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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
Literally so freaking cute, loved the tension, the banter!!!!! I need more!
Merged review:
Literally so freaking cute, loved the tension, the banter!!!!! I need more!
Merged review:
Literally so freaking cute, loved the tension, the banter!!!!! I need more!
This is my first review on Goodreads because I am shocked at how low the average rating is for this book. There are many reasons why this book deserves much more and it is worth checking out if you're a fan of the genre.
Due to my love of romance fantasy and the enemies-to-lovers trope, it caught my attention on Instagram. It has simple yet interesting world-building, well-developed characters, and a good writing style with no repetition, and no filler words. Elma and Rune's relationship balances tension, vulnerability, and chemistry. My heart went out to them.
Looking forward to Meg Smitherman's next romance book.
Due to my love of romance fantasy and the enemies-to-lovers trope, it caught my attention on Instagram. It has simple yet interesting world-building, well-developed characters, and a good writing style with no repetition, and no filler words. Elma and Rune's relationship balances tension, vulnerability, and chemistry. My heart went out to them.
Looking forward to Meg Smitherman's next romance book.
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
relaxing
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2.5 stars.
Okay, so here's the thing. I think that Meg Smitherman is a pretty good writer on a line level(as others have said), but her plots seem to lack something. The beginning felt very rushed like she was so eager to get to the juicy bits of the book that everything important to developing Elma's personality and character was skipped over. I would've liked to read more about Elma's time in Mekya at The Orchard with her mothers. I would've liked to see what kind of person she was around them and how they treated her. Maybe she bonds with one mother by gardening(which would help make that whole 'you could plant a garden!' line make more sense) and then tries to continue it when she goes home to Frost by having her try to keep some plants in her room, but they always shrivel and die because her home is so harsh and unforgiving. Maybe another mom she bonds with by making pastries, but they can't get the ingredients out in Frost because they're starving due to the lack of trade between Navenie and Mekya, so she sits there and pines for those times when she would make certain treats. These would've been really good ways to both let us know more about Elma and her life before Frost and show us what kind of place Frost is.
I would've liked more scenes with her dad and Godwin too. Godwin's betrayal didn't really surprise me at all, nor did Cora's because hardly any time was spent showing the relationships with these people. They're all just background characters to move the plot along. I would've liked to see how life in Frost vs Mekya affects Elma and how it changes her into who she is now. Would've also liked to see more magic used in the beginning of the book. Apparently Rime Ice is only accessible to those with royal blood and only monarchs can use it, but since Elma has royal blood she could've maybe had like hints of magical moments throughout her childhood that would've hinted at her ability to use it. As it is, it just seems to come out of nowhere. Same with Godwin randomly getting the ability to use it. Why was he able to wield it so quickly and effortlessly when it took Elma forever? She was only able to conveniently use it at the last second.
I never really got a grasp of who Elma was as a person because we didn’t spend enough time getting to know her before she was suddenly thrust into queendom and making dumb af decisions like asking the dude who tried to murder her to be her bodyguard without knowing a thing about him aside from the fact that he’s a good fighter??? Like girl, where is the LOGIC. I’m noticing a trend in Meg Smitherman’s FMCs. First there’s Ru who thinks it’s a good idea to bring an eviscerating magic stone to a university full of her friends and colleagues so she can study it??? Now there’s this bitch.
Elma’s dad hosts these gladiator style Death Games(another thing that could’ve been fleshed out more, especially in the beginning. Maybe there could’ve been a chapter where Elma sees it for the first time and is both disgusted and entranced by the blood???) Elma seems to me like she can’t decide if she’s repulsed or aroused by blood. There are times where she seems horrified but then other times where she’s like YES LEMME MAKE EVERYONE BLEED. And I wish that had been expounded more on in the beginning as well. I couldn’t tell if the Volta bloodthirst was an actual thing or just that the family were known to be vicious but Elma seems like she can’t help herself. So maybe they’re cursed with bloodlust or something and we could’ve had Elma fighting it constantly but for whatever reason Rune brings it to the surface?? Idk.
I do like that this was part of the same universe as Destroyer but I’m curious where on the timeline it’s happening. Is it linear to Destroyer, years before, after, etc. I honestly don’t remember much about the world building in Destroyer but I do remember it seemed to be set in the Enlightenment Era and this is giving more medieval vibes? It would be cool to see a timeline of events(but that’s just a me thing).
It was fun seeing Lady Devereaux in here. >.< Always love finding my name in books. She’s a cheese-eating asshole, and honestly, same.
It feels like we missed all the development between Elma and Rune’s relationship. Like she was suddenly aroused by him and wanting to cut him up and fuck him at the same time between one chapter and the next.
I also feel like Rune is incredibly underdeveloped. Apparently he’s the prince of Slodava which is the enemy kingdom of Elma’s but he was the one who tried to kill her. So I’m wondering how he’s able to be away from his kingdom this long without any sort of alarm being raised. Is anyone wondering where he’s at? Why is he helping Elma at all? Why not kill her the second he finds an opening?
Overall there were things I liked about this but I wanted more out of it. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Okay, so here's the thing. I think that Meg Smitherman is a pretty good writer on a line level(as others have said), but her plots seem to lack something. The beginning felt very rushed like she was so eager to get to the juicy bits of the book that everything important to developing Elma's personality and character was skipped over. I would've liked to read more about Elma's time in Mekya at The Orchard with her mothers. I would've liked to see what kind of person she was around them and how they treated her. Maybe she bonds with one mother by gardening(which would help make that whole 'you could plant a garden!' line make more sense) and then tries to continue it when she goes home to Frost by having her try to keep some plants in her room, but they always shrivel and die because her home is so harsh and unforgiving. Maybe another mom she bonds with by making pastries, but they can't get the ingredients out in Frost because they're starving due to the lack of trade between Navenie and Mekya, so she sits there and pines for those times when she would make certain treats. These would've been really good ways to both let us know more about Elma and her life before Frost and show us what kind of place Frost is.
I would've liked more scenes with her dad and Godwin too. Godwin's betrayal didn't really surprise me at all, nor did Cora's because hardly any time was spent showing the relationships with these people. They're all just background characters to move the plot along. I would've liked to see how life in Frost vs Mekya affects Elma and how it changes her into who she is now. Would've also liked to see more magic used in the beginning of the book. Apparently Rime Ice is only accessible to those with royal blood and only monarchs can use it, but since Elma has royal blood she could've maybe had like hints of magical moments throughout her childhood that would've hinted at her ability to use it. As it is, it just seems to come out of nowhere. Same with Godwin randomly getting the ability to use it. Why was he able to wield it so quickly and effortlessly when it took Elma forever? She was only able to conveniently use it at the last second.
I never really got a grasp of who Elma was as a person because we didn’t spend enough time getting to know her before she was suddenly thrust into queendom and making dumb af decisions like asking the dude who tried to murder her to be her bodyguard without knowing a thing about him aside from the fact that he’s a good fighter??? Like girl, where is the LOGIC. I’m noticing a trend in Meg Smitherman’s FMCs. First there’s Ru who thinks it’s a good idea to bring an eviscerating magic stone to a university full of her friends and colleagues so she can study it??? Now there’s this bitch.
Elma’s dad hosts these gladiator style Death Games(another thing that could’ve been fleshed out more, especially in the beginning. Maybe there could’ve been a chapter where Elma sees it for the first time and is both disgusted and entranced by the blood???) Elma seems to me like she can’t decide if she’s repulsed or aroused by blood. There are times where she seems horrified but then other times where she’s like YES LEMME MAKE EVERYONE BLEED. And I wish that had been expounded more on in the beginning as well. I couldn’t tell if the Volta bloodthirst was an actual thing or just that the family were known to be vicious but Elma seems like she can’t help herself. So maybe they’re cursed with bloodlust or something and we could’ve had Elma fighting it constantly but for whatever reason Rune brings it to the surface?? Idk.
I do like that this was part of the same universe as Destroyer but I’m curious where on the timeline it’s happening. Is it linear to Destroyer, years before, after, etc. I honestly don’t remember much about the world building in Destroyer but I do remember it seemed to be set in the Enlightenment Era and this is giving more medieval vibes? It would be cool to see a timeline of events(but that’s just a me thing).
It was fun seeing Lady Devereaux in here. >.< Always love finding my name in books. She’s a cheese-eating asshole, and honestly, same.
It feels like we missed all the development between Elma and Rune’s relationship. Like she was suddenly aroused by him and wanting to cut him up and fuck him at the same time between one chapter and the next.
I also feel like Rune is incredibly underdeveloped. Apparently he’s the prince of Slodava which is the enemy kingdom of Elma’s but he was the one who tried to kill her. So I’m wondering how he’s able to be away from his kingdom this long without any sort of alarm being raised. Is anyone wondering where he’s at? Why is he helping Elma at all? Why not kill her the second he finds an opening?
Overall there were things I liked about this but I wanted more out of it. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I must say, I'm usually not a big fan of stories starting with a prologue, but I have to admit this book grabbed me right from the beginning.
Elma, heir to the throne of Rothen, raised by her aunts in Mekya, is forced to return to a cold land that doesn't feel like hers after her mother's death. Raised as the future queen, she decides to embark on a peace mission after the king's death to seek help from neighboring countries. However, during the journey, the carriage is attacked, and Elma narrowly escapes an attempted murder, managing to capture the assassin and bring him to the palace for interrogation.
Rune, her enemy by birth, turns out to be the only honest person in the kingdom, even in his hatred. After another assassination attempt and doubts about the loyalty of her nobles, Elma solidifies Rune as her bodyguard, and from there, hatred transforms into respect and then into attraction.
It is perfect for the fan of from blood and Ash, with heroine with list for blood and a hero who is more
I loved Elma's journey from a princess without a place in her realm to a queen, and Rune is a breath of fresh air with his straightforwardness and the spice is reaaaally good
Merged review:
I must say, I'm usually not a big fan of stories starting with a prologue, but I have to admit this book grabbed me right from the beginning.
Elma, heir to the throne of Rothen, raised by her aunts in Mekya, is forced to return to a cold land that doesn't feel like hers after her mother's death. Raised as the future queen, she decides to embark on a peace mission after the king's death to seek help from neighboring countries. However, during the journey, the carriage is attacked, and Elma narrowly escapes an attempted murder, managing to capture the assassin and bring him to the palace for interrogation.
Rune, her enemy by birth, turns out to be the only honest person in the kingdom, even in his hatred. After another assassination attempt and doubts about the loyalty of her nobles, Elma solidifies Rune as her bodyguard, and from there, hatred transforms into respect and then into attraction.
It is perfect for the fan of from blood and Ash, with heroine with list for blood and a hero who is more
I loved Elma's journey from a princess without a place in her realm to a queen, and Rune is a breath of fresh air with his straightforwardness and the spice is reaaaally good
Elma, heir to the throne of Rothen, raised by her aunts in Mekya, is forced to return to a cold land that doesn't feel like hers after her mother's death. Raised as the future queen, she decides to embark on a peace mission after the king's death to seek help from neighboring countries. However, during the journey, the carriage is attacked, and Elma narrowly escapes an attempted murder, managing to capture the assassin and bring him to the palace for interrogation.
Rune, her enemy by birth, turns out to be the only honest person in the kingdom, even in his hatred. After another assassination attempt and doubts about the loyalty of her nobles, Elma solidifies Rune as her bodyguard, and from there, hatred transforms into respect and then into attraction.
It is perfect for the fan of from blood and Ash, with heroine with list for blood and a hero who is more
I loved Elma's journey from a princess without a place in her realm to a queen, and Rune is a breath of fresh air with his straightforwardness and the spice is reaaaally good
Merged review:
I must say, I'm usually not a big fan of stories starting with a prologue, but I have to admit this book grabbed me right from the beginning.
Elma, heir to the throne of Rothen, raised by her aunts in Mekya, is forced to return to a cold land that doesn't feel like hers after her mother's death. Raised as the future queen, she decides to embark on a peace mission after the king's death to seek help from neighboring countries. However, during the journey, the carriage is attacked, and Elma narrowly escapes an attempted murder, managing to capture the assassin and bring him to the palace for interrogation.
Rune, her enemy by birth, turns out to be the only honest person in the kingdom, even in his hatred. After another assassination attempt and doubts about the loyalty of her nobles, Elma solidifies Rune as her bodyguard, and from there, hatred transforms into respect and then into attraction.
It is perfect for the fan of from blood and Ash, with heroine with list for blood and a hero who is more
I loved Elma's journey from a princess without a place in her realm to a queen, and Rune is a breath of fresh air with his straightforwardness and the spice is reaaaally good