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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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
Ok I’m trying to get better about writing reviews, so here goes. I am really loving this series, it kind of has everything I love in a romantasy. Well written, beautiful prose, good pacing, a mmc that will make your toes curl, a fmc that is so relatable, a unique story and world with unique magic, spice!, etc. and yay! It’s on KU and hello, Troy Duran does the male audiobook narration (I read/listen like 75/25%)! Yes, yes and dear god yes.
The thing I have to make note of, that takes this book and series down from a 6 star rating for me (absolute perfection, think about it my my dreams, has me in a chokehold, you know the type, and trust me, this book is so close) is the fine line this series walks between being an excellently done slow burn and a stupid slow burn. Like to the point where at times you question your sanity and it’s actually kind of annoying. To the point where it makes you hate the fmc because she starts acting kind of childish and regresses and the internal self hate just gets old. Like, girl you coulda avoided so many things if you just took a pause. And same to the mmc, we don’t discriminate here, like just be open and honest and less cryptic for like 5 seconds. I know that adds the conflict that is needed for a story to continue, but sometimes a trilogy is just the right amount of books. Just saying. We don’t need to drag series out forever, especially when the author has other new projects they’re working on. SIDE EYE
The thing I have to make note of, that takes this book and series down from a 6 star rating for me (absolute perfection, think about it my my dreams, has me in a chokehold, you know the type, and trust me, this book is so close) is the fine line this series walks between being an excellently done slow burn and a stupid slow burn. Like to the point where at times you question your sanity and it’s actually kind of annoying. To the point where it makes you hate the fmc because she starts acting kind of childish and regresses and the internal self hate just gets old. Like, girl you coulda avoided so many things if you just took a pause. And same to the mmc, we don’t discriminate here, like just be open and honest and less cryptic for like 5 seconds. I know that adds the conflict that is needed for a story to continue, but sometimes a trilogy is just the right amount of books. Just saying. We don’t need to drag series out forever, especially when the author has other new projects they’re working on. SIDE EYE
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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:
Yes
Book 3 was such a good balance of getting some answers while still drawing out the mystery.
I still get frustrated sometimes with Orlaith or Rhordyn refusing time and again to ask the questions they want to ask, but felt that mooost of the time we had enough insight into how their experiences and trauma have bred a deep enough level of distrust to warp their worldview and prevent them from communicating. It made it almost as satisfying to have Orlaith willing to just ASK questions of Rhordyn as it was to hear him give her direct answers.
I also really appreciated getting answers without unrealistic info dumps. Such an amazing balance of clues hidden in plain sight and pieces of flashbacks.Seeing Rhordyn ask Orlaith to serve him food; hearing Orlaith talk time and again about how any food or water handed to her by Rhordyn was so delicious; and even in book 1, the knowing glances between Zali and Blaze when Orlaith is moaning over a bread roll he hands her was so much more gratifying and telling than a long-winded discussion about mating rituals and food. Showing not telling always makes me feel like the author trusts their readers. As an added bonus it makes me feel certain I’ll pick up on more in a re-read.
Which isn’t to say there wasn’t ANY clunky exposition (Cainon in the barrow with Baze ) but imho it’s hard not to have a little bit of that in a fantasy world. It’s been a while since I’ve read a book where an author walked that line so well for so long.
The Baze revenge subplot was great, loved seeing more of him and getting a better understanding of where he’s at. Wanted more Kai and Vicious in this book, can’t wait for that reunion in book 4.
I have so many new questions:What’s the deal between High Septum and Cainon? Is Vicious the beast guarding the Island? Is Madame Strings an actual person or just a persona played by different people? Is Rhordyn Bjorn? Is Orlaith going to shift into the beast she keeps seeing? How old is Zali, and what’s her backstory? What is the recipe for these honey buns we hear about every two chapters?
I read somewhere that there is a discord server for fans of this series. If you are reading this and you are in that discord, dm me pls. I want in.
I still get frustrated sometimes with Orlaith or Rhordyn refusing time and again to ask the questions they want to ask, but felt that mooost of the time we had enough insight into how their experiences and trauma have bred a deep enough level of distrust to warp their worldview and prevent them from communicating. It made it almost as satisfying to have Orlaith willing to just ASK questions of Rhordyn as it was to hear him give her direct answers.
I also really appreciated getting answers without unrealistic info dumps. Such an amazing balance of clues hidden in plain sight and pieces of flashbacks.
Which isn’t to say there wasn’t ANY clunky exposition (
The Baze revenge subplot was great, loved seeing more of him and getting a better understanding of where he’s at. Wanted more Kai and Vicious in this book, can’t wait for that reunion in book 4.
I have so many new questions:
I read somewhere that there is a discord server for fans of this series. If you are reading this and you are in that discord, dm me pls. I want in.
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes