Scan barcode
mymellowmania's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
krystalmath4's review against another edition
4.0
This is more of a 4.5 for me, but I am rounding down because I don't think it was as good as the first book.
But there are lots of good things about this. I adore Raihn and his developing relationship with Oraya, and how she struggled with her draw towards him when perhaps she should hate him.
However, the best part for me was Oraya's grief and the internal struggle she has with her thoughts and feelings on Vincent. And what we learn of his.
We see a lot of this in book 1. Vincent is king of a brutal land, that for thousands of years has required ruthlessness and brutality to rule and really to just survive. Yet, in his own way, he loves Oraya. She knows this. It's not hugs and kisses type of loving, but she knows he does. He even verbally confirms it at the end of book 1.
More of the complicated nature of their relationship is shown in book 2, which Oraya has to sort through. I found that struggle really compelling. Vincent is not perfect and I can't say I agree with everything he did. Yet, I understand it. Like I said, this world requires ruthlessness. Especially on the throne, that has been the established precedent. It's how you play the game. Despite that, some part of his heart didn't harden. He fell for Oraya and did his best to love her while still playing the game as he understood it needed to be played. Which wasn't always fair to Oraya. In the end though, she learns how much Vincent loved her. That's what she has to hold onto. Not the lies, but that he did love her. It's such a beautiful part of the story.
Raihn's battle on how to rewrite those rules now that's he's king was interesting as well. Some other parts (ie the magic and the villains) were maybe a little half-baked. But the relationships shone brightly and made this an excellent read.
But there are lots of good things about this. I adore Raihn and his developing relationship with Oraya, and how she struggled with her draw towards him when perhaps she should hate him.
However, the best part for me was Oraya's grief and the internal struggle she has with her thoughts and feelings on Vincent. And what we learn of his.
We see a lot of this in book 1. Vincent is king of a brutal land, that for thousands of years has required ruthlessness and brutality to rule and really to just survive. Yet, in his own way, he loves Oraya. She knows this. It's not hugs and kisses type of loving, but she knows he does. He even verbally confirms it at the end of book 1.
More of the complicated nature of their relationship is shown in book 2, which Oraya has to sort through. I found that struggle really compelling. Vincent is not perfect and I can't say I agree with everything he did. Yet, I understand it. Like I said, this world requires ruthlessness. Especially on the throne, that has been the established precedent. It's how you play the game. Despite that, some part of his heart didn't harden. He fell for Oraya and did his best to love her while still playing the game as he understood it needed to be played. Which wasn't always fair to Oraya. In the end though, she learns how much Vincent loved her. That's what she has to hold onto. Not the lies, but that he did love her. It's such a beautiful part of the story.
Raihn's battle on how to rewrite those rules now that's he's king was interesting as well. Some other parts (ie the magic and the villains) were maybe a little half-baked. But the relationships shone brightly and made this an excellent read.
ivanka's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
the_world_of_a_bookaholic's review against another edition
5.0
“Love is power”
I think this sentence sums up this book the best.
My prediction at the beginning, after reading the prologue didn’t come to pass unfortunately, but hey, I am sooo happy the way it turned out, even though
Spoiler
Raihn had to die a second time.I love reading the growth of both characters, I always enjoy reading double povs, I do, it makes me understand so much better what happens and what these characters feel at the time. I loved so much reading Raihn POVs, how he was adjusting to his new role, to his feelings to Oraya.
It was also interesting to read all the flashbacks about Vincent. It gave us an opportunity to glimpse a bit about into his and Oraya’s mom past. I liked that part very much.
The action part was quite awesome but the final part, when Nyaxia showed up and then left I thought it really was the end.
Overall, I preferred the first book, just because I had no expectations when I started reading it, and I enjoyed every second of it. Not that I didn’t enjoy this one, I did very much, but there wasn’t as much action as the first one in my opinion. But book 2 broke me basically every time I read Raihn’s pov, which I needed more of.
Basically, everything Raihn said to Oraya was highlighted on my kindle, my favourite quotes though are:
I always meant it. The offer I made you. There is no one I would rather have ruling this kingdom beside me than you.
“There is nothing they’re more afraid of than love,” he murmured. “They’ve been taught their entire lives that every true connection is nothing but a danger to them.
“You were fucking dying,” he snapped. “I had more important things to worry about than our father’s game”. He clamped his mouth shut, like he’d us said something he didn’t intend to.
“I told you that you should have left let me stay dead.”
“And what about that? Would that have been worth it?”
“To die, rather than killing you?” he said quietly. “Yes. That would have been worth it. Even I had to raw a line somewhere. And you’re the line, Oraya”.
“I’m so tired of pretending. Tired of pretending I don’t think about you every night. That I’ve ever wanted anything –"
“Besides, she ruined me for all others. My own fucking fault though. I knew it from the beginning”.
“I’d spend a lifetime at the tip of your blade, and it would have been worth it.”
“You have nothing but me”, I said. “And yet you’d let me go?
“I have nothing but you,” he murmured. “So, I’m letting you go”.
“I just want you to know Oraya, that you were the best part of it. The best part of it all”
mareltor's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rzheddie's review against another edition
5.0
wowwww this was awesome but i have one question why is oraya besties with the gods lowkey like she just calls them and they show up what
catjiau's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
Loved the story. She really captured what it means to truly love someone, give them a part of your soul. Their love is so pure to each other I hope it will continue and we get to see them in the series. She did a great job with setting up the world for the series, dropping so many hints of what’s to come. I’m excited to read more about the other places in this world and to uncover what’ll come with the gods!
emcantey's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
3.75
buchzumkaffee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0