Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book. A gorgeous 4 star read book from me. What an exciting plot, vivid storytelling and relatable, rich characters. I couldn't put this book down – absolutely loved it.

Firstly thank you to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately I had to DNF this book as I personally found it hard to follow due to quite a few POVs. The whole concept of the plot is very fascinating and you would definitely enjoy this book if you enjoy fantasy and multiple POV. I did enjoy that chapters were named as I find this a rare find in books currently.

The Girl with the Fierce Eyes is such a good story. I rated it 5 stars because I couldn't put it down for a second. I totally recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it's really good and the characters are fantastic.

The character growth in this was so good! I’m usually very picky with my YA reads but this was gone very well.

"But secrets were open wounds. The longer they were left to fester, the more likely they'd become infected."

Author: Sophia Vahdati
Page Count: 384 Pages
Release date: July 17, 2025

The Girl with the Fierce Eyes is the first installment in a fast-paced YA dystopian fantasy romance series by debut author Sophia Vahdati. I was blown away by Sophia Vahdati’s world, full of magic, love triangles, political intrigue, betrayal, and a heroine who must decide whether to reveal her deadliest secret to save them all.

I loved the premise of the novel, which is about a Divergent-esque world in which eye colour determines status, wealth, and power. In the Empire of Shariza, the four oculary powers (Obsidian, Sepia, Verdidian, and Azure) are separated in a castes system that condemns those with light eyes to lives of poverty and servitude. Intermixing is forbidden on pain of death.

👁️ Your eyes decide your destiny 👁️

In a world where difference means death, Jantsia must hide her dual-heritage, even from the person she loves the most. But when a rebellion challenges the rot at the core of the Empire, Janstia must decide whether to risk revealing the secret that has kept her alive. What if her difference isn’t dangerous? What if it is the secret to saving them all? But who to trust when difference means death?

A Love That Kills

I devoured this novel, which has the fast pace to keep you awake and night and the depth and complexity to keep you thinking about the plot long after you have finished the book.

I appreciated Vahdati’s use of eye colour as a vehicle to explore the way human societies create structures of power and discrimination, and that she subverts expectations by placing blue eyes at the bottom of the social ladder. The dual-heritage protagonist struggles with not fitting into either of her parent’s worlds, and must learn to embrace rather than fear her difference. In this way, Jantsia’s story explores the risks posed to and by individuals who do not neatly fit into the categories human beings love to create.

I also loved the complexity of the novel, which follows three characters - two Azure and one Obsidian - as each are forced to question their assumptions about the world and their place in it. When the structures that govern their lives are exposed, what choices will they make? Is love powerful enough to overcome structures of hate?

I can’t wait for Book 2, which promises deadly trials and difficult choices for each of the characters!

You’ll love this novel if you love:
-Divergent-esque fantasy
-YA Dystopian
-Multiple POV
-Romance (F/M and F/F) & Love Triangles
-Magic & Deadly Trials
-Political Intrigue & Betrayal
-Found Family
-Self-Discovery

CW: sexual grooming (past), sibling/infant death (past), racism and discrimination, threatened torture & death, characters in peril.

Really really enjoyed the premace of the book! I’m not usually a ya girly but this was a super cool concept and I really enjoyed the character growth from our main character!