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4.4 AVERAGE
4.4 AVERAGE
slow-paced
adventurous
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
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 to the publisher for the gifted copy.
I enjoyed this book as it held my interest from the very first chapter. In this world where the division of class is strictly upheld, we meet Nina who has a very fortunate opportunity to elevate from oppression. After her mother leaves and she's stuck in a miner's town with her dad, she is determined to carve a different future for herself.
The first half of the story lays the foundation and the last half ups the stakes as most of the action happens here. We have a slow-burn romance amid deception and the fight for freedom, as well as some unrequited love. There is a very cool scene with the use of magical abilities andni wish there was more of that throughout the story. The reveals at the end were awesome and had me hooked. I loved when a fantasy book sticks a big landing at the end, so I can't wait to see where the story goes from here.
I enjoyed this book as it held my interest from the very first chapter. In this world where the division of class is strictly upheld, we meet Nina who has a very fortunate opportunity to elevate from oppression. After her mother leaves and she's stuck in a miner's town with her dad, she is determined to carve a different future for herself.
The first half of the story lays the foundation and the last half ups the stakes as most of the action happens here. We have a slow-burn romance amid deception and the fight for freedom, as well as some unrequited love. There is a very cool scene with the use of magical abilities andni wish there was more of that throughout the story. The reveals at the end were awesome and had me hooked. I loved when a fantasy book sticks a big landing at the end, so I can't wait to see where the story goes from here.
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm so torn on this one. There's so much to love about it, it feels very unique, the world building, the magic system and the characters are so incredibly well done it's easy to immerse yourself in it.
And yet, I never really felt much while I was reading it. It's an intriguing plot and is anything but predictable but it felt slow to me. Similarly while the characters were well done I didn't feel any real connection to them and I didn't feel the spark in the relationships between them.
Overall therefore it's a good book it just wasn't a great book for me. Given the ending though I will read the next one.
And yet, I never really felt much while I was reading it. It's an intriguing plot and is anything but predictable but it felt slow to me. Similarly while the characters were well done I didn't feel any real connection to them and I didn't feel the spark in the relationships between them.
Overall therefore it's a good book it just wasn't a great book for me. Given the ending though I will read the next one.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
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:
No
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
I was SO impressed by this book. The writing, the world-building, the slow unfurling of tension—it all came together in a way that felt both masterfully crafted and emotionally honest.
—
🙌 What I Loved
The writing is some of the best I’ve read in ages. Taut, confident, and deliberate, it builds suspense with a quiet intensity that has you holding your breath without even realising it. The dialogue is razor-sharp and layered with subtext, while the world feels grounded and textured, like you could reach out and touch it. Every detail felt considered, yet never overworked.
The characters are beautifully complex—flawed, earnest, and deeply human. The relationship at the centre of it all? Utterly captivating. There’s chemistry and tension, yes, but also SO much tenderness. It’s the kind of connection that simmers slowly—one built on mutual recognition, on vulnerability, on feeling seen. And while there is spice, it’s sparing and understated, which was refreshing—sometimes, romantasy spice can feel overdone, but in this case, it felt real. Probably because the intimacy didn’t rely on heat alone; it’s there in the glances, the restraint, the unspoken things. Both MCs have definitely earned a place on my favourite characters list.
The plot was also interesting and had me guessing. There are reveals in here that arrive so subtly you might miss them if you’re not paying attention—but I loved that. It felt like being let in on a secret rather than being hit over the head with a twist.
The writing is some of the best I’ve read in ages. Taut, confident, and deliberate, it builds suspense with a quiet intensity that has you holding your breath without even realising it. The dialogue is razor-sharp and layered with subtext, while the world feels grounded and textured, like you could reach out and touch it. Every detail felt considered, yet never overworked.
The characters are beautifully complex—flawed, earnest, and deeply human. The relationship at the centre of it all? Utterly captivating. There’s chemistry and tension, yes, but also SO much tenderness. It’s the kind of connection that simmers slowly—one built on mutual recognition, on vulnerability, on feeling seen. And while there is spice, it’s sparing and understated, which was refreshing—sometimes, romantasy spice can feel overdone, but in this case, it felt real. Probably because the intimacy didn’t rely on heat alone; it’s there in the glances, the restraint, the unspoken things. Both MCs have definitely earned a place on my favourite characters list.
The plot was also interesting and had me guessing. There are reveals in here that arrive so subtly you might miss them if you’re not paying attention—but I loved that. It felt like being let in on a secret rather than being hit over the head with a twist.
❌ What Didn’t Hit
Honestly, I wouldn’t change anything. Well, maybe a different ending because this one was torture. 😭
👀 Do I Recommend It?
Absolutely. Especially if you’re into fantasy romances that lean into emotional depth, slow-burning tension, and atmospheric storytelling. This isn’t just another romantasy—it’s one that stands apart. Thoughtful, original, and completely absorbing. I’m still thinking about it.
Honestly, I wouldn’t change anything. Well, maybe a different ending because this one was torture. 😭
👀 Do I Recommend It?
Absolutely. Especially if you’re into fantasy romances that lean into emotional depth, slow-burning tension, and atmospheric storytelling. This isn’t just another romantasy—it’s one that stands apart. Thoughtful, original, and completely absorbing. I’m still thinking about it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Violence, Murder
First off—whoever decided to switch from first to third person? Let’s not do that anymore, k? Thanks.
The start had me swooning—lush world building, magic that crackled off the page, a revolution brewing in the shadows. Patrick? Obviously written to be the golden boy, and he freaking delivered.
But the FMC… oh, the FMC. From the very first chapter, I had a feeling.. I never trusted her. Couldn’t like her. And those wildly unrealistic feelings toward her parents? Not tragic, not complex—just felt like a convenient “plot reason” stapled in. (Read it and you’ll see.)
It had all the ingredients for greatness, but with zero growth and zero real personality from the FMC, the whole thing just… deflated. This book is the purest example of “play stupid games, win stupid prizes.” And sadly? She played.
Send a raven to the author—give the magic and Patrick the spotlight they deserve in book 2 and I’ll read it.