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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A cute comfort read. Can't say no to magic and romance!
I always finish books and I didn’t even bother with this one. The writing was so choppy and awkward. And even beyond that the author just set up a story set around what’s essentially r*pe since they just talk about how they’re only there for his pleasure and whatever. The “romance” was weird and forced. I’m bummed because the concept was great but it centered too much around something that seems a lot like just plain abuse for me to want to keep reading.
Here's my hangup with the premise: a king can marry up to 100 times, also has a bunch of courtesans, and every time he picks a new wife, any woman in his harem who wants to improve her ranking can duel another to the death.
Okay but most of these women are super bloodthirsty and conniving so how are there any of them left after 100 (sorry, 99) marriages? Also, I don't understand why all these women are trained warriors. In a culture where the primary virtue of a woman is to be obedient, why would men be like "yeah, actually, what we think we should do is make sure every woman, even if she's an orphan plucked from the streets, gets well-trained in the art of combat?" The women's skills aren't being used for anything except for exhibitionist entertainment, and only the king's women at that. They're not even bodyguards to the king? They certainly aren't fighting in wars. So why would you...train half the population you are currently subjugating on how to kick your butt?
But if you get past that (which I did), this was fun typical YA "oh there's a hot broody boy," "oh the protag has powers," "oh the protag has the MOST SPECIALEST powers" vibes. My primary annoyance was Kalinda going on, and on, and on, about how she was soooo plain in comparison to the other women because she's thin.
-.- -.- -.- -.-
Girl, please.
Okay but most of these women are super bloodthirsty and conniving so how are there any of them left after 100 (sorry, 99) marriages? Also, I don't understand why all these women are trained warriors. In a culture where the primary virtue of a woman is to be obedient, why would men be like "yeah, actually, what we think we should do is make sure every woman, even if she's an orphan plucked from the streets, gets well-trained in the art of combat?" The women's skills aren't being used for anything except for exhibitionist entertainment, and only the king's women at that. They're not even bodyguards to the king? They certainly aren't fighting in wars. So why would you...train half the population you are currently subjugating on how to kick your butt?
But if you get past that (which I did), this was fun typical YA "oh there's a hot broody boy," "oh the protag has powers," "oh the protag has the MOST SPECIALEST powers" vibes. My primary annoyance was Kalinda going on, and on, and on, about how she was soooo plain in comparison to the other women because she's thin.
-.- -.- -.- -.-
Girl, please.
Miałam nadzieję na przełamanie mojej złej passy książkowej ale się przeliczyłam. Książka wciąga i to bardzo mocno, czytasz i nawet nie zauważasz kiedy przewrocilas 100 stron. Problemy zaczynają się kiedy ja odłożysz i o niej pomyślisz. Świat wykreowany naprawdę na plus, ciekawy, jeszcze się z takim nie spotkałam, bohaterowie mimo instant love też okej, ale rozwiązania fabularne, ała. Wszystkiego idzie się domyślić i wszystkie najważniejsze rzeczy rozgrywają się w długości akapitu. Wskazówki rzucane przez autorkę są tak delikatne jak słoń w składzie porcelany. Postać radży wykreowana tylko do nienawiści i niczego więcej. Bohaterowie biało czarni. Niewykorzystany potencjał. Jako czysta rozrywka okej, ale są dużo lepsze pozycje do spędzenia z nimi wolnego czasu. A te rodzinne spotkanko na samym końcu było po prostu słodko pierdzące. Gdyby Deven zginął tak jak miał, wprowadziłoby to dużo więcej do fabuły i zneutralizowało plot armor głównej bohaterki.
Hmmmm.... I really wanted to love this one. It had the potential but it just fell flat.
Amazing! I love Kali and how she is determined to protect her friend from being claimed. I love that she endures the challenges despite everyone's attempts to murder her or harm her. I love that she falls in love with the Captain even though it is forbidden. I love that she wins the tournament and gets the first wife off her back. I love that she kills the man she is forced to marry in order to protect the people. I hate that her friend is killed but I'm glad she had a friend who was willing to die for her. I loved this book and can't wait to continue the series.
Amazing
This book absolutely captured my attention and blew my mind. I loved it and can't wait until September for the sequel.
This book absolutely captured my attention and blew my mind. I loved it and can't wait until September for the sequel.
2.5 ⭐-
I really wanted to love this book (a fantasy world inspired by South Asian culture?!?!). Ultimately, I feel this was a "meh" book. I think if you're in the mood for a trashy, instalove fantasy story, pick this one up. The character development was spotty, the world-building passable, aspects that were South Asian inspired just felt cringey and the plot feels hollow/artificial at times. The magic system was kind of intriguing and wish there had been more page space dedicated to exploring/mastering Kali's powers but I guess that's what the sequel is for?
However, that being said, if you kind of accept the flaws and tropes, like I said, it reads like a trashy guilty-pleasure 🤷🏾♀️
I really wanted to love this book (a fantasy world inspired by South Asian culture?!?!). Ultimately, I feel this was a "meh" book. I think if you're in the mood for a trashy, instalove fantasy story, pick this one up. The character development was spotty, the world-building passable, aspects that were South Asian inspired just felt cringey and the plot feels hollow/artificial at times. The magic system was kind of intriguing and wish there had been more page space dedicated to exploring/mastering Kali's powers but I guess that's what the sequel is for?
However, that being said, if you kind of accept the flaws and tropes, like I said, it reads like a trashy guilty-pleasure 🤷🏾♀️
This is the second time I have read this, and I stand by my first review. I really quite enjoyed this. A few too many mushy, love-sick passages, but great characters and a good story. I'm looking forward to the next book!
No words. This was excellent! The magic are beautiful writing you get when reading The Wrath and the Dawn, the gifted writing you get while reading A Star Touched Queen, and the adventurous strong woman you get when reading Throne of Glass. This was an excellent read and I recommend it to anyone who loves Fantasy and Adventure.