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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
This is a contemplative novel about two sorcerers forced to use their magic in service to their sovereigns in battle. They've never faced each other because their countries used them in a sort of mutually assured destruction strategy. But as this book opens, Oneira has managed to pay off her debt and has retired to a secluded house where she spends a part of every day decorating her funeral bier. (So she's dealing with some PTSD, OK? At least she's not massacring civilians anymore...)
But as the months go by, maybe she's healing a bit; maybe she's making friends with her nemesis, Stearanos. Maybe MORE than friends...
ROMANCE READERS BE WARNED: this is a tragedy, not a romance. (Although the tragic end is maybe a tiny bit ambiguous?) I did really like the book, which surprised me a bit since there's not a ton of plot. If you are more of a fantasy reader than a romance reader, or if you're one of those people who argues that romantasy doesn't need an HEA, then I think you'd like this one.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
But as the months go by, maybe she's healing a bit; maybe she's making friends with her nemesis, Stearanos. Maybe MORE than friends...
ROMANCE READERS BE WARNED: this is a tragedy, not a romance. (Although the tragic end is maybe a tiny bit ambiguous?) I did really like the book, which surprised me a bit since there's not a ton of plot. If you are more of a fantasy reader than a romance reader, or if you're one of those people who argues that romantasy doesn't need an HEA, then I think you'd like this one.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
This was such a fun romantasy with a super unique magic system including dream walking. I’m always down for a rivals/enemies to lovers and their banter/little pranks were so entertaining.
I loved how they were rivals based on reputation alone. They didn't know one another personally, but their powers and who they worked for put them in that position.
There were so many unique concepts within this story and it was quite different than anything I feel like I have read before.
The playfulness and banter between the MCs was fun especially when the FMC knew what was going on and the MMC was in the dark.
I loved that this wasn't a super long romantasy. So many of them are 500+ pages, but this one stayed under 400!
The narrators really brought these characters to life.
Thank you to netgalley and macmillan audio for the ALC!
I loved how they were rivals based on reputation alone. They didn't know one another personally, but their powers and who they worked for put them in that position.
There were so many unique concepts within this story and it was quite different than anything I feel like I have read before.
The playfulness and banter between the MCs was fun especially when the FMC knew what was going on and the MMC was in the dark.
I loved that this wasn't a super long romantasy. So many of them are 500+ pages, but this one stayed under 400!
The narrators really brought these characters to life.
Thank you to netgalley and macmillan audio for the ALC!
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Audiobook is dual narration
I was immediately swept away into the dreamy, evocative, fairytale feeling of this book. Oneira's exhaustion and despair after a lifetime of war-mongering came through clearly, and her choice to isolate from all living things made so much sense. I loved watching her come into her new life slowly as she began speaking to Stearanos, but all along, I felt a sense of creeping dread. The atmosphere of the book is so well done, bringing the reader along a bittersweet journey with the two main characters.
Firstly, let me say that I couldn't really pay attention to this until I heard Shane's voice. I thoroughly enjoyed the different thought processes of the main characters on the events in Stearanos' library. Also, I wholeheartedly hated Tristan but I can understand the need for him in the story. The writing vaguely reminds me of the Emily Wilde series, which I don't mind in the slightest, but this story didn't keep my interest as well. Can we talk about that ending??? I'm not even sure that counts as a cliffhanger or what and I don't know how to process it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ALC.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ALC.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
reflective
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:
Yes
This book blew my mind!
Brief summary: The world of Never the Roses leaves all but royalty in tremendous, lifelong debt...including sorcerers. Oneira, her name assigned when she was bought from her parents and enrolled in the best magical schools, has been serving a queen in defense of her kingdom ever since her debt was purchased from school many decades before. Her role? To attack neighboring kingdoms in their dreams. She has killed countless people, military and innocents during her servitude. But now, she is free; having purchased her freedom with blood money from side jobs.
In her freedom, she seeks to escape from the world of man and die. She finds a serene escape in the forest where even the road is forgotten. She is cozied between the mountains and the sea. Her solitude is healing as she learns to garden, to prepare her own food, and along the way, is joined by magical creatures.
But she becomes bored and seeks out her former rival, Stearanos (stee-rah-nos). In stealing a book on cultivating the rarest rose known to man, she has complicated her life while also starting it anew.
Review:
I love this book! The narrators (Chloe Campbell and Shane East) absolutely made the book better than I could have imagined! In chapter transitions wherein the POV switches across a dream, the transition almost overlaps with one character's thoughts nearly overlaying the thoughts of the other.
I loved the elements of a morality play inherent in this book as well as the question overall of whether one can be redeemed from the evil they have previously done. Other questions asked include how the privilege of choice changes a life and whether everyone is worthy of love.
I would recommend this audiobook to anyone who loves a fantasy with teeth, one that encourages the reader to question their beliefs and assumptions, and those who get lost in the pages. Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook to provide an honest review.
Brief summary: The world of Never the Roses leaves all but royalty in tremendous, lifelong debt...including sorcerers. Oneira, her name assigned when she was bought from her parents and enrolled in the best magical schools, has been serving a queen in defense of her kingdom ever since her debt was purchased from school many decades before. Her role? To attack neighboring kingdoms in their dreams. She has killed countless people, military and innocents during her servitude. But now, she is free; having purchased her freedom with blood money from side jobs.
In her freedom, she seeks to escape from the world of man and die. She finds a serene escape in the forest where even the road is forgotten. She is cozied between the mountains and the sea. Her solitude is healing as she learns to garden, to prepare her own food, and along the way, is joined by magical creatures.
But she becomes bored and seeks out her former rival, Stearanos (stee-rah-nos). In stealing a book on cultivating the rarest rose known to man, she has complicated her life while also starting it anew.
Review:
I love this book! The narrators (Chloe Campbell and Shane East) absolutely made the book better than I could have imagined! In chapter transitions wherein the POV switches across a dream, the transition almost overlaps with one character's thoughts nearly overlaying the thoughts of the other.
I loved the elements of a morality play inherent in this book as well as the question overall of whether one can be redeemed from the evil they have previously done. Other questions asked include how the privilege of choice changes a life and whether everyone is worthy of love.
I would recommend this audiobook to anyone who loves a fantasy with teeth, one that encourages the reader to question their beliefs and assumptions, and those who get lost in the pages. Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook to provide an honest review.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes