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sarah_sedai_blueajah's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Grief, Medical content, and Death
one_more_chapter96's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
An original and intriguing new fantasy plot with great world-building that didn’t bog you down to read. The characters were fun and layered and felt real - some good character development so far as well. Liking the magic system although some more insight into the possibilities of this would be good - perhaps more to come in the next books.
The romance subplot is great and just enough to keep you interested without taking over the story. I think there are a lot of questions unanswered but hinted at.
Beautifully written and so easy to read - finished it within a day.
Excited for more in this series, a great new fantasy romance find.
The romance subplot is great and just enough to keep you interested without taking over the story. I think there are a lot of questions unanswered but hinted at.
Beautifully written and so easy to read - finished it within a day.
Excited for more in this series, a great new fantasy romance find.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Medical content, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: War, Sexual assault, Body horror, Abandonment, and Blood
hapalyn's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
4 stars
The world is interesting, and I find it to be very intriguing. I like the way the land is, and I think there's a lot more than meets the eye with this series. That being said, it wasn't a 5 star purely because of the STRESS I was stressing while reading. Personal preference, I just like less of the angst there, but I will continue reading.
Also Henri is so insufferable, and I can't stand him. Diem is an amazing character, yet she's so easily persuaded, which I hope to see her grow out of. Rooting for her and Luther.. but also Teller and Lily. Something tells me though that there's going to be a long, slow burn for our main heroine.
The world is interesting, and I find it to be very intriguing. I like the way the land is, and I think there's a lot more than meets the eye with this series. That being said, it wasn't a 5 star purely because of the STRESS I was stressing while reading. Personal preference, I just like less of the angst there, but I will continue reading.
Also Henri is so insufferable, and I can't stand him. Diem is an amazing character, yet she's so easily persuaded, which I hope to see her grow out of. Rooting for her and Luther.. but also Teller and Lily. Something tells me though that there's going to be a long, slow burn for our main heroine.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gore, Blood, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, and Cursing
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent and War
artemis_growl's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-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
5.0
MOOODS:
- Fantasy Romance
- Foes to Lovers
- Slow burn
- Easy world building
- Action
- Magic System
- Aliens/Gods/Something????
- Stabby Strong Kick A** Vibes
- Looks like they could kill you is acutally a cinnamon roll MMC
- Rebellion
- Spice 2/5
- Love Triangle
- Political intrigue
Trigger Warnings:
Death/violence (against children too), Sexual Harassment, Sexual Content (ch 7).
Overall spoiler free impression/review:
Missing mom triggers impending doom/war/rebellion and Diem (FMC) realizing she's not who she thought she was (but like duh...she's the only one that's willfully oblivious). We had a 415 page journey of Diem lying to herself thinking she knows what she feels but doesn't leading to internal turmoil, confusing illogical choices, impulsive stabby actions, consequences, and drama... which I happily and decisively gobbled up with some eye rolls here are there which I mean a natural occurrence when you're way past 19 and you come across a 19 year old for 400+pages. Overall 5 stars, not because it's the best written book in the world, and I predicted what would happen with Diem... but because I had fun and easy time reading it... and vibes.
World/Magic Building:
World: Emarion - City of Lumnos. Ruling Class: Descended (I think they're aliens to this world and not spoilers you learn this in the first like 5 pages), and "mortals" are the native species human equivalent of the world. Descended have magic, are stronger, longer living, godly creatures which for some reason you can distinguish by their eyeball colors and hair. Basically descended = British Colonial Empire and mortals are everyone else. Mortals and Descended to intermingle too much and are not allowed to have babies together bc you know the typical "pure blood" power stuff... so Diem knows nothing about the Descended really because momma Diem was being a momma bear and now momma bear is gone and Diem gets to mingle (wink wink) with the Descended.
<<Spoiler riddled review>>
I devoured this book in 1 day. I just couldn't put it down. It was pretty fast paced and kept me engaged the entire time (even during my occasional eye roll gorrrl what you doing moments. I enjoyed the premise, the action, the world building, and the stabby angry healer FMC (even if maybe not the brightest). I enjoyed that Diem actually has a wholesome family that cares about her and even if Momma Bear Diem probably was/is part of the rebellion and has a ton of secrets keeping Diem in the dark and making her think she basically has some sort of Schizotypical personality disorder (not the best mom moment)...i liked Diem's step-dad and half-brother. She was able to learn the best qualities from her mom and dad and surprisingly everyone is alive...for now...
There are typical ruling class/working class political undertones not unlike British/American colonialism and dehumanizing of others. I did enjoy the politics and world building. I do prefer when it's spread out throughout the book versus info dump/500 pages of world building with all action happening in the last 100 pages (yeah I'm talking to you SJM <3)
Overall I did like the book but I will warn others... the eye roll times I experienced with Diem...I can see that getting annoying for some... some of her actions/behaviors with the rebellion were random and nonsensical...and didn't really feel like they went with her normal personality....she was so eager to please she felt like a different character with them but eh...I still liked the book a lot so 5 stars it is.
Also, I need more Luther in the next book....gives looks like they could kill you is actually a cinnamon roll vibes and Diem haven't decided if she's a looks like they could kill you and will kill you or looks like a cinnamon roll but could kill you vibes....will put it up to the people for a vote...
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Violence, Child death, War, and Child abuse
Minor: Sexual content and Medical content
soniajoy98's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Classism, Cursing, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Child death, Grief, Blood, Colonisation, Gore, Medical content, Misogyny, and Violence
Moderate: Genocide, Death of parent, Drug use, War, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Mental illness, Abortion, Incest, and Pregnancy
ash_valkyreader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
4.5
Firstly, I want to thank the author Penn Cole for letting me read her book as an ARC!! It’s the first ARC I’ve had the chance to read and I’m so thrilled it’s a 5 star!
I can’t believe this is Penn’s debut novel! I enjoyed this from page one to the very last word. The plot felt very unique and I enjoyed how the FMC, Diem explored her warring view of the world. The romance was addicting, I wish there had been more of it!
The conflict between the Mortals and the Descended is a great catalyst for the plot and Diems awakening to the complexities of the issue feel real. With her mother disappearing, the carefully woven world she was expected to operate under begins to dissolve. Diem begins learning who she is and what she wants. Her future seemed laid out in front of her before that and it seemed like a pretty good one but as Mara put it
“Whatever you do, sweetheart, do it for yourself. Don’t choose a mediocre life for a mediocre man. Go be exceptional. If he’s worth it, he won’t judge you. And if he’s really the one, he’ll come along for the ride”
I loved how flawed and angry Diem was. The world often tells women to only be pleasant and her rage was cathartic to me.
“I was made for swinging fists and rash words, my edges too jagged and my temper too hot. Nothing about me was delicate”
As far as romance goes I like that Diem struggles to understand the complexity of love and doesn’t just go for the default option presented to her. She’s young and doesn’t know much about love or relationships. When she asks for her fathers story, it was touching. Especially this part:
“We never needed to see all of each other to love all of each other” because it’s true. Or at least in my life. I’ve been with my partner for 12 years and we are still getting to know one another! I didn’t need to turn over every stone to know he was my partner.
Now we can talk about Luther. Brooding, “Are you hurt”’ “Fucking touch her and I’ll rip your arms off”, scarred, and powerful fucking Luther. I loved his character even though aspects of his character were heavily trouped - it’s troupes I die for. And the passion you finally get in this slow burn:
“You think I fear my own death?” He whispered in my ear “Everyday I draw breath is as much a curse as a gift. I’ve been living on borrowed time for longer than you can imagine. If you’re the way my fate finally catches up to me, I can’t fathom a more beautiful end’”
Omg. I needed more of this and the next book better deliver! For those wondering I would rathe the spice a 1. Just a step over fades to black for one scene.
You should read this if your into enemies to lovers, powerful main characters, feisty badass FMC, a unique setting and plot, and plot twists to delight you!
I can’t believe this is Penn’s debut novel! I enjoyed this from page one to the very last word. The plot felt very unique and I enjoyed how the FMC, Diem explored her warring view of the world. The romance was addicting, I wish there had been more of it!
The conflict between the Mortals and the Descended is a great catalyst for the plot and Diems awakening to the complexities of the issue feel real. With her mother disappearing, the carefully woven world she was expected to operate under begins to dissolve. Diem begins learning who she is and what she wants. Her future seemed laid out in front of her before that and it seemed like a pretty good one but as Mara put it
“Whatever you do, sweetheart, do it for yourself. Don’t choose a mediocre life for a mediocre man. Go be exceptional. If he’s worth it, he won’t judge you. And if he’s really the one, he’ll come along for the ride”
I loved how flawed and angry Diem was. The world often tells women to only be pleasant and her rage was cathartic to me.
“I was made for swinging fists and rash words, my edges too jagged and my temper too hot. Nothing about me was delicate”
As far as romance goes I like that Diem struggles to understand the complexity of love and doesn’t just go for the default option presented to her. She’s young and doesn’t know much about love or relationships. When she asks for her fathers story, it was touching. Especially this part:
“We never needed to see all of each other to love all of each other” because it’s true. Or at least in my life. I’ve been with my partner for 12 years and we are still getting to know one another! I didn’t need to turn over every stone to know he was my partner.
Now we can talk about Luther. Brooding, “Are you hurt”’ “Fucking touch her and I’ll rip your arms off”, scarred, and powerful fucking Luther. I loved his character even though aspects of his character were heavily trouped - it’s troupes I die for. And the passion you finally get in this slow burn:
“You think I fear my own death?” He whispered in my ear “Everyday I draw breath is as much a curse as a gift. I’ve been living on borrowed time for longer than you can imagine. If you’re the way my fate finally catches up to me, I can’t fathom a more beautiful end’”
Omg. I needed more of this and the next book better deliver! For those wondering I would rathe the spice a 1. Just a step over fades to black for one scene.
You should read this if your into enemies to lovers, powerful main characters, feisty badass FMC, a unique setting and plot, and plot twists to delight you!
Content Warnings
Minor: Medical content
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