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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
slow-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
Never the Roses was not what I expected at all based on the blurb. It is a much slower paced, character focused story with a rich emotional depth to it's characters that I greatly enjoyed.
Oneira may be one of my favourite FMC's I have read in a long while. Her self hatred, her emotional repression and her desire for peace, solitude and a chance to atone in even simple ways was such a treat to read. A character so clearly worn down by the world and what she was forced to do, what she sometimes chose to do. it made her such a compelling character, to see her almost resigned to giving up but still clinging on for something, even though she couldn't quite decide what she was clinging on for. And then in contrast, her playful nature shone through, her seemingly well deserved ego leading her to make silly mistakes.
Steranos was a nice MMC. I liked how he was just as egotistical as Oneira could be about his skills, and the rage he felt at being bested was fun to read, espesisally as he took to taunting and letters when he knew he was beat. I also appreciated how weary he was, but in a different way to Oneira. While Oneira was weary of everyone and everything, Steranos was mostly just weary of being used, and seemingly was content to accept the dark deeds he had to do, as long as it would maybe bring him closer to his freedom.
The romance between Oneira and Steranos was cute. Though it was "enemies-to-lovers" in the flimsiest of ways. I loved how they saw their reflections in each other, and could inherently understand what the other had been through. There was no questioning how or why something was done, as they just knew. And I actually thought it was fitting how quickly they seemed to fall for each other because they had such a soul deep understanding of each others sufferings. It was almost akin to trauma bonding.
I also loved the magic systems in this book and how there's different specialities with minimal overlap, it actually made it believeable why they had never went against each other.
I also loved that the book was this slower paced, no actual action happening on page, story. I think it added more depth to the book and the chance to know the characters, to see them when they weren't fighting and their dark deeds were behind them.
That ending also was so bitter sweet it had me choked up. If there is a sequel (which I desperately hope there will be) I cannot wait to see what happens.
Oneira may be one of my favourite FMC's I have read in a long while. Her self hatred, her emotional repression and her desire for peace, solitude and a chance to atone in even simple ways was such a treat to read. A character so clearly worn down by the world and what she was forced to do, what she sometimes chose to do. it made her such a compelling character, to see her almost resigned to giving up but still clinging on for something, even though she couldn't quite decide what she was clinging on for. And then in contrast, her playful nature shone through, her seemingly well deserved ego leading her to make silly mistakes.
Steranos was a nice MMC. I liked how he was just as egotistical as Oneira could be about his skills, and the rage he felt at being bested was fun to read, espesisally as he took to taunting and letters when he knew he was beat. I also appreciated how weary he was, but in a different way to Oneira. While Oneira was weary of everyone and everything, Steranos was mostly just weary of being used, and seemingly was content to accept the dark deeds he had to do, as long as it would maybe bring him closer to his freedom.
The romance between Oneira and Steranos was cute. Though it was "enemies-to-lovers" in the flimsiest of ways. I loved how they saw their reflections in each other, and could inherently understand what the other had been through. There was no questioning how or why something was done, as they just knew. And I actually thought it was fitting how quickly they seemed to fall for each other because they had such a soul deep understanding of each others sufferings. It was almost akin to trauma bonding.
I also loved the magic systems in this book and how there's different specialities with minimal overlap, it actually made it believeable why they had never went against each other.
I also loved that the book was this slower paced, no actual action happening on page, story. I think it added more depth to the book and the chance to know the characters, to see them when they weren't fighting and their dark deeds were behind them.
That ending also was so bitter sweet it had me choked up. If there is a sequel (which I desperately hope there will be) I cannot wait to see what happens.
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
This feels like it might be a series? Really enjoyed the story, characters and magic, but this did not feel like a standalone. A lot of stuff was kinda still up in the air, the whole plot happened in like the last 30 pages
4.25 Veredian roses Tandem read with audio and the narrators were fantastic. I did notice in the later chapters that there were some clear production mixing issues but nothing unbearable or unreadable. It is dual though I wish it was duet. Either way, none of that impacts my rating for the book.
Now about the book, I have three things:
Firstly, this is not a standalone like I thought. I did check, author is writing book 2. Secondly, this is definitely more of a slow build cozy romantasy. I expect lots of small things that don't seem relevant to come full circle.
And thirdly, that ending tore my heart out because WHAT DO YOU MEAN?! WHAT. DO. YOU. MEAN. I SWEAR IF THERE IS NOT A HEA NEXT BOOK I WILL INDEED RIOT. I REFUSE. I WILL BE DELULU AND IN THE DREAM UNTIL THEN THANK YOU.
Now about the book, I have three things:
Firstly, this is not a standalone like I thought. I did check, author is writing book 2. Secondly, this is definitely more of a slow build cozy romantasy. I expect lots of small things that don't seem relevant to come full circle.
And thirdly, that ending tore my heart out because WHAT DO YOU MEAN?! WHAT. DO. YOU. MEAN. I SWEAR IF THERE IS NOT A HEA NEXT BOOK I WILL INDEED RIOT. I REFUSE. I WILL BE DELULU AND IN THE DREAM UNTIL THEN THANK YOU.
dark
emotional
reflective
relaxing
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
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
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:
No
I listened to the audiobook as I've just had an eye op but wanted to leave a review!
Don't you love a book about books?
Well this is.....sort of!
'His library was terribly seductive.'
This book was so cute, 2 older characters, both powerful sorcerers who should be enemies. They find they have lots in common including that they are used at the whims of the rulers who own them.
Watching Oneira and Stearanos made me feel like a peeper and I loved every minute - they were so cute!
The letters were quite sweet and I find myself wanting to know what the roses and Oneira's pink beach looks like!
'Thief of my heart.'
Book 2 please!
Don't you love a book about books?
Well this is.....sort of!
'His library was terribly seductive.'
This book was so cute, 2 older characters, both powerful sorcerers who should be enemies. They find they have lots in common including that they are used at the whims of the rulers who own them.
Watching Oneira and Stearanos made me feel like a peeper and I loved every minute - they were so cute!
The letters were quite sweet and I find myself wanting to know what the roses and Oneira's pink beach looks like!
'Thief of my heart.'
Book 2 please!
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
This book had such a great concept for the plot. The writing was extremely repetitive and at 185 pages in nothing had really happened. I wanted to like this book, loved the premise, the execution was lacking.