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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
Enjoyable read aside from the glaring comparison to a seemingly mishmash of real life cultures. And I suppose lack of autonomy of the heroine, which I suppose I get given her background. But still, finally something thats not meh
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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
I did like this book, even though it was a little hard to get into at first. Once it started going I enjoyed it. On occasion there was a word that felt out of place and kinda jerked me out of the story, but there weren't a ton.
kinda cute kinda fun, found the intense binary between her being his healing light and shit kind of annoying, very distinct gender roles. plus they kept mentioning how ugly she was
Liked it. I was intrigued by the plot, thought the slow burn Romance + spice scenes were well-done (other than one gripe I'll get into below), and thought things wrapped up quite nicely. (Looking forward to the sequel novella & other intervening novellas!)
Now onto why 3/5 stars only:
1) I have come to realize I Do Not like unequal power dynamics in Romance relationships. This may be Some people's thing (or it doesn't bother them), and more power to you! But whether it be Teacher/student, Boss/employee, Attending/resident, etc etc (or in this case, -Master/servant-), I have found it's a bit of a squick of mine (bringing back old LJ terms; I got reminded by Grace's LJ url left at the end of my copy of the book!). It wasn't mentioned Enough to make me DNF this book (and I'm still a Completionist--have to Really hate or be bored by a book to not finish it), but it's still a big enough part of their relationship (and mentioned enough by her use of the word "Master" in conversation and even in big moments!) to make me Cringe. I liked when, but I really hated THEN when I get it, but it still made me uncomfortable.
2) re: my gripe on the sex scenes: I thought they were beautifully done Except For One Thing that literally made me cringe and took me out of the book: (I'll hide it behind a spoiler tag not because it's a spoiler per se but just cause of "foul"? blunt? language) I've read her later books before this one, so I *know* she stops using the terminology (or else it's Only used in this "world"), but jeeze! Way to take someone out of the scene entirely in Cringe...
Now onto why 3/5 stars only:
1) I have come to realize I Do Not like unequal power dynamics in Romance relationships. This may be Some people's thing (or it doesn't bother them), and more power to you! But whether it be Teacher/student, Boss/employee, Attending/resident, etc etc (or in this case, -Master/servant-), I have found it's a bit of a squick of mine (bringing back old LJ terms; I got reminded by Grace's LJ url left at the end of my copy of the book!). It wasn't mentioned Enough to make me DNF this book (and I'm still a Completionist--have to Really hate or be bored by a book to not finish it), but it's still a big enough part of their relationship (and mentioned enough by her use of the word "Master" in conversation and even in big moments!) to make me Cringe. I liked when
Spoiler
he gave her power to start using his Actual NameSpoiler
she went back to using Master.Spoiler
Granted, this is all rendered Solved/moot at the End of the book when he buys and frees her, but it sure didn't help me for the rest of the book!!2) re: my gripe on the sex scenes: I thought they were beautifully done Except For One Thing that literally made me cringe and took me out of the book: (I'll hide it behind a spoiler tag not because it's a spoiler per se but just cause of "foul"? blunt? language)
Spoiler
Draven's use of "cunnus" in the sex scenes!! It was so awkward and cringy! Honestly, literally even cunt or vagina or SOMETHING ELSE would have been better!
3.5 stars.
Master Of Crows is a quiet tale. With a rather impressive prologue, the story itself is quiet slow and simple in the end.
For the most part, it involved a lot if orange harvesting and late night research to develop the relationship between Matrise and Silhara. It’s not everyday that the main characters aren’t immediately the most beautiful people to each other, and I thought this was a unique twist. I liked the slow relationship development between Matrise and Silhara. They both are unsure of each other, and Silhara’s habit of going on the offensive first because of his keen awareness of how others view him make it for a rocky road to friendship and love.
Unfortunately, in terms of conflict, Corruption was pretty simply described. He felt very much akin to a literal devil whispering in Silhara’s head, and doesn’t really play any important role other than that of temptation and occasionally creepy possession demon.
I wish there was bit more purpose behind everything. Martrise felt rather like a wasted character, given she never truly chooses to do anything and had minimal agency. She has all this talent for languages and can remember everything she has ever heard or read, but seems wasted on being left in isolation most of the time.
Master Of Crows is a quiet tale. With a rather impressive prologue, the story itself is quiet slow and simple in the end.
For the most part, it involved a lot if orange harvesting and late night research to develop the relationship between Matrise and Silhara. It’s not everyday that the main characters aren’t immediately the most beautiful people to each other, and I thought this was a unique twist. I liked the slow relationship development between Matrise and Silhara. They both are unsure of each other, and Silhara’s habit of going on the offensive first because of his keen awareness of how others view him make it for a rocky road to friendship and love.
Unfortunately, in terms of conflict, Corruption was pretty simply described. He felt very much akin to a literal devil whispering in Silhara’s head, and doesn’t really play any important role other than that of temptation and occasionally creepy possession demon.
I wish there was bit more purpose behind everything. Martrise felt rather like a wasted character, given she never truly chooses to do anything and had minimal agency. She has all this talent for languages and can remember everything she has ever heard or read, but seems wasted on being left in isolation most of the time.
This is high fantasy romance makes for a pleasant light read - however, while juggling fantasy and romance with skill, the book is hard pressed to add a necessary third.
Fantasy is a genre marked by environment, decorum, not ideas or a plot and romance is better left a subplot. The plot here could have used some work. Some things felt as if they were added at the last moment to help the story move along
1. Why did S go to the lich in the first place?
2. Did Cumbria really need to be his Uncle? It only served for some weak drama
3. S' mom - cheap drama
4. Corruption, sketchy villain - no reasoning or background
5. How did S' tribe's leader know when 2 call?
The story is constructed backwards need and solution. There's no deduction as the solution is often handed by carefully placed new characters or new background.
Fantasy is a genre marked by environment, decorum, not ideas or a plot and romance is better left a subplot. The plot here could have used some work. Some things felt as if they were added at the last moment to help the story move along
Spoiler
1. Why did S go to the lich in the first place?
2. Did Cumbria really need to be his Uncle? It only served for some weak drama
3. S' mom - cheap drama
4. Corruption, sketchy villain - no reasoning or background
5. How did S' tribe's leader know when 2 call?
The story is constructed backwards need and solution. There's no deduction as the solution is often handed by carefully placed new characters or new background.
