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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book had me in the first half with her characterization alone. I read 50% within two days but then struggled through the second half. I appreciate the FMC's unique personality, (unique as in it was a first for me) her need to dominate, and being aroused at the sight of blood and gore made her an interestingly complex character. The MMC had my heart with his witty sarcasm and definitely gave off Astarion vibes *at first*.
Unfortunately, there was a lot of telling and not showing in this book. Some inconstincies and repetitive descriptions. An example is the FMC recounts a time when her father shows her the half severed head of one of her guards to show the cruelty of a warring country. Yet a few chapters later, she is horrified at the sight of seeing a severed head up close.
As much as I loved the characters at first, the MMC loses all complexity and the very traits that made me adore him in the last 30%. He suddenly seems so soft and drab and kind of weak, honestly.
The world building is also very weak, I felt like I knew nothing because the FMC knew nothing about her own country or the country that her family has been at war with for... at least a few generations?
The ending felt rushed, like the author just wanted it over with, as I did too.
I think there's potential with this story and hope that future writings by this author can fully harness the complexity of her character building while honing other important aspects of her storytelling.
Unfortunately, there was a lot of telling and not showing in this book. Some inconstincies and repetitive descriptions. An example is the FMC recounts a time when her father shows her the half severed head of one of her guards to show the cruelty of a warring country. Yet a few chapters later, she is horrified at the sight of seeing a severed head up close.
As much as I loved the characters at first, the MMC loses all complexity and the very traits that made me adore him in the last 30%. He suddenly seems so soft and drab and kind of weak, honestly.
The world building is also very weak, I felt like I knew nothing because the FMC knew nothing about her own country or the country that her family has been at war with for... at least a few generations?
The ending felt rushed, like the author just wanted it over with, as I did too.
I think there's potential with this story and hope that future writings by this author can fully harness the complexity of her character building while honing other important aspects of her storytelling.
I expected to like this book based on the blurb and the author's other work. I didn't expect for Rune to worm his way into my heart, to love Elma so much for her strength and her heart, and to be shocked and speechless at every twist and turn. It was a thrill and delight to read this book. It's action-packed. The romance is perfection. Meg's dialogue and world-building is beyond compare. The dialogue is quick and witty and made me laugh out loud even in some of the most stressful moments. Rothen and Slodava feel like places I've always known. Meg's ability to describe the small details of her worlds--their smells, colors, the emotions they elicit, small moments in the life of its citizens--brings them to life in a vivid and vibrant way. I can't recommend this book enough and I know it will be one that I often come back to and read again.
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder
medium-paced
adventurous
reflective
slow-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:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
fast-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:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-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:
Yes
"In this life, Elma wanted one thing more than any other - to not be alone"
I was extremely LUCKY and was not only chosen as a beta reader but also had the pleasure of direct messaging Meg through my entire read.
This book is such a breath of fresh air from your typical fantasy novel. It's edgy. The main character is a reluctant queen to be who is taken both physically and emotionally by an assassin who isn't what he appears to be.
A gorgeously written Enemies to lovers story which introduced me to knife play (absolutely not mad about it). The right amount of spice. Seriously, you're missing out if you aren't picking this one up when it comes out.
I was extremely LUCKY and was not only chosen as a beta reader but also had the pleasure of direct messaging Meg through my entire read.
This book is such a breath of fresh air from your typical fantasy novel. It's edgy. The main character is a reluctant queen to be who is taken both physically and emotionally by an assassin who isn't what he appears to be.
A gorgeously written Enemies to lovers story which introduced me to knife play (absolutely not mad about it). The right amount of spice. Seriously, you're missing out if you aren't picking this one up when it comes out.