Thank you Sophie Vahdati, One More Chapter, HarperCollins UK & NetGalley for the ARC! I’m always honored to be chosen.

I really struggled to get into this book. 40% through and I still wasn’t sure what the main goal of the book was or what was going on. There’s a lot of information thrown at the reader at beginning but it never really gets explained or elaborated upon. I feel like this is a great book for some readers but it just didn’t capture my attention.

I do feel the author did a good job capturing a 17 year old girls thoughts about friends and relationships.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for approving me to read this book, I’m rating it 4.0 stars.

I liked this a lot, it exceeded my expectations. There is a rebellion occurring behind the scenes that reminded me somewhat of the book The Final Strife and I mean that in the best way. The plot is unique for this story with an unusual magic system linked and detectable by eye colour distinguishing what race of people you belong to. There’s heavy tones of segregation, prejudice and cruelty in this story with political strife. The FMC at the heart of the story is in a precarious position always trying to remain invisible and compliant to get by, we see her on the cusp of change with truth and lies revealing themself. The FMC is a lovely character and it was great to see her growth and admirable strength carry her through the awful and tense situations she faces. Her best friend is a highlight to the story too, but I am fascinated to see what will become of him and his brother after where things leave off.

Fans of plot driven YA fantasy will like this one, it’s interesting and fresh.

The concept intrigued me, however the world-building felt like I had been thrown into a world I didn’t understand the rules of, and that made it tough to stay engaged.

The characters also read very young. As someone pushing 30, I think my tolerance for teenage angst and naivety has dropped — the dialogue and reactions were realistic for 17-year-olds, so no shade to the author there — I just struggled to connect. I also found the multiple POVs made that tricky, as I was never quite settled long enough in anyone’s head to feel invested.

I soft DNF’d at 30%. It’s not bad — it just isn’t lighting any fires for me, I would love to see what the author does next and there’s definitely potential in the world and the concept that I may pick this up again another time.

👁️ A caste system built on eye colour. A heroine with a deadly secret. A rebellion brewing in the shadows…

In The Girl with the Fierce Eyes, Sophia Vahdati introduces readers to a caste-bound empire where eye colour dictates power, status—and survival. Jantsia, born with a forbidden mix of castes, lives a lie to stay alive. But as rebellion brews, and her hidden power begins to stir, the question becomes: can the truth save her, or destroy everything?

The premise is strong, and the concept of an “oculary caste system” is unique and visually memorable. That said, the execution occasionally falters. The world-building—though rich—can be overwhelming, with little scaffolding to help readers track complex political histories and regional dynamics. A map or glossary would have made a noticeable difference in reader clarity.

While the magic system could be further developed, the character work shines. Jantsia’s emotional arc, personal stakes, and conflicted relationships kept me invested, and the final revelations set up book two with real narrative promise.

★★★☆☆ — A promising start to a high-concept fantasy series, with a fierce female lead and an ending that begs for a sequel.

In the Empire of Shariza, your eye colour determines your status. Jantsia a dual-oc (a forbidden mix of two castes) is hiding in plain sight as an Azure, the lowest of the castes. Daezen is just trying to get through each day, and supporting his family. Soba is an inspector, a far cry from her previous life. When the three find themselves caught up in a stirring rebellion, they have to ask just who they can trust when putting their faith in the wrong hands means death.

I was so intrigued by this concept – a dystopian fantasy based on eye colour. It felt original and I really liked learning about the different castes and how eye colour impacted people’s lives and magical abilities, although I would have liked to get more of this world building to truly understand the setting we were in. Across our three main characters we covered two of the castes and I don’t really feel like I truly know the abilities or status of the other two.

I did struggle slightly to connect to the characters. While I generally enjoy a multi-POV, the smaller amount of time that I spent with each character in this case did make it harder to truly understand them and I found them quite frustrating at times (especially Jantsia and Soba). I think that this partially is because they read quite young (which felt a bit strange given Soba’s position as an inspector) but I do think that this means they read at the right level for the book – I am out of the age range for YA so this was probably spot on for the intended audience. I think Daezen was my favourite character – again this might be because he read at an older level with the responsibilities he had.

The storyline was interesting and I’m keen to read more in the world. I think this was a really good set up book and am fully expecting to love book two more – I just didn’t quite connect with the characters or storyline enough on this outing. Nonetheless, I had a really enjoyable time and it was a very solid read.

With thanks to One More Chapter, HarperCollins and NetGalley for the chance to read this ahead of publication in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for my honest review. The Girl With The Fierce Eyes is the perfect dystopian YA fantasy story. I was impressed by the world Sophia has created, full of magic, political intrigue, betrayals, and sweet romance. While I felt it was a tad more on the YA side than I prefer as someone slightly older, I still found it intriguing enough to want to continue the story. Give this one a try, it won’t disappoint!

This story follows Jantsia, a girl who should not exist. In the Empire of Shariza, eye color determines the hierarchy of society. Outwardly Jantsia appears to be an Azure, the lowest of the four castes, but she is secretly a duol-oc, or a mix of two castes. If she were to be discovered, she would be condemned to death, as would her family. She must navigate society, and figure out how to stay invisible to stay alive.
The overall story and setting were intriguing and the writing was well done. The dystopian world was well thought out, and I can’t wait to hear more about the other Kingdoms. The beginning of the book was a bit slow for me, though by the end of the book, I didn’t want to put the book down.
Knowing now this has at least a sequel coming explains why it took a bit to get into the book. I appreciated the relationship between the main characters, and seeing how they all grew in their own ways throughout the story. The romance aspect was a side character, which I appreciated it not being the main focus. It helped shape the relationships and how the characters interacted with each other.
The social commentary around society was also well done, with one of the most memorable quotes being “…the real reason they wanted knowledge behind a digital gate, was to limit the access to knowledge among lighter colours.” The ending had me wanting to know what will happen next with all of the characters and I will definitely be looking to continue reading in this world.

Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy of The Girl with the Fierce Eyes by Sophia Vahdati.

While the premise really intrigued me and I appreciated the unique concept, I ultimately didn’t connect with the story in the way I’d hoped. The writing style and pacing just didn’t work for me personally, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged. I made it to around the 25% mark before deciding to put it down.

That said, I truly believe this will find its audience. Readers who enjoy poetic prose and introspective narratives may connect with this more than I did. This just wasn’t the right fit for me.

This book takes place in a dystopian empire with segregated caste systems determined by your eye colour, and the powers that come with them. A world full of secrets, rebellion plots and forbidden love: what could go wrong?

The pace is well balanced and allows you to take the time to absorb all of the heavy world building. As far as magic systems can go, this one was quite fun and creative though I would’ve liked to have explored this more - though I understand that our experience is limited by the struggles of the FMC and would hopefully be a focus of any further instalments. The cast of characters were mostly limited to the Azure community with splashes of Obsidian characters, painting a somewhat “Good vs. Evil” plot that isn’t as black and white as it seems. I’d love the story to expand to more of the other sectors and the rest of the empire, as the political system is presented as quite a fragile balance hiding a lot of secrets that I’d like to discover. The romance aspect of the story was quite predictable and somewhat underwhelming as it seems to only be in place in this book to set up for future plot lines without truly building out any chemistry between characters. I liked the importance of familial relationships and connecting with one’s heritage included within the characters’ journeys of self discovery, fuelled by a constant questioning of the world around them and a whole lot of self-reflection.

Thank you to Sophia Vahdati and the publishing/NetGalley team for allowing me the opportunity to give an advance review of this book. This was a wonderfully fun YA Romantasy debut and I’m excited to see what comes next, rating at 4/5 stars ✨

I really enjoyed The Girl with the Fierce Eyes! I found it to be well-written and unique. The pacing was great as were the characters. Looking forward to more!

“Stay invisible. Stay alive”

4.5/5

In this YA dystopian, the colour of your eyes dictates your social standing. Written in three POVs; Jantsia - a lowly blue eyed Azure with a secret that could get her killed
Daezen - Jantsia’s best friend’s older brother, head of the family after the death of their pa
Soba - an obsidian eyed inspector on a mission to infiltrate a group of Azure rebels

This book was very well written! I absolutely devoured it in less than 24 hours! It gave me Noughts and Crosses vibes but magical! That cliffhanger has me highly anticipating book two!

There were several dark themes explored in this book, and they were handled exceptionally well for a younger audience. While there’s a romantic element to the story, I don’t think it detracts from the overall narrative, which was quite refreshing compared to many recent books I’ve read.

Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter, HarperCollins for the opportunity to read this title.

4.5/5

This book hooked me with its premise and refused to let go. The Girl with the Fierce Eyes is a sharp, atmospheric YA dystopian fantasy where eye color dictates everything—status, power, even survival. Jantsia, a girl born with two different colored eyes (a deadly secret in the Empire of Shariza), has spent her life hiding. But rebellion is rising, and invisibility may no longer be an option.

Told through three distinct POVs—Jantsia, the fierce and cautious heroine; Daezen, the broody rebel (and possible love triangle contender); and Soba, a mysterious inspector with her own agenda—the story weaves political intrigue, magic, and high-stakes tension with surprising heart. Each voice adds depth, and the multi-POV format is handled masterfully.

The romance is subtle but promising, the world-building is rich (even if occasionally heavy on exposition), and the themes—identity, power, resistance—are handled with nuance. The ending? Absolutely brutal in the best way. I audibly gasped.

A standout debut that feels both familiar and fresh. I can't wait for book 2! Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the ARC!

The concept and magic system were engaging, and reading about the different oculary orders and their differences (in lifestyle, socioeconomic status, etc.) was really intriguing! I enjoyed the different POVs as well as the variety of settings that we see the characters in (i.e., school lessons, home lives, time spent with other characters, etc.). In my opinion, some of the world-building may have benefited from a bit more explanation, but most things could be figured out with context.

The relationship dynamics were quite interesting. The friendships, romantic relationships, and different family situations are engaging, and I can’t wait to see where they lead in the next book! Also, Luz is fantastic—he’s a cat, so obviously he didn’t further the plot that much, but I love him. Reading Soba’s story broke my heart because I feel like she could be a genuinely nice person if the circumstances were different (Elias is in my top 5 hated characters for sure).

Be warned: there is a cliffhanger at the end, and I wish we found out the answer to Jantsia’s question, but other than that, I am satisfied with the ending.
Overall, I had a great reading experience. I look forward to seeing how the story develops as more books in the series are released!

Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for the eARC!

A big thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and Sophia Vahdati for the opportunity to read an ARC of The Girl with the Fierce Eyes in exchange for an honest review.

The Girl with the Fierce Eyes is a YA dystopian novel set in a vividly imagined world where eye colour dictates your social standing — with privilege and power reserved for a select few. In this divided society, crossing class lines is forbidden, and our main character, Jantsia, holds a dangerous secret: she’s the child of parents from two different castes.

What unfolds is a classic rebellion storyline, with a focus on challenging injustice and seeking change. While the plot follows familiar dystopian beats, the story moves at a solid pace, and the ending brings a burst of energy that left me curious about what’s to come.

Though I’ve rated this first book 3 stars, it’s clear that Sophia Vahdati has laid the groundwork for a compelling sequel. There’s a lot of potential here, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the story and characters evolve in the next installment.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the eARC.

The Girl with the Fierce Eyes has a really compelling concept — a world where every person is ranked and granted powers based on the color of their eyes. It immediately caught my attention, and I was excited to dive into something so original.

One of the strongest parts of the book was the main character, Jantsia. She felt refreshingly real — not overly mature, not overly childish, but just the right mix of emotions, confusion, and strength that felt true to being a teenager. I also enjoyed the supporting cast, especially her best friend Kain, his older brother, and, surprisingly, her parents. The contrast between their personalities added an interesting dynamic that made the family scenes especially engaging.

Where the book didn’t fully land for me was in the world building. The premise was so intriguing, but I often found myself confused or unsure about how certain things worked, or why the world operated the way it did. A little more detail or clarity in those areas would’ve really helped deepen the experience and draw me in further.

Overall, I think the book has a lot of potential and a unique voice. It’s a strong debut with great characters, and with a bit more depth in the world building, it could be something truly exceptional.

Thank you onemorechapterhc for providing me with this arc trough netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I do think this book has it’s charms and audience, but I feel I am not a part of that.

The start of the book feels quite weird to me and a bit complicated/messy. There is no real world building (or explanation) nor any real introduction to the characters. You just get shot in and it doesn’t really work for me. There is a lot that’s told that doesn’t make sense and that pulled me out of the story as I was wondering the whole time what was happening and why (and not in a good way). In that way it left me wondering if I started book 2 in a series, but I didn’t as this is book 1.

Secondly, I was very frustrated by the relationships between characters and they were fluctuating the whole time, living parents, parents that don’t like their kid, best friend, meanest person to her ever, etca. And this bugged me a lot and was also a big reason that I decided to DNF the book as this was just to frustrating/irritating for me.

Something I did like in the book is that the author managed quite well to have a 17 year old who acts and thinks like one, so I actually found that really refreshing to read.

I loved how this book played out, it hit all of my boxes and while it is very much a YA, I still enjoyed it in my mid-20s.

I really enjoyed The Girl with the Fierce Eyes! This debut YA romantasy delivers a compelling blend of dystopian tension, sweet romance, and magicvfilled rebellion. The world gave me major Divergent vibesvin the best way. In the Empire of Shariza, eye color determines everything: your power, your worth, your future. But Jantsia, our fierce and secretive main character, doesn’t quite fit in. She’s a “dualvoc,” born with two different colored eyes, something that is illegal and punishable by death. Her whole life mantra has been “stay invisible, stay alive”, but as rebellion brews, so does the pressure to stand up and fight for more.

The romance was sweet and understated, but I’m especially curious (and a little giddy) about the potential love triangle developing in future books. Daezen was definitely my favorite because he gave off serious broody, ride or die energy. The way he [spoiler redacted 😉] at the end? Loved it.

This story is told from three POVs: Jantsia, Daezen, and the mysterious Soba, and I really appreciated how each character’s voice felt unique. The pacing was solid and the writing style was easy to follow, making it great for those just getting into fantasy or dystopian fiction. There were a few clunky spots with world building and some info dump moments, but overall, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment.

The magic system and societal structure were super intriguing (eye color based caste? Yes, please!), and while dark themes like grooming and abuse are touched on, the story balances those heavier moments with hope, rebellion, and the strength of its characters.

This one was a fun ride and left me excited for what’s to come in book two. The ending definitely had me shouting “You can’t leave it like THAT!”

Thank you to NetGalley, Sophia Vahdati, and HarperCollins One More Chapter for the eARC of this book.

This debut YA romantasy was well written and and the romance was sweet. Very dystopian-vibes with some mentions of past child grooming/death/torture.
Jantsias mantra in life is ‘stay invisible stay alive’
The world is very divergent-esque, where eye colours dictate your wealth, status and magic. Our FMC has a secret though… she has two different eye colours. This is illegal in this society and she has had to hide this all her life. But… there is a rebellion coming, and she has to choose what and who to protect, and what is worth the risk…

Daezen was my absolute favourite, and the way he (insert spoiler here) at the end was just a whole vibe and I am really excited for more!
There’s potential in this story for a love triangle in the next book I suspect and I’m excited to see how this develops.
The writing was clear and easy to read, it was dual POV and all three POVs were unique in their thoughts and devilling and I was able to keep pace with the story easily.
I think this book would be a great step for new to fantasy/dystopian readers!


Blurb.
Red Queen meets Divergent in this fast-paced YA fantasy romance debut―packed with love triangles, betrayal, and a heroine who must risk everything to survive.

👁️ Your eyes decide your destiny 👁️
***

Jantsia’s secret will kill her…

In the Empire of Shariza, eye colour determines wealth, status and even access to magical powers. Jantsia's blue eyes mark her as Azure, the lowest of the four oculary castes. Destined for servitude.

But no one – not even the boy who owns her heart – knows the truth. Jantsia is a dual-oc, a forbidden mix of two castes, condemned to death if discovered. To survive, she clings to one rule: stay invisible, stay alive.

Or will the truth save them all?

Yet whispers of rebellion are growing, and cracks are forming in the very foundations of their society. Could it be that the fiery untapped power burning inside Jantsia is a gift rather than a curse?

But who to trust when different means death?

The Girl with the Fierce Eyes
by Sophia Vahdati.
This was a really good read. I loved the cover and blurb of this book. I did like Jantsia and Daezen. Especially how he saved her. I liked the writing style. Wow. The ending. That did surprise me. I di hope there is more to come.

Blurb.
Description
👁️ Your eyes decide your destiny 👁️
Jantsia’s secret will kill her…

In the Empire of Shariza, eye colour determines wealth, status and even access to magical powers. Jantsia's blue eyes mark her as Azure, the lowest of the four oculary castes. Destined for servitude.

But no one – not even the boy who owns her heart – knows the truth. Jantsia is a dual-oc, a forbidden mix of two castes, condemned to death if discovered. To survive, she clings to one rule: stay invisible, stay alive.

Or will the truth save them all?

Yet whispers of rebellion are growing, and cracks are forming in the very foundations of their society. Could it be that the fiery untapped power burning inside Jantsia is a gift rather than a curse?

But who to trust when different means death?

👁️❄️👁️❄️


@Sophia Vahdati ~ YA Fantasy Author
@HarperCollins UK
@oneMoreChapter
@netgalley
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