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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via Netgalley)
Actual review somewhere around 3.75 stars
This was a quick and easy read. The pacing was good, as was the world building. I loved the personality of Ady. I also liked the not needing to be rescued angle.
Where it loses me a little is despite enjoying them as a couple (and that they weren't instalove!), it felt that they moved a little fast from ignoring their feelings for each other to love. There is one spice scene which tbh, felt a little out of place to me since this generally read as the younger side of YA.
Actual review somewhere around 3.75 stars
This was a quick and easy read. The pacing was good, as was the world building. I loved the personality of Ady. I also liked the not needing to be rescued angle.
Where it loses me a little is despite enjoying them as a couple (and that they weren't instalove!), it felt that they moved a little fast from ignoring their feelings for each other to love. There is one spice scene which tbh, felt a little out of place to me since this generally read as the younger side of YA.
Thank you Netgalley and Holly Rose for the arc.
I never knew I needed a sassy, magic and gold loving of a mother figure that happens to also be a feared dragon by the name of Ady. She was one of my favourite characters.
I loved how the story started and ended in one book, nothing felt too rushed and I love a good quest/adventure to save the world from a tyrant and this did it perfectly! The worldbuilding was simple but it was done so well, I just want to stay in the trove that felt like a magical castle from a fairytale.
There were times when I felt like it was telling us more than showing us what the characters felt and the writing style felt very ya at some points.
I loved both Nesrin and Kas, they were different in their own ways, but went so well with each other and I was smiling at some of the things they said and did together. I love how she's the warrior and he's the cinnamon roll(who can and will kill if they hurt her).
I never knew I needed a sassy, magic and gold loving of a mother figure that happens to also be a feared dragon by the name of Ady. She was one of my favourite characters.
I loved how the story started and ended in one book, nothing felt too rushed and I love a good quest/adventure to save the world from a tyrant and this did it perfectly! The worldbuilding was simple but it was done so well, I just want to stay in the trove that felt like a magical castle from a fairytale.
There were times when I felt like it was telling us more than showing us what the characters felt and the writing style felt very ya at some points.
I loved both Nesrin and Kas, they were different in their own ways, but went so well with each other and I was smiling at some of the things they said and did together. I love how she's the warrior and he's the cinnamon roll(who can and will kill if they hurt her).
I absolutely love Ady the Dragon, I didn't know I needed a sassy dragon in my life, but I wish we had so much more of her.
The slow burn romance plot is a bit frustrating at points but so worth it! Kas is a such a cinnamon roll you just want to eat it up!
Nesrin is a great character, I just didn't like how unprepared as a fighter she was made to look when they first start their journey and how meek the author makes her out to be.
She saw so much before she was rescued by Ady, and she is now a trained fighter, I understand that the whole concept of the book is morality, and good Vs evil, when to fight when not, when it is ethical to take a life, and we see Nesrin learn that lesson, but that bit was a bit cringe.
She's the Knight of the Trove, not a damsel.
I love the relationship between Kas and Nasrin, they save each other in more ways than one, and I wish we could have had more!
The slow burn romance plot is a bit frustrating at points but so worth it! Kas is a such a cinnamon roll you just want to eat it up!
Nesrin is a great character, I just didn't like how unprepared as a fighter she was made to look when they first start their journey and how meek the author makes her out to be.
She saw so much before she was rescued by Ady, and she is now a trained fighter, I understand that the whole concept of the book is morality, and good Vs evil, when to fight when not, when it is ethical to take a life, and we see Nesrin learn that lesson, but that bit was a bit cringe.
She's the Knight of the Trove, not a damsel.
I love the relationship between Kas and Nasrin, they save each other in more ways than one, and I wish we could have had more!
I am always a fan of princesses in books. I feel like the princess trope is SO fun! I absolutely loved Kas!! Cinnamon Roll characters will forever have my heart! They're so cute and refreshing! He's definitely my favourite character. Nesrin has such a heartbreaking backstory; my heart was SO sorry for her the entire read. I definitely admire her determination. I love the grumpy x sunshine trope SO much!! It's one of my favourites, and I feel like it was written super well in this book. I love them both so much. The slow burn in this book was amazing, too! Slow burns are so fun and intense when they're built up right, and I think this one was done perfectly. I really enjoyed reading this book and I suggest you read it too! It's so lovely and sweet but at the same time full of action and intense scenes. I definitely loved that it flipped the script from the stereotypical damsel in distress saved by the morally grey hunk.
Genre: General Fiction (Adult)| Romance | Sci Fi & Fantasy
Pages: 335
Rating: 4.5/5
Received: Advance Review Copy (ARC) from Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op
Imagine a world where the princess doesn't need rescuing... Instead, she's the one wielding the sword! I dove into this epic fantasy romance curious: Can Nesrin, a fierce knight, outwit her enemies and claim her rightful place?
Initial Thoughts:
I've always been drawn to strong female protagonists, and Nesrin's story promised just that. A princess-turned-knight, battling against oppression? Count me in! My expectations were high, and I'm thrilled to say this book delivered.
Get ready for a tale of magic, mayhem, and forbidden love! I devoured this fantasy romance, mesmerized by Nesrin's transformation from vulnerable princess to fearless warrior. Trust me, You'll love this adventure.
Storyline:
In this captivating high fantasy romance, Nesrin, a former princess turned skilled knight, shatters traditional molds. Rescued by a benevolent dragon, Nesrin has spent years honing her skills to protect herself and her new home.
When Kas, a handsome and troubled monk, arrives with a quest to find the magical golden casket, Nesrin is drawn into a perilous adventure. As they navigate treacherous landscapes, ancient libraries, and hidden temples, their forbidden feelings blossom.
This novel masterfully explores themes of feminism, self-empowerment, and loyalty. Nesrin's transformation from vulnerable princess to fearless warrior is inspiring, while Kas's inner conflict adds depth to the narrative.
The world-building is rich and immersive, with a vividly detailed realm of Mellora, complete with dragons, magical artifacts, and mythical creatures. The author's witty dialogue and clever plot twists keep you guessing until the very end.
Characters:
Nesrin's transformation is inspiring, showcasing her growth into a strong, independent warrior. Kas's troubled past and inner conflict add depth, making their slow-burn romance swoon-worthy. Supporting characters, like the benevolent dragon, enrich the narrative.
Writing Style:
The author's masterful storytelling weaves vivid descriptions, witty dialogue, and clever plot twists into a rich tapestry. With a perfect balance of humor, action, and emotional depth, this novel is a true page-turner.
Themes:
Feminism & Empowerment
Loyalty & Duty
Self-Discovery
Good vs. Evil
Love & Sacrifice
Identity & Belonging
Morality & Gray Areas
Personal Growth
Recommendation:
Fans of fantasy romance, particularly those who enjoy Sarah J. Maas and Leigh Bardugo, will devour this captivating tale. Anyone looking for strong female protagonists, slow-burn romance, and action-packed adventures will find this unforgettable.
Final Verdict:
This high fantasy romance is unputdownable! With its breakneck pace, heart-pumping action, and captivating romance, you'll be hooked. The richly detailed world of Mellora and memorable characters make this a must-read.
Rating Breakdown:
Storyline: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Writing Style: 4.5/5
Overall: 4.5/5
Will I Recommend?: Absolutely
Release Date: Mark your calendars for October 8, 2024.
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Review Copy (ARC) from the Victory Editing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Pages: 335
Rating: 4.5/5
Received: Advance Review Copy (ARC) from Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op
Imagine a world where the princess doesn't need rescuing... Instead, she's the one wielding the sword! I dove into this epic fantasy romance curious: Can Nesrin, a fierce knight, outwit her enemies and claim her rightful place?
Initial Thoughts:
I've always been drawn to strong female protagonists, and Nesrin's story promised just that. A princess-turned-knight, battling against oppression? Count me in! My expectations were high, and I'm thrilled to say this book delivered.
Get ready for a tale of magic, mayhem, and forbidden love! I devoured this fantasy romance, mesmerized by Nesrin's transformation from vulnerable princess to fearless warrior. Trust me, You'll love this adventure.
Storyline:
In this captivating high fantasy romance, Nesrin, a former princess turned skilled knight, shatters traditional molds. Rescued by a benevolent dragon, Nesrin has spent years honing her skills to protect herself and her new home.
When Kas, a handsome and troubled monk, arrives with a quest to find the magical golden casket, Nesrin is drawn into a perilous adventure. As they navigate treacherous landscapes, ancient libraries, and hidden temples, their forbidden feelings blossom.
This novel masterfully explores themes of feminism, self-empowerment, and loyalty. Nesrin's transformation from vulnerable princess to fearless warrior is inspiring, while Kas's inner conflict adds depth to the narrative.
The world-building is rich and immersive, with a vividly detailed realm of Mellora, complete with dragons, magical artifacts, and mythical creatures. The author's witty dialogue and clever plot twists keep you guessing until the very end.
Characters:
Nesrin's transformation is inspiring, showcasing her growth into a strong, independent warrior. Kas's troubled past and inner conflict add depth, making their slow-burn romance swoon-worthy. Supporting characters, like the benevolent dragon, enrich the narrative.
Writing Style:
The author's masterful storytelling weaves vivid descriptions, witty dialogue, and clever plot twists into a rich tapestry. With a perfect balance of humor, action, and emotional depth, this novel is a true page-turner.
Themes:
Feminism & Empowerment
Loyalty & Duty
Self-Discovery
Good vs. Evil
Love & Sacrifice
Identity & Belonging
Morality & Gray Areas
Personal Growth
Recommendation:
Fans of fantasy romance, particularly those who enjoy Sarah J. Maas and Leigh Bardugo, will devour this captivating tale. Anyone looking for strong female protagonists, slow-burn romance, and action-packed adventures will find this unforgettable.
Final Verdict:
This high fantasy romance is unputdownable! With its breakneck pace, heart-pumping action, and captivating romance, you'll be hooked. The richly detailed world of Mellora and memorable characters make this a must-read.
Rating Breakdown:
Storyline: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Writing Style: 4.5/5
Overall: 4.5/5
Will I Recommend?: Absolutely
Release Date: Mark your calendars for October 8, 2024.
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Review Copy (ARC) from the Victory Editing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley, Holly Rose, Victory Editing and Star Siren Press for allowing me the honor to read this book as an eARC. I rate this book 7.5 out of 10, I enjoyed this book as soon as I started reading and loved where it took me!
This read like an Elder Scrolls adventure. You had a main story quest that is related to the big conflict and as you set out to go about completing this quest, you have side quests that unravel more story lines. This gives you a very well-rounded protagonist and you feel like you know and understand her and all the onion layers she possesses.
As it is a Romantasy, we get the added bonus of a lush love story that unfolds incredibly well. Not just because they have a nice spicy scene that culminated by the very slow burn, romantic tension, but because the characters of Nesrin (FMC) and Kas (MMC) were very well and easily laid out. Their individual quests were straightforward but their characters unfolded beautifully with each page. This gave you every indication that their temperaments would mix very well and you wouldn’t ever doubt that they would make a Jane and Bingley-type of relationship.
As with any dragon, I fell in love with Ady. She had a distinct voice and gave me Saphira vibes but instead of Rachel Weisz I heard Viola Davis’s voice in my head, right away. She is regal and has the depth of wisdom that highlights her centuries of existence yet she had levity in the appropriate moments, at least the ones where I wanted them.
The actions were easy to follow and the story itself is very nicely packaged. No plot holes to speak of. I would say that it reads more like YA. Some dialogue and language usage were very modernized so it did take me out of the fantasy, knight-and-sword vibe that I was creating in my head.
I really appreciated the diversity and feeling the influence of a variety of cultures that we experienced in this book. Releasing October 8, 2024!
This read like an Elder Scrolls adventure. You had a main story quest that is related to the big conflict and as you set out to go about completing this quest, you have side quests that unravel more story lines. This gives you a very well-rounded protagonist and you feel like you know and understand her and all the onion layers she possesses.
As it is a Romantasy, we get the added bonus of a lush love story that unfolds incredibly well. Not just because they have a nice spicy scene that culminated by the very slow burn, romantic tension, but because the characters of Nesrin (FMC) and Kas (MMC) were very well and easily laid out. Their individual quests were straightforward but their characters unfolded beautifully with each page. This gave you every indication that their temperaments would mix very well and you wouldn’t ever doubt that they would make a Jane and Bingley-type of relationship.
As with any dragon, I fell in love with Ady. She had a distinct voice and gave me Saphira vibes but instead of Rachel Weisz I heard Viola Davis’s voice in my head, right away. She is regal and has the depth of wisdom that highlights her centuries of existence yet she had levity in the appropriate moments, at least the ones where I wanted them.
The actions were easy to follow and the story itself is very nicely packaged. No plot holes to speak of. I would say that it reads more like YA. Some dialogue and language usage were very modernized so it did take me out of the fantasy, knight-and-sword vibe that I was creating in my head.
I really appreciated the diversity and feeling the influence of a variety of cultures that we experienced in this book. Releasing October 8, 2024!
This was cute and I liked both main characters. “Slow burn” is an understatement/almost inaccurate. I’d say this is a “clean romance” except for the 1 closed-door scene and 1 open-door scene like 85% in
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read & review this e-ARC. I'd give this book 3.5 stars.
This was a great read. It's a unique approach to fantasy, dragons and damsel in distress storylines. For starters, the dragon lore is different to anything else I've read and it was a really refreshing take! Nesrin is a great fmc. She's relatable, down to earth and well rounded. The reverse damsel theme is a lot of fun, I loved seeing her fight off wannabe rescuers from the start with a dragon at her back. I did feel like her inner monologue downplayed her at times, having her wondering about things like other women showing interest in the mmc did take away from her "I don't need a man" personality. I was also hoping to see more displays of strength from her further on in the book.
Kas is full golden retriever, definitely not morally grey and it was a nice change! The slow burn is super cute and develops very naturally. I enjoyed getting to know more about his background as the story unfolds.
Occasionally I found the pacing a little slow; it definitely has "going on a quest" vibes, with the characters travelling through the world to find information before moving on to find the next bit. It reads more YA than NA for the most part, apart from one open-door scene later in the book.
This was a great read. It's a unique approach to fantasy, dragons and damsel in distress storylines. For starters, the dragon lore is different to anything else I've read and it was a really refreshing take! Nesrin is a great fmc. She's relatable, down to earth and well rounded. The reverse damsel theme is a lot of fun, I loved seeing her fight off wannabe rescuers from the start with a dragon at her back. I did feel like her inner monologue downplayed her at times, having her wondering about things like other women showing interest in the mmc did take away from her "I don't need a man" personality. I was also hoping to see more displays of strength from her further on in the book.
Kas is full golden retriever, definitely not morally grey and it was a nice change! The slow burn is super cute and develops very naturally. I enjoyed getting to know more about his background as the story unfolds.
Occasionally I found the pacing a little slow; it definitely has "going on a quest" vibes, with the characters travelling through the world to find information before moving on to find the next bit. It reads more YA than NA for the most part, apart from one open-door scene later in the book.
If this book would not be labeled as a high fantasy I would have other opinions. The writing style is very YA with immature characters and little character growth. The world building lacks as well. This book wouldve been much better suited for a YA if you take the sex scenes out or a New Adult Fantasy, but this is definitely not a high fantasy book.
**Did receive an ARC for an honest review from netgalley **
**Did receive an ARC for an honest review from netgalley **
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
*ARC received from Netgalley - all opinions are my own*
TL;DR: If you want an easy YA romantasy this is for you - not the adult high fantasy it’s marketed to be.
Review:
I struggled the entire way through Knight of the Trove and to be truthful - I would have definitely DNF’d if I hadn’t been reading this for review.
The first few chapters started off pretty strong and I really liked the tone of the book but then everything just sort of fell apart and it absolutely dragged on. At just over 300 pages Knight of the Trove took me 2/ 3 months of sporadic reading before I managed to finish.
Marketed as High Fantasy but everything leans very heavily YA apart from one sex scene. The characters, their development, even the quest itself just comes off as childish and not as well developed as you would expect from an adult high fantasy.
The trope of “forbidden love” is also highlighted and it’s just not? For pretty much the entire story apart from the last chapter or two it isn’t relevant so if that’s what is pulling you towards Knight of the Trove, I would look elsewhere.
Sadly Knight of the Trove is just very lacklustre and I wouldn’t recommend it at all.