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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I L-O-V-E-D this one. It came across my FYP in the fall and I immediately added it to my TBR based on an assassin and the queen he's meant to kill. It delivered! Elma and Rune are both such great characters - it's giving black cat and golden retriever (SORT OF.) He's certainly deadly in his own right, but they both could give as well as they could take and it made the banter and the chemistry jump off the page. Rothan and Soldava felt so clear to me as kingdoms, and it's the perfect winter read.
The enemies-to-lovers was amazing. The political intrigue - although a little light - was well plotted. I saw the betrayals coming but I didn't enjoy it any less. I liked that there's no real third act conflict between Elma and Rune; if anything, they become stronger as it goes on, even in the face of extreme disadvantage.
My one issue - and why I knocked off half a star - was the pacing. I like a book that doesn't overstay its welcome, but this one understayed! I wanted more - more of the history of the kingdoms, more of Rune's mother, more of the magic lore. I just wanted to spend more time with these folks and get to know them better.
Other than that - no notes! Perfection! Super fun!
The enemies-to-lovers was amazing. The political intrigue - although a little light - was well plotted. I saw the betrayals coming but I didn't enjoy it any less. I liked that there's no real third act conflict between Elma and Rune; if anything, they become stronger as it goes on, even in the face of extreme disadvantage.
My one issue - and why I knocked off half a star - was the pacing. I like a book that doesn't overstay its welcome, but this one understayed! I wanted more - more of the history of the kingdoms, more of Rune's mother, more of the magic lore. I just wanted to spend more time with these folks and get to know them better.
Other than that - no notes! Perfection! Super fun!
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
medium-paced
Ok Yes Yes Yes!!! This book was a much needed palate cleanser. It really just delivered everything I want in a romantasy in a short and sweet but action packed book. It was fun, it was spicy, the characters were flawed but easy to adore, and for ONCE in my life, the fmc is a tall, strong, bad bitch who saves herself, and the mmc is absolutely enthralled by her. Love that for them and for me. I also found it so damn refreshing to have a fmc that doesn’t spend the whole book lying to herself and acting childish. Like she is young and inexperienced in her new role as queen, but she doesn’t act all petulant and whiny about it. She owns it, she owns her feelings, and she takes what she wants. Ugh. Thank you.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A balance between court politics and romance. I liked the sassy MMC and the cold hearted FMC. A lot of character development with the FMC trying to find her place in her kingdom.
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
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:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
tense
Loveable characters:
Yes