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courts_hodge's review
3.5
๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐ ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ค ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฐ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฃ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง๐๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ข๐ฅ๐, ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ฅ๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฃ๐จ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ ๐ ๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ฉ ๐จ๐ '๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ง ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ค', ๐ฐ๐ก๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐ซ๐ ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐๐ก ๐จ๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ญ๐๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ.
This is a combination of an adventure, political, and romance fantasy but I felt that the romance was more of a subplot than the main focus. Drauses is Shaila's 'Master' and trainer for The Men of the Mark. Whilst the training aspect isn't discussed, as there is a time jump, it is assumed that the two form a close bond...
'๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ข๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐๐๐ ๐คโ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ค๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ฆ.'
Shaila's character is our classic female heroine who is strong-willed, independent, and willing to break all stereotypes! She's not afraid to get her hands dirty and do all of the jobs that are seen to be 'just for men'.
This book has the 'forbidden romance' trope and is also an 'age-gap' romance! The dynamic between Drauses and Shaila is much more focused on their teamwork and ability to have common thoughts and interests rather than being all 'lovey-dovey'. I'd say it has low-medium spice but the scenes aren't very long at all.
โ๐ผ๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐ก๐๐๐ข๐ ๐ค๐๐๐๐, ๐ฆ๐๐ข โ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ โ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐ก๐ฆ. ๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐คโ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐ ๐๐ โ๐๐ ๐๐กโ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐ ๐๐ โ๐๐ค ๐๐๐๐ข๐ก๐๐๐ข๐ ๐ โ๐ ๐ก๐๐ข๐๐ฆ ๐๐ .โ
Besides the development of Drauses and Shailas relationship, the main plotline focuses on political issues such as Amii, Drauses' young daughter, and the future Sovereign of the land. As well as this, The Men of the Mark are cracking from within as their leader is not adding up to be who they need...
What let me down a little bit was the lack of world-building/descriptions. In the beginning, there was a lot of history thrown at you and then it fizzled out. I'd love to have grander descriptions of the land/settings. (I've imagined the home of The Men of the Mark to be similar to that of Kaer Morhen from The Witcher).
This book is great if you love a political fantasy! I'm much more of a romance reader - but, just because it wasn't a perfect match for me, doesn't mean that it won't be for you!
The beginning of the book contains trigger warnings so be sure to read those!
Thank you to the author for gifting me an ARC in exchange for an honest review :)
This is a combination of an adventure, political, and romance fantasy but I felt that the romance was more of a subplot than the main focus. Drauses is Shaila's 'Master' and trainer for The Men of the Mark. Whilst the training aspect isn't discussed, as there is a time jump, it is assumed that the two form a close bond...
'๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ข๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐๐๐ ๐คโ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ค๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ฆ.'
Shaila's character is our classic female heroine who is strong-willed, independent, and willing to break all stereotypes! She's not afraid to get her hands dirty and do all of the jobs that are seen to be 'just for men'.
This book has the 'forbidden romance' trope and is also an 'age-gap' romance! The dynamic between Drauses and Shaila is much more focused on their teamwork and ability to have common thoughts and interests rather than being all 'lovey-dovey'. I'd say it has low-medium spice but the scenes aren't very long at all.
โ๐ผ๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐ก๐๐๐ข๐ ๐ค๐๐๐๐, ๐ฆ๐๐ข โ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ โ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐ก๐ฆ. ๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐คโ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐ ๐๐ โ๐๐ ๐๐กโ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐ ๐๐ โ๐๐ค ๐๐๐๐ข๐ก๐๐๐ข๐ ๐ โ๐ ๐ก๐๐ข๐๐ฆ ๐๐ .โ
Besides the development of Drauses and Shailas relationship, the main plotline focuses on political issues such as Amii, Drauses' young daughter, and the future Sovereign of the land. As well as this, The Men of the Mark are cracking from within as their leader is not adding up to be who they need...
What let me down a little bit was the lack of world-building/descriptions. In the beginning, there was a lot of history thrown at you and then it fizzled out. I'd love to have grander descriptions of the land/settings. (I've imagined the home of The Men of the Mark to be similar to that of Kaer Morhen from The Witcher).
This book is great if you love a political fantasy! I'm much more of a romance reader - but, just because it wasn't a perfect match for me, doesn't mean that it won't be for you!
The beginning of the book contains trigger warnings so be sure to read those!
Thank you to the author for gifting me an ARC in exchange for an honest review :)
booklover160's review against another edition
5.0
Huge disclaimer: Yes it took me a year to read but I read maybe 85% of it within one sitting because it is so GOOD. It was definitely a case of 'I don't want the book to end so I won't finish it'.
I saw a TikTok of this book and was like 'oooh yes age gap romance, assassins, badass lady' and downloaded a free sample to my kindle. I LOVED IT. So I bought the paperback.
Quick aside: even though this is self published, the physical quality of the book is just as professional as any trad published book! It's very well laid out and the cover is stunning! Very very nice! And affordable! Highly recommend!
The plot is twisty and turny and while it doesn't hold your hand and walk you through everything, there are resources in the back to help supplement. I loved how the plot was never straightforward. I felt so on edge at every turn! I also enjoy how book 2 is neatly set up while giving our stars of book 1 their HEA.
And speaking of our stars of book 1... I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. I adored how they are so flawed but doing their f*ckin best. I love that they learn and grow and compromise and felt so human. I love love love their romance too. It's so sweet and steamy and the mutual pining is *chefs kiss*. I don't typically read a lot of spice but this has a perfect amount for me. Enough to definitely be spicy but not enough to be considered distracting from the actual story.
As for the writing, I was so impressed. It's incredibly well written. The emotions were done just as much justice as the badass fight scenes. And fight scenes there are aplenty. I found that I could easily follow along with the action and I got lost a few times but in those chaotic messy scenes where even the characters are lost. It was just really well done.
There's only one thing I didn't care for but that's entirely personal preference.
Overall, if you like badass ladies, action assassins, an age gap romance well done, and want to support an indie author; this is the one for you! I already purchased book 2 and hopefully that won't take another year to get through.
I saw a TikTok of this book and was like 'oooh yes age gap romance, assassins, badass lady' and downloaded a free sample to my kindle. I LOVED IT. So I bought the paperback.
Quick aside: even though this is self published, the physical quality of the book is just as professional as any trad published book! It's very well laid out and the cover is stunning! Very very nice! And affordable! Highly recommend!
The plot is twisty and turny and while it doesn't hold your hand and walk you through everything, there are resources in the back to help supplement. I loved how the plot was never straightforward. I felt so on edge at every turn! I also enjoy how book 2 is neatly set up while giving our stars of book 1 their HEA.
And speaking of our stars of book 1... I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. I adored how they are so flawed but doing their f*ckin best. I love that they learn and grow and compromise and felt so human. I love love love their romance too. It's so sweet and steamy and the mutual pining is *chefs kiss*. I don't typically read a lot of spice but this has a perfect amount for me. Enough to definitely be spicy but not enough to be considered distracting from the actual story.
As for the writing, I was so impressed. It's incredibly well written. The emotions were done just as much justice as the badass fight scenes. And fight scenes there are aplenty. I found that I could easily follow along with the action and I got lost a few times but in those chaotic messy scenes where even the characters are lost. It was just really well done.
There's only one thing I didn't care for but that's entirely personal preference.
Spoiler
I'm not a fan of pregnancy tropes as plot motivations and our leading lady gets pregnant at the end and it causes quite a stir.Overall, if you like badass ladies, action assassins, an age gap romance well done, and want to support an indie author; this is the one for you! I already purchased book 2 and hopefully that won't take another year to get through.
wathykite's review
adventurous
slow-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? It's complicated
1.5
jelliclepop's review against another edition
4.0
This was so great ใ
ใ
ใ
.
Loved the Three Musketeers vibes, loved the characters and the way the guild works, loved the romance and the action was SO good I can't-
Now I'll be living in a state of constant dysphoria until Heart of Jesparia comes out in paperback, I'm looking forward to diving more into this world.
My only complaint is that the world building isn't as fleshed out as I'd like it to be, cause I'm a big fan of getting enormous amounts of information (I know that this puts people off but I frikin love exposition when it's incorporated smoothly) and I didn't get enough here. I'm ashamed to admit it but even with the map I thought that the West-East thing meant that the whole continent was split in two by a wall, not just a city..
Loved the Three Musketeers vibes, loved the characters and the way the guild works, loved the romance and the action was SO good I can't-
Now I'll be living in a state of constant dysphoria until Heart of Jesparia comes out in paperback, I'm looking forward to diving more into this world.
My only complaint is that the world building isn't as fleshed out as I'd like it to be, cause I'm a big fan of getting enormous amounts of information (I know that this puts people off but I frikin love exposition when it's incorporated smoothly) and I didn't get enough here. I'm ashamed to admit it but even with the map I thought that the West-East thing meant that the whole continent was split in two by a wall, not just a city..
mt1203's review against another edition
I really liked the book. I'm just not really in the mood to continue but I'm probably gonna read it at a later time
emilies_novels's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
alicia_ann_reads's review
4.0
This is a solid 3.75 stars.
We've got a guild of warriors, political wars, backstabbing, and an age-gap/forbidden romance (more as a subplot)
The book was fast paced, and action packed but It did start to feel a little repetitive in that here we go again sense of an attack.
*Spoiler begins* I was also slightly let down by the revelation of who had turned against them.. the whole time I kept going back and forth with who I thought it might be, and when it was revealed.. it was kind of a lackluster non pivotal character. *Spoiler ends*
All in all though, a great read.
TW: Death, gore, kidnapping, bodily mutilation, 18+
We've got a guild of warriors, political wars, backstabbing, and an age-gap/forbidden romance (more as a subplot)
The book was fast paced, and action packed but It did start to feel a little repetitive in that here we go again sense of an attack.
*Spoiler begins* I was also slightly let down by the revelation of who had turned against them.. the whole time I kept going back and forth with who I thought it might be, and when it was revealed.. it was kind of a lackluster non pivotal character. *Spoiler ends*
All in all though, a great read.
TW: Death, gore, kidnapping, bodily mutilation, 18+
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