“Birth of a Dynasty” Full Discussion “Spoilers Allowed”

[SFFBC, Ancillary Mod]

A few questions to get us started:


1. What did you think of the world?
2. What did you think of the characters?
3. What worked or didn't for you?
4. Overall thoughts?

[Nastia]

Although I'm more of a space opera fan, the book pulled me in completely and kept me engaged the whole time. The political landscape feels rich and dangerous, and the world-building never felt overwhelming.

There's a large cast of characters, though what's with the names? The Nnamani family all have names starting with Z that are very similar to each other. Some I genuinely cannot pronounce (good luck with "Mbwa"!).

The brutal moments — murders and sexual violence — touched a nerve, but I pushed through and the story was worth it. The names took some getting used to, but honestly that's a minor complaint.

Can't wait to get to the moment of "I'm M'Kuru Mukundi of Mandada"— it's going to be the most satisfying thing I've read in a while. Already grabbing book two!

[Sarah, The Unsettled]

I just finished and I’m sort of heart broken I have to wait until fall for Book 2. I really liked this one.

I had seen it talked about on multiple book tube channels and they all made it seem like a stand alone but it’s really not, feels like we’re just getting started (I know we aren’t but ending the story just as M’Kuru and Zikora has me all fired up for the next book.)

I like that there’s not a lot of magic to the story- that’s always my kind of fantasy, fantasy that feels like it could have happened. But what magic there is feels thoughtful and actually useful to the characters who need it while not making them invincible or overpowered. I was kind of wondering at the end there if they were hinting Zikora’s brother will have the gift of prophecy- the 2 stars meeting comment didn’t feel like he was actually talking about astronomy.

[Megan]

I was kind of wondering at the end there if they were hinting Zikora’s brother will have the gift of prophecy- the 2 stars meeting comment didn’t feel like he was actually talking about astronomy.

I thought that, too, that he's possibly a Seer! Their family could probably really use one, going into this rebellion.

I also really liked this book and hope to get to the next one when it releases. I liked the political intrigue and alllll the secrets : M'kuru/Khalil hiding his true identity and learning to wait if he wants true vengeance, and Zikora secretly being her family's royal heir (and also secretly being so much smarter and less innocent than she lets on).

I wanted more of the giants! I can't remember the last time I read a fantasy with giants, so I hope there's more about them in the next book.

[Netanella]

Megan wrote: " I wanted more of the giants! I can't remember the last time I read a fantasy with giants, so I hope there's more about them in the next book.
...."


Yes! Completely agree!

[Banshee]

That was certainly a wild ride. I hadn't actually heard about this book before it was nominated in this group but I'm glad it happened. Too bad there's a few months before the sequel is published.

I could see the comparison to ASOIAF as it was brutal which was surprising for a book with such young leads. Except it was better.

There were some moments where I was a bit confused - first with Zikora's brothers and their ridiculously similar names, and then second with the intrigues and power plays between the court ladies. Otherwise, I loved everything. And the novel finishing with the two leads finally meeting and putting the prophecy into motion felt powerful and satisfactory.