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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
I enjoyed this overall, but thought there was a lack of world building and character explanations that left me trying to figure out who everyone was up until the very end of the book. It's basically a shot by shot rework of her fanfiction, which I enjoyed, but since there was no Harry Potter world to fall back on, it lacked a little of that building that I really needed in order for this book to flow more clearly. I'll definitely be back for the 2nd and 3rd book.
dark
emotional
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love the idea of this trilogy. I love the characters, even though the FMC is a little bit insufferable and does not have the maturity of age and position she feels she should have. But oof oof.. the trauma in this book is heavy. If you're not about reading characters who can't exist without their trauma or further trauma happening to them and around them, this one is not for you. Dark.
The storyline is also incredibly character driven, so if you're looking for story lines and plot, first book is very very slow and can almost be tedious on how everything focuses and circles back on the same obfuscation points. I hope as the trilogy comes out, it might expand in POVs. I really liked how the flashbacks were linked not only throughout the story but then also fully fleshed in their own chapter memories. The magic system seems to have a fairly good start but definitely needs to be fully fleshed more, especially when it comes to all of these different elixirs, spells, bonds, and other Magics and creatures. Definitely a top read for summer 2025, but has room for growth to elevated as so much more.
Rating is rounded up because I loved the world & the characters so much. If I rated only based on pace and plot, this would be rounded down to a 3.5
The storyline is also incredibly character driven, so if you're looking for story lines and plot, first book is very very slow and can almost be tedious on how everything focuses and circles back on the same obfuscation points. I hope as the trilogy comes out, it might expand in POVs. I really liked how the flashbacks were linked not only throughout the story but then also fully fleshed in their own chapter memories. The magic system seems to have a fairly good start but definitely needs to be fully fleshed more, especially when it comes to all of these different elixirs, spells, bonds, and other Magics and creatures. Definitely a top read for summer 2025, but has room for growth to elevated as so much more.
Rating is rounded up because I loved the world & the characters so much. If I rated only based on pace and plot, this would be rounded down to a 3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, War
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I loved this book. The magic system, the dual timeline, the plot all play a part in my love of this book. I have read a lot of Julie Soto’s work both published and fanfics and she knows how to write! I chose to read this open minded regardless and putting what I know aside so I could submit myself to this new world she is building in this particular book. This book contains one of my favorite tropes of forced proximity. The FMC Briony is the daughter of a kingdom’s ruler that has been over thrown. The MMC Toven is on the other side. This book has very dark themes throughout. Toven is a little morally grey and I love that about him. Secretive, broody, you know the typical. Briony has had a crush on Toven since they were in school and she’s trying to figure things out in this new world where her family and friends are not there to support her. She is in the process of trying to navigate all this and the new life she has while trying to figure out why she is truly in Toven’s possession. I cannot wait for book 2.
Someone please bless me with an ARC 😂
Someone please bless me with an ARC 😂
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
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:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I loved this book so much. I heard afterwards that this was based on a Dramione fanfic. It didn't feel like that while I read it. The story is about a war and two different types of magic. There's some spice. And I felt that this was a true enemies to lovers. I cannot wait for the second book.
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated