the overall tone of Obsidian, in my view.
It’s grim and it’s dark. It isn’t a book about hope and the triumph of good over evil. It’s about survival and constant conflict in an unpleasant world full of danger, backstabbing and retribution. If I lived there, my motto would be “watch your back and trust no-one”.
There are some horrific moments but they are amazingly told, and there are instances of such immense poignancy I was hit so many times in the gut while being stirred in the heart.
The themes and messages are so powerful in this book. Destiny and fate. The burdens, duties and responsibilities of leadership, and of family and culture. The bonds and shackles which tie us to people and traditions. A captivating study of freedom and the cost of it.
Underpinning it all, sacrifice, love, hatred, prejudice and discrimination. And the thirst for - and constant cycle of – vengeance, which feeds perpetual war.
These themes are explored through the characters and the personal and political wars they wage, the oaths they take, the betrayals they face, and the pride, devotion, retribution, anger, guilt and shame which
drives them.
Like the story itself, the characters are full of paradoxes. Each of them is powerful and ambitious, yet most of them don’t have complete agency over their actions. They are tools, pieces on a peninsula-sized chess board, to be used as weapons by whoever proves the most cunning players of the long-game.
Make no mistake, the cast features a writhing nest of deadly vipers who will sink their fangs into anyone who gets in the way of their goals. If political intrigue and fascinating character dynamics are your poison, you’ll love it.
They are some of the most interesting and strong characters I’ve ever read about. There is nothing one-dimensional about Frost’s characterisation. Their personalities are so fully rounded we’re talking at least 4D! We don’t just get inside their minds, we’re given backstage access to the depths of their souls.
Most of the characters are broken and scarred, some very literally, and we experience their motivations, flaws, weaknesses and all their passions through all their senses. And it’s so bloody intense.
It’s also deeply psychological at times, and physically, mentally and emotionally tortuous, as we suffer through them some particularly toxic relationships.
We witness the clash of cultures and individuals through multiple points of view which provide so much insight and, literally, different perspectives, to the extent that my own allegiances switched repeatedly.
The personal and political stakes are high for everyone and the book is seething and simmering with external and internal conflict on so many levels as the characters fight with each other and themselves.
Each has their own battle on many fronts and their own demons to face and conquer to avoid becoming the monster that is perhaps in us all.
None of them are pure hero or pure villain (apart from one nasty, pathetic misogynist) and that is one of the many strengths of Obsidian. Despite the white and black of its deserts setting, it is all about shades of grey and the perspectives of different cultures.
Speaking of which, I love the duality of the Black and White Deserts and the Black and White Towers which rule them. But there are circles within circles at play and not everything in this world – like the characters - is black and white.
Duality is used time and time again throughout the story, which is something I revel in as a reader, along with the clever symbolism and imagery Frost employs to great effect.
There are so many superb examples of clever metaphors and similes which beautifully enrich the descriptions like a desert rose without ever being overly flowery.
Indeed, the prose as a whole is stunning. Every word earns its place and many of the passages are works of art in themselves, irrespective of the story they tell.
There are brilliant wordplays and even the darkest of subject matter is handled with supreme skill. There are times when it is beautifully horrible or horribly beautiful, I still can’t decide which. It’s another paradox of Obsidian, how some aspects can be so horrific and brutal and yet so amazingly readable.
The writing is as sharp as obsidian and the emotional impacts cut so deeply, so often.
There is biting cut and thrust in the wit and dialogue of several characters, their words wielded like weapons time after time in their verbal sparring. The equally sharp characterisation is superb, from all the mannerisms to their distinctive patterns of speech.
I even enjoyed trying to decipher the clever chapter titles (there are no chapter numbers) and the layers of meaning I suspected them of having.
It has obviously been written with much intelligence and passion - for the characters, setting and story - by an author with a great understanding of the human condition. A writer with lots to say about humanity using a fantasy world which sadly reflects our own as history repeats itself across planet Earth.
There are many life lessons in Obsidian and my take on some of the most important are that, to break the cycle of violence, vengeance and tragedy, people need to see things differently and act differently. Whether that’s in a family, a society or as a world leader.
They need to have the courage and foresight to act independently of their cultures and forebears. They need to sacrifice something, including pride, to end violence and achieve peace.
The characters in Obsidian all make sacrifices but will any of them be prepared to put peace before war, forgiveness before vengeance, tolerance and acceptance before hatred and prejudice?
After all, someone isn’t your enemy just because they’re different. Because they look different, speak differently, act differently, have different beliefs, or live their life by different rules and principles.
We can’t have peace without acceptance, tolerance and forgiveness – by everyone, for everyone.
War always has many losers but maybe the lesson is accepting you don’t always have to win. Or the only way for everyone to win is for everyone to lose, in the sense that everyone has to sacrifice something precious to them, to achieve the greater good.
OK, that’s my message to humanity over. Back to Obsidian.
I’m an optimist but I suspect Frost isn’t.
I don’t think this series will conclude with “and they all lived happily ever after” and I don’t need to be an oracle like one of the characters to have the foresight to know this story is going to break many of the characters. And me.
But, like obsidian, I’m sure I’ll be stronger for it, having absorbed the powerful messages and basking in the beauty of the storytelling and prose.
In conclusion, Obsidian is a journey. A hard, remarkable, engrossing adventure in which every chapter packs a combination of punches, often sucker punches at that.
It’s a staggering masterpiece in so many ways and I’ve never made so many highlights in a book.
The depth and intensity of the emotional dynamics between the characters and their introspection is breathtaking. As is the brilliant prose, the complexities of the plot, the richness of the cultures and setting, and the power of the themes and messages.
It may not seem like it but I’ve had to constrain myself with this review. That’s because everything about this magnificent book makes it a fertile oasis for waxing lyrical about it.
It’s an epic in the tradition of Arabian Nights and I expect it to get even more epic.
I could happily spend one thousand and one nights writing lots of essays about every character, every chapter and every plot thread because it’s an incredible read.
I love it to death and can’t wait for the desert sun to rise on book 2.
I’d seen rave reviews of it from esteemed reviewers such as Esmay Rosalyne and Craig Bookwyrm so knew I was in for a treat but wow, I wasn’t expecting the impact it would have on me.
In fact, it’s taken me a few weeks to fully absorb everything I loved about the book so I can attempt to condense it into a review.
I almost always choose the books I read very carefully, with research, because time is precious and I want to be assured I’m well rewarded for my investment. With Obsidian, I struck gold.
I was hooked from the first few pages by the quality of writing, intriguing premise, the intensity and passion of the character dynamics, and the world Frost has created.
Inspired by, rather than based on, Arabic and Mongolian cultures, the peninsula setting of the Black and White Deserts is so rich and in-depth, and the worldbuilding is weaved masterfully through the narrative.
It imbues every aspect of the book and provides a living, breathing foundation to everything which happens. The world history and cultural traditions give meaning to every action and the story is all the more believable and resonant for it.
The characters are the result of their places in this world, shaped by the prejudices and experiences of previous generations as much as the desert around them is sculpted by the winds and sun.
And what a brutal world it is. Harsh and unforgiving, like the people who inhabit it.
Life is tough. Even for those with wealth, power and influence - in some ways, more so - survival is the most people can hope for. There is no oasis of peace and safety in these deserts.
I’m not going to cover the plot – or rather the plots – in this review, as you can read that elsewhere. Instead, I’m focussing on my personal reading experience and my opinions of the book.
What I will say, however, is that the plotting involves a super complex spiderweb of threads between characters and events. I lapped up the multiple push and pull, cause and effect connections between all the personal and political factors and motivations at play.
It has more twists and turns than a rollercoaster, with cliff-hangers at the end of most chapters, and is full of nuances and subtext.
There were so many things I didn’t see coming even though I took my time reading, searching for any clue and coming up with all sorts of theories.
And I prolonged the enjoyable torture of wanting to find out what happens, restraining myself from galloping through the book like a Valerian stallion.
I loved all the cloak and dagger mystery in this book. It’s a desert storm of enthralling confusion, of incense smoke and mirrors, packed with duality, prophecy, foreshadowing and hidden meanings, and offering reflections on the failings of our own world.
The power plays, cunning scheming, alliances and betrayals kept me constantly on my toes. It’s all so juicy, and the passion and frisson between some of the characters adds extra zest and spice to proceedings. Things can get hot in the desert!
The sexual and non-sexual relationships in Obsidian are as satisfyingly complicated as the political ones and are usually intertwined with them and the geopolitical landscape. They’re as dangerous too, adding to the seams of conflict which layer this riveting tale.
However, it’s not all doom, gloom, threat and violence. There are sprinklings of humour in the parched sands of this menacing world and it brings some light relief from the darkness which otherwise rarely lifts from shrouding events in a deep sense of foreboding.
That feeling that the world is full of shit and things are only going to get worse.
And that’s the overall tone of Obsidian, in my view.
It’s grim and it’s dark. It isn’t a book about hope and the triumph of good over evil. It’s about survival and constant conflict in an unpleasant world full of danger, backstabbing and retribution. If I lived there, my motto would be “watch your back and trust no-one”.
There are some horrific moments but they are amazingly told, and there are instances of such immense poignancy I was hit so many times in the gut while being stirred in the heart.
The themes and messages are so powerful in this book. Destiny and fate. The burdens, duties and responsibilities of leadership, and of family and culture. The bonds and shackles which tie us to people and traditions. A captivating study of freedom and the cost of it.
Underpinning it all, sacrifice, love, hatred, prejudice and discrimination. And the thirst for - and constant cycle of – vengeance, which feeds perpetual war.
These themes are explored through the characters and the personal and political wars they wage, the oaths they take, the betrayals they face, and the pride, devotion, retribution, anger, guilt and shame which
drives them.
Like the story itself, the characters are full of paradoxes. Each of them is powerful and ambitious, yet most of them don’t have complete agency over their actions. They are tools, pieces on a peninsula-sized chess board, to be used as weapons by whoever proves the most cunning players of the long-game.
Make no mistake, the cast features a writhing nest of deadly vipers who will sink their fangs into anyone who gets in the way of their goals. If political intrigue and fascinating character dynamics are your poison, you’ll love it.
They are some of the most interesting and strong characters I’ve ever read about. There is nothing one-dimensional about Frost’s characterisation. Their personalities are so fully rounded we’re talking at least 4D! We don’t just get inside their minds, we’re given backstage access to the depths of their souls.
Most of the characters are broken and scarred, some very literally, and we experience their motivations, flaws, weaknesses and all their passions through all their senses. And it’s so bloody intense.
It’s also deeply psychological at times, and physically, mentally and emotionally tortuous, as we suffer through them some particularly toxic relationships.
We witness the clash of cultures and individuals through multiple points of view which provide so much insight and, literally, different perspectives, to the extent that my own allegiances switched repeatedly.
The personal and political stakes are high for everyone and the book is seething and simmering with external and internal conflict on so many levels as the characters fight with each other and themselves.
Each has their own battle on many fronts and their own demons to face and conquer to avoid becoming the monster that is perhaps in us all.
None of them are pure hero or pure villain (apart from one nasty, pathetic misogynist) and that is one of the many strengths of Obsidian. Despite the white and black of its deserts setting, it is all about shades of grey and the perspectives of different cultures.
Speaking of which, I love the duality of the Black and White Deserts and the Black and White Towers which rule them. But there are circles within circles at play and not everything in this world – like the characters - is black and white.
Duality is used time and time again throughout the story, which is something I revel in as a reader, along with the clever symbolism and imagery Frost employs to great effect.
There are so many superb examples of clever metaphors and similes which beautifully enrich the descriptions like a desert rose without ever being overly flowery.
Indeed, the prose as a whole is stunning. Every word earns its place and many of the passages are works of art in themselves, irrespective of the story they tell.
There are brilliant wordplays and even the darkest of subject matter is handled with supreme skill. There are times when it is beautifully horrible or horribly beautiful, I still can’t decide which. It’s another paradox of Obsidian, how some aspects can be so horrific and brutal and yet so amazingly readable.
The writing is as sharp as obsidian and the emotional impacts cut so deeply, so often.
There is biting cut and thrust in the wit and dialogue of several characters, their words wielded like weapons time after time in their verbal sparring. The equally sharp characterisation is superb, from all the mannerisms to their distinctive patterns of speech.
I even enjoyed trying to decipher the clever chapter titles (there are no chapter numbers) and the layers of meaning I suspected them of having.
It has obviously been written with much intelligence and passion - for the characters, setting and story - by an author with a great understanding of the human condition. A writer with lots to say about humanity using a fantasy world which sadly reflects our own as history repeats itself across planet Earth.
There are many life lessons in Obsidian and my take on some of the most important are that, to break the cycle of violence, vengeance and tragedy, people need to see things differently and act differently. Whether that’s in a family, a society or as a world leader.
They need to have the courage and foresight to act independently of their cultures and forebears. They need to sacrifice something, including pride, to end violence and achieve peace.
The characters in Obsidian all make sacrifices but will any of them be prepared to put peace before war, forgiveness before vengeance, tolerance and acceptance before hatred and prejudice?
After all, someone isn’t your enemy just because they’re different. Because they look different, speak differently, act differently, have different beliefs, or live their life by different rules and principles.
We can’t have peace without acceptance, tolerance and forgiveness – by everyone, for everyone.
War always has many losers but maybe the lesson is accepting you don’t always have to win. Or the only way for everyone to win is for everyone to lose, in the sense that everyone has to sacrifice something precious to them, to achieve the greater good.
OK, that’s my message to humanity over. Back to Obsidian.
I’m an optimist but I suspect Frost isn’t.
I don’t think this series will conclude with “and they all lived happily ever after” and I don’t need to be an oracle like one of the characters to have the foresight to know this story is going to break many of the characters. And me.
But, like obsidian, I’m sure I’ll be stronger for it, having absorbed the powerful messages and basking in the beauty of the storytelling and prose.
In conclusion, Obsidian is a journey. A hard, remarkable, engrossing adventure in which every chapter packs a combination of punches, often sucker punches at that.
It’s a staggering masterpiece in so many ways and I’ve never made so many highlights in a book.
The depth and intensity of the emotional dynamics between the characters and their introspection is breathtaking. As is the brilliant prose, the complexities of the plot, the richness of the cultures and setting, and the power of the themes and messages.
It may not seem like it but I’ve had to constrain myself with this review. That’s because everything about this magnificent book makes it a fertile oasis for waxing lyrical about it.
It’s an epic in the tradition of Arabian Nights and I expect it to get even more epic.
I could happily spend one thousand and one nights writing lots of essays about every character, every chapter and every plot thread because it’s an incredible read.
I love it to death and can’t wait for the desert sun to rise on book 2.
May 20, 2021
The best way I can think to describe this book is A Song of Fire and Ice set in the Middle East. The writing is beautiful, the characters complicated, the plot brimming with adventure and political intrigue. Masterfully weaving together multiple POVs, Sienna Frost unflinchingly explores the darker aspects of human nature, the complexity of interpersonal relationships and the brutal, agonizing choices they are forced to make for love, honor, and loyalty. True to most pre-modern societies, the characters are often forced by fate, birth, and other external powers to disregard their personal desires and attachments for the sake of survival or duty. Even some of the more “villainous” characters force the reader to question their own preconceived notions of good or bad, right or wrong. There is no one is this book who can genuinely be called “the good guy.” All of the characters are flawed, all the relationships fraught, all of the conflicts too nuanced to easily pick sides.
Needless to say, this work delves into difficult subject matter. As one might expect of any candid depiction of war, there is rape, slavery, abuse, and widespread slaughter on both sides. However, through all the brutality shines moments of heroism, self-sacrifice, love, and genuine devotion. This is one of the best books available on Wattpad and certainly the most deserving of publication. I highly recommend it to anyone in search of a fantasy novel as deep and thought-provoking as it is thrilling.
Needless to say, this work delves into difficult subject matter. As one might expect of any candid depiction of war, there is rape, slavery, abuse, and widespread slaughter on both sides. However, through all the brutality shines moments of heroism, self-sacrifice, love, and genuine devotion. This is one of the best books available on Wattpad and certainly the most deserving of publication. I highly recommend it to anyone in search of a fantasy novel as deep and thought-provoking as it is thrilling.
June 6, 2021
*Better than Games of Thrones*
This book literally CHANGED MY LIFE!!!
And in a positive direction, too!
I've never read something like this before, and least of all a grimdark novel. It's been quite an experience to me, who is used to lighter forms of fantasy.
First of all, the cover got to me. Then, the description. They just took me by the hands and I was swept into reading the book. It hooked me right from the beginning to the end!
In any fantasy, names and titles are the best part, and this book holds no exception to this unspoken rule of mine. What fantastic, memorable names! What personalities! What a plot to get them all together! Wonderful.... Just wonderful.... I have no more words of praise to express how impressed I was with this book!
The grammar was very good, except for some mistakes here and there, but they're almost unnoticeable, therefore didn't throw me off the story. It's very clear that Sienna put more than just hard work into her story.
It's a grimdark novel with a taste of humour, all balanced out, which is where the most appeal lay for me. I absolutely adored the twists and turns that took place in just the right moments and pace! The characters also were very, very interesting and unpredictable!
I'd recommend this book to anybody who loves all forms of fantasy and wouldn't mind some gore and bloodlust. Definitely going to read more of this author!
This book literally CHANGED MY LIFE!!!
And in a positive direction, too!
I've never read something like this before, and least of all a grimdark novel. It's been quite an experience to me, who is used to lighter forms of fantasy.
First of all, the cover got to me. Then, the description. They just took me by the hands and I was swept into reading the book. It hooked me right from the beginning to the end!
In any fantasy, names and titles are the best part, and this book holds no exception to this unspoken rule of mine. What fantastic, memorable names! What personalities! What a plot to get them all together! Wonderful.... Just wonderful.... I have no more words of praise to express how impressed I was with this book!
The grammar was very good, except for some mistakes here and there, but they're almost unnoticeable, therefore didn't throw me off the story. It's very clear that Sienna put more than just hard work into her story.
It's a grimdark novel with a taste of humour, all balanced out, which is where the most appeal lay for me. I absolutely adored the twists and turns that took place in just the right moments and pace! The characters also were very, very interesting and unpredictable!
I'd recommend this book to anybody who loves all forms of fantasy and wouldn't mind some gore and bloodlust. Definitely going to read more of this author!
August 16, 2023
a beautifully told story with deep and universal questions about power and love
This book took me completely by surprise. I’ve read about morally grey characters in many stories, but nothing has been like this. It’s located in a desert setting with tribal conflicts all around. Each has different religions and cultural traditions. I enjoyed this worldbuilding a lot. I felt the hot arid winds of the desert and felt dry and parched in my mouth.
Now the characters take a while to get to know. But this is to be expected with many parts at play. These people need to make tough decisions and sometimes they really think over what the impact of it will be. Should I do this and that happens? Or should I do something else and then this happens? Can they live with their decision as well? So many considerations to be considered. And these apply to our lives now. What would we do? Would we save one life and sacrifice hundreds of others? Love plays an important role, but it wears many different disguises. Are these decisions justified because you say I do this for love of someone? Is it enough? There are philosophical questions which race around your head trying to figure out what is the right answer.
How will life more forward in the next book? I facilitated back and forth wondering what would happen in that last chapter!
Such a moving book and I highly recommend it! * A warning that there is violent and graphic content in this book.* But this is a cruel and violent world here in this story and in the real world.
This book took me completely by surprise. I’ve read about morally grey characters in many stories, but nothing has been like this. It’s located in a desert setting with tribal conflicts all around. Each has different religions and cultural traditions. I enjoyed this worldbuilding a lot. I felt the hot arid winds of the desert and felt dry and parched in my mouth.
Now the characters take a while to get to know. But this is to be expected with many parts at play. These people need to make tough decisions and sometimes they really think over what the impact of it will be. Should I do this and that happens? Or should I do something else and then this happens? Can they live with their decision as well? So many considerations to be considered. And these apply to our lives now. What would we do? Would we save one life and sacrifice hundreds of others? Love plays an important role, but it wears many different disguises. Are these decisions justified because you say I do this for love of someone? Is it enough? There are philosophical questions which race around your head trying to figure out what is the right answer.
How will life more forward in the next book? I facilitated back and forth wondering what would happen in that last chapter!
Such a moving book and I highly recommend it! * A warning that there is violent and graphic content in this book.* But this is a cruel and violent world here in this story and in the real world.
Want to read
September 26, 2023I like this so much and one day I will come back to it, just putting this aside for now...
January 13, 2025
What a journey! Despite this being the first book in the series, I feel as if I have known these characters through multiple books. The amount of character depth Frost includes within these pages is incredible.
The book is told through multiple POVs. From these viewpoints, we learn that fate has not been kind to these characters, yet they somehow find a way to move forward with their lives. As a result, all the MCs are flawed and morally grey. This made each character feel real and multi-faceted. Each view also added to the story and created a better picture of the world.
In addition, using multiple POVS, allowed me to understand how each MC perceives themselves versus how others see them. In the end, I became deeply invested in the story and its characters. At times, I was conflicted on who to root for. This made it especially hard since my favorite MCs are on opposing sides where only one will win.
I was also blown away by the vivid descriptions of this world. There are so many cinematic scenes, which I still find myself visualizing. Additionally, the setting is beautiful but brutal. From the desert climate to the social norms, it seems like it is hard to keep your limbs, along with your life. Another aspect I appreciated is how Frost made the White and Black Deserts morally ambiguous. You find injustice in both locations. The reason the two are in conflict is all due to a difference in religion, culture, and governance. All the same reasons for the countless wars in our world.
My only complaint is there is no map included in the book. However, I hope as more people pick up Obsidian, a map will be added later. (Psst...Frost, if you are reading this, I would even accept a map on your author website).
I am not one to pre-order, but after reading book 1, I plan to order the second book as soon as it’s released. After reading Obsidian, I fear the emotional damage I will get from the sequel, but I am dying to learn what happens next.
Overall, I highly recommend this political and epic fantasy. Please make sure to check the trigger warnings, but also be aware the difficult scenes in this novel had a purpose and were respectfully written.
The book is told through multiple POVs. From these viewpoints, we learn that fate has not been kind to these characters, yet they somehow find a way to move forward with their lives. As a result, all the MCs are flawed and morally grey. This made each character feel real and multi-faceted. Each view also added to the story and created a better picture of the world.
In addition, using multiple POVS, allowed me to understand how each MC perceives themselves versus how others see them. In the end, I became deeply invested in the story and its characters. At times, I was conflicted on who to root for. This made it especially hard since my favorite MCs are on opposing sides where only one will win.
I was also blown away by the vivid descriptions of this world. There are so many cinematic scenes, which I still find myself visualizing. Additionally, the setting is beautiful but brutal. From the desert climate to the social norms, it seems like it is hard to keep your limbs, along with your life. Another aspect I appreciated is how Frost made the White and Black Deserts morally ambiguous. You find injustice in both locations. The reason the two are in conflict is all due to a difference in religion, culture, and governance. All the same reasons for the countless wars in our world.
My only complaint is there is no map included in the book. However, I hope as more people pick up Obsidian, a map will be added later. (Psst...Frost, if you are reading this, I would even accept a map on your author website).
I am not one to pre-order, but after reading book 1, I plan to order the second book as soon as it’s released. After reading Obsidian, I fear the emotional damage I will get from the sequel, but I am dying to learn what happens next.
Overall, I highly recommend this political and epic fantasy. Please make sure to check the trigger warnings, but also be aware the difficult scenes in this novel had a purpose and were respectfully written.
January 29, 2023
4.5/5 but rounding up
Obsidian: Awakening is pretty close to perfect for me, and that’s saying something considering this is a debut novel. A tyrant king; a captive wife; a half-blood prince; a male escort turned assassin; a girl destined to end the war; a tribal oracle; a rival lover. Seven lives born on different sides of a war between an ever-expanding empire and a nomadic tribal society set against a Middle Eastern-inspired desert world.
The book is brilliantly paced, with shifting perspectives that build tension and intrigue. Storythreads intersect and diverge while remaining easy to follow and never confusing. It utilizes a linear chronological progression towards two epic final acts for some characters while others are just being set up and left open for the sequel. And boy did those final chapters leave me practically breathless as I could not put it down.
Action-packed and story-driven, the book still manages get its characters to shine. There wasn’t a single character I did not love. There are no true heroes nor villains here with each one of the seven having motivations you can understand and relate to. They may do some despicable acts and go to dark places, but it is never a question whether they are justified as they remain true to their characters. And while the book may be a dark fantasy, it never gets truly grim (and that’s a plus for me as I personally do not like things being too grimdark).
Obsidian: Awakening is a brilliant debut dark fantasy, and I am eagerly awaiting a sequel.
*I read this as a judge in the 1st Indie Ink Awards. My rating here may not directly reflect how I scored there. I was provided an ebook but chose to purchase a paperback copy for myself.
Obsidian: Awakening is pretty close to perfect for me, and that’s saying something considering this is a debut novel. A tyrant king; a captive wife; a half-blood prince; a male escort turned assassin; a girl destined to end the war; a tribal oracle; a rival lover. Seven lives born on different sides of a war between an ever-expanding empire and a nomadic tribal society set against a Middle Eastern-inspired desert world.
The book is brilliantly paced, with shifting perspectives that build tension and intrigue. Storythreads intersect and diverge while remaining easy to follow and never confusing. It utilizes a linear chronological progression towards two epic final acts for some characters while others are just being set up and left open for the sequel. And boy did those final chapters leave me practically breathless as I could not put it down.
Action-packed and story-driven, the book still manages get its characters to shine. There wasn’t a single character I did not love. There are no true heroes nor villains here with each one of the seven having motivations you can understand and relate to. They may do some despicable acts and go to dark places, but it is never a question whether they are justified as they remain true to their characters. And while the book may be a dark fantasy, it never gets truly grim (and that’s a plus for me as I personally do not like things being too grimdark).
Obsidian: Awakening is a brilliant debut dark fantasy, and I am eagerly awaiting a sequel.
*I read this as a judge in the 1st Indie Ink Awards. My rating here may not directly reflect how I scored there. I was provided an ebook but chose to purchase a paperback copy for myself.
April 5, 2024
I was offered a copy to judge for the Indie Ink Awards for the categories of Best Book Cover, side character MVP, and gay representation. I’m glad to say I already had bought a kindle copy because I wanted to read it anyway! Such a good cover!
This novel is about the battle of two sides of the desert. Those that want freedom to do as they please, and those that want to unite and control everything. It’s less about good and evil than other stories, as both sides have things that they’ve done that are far from perfect. I enjoyed that it highlighted the darkness of war and struggle.
But it’s also about love, family, loss, growth, and desire. The characters are rich, with vastly different personalities and abilities. They struggle and fight and lose and gain. The world features gay characters exactly as they should be, it’s just who they are, it doesn’t define them in any particular way. It’s definitely not something that reads as one note, which is great to see. I will say that as it has huge portions of the story just out in the middle of the desert in what are virtually tent cities, the world can feel a bit small at times, as the ability to describe the desert is rather limited, but I would love to see the world grow in follow ups.
Most know I am not one for sexual content in books personally. This one has quite a few, and although they are not incredibly detailed, which I appreciated, most of them feature sexual violence/force. Although that certainly fits the world created so I understand, it was a lot to actually read it.
Personally a 4/5* for me. Looking forward to a sequel.
This novel is about the battle of two sides of the desert. Those that want freedom to do as they please, and those that want to unite and control everything. It’s less about good and evil than other stories, as both sides have things that they’ve done that are far from perfect. I enjoyed that it highlighted the darkness of war and struggle.
But it’s also about love, family, loss, growth, and desire. The characters are rich, with vastly different personalities and abilities. They struggle and fight and lose and gain. The world features gay characters exactly as they should be, it’s just who they are, it doesn’t define them in any particular way. It’s definitely not something that reads as one note, which is great to see. I will say that as it has huge portions of the story just out in the middle of the desert in what are virtually tent cities, the world can feel a bit small at times, as the ability to describe the desert is rather limited, but I would love to see the world grow in follow ups.
Most know I am not one for sexual content in books personally. This one has quite a few, and although they are not incredibly detailed, which I appreciated, most of them feature sexual violence/force. Although that certainly fits the world created so I understand, it was a lot to actually read it.
Personally a 4/5* for me. Looking forward to a sequel.
December 26, 2024
"We must find the courage to love things and the strength to survive losing them, or else life holds very little meaning, and the world holds no joy."
☆Obsidian: Awakening
☆Book 1 of ? Series Obsidian
☆Grimdark desert Fantasy
☆2 FMC
☆6 MMC
☆5 Chosen ones
☆Emotional destruction
☆Political manoeuvering
☆Great world-building based on Middle Eastern desert culture
☆Mutiple POVs
☆The physical book is beautiful with 40+ art spreads.
If you are looking for a story that totally drags you in and keeps you emotionally engaged, then you really need to read Obsidian: Awakening. This book is going straight to my list of best books of 2023.
Did I think beforehand that it was a book about mainly war, YES. Is it? Only partly, but on a very human and intimate scale.
It is a story about humanity that unflichingly explores the darker sides of human nature, the complexity of interpersonal relationships and the brutal, painful choices people have to make for love, honour and loyalty.
And for me as character-driven reader, it was a compelling story about an emotional war that the characters waged mainly with themselves.
The characters are all great in their own way, but if I have to choose then Baaku is my favourite at the moment, especially after reading the deleted scene at the back of the book.
So, do yourself a favour read this, because it's full with alpha men, strong women, queer love, oracles, assasins, desert warriors, dangerous scheming, and brutal emotional gut punches. What's not to love.
☆Obsidian: Awakening
☆Book 1 of ? Series Obsidian
☆Grimdark desert Fantasy
☆2 FMC
☆6 MMC
☆5 Chosen ones
☆Emotional destruction
☆Political manoeuvering
☆Great world-building based on Middle Eastern desert culture
☆Mutiple POVs
☆The physical book is beautiful with 40+ art spreads.
If you are looking for a story that totally drags you in and keeps you emotionally engaged, then you really need to read Obsidian: Awakening. This book is going straight to my list of best books of 2023.
Did I think beforehand that it was a book about mainly war, YES. Is it? Only partly, but on a very human and intimate scale.
It is a story about humanity that unflichingly explores the darker sides of human nature, the complexity of interpersonal relationships and the brutal, painful choices people have to make for love, honour and loyalty.
And for me as character-driven reader, it was a compelling story about an emotional war that the characters waged mainly with themselves.
The characters are all great in their own way, but if I have to choose then Baaku is my favourite at the moment, especially after reading the deleted scene at the back of the book.
So, do yourself a favour read this, because it's full with alpha men, strong women, queer love, oracles, assasins, desert warriors, dangerous scheming, and brutal emotional gut punches. What's not to love.
January 29, 2022
This is the kind of story that, for many reasons, pulls you in and doesn’t let you go. There’s something almost relentless about the way things (many of them dark and difficult) just continue to happen to characters— complicated, interesting characters— who have to roll with the punches no matter what. Well worth a read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Currently reading
February 17, 2024This is not a full review. I read through the beginning of all 300 SPFBO9 contest entries. This was a book I wanted to read more of.
A lady of the White Desert taken prisoner after a lost battle is saved from the abuse of her captors by the Prince who leads the conquest of her people.
This is a high drama, high action story that feels like it doesn’t waste a single sentence diving headlong into the story. The tone, circumstances, and lofty personal and political conflicts all remind me of a feudal K or C-drama in the best way.
The prose manages to be both energetic and meditative. It is active and fast, but also descriptive and detailed. It strikes a perfect balance, drawing me into the story.
This has an omniscient pov that deftly tells us things about the characters and world of the story before moving into a 3rd person close perspective to ground us in the experience of our female MC, but never leaves its broader facility for story telling behind.
I feel I know exactly what I need to know to enjoy the tense circumstances of this opening. The setting and peoples involved in this conflict are gradually opening up to me, but the focus is on our principle characters, both of whom are equally interesting.
Everything about this opening conspired to capture my interest, including the early deployment of the oh-no-he’s-hit trope! Not that it’s played for anything like a gag (intimidating male nudity!!).
Out MC may be a defenseless prisoner, but she’s no victim. She’s proud and strong and looks this blood-soaked Prince straight in the eyes without flinching. A fast, painless death would be welcomed by her.
There’s a quality to the writing here that I find infinitely absorbing. Frost is owning her style. It’s active and focused. It’s expressive, effortlessly descriptive, fast, dramatic, and this is only the beginning. I’m in!
A lady of the White Desert taken prisoner after a lost battle is saved from the abuse of her captors by the Prince who leads the conquest of her people.
This is a high drama, high action story that feels like it doesn’t waste a single sentence diving headlong into the story. The tone, circumstances, and lofty personal and political conflicts all remind me of a feudal K or C-drama in the best way.
The prose manages to be both energetic and meditative. It is active and fast, but also descriptive and detailed. It strikes a perfect balance, drawing me into the story.
This has an omniscient pov that deftly tells us things about the characters and world of the story before moving into a 3rd person close perspective to ground us in the experience of our female MC, but never leaves its broader facility for story telling behind.
I feel I know exactly what I need to know to enjoy the tense circumstances of this opening. The setting and peoples involved in this conflict are gradually opening up to me, but the focus is on our principle characters, both of whom are equally interesting.
Everything about this opening conspired to capture my interest, including the early deployment of the oh-no-he’s-hit trope! Not that it’s played for anything like a gag (intimidating male nudity!!).
Out MC may be a defenseless prisoner, but she’s no victim. She’s proud and strong and looks this blood-soaked Prince straight in the eyes without flinching. A fast, painless death would be welcomed by her.
There’s a quality to the writing here that I find infinitely absorbing. Frost is owning her style. It’s active and focused. It’s expressive, effortlessly descriptive, fast, dramatic, and this is only the beginning. I’m in!
February 10, 2025
Second-read review:
I first read Obsidian during my Wattpad days, and coming back to it after several years brought back the memories of it. It was already one of (if not the) best books on the platform, and I enjoyed it as much as I did back then. Even already knowing the plot, I still found myself aweing at the plot twists and revelations.
Obsidian is a multi-POV book in which every POV character can be regarded as the main character, but since I’ve always had a soft spot for Hasheem, I choose him as the starting point. Hasheem is a highly respected male escort and skilled assassin with a traumatic past lived through survival. Abducted from his native land – the White Desert – during a raid and made slave in Rasharwi, when his own actions force him to flee, he has no place where to go, or where to come back. He stumbles upon Djari, a Bharavi of the White Desert, in the territory of her own tribe. Only chance impedes her to kill him, and soon they realise there’s something more that binds them, something transcendental that goes beyond chance. Thanks to Djari’s oracle brother, Nazir, Hasheem is accepted in the White Desert as Djari’s sworn sword.
At the same time, in Rasharwi, the prince Lasura tries to live his life under the heavy shadow of his father, the Salar Muradi, and his mother Zahara, one of the Salar’s many wives and herself an enslaved Bharavi from the White Desert. His ancestry makes him a misfit among both Rashai people and in the White Desert. His father favours him among all his children of higher rank, while his mother wants him to side against his father – whom she’d rather see dead – and side with the White Desert in the final showdown between White Desert and Rasharwi. Everything carefully manoeuvred by gods and the hands of Deo di Amarra, the richest entrepreneur in Rasharwi.
Hasheem: the boy with no land, living a life of survival, still uncertain of what his place in the world is until he meets Djari and everything begins to make sense.
Djari: a high-born girl, destined to be married off to strengthen the alliances of her tribe but also prophesised to bring an end to the war against Rasharwi.
Nazir: the last living oracle, living with the weight of visions and premonitions, weighed down by the weight of knowledge and his future inheritance as head of the tribe.
Lasura: the prince contended between two side, in a war in which he’d rather not take part, and still not feeling like belonging anywhere.
Muradi: a leader born out of trauma that doesn’t trust anybody, and doesn’t allow himself to show any vulnerability.
Zahara: a proud woman of the White Desert, sworn to take revenge for the crimes against her family and people.
Deo di Amarra: always the smartest man in the room, the hand behind every plot, every conspiracy and every trade. I realise now we do not have any single POV from his side, because it would probably give away everything altogether.
In Obsidian, the Black and White divide, the Sun against the Moon, takes a new turn in which the dichotomy is substituted by nuance. There’s a little bit of black in the white – as shown by the dark-skinned, white-haired inhabitants of the White Desert – and a little bit of white in the black – as represented by the white-skinned, black-haired worshippers of the Sun god Rashar. A metaphor perpetrated throughout the entire book, in which nobody is ever fully good or bad.
The worldbuilding is amazing, with a little of Arabian and nomadic inspiration. Sienna is a master of third multi-POV, with the ability to offer such an intricate tale exclusively and meticulously staying inside a character’s head, scene by scene, and conveying their peculiar interiority.
And finally, I stan Hasheem and Nazir until the end of times ❤
This was my Hasheem in 2020 😂⬇
I first read Obsidian during my Wattpad days, and coming back to it after several years brought back the memories of it. It was already one of (if not the) best books on the platform, and I enjoyed it as much as I did back then. Even already knowing the plot, I still found myself aweing at the plot twists and revelations.
Obsidian is a multi-POV book in which every POV character can be regarded as the main character, but since I’ve always had a soft spot for Hasheem, I choose him as the starting point. Hasheem is a highly respected male escort and skilled assassin with a traumatic past lived through survival. Abducted from his native land – the White Desert – during a raid and made slave in Rasharwi, when his own actions force him to flee, he has no place where to go, or where to come back. He stumbles upon Djari, a Bharavi of the White Desert, in the territory of her own tribe. Only chance impedes her to kill him, and soon they realise there’s something more that binds them, something transcendental that goes beyond chance. Thanks to Djari’s oracle brother, Nazir, Hasheem is accepted in the White Desert as Djari’s sworn sword.
At the same time, in Rasharwi, the prince Lasura tries to live his life under the heavy shadow of his father, the Salar Muradi, and his mother Zahara, one of the Salar’s many wives and herself an enslaved Bharavi from the White Desert. His ancestry makes him a misfit among both Rashai people and in the White Desert. His father favours him among all his children of higher rank, while his mother wants him to side against his father – whom she’d rather see dead – and side with the White Desert in the final showdown between White Desert and Rasharwi. Everything carefully manoeuvred by gods and the hands of Deo di Amarra, the richest entrepreneur in Rasharwi.
Hasheem: the boy with no land, living a life of survival, still uncertain of what his place in the world is until he meets Djari and everything begins to make sense.
Djari: a high-born girl, destined to be married off to strengthen the alliances of her tribe but also prophesised to bring an end to the war against Rasharwi.
Nazir: the last living oracle, living with the weight of visions and premonitions, weighed down by the weight of knowledge and his future inheritance as head of the tribe.
Lasura: the prince contended between two side, in a war in which he’d rather not take part, and still not feeling like belonging anywhere.
Muradi: a leader born out of trauma that doesn’t trust anybody, and doesn’t allow himself to show any vulnerability.
Zahara: a proud woman of the White Desert, sworn to take revenge for the crimes against her family and people.
Deo di Amarra: always the smartest man in the room, the hand behind every plot, every conspiracy and every trade. I realise now we do not have any single POV from his side, because it would probably give away everything altogether.
In Obsidian, the Black and White divide, the Sun against the Moon, takes a new turn in which the dichotomy is substituted by nuance. There’s a little bit of black in the white – as shown by the dark-skinned, white-haired inhabitants of the White Desert – and a little bit of white in the black – as represented by the white-skinned, black-haired worshippers of the Sun god Rashar. A metaphor perpetrated throughout the entire book, in which nobody is ever fully good or bad.
The worldbuilding is amazing, with a little of Arabian and nomadic inspiration. Sienna is a master of third multi-POV, with the ability to offer such an intricate tale exclusively and meticulously staying inside a character’s head, scene by scene, and conveying their peculiar interiority.
And finally, I stan Hasheem and Nazir until the end of times ❤
This was my Hasheem in 2020 😂⬇
December 28, 2025
Remarkable book with a beautifully realised setting and a meticulously drawn, larger than life cast. Some have commented on the brutality of the story, or at least certain scenes and situations, but never once did I find anything excessive or gratuitous here. Highly recommended, especially for those who like to see characters’ inner wants and needs put beneath a rather unflinching microscope.
June 2, 2023
Please believe me when I tell you that I am not prone to hyperbole. That having been said, the first chapter of this book might possibly be the best opening chapter I've ever read, and I've read a lot of books by great authors. As I finished that chapter, I got nervous about what was to come. How can this author keep this up? That was the question that entered my mind. So, with that in mind, I tempered my expectations. That worked. I was able to enjoy the rest of the story, but the drop off was not significant. In fact, it was probably negligible.
As I read further, I began to dissect what exactly it was I found so alluring about Frost's writing. I quickly came to the realization that she's a master (already, I know, it's sickening) at dialogue. She also demonstrates the ability to create tension in colorful ways, which leads me to believe that she has a profound understanding of people and is in tune with the subtle nuances of human behavior.
The characters in this story are nearly larger than life and absolutely leap from the pages. She was able to layout their abilities in a way that told you clearly what their capabilities were. I would like to have seen more physical battles between the key players so that that could have been further illustrated. Through context (in most cases) I was able to figure out who was more powerful than who. In other cases, it was stated outright, which I did not have a problem with. I just wanted to see more of it illustrated on the pages.
Though the worldbuilding was adequate, I felt like some aspects of the description of the setting left something to be desired. I wanted to know more about what the structures looked like, how the leaders lived in comparison to their subjects, and the actual distance (whether it be days or kilometers) between the white desert and the black desert. I was especially interested in the layout of the black tower. This is just an observation from someone who is a glutton for details and can never have too much.
All in all, this was an excellent read and one that I highly recommend. Take your time and let it sink in. Think about what's stated explicitly and implicitly. There's a lot there. If you are a skimmer, this is not for you. But if you like to take your time with a book and dig into all aspects of a well written story, you will love it. Well done, Sienna Frost. I look forward to reading your next novel.
As I read further, I began to dissect what exactly it was I found so alluring about Frost's writing. I quickly came to the realization that she's a master (already, I know, it's sickening) at dialogue. She also demonstrates the ability to create tension in colorful ways, which leads me to believe that she has a profound understanding of people and is in tune with the subtle nuances of human behavior.
The characters in this story are nearly larger than life and absolutely leap from the pages. She was able to layout their abilities in a way that told you clearly what their capabilities were. I would like to have seen more physical battles between the key players so that that could have been further illustrated. Through context (in most cases) I was able to figure out who was more powerful than who. In other cases, it was stated outright, which I did not have a problem with. I just wanted to see more of it illustrated on the pages.
Though the worldbuilding was adequate, I felt like some aspects of the description of the setting left something to be desired. I wanted to know more about what the structures looked like, how the leaders lived in comparison to their subjects, and the actual distance (whether it be days or kilometers) between the white desert and the black desert. I was especially interested in the layout of the black tower. This is just an observation from someone who is a glutton for details and can never have too much.
All in all, this was an excellent read and one that I highly recommend. Take your time and let it sink in. Think about what's stated explicitly and implicitly. There's a lot there. If you are a skimmer, this is not for you. But if you like to take your time with a book and dig into all aspects of a well written story, you will love it. Well done, Sienna Frost. I look forward to reading your next novel.
June 14, 2023
Whew. This was an exhausting read and I mean that in the best way possible. TLDR version of this review: Obsidian Awakening is an incredible book and I wouldn't be surprised if it won SBFBO 9.
The phrase Grimdark gets thrown around a lot, but I will tell you this book is truly grimdark. There are parts that made it very unpleasant to read, and while I'm singing Obsidian's praise, I do so with the caveat that this book is NOT for everyone. There are few things more terrifying than a brilliant writer describing something horrific. The foreword is upfront about this and ends with the below quote, which tells you what you're in for:
‘Fate is a condescending, angry, sadistic bitch with few things to do and too much free time. But when Fate decides to strike, you can choose to die broken, or you can break like obsidian.’ –– Deo di Amarra
Chapter 1 masterfully sets the scene; if you weren't sure about how dark and grim the world was you are now. I want to give credit to how excellent the opening is and the VERY uncomfortable relationship between these two characters as the story progresses. I actually felt guilty for finding the predatory relationship fascinating but the dialogue is so powerful getting invested is inevitable:
"There are things you cannot have in this world, and my heart is among them." She spelled the words, carving them into his memory, into hers. "It is beating to see you die, never for you to claim."
There are a lot more POV's then I expected, and honestly I did get confused several times. Fortunately, the pace is fairly slow, and there is plenty of time to catch up and place names to faces. Once everything clicked I appreciated the multiple POVs. One thing Sienna excels at is altering descriptions based on who is perceiving them. Who is Nazir? Depends on who is describing him. There are physical descriptions and descriptions of his conquests, and then there are lines like this that I absolutely love:
"And Nazir... Nazir looked like some vengeful spirit you didn't fuck with who'd just been thoroughly and deliberately fucked."
I'm already rambling so I'm going to end this review by saying if you can tolerate the brutal subject matter please add this to your TBR. I got teary eyed at the end, both after the final chapter and the author's notes immediately after.
In another place, or another time…
The phrase Grimdark gets thrown around a lot, but I will tell you this book is truly grimdark. There are parts that made it very unpleasant to read, and while I'm singing Obsidian's praise, I do so with the caveat that this book is NOT for everyone. There are few things more terrifying than a brilliant writer describing something horrific. The foreword is upfront about this and ends with the below quote, which tells you what you're in for:
‘Fate is a condescending, angry, sadistic bitch with few things to do and too much free time. But when Fate decides to strike, you can choose to die broken, or you can break like obsidian.’ –– Deo di Amarra
Chapter 1 masterfully sets the scene; if you weren't sure about how dark and grim the world was you are now. I want to give credit to how excellent the opening is and the VERY uncomfortable relationship between these two characters as the story progresses. I actually felt guilty for finding the predatory relationship fascinating but the dialogue is so powerful getting invested is inevitable:
"There are things you cannot have in this world, and my heart is among them." She spelled the words, carving them into his memory, into hers. "It is beating to see you die, never for you to claim."
There are a lot more POV's then I expected, and honestly I did get confused several times. Fortunately, the pace is fairly slow, and there is plenty of time to catch up and place names to faces. Once everything clicked I appreciated the multiple POVs. One thing Sienna excels at is altering descriptions based on who is perceiving them. Who is Nazir? Depends on who is describing him. There are physical descriptions and descriptions of his conquests, and then there are lines like this that I absolutely love:
"And Nazir... Nazir looked like some vengeful spirit you didn't fuck with who'd just been thoroughly and deliberately fucked."
I'm already rambling so I'm going to end this review by saying if you can tolerate the brutal subject matter please add this to your TBR. I got teary eyed at the end, both after the final chapter and the author's notes immediately after.
In another place, or another time…
November 23, 2021
The first natural comparison upon reading this book would probably be Game of Thrones, but that's like comparing an apple to a chocolate cake (this book is the cake in this metaphor, by the way). Obsidian: Awakening is, simply put, a tour de force of dark, gritty fantasy that takes the multiple POV method and a cast of flawed, fascinating, and complex characters to a whole new level of engrossing reading. The fictional world within the story is richly detailed, vividly alive, and absorbingly believable (and side note, so nice to read a fantasy that isn't based on Medieval Europe for once). The characters are heartbreakingly human. And the message is as real as can be, making no excuses for human nature and cutting right to the center of what it means to live, love, suffer, and seek redemption.
For anyone who wants a light and fluffy read, this probably isn't the book for you. But for anyone who wants an amazing adventure told in incredible detail by an extremely talented author and is willing to see humanity at its best and its worst, pick this book up. I promise you it's worth it.
For anyone who wants a light and fluffy read, this probably isn't the book for you. But for anyone who wants an amazing adventure told in incredible detail by an extremely talented author and is willing to see humanity at its best and its worst, pick this book up. I promise you it's worth it.
July 14, 2022
Some books I feel bad about taking a long time to read. This is not one of those cases. I wanted to read it, to finish the story, but at the same time there were parts I needed to let sit. There were times when I just sat and enjoyed the layout, trying to figure out how the artwork corelated to the chapters.
I think a character list and a glossary of terms would have been useful. I sometimes had a hard time remembering who's who and what term meant what. Oddly, I didn't find myself needing a map. Again, one would have been cool, but I didn't feel the need to figure out where things were. We didn't visit many locations in the story, which helped.
The people and culture felt real to me. I had no trouble visualizing anything.
It was interesting to see how characters changed over time give that the books pans a large period of time.
A solid 4.5.
I think a character list and a glossary of terms would have been useful. I sometimes had a hard time remembering who's who and what term meant what. Oddly, I didn't find myself needing a map. Again, one would have been cool, but I didn't feel the need to figure out where things were. We didn't visit many locations in the story, which helped.
The people and culture felt real to me. I had no trouble visualizing anything.
It was interesting to see how characters changed over time give that the books pans a large period of time.
A solid 4.5.
February 1, 2023
I absolutely loved this book. I can’t remember the last time I was so lost in a story or engaged with the characters.
The world building is fantastic and the prose is sublime. I can’t wait to find out what happens next to everyone. No clear heroes or villains, all flawed in various ways and so completely real because of that.
This will be a book I return to again and again.
The world building is fantastic and the prose is sublime. I can’t wait to find out what happens next to everyone. No clear heroes or villains, all flawed in various ways and so completely real because of that.
This will be a book I return to again and again.
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