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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think my expectations were too high.
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I had to read this book twice and then I read and read again some of the most important chapters, one above all . At the first reading, I could not understand why it was considered the [a:Grace Draven|2759153|Grace Draven|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1318912237p2/2759153.jpg] masterpiece, having preferred other books such as [b:Radiance|24473763|Radiance (Wraith Kings, #1)|Grace Draven|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1422721500l/24473763._SX50_.jpg|40780371] (that is still one of my fav).
Then it hit me and I am totally in love with Silhara and Martise and I love this book for his being so unconventional. OK, there are some topos, like Silhara being a very powerful and outcast wizard, despised by the "official power", Martise being an uncovered power that only Silhara will be able to unlock, etc.
But I still enjoy some aspects that are unconventional: two humble main carachters act as heroes (and this is pretty a topos) but, contrary to many books, they keep their life mostly as it was before (with some nice exceptions, but I will not spoiler more!)
The villain is not paying for his deeds and, while he looses what he considers a valuable assets, he is not even aware of the real reason why he is loosing Martise.
There is no sense of revenge, no epic endings despite epic deeds and epic battles.
This is quite a trait of Grace Draven style and I appreciate it: common people facing uncommon and huge challenges and discovering a heroic strenght, to then go back to a normal life as if they have not saved the world!!
Spoiler
when Silhara summons the storm for his crops and the final battle against CorruptionThen it hit me and I am totally in love with Silhara and Martise and I love this book for his being so unconventional. OK, there are some topos, like Silhara being a very powerful and outcast wizard, despised by the "official power", Martise being an uncovered power that only Silhara will be able to unlock, etc.
But I still enjoy some aspects that are unconventional: two humble main carachters act as heroes (and this is pretty a topos) but, contrary to many books, they keep their life mostly as it was before (with some nice exceptions, but I will not spoiler more!)
Spoiler
Silhara is an outcast and there is no redemption in the book, not in the traditional way of him becoming reknown and appreciated and getting back to those who has been mean with him, he simply does not need it, but lives his live conscious of who he is. Martise is not glorified, is not like she is becoming an heroine, she is still the "plain Martise", while the readers well know what she has done. They are not becoming king and queens or gods or whatever and this reminds me a lot of Harry Potter ending and I love it!The villain is not paying for his deeds and, while he looses what he considers a valuable assets, he is not even aware of the real reason why he is loosing Martise.
There is no sense of revenge, no epic endings despite epic deeds and epic battles.
This is quite a trait of Grace Draven style and I appreciate it: common people facing uncommon and huge challenges and discovering a heroic strenght, to then go back to a normal life as if they have not saved the world!!
DNF 70%
There is nothing wrong with this book, in fact, it has several strong points.
However, it is mostly a paranormal romance, with quite a lot of graphic sex scenes. It doesn't bother me, per say, but I was expecting more of a fantasy mystery with a more complex plot. This explains my 2-star rating.
There is nothing wrong with this book, in fact, it has several strong points.
However, it is mostly a paranormal romance, with quite a lot of graphic sex scenes. It doesn't bother me, per say, but I was expecting more of a fantasy mystery with a more complex plot. This explains my 2-star rating.
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
I was really looking forward to this one but unfortunately, it fell flat. I never felt connected to the main characters. I hated how Silhara's inner monologue kept talking about how ugly and plain Martise is and the reveal of her magic was also disappointing. I am curious about what her voice sounds like 😂 The world was interesting and I liked the writing so I will probably try another book by this author but will not continue this series.
dark
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:
No
Let me begin by saying that there is no way in the year of our Lord Kerrigan Byrne 2025 that we should be extolling the sexy virtues of such a man as the Master of Crows because what the hell did I just read? Let me get this straight: she's his apprentice, whom he never has a kind word for, and we're supposed to rejoice in their sexual union (which is nothing to see a chiropractor over, I assure you) for what reason? She's also apparently his servant, whom he feels free to exploit in every possible area, from agriculture to domestic, to the point that she calls him master and never contradicts a single one of his demands. Then his buddies come to visit and he treats her like a slave in front of them; she can’t talk or eat, even though she’s starving, can't even make eye contact, and this is all written off as permissible because of "their culture," in addition to taking great pains to emphasize that she's totally cool with it (“She was content to remain quiet and listen to the men talk" - I fucking cannot). And if, like me, you find yourself holding out because surely he is kind and tender to her in those sweet intimate moments, and almost assuredly her constant patience will teach him to be kind, I would advise you to fucking think again.
I'm going to get way more specific as I drive home my point, so if you don't want this book's vibe absolutely spoiled for you I'd tap out now.
No man worth his book boyfriend salt would EVER allow his woman to sit there hungry while he ate; those men can cook and they take great pride and pleasure in feeding their women. Her role in this story is quintessentially servile, right down to her magic, which only exists to augment and enhance the abilities of others. She is given no power, no agency, no real role outside of being this man's object of desire and salvation which, in addition to the isolation inherent in his circumstances, is to be her ultimate reward. And she is painted as fucking grateful for it. May such a love never find me.
In the most indignant spirit of sorry-not-sorry, I simply do not fantasize about being screamed at by a man who supposedly loves me. I do not dream of this man throwing things, breaking things, because he is so angered by me. Such a man is not worth a single synapse errantly firing in my brain, let alone the neurological feat that is 276 fucking pages worth of my time and effort and imagination.
Also, and this is a personal preference, but when a man gently cleans her up afterwards? Chef’s kiss. This book? “…she thanked him when he tossed her one of the dry cloths.” I rest my case.
I'm going to get way more specific as I drive home my point, so if you don't want this book's vibe absolutely spoiled for you I'd tap out now.
No man worth his book boyfriend salt would EVER allow his woman to sit there hungry while he ate; those men can cook and they take great pride and pleasure in feeding their women. Her role in this story is quintessentially servile, right down to her magic, which only exists to augment and enhance the abilities of others. She is given no power, no agency, no real role outside of being this man's object of desire and salvation which, in addition to the isolation inherent in his circumstances, is to be her ultimate reward. And she is painted as fucking grateful for it. May such a love never find me.
In the most indignant spirit of sorry-not-sorry, I simply do not fantasize about being screamed at by a man who supposedly loves me. I do not dream of this man throwing things, breaking things, because he is so angered by me. Such a man is not worth a single synapse errantly firing in my brain, let alone the neurological feat that is 276 fucking pages worth of my time and effort and imagination.
Also, and this is a personal preference, but when a man gently cleans her up afterwards? Chef’s kiss. This book? “…she thanked him when he tossed her one of the dry cloths.” I rest my case.
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
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
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I enjoyed this read overall! I do wish there was more worldbuilding done because the world itself is very interesting, but there was a lack of detail and plot points that were never circled back to. I liked the slow development of Martise and Silhara's relationship but felt little for them in terms of their individual selves. Kinda wish we got more about each of them. Gurn was my favorite. What an absolute legend!! The book kept me entertained, and I enjoyed the writing overall, so I'll definitely consider reading another book by this author in the future!