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dumplingsz's review against another edition
3.0
I loved the premise, it was definitely interesting. I liked the flow from the start to around three-quarters of the book. I just wasn't into the way it ended. Overall, it was still a good read.
homefornina's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? No
3.0
megancperry's review against another edition
4.0
Read this back in December, and looking back on it, I feel I was a bit generous with my 5 star rating. Though I did thoroughly enjoy this book, the characters and the plot, I did have a bit of an issue with the romance. I don't really feel like rereading this for a proper review, but I felt that the main relationship went from nothing all the way to romantic too fast - I didn't really get the growth of their love and felt it was rushed. Once again, this isn't really a proper review, just me reflecting back on old reads
linyarai's review against another edition
challenging
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
4.0
chrystalo's review against another edition
4.0
Very solid book - would have been a more solid four-star book (I'm leaning more toward 3.5), but I felt like the romance (which was a little forced, in my opinion) took over the REALLY INTERESTING story-line that would have been better served by not focusing on any of those points, and instead on this amazing world building! However, I'm not deterred - I definitely want to know how the story develops, and I look forward to learning more.
courtney_saba's review against another edition
3.0
Okay, okay, okay. Listen, listen, listen. This was great, right, but it also wasn't??
There was a curtain of superficiality, indifference, and apathy thrown over this story. As if I was wearing glasses that prevented me from feeling anything for anybody. I WANTED to feel something. I YEARNED to feel something, especially bc Valek can take me anytime. But this facade kept me from truly loving this. And everything was there: stakes, magic, political intrigue, assassins, poison studies (uh, duh), a strong female heroine, and a scrumptious gray assassin, Valek. There wasn't any EMOTION, tho. Such a pity.
Plus, imagine the most monotone people ever and they're like, "I love you," without any emotion, expression, or angst. That's confusing and awkward, right? And it came out of nowhere with only tiny hints of sexual tension that definitely weren't enough for full-blown infatuation and love (and I say this knowing that the "infatuation and love" protrayed here was like a final quick checklist that Snyder had to incorporate and force bc her publishers or whoever told her to). Snyder should have waited until maybe book 2 or 3 for the declarations of love (yes, I'm a masochist for wanting to wait that long for romance, but sexual tension and chemistry are significant for a genuine relationship, and if done right, which Snyder was doing pretty well, it would make up for the long wait -- anyone heard of Karen Marie Moning and her Fever series and that long-ass wait to see Jericho Barrons beneath the sheets? Come on, now.)
I've heard the 2nd book isn't any good and my fave, Valek, isn't anywhere to be found, so I think I'll place this series on the backburner for now.
Happy reading, Goodreads fiends.
There was a curtain of superficiality, indifference, and apathy thrown over this story. As if I was wearing glasses that prevented me from feeling anything for anybody. I WANTED to feel something. I YEARNED to feel something, especially bc Valek can take me anytime. But this facade kept me from truly loving this. And everything was there: stakes, magic, political intrigue, assassins, poison studies (uh, duh), a strong female heroine, and a scrumptious gray assassin, Valek. There wasn't any EMOTION, tho. Such a pity.
Plus, imagine the most monotone people ever and they're like, "I love you," without any emotion, expression, or angst. That's confusing and awkward, right? And it came out of nowhere with only tiny hints of sexual tension that definitely weren't enough for full-blown infatuation and love (and I say this knowing that the "infatuation and love" protrayed here was like a final quick checklist that Snyder had to incorporate and force bc her publishers or whoever told her to). Snyder should have waited until maybe book 2 or 3 for the declarations of love (yes, I'm a masochist for wanting to wait that long for romance, but sexual tension and chemistry are significant for a genuine relationship, and if done right, which Snyder was doing pretty well, it would make up for the long wait -- anyone heard of Karen Marie Moning and her Fever series and that long-ass wait to see Jericho Barrons beneath the sheets? Come on, now.)
I've heard the 2nd book isn't any good and my fave, Valek, isn't anywhere to be found, so I think I'll place this series on the backburner for now.
Happy reading, Goodreads fiends.
applegnreads's review against another edition
4.0
I very much enjoyed this one. This author is good. Can't wait to read more by her.
gemmamari's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-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
4.0
brendalovesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this one a lot. The writing is pretty simple and straightforward, but I liked the story and will continue on with the series.