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gillianw's review
3.0
3 stars
I almost didn’t finish this but I forced myself to see it through to the end. I lost count of how many times Nicholas was captured, beaten and freed, and lost count of how many times he swore he was through with Vasili. All the betrayals became so repetitive it was a wonder that Nicholas trusted anyone by the end of this book. I’m really disappointed because I throughly enjoyed book one and was hoping I’d found a new favourite series. Guess I’ll go back and read Captive Prince again.
I almost didn’t finish this but I forced myself to see it through to the end. I lost count of how many times Nicholas was captured, beaten and freed, and lost count of how many times he swore he was through with Vasili. All the betrayals became so repetitive it was a wonder that Nicholas trusted anyone by the end of this book. I’m really disappointed because I throughly enjoyed book one and was hoping I’d found a new favourite series. Guess I’ll go back and read Captive Prince again.
rayarriz's review
1.0
??? sigh
I'm so incredibly frustrated with this series. It's repetitive, Niko is so hopeless, and Vasili needs better friends and communication skills. And there's just not enough exposition so I'm struggling to understand what's going on here.
However, out of sheer stubbornness, I'm going to read book 3. But I'll be glad to get this over.
I'm so incredibly frustrated with this series. It's repetitive, Niko is so hopeless, and Vasili needs better friends and communication skills. And there's just not enough exposition so I'm struggling to understand what's going on here.
However, out of sheer stubbornness, I'm going to read book 3. But I'll be glad to get this over.
lifeinthebooklane's review against another edition
5.0
“Vasili, you slithering bastard, where are you?” He wouldn’t be dead. Not yet. He’d survived eight years as a prisoner of the elves. He’d survive this until Niko could get to him. He had to.
**Insert frustrated screaming**
Oh Vasili how I hated you. Then I didn’t, then I did, then I didn’t and now I’m all confused and just know that poor old Niko doesn’t deserve any of this. But then Vasili probably doesn’t either. I mean, there’s a good man in there somewhere just trying to do the best with the hand he’s been dealt – isn’t there? My emotions yo-yoed all over the place, particularly because Vasili continued to be his slippery, smoke-and-mirrors, twisty self.
Color touched Vasili’s cheeks and lips and his eye shone with lust. He was beautiful and fierce utterly mad, and Niko knew he could never tame him. He’d always be this man of wild contradictions, impossible to predict, dangerous to contain. Lightning in a bottle.
How often can one man get stomped down into the dirt and still manage to haul himself back onto his feet and keep going? There were times I wanted to give Niko a shake or a slap but then Vasili would be Vasili and, damn, I totally understood why Niko never gave up, why he expected the best, why he allowed himself to hope.
“There is nothing else in this world that frees me like you do, Nikolas Yazdan.”
He couldn’t remember the last time anyone had ever looked at him like Vasili was not, like he was their whole world in that moment.
Even when that devotion led to the shattering of Niko's heart again, and again, and again. Because nobody had ever given that trust to Vasili before. Nobody had cared just for him alone, for Vasili the man, plenty wanted the prince, just as many wanted the keeper of the flame. But who had ever seen the man, the boy, beneath the mask and just wanted his happiness?
The prince’s’ trembling fingers clutched at the back of Niko’s shirt. Vasili pulled him close and bowed his head, burying his face against Niko’s neck, and sobbed. And by the three, it hurt to hear.
“I’ve got you.” He said it over and over, as many times as Vasili needed to hear it. He’d say it a thousand times more if he could……It would take more than words for him to heal, but for now, words were all Niko had.
Niko, Vasili and Yasir made me ache to the depths of my very soul. The passion, the emotion, the feels this trio brought to the story left me reeling, took my breath away and had me awestruck. Added into that mix was the intrigue, the lies, the secrets, the betrayals, the shocking revelations and the double crossing. There was so much plot, world building and energy that this book should have been a 1000 pages long at the very least.
Gods, he looked like he was made for the vibrant streets of Seran, and Niko should probably say something, anything, but he’d forgotten how words worked, and if he didn’t pull his mind out of the gutter, where it had firmly lodged itself on seeing Vasili wrapped in exotic clothing, then he was about to look like a fool.
And those scenes in the hut, along with the promise Vasili demanded from Niko… oh my word they had me wiping away more than the odd tear. How cruel was Ariana Nash, to show us glimpses of just how amazing life could and should be for Niko and Vasili. And even more cruel to not just tear it away from them, but to crush it into dust.
He was soon asleep, and to have him so close and so thoroughly relaxed enough to sleep in his arms, it was enough. It was everything.
I love Niko with all my heart, but Vasili, oh Vasili is the thing you should hate but somehow want instead. And oh my word is he gorgeous.
There were more important things to focus on – like the beast’s attack - than how his dark purple shirt, with its wide lace-lined collar, gaped open and inviting at the neck. A neck that demanded the lightest of kisses.
paz_books's review
5.0
Somehow, I am still letting myself fall into Vasili’s trap as much as Niko is. I keep trusting the man. Why? Why do I keep trusting him? All he does is betray.
But on a serious note, this one was just as good, and stressful, as the first book. I am so excited to read the third. (I feel like excited isn’t the right word however, as this book truly does agonise and hurt me... but in the best type of way?)
I am also finding myself really attached to the side characters- old and new- because, honestly, what I love about this series is how human everyone is. They aren’t all righteous, they’re selfish, and they’re emotional, and they make bad decisions. And yet, you are still constantly rooting for them. I even had pity for Amir at the end of this book and I usually really want to kill that guy every time he is on page.
The world building was just as insanely written in this instalment as well; I’m appreciating all the plots and myths that are coming to light. The intertwining stories of the legends and the different families has really intrigued me, however that ending has me very, very worried.
In summary, if you haven’t read this series, or have read the first but are unsure if to carry on, then trust me and READ READ READ!
(Sorry if this review is a bit all over the place, I literally just finished the book so my brain is screaming and its 10pm.)
But on a serious note, this one was just as good, and stressful, as the first book. I am so excited to read the third. (I feel like excited isn’t the right word however, as this book truly does agonise and hurt me... but in the best type of way?)
I am also finding myself really attached to the side characters- old and new- because, honestly, what I love about this series is how human everyone is. They aren’t all righteous, they’re selfish, and they’re emotional, and they make bad decisions. And yet, you are still constantly rooting for them. I even had pity for Amir at the end of this book and I usually really want to kill that guy every time he is on page.
The world building was just as insanely written in this instalment as well; I’m appreciating all the plots and myths that are coming to light. The intertwining stories of the legends and the different families has really intrigued me, however that ending has me very, very worried.
In summary, if you haven’t read this series, or have read the first but are unsure if to carry on, then trust me and READ READ READ!
(Sorry if this review is a bit all over the place, I literally just finished the book so my brain is screaming and its 10pm.)
kylek's review against another edition
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
4.75
Even more fkd up-ness. Give my babies a break D:
kingflame's review
dark
emotional
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
4.5
fofiasss's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mila_readsmm's review
4.0
***3.85 rating***
“I have hurt you,” the prince whispered, his usually smooth voice suddenly hoarse, “and I will never be sorry.” His words teased over Niko’s lips. “Because it brought you to me.”
“I have hurt you,” the prince whispered, his usually smooth voice suddenly hoarse, “and I will never be sorry.” His words teased over Niko’s lips. “Because it brought you to me.”
nikki_b's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
4.0
Thoroughly enjoyed this INFURIATING book. Everyone ("good" and "bad") makes me mad and I don't trust anyone, so good on Ariana Nash for putting us right in Niko's feelings!
Sometimes the betrayals and twists are a bit much. Whiplash. I keep saying "ok how's this going to go bad immediately" with every miniscule happy moment but I forgive it all because it's entertaining!
Captive Prince vibes higher in this one, but... Niko and Vasili are much more dumb and angry. 💀 A horrible combo for life + happiness, but fun to read about. (And unlike the Captive Prince men who are regal AF, these dudes are definitely meant for the blacksmith/farmer life 🤣 Please keep them away from any sort of leadership positions.)
Cheek fluttering/flickering continues.
Sometimes the betrayals and twists are a bit much. Whiplash. I keep saying "ok how's this going to go bad immediately" with every miniscule happy moment but I forgive it all because it's entertaining!
Captive Prince vibes higher in this one, but... Niko and Vasili are much more dumb and angry. 💀 A horrible combo for life + happiness, but fun to read about. (And unlike the Captive Prince men who are regal AF, these dudes are definitely meant for the blacksmith/farmer life 🤣 Please keep them away from any sort of leadership positions.)
Cheek fluttering/flickering continues.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Violence, Animal death, Blood, Sexual assault, Torture, and Confinement