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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
Their relationship feels uncomfortable, the way the golden tongue "proves" his worth is weird
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I you have a history of reading fanfiction, this will feel familiar and comforting to you.
Really enjoyed this super slow burn, mostly for the political tinkering. However, I had hoped for more masterful scheming by Allen, and I don't feel like we got enough insight into Sarrica's grief, unresolved relationship issues with his late husband, his role as a father, or how he fell for Allen.
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
This was a lovely book, it kept me gripped, just some things resolved too quickly, and some felt like they needed a bit more of an explanation. But I loved loved loved so much of it.
A Great Read!
The writing was not as good as I hoped, but I found that I didn’t care after a few pages. I really enjoyed the characters and the story and LOVED the fact that people in this world were allowed to love whomever they love and no one judges them for it. Homosexuality wasn’t an issue, it was totally normal. Loved it.
The writing was not as good as I hoped, but I found that I didn’t care after a few pages. I really enjoyed the characters and the story and LOVED the fact that people in this world were allowed to love whomever they love and no one judges them for it. Homosexuality wasn’t an issue, it was totally normal. Loved it.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Technically this is probably more in 4 stars territory, but I was (yet again) so thoroughly enchanted by the world and story Megan Derr spins that I'm giving 5 stars anyways.
Content warnings include: violence, gore, death, torture, characters get drunk, drunk characters have sex, sex on-page, arranged marriage, strong language; mentions of death of spouse, child abuse, unethical medical practices.
I loved the base setup of a scholarly, highly diplimatically and legally trained prince being arranged to marry a warrior King, and then everything going wrong and totally not like expected. Prince Allen was a delight with his competency in not just languages but also political stuff, and of course his skill in getting people to do what he wants, while also making them adore him. High King Sarrica on the other hand was stubborn and proud and often made me laugh with his informality and charming straightforwardness, and his frustration with being King, despite his good friends at his side.
I loved reading from both Allen and Sarrica's POVs and getting to know the big cast of side characters that is delightfully diverse. I admit I liked Allen a tad bit more as I am a fan of ~court game~ storylines and he was usually right in the middle of them, playing the game masterfully. I also liked how often his clothes were described in detail, and how much attention he paid them.
Another part that I adored was Sarrica's friendship with Lesto, the High Commander of the Imperial army. Their banter was hilarious and extended to a certain degree to Rene, Lesto's younger brother, and other close characters. However, it also includes quite a bit of yelling and threats of death and violence, which of course is never meant seriously, but this sort of rough affection can quickly turn uncomfortable to readers. I also was a bit frustrated with how easily things got out of control with Sarrica, and him saying just the wrong thing, which could have been fixed easily, but weren't.
The plot isn't very straightforward and seems to be concluded at around 60%, just to pick up in a different direction. I did not mind that unconventional way of storytelling, in fact, I rather enjoyed it. It includes a lot of politics and war with various countries and people involved - it wasn't always easy to keep track of names, but I was never confused and loved how it was all neatly resolved.
Unfortunately, the romance was a bit weak - the point where Allen and Sarrica start to truly care for each other is a bit muddled and came out of nowhere to me, especially since they are apart for a good chunk of the novel. I still think they fit quite wonderfully together, though.
I also found the abuse Allen suffered in the past to be sort of extreme, and it seemed a bit pointless and random to me - however, due to events in the sequels and the upcoming book 5 I'm very curious to see if more things will be revealed about it.
My favourite part about this series is the background setting. I love seeting a fantasy setting where being queer it totally normalized, where trans people exist without being singled out and where binary unequal gender roles are obsolete. It was such a breath of fresh air, and while I've read a lot of casually queer fantasy settings by now, Tales of the High Court is still one of the very few settings where it feels truly natural and fits with every part of the society.
I've reread this book for the 5th time now, and I still love it from beginning to end. The characters, setting, the worldbuilding, the relationships and all the love and political intrigue... there might be war and death, but somehow this series makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Content warnings include: violence, gore, death, torture, characters get drunk, drunk characters have sex, sex on-page, arranged marriage, strong language; mentions of death of spouse, child abuse, unethical medical practices.
I loved the base setup of a scholarly, highly diplimatically and legally trained prince being arranged to marry a warrior King, and then everything going wrong and totally not like expected. Prince Allen was a delight with his competency in not just languages but also political stuff, and of course his skill in getting people to do what he wants, while also making them adore him. High King Sarrica on the other hand was stubborn and proud and often made me laugh with his informality and charming straightforwardness, and his frustration with being King, despite his good friends at his side.
I loved reading from both Allen and Sarrica's POVs and getting to know the big cast of side characters that is delightfully diverse. I admit I liked Allen a tad bit more as I am a fan of ~court game~ storylines and he was usually right in the middle of them, playing the game masterfully. I also liked how often his clothes were described in detail, and how much attention he paid them.
Another part that I adored was Sarrica's friendship with Lesto, the High Commander of the Imperial army. Their banter was hilarious and extended to a certain degree to Rene, Lesto's younger brother, and other close characters. However, it also includes quite a bit of yelling and threats of death and violence, which of course is never meant seriously, but this sort of rough affection can quickly turn uncomfortable to readers. I also was a bit frustrated with how easily things got out of control with Sarrica, and him saying just the wrong thing, which could have been fixed easily, but weren't.
The plot isn't very straightforward and seems to be concluded at around 60%, just to pick up in a different direction. I did not mind that unconventional way of storytelling, in fact, I rather enjoyed it. It includes a lot of politics and war with various countries and people involved - it wasn't always easy to keep track of names, but I was never confused and loved how it was all neatly resolved.
Unfortunately, the romance was a bit weak - the point where Allen and Sarrica start to truly care for each other is a bit muddled and came out of nowhere to me, especially since they are apart for a good chunk of the novel. I still think they fit quite wonderfully together, though.
I also found the abuse Allen suffered in the past to be sort of extreme, and it seemed a bit pointless and random to me - however, due to events in the sequels and the upcoming book 5 I'm very curious to see if more things will be revealed about it.
My favourite part about this series is the background setting. I love seeting a fantasy setting where being queer it totally normalized, where trans people exist without being singled out and where binary unequal gender roles are obsolete. It was such a breath of fresh air, and while I've read a lot of casually queer fantasy settings by now, Tales of the High Court is still one of the very few settings where it feels truly natural and fits with every part of the society.
I've reread this book for the 5th time now, and I still love it from beginning to end. The characters, setting, the worldbuilding, the relationships and all the love and political intrigue... there might be war and death, but somehow this series makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes