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takarakei's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I did the audiobook + physical combo (listened to the first few chapters solely on audiobook, which is well done!).
- 1st in a duology (book two out August 2023)
- Italian inspired fantasy
- Touch her and you die trope (like actually)
- Bodyguard trope
- FUNNY, witty banter
- Found Family
- If your love language is hugs... this is it!
- Made me want to eat all the lemon things
3/5 🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Sexual content, and Blood
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, and Suicide attempt
megj23's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse and Genocide
wickedgrumpy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Imagine, if you will, Rogue from X-Men but transported into a historical quasi-Italian island setting. That's basically our heroine, but with the addition of a chosen one trope. Her power is to amplify that of someone else but if she touches the wrong person, they die. Her divine goal is to save the world from an apocalyptic event that occurs roughly every 5 years and once the chosen one has saved the island, they lose their powers and another person awakens theirs. Rinse and repeat.
The chosen one chooses a (life) partner to weather the battle with, and with our main character, she has chosen and killed three times while trying to train for the end of the world.
I have some issues with the book, but overall it was very readable and the ending left enough questions and plot for the next installment. Not sure if I would continue, but I'm not immediately opposed.
The chosen one chooses a (life) partner to weather the battle with, and with our main character, she has chosen and killed three times while trying to train for the end of the world.
I have some issues with the book, but overall it was very readable and the ending left enough questions and plot for the next installment. Not sure if I would continue, but I'm not immediately opposed.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Violence, Xenophobia, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Outing, War, Child abuse, Deportation, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Gore, Infertility, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, Blood, Police brutality, Torture, Religious bigotry, Self harm, and Sexual content
jlaz_13's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Classism, Violence, Death, and War
Minor: Sexual content and Suicide
theespressoedition's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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? It's complicated
5.0
For years, I have been someone who doesn't buy a book unless I've read it already, loved it, and know I'll read it again. However, I broke my own rule when I saw this at Barnes & Noble, signed by the author (who happens to be a local). I had already heard fantastic things from people with very similar reading tastes and I just had this inkling I would love it. After skimming the first few chapters in the B&N café, I brought it home... and promptly devoured it.
This book was brilliant.
I've always been a sucker for forbidden love, especially when it happens to be with the bodyguard. There's just something really appealing about that particular trope. Add in the fact that our protagonist literally can't touch the person she's drawn to without the potential of killing them and it gets even more interesting!
The combination of the unique plot plus a subtly steamy romance plus a ton of fantastic action gave me everything I wanted and needed from this fantasy novel. I've found myself slightly disappointed by YA fantasy recently, feeling as though it all reads the same - but this didn't feel that way at all. It was unique and easy to read.
There was also an element of found family that I really adored. The Fontes surprised me a lot as the story went on and by the end, they were some of my favorite characters. I'd love an entire spin-off about Kamaria! Alessa and Dante were precious and I can't wait to see what happens to them next. Things seem a little daunting but also really exciting!
This book was brilliant.
I've always been a sucker for forbidden love, especially when it happens to be with the bodyguard. There's just something really appealing about that particular trope. Add in the fact that our protagonist literally can't touch the person she's drawn to without the potential of killing them and it gets even more interesting!
The combination of the unique plot plus a subtly steamy romance plus a ton of fantastic action gave me everything I wanted and needed from this fantasy novel. I've found myself slightly disappointed by YA fantasy recently, feeling as though it all reads the same - but this didn't feel that way at all. It was unique and easy to read.
There was also an element of found family that I really adored. The Fontes surprised me a lot as the story went on and by the end, they were some of my favorite characters. I'd love an entire spin-off about Kamaria! Alessa and Dante were precious and I can't wait to see what happens to them next. Things seem a little daunting but also really exciting!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Torture, Blood, and War
Moderate: Religious bigotry and Violence
Minor: Sexual content and Suicidal thoughts
luckylulureads's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Violence, Self harm, War, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Grief
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
toffishay's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.25
I found the plot interesting and I love Dante and Alessa, but some of the character relationships were grating, <SPOILER> especially with Alessa's family and relationship with Renata and Tomo. They are given redemption of some sort and to varying degrees by the end, but because so much of the middle of the book is dedicated to Alessa learning to work with the Fontes, the resolution with the family, Renata, and Tomo feel a little undeserved. Some people who actively betrayed Alessa were far too readily forgiven in my opinion. I also am uncomfortable with the implication at the end of the book that those who have been prosecuted by the dominate culture and government would be recruited to be an army on their behalf. And that is the term used, not that they would necessarily be reintegrated into the community or asked for forgiveness, but that they needed them as fodder in the coming fight. It may be addressed tactfully in the inevitable next edition, but I am wary. <END SPOILER> The book is funny though and the relationships develop in interesting ways. The understanding paid to Alessa's isolation and pain is really well done too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Blood, Alcohol, War, Death, Murder, Xenophobia, Violence, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Grief, Genocide, Confinement, and Child death
Moderate: Abandonment
looseleafellie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
In this upper YA fantasy romance, Alessa is blessed with the gift of magnifying a partner’s power to stop an impending apocalypse. Unfortunately, she keeps killing her partners with her touch instead, and after three weddings and three funerals, the people are starting to turn on her. With the help of her secretive new bodyguard, Alessa must get her power under control before the apocalypse arrives … or someone murders her first.
This book grabbed me from the first page and did not let go! Alessa’s predicament took me through a full rollercoaster of emotions that didn’t let up until the end. Just when I thought things were going well, something else terrible would happen, and I was LIVING FOR IT!
Alessa’s romance with her grumpy bodyguard, Dante, was so cute and felt like a rom-com nestled in a fantasy world <3 I personally wish the romance had been dragged out more because I’m a slow-burn fiend from slow-burn hell, but it made sense for the story and characters that their romance would develop relatively fast.
I loved the squad of characters that formed during the story. The themes of connection and community were beautifully woven in. There was also an interesting exploration of religion and myth that I’m excited to see expanded as the story continues!
While the ending was satisfying on its own, there’s a clear setup for a sequel. I, for one, am DYING to see what’s next for Alessa and her friends!
Thanks to Wednesday Books for the ebook ARC!
CWs: Violence, murder attempt, death, grief, blood, ableism, alcohol use, suicide attempt by drowning, religious bigotry, PTSD, dubious consent (quickly dealt with), giant insects, and mentions of child abuse and child death. More details on the author’s website.
This book also contains a non-graphic sex scene. The characters involved are over 18.
This book grabbed me from the first page and did not let go! Alessa’s predicament took me through a full rollercoaster of emotions that didn’t let up until the end. Just when I thought things were going well, something else terrible would happen, and I was LIVING FOR IT!
Alessa’s romance with her grumpy bodyguard, Dante, was so cute and felt like a rom-com nestled in a fantasy world <3 I personally wish the romance had been dragged out more because I’m a slow-burn fiend from slow-burn hell, but it made sense for the story and characters that their romance would develop relatively fast.
I loved the squad of characters that formed during the story. The themes of connection and community were beautifully woven in. There was also an interesting exploration of religion and myth that I’m excited to see expanded as the story continues!
While the ending was satisfying on its own, there’s a clear setup for a sequel. I, for one, am DYING to see what’s next for Alessa and her friends!
Thanks to Wednesday Books for the ebook ARC!
CWs: Violence, murder attempt, death, grief, blood, ableism, alcohol use, suicide attempt by drowning, religious bigotry, PTSD, dubious consent (quickly dealt with), giant insects, and mentions of child abuse and child death. More details on the author’s website.
This book also contains a non-graphic sex scene. The characters involved are over 18.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Ableism, Suicide attempt, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Murder and Sexual content
Minor: Child abuse and Child death
demjin's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-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? It's complicated
3.5
Pre-review 3/Jul/22
This is 3.5 stars, it was gonna be 4 but the ending ruined it for me. I was here for the book and fine with the lackluster worldbuilding when I was enjoying the romance but the ending brought too much plot into the picture that I didn't care enough about. It was like it was trying to be something it didn't need to be.
But I'm always here for grumpy-sexy-deadly bodyguard would do anything for girl when she bats her eyelashes at him trope and I'll stand by that
This is 3.5 stars, it was gonna be 4 but the ending ruined it for me. I was here for the book and fine with the lackluster worldbuilding when I was enjoying the romance but the ending brought too much plot into the picture that I didn't care enough about. It was like it was trying to be something it didn't need to be.
But I'm always here for grumpy-sexy-deadly bodyguard would do anything for girl when she bats her eyelashes at him trope and I'll stand by that
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Death
Minor: Alcohol, Blood, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Violence, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Murder, War, and Suicide attempt
patricktreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
4.5
This book was an amazing story. It was a little slow at first, but it was doing a lot of world building for future books. The premise was complex and I loved not only the romance but the build of friendship in the hero characters.
I would absolutely recommend this book, and I can’t wait to hopefully read more.
I would absolutely recommend this book, and I can’t wait to hopefully read more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Classism, Death, Violence, and Sexual content