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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
↠ 3.5 stars
When I heard that this queer Anastasia retelling was available to request, I leapt at the chance to read an early copy. Alyssa Cole is back with her second installment in the runaway royals series. This time, a reluctant heir to a faraway monarchy becomes entangled in an intense vie for the throne after being discovered by a private investigator. As the two go head to head, they develop an intense connection that could derail the whole investigation, but could also be the very thing that changes their lives forever.
Anastasia is one of my favorite stories, so to learn that this was not only a retelling but that it was a queer retelling, was like being told that Christmas had come early. Having read a few of Alyssa Cole’s previous books, becoming reacquainted with her writing style was a familiar task. I was immediately drawn into the story through its incredible characterization and ability to make me feel for each of the leading ladies. This overall had such a quirky vibe to it that I just couldn't help but fall in love. There were certain aspects that could have been improved upon, however. I felt that the romantic connection between the two main characters needed to be more thoroughly developed over the course of the novel. The emotional progression was really lacking in ways that impeded me from caring any deeper for both characters. Unfortunate given how this centered specifically around the progression of a romantic relationship between the two leads. Both characters were strong and could stand on their own, being only let down in that respect. The portion of the book that centered around the ocean voyage was such a call back to the original animation, and one of my favorite parts of the story, but it felt out of balance with the other destinations. Particularly Ibarania, which had the least amount of time spent there, yet the most focus with regards to central conflict and plot. I would have really liked the storyline to continue there, especially after the rushed nature of the ending. Altogether a solid retelling with a few gaps, that upon recollection, seem to leave it dead set in the moderate category for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review
Trigger warnings:mentions of violence, mention of murder, mention of bullying, alcoholic parent, parental abandonment, PTSD
When I heard that this queer Anastasia retelling was available to request, I leapt at the chance to read an early copy. Alyssa Cole is back with her second installment in the runaway royals series. This time, a reluctant heir to a faraway monarchy becomes entangled in an intense vie for the throne after being discovered by a private investigator. As the two go head to head, they develop an intense connection that could derail the whole investigation, but could also be the very thing that changes their lives forever.
Anastasia is one of my favorite stories, so to learn that this was not only a retelling but that it was a queer retelling, was like being told that Christmas had come early. Having read a few of Alyssa Cole’s previous books, becoming reacquainted with her writing style was a familiar task. I was immediately drawn into the story through its incredible characterization and ability to make me feel for each of the leading ladies. This overall had such a quirky vibe to it that I just couldn't help but fall in love. There were certain aspects that could have been improved upon, however. I felt that the romantic connection between the two main characters needed to be more thoroughly developed over the course of the novel. The emotional progression was really lacking in ways that impeded me from caring any deeper for both characters. Unfortunate given how this centered specifically around the progression of a romantic relationship between the two leads. Both characters were strong and could stand on their own, being only let down in that respect. The portion of the book that centered around the ocean voyage was such a call back to the original animation, and one of my favorite parts of the story, but it felt out of balance with the other destinations. Particularly Ibarania, which had the least amount of time spent there, yet the most focus with regards to central conflict and plot. I would have really liked the storyline to continue there, especially after the rushed nature of the ending. Altogether a solid retelling with a few gaps, that upon recollection, seem to leave it dead set in the moderate category for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review
Trigger warnings:mentions of violence, mention of murder, mention of bullying, alcoholic parent, parental abandonment, PTSD
This was a lot of fun! I don't have much to add other than I loved the discussion of boundaries. Well done.
3.5/5
3.5/5
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Abandonment
Minor: War
TW: Also a story about refugees/people escaping their home countries being in the water (alive, but still can be traumatic for some!)
I like both of the MCs so much. But I don’t care about this romance? I don’t know if it’s the location or the pacing? I feel like there’s stuff I love: sapphic love, bnbs, bodyguard~ element, close proximity/one bed trope, etc. But they were pushed together by a circumstance that I feel like they did NOT touch on enough? Like that chunk wrapped up so quickly? And a lot wasn’t addressed really in terms of Makeda’s background? A lot is going on, lol.
2.5 stars
I was so excited to see that Avon publishing a Black sapphic romance (especially from the queen that is Alyssa Cole), but this one fell a little flat for me.
Both heroines are funny, endearing, dynamic, and thoroughly realized. However, their motivations felt a little murky to me. The pacing seemed strange throughout, and it almost felt like the rules of the book kept changing. Ultimately, the story didn't feel finished to me when I got to the end, and I was left with a lot of questions about the plot and the future of these characters.
However, I found every single one of the characters in the book to be absolutely delightful, and the writing was strong and funny enough to keep me entertained. The description of "a queer Anastasia retelling" didn't really pan out for me, given that both the emotional tone and the character/plot arcs are so vastly different from Anastasia, but once I let that expectation go, I had a lot more fun reading and watching these characters fall in love.
I am so thrilled that this book exists, even if it didn't quite work for me on all levels.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC.
I was so excited to see that Avon publishing a Black sapphic romance (especially from the queen that is Alyssa Cole), but this one fell a little flat for me.
Both heroines are funny, endearing, dynamic, and thoroughly realized. However, their motivations felt a little murky to me. The pacing seemed strange throughout, and it almost felt like the rules of the book kept changing. Ultimately, the story didn't feel finished to me when I got to the end, and I was left with a lot of questions about the plot and the future of these characters.
However, I found every single one of the characters in the book to be absolutely delightful, and the writing was strong and funny enough to keep me entertained. The description of "a queer Anastasia retelling" didn't really pan out for me, given that both the emotional tone and the character/plot arcs are so vastly different from Anastasia, but once I let that expectation go, I had a lot more fun reading and watching these characters fall in love.
I am so thrilled that this book exists, even if it didn't quite work for me on all levels.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this is SO FUN and i rly enjoyed reading it — i loved everything on the cargo ship especially, iconic anastasia vibes there. but i have two main qualms: 1) the ending is so rushed and the relationship development isn’t fully there and 2) more importantly i feel SO STRONGLY that the most important hook of anastasia is Dmitri conning Anya from the get-go and then slowly falling for his own con. THAT IS CLEARLY THE MAIN/BEST ANASTASIA TROPE IDK and i do feel bamboozled by this being billed as queer anastasia without any con man character!!!!!!!!! hmph!!!!!!! does alyssa cole think i’m here for like the concept of the historical lost princess instead of SPECIFICALLY the 1997 movie???? cuz if so she does not know her audience. ugh hmph whatever!!!
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
the characters in this book of bez and makeda and their banter and affection really sold the book for me. i related to makeda a lot so seeing her become more self-assertive was excellent. i also enjoyed how even in a book about royalty, homophobia was not an issue.
the premise of the book really appealed to me and for the most part it worked, but the final quarter of the book was very rushed and the twist felt like it came out of nowhere then the book ended. i think the book just needed more of it, to get to know the other characters (especially on the ship - i was hoping for a found family dynamic we never really got) and to establish the characters lives after the canon ends.
the premise of the book really appealed to me and for the most part it worked, but the final quarter of the book was very rushed and the twist felt like it came out of nowhere then the book ended. i think the book just needed more of it, to get to know the other characters (especially on the ship - i was hoping for a found family dynamic we never really got) and to establish the characters lives after the canon ends.