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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Hundred of years ago, witches and humans were in a devasting war, and peace was tentatively decided with a marriage pact between the human royalty and witches. For the past three generations, every royal heir married a blood witch, the Bloodwinn.
Vanka is the next Bloodwinn, but she rejects her position until she notices too many witches have gone missing in the past few months, and all the tracks point to the human kingdom, Isodal, being at fault.
She decides to fulfill the treaty to figure out where all the missing witches are and to kill the prince.
The more time she spends investigating the closer, Ranka becomes uncertain about her mission.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TW: Racism and Xenophobia
Yeah, so the reviews about the reverse racism accusations are accurate. I don't think Mix did it on purpose, but it's there, and I'll get into it a little bit later.
I got this book in my Fairyloot November 2022 box, and I didn't know about the controversy until I had already gotten it. I decided to read it because I'm trying to shrink my book collection, and I wanted to read it before deciding to rehome it or not. I thought maybe the controversy was all a misunderstanding. It isn't.
I ultimately didn't enjoy it because the plot wasn't executed well, and the story isn't at all like what's the book is marketed as.
It's not a sapphic romantasy enemies-to-lovers book. It's more of a political fantasy, but it just doesn't work right.
Basically, the main point of the book is how different ethnic groups' conflicts over time can lead to generational distrust/hatred of each other, which can result in one oppressing the other. That's the main point of the book, and in the book, the humans are oppressing witches legally(through laws and acts) and illegally (killing/harming).
Which is an interesting concept however, Mix made all of the prominent human characters people of color and all the major witch characters white, because of that it reads as reverse racism because the witches are being oppressed and discriminated due to the past actions of previous witches(and even though humans have magic users they are not oppressed).
I genuinely don't think Mix didn't mean to have reverse racism be a thing in this book. She was trying to write a diverse cast without fully thinking of the implications. Nevertheless, someone should've caught that reverse racism because it ruins the book.
The whole reverse racism angle of this book ruins it because the royals never really think or address any of the active discrimination going on against witches until the end.
Aramis frequently weaponizes/insults the fact that Ranka is a bloodwitch calling her monster, etc. all the way up to the end of the book!
I genuinely don't get her hostility towards Ranka because Aramis' mother was a bloodwitch and worked frequently with bloodwitches. I would understand if they were enemy kingdoms, but they aren't. The witchlands are basically a commonwealth under the human empire, so their hostility towards witches made no sense, especially if they were supposedly concerned about what was going on in the witch community.
The characterization of Ranka, Galen, and Percy were well done, but Aramis wasn't. Aramis actions/words conflicted with what the narrative was saying.
I know, I know, she had no power and was sheltered, but she could've done more.
Hell, her mother should've done more.
It just didn't make sense, and the enemies-to-lovers romance was unnecessary.
It didn't work, and Mix should've spent more time developing the plot.
The worldbuilding wasn't very good either? The dynamics behind the different ethnic groups are a major plot point, but I only got pieces of what's going on. I don't get the magic system (What's the difference between mages and witches? What is a normal witches magic? All I can recall is bloodwitches' magic and nothing else.)
The pacing was fine, but the ending was kinda meh. Nothing changed for witches or humans, and the only thing that happens is that they all decide to do better, and they give the witches representation in the government. It doesn't address/punish those who kill/discriminate against witches or the distrust between the two communities, and it was just a very kumbaya ending.
It's truly unfortunate that the reverse racism was such a major plot point for this book.
Vanka is the next Bloodwinn, but she rejects her position until she notices too many witches have gone missing in the past few months, and all the tracks point to the human kingdom, Isodal, being at fault.
She decides to fulfill the treaty to figure out where all the missing witches are and to kill the prince.
The more time she spends investigating the closer, Ranka becomes uncertain about her mission.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TW: Racism and Xenophobia
Yeah, so the reviews about the reverse racism accusations are accurate. I don't think Mix did it on purpose, but it's there, and I'll get into it a little bit later.
I got this book in my Fairyloot November 2022 box, and I didn't know about the controversy until I had already gotten it. I decided to read it because I'm trying to shrink my book collection, and I wanted to read it before deciding to rehome it or not. I thought maybe the controversy was all a misunderstanding. It isn't.
I ultimately didn't enjoy it because the plot wasn't executed well, and the story isn't at all like what's the book is marketed as.
It's not a sapphic romantasy enemies-to-lovers book. It's more of a political fantasy, but it just doesn't work right.
Basically, the main point of the book is how different ethnic groups' conflicts over time can lead to generational distrust/hatred of each other, which can result in one oppressing the other. That's the main point of the book, and in the book, the humans are oppressing witches legally(through laws and acts) and illegally (killing/harming).
Which is an interesting concept however, Mix made all of the prominent human characters people of color and all the major witch characters white
Spoiler
I think in an attempt to not have people of color be the villainsI genuinely don't think Mix didn't mean to have reverse racism be a thing in this book. She was trying to write a diverse cast without fully thinking of the implications. Nevertheless, someone should've caught that reverse racism because it ruins the book.
The whole reverse racism angle of this book ruins it because the royals never really think or address any of the active discrimination going on against witches until the end.
Aramis frequently weaponizes/insults the fact that Ranka is a bloodwitch calling her monster, etc.
Spoiler
Even though she knows how bloodwitches are created and the struggles they have.I genuinely don't get her hostility towards Ranka because Aramis' mother was a bloodwitch and worked frequently with bloodwitches. I would understand if they were enemy kingdoms, but they aren't. The witchlands are basically a commonwealth under the human empire, so their hostility towards witches made no sense, especially if they were supposedly concerned about what was going on in the witch community.
The characterization of Ranka, Galen, and Percy were well done, but Aramis wasn't. Aramis actions/words conflicted with what the narrative was saying.
Spoiler
That Aramis genuinely cared and worried about bloodwitches and yet did nothing to address the discrimination and at times played into it.I know, I know, she had no power and was sheltered, but she could've done more.
Hell, her mother should've done more.
It just didn't make sense, and the enemies-to-lovers romance was unnecessary.
It didn't work, and Mix should've spent more time developing the plot.
The worldbuilding wasn't very good either? The dynamics behind the different ethnic groups are a major plot point, but I only got pieces of what's going on. I don't get the magic system (What's the difference between mages and witches? What is a normal witches magic? All I can recall is bloodwitches' magic and nothing else.)
The pacing was fine, but the ending was kinda meh. Nothing changed for witches or humans, and the only thing that happens is that they all decide to do better, and they give the witches representation in the government. It doesn't address/punish those who kill/discriminate against witches or the distrust between the two communities, and it was just a very kumbaya ending.
It's truly unfortunate that the reverse racism was such a major plot point for this book.
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
6’ viking lesbian with more muscles than brains and more trauma than sense. It doesnt get better than this
this book was sososo amazing. It was beautifully written and walked in on so many topics that I wasn’t expecting.
not knowing what to expect reading this, i became immediately HOOKED on the storyline. all I’m gonna say is YOU’RE GONNA CRY. (Also happy ending hehe) considering many wlw books I’ve read decide to end on miserable terms, I’m happy to say this was not one of them. This was so close to beating Girls of paper and fire by Natasha ngan but not quite… I loved the the plot twist and the little trio, the way everyone was equal even tho it came from only one pov, the storyline, the way it made me strangely feel like I was capable of anything. JUST GIVE IT A READ ALREADY
P.S enemies to lovers?!?!
not knowing what to expect reading this, i became immediately HOOKED on the storyline. all I’m gonna say is YOU’RE GONNA CRY. (Also happy ending hehe) considering many wlw books I’ve read decide to end on miserable terms, I’m happy to say this was not one of them. This was so close to beating Girls of paper and fire by Natasha ngan but not quite… I loved the the plot twist and the little trio, the way everyone was equal even tho it came from only one pov, the storyline, the way it made me strangely feel like I was capable of anything. JUST GIVE IT A READ ALREADY
P.S enemies to lovers?!?!
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book isn’t bad per se however I wasn’t vibing with it unfortunately
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
Oh my god I adore this book. Im so in love with this world and the characters and wow Ranka's path really hit close to home. This book is likely to be a comfort book for me and I'm so very glad I impulsively bought a copy. I cried at the second half of the book like three times, went back to read the dedication and cried again. If you're a queer with mommy issues, this book is for you. Overall, this was a beautifully told story and I'm proud to have it in my personal library.
To address the reviews accusing it of reverse racism and antisemitism. By taking certain details out of context, I totally see how there can be concerns about the book. I pretty confidently can say the book isn't pushing some sort of reverse racism agenda. The concern comes from the fact that the two heirs to the monarchy are of colour, and many of the witches (who are supposedly "oppressed" by the monarchy) are white. To be honest it's really just these individual characters being of colour that landed in this position; Humans are not all portrayed as being mostly of colour and witches are not portrayed as being mostly white. There is racial diversity within both. Minor spoiler, but the real villains of the book are white anyways. The characters of colour (the Sunra twins) are never portrayed as oppressors, beyond the witches *incorrect* judgement (which is treated as such). I don't have much to say about the antisemitism other than the fact that I really don't think the blood magic to be remotely similar to blood libel.
Also, of course if you're uncomfortable with the book due to the racial stuff you'd be 100% valid to not read it. I don't mean to dictate how anyone feels, just sharing my thoughts having read the book in full
To address the reviews accusing it of reverse racism and antisemitism. By taking certain details out of context, I totally see how there can be concerns about the book. I pretty confidently can say the book isn't pushing some sort of reverse racism agenda. The concern comes from the fact that the two heirs to the monarchy are of colour, and many of the witches (who are supposedly "oppressed" by the monarchy) are white. To be honest it's really just these individual characters being of colour that landed in this position; Humans are not all portrayed as being mostly of colour and witches are not portrayed as being mostly white. There is racial diversity within both. Minor spoiler, but the real villains of the book are white anyways. The characters of colour (the Sunra twins) are never portrayed as oppressors, beyond the witches *incorrect* judgement (which is treated as such). I don't have much to say about the antisemitism other than the fact that I really don't think the blood magic to be remotely similar to blood libel.
Also, of course if you're uncomfortable with the book due to the racial stuff you'd be 100% valid to not read it. I don't mean to dictate how anyone feels, just sharing my thoughts having read the book in full
adventurous
dark
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:
Complicated