These Infinite Threads
Tahereh Mafi
Electric Monkey, August 2023
Paperback, €12.59
9780008529529
These Infinite Threads follows the classic fantasy romance archetype – a magical kingdom, royalty, a girl blessed or cursed with a gift that will change the world – but is balanced with refreshingly lyrical prose that dances off the page.
The second instalment in the series, Mafi crafts a spellbinding sequel to This Woven Kingdom, with nail biting tension that leaves you wishing the book had only been longer. Alizeh, the protagonist, is trapped in the neighbouring kingdom of Tulan, and the exquisite world building of the first book is certainly continued as Mafi explores ideas of magic, royal politics and romance with lush, detailed prose that flows like music throughout the novel.
Though often writers deliberately force their protagonists to misunderstand, or to act out of character to force a plot device, Mafi stays true to Alizeh throughout; she is compassionate, resilient, and above all, understandable. Her dialogue and thoughts are heartbreaking, but we as readers remain unquestionably loyal to her.
While the descriptions are heavy, Mafi manages to maintain our intrigue throughout with the addition of Cyrus, a morally grey yet exciting figure, ruler of Tulan, and the love of Alizeh and Kamran is truly put to the test.
Everything has changed. The lives of Alizeh and Kamran as they knew them are forever altered. But what hasn’t altered is this: Mafi’s determination to devastate, enthral and delight her readers, with every single line.
Ruby Campbell, 17
