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prettyflyforascienceguy's review against another edition
3.5
I was absolutely obsessed with this book in the first half. I literally couldn't put it down. I was avoiding work and responsibilities because all I could think about was this book. The tension and yearning between Candra and Nemeth was *chef's kiss* However, I think the pacing gets off around 40% - 50% of the way through the book. I would have enjoyed this better as two separate books because the two halves do feel really different. I also personally do not like the accidental pregnancy trope, and I feel like when Nemeth and Candra got married, the tension was gone and I didn't really care about the story as much. Overall, a very well-done smutty book, but a little too long for my liking. The second half did not grip me as much as the first half did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
jasmine144's review
medium-paced
4.5
This was long!!!!! But o so good!!!!! I guess the twist from the beginning but I was so engrossed In this listen I couldn’t stop!
_christinacreads's review against another edition
4.0
Ruby Dixon sure knows how to craft an intricate spicy romantasy featuring star-crossed lovers (a broody Gargoyle Prince x spare to a royal sacrificial offering), forced proximity (7 years locked in a castle in the dark), and a highly immersive wold full of secrets, court politics, royal intrigue, stunning plot twists, and morally grey characters. Loved the chronic illness rep that took the form of a magical blood curse. I do think the avalanche that was the ending was a bit rushed considering just how high the stakes were and the gravity of the moral dilemmas the characters faced. While I feel like the book did redeem itself at the end, I wished there was far *more* rumination at the ending than what I got. Nonetheless, I had so much fun reading this and really enjoyed reading this.
sidhewitch's review against another edition
2.0
Infuriating. Each of the two main characters took turns in being the one I hated, but at about 80% I nearly DNF'd when the male lead told his wife how it was NBD that his people were enslaving and raping her people, including her sister. "That's just war" he says, and then suggests these wives are somehow at fault for not stopping their husbands from going to a war ordered by their King.
Somehow I pushed through the last bit just to roll my eyes at the dumb as hell twist. I love Ruby, but these full-length books or the ones where she tries to weave in actually sensitive topics rarely go well. This was time I will never get back. I'm going to go re-read some Icehome books now and try to forget this exists.
Somehow I pushed through the last bit just to roll my eyes at the dumb as hell twist. I love Ruby, but these full-length books or the ones where she tries to weave in actually sensitive topics rarely go well. This was time I will never get back. I'm going to go re-read some Icehome books now and try to forget this exists.
allivenger's review against another edition
5.0
I am absolutely feral for anything Ruby Dixon. So not only did this book hit all the right Ruby notes but it introduced an entirely different world for her readers. Candra is an amazing MFC and her tenacity and humor in a less than ideal situation were a perfect addition to this. Add in cinnamon roll Nameth and you have a match in Ruby heaven. It was so good!
ckd1's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
Candra is the broken princess, so she has always just enjoyed herself around court and loves all of the attention. She sister dies unexpectedly and now Candra must go to the goddess' tower for seven years with her enemy. She only catches glimpses of Nemeth at first but then circumstances push them together.
Candra and Nemeth figure out how to live and work together in the tower but everything on the outside is not as expected.
I did not figure out everything that was going on and the twist kept the story interesting. If you like the Aspect and Anchor series, you will like this one too.
Candra and Nemeth figure out how to live and work together in the tower but everything on the outside is not as expected.
I did not figure out everything that was going on and the twist kept the story interesting. If you like the Aspect and Anchor series, you will like this one too.
nelliereadsalot's review against another edition
3.0
Having only read Ruby's IPB series, I wasn't sure what to expect from a longer book that didn't include our favorite blue guys. What we get is an enemies to lovers situation between a feisty FMC who has to figure out what is important to her and a shadowy man with knees that bend backward (this is mentioned frequently). It still has a lot of what we expect from Ruby (read: monster smut), but also humor, plot, action, and a total simp of an MMC. I was definitely not expecting the twist at the end!
That being said, there were definitely parts that felt a bit longer than absolutely necessary. When I read the author note at the end and learned that it was originally released as a serial, they pacing made more sense, though. I was also left with some lingering questions that I didn't feel were totally answered. This also is not a quick read; don't expect it to go as quickly as an IPB read.
Overall, it was an interesting read set in a dynamic world (gods, court intrigue, curses, war).
Note: There were some slightly darker elements that might not be for everyone (scroll down for TWs).
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book for an honest review.
TW: infant death, slavery, implied SA (not on page and not main characters)
That being said, there were definitely parts that felt a bit longer than absolutely necessary. When I read the author note at the end and learned that it was originally released as a serial, they pacing made more sense, though. I was also left with some lingering questions that I didn't feel were totally answered. This also is not a quick read; don't expect it to go as quickly as an IPB read.
Overall, it was an interesting read set in a dynamic world (gods, court intrigue, curses, war).
Note: There were some slightly darker elements that might not be for everyone (scroll down for TWs).
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book for an honest review.
TW: infant death, slavery, implied SA (not on page and not main characters)
cjessen501's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
jessmoguel's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Was longer than necessary, still loved it!
lizinthelibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The premise of this book is absolutely delightful - a spoiled princess and a "demon" prince trapped in a tower together for seven years, clearly destined for an enemies to lovers adventure. The princess, flighty and shallow, grows and learns but also stays herself. The steamy parts are just marvelous (except if you don't know what knotting is, google first, NSFW). It reminds me of why I liked the first few Ice Planet Barbarians so much. The character development and plotting pacing in this novel are superior to Ice Planet. Dixon is growing as a rider and I look forward to so much more!