Hello Readers,
Thank you, NetGalley for the copy of Heavensent &
Hellbent. I received a complimentary eBook in exchange for an honest review.
Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the cover image
featured in this post. It is used under Fair Use for the purposes of review and
recommendation, in line with sections 29 and 30 of the Copyright Act.
Heavensent & Hellbent by Sara Jafari took me right
back to why I fell in love with YA paranormal romance in my teens, but with a
much more modern twist.
Going in almost completely blind turned out to be the
best decision. Discovering the world right alongside Roxy as she slowly piece
together the reality of angels, jinn, and her eerie pull toward Zain was so
satisfying. Jinn folklore is something I’ve always found fascinating, so seeing
it brought to life in a contemporary YA fantasy was a huge highlight.
Roxy herself is fantastic. She isn't just a vehicle for
the supernatural plot; she feels like a complete person with her own life,
great friendships, and a distinct personality. Also, the little bookish easter
eggs sprinkled throughout had me smiling.
Then you have Roxy and Zain. Their bond gives you
everything you want in a star-crossed romance forbidden romance, centuries of
history, cosmic odds stacked against them, and electric chemistry. The concept
of two souls repeatedly finding each other across different lifetimes hit all
the right notes for me.
What really elevated the book, though, was its nuance.
Instead of falling into a lazy "angels = good, jinn = bad" trope, the
story embraces the shades of grey in between. Blending Iranian culture and
Islamic-inspired mythology into the lore gives the whole premise a unique,
grounded feel.
If you miss the nostalgic hit of Twilight, Hush, Hush, or
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but want something fresh with Iranian representation,
mythology-inspired fantasy, and genuine emotional weight, Heavensent &
Hellbent should definitely be on your TBR list.
L x
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