I was really excited to read this as I am a big fan of "Divergent", but unfortunately, there were several things that didn't work for me here.

while the concept of the world is unique and really captivating, the execution left something to be desired. most of the time, it felt like I was reading the second book in a trilogy while having no idea what happened in the first book. there was so much information about the different regions/countries, about the history that led to the creation of the Empire, but it was simply too hard to keep up. I normally love complex and intricate worlds, but I don't believe this one was done right. and on that note, I think adding a map and/or a glossary would've made a world of difference.

also, the magic system felt lacking in some parts and it could've been developed more or, at the very least, explained better.

however, even though I didn't particularly enjoy the setting, I was fascinated by the characters and their personalities and beliefs. Jantsia really saved the book for me, and while the book does end on a cliffhanger because of some revelations that happen at the end, what I'm most excited to see is how the relationships between the characters evolve in the sequel.

(side note, Jantsia's family dynamics was something that I hadn't read about before and I would've wanted to see more of that in the book because it was something new that you normally don't see in a YA romantasy, or any romantasy for that matter)

thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

4⭐️ read!

The Girl with the Fierce Eyes is a YA Dystopian fantasy based in a society where your eye colour determines your place in society and your powers which reminds me a little of the Divergent series! In this world there are four oculary powers (Obsidian, Sepia, Verdidian, and Azure) that are divided into a caste like system where those that have lighter eye colours live a life of poverty and servitude with intermixing between these groups are condemned by the empire.

Just to be warned there are a couple trigger warnings such as: (past) sexual grooming, sibling/infant death, racism and discrimination, threatened torture and death.

Sophia Vahdati did an amazing job creating a world that has magic, political intrigue and betrayal. I loved this book and can’t wait for book 2!!

A YA Dystopian fantasy that really put into perspective real life problems. As a white man, even I was reading this thinking “Blimey, this is so relevant in today’s world”

Jantsia is an amazing character who struggles with not fitting into her social circles due to her heritage and appearance, she also has to lie about her identity at home all while suffering with a “blood sickness”. Following her story of growth and acceptance after scenes where she’s gone to such efforts to fit in with the Azures around her was so good.

Daezen is Jantsia’s best friend Kains’s older brother. Broody, a son who’s stepped up as head of the household after his father’s death. His character arc was also really good to read and I can’t wait to see where his story goes.

Soba’s our other point of view throughout the story, she’s the “bad guy”, strong, athletic, rugged. An inspector whose job it is to find and infiltrate the rebels plans. Her story was heartbreaking. You really felt for her and what she’d been through, helping you understand why and how she’s ended up where she is.

The only trigger warning I noticed that was missing was that grooming has a part to play in this story. It was handled and written well a long with the other plots of discrimination and stereotypes.

Sophia Vahdati has created a world that reflects our current world and its issues with discrimination while putting a dystopian fantasy twist of her own on it. The magic and caste system was fantastic. The idea that your place in the hierarchy is dependant on your eye colour and corresponding power was so well done.

Eager to carry on this story in the next instalment.

I've read about 10% and would like to give some early thoughts. Will update as I progress along.

Chapter 3: Any clear association between them and Topper could peak the Inspectors’ interests.
I think this should be "pique". Apologies if I'm misunderstanding the intention to use "peak".

Chapter 4: The guard’s reaction was priceless. His narrow, beady eyes opened as wide as they could, and his mouth sucked in like a butthole.
I feel like this is not appropriate for YA but maybe there's a connect to something else later but this paragraph was where I really felt like I had to stop.

I'm determined to give this book another go but I'm gonna read another book for a palette cleanser first. I love the concept of this book but I'm not enjoying the writing style.
.

I would rate this book as a quite solid 3.5 ⭐️.

This was a book with a really interesting premise, that the colour of your eyes could determine your rank in society and also your powers.

The fmc of the story is living with a secret, and I enjoyed reading about how this impacted her relationships with her friends and family, and also her view of herself, her own self worth.

There was a decent amount of world building, although the dialogue and flow of the story was a little clunky at times. The pace was a little slower than I would normally enjoy, and there were occasional info dumps that could possibly have been handled a bit better.

Although I am conscious of the fact that I’m not in the age bracket that this book is targeted at, so possibly that impacted my enjoyment. But I have read and enjoyed several other ya books that felt maybe a little bit more substantial than this one.

However, overall this was a pretty solid, enjoyable read and one that I would recommend. And by the end of the story I had started to feel like I cared about the characters and would be interested to know what happens to them next.

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!