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howboutjane's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
Dr. Seuss for adults that like dark fantasy. Really interesting magic system, solid plot and a cute slow burn romance. Great read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Minor: Torture, Child abuse, Abandonment, Sexual content, and Child death
reallyrosalie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Deportation
Moderate: Death of parent, Mental illness, Sexual content, Abandonment, and Torture
coffeekitaab's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
One of those moments where I am so grateful to Bookstagram for recommending this else I would never pick it up - literally, don't judge a book by it's cover!
A well thought of, clever premise that's beautifully written. I was consumed by this fantasy world, by the story of Elspeth who struggles with a dark magic that resides in her mind, but which also protects her from danger - and Ravyn, who is Captain of the guard which arrests and punishes people just like Elspeth..only Rayvn keeps Elspeth safe because he needs her magic to save his brother. With this fear around magic there are lots of secrets in the book and you have your heart in your throat most of the time but it is power packed. There is so much going in the background with the history of the King, how the magic came to exist and the usurper who now abuses it, but the writing makes this really easy to follow.
This is a book which has heart and soul, lovable characters (and not so lovable) and actually makes you feel smarter once you've finished reading. I devoured it within the space of a few days (just so that I could join a buddy read for the 2nd book which starts today, but I made it!). 75% in there was a little too much repetition for my liking but I'd highly recommend this - a favourite read this year definitely.
A well thought of, clever premise that's beautifully written. I was consumed by this fantasy world, by the story of Elspeth who struggles with a dark magic that resides in her mind, but which also protects her from danger - and Ravyn, who is Captain of the guard which arrests and punishes people just like Elspeth..only Rayvn keeps Elspeth safe because he needs her magic to save his brother. With this fear around magic there are lots of secrets in the book and you have your heart in your throat most of the time but it is power packed. There is so much going in the background with the history of the King, how the magic came to exist and the usurper who now abuses it, but the writing makes this really easy to follow.
This is a book which has heart and soul, lovable characters (and not so lovable) and actually makes you feel smarter once you've finished reading. I devoured it within the space of a few days (just so that I could join a buddy read for the 2nd book which starts today, but I made it!). 75% in there was a little too much repetition for my liking but I'd highly recommend this - a favourite read this year definitely.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Sexual content, Grief, Mental illness, Confinement, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Torture
wellreadandhalfdead's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content
notbambi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I liked a lot about this book - the atmosphere, the creepy nursery rhymes, the relationship between Elspeth and Nightmare, the magic system. It started slow, but after a few chapters, I was hooked. It wasn't quite a five star for me, in part because the plot and worldbuilding lacked depth and the romance didn't come together in a satisfying way for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Child death and Vomit
Minor: Physical abuse, Torture, and Murder
classical_learner's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.5
“Done to death / by sland’rous tongues / was the Hero / that here lies…” ~ Much Ado About Nothing
🥀🃏🎴🐈⬛🗡️🪦💔
Es Cautus, Es Astutus, Es Bonus
Within all these pages, one’s interest never ages; but be careful and shrewd, for within all the rhyme, the yellow gaze pursues, until you blink one last time.
🥀🃏🎴🐈⬛🗡️🪦💔
Es Cautus, Es Astutus, Es Bonus
Within all these pages, one’s interest never ages; but be careful and shrewd, for within all the rhyme, the yellow gaze pursues, until you blink one last time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Torture, Cursing, and Sexual content
artmuseam's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
OHHH my goodness…that ending left me speechless!! holy shit i’m actually surprised at how good this book turned out to be! the beginning was kind of slow for some reason and left me a bit bored at times, but once i got past around page 100 i became deeply invested in this story. this romantasy is a bit interesting in that the main character, elspeth, is almost a villain herself because of the “nightmare” that lives within her, and it was interesting to see this play out throughout the book. i actually really liked her dark side for some reason; it made her kinda badass even though she can’t really help it. the plot itself moved very quickly and i really enjoyed the action and romance. i honestly can’t wait to start the second book because that cliffhanger!! left me appalled!! 4.5/5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Torture
Moderate: Sexual content
jlent41553's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
This book would be good for someone who enjoys series where having magic is a curse rather than a blessing; It would also be good for someone who enjoys series such as: The Serpent and Dove series, The Foxglove King, and The Dark Gods.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Hate crime, and Police brutality
There are some graphic scenes involving torture of secondary characters/citizens and hate crimes among citizens; (the scenes really help the reader understand the dilemma the MC’s face and are not just there for fluff)mzquirk's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Pandemic/Epidemic, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Confinement, Bullying, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual content, and Violence
laura_middlxton's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I loved the pace of this one! I cannot believe it took me so long to finally pick it up (although I am glad in a way as I can start the second right away!).
I read the first 50 pages and wasn’t immediately taken by it so didn’t pick it up again for a few days. However, once I did I literally didn’t put it down and read the rest in one sitting!
It was such a unique story- after so long of reading fantasy you get used to the general themes. This was something as of yet unseen by myself- the magic system was new and the cards and their lore invigorating.
Of course, the tropes of enemies to lovers, found family, uniquely powerful FMC were there and those were predictable enough- but very enjoyed all the same 😂
We love Ravyn and Emory - I hope Ravyn finds his way back to Elspeth soon. I guess I’ll find out this evening when I read the next so …
I read the first 50 pages and wasn’t immediately taken by it so didn’t pick it up again for a few days. However, once I did I literally didn’t put it down and read the rest in one sitting!
It was such a unique story- after so long of reading fantasy you get used to the general themes. This was something as of yet unseen by myself- the magic system was new and the cards and their lore invigorating.
Of course, the tropes of enemies to lovers, found family, uniquely powerful FMC were there and those were predictable enough- but very enjoyed all the same 😂
We love Ravyn and Emory - I hope Ravyn finds his way back to Elspeth soon. I guess I’ll find out this evening when I read the next so …
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Genocide, and Violence
Moderate: Stalking
Minor: Torture