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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
I came into this one with high expectations-- I previously read the Radiance duology by Draven and was so in love with it that I expected those same feelings to develop whilst reading this one.
It didn't quite measure up to those expectations, nonetheless-- I enjoyed this one.
The action of the plot didn't quite capture my attention, but the character journeys absolutely did.
I loved our protagonists Martise and Silhara, I loved how, just as with our couple in Radiance, there is no instant attraction beteen them. If anything, each sees the others' perceived flaws at first encounter. But with time, with closeness in proximity of both mind and body, the two's relationship begins to develop into that something more we all expect and root for. It's lovely to witness.
I likely will never read the sequel, but I'm satisfied with how this book ended and that's enough for me.
It didn't quite measure up to those expectations, nonetheless-- I enjoyed this one.
The action of the plot didn't quite capture my attention, but the character journeys absolutely did.
I loved our protagonists Martise and Silhara, I loved how, just as with our couple in Radiance, there is no instant attraction beteen them. If anything, each sees the others' perceived flaws at first encounter. But with time, with closeness in proximity of both mind and body, the two's relationship begins to develop into that something more we all expect and root for. It's lovely to witness.
I likely will never read the sequel, but I'm satisfied with how this book ended and that's enough for me.
I still really like this because Draven's characters just have great chemistry and their relationships are very believable. I also love her writing, still.
However, I do think that this is my least favorite of her books so far, I found this book to have many of the not-so-great things that a lot of romance books suffer from in regards to how the man treats the woman. There is a lot of Silhara grabbing Martise by the arm and pulling her places, which is too aggressive for my taste. The thing I've liked about the other Draven books I've read is her characters always seem to have a big respect for each other and are careful to not to go into borderline abusive territory. This book is different because Martise is a slave that is disguised as a mage apprentice, and even though the fact that she is a slave is a secret throughout the book, Silhara still treats her like one despite being under the impression that she is a student, which rubbed me the wrong way.
This book is also the first true enemies-to-lovers book that I've read by her, and I definitely like it less than the dynamic between the couples in her other books. One of the reasons I found the other books so engaging is that the classic misogynistic lense that I feel is predominant in the adult romance genre regarding how the men treat the women didn't seem to be present. In Wraith Kings, she wrote an incredible friends-to-lovers. In Entreat Me, she wrote a couple that starts on rocky ground but at its core is also a friends-to-lovers, albeit the characters acknowledge their attraction to each other quickly.
So this is the first by her that I've read that features the classic romance tropes and situations, and I am a bit disappointed. I think that I will continue on with the other books in this series, but not immediately as this kind of soured the Draven marathon that I've been on for the past week.
After typing up my thoughts on this book I decided to bring my rating down from 4 stars to 3 stars.
However, I do think that this is my least favorite of her books so far, I found this book to have many of the not-so-great things that a lot of romance books suffer from in regards to how the man treats the woman. There is a lot of Silhara grabbing Martise by the arm and pulling her places, which is too aggressive for my taste. The thing I've liked about the other Draven books I've read is her characters always seem to have a big respect for each other and are careful to not to go into borderline abusive territory. This book is different because Martise is a slave that is disguised as a mage apprentice, and even though the fact that she is a slave is a secret throughout the book, Silhara still treats her like one despite being under the impression that she is a student, which rubbed me the wrong way.
This book is also the first true enemies-to-lovers book that I've read by her, and I definitely like it less than the dynamic between the couples in her other books. One of the reasons I found the other books so engaging is that the classic misogynistic lense that I feel is predominant in the adult romance genre regarding how the men treat the women didn't seem to be present. In Wraith Kings, she wrote an incredible friends-to-lovers. In Entreat Me, she wrote a couple that starts on rocky ground but at its core is also a friends-to-lovers, albeit the characters acknowledge their attraction to each other quickly.
So this is the first by her that I've read that features the classic romance tropes and situations, and I am a bit disappointed. I think that I will continue on with the other books in this series, but not immediately as this kind of soured the Draven marathon that I've been on for the past week.
After typing up my thoughts on this book I decided to bring my rating down from 4 stars to 3 stars.
Just ok
I liked this book, but it wasn't as good as "Radiance" to me. The story just didn't grab me the same way.
I liked this book, but it wasn't as good as "Radiance" to me. The story just didn't grab me the same way.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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 book was so good!! I absolutely loved the dynamic between the two main characters and the slow build to their very sweet relationship is perfect. A wholesome group of companions and such a perfect ending. I read the small novella after this and loved the added story for these Silhara and Martise 🥰 favorite couple and such a happy ending.
Enjoyable and compelling but there were some parts that just didn't flow well together. Silharas gift was barely explained....actually almost none of the magic system was explained except for Martise's. Character development was decent along with world building.
Really enjoyed this book, fun one shot which is nice after having read SO MANY series this year.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
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
Great plot AND good sex? I'm just sad it's not a series.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
this was cute and silly
