Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
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
Ugh sooooo good. I knew it needed to happen but it was still soo sad, author wrote the break up really really well
4.5 stars
This series is such a comfort to me. The Curse of Ophelia broke my months long slump and The Shards of Ophelia kept me company while I was sick. It’s a really easy to read series and hits all the things I love. Slow burn romance character development, found family, sibling relationships and of course fantasy!!
The slow burn was immaculate. I love love slow burns but OMG the torture with this series
This series is such a comfort to me. The Curse of Ophelia broke my months long slump and The Shards of Ophelia kept me company while I was sick. It’s a really easy to read series and hits all the things I love. Slow burn romance character development, found family, sibling relationships and of course fantasy!!
The slow burn was immaculate. I love love slow burns but OMG the torture with this series
Excellent continuation to the first book! I really enjoyed the complex character development found in TSOO. It was powerful to watch all of these characters grow and deal with the broken pieces of themselves.
At first, I was a little concerned when I saw the dual point of views and who was doing it. One of them would have not been my first guess at a POV. However, I really think that overtime, I came to appreciate that second voice being in there and watching his journey, which at one point was connected to the FMC‘s, but moved away from it as they both deal with who they are as people presently. At times, it was a little frustrated in the two characters for trying to make something work that to the reader felt utterly broken, but it was really interesting to watch the story progress and watch them work through the fact that they may be weren’t destined, and that who they were as people meant that they couldn’t be what they were in the past to each other. Plus, I loved the budding romance between the FMC and the true MMC. It was sweet, soulful, and I couldn’t get enough.
I think the plot was strong. I liked the elements of the story where the FMC is working to secure her position as an up-and-coming revered, and the political upheaval she faced in response to that. I think the themes of sacrifice, of loss of grief, and of hope are extremely powerful in this story. That all comes through in the plot as the characters are forced to contend with not only their own emotions, but the events that they have little to no control over.
Overall this second segment of the story of Ophelia and Tolek, and their found family is a dark but healing ride, and I cannot wait to see where it goes next.
At first, I was a little concerned when I saw the dual point of views and who was doing it. One of them would have not been my first guess at a POV. However, I really think that overtime, I came to appreciate that second voice being in there and watching his journey, which at one point was connected to the FMC‘s, but moved away from it as they both deal with who they are as people presently. At times, it was a little frustrated in the two characters for trying to make something work that to the reader felt utterly broken, but it was really interesting to watch the story progress and watch them work through the fact that they may be weren’t destined, and that who they were as people meant that they couldn’t be what they were in the past to each other. Plus, I loved the budding romance between the FMC and the true MMC. It was sweet, soulful, and I couldn’t get enough.
I think the plot was strong. I liked the elements of the story where the FMC is working to secure her position as an up-and-coming revered, and the political upheaval she faced in response to that. I think the themes of sacrifice, of loss of grief, and of hope are extremely powerful in this story. That all comes through in the plot as the characters are forced to contend with not only their own emotions, but the events that they have little to no control over.
Overall this second segment of the story of Ophelia and Tolek, and their found family is a dark but healing ride, and I cannot wait to see where it goes next.
I couldn't wait to dive into this after how amazing book one was, and book two absolutely lived up to the anticipation. Ophelia has faced so many trials already, and now she has even more on the line, with ominous prophecies to contend with. Once again, Platania wastes no time in drawing the reader into an unforgettable story that will have you turning pages long after you should've set the book down and gone to sleep. (Seriously, I flew through this simply because I didn't want to stop reading). I love all the characters, but Ophelia is far and away my favorite. There's just something about her that puts her on my favorite FMCs list. I've loved watching her grow over the course of both books, and I'm almost proud of how far she's come. My only complaint? When do we get a book three... Overall, can't recommend this enough if you want a slow burn romantasy that will have you hooked from the start (but read book one, or you might be a little lost).
3.8/5 ★
It's taking me a little longer than usual to finish the TCOO books because of how heavy some of the emotional writing feels. There are not many moments of levity to counteract the seriousness of despair and hurt; and preparing to read feels kind of like readying yourself to take a plunge into some particularly icy waters.
Why does Nicole have to be so good at writing coherent thoughts and explainations for things which are actually kinda hard to voice out in real life?
The battle/action scenes always have me on the edge of my seat. They're as good as the emotional capacity of the characters. I'm looking forward to a little more of that. (And maybe some real happiness? Pleaseeeee.)
It's taking me a little longer than usual to finish the TCOO books because of how heavy some of the emotional writing feels. There are not many moments of levity to counteract the seriousness of despair and hurt; and preparing to read feels kind of like readying yourself to take a plunge into some particularly icy waters.
Why does Nicole have to be so good at writing coherent thoughts and explainations for things which are actually kinda hard to voice out in real life?
The battle/action scenes always have me on the edge of my seat. They're as good as the emotional capacity of the characters. I'm looking forward to a little more of that. (And maybe some real happiness? Pleaseeeee.)
Tropes:
-slow burn
-trauma/PTSD rep
-one bed/one horse
-he falls first
-badass FMC
-found family
Rating: 5/5
Spice: 1.5/5
While I thoroughly enjoyed The Curse of Ophelia, this second installment really solidified this series for me. This book was beautifully written while holding true to each character. If you are looking for action, romance, political intrigue, backstabbing, surprise alliances, and the absolute best love confession, this book is for you.
Shards evoked a full range of emotions from me. Malakai’s PTSD and trauma responses were frustrating, infuriating, and heart wrenching. Ophelia’s character grows significantly in this book, and although she can be impulsive at times, she steps into her new role beautifully. Our found family continues to live up to the hype. They are well-balanced, supportive, and just all-around amazing.
Tolek – so many things to say, but I won’t spoil it for you. We will protect him at all costs. He epitomizes the purest love and friendship. I get emotional just thinking about him. I am very anxiously awaiting book 3.
Trials of Ophelia (book 3) to be released March 19, 2024.
Favorite quotes (it was so hard to pick):
“Just because something had once been worth fighting for didn’t mean it would be forever. And just because something ended didn’t mean it was never beautiful.”
“I’ll tell you every hidden truth darkening my heart if it’s what you want – it belongs to you anyway.”
“From now until the end of time, I am infinitely yours”
“I wanted my moonlight on the darkest night. I wanted the tether that tied me to sanity. I wanted him. My best friend and so much more.”
-slow burn
-trauma/PTSD rep
-one bed/one horse
-he falls first
-badass FMC
-found family
Rating: 5/5
Spice: 1.5/5
While I thoroughly enjoyed The Curse of Ophelia, this second installment really solidified this series for me. This book was beautifully written while holding true to each character. If you are looking for action, romance, political intrigue, backstabbing, surprise alliances, and the absolute best love confession, this book is for you.
Shards evoked a full range of emotions from me. Malakai’s PTSD and trauma responses were frustrating, infuriating, and heart wrenching. Ophelia’s character grows significantly in this book, and although she can be impulsive at times, she steps into her new role beautifully. Our found family continues to live up to the hype. They are well-balanced, supportive, and just all-around amazing.
Tolek – so many things to say, but I won’t spoil it for you. We will protect him at all costs. He epitomizes the purest love and friendship. I get emotional just thinking about him. I am very anxiously awaiting book 3.
Trials of Ophelia (book 3) to be released March 19, 2024.
Favorite quotes (it was so hard to pick):
“Just because something had once been worth fighting for didn’t mean it would be forever. And just because something ended didn’t mean it was never beautiful.”
“I’ll tell you every hidden truth darkening my heart if it’s what you want – it belongs to you anyway.”
“From now until the end of time, I am infinitely yours”
“I wanted my moonlight on the darkest night. I wanted the tether that tied me to sanity. I wanted him. My best friend and so much more.”
I enjoyed this book much more than the first. I laughed and cried. I loved how the relationships were explored and honestly that was probably most of the book. The plot was a little predictable but still enjoyable. But seriously I wasn’t expecting to love this as much as I did. Oh and Tolek is still my favorite.
The pacing was off for me, was very bored throughout most the book. Only parts with gripped me were the Tolek scenes - very happy they're together however, I just feel not much else really happened and for that I'm rating it a 3. It was a little slower than the last book but I will be reading the next books as I hear this series gets better as you go on but girllllllll - i hope it picks up.