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adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
For a while this was going to be a solid 3 stars. Then we went to snake island.
I'm a lover of pulp. I think indiepub is great and adds to the literary landscape. I've not read a dedicated romantasy before, but I have read my share of fantasy and of goofy af romance.
Things I like:
* the fights were fine
* the bridge is cool
* I've read worse global political intrigue plots
Things I wanted to like better:
* Lara really could have avoided this whole plot by using the "trust but verify" tactic the MOMENT she thought she was wrong about the ithicanians, bc I saw her dad's BS by chapter two.
* I did read so many of laras chapters in Christian bale batman voice bc they're SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EDGY
* none of this ecological world building makes a lick of sense
* miscommunication is literally my least favorite romance plot. If the only reason they can't be together is one of them is too chicken to use their words, there's a problem w this relationship and I don't believe their love will endure
* the bedroom scene narration literally says their physical acts are making her a better person (biiiiiiig sigh)
The writing is goofy, but whatever. There are plot inconsistencies, but im willing to forgive something that was originally indiepub. I was quite willing to have fun w it and have a fantasy island vacation, and then the last third of the plot showed up. I wanted a lot more nuance and thought in this climax than there was.
I will not be reading the rest of the series.
I'm a lover of pulp. I think indiepub is great and adds to the literary landscape. I've not read a dedicated romantasy before, but I have read my share of fantasy and of goofy af romance.
Things I like:
* the fights were fine
* the bridge is cool
* I've read worse global political intrigue plots
Things I wanted to like better:
* Lara really could have avoided this whole plot by using the "trust but verify" tactic the MOMENT she thought she was wrong about the ithicanians, bc I saw her dad's BS by chapter two.
* I did read so many of laras chapters in Christian bale batman voice bc they're SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EDGY
* none of this ecological world building makes a lick of sense
* miscommunication is literally my least favorite romance plot. If the only reason they can't be together is one of them is too chicken to use their words, there's a problem w this relationship and I don't believe their love will endure
* the bedroom scene narration literally says their physical acts are making her a better person (biiiiiiig sigh)
The writing is goofy, but whatever. There are plot inconsistencies, but im willing to forgive something that was originally indiepub. I was quite willing to have fun w it and have a fantasy island vacation, and then the last third of the plot showed up. I wanted a lot more nuance and thought in this climax than there was.
I will not be reading the rest of the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Gaslighting, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Confinement, Torture, Vomit, Classism
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
･:*˚:✧｡ Trigger Warnings: ･:*˚:✧｡
〰️If marked with 🔹, it will be expanded on/given more context below.
❥ Alcohol - (abuse & consumption)
❥ Arranged/forced/coerced marriage
❥ Animal attacks
❥ Animal death - (minor)
❥ Anxiety/panic attacks
❥ Blood
❥ Brainwashing
❥ Child abuse - (recounted)
❥ Classism
❥ Death - (on-page & recounted)
❥ Drugging
❥ Dysphoria
❥ Emesis
❥ Emotional abuse
❥ Gore
❥ Grief
❥ Home invasion
❥ Immurement🔹
❥ Injury/injury details
❥ Kidnapping
❥ Maritime disasters
❥ Murder
❥ Physical abuse/assault
❥ Poisoning
❥ Poverty
❥ Profanity
❥ Sexual content - (explicit, consensual)
❥ Sexual harassment
❥ Snakes
❥ Toxic relationship - (parental)
❥ Violence
❥ War
🔹Immurement: FMC and her sisters are buried alive as part of their “training.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, Dysphoria, War
Moderate: Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Animal death, Vomit, Alcohol
adventurous
dark
mysterious
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Violence, Murder, Gaslighting
Moderate: Torture, Vomit, War
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Death of parent
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Blood, Vomit, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
emotional
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Sexual harassment
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit
adventurous
dark
funny
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
It has its flaws, but damn was it hard to put down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Murder, Alcohol, War
Moderate: Torture, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual harassment
A LOT of death, especially in the 1st 20 pages or so. Lots of war.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
It’s fun but not incredible (kinda like how the first Throne of Glass book is). I’m hoping the series will grown in complexity as we go!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Misogyny, Vomit
Minor: Alcohol
Forced marriage
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
This was a fun read. It’s well written, the plot is pretty good (although somewhat predictable).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Murder, Alcohol, War
adventurous
challenging
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
I absolutely adored The Bridge Kingdom. What a brilliantly descriptive world! Ithicana is a kingdom unlike any I've ever read.
Jensen's beautiful prose takes center stage. It's easy to read, yet descriptive, evocative, and emotional. Five-star reads need to tug at my emotional heartstrings, and she absolutely succeeded (please note, this is an adult book with mature themes).
Lara is a delight. She is fierce, bold, and brave, despite having to hide her warrior nature from her new husband and his kingdom. Maridrina is the epitome of patriarchal society, never believing that women are capable of being anything more than a pretty trophy. The Maridrinian harem is a revolting concept, yet aptly describes a world in which one man-the king-holds all the power while the women and children are powerless.
Aren is a wonderful king. He is genuine and down to earth, never elevating himself above others. He serves because he loves them, that much is clear. He's the kind of leader that any kingdom or nation would be lucky to have.
Their romance is sparky, dropping hints here and there before coming together in an explicit scene in chapter 33. Jensen's writing sold me on them, though. I loved Lara and Aren.
The plot is mildly predictable, but it is written with such elegance and emotion that I found myself swept along, turning pages almost faster than I could keep up. I highly recommend this book and am eagerly anticipating reading The Traitor Queen.
Jensen's beautiful prose takes center stage. It's easy to read, yet descriptive, evocative, and emotional. Five-star reads need to tug at my emotional heartstrings, and she absolutely succeeded (please note, this is an adult book with mature themes).
Lara is a delight. She is fierce, bold, and brave, despite having to hide her warrior nature from her new husband and his kingdom. Maridrina is the epitome of patriarchal society, never believing that women are capable of being anything more than a pretty trophy. The Maridrinian harem is a revolting concept, yet aptly describes a world in which one man-the king-holds all the power while the women and children are powerless.
Aren is a wonderful king. He is genuine and down to earth, never elevating himself above others. He serves because he loves them, that much is clear. He's the kind of leader that any kingdom or nation would be lucky to have.
Their romance is sparky, dropping hints here and there before coming together in an explicit scene in chapter 33. Jensen's writing sold me on them, though. I loved Lara and Aren.
The plot is mildly predictable, but it is written with such elegance and emotion that I found myself swept along, turning pages almost faster than I could keep up. I highly recommend this book and am eagerly anticipating reading The Traitor Queen.
Content warnings:
Spice: Open door content late in chapter 7 and the last half of chapter 33. Some suggestive descriptions are scattered throughout.
Violence: graphic descriptions of suicide, war, death, injury, and murder.
Profanity: mild, rare use of f*ck (2-3 uses) and sh*t.
Violence: graphic descriptions of suicide, war, death, injury, and murder.
Profanity: mild, rare use of f*ck (2-3 uses) and sh*t.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Vomit
Minor: Cursing
Explicit sexual content ch. 7 and 33.