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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow, I don’t typically like mafia romances but adding dragons? I’m sat. In full transparency, I don’t read many mafia romances but from what I’ve heard they can get a bit darker than I believe this book did, which was great for me but don’t go into it expecting the mafia family to be super dark and twisted.
I really liked the premise of the book and the pacing. Brynla was a very interesting character, from her Lavender hair, her loyal dog Lemi and her general bad ass self. Andor is just an absolute lover boy, so it was wonderful seeing them find what they need in each other that was very pleasing to me.
This honestly had everything I needed for me to love it, and I felt like it went really quick. The end wrapped everything up nice enough that I’m not hanging on the absolute end of the cliff, but I have enough that I’m peering over the cliff, wondering what’s going to happen next. I really appreciated that and I liked how she set it up to follow the rest of Andor’s siblings and their love lives, while continuing the plot that was set up in Realm of Thieves. I’m looking forward to reading the second book!
In this book you will find:
🔪Enemies to Lovers
🐉Mafia Romance with Dragons
✨Heist
❤️🔥He Kidnaps Her
🐺Animal Companion
☠️Death of Love Ones
🪄Magic Powers
💔Depictions of Grief
🌶️Spicy Smut
I received an ARC from the publisher early, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I really liked the premise of the book and the pacing. Brynla was a very interesting character, from her Lavender hair, her loyal dog Lemi and her general bad ass self. Andor is just an absolute lover boy, so it was wonderful seeing them find what they need in each other that was very pleasing to me.
This honestly had everything I needed for me to love it, and I felt like it went really quick. The end wrapped everything up nice enough that I’m not hanging on the absolute end of the cliff, but I have enough that I’m peering over the cliff, wondering what’s going to happen next. I really appreciated that and I liked how she set it up to follow the rest of Andor’s siblings and their love lives, while continuing the plot that was set up in Realm of Thieves. I’m looking forward to reading the second book!
In this book you will find:
🔪Enemies to Lovers
🐉Mafia Romance with Dragons
✨Heist
❤️🔥He Kidnaps Her
🐺Animal Companion
☠️Death of Love Ones
🪄Magic Powers
💔Depictions of Grief
🌶️Spicy Smut
I received an ARC from the publisher early, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was just okay. I loved the beginning and thought that it was an incredibly interesting premise, but then the pacing in the middle really slowed down and I became less interested. I mostly liked our main characters, but with Andor - the mmc - keeping so many secrets from others it made it difficult to understand what goals anyone had or what the actual point of the story was. Some of the sub-plots seemed unnecessary and the evolution of Andor and Brynla's relationship was a little clunky.
It wasn't a bad read, but just ended up being very meh overall. Thank you to Ace Publishing for the eARC - all opinions are my own!
It wasn't a bad read, but just ended up being very meh overall. Thank you to Ace Publishing for the eARC - all opinions are my own!
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:
Complicated
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Ace for this ARC Copy!
I have been reading the horror romance books by this author for a while and I have absolutely adored every single one of them. This was my first time to read one of their romantasy's, because it has dragons and I am so glad that I picked it up. It did take me a little bit of time to really get fully invested in the story, but I think that was more a me thing and not the story. Somewhere around the 1/3 mark I started getting more and more invested and next think I know I'm almost finished and plotting out who I think will be the next couple for the next book in the series, and where things can possible be going next. Needless to say, I am hooked and cannot wait for the next one..
Also, there is a magical dog... That should be enough for you to pick up this book because he is the bestest of all the boys.
I have been reading the horror romance books by this author for a while and I have absolutely adored every single one of them. This was my first time to read one of their romantasy's, because it has dragons and I am so glad that I picked it up. It did take me a little bit of time to really get fully invested in the story, but I think that was more a me thing and not the story. Somewhere around the 1/3 mark I started getting more and more invested and next think I know I'm almost finished and plotting out who I think will be the next couple for the next book in the series, and where things can possible be going next. Needless to say, I am hooked and cannot wait for the next one..
Also, there is a magical dog... That should be enough for you to pick up this book because he is the bestest of all the boys.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Wow, what do I even say except this book was incredible. The worldbuilding is rich and immersive, and every character feels thoughtfully crafted. The romance was beautifully paced and emotionally satisfying. As someone who adores books with dragons, I came in with high hopes, but this story still exceeded my expectations. I’ve read several of Karina’s other books, and I genuinely think this might be her best yet.
Brynla is strong and smart and unapologetically herself and I love that in a main character, especially one who is a woman. Andor is kind and compassionate and swoon worthy. I love that he doesn't let his father order him around and he stands his ground with regards to Brynla despite his father's wishes otherwise. Lemi, the furry companion, stole my heart. He’s not just a sidekick—he’s a vital part of the story, and I’m so glad the author chose to add him.
The epilogue was the cherry on top and leaves us with an exciting tease for what’s to come. It looks like we might be getting an enemies-to-lovers arc in the next installment, and I am absolutely here for it!
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Ace for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Brynla is strong and smart and unapologetically herself and I love that in a main character, especially one who is a woman. Andor is kind and compassionate and swoon worthy. I love that he doesn't let his father order him around and he stands his ground with regards to Brynla despite his father's wishes otherwise. Lemi, the furry companion, stole my heart. He’s not just a sidekick—he’s a vital part of the story, and I’m so glad the author chose to add him.
The epilogue was the cherry on top and leaves us with an exciting tease for what’s to come. It looks like we might be getting an enemies-to-lovers arc in the next installment, and I am absolutely here for it!
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Ace for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A mafia-esque romantasy with dragons and rival thieves was such a unique and interesting plot I was not expecting. There's so much to this story and all the intricate character dynamics. Dragon eggs being used as currency and also the source of magic was pretty unique to the romantasy genre. The rivals to lovers trope was fun and entertaining. I really loved Lemi, the loyal dog sidekick to our FMC.
Overall, this was an exciting start to this new series, and I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes from here.
Overall, this was an exciting start to this new series, and I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes from here.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
First of all I am AMAZED by Karina Halle’s ability to write any genre. And she writes them consecutively, her brain must be a fascinating place.
I really liked the world building and the premise of this book. Rival cartels from different realms are all contracting thieves and smuggling Suen (nutrients from dragon eggs that give the consumer magical powers). The politics and class dynamics were done so well.
I personally was not a fan of the romance. Just my preference, but I wanted the burn to be a bit slower. There wasn’t enough tension/hatred between the kidnapper and the kidnapped before the enemies became lovers.
I’m so thankful to have received an arc of this book, and I’m excited to see what Karina Halle tackles next.
I really liked the world building and the premise of this book. Rival cartels from different realms are all contracting thieves and smuggling Suen (nutrients from dragon eggs that give the consumer magical powers). The politics and class dynamics were done so well.
I personally was not a fan of the romance. Just my preference, but I wanted the burn to be a bit slower. There wasn’t enough tension/hatred between the kidnapper and the kidnapped before the enemies became lovers.
I’m so thankful to have received an arc of this book, and I’m excited to see what Karina Halle tackles next.
I really enjoyed the world Karina created for this book. It's a unique take on a world filled with dragons and had a decent amount of action to keep you on the edge of your seat. The only thing that made me lower my star by one is that I felt the enemies went to lovers a bit too quickly. I would've loved for it to be a bit more drawn out. Like one minute she's devastated by something that happens, then they next they are banging. I was like wait what? The timing just felt a bit off there. What I loved most about this book is that the series will all be interconnected standalones, so we got that closure on the two main characters without it being drawn out with like 5 books. THANK YOU for doing this. I definitely want to know what happens next in this world but there are so many interesting characters that I'd love to know more of their backstories.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
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
I'll be totally honest, when I first opened this book and looked at the map and glossary, I wasn't sure that I was going to like this. The country in the north is called Nordland, the one in the south is Sorland, east is Esland and you guessed it - west is Vesland. And the island in the middle is the Midlands! I was worried that the fantasy aspects would be secondary to everything else just based off of that, but I'm happy to say that other than the naming of things, the fantasy elements were definitely there. They weren't maybe as strong as I typically go for, but I did still enjoy those elements! I liked that the dragons were more like wild animals than characters themselves, and the author mentioned in the acknowledgements that she took inspiration from Jurassic Park on how to handle the dragons - which I definitely picked up on! I did really love Brynla and Andor as characters - Brynla was super headstrong and determined, and Andor was a lot softer and more understanding than I thought he would be, knowing he comes from what is essentially a mafia family.
The pacing in the middle did slow down a bit, but I'm a sucker for a heist story so once that came into play I was all here for it! And I can't not mention Lemi, the teleporting dog! He definitely a highlight of the book - and don't worry - THE DOG DOESN'T DIE.
I believe this is a series of interconnected standalones, so Brynla and Andor's story does wrap up in this book but I have a feeling they'll definitely make an appearance in future books.
Overall, it was fun and I enjoyed reading this, and I'll definitely read the next one!
The pacing in the middle did slow down a bit, but I'm a sucker for a heist story so once that came into play I was all here for it! And I can't not mention Lemi, the teleporting dog! He definitely a highlight of the book - and don't worry - THE DOG DOESN'T DIE.
I believe this is a series of interconnected standalones, so Brynla and Andor's story does wrap up in this book but I have a feeling they'll definitely make an appearance in future books.
Overall, it was fun and I enjoyed reading this, and I'll definitely read the next one!
This was unbelievably good. Fast paced, solid plot, full of action and a love story that made me feel gooey inside.
I loved it.
There’s an illegal egg trade where only the brave or desperate go into a ward where dragons are trapped and try to steal eggs.
Why? These eggs have what’s called suen that can manifest and change your body and various magical ways. You can gain power and magic. There’s even rumors that a certain dragons eggs can give you immortality.
Different houses are all vying for this egg.
For if the wards ever come crashing down and the dragons are released, only immortality will save them.
Brynla has escaped a really tragic past and rough life. She lives underground with her aunt and goes egg hunting with her magical dog who is freaking awesome. On a certain quest, she runs into another egg hunter.. who was actually on the hunt for her. And kidnapped her.
Andor Kolbeck is from a rival house. And honestly, you can’t help but love him. He gives off alpha teddy bear vibes. He needs her. Desperately. She’s one of the best hunters and he needs the best hunter.
🗡️ He Falls First
🥚 Rivals to Lovers
🐉 Dragons and Magic
🗡️ Only One Cave
🥚 I’ll destroy the World for you
🐉 Plot Twist
🗡️ Found Family
🥚 Spice!
We can thank Karina Halle for not giving us an intense cliffhanger. It sounds like the next book may be about another character. With the continuing plot. I am not sure, but whatever it is I am already so ready to read it!