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apshapi's review
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
penny_n's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
relin's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Really neat world building and I loved the main leads (Aren and Lara) so much! Lots of fun snark too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexual content, Child abuse, Blood, Alcohol, Death, War, and Abandonment
Moderate: Grief, Emotional abuse, Xenophobia, Vomit, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Sexism, Child death, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, and Kidnapping
stephaniechurcher's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
lyakimov's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars.
This book was okay, but it was just so predictable to the point that I wanted to DNF. I am completely fine with predictable plots, as long as they are written well and maintain my interest, but this was painfully boring and didn't have a whole lot of substance. The third act conflict was just so...ughhh I was like, might as well DNF at this point because I know Lara is going to get exiled when her betrayal is inevitably discovered.
The romance was fine, but I wasn't really convinced. I don't really know why they like each other?? All of their relationship development occurred, they get together and then...there is a months-long time jump. Not seeing them together for very long makes it feel like she gets exiled only like a couple weeks or so after they get together so the betrayal doesn't really seem too intense because it doesn't feel like they had ever really trusted each other for more than a week.
I don't think I will continue the series just because I am not interested enough. Maybe I will look at a recap website to see what happens in future books because I am curious, but it's a pretty straightforward story so I am sure I can guess.
This book was okay, but it was just so predictable to the point that I wanted to DNF. I am completely fine with predictable plots, as long as they are written well and maintain my interest, but this was painfully boring and didn't have a whole lot of substance. The third act conflict was just so...ughhh I was like, might as well DNF at this point because I know Lara is going to get exiled when her betrayal is inevitably discovered.
The romance was fine, but I wasn't really convinced. I don't really know why they like each other?? All of their relationship development occurred, they get together and then...there is a months-long time jump. Not seeing them together for very long makes it feel like she gets exiled only like a couple weeks or so after they get together so the betrayal doesn't really seem too intense because it doesn't feel like they had ever really trusted each other for more than a week.
I don't think I will continue the series just because I am not interested enough. Maybe I will look at a recap website to see what happens in future books because I am curious, but it's a pretty straightforward story so I am sure I can guess.
maddie408's review against another edition
4.0
4.5⭐️ so good!!!! this world was so easy to dive in to and the world building was so well done.
lara is such a strong female character and i loved seeing her grow and transform as the book went on. aren is so selfless and loyal, he is what a true king should be! the angst and slow burn this gave was great. their love was beautiful!
but the ending… woah. will be immediately starting book 2!
lara is such a strong female character and i loved seeing her grow and transform as the book went on. aren is so selfless and loyal, he is what a true king should be! the angst and slow burn this gave was great. their love was beautiful!
but the ending… woah. will be immediately starting book 2!
bookishjems's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
lougrah's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-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
4.25
darkcavalio's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-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
4.0
ravenslanding's review against another edition
4.0
I picked up this book because the summary was promising, and the Kindle sample, if the book equivalent of skittles candy, was enjoyable and I wanted to read more. Once the story got underway, though, it got really interesting and I definitely enjoyed the characters, intrigue, and romance. I did have to put it down for awhile as we waited for the shoe to drop (so stressful) but you can bet your bottom dollar I bought book 2 immediately upon finishing book 1.
There is explicit sensuality, a pro or con depending on your taste, but not a ton.
There is explicit sensuality, a pro or con depending on your taste, but not a ton.