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flavoredfaeman's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Sexual content, and Murder
marleywrites's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
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
4.25
Oh my goodness. I went into this book with high expectations, and they were all met. Haddon did a great job of world building and fleshing out his characters. I was rooting for them the whole time. It was a complex, multifaceted story that kept me on the edge of my seat. And there was just the right amount of romance. Amazing story, I got my friend to buy the book for himself too!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Blood
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Murder
rachratesreads's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Reforged by Seth Haddon - 3.5/10
Reforged is a second chance/bodyguard fantasy romance between a Paladin and his new King. King Zavrius never expected to become a ruler, but after the tragic death of his siblings, he is put on the throne. Paladin Balen is pledged to serve his king, who happens to be his ex-lover. Their kingdom becomes the target of various enemies, trying to seize control during this unstable transition between rulers, and our protagonists are forced to navigate these threats, as well as their bottled-up emotions. It sounds like something that is right up my alley. So why didn’t I like it?
The concept was strong and enticing, but fell flat in the execution. There were a lot of problems that should have been caught by the editor long before it reached the publishing stage. At this stage, Reforged reads like a first draft that hasn’t reached its full potential yet. The pacing was off from the very beginning, the magic system was not explained, and the characters were lacking depth and complexity. This book is proof that you can have a great concept, but you need and editor to make it attainable.
I don’t like giving critical reviews to debut authors, especially indie authors. Writing a book is no easy task, but this book needs a professional editor. A lot of these mistakes could have been avoided if there was a critical editing process. I look forward to seeing what Haddon does in the future, because I do really like the general premise. This just wasn’t the book I was hoping for.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
zoiejanelle's review
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Seth Haddon is going on my author watchlist. this debut was decent — more than decent, the universe and characters were so intriguing and unique. i only wish there was more time to flesh out the world and dive into the politics, the religions, and the magic system more.
i already noted above the lack of depth to the world, but the romance was unevenly paced and at times confused me. i loved the relatuonship between Balen and Zavrius, but i would have preferred more context about their connection (and break up) and a more consistent dynamic throughout the novel.
once they rekindled their love, things made more sense to me. but the first ~200 pages needed some assistance.
for those seeking ~spice~ please note there were only two explicit sex scenes, plenty of flirting, and quite a few raunchy punchlines.
i would recommend this book to queer readers who love DnD and scandalous romances. (the himbo knight + sassy, dark prince element was right up my alley.) anyone looking for really cool magic systems and wanting to dip their toes into political intrigue stories would also enjoy.
overall, i really liked the book, but i can’t deny it was lacking in the ways a first draft might be. it read much like a fanfiction that needed another round of beta reading.
i already noted above the lack of depth to the world, but the romance was unevenly paced and at times confused me. i loved the relatuonship between Balen and Zavrius, but i would have preferred more context about their connection (and break up) and a more consistent dynamic throughout the novel.
for those seeking ~spice~ please note there were only two explicit sex scenes, plenty of flirting, and quite a few raunchy punchlines.
i would recommend this book to queer readers who love DnD and scandalous romances. (the himbo knight + sassy, dark prince element was right up my alley.) anyone looking for really cool magic systems and wanting to dip their toes into political intrigue stories would also enjoy.
overall, i really liked the book, but i can’t deny it was lacking in the ways a first draft might be. it read much like a fanfiction that needed another round of beta reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, War, Grief, Blood, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Child death, Gore, Torture, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Drug use
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Terminal illness, Homophobia, and Animal death
mysana's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I love the concept but it felt very much like a debut novel in execution
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Homophobia and Gore
Minor: War and Death of parent
sailortrash's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: War
fruitbatwoman's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
What I liked:
- the magic system in this world, how magic corrupts people unless channeled by weapons, instruments, or armor
- the gedrocks, ancient creatures as a source of magical power, and the religious order around the paladins
- the rekindled (or reforged) romance between the two main leads
- the humor and banter between the characters
- witnessing a powerful bard in battle!
What I didn't like:
- the politics felt too drawn out and obscure, a bit like Game of Thrones light...
- the pacing was a bit off at times; some scenes could have been shorter, but other story elements would have required further explanation (e.g. the previously hostile empire and its ambassador, the main leads' previous relationship, and other tidbits)
- the writing felt unpolished at times, there were several errors, repetitions, or instances that were resolved too quickly, as if the characters skipped a part of their motivation
While I enjoyed the story and the characters, the book felt a bit unpolished, as if it would have needed another iteration before being published. Other than that, it was an enjoyable fantasy romance that reminded me a lot of Dungeons & Dragons campaigns!
What I liked:
- the magic system in this world, how magic corrupts people unless channeled by weapons, instruments, or armor
- the gedrocks, ancient creatures as a source of magical power, and the religious order around the paladins
- the rekindled (or reforged) romance between the two main leads
- the humor and banter between the characters
- witnessing a powerful bard in battle!
What I didn't like:
- the politics felt too drawn out and obscure, a bit like Game of Thrones light...
- the pacing was a bit off at times; some scenes could have been shorter, but other story elements would have required further explanation (e.g. the previously hostile empire and its ambassador, the main leads' previous relationship, and other tidbits)
- the writing felt unpolished at times, there were several errors, repetitions, or instances that were resolved too quickly, as if the characters skipped a part of their motivation
While I enjoyed the story and the characters, the book felt a bit unpolished, as if it would have needed another iteration before being published. Other than that, it was an enjoyable fantasy romance that reminded me a lot of Dungeons & Dragons campaigns!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
tinyelfarcanist's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I'm not gonna lie, this cover won me over. I love the passion in it and I immediately knew I was gonna love it. Sadly, my expectations weren't met. It took me a while to get into it. I didn't like Zavrius at first, although his attitude was probably due to his rocky relationship with Balen.
I've found that my favourite books usually include some of my favourite characters. They can be a make-or-break for me, and I didn't find these memorable enough. As the author's debut novel, I see the potential for future works.
This is about the romance between a king and his bodyguard. I've never read this trope but I was worried about the power dynamics impacting the relationship. This wasn't a problem as Balen constantly disregarded Zavrius's authority.
All older siblings die mysteriously so Zavrius, 5th in line to the throne, is now king. He was never prepared for it, he didn't even want it. I had trouble believing a crown prince over 30 has no heirs or is even married. Seeing Zavrius was the youngest at 22, how is it that none of his siblings had a family?
A twist thrown over there, add betrayal, spicy scenes, and likeable supporting characters, and you get Reforged.
I've found that my favourite books usually include some of my favourite characters. They can be a make-or-break for me, and I didn't find these memorable enough. As the author's debut novel, I see the potential for future works.
This is about the romance between a king and his bodyguard. I've never read this trope but I was worried about the power dynamics impacting the relationship. This wasn't a problem as Balen constantly disregarded Zavrius's authority.
All older siblings die mysteriously so Zavrius, 5th in line to the throne, is now king. He was never prepared for it, he didn't even want it. I had trouble believing a crown prince over 30 has no heirs or is even married. Seeing Zavrius was the youngest at 22, how is it that none of his siblings had a family?
A twist thrown over there, add betrayal, spicy scenes, and likeable supporting characters, and you get Reforged.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Blood, Violence, Death, and Cursing
Moderate: War, Animal death, Gore, and Murder
Minor: Homophobia, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
eiion's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
I loved this book.
It was a great mix of intriguing plot and interesting characters, but overall, the style of writing was fantastic. I‘m looking forward to more of Haddon‘s work. This was a well thought out world, the lore went deeper than what I think we could see, and a sequel or a tag-along book set in the same universe with different characters would be amazing. A man can dream.
It was a great mix of intriguing plot and interesting characters, but overall, the style of writing was fantastic. I‘m looking forward to more of Haddon‘s work. This was a well thought out world, the lore went deeper than what I think we could see, and a sequel or a tag-along book set in the same universe with different characters would be amazing. A man can dream.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
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