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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
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 the first time I have done this, but I am DNFing at 75%. I really enjoy this author a lot, and I did like this book for most of the story, only taking a few issues. I love her writing style and descriptions, and her world building, even though it can slow the plot (which it did a little bit in this one). What I could not get past in this book was the relationship of the MCs. Our FMC is sent to stay with this curmudgeon of a mage, and he treats her deplorably. She has this hero-worship thing going on though and for whatever reason becomes attracted to him, despite his cruel mistreatment. Even when he eases up and begins to develop his own feelings, he is such a dick. I’m less forgiving I guess. She is meek and insecure. Her plainness is constantly discussed, and I guess we are supposed to be thrilled that he fell for her despite her being ugly? I just wasn’t feeling it. I wanted the story to pick up after they finally began their love affair, I wanted some action or conflict. But as I read on I realized I didn’t care how it ended. If she left him, good. If she didn’t, good I guess? The story didn’t hook me enough and I could never really become invested in their toxic relationship.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was equal parts good and bad.
I really enjoyed the writing style, but there were a lot of noticeable editing issues that stood out to me. By the middle of the book, it was basically expected that the ending quotation marks of a dialogue would be missing. To me, that took away from the elegance and depth that the writing very obviously had. I can excuse a couple, but it was frequent.
I thought the story had an interesting premise, but it was told in the most uninteresting way possible. I feel like nothing really happened in most of the book until the very end. Just lots of ickiness from Silhara and orange picking. I thought Silhara was interesting in the beginning, but once Martise came into the picture, I hated how he treated her, and it really soured my enjoyment of his character.
I loved Gurn, he was such a great character, and I would’ve much rather read about him and Anya. They were both sweethearts.
Am I glad I read it? Maybe. Would I recommend it to anyone else? No. Unless they’re looking for a dickhead MMC.
I also realized I didn’t really mention Martise even though she is the FMC. Probably because she was mostly forgettable. I would’ve liked to see more depth of her character.
I really enjoyed the writing style, but there were a lot of noticeable editing issues that stood out to me. By the middle of the book, it was basically expected that the ending quotation marks of a dialogue would be missing. To me, that took away from the elegance and depth that the writing very obviously had. I can excuse a couple, but it was frequent.
I thought the story had an interesting premise, but it was told in the most uninteresting way possible. I feel like nothing really happened in most of the book until the very end. Just lots of ickiness from Silhara and orange picking. I thought Silhara was interesting in the beginning, but once Martise came into the picture, I hated how he treated her, and it really soured my enjoyment of his character.
I loved Gurn, he was such a great character, and I would’ve much rather read about him and Anya. They were both sweethearts.
Am I glad I read it? Maybe. Would I recommend it to anyone else? No. Unless they’re looking for a dickhead MMC.
I also realized I didn’t really mention Martise even though she is the FMC. Probably because she was mostly forgettable. I would’ve liked to see more depth of her character.
love it love it love! its been ages that this kind of genre turned out such an awesome book...fabulous characters, great chemistry, some humor, a dark plot, tons of magic and some beautiful descriptions of this wonderful universe grace draven has created!
this one is a must!!!!
this one is a must!!!!
“You don’t miss what you never knew.”
"And the bed's too far away."
"And will you love me for a day? A year? A lifetime?" "Beyond that," he whispered, eyes shining with the tempest of emotion he'd held in check until now. "Beyond the reign of false gods and meddlesome priests. Beyond al Zafia when her bright stars fade."
"And the bed's too far away."
"And will you love me for a day? A year? A lifetime?" "Beyond that," he whispered, eyes shining with the tempest of emotion he'd held in check until now. "Beyond the reign of false gods and meddlesome priests. Beyond al Zafia when her bright stars fade."
World building is lackluster, masogonistic main character. Female lead is treated badly for not being beautiful.
A good book, maybe not great, but good. This is my third Draven book, and she does a great job with her world building. I actually enjoyed the characters more from her Wraith King series, but this is still an enjoyable read.
adventurous
dark
tense
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
"'Gods who are poets,' he exhaled tendrils of smoke int he stars' direction. 'As if we aren't already overrun with such useless men.'"
I really loved this book. This was my second Draven and I think her take on romantasy (if you will) is exactly my speed. The tension, the effortless worldbuilding, the character development all made this such a fast read. I was fully immersed the entire time and I probably would have finished it faster if I hadn't been restraining myself due to real life obligations.
I really loved this book. This was my second Draven and I think her take on romantasy (if you will) is exactly my speed. The tension, the effortless worldbuilding, the character development all made this such a fast read. I was fully immersed the entire time and I probably would have finished it faster if I hadn't been restraining myself due to real life obligations.
Such a good book with a classic master and servant to lovers trope. Love those. Silhara is a super cool, rough-around-the-edges MMC that can pull any aesthetic off, be it farmer or mage. Martise is a witty, smart FMC with a hidden power within her that makes her more valuable than she realizes. The descriptions of Silhara’s home are beautiful, the world-building which includes talk of ancient gods is fascinating, and the passion between Silhara and Martise is delicious. The writing in this book is very eloquent and fitting for a fantasy as well. Super deserving of five stars!