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4.29 AVERAGE
4.29 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Madeleine has done what she does best - make me completely obsessed with a book! She simply has the magic touch. There almost aren’t words for how deeply I enjoyed this book. She truly is the best at bringing the cozy and unserious vibes in her fantasy books.
This was my very first non-werewolf shifter book and it did not disappoint. Madeleine has this ability to make everything make complete sense even when the character we’re reading the POV of us still learning the information. Her world building feels so incredibly organic and it’s truly magic. I’m always obsessed with a book with a map even though I look at the map at the beginning and then forget about it, but I never felt like I didn’t know where things were in this book. Was I just as lost as Eisa in the caves? Yes, but that’s cause she was lost and I am directionally challenged.
Idunn and Baldur are honestly the stars of the book and I would love for either of them to be my dragon. Every time Idunn spoke I was just nodding along completely agreeing with her. But that’s cause would be a lot of paperwork.
The story is very easy to follow and so incredibly addicting. I don’t know much about Norse mythology but I thought it was incorporated absolutely flawlessly. I think thats the beautiful thing about incorporating it into a fantasy world. For the people who know a lot about the mythology it adds to the story, but for those of us who don’t, it’s a beautiful element of a world that we’re learning.
The last chapter is crazy ominous and has me so nervous for the rest of the series which I am already itching for while I type this after finishing the book about 20 minutes ago.
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars!!!
Book: Heart of Chaos by Madeleine Eliot
A must read if you love Norse Lore, Dragon Shifters, Fated Mates, and so much more!! I absolutely loved reading this book. It is a wonderful story, a great buildup into this intriguing world with amazing characters and feisty dragons
“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭-𝘣𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘰𝘯. 𝘉𝘢𝘭𝘥𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶.”
I love this unique take on finding and bonding with your dragon! The way they become one and connect their souls. How they shift and work together as one being. How the other dragons are connected, especially mates! It was wonderfully written. There's a darkness to this world that captivated me, intrigued me right from the start
“𝘐 𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘦, 𝘒𝘫æ𝘳𝘦. 𝘐𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦.”
Madeleine has a way of making you fall in love with the characters! Loved the tension yet tender love between the MCs, the slow burn was absolutely worth it. You'll fall in love with both Arik and Eisa as well as the dragons! I adored the funny banter between the characters and their dragons, you could feel the connection on paper. This is a great start to a new series, and I absolutely can not wait for the second book!
"𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘥. 𝘚𝘰 𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘯. 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩. 𝘚𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥."
I want to thank the author for sending me an eARC to read and review 🖤 thank you for letting me be a part of your street team!!
Book: Heart of Chaos by Madeleine Eliot
A must read if you love Norse Lore, Dragon Shifters, Fated Mates, and so much more!! I absolutely loved reading this book. It is a wonderful story, a great buildup into this intriguing world with amazing characters and feisty dragons
“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭-𝘣𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘰𝘯. 𝘉𝘢𝘭𝘥𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶.”
I love this unique take on finding and bonding with your dragon! The way they become one and connect their souls. How they shift and work together as one being. How the other dragons are connected, especially mates! It was wonderfully written. There's a darkness to this world that captivated me, intrigued me right from the start
“𝘐 𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘦, 𝘒𝘫æ𝘳𝘦. 𝘐𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦.”
Madeleine has a way of making you fall in love with the characters! Loved the tension yet tender love between the MCs, the slow burn was absolutely worth it. You'll fall in love with both Arik and Eisa as well as the dragons! I adored the funny banter between the characters and their dragons, you could feel the connection on paper. This is a great start to a new series, and I absolutely can not wait for the second book!
"𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘥. 𝘚𝘰 𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘯. 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩. 𝘚𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥."
I want to thank the author for sending me an eARC to read and review 🖤 thank you for letting me be a part of your street team!!
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
It took me less than two seconds to decide I NEEDED this book in my life. When I got my hands on a copy, it was the hardest thing not to fly through it. I was determined to savor it. Yet, as I got to the climax of the book, the location percentage kept jumping up faster than I believed.
Heart of Chaos brings the meaning of cozy fantasy, with some spice, into a genre that's has grown serious. I loved this book not only for its story but also the feeling of comfort while reading it. Eisa is a strong willed character that doesn't let much stand in her way, doors included, and her bonded is absolutely a whole vibe. Arik and his bonded made me laugh too many times. It brought a great amount of joy to the story, as well as moments of intense heat 🥵
Beyond the characters, the world and its issues are easy to digest, but the world building is so fun. I got lost in the mountains and forest and caves right along with Eisa (no literally I had no idea which way was up for a while). Still, I am dying for more of this story. I let Madeleine know I was DISTRAUGHT that the second book isn't ready yet, but good things come to those who wait. (I'm sure Arik would say theres an innuendo in there somewhere😉)
TLDR: Dragons, sass, bonded mates, and one very weird necklace are what's in store for you in Heart of Chaos. (Oh, and if you threatened them, you will get burned.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence
Moderate: Blood, War
⋆｡°✩ ᴀʀᴄ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ✩°｡⋆
ᴛɪᴛʟᴇ : Heart of Chaos
ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ : Madeline Eliot
Heart of Chaos is a Romantasy book, I really enjoyed this, i read it in one sitting!
I was hooked from the start of the book, I really liked Eisa, she is strong but also soft. Sometimes you need to read a book where the female main character isn’t always ice. Arik fell first and fell hard! The way he speaks to Eisa is so *fire emoji here, Heart emoji here too!*. The spice scenes are on point for this book!
The dragons…. Well I just loved them! It was nice they could laugh and have banter with Arik and Eisa, it was fun and heart warming the way the dragons loved each other but respected Arik and Eisa.
I really liked the unique language and story line of this book, (thank you Madeline for the pronunciation guide) it was interesting to read.
I really want to know what happens next! Sigrid has some explaining to do and I’d like to know now!
ᴛɪᴛʟᴇ : Heart of Chaos
ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ : Madeline Eliot
Heart of Chaos is a Romantasy book, I really enjoyed this, i read it in one sitting!
I was hooked from the start of the book, I really liked Eisa, she is strong but also soft. Sometimes you need to read a book where the female main character isn’t always ice. Arik fell first and fell hard! The way he speaks to Eisa is so *fire emoji here, Heart emoji here too!*. The spice scenes are on point for this book!
The dragons…. Well I just loved them! It was nice they could laugh and have banter with Arik and Eisa, it was fun and heart warming the way the dragons loved each other but respected Arik and Eisa.
I really liked the unique language and story line of this book, (thank you Madeline for the pronunciation guide) it was interesting to read.
I really want to know what happens next! Sigrid has some explaining to do and I’d like to know now!
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
Genre: Adult Fantasy Romance
Spice: 3/5
*spice ratings are relative to similar books in the same genre*
The Catalog: FM, dragon shifters, reluctant FMC, he falls first, fated mates (human & dragon alike), forced proximity, only one bed, chronic illness representation, found family, hurt/care, Norse lore, touch them and ☠️, monsters & Gods
My Blurb:
Eisa has been indentured her entire life. Her only thought is survival and safety for her chosen family. Fate has other ideas when two Drage, warrior dragon shifters, crash into her life, claiming that she is Chaosborn and has the potential to bond a dragon as well. Arik’s dragon, Baldur, knows that Eisa is the human they’ve been waiting, even if she doesn’t understand yet. Now, Arik must do what he can so ensure Eisa’s survival so that she might have the chance to complete his dragon’s mate bond, and maybe his own heart too.
Thoughts:
This book was simply consuming.
I. Could. Not. Stop. Reading.
I was literally hooked from page one and tore through the story at a speed that speaks for itself. I loved every second of this book. The world building is so breezy that it lets you melt into the story, and while it has Madeleine’s signature cozy feels, it’s also gritty with a dash of primal goodness.
The FMC, Eisa, has caged herself for so long in order to protect herself from the small men around her. Yet inside, she has a fierce spirit and loves with her whole soul. This book is very much a celebration of Eisa shattering her own cage, and I was cheering her on the whole time. Arik is a broody, blond, beefy dragon shifter that has lost a lot of hope when it comes to the battle between the Drage and the dark creatures plaguing the realm. Eisa reignites his flame. Their romance is equal parts adorable human bumbling and primal dragon desire. It. Was. Hawt.
Lastly, this review would not be complete without mentioning the absolute hilarity that is the dragons’ meddling thoughts. There is nothing better than reading a character getting psychical roasted by their bonded dragon, lmao.
Highly, highly recommend this book for fantasy romance readers & PNR readers alike!
Spice: 3/5
*spice ratings are relative to similar books in the same genre*
The Catalog: FM, dragon shifters, reluctant FMC, he falls first, fated mates (human & dragon alike), forced proximity, only one bed, chronic illness representation, found family, hurt/care, Norse lore, touch them and ☠️, monsters & Gods
My Blurb:
Eisa has been indentured her entire life. Her only thought is survival and safety for her chosen family. Fate has other ideas when two Drage, warrior dragon shifters, crash into her life, claiming that she is Chaosborn and has the potential to bond a dragon as well. Arik’s dragon, Baldur, knows that Eisa is the human they’ve been waiting, even if she doesn’t understand yet. Now, Arik must do what he can so ensure Eisa’s survival so that she might have the chance to complete his dragon’s mate bond, and maybe his own heart too.
Thoughts:
This book was simply consuming.
I. Could. Not. Stop. Reading.
I was literally hooked from page one and tore through the story at a speed that speaks for itself. I loved every second of this book. The world building is so breezy that it lets you melt into the story, and while it has Madeleine’s signature cozy feels, it’s also gritty with a dash of primal goodness.
The FMC, Eisa, has caged herself for so long in order to protect herself from the small men around her. Yet inside, she has a fierce spirit and loves with her whole soul. This book is very much a celebration of Eisa shattering her own cage, and I was cheering her on the whole time. Arik is a broody, blond, beefy dragon shifter that has lost a lot of hope when it comes to the battle between the Drage and the dark creatures plaguing the realm. Eisa reignites his flame. Their romance is equal parts adorable human bumbling and primal dragon desire. It. Was. Hawt.
Lastly, this review would not be complete without mentioning the absolute hilarity that is the dragons’ meddling thoughts. There is nothing better than reading a character getting psychical roasted by their bonded dragon, lmao.
Highly, highly recommend this book for fantasy romance readers & PNR readers alike!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
fast-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
𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐨𝐬
Madeleine Eliot
𝙰𝚁𝙲 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆 📜
🌟🌟🌟🌟 .𝟓 / 𝟓
"𝑺𝒊𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝒎𝒚 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰
𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒗𝒐𝒊𝒅, 𝑰 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒑𝒕."
🤍🤍🤍
I /loved/ this book!! It was soo hard to put down after I started it!
By the time I went into the book, I, admittedly, had forgotten what it was advertised as. But that did not stop me nor my enjoyment.
📚
Eisa and Arik were almost immediately a love for me, which is pretty rare with main couples for me. Revna also was an immediate love, I hope she gets more love in future books.
Eisa did have a few moments early on where she pissed me off; "𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘦𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘱𝘪𝘴𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧𝘧. 𝘊𝘖𝘕𝘛𝘌𝘟𝘛 𝘊𝘓𝘜𝘌𝘚 𝘉𝘉𝘎 𝘗𝘓𝘌𝘈𝘚𝘌" (-Actual annotation)
I did try and also take into account the world but sometimes I just looked to a wall and said "Really chick?"
She gets better!! "𝘐 𝘓𝘖𝘝𝘌 𝘏𝘌𝘙 𝘏𝘈𝘏𝘈!!"
🕯
The magic and dragons are so interesting. I have questions I desperately need answers to, IMMEDIATELY!! I love how the dragons interact, not only with their bonded but each other! "𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘉𝘢𝘭𝘥𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘮𝘨🤍🤍"
The spiice now, is quite good. I'm quite critical with spice; It needs to be a certain way and time with a certain amount of it. I feel the amount of open door with also closed door spice in this is just fine for a book tagged as "Fated Mates", which typically gives me a heavy spice impression.
☕
The biggest twist that this book has I feel is Eisas dragon and her powers while I feel it was supposed to be Arik and his past. I will say, that twist was the MOST obvious twist EVER. I clocked it as soon as Revna said anything about his past when they were first introduced.
That isn't a BAD thing, it is simply just a thing that is truth. "𝘪 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘢𝘺𝘺! 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯"
🤍🤍🤍
Overall? Great book! Completely obsessed and in need of more, NOW!
Madeleine Eliot
𝙰𝚁𝙲 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆 📜
🌟🌟🌟🌟 .𝟓 / 𝟓
"𝑺𝒊𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝒎𝒚 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰
𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒗𝒐𝒊𝒅, 𝑰 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒑𝒕."
🤍🤍🤍
I /loved/ this book!! It was soo hard to put down after I started it!
By the time I went into the book, I, admittedly, had forgotten what it was advertised as. But that did not stop me nor my enjoyment.
📚
Eisa and Arik were almost immediately a love for me, which is pretty rare with main couples for me. Revna also was an immediate love, I hope she gets more love in future books.
Eisa did have a few moments early on where she pissed me off; "𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘦𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘱𝘪𝘴𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧𝘧. 𝘊𝘖𝘕𝘛𝘌𝘟𝘛 𝘊𝘓𝘜𝘌𝘚 𝘉𝘉𝘎 𝘗𝘓𝘌𝘈𝘚𝘌" (-Actual annotation)
I did try and also take into account the world but sometimes I just looked to a wall and said "Really chick?"
She gets better!! "𝘐 𝘓𝘖𝘝𝘌 𝘏𝘌𝘙 𝘏𝘈𝘏𝘈!!"
🕯
The magic and dragons are so interesting. I have questions I desperately need answers to, IMMEDIATELY!! I love how the dragons interact, not only with their bonded but each other! "𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘉𝘢𝘭𝘥𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘮𝘨🤍🤍"
The spiice now, is quite good. I'm quite critical with spice; It needs to be a certain way and time with a certain amount of it. I feel the amount of open door with also closed door spice in this is just fine for a book tagged as "Fated Mates", which typically gives me a heavy spice impression.
☕
The biggest twist that this book has I feel is Eisas dragon and her powers while I feel it was supposed to be Arik and his past. I will say, that twist was the MOST obvious twist EVER. I clocked it as soon as Revna said anything about his past when they were first introduced.
That isn't a BAD thing, it is simply just a thing that is truth. "𝘪 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘢𝘺𝘺! 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯"
🤍🤍🤍
Overall? Great book! Completely obsessed and in need of more, NOW!
adventurous
relaxing
fast-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:
Yes
I just finished reviewing a very early full draft of this and I cannot wait for everyone to be able to experience it!
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Someone pinch me! I think I’m in love!!! This book was so good and is going to be one of the books I obsessively recommend, especially to people just starting out in fantasy/romantasy or those looking to cure a book hangover. This book had me hooked, so much so that I preordered this book before I even finished it! I am so glad that I did; I was not let down at all.
Eisa, the FMC, was strong, brave, a bit down on herself at times (but who isn’t), and so relatable. The MMC, Arik, was kind, intelligent, a strong leader, and exhibited touch-her-and-die tendencies. I love an FMC that steps into her own strength and is intelligent, and this book delivered on that for sure. The MMC is supportive and understanding without being too gentle. The dragons were so well written and sassy. The relationships in this book are perfection. I want to rave so much about the banter and sass in this book. As a sassy and sarcastic girl myself, I am in love with Baldur (a dragon). He is everything I love in a dragon. The back and forth between the dragons and the drage (people) gave me so much joy and laughter. I think I highlighted about half the book, just for feel-good/funny moments. I definitely reminisced about Tairn and Sgaeyl from Fourth Wing, so if you are missing the Fourth Wing vibes, give this a try. I promise it is so good! The book ends with unanswered questions, but the cliffhanger is minimal. The main action is wrapped up nicely, and the book sets up for a new adventure in the following book as the characters continue on their journey to heal the magical rift affecting the realm.
If you are wanting a fantasy novel that is deep with complex world building and intense magic systems, this book may not be for you. However, there are still a lot of unanswered questions about the magic at the end of this book, so the next one may have more intense world building. If you love character-driven books, read this.
Quote:
“Go live, my Eisa. Show them what you’re made of.”
“Blood and despair?” I joked, wiping a tear from my cheek.
“Courage,” she insisted. “Fire.”
Eisa, the FMC, was strong, brave, a bit down on herself at times (but who isn’t), and so relatable. The MMC, Arik, was kind, intelligent, a strong leader, and exhibited touch-her-and-die tendencies. I love an FMC that steps into her own strength and is intelligent, and this book delivered on that for sure. The MMC is supportive and understanding without being too gentle. The dragons were so well written and sassy. The relationships in this book are perfection. I want to rave so much about the banter and sass in this book. As a sassy and sarcastic girl myself, I am in love with Baldur (a dragon). He is everything I love in a dragon. The back and forth between the dragons and the drage (people) gave me so much joy and laughter. I think I highlighted about half the book, just for feel-good/funny moments. I definitely reminisced about Tairn and Sgaeyl from Fourth Wing, so if you are missing the Fourth Wing vibes, give this a try. I promise it is so good! The book ends with unanswered questions, but the cliffhanger is minimal. The main action is wrapped up nicely, and the book sets up for a new adventure in the following book as the characters continue on their journey to heal the magical rift affecting the realm.
If you are wanting a fantasy novel that is deep with complex world building and intense magic systems, this book may not be for you. However, there are still a lot of unanswered questions about the magic at the end of this book, so the next one may have more intense world building. If you love character-driven books, read this.
Quote:
“Go live, my Eisa. Show them what you’re made of.”
“Blood and despair?” I joked, wiping a tear from my cheek.
“Courage,” she insisted. “Fire.”
adventurous
emotional
funny
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:
Complicated
I received a free eARC of this book as a part of the author's Street Team. My opinions are my own.
This review will be spoiler-free.
Heart of Chaos by Madeleine Eliot swept me away to a beautiful fantasy realm with rich worldbuilding, lovable characters, and a compelling story that gets the mix of action, emotion, and humor just right. The worldbuilding was especially a standout—detailed, immersive, and beautifully realized.
The characters were all well-developed and distinct, so it was easy to identify with them as they grew throughout the progression of the story. The banter, the tight bonds, and the touching moments in this quest made it all the more enjoyable. The pacing was a great combination of fast action and steady medium-paced writing, which held my attention but wasn't overwhelming.
Fans of Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros and A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen will love this book, especially if you're a fan of the tropes touch her and die, who did this to you, one bed, good vs evil, fated mates, and chronic illness representation. If you like fantasy, romantasy, Viking-inspired fiction, or Norse lore, this is a must-read!
With an easy-to-get-into writing style, thrilling action, and just the right amount of emotional depth, Heart of Chaos is a fantastic read that delivers all that I love in a romantasy novel. Highly recommended!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Blood
Moderate: Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Slavery
Minor: Emotional abuse, Misogyny
Mentions of sexual assualt (off page), attempted sexual assualt (off page), death of a parent (off page), whipping, indentured seritude
adventurous
funny
hopeful
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
So, I loved, loved this book!! It was so fantastic and I have so much to say!!
Firstly, the worldbuilding was perfect. Completely out of this world and sucked me in immediately and I was lost in this high fantasy world!!
Eisa was the perfect fmc to root for, timid at first but shown to have fight in her and it was amazing watching her become confident and lean more into herself!! her characterisation was perfect and she has my whole heart.
I loved Arik so much. Just the perfect mmc; feisty, funny and has a backstory!! He was perfect for Eisa and I loved reading them together and watching them fall for each other!!The plot and world of this story, honestly has me so hooked!! I cannot wait for the second book and I eagerly anticipate it!!
I am a huge sucker for romantasy with dragons in it, and this totally hit for me!! The writing beautifully flowed and was the perfect balance of show and not tell. It was easy to read, whilst being detailed enough with all the lore of the world!! Just stunningly done!!
I am so, so grateful to the author for giving me the chance to read this book as an ARC!! I am so grateful for it, because this is one of the most enjoyable romantasy books I've read in a while!!
Overall, this is a fantastic romantasy book and I honestly cannot recommend it enough!! Please do read it if you enjoy romantasy!!
Firstly, the worldbuilding was perfect. Completely out of this world and sucked me in immediately and I was lost in this high fantasy world!!
Eisa was the perfect fmc to root for, timid at first but shown to have fight in her and it was amazing watching her become confident and lean more into herself!! her characterisation was perfect and she has my whole heart.
I loved Arik so much. Just the perfect mmc; feisty, funny and has a backstory!! He was perfect for Eisa and I loved reading them together and watching them fall for each other!!The plot and world of this story, honestly has me so hooked!! I cannot wait for the second book and I eagerly anticipate it!!
I am a huge sucker for romantasy with dragons in it, and this totally hit for me!! The writing beautifully flowed and was the perfect balance of show and not tell. It was easy to read, whilst being detailed enough with all the lore of the world!! Just stunningly done!!
I am so, so grateful to the author for giving me the chance to read this book as an ARC!! I am so grateful for it, because this is one of the most enjoyable romantasy books I've read in a while!!
Overall, this is a fantastic romantasy book and I honestly cannot recommend it enough!! Please do read it if you enjoy romantasy!!