Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
DNF
Strangely enough, this book started off pretty decent, at least with the first chapter. Unfortunately, it went downhill from there. I wanted to like this. It sounded right up my alley in terms of fantasy. On top of that, I love finding and supporting new or indie authors. But this...sorry, it's just bad. It needed editors and beta readers big time.
× The MC is beaten so badly by her father that she needs help from two servants to walk out and get medical aid. Yet not even 24 hours later, she's pretty much fine, jumping on horses, climbing walls, and launching herself on a self proclaimed mission to save people. That's not how injuries work, dear. Please do some research next time.
× The MC is dumb. Why would you reveal your identity to anyone when what you're doing could get you (and anyone else involved) killed for treason?? Someone could easily turn her in to her father if they believed they could get a handsome reward for it. I guess her "special snowflake" syndrome keeps her safe.
× The MC is automatically everyone's hero/savior, even though she can't lift a finger to fight back against her father or defend herself. I might understand if she were afraid of him, but seeing as she has no problems committing treason, revealing her identity, and talking trash about him behind his back where anyone can overhear, I doubt very much she's afraid of him. On top of that, the majority of people seem to hate the guy.
× So the synopsis of the book says she runs away to seek out help to save her people. Why does she need help? She's running around freeing slaves herself, fighting guards single handedly. There are rebellions already forming and fighting back. There's so many who hate the king already, she could easily band together an army of people who would stand with her to fight the king. She didn't need to go anywhere and get "help", lol.
× Did we seriously use the "kill your gays" trope? Really?? To add, I absolutely hate how we can't have a normal friendship between a man and a woman without making one of them gay.
× Ridiculous and choppy writing. Here's an example:
"No one has seen or heard from any of the slaves. They have completely disappeared!"
Really? They didn't send you, their captor and executioner, a letter on where they were going? Huh. How strange /eye roll.
On top of this, the writing seems to slowly get worse as the book goes on. I was finding myself confused one too many times. Almost like the author was trying to hurry up to the parts she did want to write (which I'm guessing I never got to, since I never saw the love interest).
Pros:
- Cover is beautiful
- Well, I can at least say we got to spend a decent amount of time with a character before they were killed off. So kudos for that.
Strangely enough, this book started off pretty decent, at least with the first chapter. Unfortunately, it went downhill from there. I wanted to like this. It sounded right up my alley in terms of fantasy. On top of that, I love finding and supporting new or indie authors. But this...sorry, it's just bad. It needed editors and beta readers big time.
× The MC is beaten so badly by her father that she needs help from two servants to walk out and get medical aid. Yet not even 24 hours later, she's pretty much fine, jumping on horses, climbing walls, and launching herself on a self proclaimed mission to save people. That's not how injuries work, dear. Please do some research next time.
× The MC is dumb. Why would you reveal your identity to anyone when what you're doing could get you (and anyone else involved) killed for treason?? Someone could easily turn her in to her father if they believed they could get a handsome reward for it. I guess her "special snowflake" syndrome keeps her safe.
× The MC is automatically everyone's hero/savior, even though she can't lift a finger to fight back against her father or defend herself. I might understand if she were afraid of him, but seeing as she has no problems committing treason, revealing her identity, and talking trash about him behind his back where anyone can overhear, I doubt very much she's afraid of him. On top of that, the majority of people seem to hate the guy.
× So the synopsis of the book says she runs away to seek out help to save her people. Why does she need help? She's running around freeing slaves herself, fighting guards single handedly. There are rebellions already forming and fighting back. There's so many who hate the king already, she could easily band together an army of people who would stand with her to fight the king. She didn't need to go anywhere and get "help", lol.
× Did we seriously use the "kill your gays" trope? Really?? To add, I absolutely hate how we can't have a normal friendship between a man and a woman without making one of them gay.
× Ridiculous and choppy writing. Here's an example:
"No one has seen or heard from any of the slaves. They have completely disappeared!"
Really? They didn't send you, their captor and executioner, a letter on where they were going? Huh. How strange /eye roll.
On top of this, the writing seems to slowly get worse as the book goes on. I was finding myself confused one too many times. Almost like the author was trying to hurry up to the parts she did want to write (which I'm guessing I never got to, since I never saw the love interest).
Pros:
- Cover is beautiful
- Well, I can at least say we got to spend a decent amount of time with a character before they were killed off. So kudos for that.
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
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:
No
If you have an ACOTAR scratch to itch, then this might do it. It's not as good but it has the same vibes. I enjoyed it but found it a little slow or forced at times.
adventurous
hopeful
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
I really wanted to be into this. I have no idea what the plot is bc I DNFd at 10% solely bc of the writing. I do know is a debut but it felt too clunky even knowing it was a debut, it gives weird reasons for things to happen, and we go from a very eventful chapter to one where nothing happens at all. Is like driving through only speed bumps and I just couldn’t do it. I may revisit it some other time to give it a chance but I can’t do it right now
The writing and dialogue is juvenile and lack luster. It’s painful to read. I wanted to try and make it to at least a hundred pages, but I can’t. It’s so choppy and I hate the writing.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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:
Complicated