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adventurous
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War
Moderate: Sexual content
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
This is one of my favourite fantasy books and I never understand why it’s not more popular. It’s not perfect but it really draws you in, it’s a really interesting world and the dynamics and enemies to lovers between Lara and Aren are so good. The ending although we saw it coming was still heartbreaking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Murder, War
Moderate: Torture, Vomit, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gore, Blood
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I was really looking forward to reading this series for quite some time, and it didn’t disappoint. Although the plot is relatively predictable, the world was interesting and the characters were believable.
Although I would have preferred a little more romantic build up/sexual tension - lacking of actual sex didn’t bother me at all but I live for tension.
If you haven’t got the sequel readily available before you start reading, I really recommend purchasing both!!
I didn’t particularly enjoy the ending, after Aren learnt of all Lara’s lies, saw her development and trusted her regardless; I really liked his maturity. However, when he finds out about the letter that Lara couldn’t destroy in time, all of his affection for her vanishes and he decides not to believe her? Sounded like a random decision for the theme of the second book to be fair.
Although I would have preferred a little more romantic build up/sexual tension - lacking of actual sex didn’t bother me at all but I live for tension.
If you haven’t got the sequel readily available before you start reading, I really recommend purchasing both!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, Murder, War
Minor: Death of parent
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As far as the quality of the writing goes, this book is a 4-star (maybe 4.5-star) read. As far as being able to recommend it, due to the content it's only a 1- or 2-star read depending on the age, marital status, and specific content preferences of the person asking.
For a year or two I've been wanting to find books that portray arranged marriage well, i.e. that show the couple in an arranged marriage making the marriage work instead of trying to avoid it at all costs. So when I read the description for this book, I was thrilled. It wasn't quite a normal situation for an arranged marriage, but just the fact that they weren't trying to get out of the arrangement was a great start.
And then the book hooked me with its worldbuilding and action, drawing me in immediately with its twists and turns and the richness of the setting. I love deep worldbuilding that's integral to the plot, and this book wholly delivered on that front. The world is rich and deep, and it has impact on the characters and the characters impact it in turn. It's also richly described; description is definitely one of Jensen's strong points. Which is a two-edged sword in this book, given how much she decides to describe of the sexual tension and sexual interaction between the main characters. I skipped multiple portions.
The characters are also interesting, with firm values (some positive, some negative) and believable relationships. They all have notable characteristics that cause them to stand out, and most were enjoyable to read about. (Nana was not. Grandmothers oughtn't be so despicable.) Most of them cursed and made crude jokes and comments in excess, which is my other issue with the content of this book. (I am frustrated that I found this book in the YA section, since it would be R-rated by film standards, but that's a matter to take up with the bookstore that shelved it. NA should arguably be placed in the adult section rather than the YA section, at least nine times out of ten. But anyway.)
Overall, I enjoyed the bulk of this book. It was certainly well-written (aside from the excess of language) and I'm pleased to see an indie book that was so well-edited and well-formatted that I would have assumed it was traditionally published. But ultimately my enjoyment was dampened way too many times by the levels of adult content and I wouldn't be able to comfortably recommend this book to almost anyone I know.
For a year or two I've been wanting to find books that portray arranged marriage well, i.e. that show the couple in an arranged marriage making the marriage work instead of trying to avoid it at all costs. So when I read the description for this book, I was thrilled. It wasn't quite a normal situation for an arranged marriage, but just the fact that they weren't trying to get out of the arrangement was a great start.
And then the book hooked me with its worldbuilding and action, drawing me in immediately with its twists and turns and the richness of the setting. I love deep worldbuilding that's integral to the plot, and this book wholly delivered on that front. The world is rich and deep, and it has impact on the characters and the characters impact it in turn. It's also richly described; description is definitely one of Jensen's strong points. Which is a two-edged sword in this book, given how much she decides to describe of the sexual tension and sexual interaction between the main characters. I skipped multiple portions.
The characters are also interesting, with firm values (some positive, some negative) and believable relationships. They all have notable characteristics that cause them to stand out, and most were enjoyable to read about. (Nana was not. Grandmothers oughtn't be so despicable.) Most of them cursed and made crude jokes and comments in excess, which is my other issue with the content of this book. (I am frustrated that I found this book in the YA section, since it would be R-rated by film standards, but that's a matter to take up with the bookstore that shelved it. NA should arguably be placed in the adult section rather than the YA section, at least nine times out of ten. But anyway.)
Overall, I enjoyed the bulk of this book. It was certainly well-written (aside from the excess of language) and I'm pleased to see an indie book that was so well-edited and well-formatted that I would have assumed it was traditionally published. But ultimately my enjoyment was dampened way too many times by the levels of adult content and I wouldn't be able to comfortably recommend this book to almost anyone I know.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault, Vomit
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Murder, War
Minor: Cursing, Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
funny
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:
Complicated
Tbh I'm just sad I didn't read this sooner.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Murder, War
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Animal death, Confinement, Abandonment
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Rep: female MC.
CWs: Alcohol consumption, animal death (snake), blood, death, drug use (MC drugs others without their knowledge), misogyny, murder, sexual content, sexism, toxic relationship (parent/child), violence, war.
CWs: Alcohol consumption, animal death (snake), blood, death, drug use (MC drugs others without their knowledge), misogyny, murder, sexual content, sexism, toxic relationship (parent/child), violence, war.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Drug use, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, War
adventurous
challenging
dark
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Audiobook:
A great new adult fantasy book which to be honest surprised me a lot and I could not stop reading it.
It has everything most romantic fantasy readers could ever dream of: "enemies to lovers" and "arranged marriage" tropes, tons of sexual tension, fast-paced story, tough main character, and intriguing world building which—despite the lack of magic—I enjoyed very much.
Lara is a princess, trained by her father to become a spy. She is supposed to marry the enemy king and help defeat his kingdom. She soon finds out that her husband is not the monster she believed him to be and that her true enemy is someone else. Now she needs to decide where her loyalties lie.
King Aren is my favorite character. I just wish he did not suffer from the "Jon Snow syndrome" so much. He is simply too nice and gullible, and often makes decisions that lead to serious issues which could have otherwise been prevented. On the other hand, the fact that Lara is reasonable, smart, yet not manipulative, is quite refreshing. The relationship between Lara and Aren was well written and felt very believable.
The narration of the audiobook is also amazing, both narrators did a great job.
Overall, The Bridge Kingdom has become one of my favourite fantasy books.
A great new adult fantasy book which to be honest surprised me a lot and I could not stop reading it.
It has everything most romantic fantasy readers could ever dream of: "enemies to lovers" and "arranged marriage" tropes, tons of sexual tension, fast-paced story, tough main character, and intriguing world building which—despite the lack of magic—I enjoyed very much.
Lara is a princess, trained by her father to become a spy. She is supposed to marry the enemy king and help defeat his kingdom. She soon finds out that her husband is not the monster she believed him to be and that her true enemy is someone else. Now she needs to decide where her loyalties lie.
King Aren is my favorite character. I just wish he did not suffer from the "Jon Snow syndrome" so much. He is simply too nice and gullible, and often makes decisions that lead to serious issues which could have otherwise been prevented. On the other hand, the fact that Lara is reasonable, smart, yet not manipulative, is quite refreshing. The relationship between Lara and Aren was well written and felt very believable.
The narration of the audiobook is also amazing, both narrators did a great job.
Overall, The Bridge Kingdom has become one of my favourite fantasy books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Death, Sexual content
Minor: Misogyny, Blood, Death of parent