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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
adventurous
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
adventurous
funny
fast-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
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
It was okay. I didn't care about the story, plus there wasn't even much of a plot to begin with. I liked Poet, but I disliked that he had a son (sorry not sorry). I even considered DNFing the book after that revelation.
The writing style was not my cup of tea, there were too many modern words that took me out of the story.
The spice was not really spicing for me, I wish the erotic scenes had focused less on describing actions and more on sensations.
It wasn't a bad book, but I won't be continuing the series.
The writing style was not my cup of tea, there were too many modern words that took me out of the story.
The spice was not really spicing for me, I wish the erotic scenes had focused less on describing actions and more on sensations.
It wasn't a bad book, but I won't be continuing the series.
this book was everything. I love it so so so so so so much.
Rating: 3.5/5 stars. šš¼
I really enjoyed this book. It was a heartwarming read - not without its share of angst and heartache, though. š
The writing: Beautiful and captivating (some lines poetic - because the male character is called Poet, but itās clever, fun, easy, and never overwhelming).
The romance/plot: I loved it. A forbidden romance between an uptight princess of Autumn and a very popular Court Jester of Spring... I adored the characters, Briar and Poet, so much (unique and complex, even though they frustrated me at times - but characters canāt always act the way you want them to). Thereās one part of the story and a character that completely touched my heart but I feel like itās a spoiler, so find out yourself! š
The world building: was interesting - four kingdoms, each defined by a season. Itās Fantasy because it has its fictional natural laws and political ones as well.
* I was surprised the book had a very heavy theme and issue it dealt with - the mistreatment and oppression of people with disabilities and special needs in this fictional world. Honestly, Iām not sure how I feel about that part of the book. It felt to me like too serious or extreme a problem to not be the central plot or conflict. More than the romance, I ended up concerned about how this aspect of the story would turn out.
Maybe very slightly spoilery down here:
You see how that injustice directly affects the main characters ā and their emotional struggle with that, the painful choices they have to make because of it ā more than it is a plot about fighting against injustice. (Because this is essentially a character driven story about love, courage and inspiring change - so I had to stop hoping for an all out rebellion, or to knock down some awful characters I hated. š).
To be honest, it was painful and sometimes uncomfortable to read that aspect of the world. But then, it does end up giving room to teach some people in the book a lesson... It strives for positive change. Still, I hope we see how that progresses in the companion book(s) with even more resolution - since I think itās set in the same world.
((And I have to add, thereās beautiful representation through one character that I absolutely adored.))
end of possible spoilers
Thereās a lot of diversity in the book too that I really liked.
Overall, I really enjoyed it. Again - I loved the characters so much! It really was an emotional journey with them! And I would love to read more about Poet and Briar. I signed up for the authorās newsletter for a free outtake, which Iām going to read now!
I really enjoyed this book. It was a heartwarming read - not without its share of angst and heartache, though. š
The writing: Beautiful and captivating (some lines poetic - because the male character is called Poet, but itās clever, fun, easy, and never overwhelming).
The romance/plot: I loved it. A forbidden romance between an uptight princess of Autumn and a very popular Court Jester of Spring... I adored the characters, Briar and Poet, so much (unique and complex, even though they frustrated me at times - but characters canāt always act the way you want them to). Thereās one part of the story and a character that completely touched my heart but I feel like itās a spoiler, so find out yourself! š
The world building: was interesting - four kingdoms, each defined by a season. Itās Fantasy because it has its fictional natural laws and political ones as well.
* I was surprised the book had a very heavy theme and issue it dealt with - the mistreatment and oppression of people with disabilities and special needs in this fictional world. Honestly, Iām not sure how I feel about that part of the book. It felt to me like too serious or extreme a problem to not be the central plot or conflict. More than the romance, I ended up concerned about how this aspect of the story would turn out.
Maybe very slightly spoilery down here:
You see how that injustice directly affects the main characters ā and their emotional struggle with that, the painful choices they have to make because of it ā more than it is a plot about fighting against injustice. (Because this is essentially a character driven story about love, courage and inspiring change - so I had to stop hoping for an all out rebellion, or to knock down some awful characters I hated. š).
To be honest, it was painful and sometimes uncomfortable to read that aspect of the world. But then, it does end up giving room to teach some people in the book a lesson... It strives for positive change. Still, I hope we see how that progresses in the companion book(s) with even more resolution - since I think itās set in the same world.
((And I have to add, thereās beautiful representation through one character that I absolutely adored.))
end of possible spoilers
Thereās a lot of diversity in the book too that I really liked.
Overall, I really enjoyed it. Again - I loved the characters so much! It really was an emotional journey with them! And I would love to read more about Poet and Briar. I signed up for the authorās newsletter for a free outtake, which Iām going to read now!
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.75 āļø āThe aloof, virginal Princess of Autumn loitering outside the Court Jesterās den of viceā.
Briar is the princess of Autumn, one in the four Dark Seasonās courts that exist. While in the court of Spring, where all reigning sovereigns of each go the Seasons gather to partake in the 'Peace Talks', their new court jester has everyone enthrall. Everyone but Briar, that is. Poet is his name. Heās mysterious, funny, and the most sought out lover both from men and women alike. But no one in court knows how much the jester hides and how deep his true alliances lie, nor the fact that heās willing to do anything to accomplish his one, true goal.
This book was so much, so over the top on every level! And Iām very aware that in any other day, this book would have not been a 3.75 star read. That alone makes it impossible for me to put this any higher than 4ā¦ Now, I donāt really know how, but everything else kind of really worked for me. Another thing I want to say is that, if youāre planning to read this, please mind that the world building here is extremely ableist, since itās a big part of the plot of this book, and it can be very triggering. There is also a specific scene where a conversation brings up isolation and abandonment as a āsolutionā.
I admit that the length of this book is truly excessive. Thereās a lot of repetition, to the point where entire pages could be skipped and, as a reader, youād miss absolutely nothing. The spicy scenes are nice, but the narration is drawn out and, again, repetitive when thereās no need. This felt like a fantasy-telenovela, and although it was a bit difficult for me to get into it, once I did I couldnāt put the book down. And, yes, Iāll admit my bias because ended up falling head over heels in love with Poet (and Nicu).
This book is the only type of slow-burn I can feasibly do without wanting to rip someoneās hair out. The spend over 80% of the book doing nothing more than kissing and touching (mostly over the clothes stuff, but not always) and it felt like a low torture to the big moment, but it felt worth it. It was fun to read about the fmc exploring that side of her life so the first time, and although virgin fmcs are usually not my cup of tea at all, again, somehow this book made it work.
Do I think this book could have been edited and shortened so we could have gotten a more definitive ending and maybe thereād be no need for a second book? Absolutely, I do.
Will I regret reading the next book? I guess weāll see, because Iām definitely reading it.
āļøāļøāļø.75 / 5
Briar is the princess of Autumn, one in the four Dark Seasonās courts that exist. While in the court of Spring, where all reigning sovereigns of each go the Seasons gather to partake in the 'Peace Talks', their new court jester has everyone enthrall. Everyone but Briar, that is. Poet is his name. Heās mysterious, funny, and the most sought out lover both from men and women alike. But no one in court knows how much the jester hides and how deep his true alliances lie, nor the fact that heās willing to do anything to accomplish his one, true goal.
This book was so much, so over the top on every level! And Iām very aware that in any other day, this book would have not been a 3.75 star read.
Spoiler
The MMC kisses the FMCās best friend because heās mad at her and just to be petty (I guess?) The best friend instigated it, since he was in love with the mmc first, but they ended up kissing and caressing each other.I admit that the length of this book is truly excessive. Thereās a lot of repetition, to the point where entire pages could be skipped and, as a reader, youād miss absolutely nothing. The spicy scenes are nice, but the narration is drawn out and, again, repetitive when thereās no need. This felt like a fantasy-telenovela, and although it was a bit difficult for me to get into it, once I did I couldnāt put the book down. And, yes, Iāll admit my bias because ended up falling head over heels in love with Poet (and Nicu).
This book is the only type of slow-burn I can feasibly do without wanting to rip someoneās hair out. The spend over 80% of the book doing nothing more than kissing and touching (mostly over the clothes stuff, but not always) and it felt like a low torture to the big moment, but it felt worth it. It was fun to read about the fmc exploring that side of her life so the first time, and although virgin fmcs are usually not my cup of tea at all, again, somehow this book made it work.
Do I think this book could have been edited and shortened so we could have gotten a more definitive ending and maybe thereād be no need for a second book? Absolutely, I do.
Will I regret reading the next book? I guess weāll see, because Iām definitely reading it.
āļøāļøāļø.75 / 5
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Iām not a romantasy girly but this one hit a sweet spot for me. I love a peacock of a man, and I appreciate a romantasy that balances its fantasy and romance well. This oneās definitely more romance than fantasy, but the fantasy of it, while being immersive and interesting enough to enjoy spending time in, isnāt trying to be super complex or involved, which means it doesnāt feel like things are sacrificed for the sake of the romance.
Due to my job, I read a LOT of romance, fantasy or otherwise, and whenever they try to introduce any kind of heavy topic, I cringe, because in my experience these books almost never handle said topics well. It ends up coming across like a really serious issueābe it SA, prejudice, grief, etc.āis being used as either a prop or an obstacle to the romance, and it makes me feel icky. So I was pleasantly surprised when this book introduced a topic of this kind and then handled it with, I thought, a good amount of care and nuance.
This still isnāt really my kind of book, but it seems the right book caught me in the right mood. Iād call it a guilty pleasure if I felt guilty about pleasure.
Due to my job, I read a LOT of romance, fantasy or otherwise, and whenever they try to introduce any kind of heavy topic, I cringe, because in my experience these books almost never handle said topics well. It ends up coming across like a really serious issueābe it SA, prejudice, grief, etc.āis being used as either a prop or an obstacle to the romance, and it makes me feel icky. So I was pleasantly surprised when this book introduced a topic of this kind and then handled it with, I thought, a good amount of care and nuance.
This still isnāt really my kind of book, but it seems the right book caught me in the right mood. Iād call it a guilty pleasure if I felt guilty about pleasure.