Scan barcode
iviarelle's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I was able to be nice and eloquent for book one, but for book 2 I'm having trouble coming up with phrases that aren't overused to the point of meaninglessness but I want them to mean something again. This is a beautiful follow-up, resolving everything I hoped would be resolved after the last book though I had the advantage of knowing this wouldn't be the end of the books in this setting. I can't wait to see what they do next with this world.
(ARC provided by Montlake and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, but my preorder was already placed.)
(ARC provided by Montlake and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, but my preorder was already placed.)
ayvie's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This book is amazing. I loved seeing this continuation of Sachi, Ash, and Zanya's story. It had me in tears several times as they figured out themselves, and how they fit together. Absolutely beautiful. I hope we get more in this world.
difficultwomanreads's review
adventurous
emotional
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
3.75
mistressviolet's review
adventurous
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
An exciting continuation in the Bound to Fire and Steel series. I continued to love the polyamorous relationship and the sexual fluidity of many characters. The use of language is lovely. And towards the end, I was even moved to tears.
I will say that, for me, this one wasn't as propulsive as the first book. I felt it was a bit of a slow start. However, once I got into it, I was all in.
A fun fantasy romance with interesting characters and a very well-written epic battle scene.
teabun's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
sandreline's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
5.0
It's deeply gratifying to read a book by a writing team who clearly understands the craft of writing. Story structure, themes, motivations, etc. They know their characters, and they know the situations to put them in to give them the growth that they need. This story was a series of correct decisions and mindful writing. You can feel the intentionality.
As an erotic romance, Queen of Dreams shines. Sex is never superfluous. It never feels tacked on. Like a song in a musical, sex happens at the height of emotion and serves to either move the story or the characters forward.
Zanya and Sachi, in particular, feel like fully realized characters. Good at their core, but messy and not always reliable narrators of their own experiences. It gives them a life that I often find lacking in romance.
I love these characters and the world that has been built for them. ♥️
Tropes: Growly grumpy (x2) + bratty sunshine, found families (ofc), Queen of Darkness/Queen of Light, dragon shifter lol.
ARC provided by NetGalley.
As an erotic romance, Queen of Dreams shines. Sex is never superfluous. It never feels tacked on. Like a song in a musical, sex happens at the height of emotion and serves to either move the story or the characters forward.
Zanya and Sachi, in particular, feel like fully realized characters. Good at their core, but messy and not always reliable narrators of their own experiences. It gives them a life that I often find lacking in romance.
I love these characters and the world that has been built for them. ♥️
Tropes: Growly grumpy (x2) + bratty sunshine, found families (ofc), Queen of Darkness/Queen of Light, dragon shifter lol.
ARC provided by NetGalley.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Sexual harassment and Panic attacks/disorders
docrobreads's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.25
What a great follow up to Consort of Fire! I wasn't sure where the authors were going to go after leaving off the first book on quite the cliffhanger, but they did not disappoint. The characters of Sachi, Zanya, and Ash were so easy to root for and fall in love with, and having them achieve all that they did during this part of the tale was immensely satisfying. If you are looking for a fantasy romance with some serious heat/steam, I would highly recommend this series!
rhack05's review
4.25
I was really impressed with the first book in this series and I am equally impressed with this one. The worldbuilding is done well, the magic is amazing and the action is great. The steamy scenes are long and intimate and leave little to the imagination. I think it's hard to mix fantasy and romance and have it done well, but I have to say, this one is a good mix.
While I do wish that Zanya and Ash were a little closer and had a more intimate relationship (not talking about sexual) I understand that Sachi will always be number one for Zanya and Ash. I do think she adds a lot to the relationship and they make it work well.
All in all I think this was a very satisfying conclusion to the series but could also be built upon in the future.
Thank you NetGalley, Montlake and Kit Rocha for a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
While I do wish that Zanya and Ash were a little closer and had a more intimate relationship (not talking about sexual) I understand that Sachi will always be number one for Zanya and Ash. I do think she adds a lot to the relationship and they make it work well.
All in all I think this was a very satisfying conclusion to the series but could also be built upon in the future.
Thank you NetGalley, Montlake and Kit Rocha for a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
tessisreading2's review
4.0
The two authors behind the Rocha pen name have written a fun, detail-filled romantasy, an epic fantasy that clearly owes plenty to Robert Jordan’s endless clothing infodumps (and thankfully less to his braid-tugging, arm-folding heroines: Rocha’s characters are well-rounded and less quirk-piled regardless of gender). It’s heavy on atmosphere and catharsis although there’s a fairly large power differential between our leads and everyone else. At the end of the last book, two of our leads “leveled up” in no uncertain form, while the third is (and remains) an immortal god.
That in turn meant that in this book, the tension feels less... tense: an assortment of powerful old gods and our newly super-powered heroines are standing up against one powerful old god and whatever weapons he has managed to muster, and while we're told (and shown) that he has levied some powerful weapons and allies of his own, it didn't feel as perilous or danger-filled as the last book. Romance-wise, it didn't feel like a triad so much as a V; both Zanya and Ash are in love with Sachielle, but their relationship feels less romantic - although it does involve having sex - and more familial/platonic. Rocha's Beyond series had several couples in open relationships and frankly that was what the romance felt like to me. In some ways I would have preferred that they'd done that here - it didn't feel like there was enough space for the full triad relationship to make sense. In general "not enough space" was a takeaway for me: there was so much extensive worldbuilding, and so much going on behind the scenes, and all of that wedged into only two books with a focus on the central romantic relationship(s) - it felt blurry. It should have been a saga.
Overall, though, a satisfying conclusion to the first book and a series I will enjoy re-reading. Here's to more meaty romantasy like this, with grown-up relationships and complex high fantasy plotlines.
I received an ARC for free but opinions are my own.
That in turn meant that in this book, the tension feels less... tense: an assortment of powerful old gods and our newly super-powered heroines are standing up against one powerful old god and whatever weapons he has managed to muster, and while we're told (and shown) that he has levied some powerful weapons and allies of his own, it didn't feel as perilous or danger-filled as the last book. Romance-wise, it didn't feel like a triad so much as a V; both Zanya and Ash are in love with Sachielle, but their relationship feels less romantic - although it does involve having sex - and more familial/platonic. Rocha's Beyond series had several couples in open relationships and frankly that was what the romance felt like to me. In some ways I would have preferred that they'd done that here - it didn't feel like there was enough space for the full triad relationship to make sense. In general "not enough space" was a takeaway for me: there was so much extensive worldbuilding, and so much going on behind the scenes, and all of that wedged into only two books with a focus on the central romantic relationship(s) - it felt blurry. It should have been a saga.
Overall, though, a satisfying conclusion to the first book and a series I will enjoy re-reading. Here's to more meaty romantasy like this, with grown-up relationships and complex high fantasy plotlines.
I received an ARC for free but opinions are my own.
rachelmeinke's review
4.5
The sequel to Consort of Fire, Sachi is separated from her lovers Zanya and Ash as she must use all her training to defeat the Betrayer.
Consort of Fire was one of the best books I’ve read, so I was beyond excited to get an ARC of Queen of Dreams. It did not disappoint in the slightest. There was quite a bit of world building which sometimes I find slow, but Kit Rocha did it in a way that had me hanging on every word. I loved seeing the character growth from Zanya and Sachi. For those who read Consort of Fire for the *spicy* scenes, there is still some spice but not nearly as much as in Consort of Fire. Instead this novel has more fantasy plot lines. I really loved this book.
Thank you to Montlake Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!
Consort of Fire was one of the best books I’ve read, so I was beyond excited to get an ARC of Queen of Dreams. It did not disappoint in the slightest. There was quite a bit of world building which sometimes I find slow, but Kit Rocha did it in a way that had me hanging on every word. I loved seeing the character growth from Zanya and Sachi. For those who read Consort of Fire for the *spicy* scenes, there is still some spice but not nearly as much as in Consort of Fire. Instead this novel has more fantasy plot lines. I really loved this book.
Thank you to Montlake Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!
More...