Review of 'These Infinite Threads'
These Infinite Threads delves into the mystery behind Alizeh while introducing an addictive love triangle.
The second installment in Tahereh Mafi’s latest enchanting series picks up right where This Woven Kingdom left off and doesn’t stop pulling you in until long after the last page. Romance and fantasy collide in this mesmerizing series based on Persian folklore, sure to please fans of Mafi’s thrilling Shatter Me series.
Full of explosive magic, searing romance, and heartbreaking betrayal, this breathtaking sequel to This Woven Kingdom is from the award-winning and bestselling author of the Shatter Me series and is perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Sabaa Tahir, and Tomi Adeyemi.
Review
A romantic fantasy, These Infinite Threads had some promising moments but pales compared to its predecessor.
Storytelling
Probably the most annoying aspect of this novel was Alizeh’s constant crying.
This Woven Kingdom did a masterful job of showcasing the strength in Alizeh with her unwavering compassion and understanding. She suffered so much, living in hiding, working like a dog, and suffering the constant cold in her blood.
Her compassion made her an overpoweringly powerful character because she had the strength to match it and chose not to use it unless it was meant to defend herself.
However, this novel took it into overdrive.
The story takes place over three days; in those three days, she cries and complains, and faints incessantly. It gets to the point where you, as the reader, agree with Cyrus for constantly mocking her. It is incessant and annoying and a disservice to the character built up so well in the previous novel.
Yes, her circumstances are out of her control, but every interaction she has with Cyrus is the same conversation. It is the same thing said differently. It drove me nuts personally because I wanted to like this novel as much as the first, but after a while, the pacing was dragging, and it just felt like more of the same. The same scene replays again and again, only differently.
The only positive outcome of Alizeh’s point of view is that Cyrus is charming. He grows on the reader and, in fact, becomes an even better love interest to Alizeh than Kamran, who just seems like a dud. He is tortured, angsty, and ultimately kind to Alizeh despite her many threats to his life.
As for Kamran, it felt much the same. His POV had more humor but only because of the side characters, Miss Huda specifically. She was great in the first novel, but her unrelenting defense of Alizeh makes her charming.
Kamran’s character development felt stagnant. He was so caught up in himself that he ignored the truth. He seems to be a very single-minded character, which was the worst trait from This Woven Kingdom that I thought he had grown out of.
There is more plot development in his point-of-view than there is where Alizeh’s story arc is concerned, but not by much.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, These Infinite Threads felt more like filler than anything else. The story left me feeling unsatisfied. It could have been more conscience and introduced elements that I’m sure (and hopeful) will be flushed out in the third novel.
- Writing Quality : 6/10
- Character Development :5/10
- "Couldn't Put It Down"-ness : 5/10
- Intellectual Depth: 7/10
- Originality: 7/10
- Overall Rating: 3 out of 5.
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About the Author
Cynthia Bujnicki graduated from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature and Publishing. She has always loved to read since she was a child. A contributing writer for YA Fantasy Addicts, she is also the Editor-in-Chief for Cyn's Workshop. She lives in sunny South Florida with her husband, son and daughter and their two cats.
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