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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Evil Ice Queen Smut.
I still can't decide if I liked this or not. I was intrigued enough to finish it, although there were times I almost abandoned it. The plot is decent and the smut is steamy hot, but the world-building was confusing. While I understand some things were left vague for a reason, there were other things that could have been described or explained better because I felt like I was constantly backtracking to figure out if I had missed something (I had not). I even thought maybe this was not the first book in a series because I felt lost, but it IS the first book in a series. Additionally it's extremely heteronormative and hyper-focused on sexual gender roles.
Idk, I stuck with it and after the half-way point I felt the plot take off and I was by this point invested in knowing how it all worked out. Love triangles, plot twists, and lots of drama. But it did have a satisfying ending.
I still can't decide if I liked this or not. I was intrigued enough to finish it, although there were times I almost abandoned it. The plot is decent and the smut is steamy hot, but the world-building was confusing. While I understand some things were left vague for a reason, there were other things that could have been described or explained better because I felt like I was constantly backtracking to figure out if I had missed something (I had not). I even thought maybe this was not the first book in a series because I felt lost, but it IS the first book in a series. Additionally it's extremely heteronormative and hyper-focused on sexual gender roles.
Idk, I stuck with it and after the half-way point I felt the plot take off and I was by this point invested in knowing how it all worked out. Love triangles, plot twists, and lots of drama. But it did have a satisfying ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Torture
3.5
The love triangle was maddening, though I'm happy with the person she ended up choosing. Book should've been A Queen So Cold because it's really about Audra and not the king.
The love triangle was maddening, though I'm happy with the person she ended up choosing. Book should've been A Queen So Cold because it's really about Audra and not the king.
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
I tried so hard to get through this book. It had a really interesting concept. There were parts of the book that reeled me in for a second but it was difficult to keep up with. I didn’t feel any connection to the characters. About halfway through I had to give up because I was still so lost. I might try to give it another try again but for now I just wasn’t enjoying it.
3.5 stars
I'm not a huge fantasy reader, but I love Ella Fields, so I was hoping I'd enjoy this since I've loved all her other work. And, parts of it I did, but I think this type of story just isn't for me overall.
This story took a long time for me to get into. Once I did, I found myself more invested in the plot, but given the nature of the story, I didn't connect much with our characters, nor fully understand them- which I think is intentional- this is a story we're trying to piece together just like our heroine is. That said, I found myself confused quite a bit and struggling to stay focused in parts-despite Ella's always beautiful writing. And, while I love her attempt at writing an anti-heroine, Audra just frustrated me. I loved her being different, I loved Ella being unapologetic about her, but a side affect of a stoic, anti-hero queen with several male alpha characters is that there isn't an emotional center to our tale, or even much emotional expression, to the story. The fantasy shines, the tension and mystery plot shines, I just wanted to feel more for our characters, and I had a hard time feeling anything for them, which meant I was less invested in them, even though I wanted to know what happened. Though I certainly found them interesting.
The romance aspect was also opaque until a certain point (ie who the romance is actually about) and very slow to unfold, and the conclusion isn't super satisfying- though it seems that is because there is another book where we actually get to explore the couple after all.
All in all, this is a well written and wonderfully creative tale- I can admire and respect the art behind it. I think so many will enjoy it, I just don't think this type of fantasy story is personally for me.
I'm not a huge fantasy reader, but I love Ella Fields, so I was hoping I'd enjoy this since I've loved all her other work. And, parts of it I did, but I think this type of story just isn't for me overall.
This story took a long time for me to get into. Once I did, I found myself more invested in the plot, but given the nature of the story, I didn't connect much with our characters, nor fully understand them- which I think is intentional- this is a story we're trying to piece together just like our heroine is. That said, I found myself confused quite a bit and struggling to stay focused in parts-despite Ella's always beautiful writing. And, while I love her attempt at writing an anti-heroine, Audra just frustrated me. I loved her being different, I loved Ella being unapologetic about her, but a side affect of a stoic, anti-hero queen with several male alpha characters is that there isn't an emotional center to our tale, or even much emotional expression, to the story. The fantasy shines, the tension and mystery plot shines, I just wanted to feel more for our characters, and I had a hard time feeling anything for them, which meant I was less invested in them, even though I wanted to know what happened. Though I certainly found them interesting.
The romance aspect was also opaque until a certain point (ie who the romance is actually about) and very slow to unfold, and the conclusion isn't super satisfying- though it seems that is because there is another book where we actually get to explore the couple after all.
All in all, this is a well written and wonderfully creative tale- I can admire and respect the art behind it. I think so many will enjoy it, I just don't think this type of fantasy story is personally for me.
slow-paced
Frankly the writing style was not for me. Nothing wrong with the story really.
I tried, but I feel like I was thrown into the middle of a well established series and never brought up to what the F was going on.