Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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:
Yes
Rating: 3.5
It was okay I like the aspects but the relationship between the two MCs was weird and it was pretty flat when they had conversations.
It was okay I like the aspects but the relationship between the two MCs was weird and it was pretty flat when they had conversations.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Holy wars. Lovers-to-Enemies-to-Lovers. A rebellion ready to strike back at the magically favored rulers by society. This book packs in a lot in only 384 pages, and it shows in the fast pacing.
The views on religion were very one-sided. There was a character of faith (Damian) clashing with a character of non-faith (Roz), and it seemed as though the faith character basically gave up religion because the girl he liked told him it was stupid. It would have been nice to have more of a struggle and a deeper discussion on how faith provides meaning to someone like Damian. In fact, Damian kind of changed everything about himself for Roz, and it really wasn't a struggle for him. Sometimes it took him a while to accept a truth, but he never questioned it once it came to light. Damian and Roz are also so *over dramatically* love-hate-love towards each other. One sentence would be about rage, then they'd shift to how hot the other person was and how they wanted to touch/kiss/jump them, then it was immediately back to anger. It got to be tiresome as it went on too long.
With that being said, I enjoyed the murder mystery. I felt it was a complex aspect with many threads. I also thought the saints with their saint-specific magic was a good aspect--this wasn't explored too much though as the only character we followed with magic was Roz. The rebellion was also a good subplot. It gave Roz a little heart in the midst of all her rage (so much rage).
Overall, I found the world and magic intriguing. I wasn't a fan of the main characters' constantly contrasting emotions and the one-sided argument about religion. Would I read book 2? We'll see when it comes out. I think there's lots of potential, and I liked how it resolved things. 3.5 stars.
I received an ARC paperback of this book. This has not influenced my review in any way. Thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.
The views on religion were very one-sided. There was a character of faith (Damian) clashing with a character of non-faith (Roz), and it seemed as though the faith character basically gave up religion because the girl he liked told him it was stupid. It would have been nice to have more of a struggle and a deeper discussion on how faith provides meaning to someone like Damian. In fact, Damian kind of changed everything about himself for Roz, and it really wasn't a struggle for him. Sometimes it took him a while to accept a truth, but he never questioned it once it came to light. Damian and Roz are also so *over dramatically* love-hate-love towards each other. One sentence would be about rage, then they'd shift to how hot the other person was and how they wanted to touch/kiss/jump them, then it was immediately back to anger. It got to be tiresome as it went on too long.
With that being said, I enjoyed the murder mystery. I felt it was a complex aspect with many threads. I also thought the saints with their saint-specific magic was a good aspect--this wasn't explored too much though as the only character we followed with magic was Roz. The rebellion was also a good subplot. It gave Roz a little heart in the midst of all her rage (so much rage).
Overall, I found the world and magic intriguing. I wasn't a fan of the main characters' constantly contrasting emotions and the one-sided argument about religion. Would I read book 2? We'll see when it comes out. I think there's lots of potential, and I liked how it resolved things. 3.5 stars.
I received an ARC paperback of this book. This has not influenced my review in any way. Thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.
Well, that was kind of boring. Didn't connect with the characters or the plot at all.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Thank you to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
I am not sure how to feel about this one. I was very intrigued when reading the synopsis and seeing it was a dark academia fantasy murder mystery book. My expectations were instantly high.
It did take me a while to really get into this book. I flew through the book, but it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. The characters, Roz and Damian were well-written characters, but I didn’t really connect with them in any way. Since this is a series I hope I’m able to connect more to them in the upcoming book.
I am not sure how to feel about this one. I was very intrigued when reading the synopsis and seeing it was a dark academia fantasy murder mystery book. My expectations were instantly high.
It did take me a while to really get into this book. I flew through the book, but it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. The characters, Roz and Damian were well-written characters, but I didn’t really connect with them in any way. Since this is a series I hope I’m able to connect more to them in the upcoming book.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was interesting. I really liked the worldbuilding and the idea of Saints and such. I really enjoyed the two POV's as well, and their interactions and history together. The mystery was also pretty cool even though I felt like this book focused more on the characters than the actual mystery. Rasol (I think?) Drove me up the wall at times, but Damien just felt like a giant cinnamon roll.