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4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
I finished this book almost a week ago; and I'm having trouble writing a review because, I think, I'm still traumatized.
I do want to say that I ADORE Broadbent's writing. The descriptiveness, the worldbuilding sucked me in. I honestly didn’t care that much about the plot (not that there wasn’t one) But I was so sucked into the world and what was going on, that anything could have happened and I’d be like “Ok”
Oraya is EXACTLY who you would expect of a human who was raised surrounded by Vampires. Her internal monologues, and how untrusting she is tracks and made me really empathize for her. She lives her life not just thinking or feeling that there isn’t a place for her in this world, but KNOWING that there really isn’t one; which has made her sarcastic and ruthlessly efficient. She’s stuck on survival, and is going through the Kejari to solidify her survival and place in this unstable world she’s been born into.
The background and trials of the Kejari SUCKED.ME.IN It wasn’t just the fighting, but the intricate meaning and explanation behind each trial that added to the story made everything so vivid and kept me engaged to see how everything was going to tie together.
The evolution of the alliance/relationship between Oraya and Raihn was really kind of sweet, and I was really and truly rooting for Oraya to have someone she could trust in.
The ending ripped my heart out. I really don’t know how we got from Raihn presenting Oraya with the head of one of her attackers, to Oraya saving Raihn (multiple times) but like WTF.
I really didn’t want the “I love him, but I have to kill him” trope for Oraya and Raihn, but my heart broke for her.
I do want to say that I ADORE Broadbent's writing. The descriptiveness, the worldbuilding sucked me in. I honestly didn’t care that much about the plot (not that there wasn’t one) But I was so sucked into the world and what was going on, that anything could have happened and I’d be like “Ok”
Oraya is EXACTLY who you would expect of a human who was raised surrounded by Vampires. Her internal monologues, and how untrusting she is tracks and made me really empathize for her. She lives her life not just thinking or feeling that there isn’t a place for her in this world, but KNOWING that there really isn’t one; which has made her sarcastic and ruthlessly efficient. She’s stuck on survival, and is going through the Kejari to solidify her survival and place in this unstable world she’s been born into.
The background and trials of the Kejari SUCKED.ME.IN It wasn’t just the fighting, but the intricate meaning and explanation behind each trial that added to the story made everything so vivid and kept me engaged to see how everything was going to tie together.
The evolution of the alliance/relationship between Oraya and Raihn was really kind of sweet, and I was really and truly rooting for Oraya to have someone she could trust in.
The ending ripped my heart out. I really don’t know how we got from Raihn presenting Oraya with the head of one of her attackers, to Oraya saving Raihn (multiple times) but like WTF.
I really didn’t want the “I love him, but I have to kill him” trope for Oraya and Raihn, but my heart broke for her.
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
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
Disclaimer: I am not a romantasy girly. I love my fantasy with a side of romance, but I generally am not interested in stories with romance as the main plot. Even though I thought the fantasy elements were lacking, this was a fun and easy read and I do not regret reading it.
Biggest Pros:
• The pacing was very good for me. I found the book hard to put down and finished it in a couple of days. While it had its problems, it was generally very entertaining.
• I really enjoyed the action scenes / arena scenes. I thought they were the most engaging and well-written parts of the book.
• Overall, I don’t regret reading this at all. It was fun, entertaining, and easy to read. For me, that’s plenty good enough.
Biggest Cons:
• Every time I think about this book, I can’t recall its name, so make of that what you will.
• The world building and development of mystery and political intrigue were weak, with the exception of the tower / arena itself. As a fantasy fan, I was waiting to learn more about the world outside of the competition plot, but that never really happened satisfactorily. Like tell me more about the different races of winged vampires. Where did they come from? And the Gods, are there more of them? Have they existed since the beginning of time or were they once mortals who were granted Godly gifts? Do the humans worship the Gods also? What's the flora and fauna situation? Is it just the same as normal Earth but with vampires? If it's just regular Earth, then what period of human civilisation is this set? And what's the scale of this whole thing, like are the vampires on every continent? Are there even any other continents? The fantasy and worldbuilding really felt like just a setting or backdrop for the romance and that's okay, but it just doesn't do it for me.
• The surprise at the end would have landed for me a little better if In fact, I can’t recall there being any real hints, unless I missed something.
• I can enjoy an plot, but not when it feels like I cannot abide that. It makes me wonder if the author feels they are incapable of keeping a romance interesting for a whole second book without relying on which is so trendy right now.
•
Biggest Pros:
• The pacing was very good for me. I found the book hard to put down and finished it in a couple of days. While it had its problems, it was generally very entertaining.
• I really enjoyed the action scenes / arena scenes. I thought they were the most engaging and well-written parts of the book.
• Overall, I don’t regret reading this at all. It was fun, entertaining, and easy to read. For me, that’s plenty good enough.
Biggest Cons:
• Every time I think about this book, I can’t recall its name, so make of that what you will.
• The world building and development of mystery and political intrigue were weak, with the exception of the tower / arena itself. As a fantasy fan, I was waiting to learn more about the world outside of the competition plot, but that never really happened satisfactorily. Like tell me more about the different races of winged vampires. Where did they come from? And the Gods, are there more of them? Have they existed since the beginning of time or were they once mortals who were granted Godly gifts? Do the humans worship the Gods also? What's the flora and fauna situation? Is it just the same as normal Earth but with vampires? If it's just regular Earth, then what period of human civilisation is this set? And what's the scale of this whole thing, like are the vampires on every continent? Are there even any other continents? The fantasy and worldbuilding really felt like just a setting or backdrop for the romance and that's okay, but it just doesn't do it for me.
• The surprise at the end would have landed for me a little better if
Spoiler
there had been more foreshadowing of the main character’s true origins.• I can enjoy an
Spoiler
enemies to lovers to enemiesSpoiler
it has been set up for them to become lovers again.Spoiler
the enemies to lovers trope•
Spoiler
Also, he literally killed her dad right in front of her. Then threatened to rape her (whether he was lying for her safety or not, I don’t care, it was disgusting). Then forced her to marry him. And yet, I feel like the author still wants us to root for them. I don’t want to read the sequel because I don’t want to see her forgive him and go back to him. Girl, have some self-respect.
adventurous
funny
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:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
adventurous
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
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:
No