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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Wonderful sequel!! Can’t wait to get my hands on the third installment of this series
challenging
sad
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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:
Complicated
"Right or wrong, I'd break my oath a thousand times for you."
The Drowned Empire series just keeps getting better and better with each installment! Guardian of the Drowned Empie picks up where DOTDE left off.
Just as action packed as the first book, if not more, GOTDE is everything you could want in terms of forbidden romance, eccentric magic systems and fantastical world building.
The Drowned Empire series just keeps getting better and better with each installment! Guardian of the Drowned Empie picks up where DOTDE left off.
Just as action packed as the first book, if not more, GOTDE is everything you could want in terms of forbidden romance, eccentric magic systems and fantastical world building.
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
“I couldn’t save them. I can’t make that mistake again. Not with you.”
Guardian of the Drowned Empire is a continuation of the Drowned Empire series - I highly recommend you have read the previous book. There is a really neat synopsis introduction at the beginning of this book in case you need any reminders, though.
The story continues off with Lyr, a heir to the seat of power in an empire rife with corruption and greed. She is at risk of being exiled and banished and to prove herself must undergo a trial by the emperor to show her strength as a warrior. She only has three months to train and with a rising rebellion against her family, an irrevocable tie to her trainer, and fear of her secrets being revealed, Lyr is struggling to find her way.
This is a high fantasy romance with outstanding world-building. I love how it follows a show not tell approach and that interactions with each character add to the nuance of it (Mercurial is a fascinating Cheshire Cat style character to watch for!). The political structures, social class, and setting are clear and tangible as you read BUT there is an appendix if you need a little nudge. The romance here is not highly spicy (there is sexual content but it is a low simmer in my opinion) but there is a beautiful romance. The amount of times I just had to pause while smiling because of Rhyan's words and action (the male protagonist) was unreal and I couldn’t wait to start reading. This is definitely a SLOW burn as we saw in the first book but it is done the right way where you, as the reader, are fed little nuggets that soothe the anticipation. I consumed this book in the evening.
“I’m in love with you. And no matter how wrong or how much it scares me, there is no oath in Heaven or Lumeria that could stop me.”
This book has some of our beloved traits - touch her and die, who hurt you, forbidden love, fighting, and more. There is a semi love triangle but it is evident from the start it is not a challenge between the men and we know, from the beginning, who she yearns for and why she hesitates. I was okay with it and usually I abhor love triangles.
There are some excellent twists in this story and it really puts you through the paces by tugging on your heart-strings in all the best ways. I admittedly teared up a few times. This book has a semi-cliff hanger which makes me desperate for the next one but, alas, not until next year!
I have some theories of where this book is going and I CANNOT wait to see them unfold. I also really hope the spice picks up in the next because I just need Lyr and Rhyan to be together. Alas, time will tell.
If you love epic high fantasy series with complex worlds, political machinations, beautiful romance, and fierce characters then this is definitely a book to follow!
Guardian of the Drowned Empire is a continuation of the Drowned Empire series - I highly recommend you have read the previous book. There is a really neat synopsis introduction at the beginning of this book in case you need any reminders, though.
The story continues off with Lyr, a heir to the seat of power in an empire rife with corruption and greed. She is at risk of being exiled and banished and to prove herself must undergo a trial by the emperor to show her strength as a warrior. She only has three months to train and with a rising rebellion against her family, an irrevocable tie to her trainer, and fear of her secrets being revealed, Lyr is struggling to find her way.
This is a high fantasy romance with outstanding world-building. I love how it follows a show not tell approach and that interactions with each character add to the nuance of it (Mercurial is a fascinating Cheshire Cat style character to watch for!). The political structures, social class, and setting are clear and tangible as you read BUT there is an appendix if you need a little nudge. The romance here is not highly spicy (there is sexual content but it is a low simmer in my opinion) but there is a beautiful romance. The amount of times I just had to pause while smiling because of Rhyan's words and action (the male protagonist) was unreal and I couldn’t wait to start reading. This is definitely a SLOW burn as we saw in the first book but it is done the right way where you, as the reader, are fed little nuggets that soothe the anticipation. I consumed this book in the evening.
“I’m in love with you. And no matter how wrong or how much it scares me, there is no oath in Heaven or Lumeria that could stop me.”
This book has some of our beloved traits - touch her and die, who hurt you, forbidden love, fighting, and more. There is a semi love triangle but it is evident from the start it is not a challenge between the men and we know, from the beginning, who she yearns for and why she hesitates. I was okay with it and usually I abhor love triangles.
There are some excellent twists in this story and it really puts you through the paces by tugging on your heart-strings in all the best ways. I admittedly teared up a few times. This book has a semi-cliff hanger which makes me desperate for the next one but, alas, not until next year!
I have some theories of where this book is going and I CANNOT wait to see them unfold. I also really hope the spice picks up in the next because I just need Lyr and Rhyan to be together. Alas, time will tell.
If you love epic high fantasy series with complex worlds, political machinations, beautiful romance, and fierce characters then this is definitely a book to follow!
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I became obsessed with Lyr and Rhyan in the first book and fell in love with them in the second. I loved how for ONCE the FMC’s love interest is not toxic. He guides her and shows her the strength she is capable of. This book was the perfect build up for the events to come and while I can’t stand not knowing what is going to happen next, I truly appreciate a wonderfully written ending to a book that is part of a series. It gave you everything you need out of a second book, leaving your satisfied but so ready for the next! I cannot wait to see where the author takes the story and it pains me that I discovered this series too early to devour it all back to back. I did see that a novella is coming out that takes place before Jules’ death and I am so excited to see Lyr’s relationship with her family before everything got so painful.
I really, really enjoyed the first book and needed to know where the story went so I asked to be on the ARC team. I was not disappointed. Did I want the romance to move faster, yes ...however I am not a patient women. Other than that, this book hit the aces for me with a story line that wasn't predictable and characters I have come to thoroughly enjoy. I can't wait for the third book to be released.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes