Maria V. Snyder is one of my favourite fantasy writers, so when I came across this new series of hers I was excited to dive in! She did such an amazing job creating this world and city, which is at least 98 levels of city under the soil. It was interesting to meet the characters, seeing who ran the city and what their beliefs were.
The story focuses on Shyla, a girl raised by monks, who had moved to the city and was treated like an outcast because of the colour of her hair and her skin. She kept to herself and took on small jobs to earn her money. When her one friend loses something that she helped him locate, she finds herself working for the Prince and threatened by the Heliacal Priestess. She faced a lot of challenges, she was betrayed, and was always in danger. But no matter what happened, she found the strength to get back up and push herself to succeed.
Shyla was always watching her back, but had such a kind soul. She met a lot of new people, but it was hard to trust them, as they could betray her at anytime. I’d like to see more of them to figure out what their role is in this story and whether they can be someone that Shyla can trust. It also looks like she has a potential love interest, and I'm excited to see how this relationship goes.
The Eyes of Tamburah was a fascinating read! I loved the detail of the world, trying to imagine it expanding under ground. My heart ached for Shyla a number of times, as people judged her because she was that little bit different. She was a determined girl with a big heart and was willing to do anything to save a friend. She sacrificed so much, but also learned a lot about herself. This book was just the beginning of Shyla's journey, and I'm looking forward to coming back!

The Eyes of Tamburah: Archives of the Invisible Sword, Book 1
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©2019 Maria V. Snyder (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers
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Product details
Listening Length | 13 hours and 59 minutes |
---|---|
Author | Maria V. Snyder |
Narrator | Wendy Bos |
Whispersync for Voice | Ready |
Audible.com.au Release Date | 17 June 2019 |
Publisher | HarperAudio |
Program Type | Audiobook |
Version | Unabridged |
Language | English |
ASIN | B07Q47CSGM |
Best Sellers Rank |
29,079 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
327 in Action & Adventure Fantasy 402 in Fantasy Romance (Audible Books & Originals) 3,973 in Fantasy Romance (Books) |
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4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
28 global ratings
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Top reviews from Australia
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4.0 out of 5 stars
A fascinating new series featuring a kind girl willing to sacrifice anything to uncover the truth.
Reviewed in Australia on 17 June 2019
Helpful
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
The Eyes of Tamburah is a fast paced fantasy and the first in a new series by Maria V Snyder.
Shyla is a sun-kissed, the name given to babies born with pale-yellow hair. These babies, believed cursed, are left in the desert to die. Shyla is saved and raised by monks until she turns 18 and chooses to reside in the city. She is shunned by the other citizens of Zirdai and spends most of her time in her room. She manages to find work reading maps and transcribing ancient tablets in order to locate lost artefacts.
Snyder starts with explanations of the world the story is set in. Zirdai is an extensive underground city built on many levels which is necessary to escape the searing heat of the desert.
When the eyes of Tamburah, believed to bestow magic and their owner, are uncovered and subsequently stolen Shyla’s only friend Banqui is imprisoned and unless Shyla finds the eyes he will be put to death.
The story includes plenty of action and danger. Shyla is a strong-willed woman who can hold her own in a confrontation. She soon finds that she can trust no one as she is double crossed many times and her eyes are open to many things happening in the city she was unaware of. With this awareness comes an awakening of a new purpose to her life.
The majority of the story is high on action and very low on fantasy elements which may not appeal to hard core fantasy readers. The story gets a little dark towards the end with talk of torture and sacrifice although there is a small romance introduced and the occasional light-hearted banter keeps the story from becoming too intense. We get a few glimpses of the magic I’m hoping to see more of in the next book.
The Eyes of Tamburah was an easy read and I was totally caught up in the whole world of Zirdai. There are plenty of evil people to despise and Shyla’s character development was well executed.
Recommended for ages 12+
* I received my copy courtesy of the publisher
Shyla is a sun-kissed, the name given to babies born with pale-yellow hair. These babies, believed cursed, are left in the desert to die. Shyla is saved and raised by monks until she turns 18 and chooses to reside in the city. She is shunned by the other citizens of Zirdai and spends most of her time in her room. She manages to find work reading maps and transcribing ancient tablets in order to locate lost artefacts.
Snyder starts with explanations of the world the story is set in. Zirdai is an extensive underground city built on many levels which is necessary to escape the searing heat of the desert.
When the eyes of Tamburah, believed to bestow magic and their owner, are uncovered and subsequently stolen Shyla’s only friend Banqui is imprisoned and unless Shyla finds the eyes he will be put to death.
The story includes plenty of action and danger. Shyla is a strong-willed woman who can hold her own in a confrontation. She soon finds that she can trust no one as she is double crossed many times and her eyes are open to many things happening in the city she was unaware of. With this awareness comes an awakening of a new purpose to her life.
The majority of the story is high on action and very low on fantasy elements which may not appeal to hard core fantasy readers. The story gets a little dark towards the end with talk of torture and sacrifice although there is a small romance introduced and the occasional light-hearted banter keeps the story from becoming too intense. We get a few glimpses of the magic I’m hoping to see more of in the next book.
The Eyes of Tamburah was an easy read and I was totally caught up in the whole world of Zirdai. There are plenty of evil people to despise and Shyla’s character development was well executed.
Recommended for ages 12+
* I received my copy courtesy of the publisher
Reviewed in Australia on 30 April 2020
I love this book! It has good plot twists (although one or two were predictable) and the story flows well. I have read it through multiple times and I'm looking to get the next book as soon as I can. 10/10 would recommend.
Top reviews from other countries

Hoping4More
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another beautiful book by Maria V. Snyder
Reviewed in Canada on 5 October 2019Verified Purchase
Canadian publishers need to pick this up! I ordered mine from the UK because I will read anything Maria writes.
I don’t have nearly as much time to read these days so I’m picky with my choices. Maria never lets me down and she certainly didn’t with this book!
Tomb Raider vibes meshed with a City of Ember world is the closest I could compare, but really she created a completely new concept and storyline that was so refreshing after so much of the same repeated tropes I’ve been seeing on the shelves.
A treasure hunter raised by monks and shunned by the rest of her city for how she looks is thrust into a life or death race to find an impossible artifact. The pacing was perfect and the plot twists expertly crafted. I can’t wait to read book 2!
I don’t have nearly as much time to read these days so I’m picky with my choices. Maria never lets me down and she certainly didn’t with this book!
Tomb Raider vibes meshed with a City of Ember world is the closest I could compare, but really she created a completely new concept and storyline that was so refreshing after so much of the same repeated tropes I’ve been seeing on the shelves.
A treasure hunter raised by monks and shunned by the rest of her city for how she looks is thrust into a life or death race to find an impossible artifact. The pacing was perfect and the plot twists expertly crafted. I can’t wait to read book 2!

Allison
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating world and characters!
Reviewed in the United States on 19 June 2019Verified Purchase
I'm a rather huge fan of Maria V Snyder's books, so when one releases I do whatever I need to do to get my hands in it, and this one was so worth it.
In The Eyes of Tamburah she has built an absolutely fascinating world that immediately drew me in. It's different, and completely intriguing. I also truly loved Shyla, and her strength, yet she wasn't perfect, and was able to learn and grow. I do feel there is more to learn about her, but especially more to learn about the other characters in the book. Enough that I'm already anxious for when the next book is out!
If you enjoy fantasy novels with interesting character development I would highly recommend this book!
In The Eyes of Tamburah she has built an absolutely fascinating world that immediately drew me in. It's different, and completely intriguing. I also truly loved Shyla, and her strength, yet she wasn't perfect, and was able to learn and grow. I do feel there is more to learn about her, but especially more to learn about the other characters in the book. Enough that I'm already anxious for when the next book is out!
If you enjoy fantasy novels with interesting character development I would highly recommend this book!
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HappyWhenSheReads
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing!
Reviewed in the United States on 6 April 2020Verified Purchase
I love everything by Maria V Snyder, seriously everything. And this story did not disappoint.
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