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ashyraine's review
adventurous
sad
slow-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
4.0
Little weepy sometimes but overall a good book
heabooknerd's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed AERIE even though it's a long read with a slow pace. The world that Wendel has created is interesting but at the heart of this book are the characters. Unlike a lot of fantasy that relies on world building, the action, and the plot to drive the story, AERIE relies on the characters, their motivations, and their emotions and I got deeply invested in Bel and Lena's story.
Both MCs were deeply lonely and felt out of place in their life, but stuck together on a wintery mountain they found a connection and a comfort in each other. I enjoyed watching them go from strangers to tentative friends to lovers and yes it does take a while to get there but I think the slower pace fits with the characters' personalities and circumstances. The spice is fairly low in AERIE but it is very sweet so I enjoyed those softer moments when they came up.
In addition to Bel and Lena, there are some excellent side characters and found family is definitely a big theme in the story. The ending is a soft cliffhanger and I'm looking forward to reading book 2 and seeing what happens next for Lena and Bel.
Content Warning: past torture; past death of a brother
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:
She screamed and screamed and screamed, and something inside Bel screamed with her. He recognized this beaten, feral part of Maddalena, this person stripped down to only survival. He saw her pale, tear-soaked face, and he saw someone he knew, someone whose soul cried out just as loudly as his own, for relief, for a chance.
- - - - -
She’d wait. Let him decide if and when this attraction between them would ever manifest. Let him come to see on his own that she wouldn’t be a burden but, if he wanted, would take some of the weight.
Both MCs were deeply lonely and felt out of place in their life, but stuck together on a wintery mountain they found a connection and a comfort in each other. I enjoyed watching them go from strangers to tentative friends to lovers and yes it does take a while to get there but I think the slower pace fits with the characters' personalities and circumstances. The spice is fairly low in AERIE but it is very sweet so I enjoyed those softer moments when they came up.
In addition to Bel and Lena, there are some excellent side characters and found family is definitely a big theme in the story. The ending is a soft cliffhanger and I'm looking forward to reading book 2 and seeing what happens next for Lena and Bel.
Content Warning: past torture; past death of a brother
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:
She screamed and screamed and screamed, and something inside Bel screamed with her. He recognized this beaten, feral part of Maddalena, this person stripped down to only survival. He saw her pale, tear-soaked face, and he saw someone he knew, someone whose soul cried out just as loudly as his own, for relief, for a chance.
- - - - -
She’d wait. Let him decide if and when this attraction between them would ever manifest. Let him come to see on his own that she wouldn’t be a burden but, if he wanted, would take some of the weight.
lvjysunday's review against another edition
dark
emotional
relaxing
sad
slow-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
4.0
semaykidd's review
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.25
tiggythecat's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
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
4.5
the_bookish_coven's review
5.0
Great fantasy romance!
Aerie had all my favorite themes: slow burn, prisoner, comfort/hurt, a kickass heroine, a broody yet vulnerable hero, and forbidden love. Our lady knight, Lena, is such a great heroine. She is noble, compassionate and has a strong moral compass that she follows. She is the embodiment of a true knight but she is wrongly exiled after defending women her liege lord abused. Lena is sent to the north to serve as warden at a dilapidated prison as punishment. Her young snarky squire, Alix, accompanies her. I loved Alix - she brings some light humor to the storyline.
Our MMC, Bel, has been in captivity for 10 years. Bel is a royal prince of the avian race. His species is human-like but have wings. The avians and humans have been at war for years. He was captured after an ambush that killed his brother, the king. Bel suffers greatly under previous wardens - he is kept from escaping by the wardens breaking one of his wings. This is what Lena witnesses upon her arrival. For good reason, Bel is broody and depressed at times. He also finds happiness with Lena.
“
Aerie had all my favorite themes: slow burn, prisoner, comfort/hurt, a kickass heroine, a broody yet vulnerable hero, and forbidden love. Our lady knight, Lena, is such a great heroine. She is noble, compassionate and has a strong moral compass that she follows. She is the embodiment of a true knight but she is wrongly exiled after defending women her liege lord abused. Lena is sent to the north to serve as warden at a dilapidated prison as punishment. Her young snarky squire, Alix, accompanies her. I loved Alix - she brings some light humor to the storyline.
Our MMC, Bel, has been in captivity for 10 years. Bel is a royal prince of the avian race. His species is human-like but have wings. The avians and humans have been at war for years. He was captured after an ambush that killed his brother, the king. Bel suffers greatly under previous wardens - he is kept from escaping by the wardens breaking one of his wings. This is what Lena witnesses upon her arrival. For good reason, Bel is broody and depressed at times. He also finds happiness with Lena.
“
elyane's review
3.0
Good but realy slow and a lot of thing could have been left out. I love Bel and his character can wait to see what will happen next.
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