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ayeitsdaye's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It took longer than I expected to get into this story, considering I came into it knowing it’s a reylo fic. The author’s rich vocabulary bordered on purple prose at times, but overall added depth.
My biggest complaint would be that Talasyn and Alaric’s POVs, while executed in a way that disrupted continuity the least, I felt like the depth on each side was out of sync? Overall it was worth a read, and I’ll be looking out for the sequel!
My biggest complaint would be that Talasyn and Alaric’s POVs, while executed in a way that disrupted continuity the least, I felt like the depth on each side was out of sync? Overall it was worth a read, and I’ll be looking out for the sequel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexual content, War, and Colonisation
Minor: Pregnancy, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, and Xenophobia
fandomsandfiction's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
what to expect:
- NA high fantasy
- war and politics
- racial diversity done well
- detailed religious system, geopolitics and languages
- flying warships, dragons, epic battles and all that good stuff!!!
- slowwwburn knife-to-throat enemies-to-lovers with a political marriage of convenience and one bed trope for added spice 😌
*takes a deep breath*
So, I feel very normally about this book. I am in no way overly obsessed with the intricacy of the world building, the powerful commentary on war and politics, the excellent tension between the main characters, the skillfully fleshed-out side characters, the seamless weaving of fantasy and reality, the passionate emotions that leap off the page or the other 989238274921782+ reasons why this book is one of the best fantasies I have ever read.
Yup. Totally normal and not obsessed at all. 😊
Set across the backdrop of a war-town world, this is a book about pain, love and the many kinds of conflict. And of course, lots of magic!!!
I love the concept of flying ships being the main system of transport. I never thought racial diversity could be done so RIGHT until I read this book. The characters are all delightful and even the most hateful of characters expose the complicated nature of war and trauma. There is such fun witty dialogue! I mean, it's probably unrealistic for soldiers to be making sarcastic and snippy remarks during battle, but I am ALL HERE FOR IT 🤭
The alternate POVs really helps this book achieve its greatness. While the Night Empire is portrayed as the 'Big Bad Guy', following the narratives of dual leading characters had my heart aching for both sides and it shows the true complexities of a war built on propaganda, manipulation and no actual villain. The characters' conflicting, tormented emotions feel so real. Reading both Talasyn and Alaric's POVs - especially when it came to the duties of their positions vs their personal feelings/beliefs - felt like have a knife twist and turn in my chest. AND THE TENSION!!! The alternate POVs really amplified the repressed romantic and sexual tension between them (and like the messed-up soul I am, this gave me life). Both their stories are so painful, and this book may just be one of the most raw and poignant enemies-to-lovers fantasies I've ever read. The aching and pining and obvious attraction mixed with lies and secrets and impending betrayal is somehow exhilarating. Is this a drug? Because it feels like a drug.
While the building attraction between the main characters is a core feature, it does not overshadow the rest of the rich storyline. With a real slowburn (which is PERFECT for this context), the focus is less on the romance and more on the characters and story developments. Thea Guanzon wields the English language like a weapon. It takes great skill to make someone feel such BIG feelings and think such BIG thoughts by using nothing but the same 26 letters rearranged in different ways. This book is a work of art. And I am soooooo normal about it!
- NA high fantasy
- war and politics
- racial diversity done well
- detailed religious system, geopolitics and languages
- flying warships, dragons, epic battles and all that good stuff!!!
- slowwwburn knife-to-throat enemies-to-lovers with a political marriage of convenience and one bed trope for added spice 😌
*takes a deep breath*
So, I feel very normally about this book. I am in no way overly obsessed with the intricacy of the world building, the powerful commentary on war and politics, the excellent tension between the main characters, the skillfully fleshed-out side characters, the seamless weaving of fantasy and reality, the passionate emotions that leap off the page or the other 989238274921782+ reasons why this book is one of the best fantasies I have ever read.
Yup. Totally normal and not obsessed at all. 😊
Set across the backdrop of a war-town world, this is a book about pain, love and the many kinds of conflict. And of course, lots of magic!!!
I love the concept of flying ships being the main system of transport. I never thought racial diversity could be done so RIGHT until I read this book. The characters are all delightful and even the most hateful of characters expose the complicated nature of war and trauma. There is such fun witty dialogue! I mean, it's probably unrealistic for soldiers to be making sarcastic and snippy remarks during battle, but I am ALL HERE FOR IT 🤭
The alternate POVs really helps this book achieve its greatness. While the Night Empire is portrayed as the 'Big Bad Guy', following the narratives of dual leading characters had my heart aching for both sides and it shows the true complexities of a war built on propaganda, manipulation and no actual villain. The characters' conflicting, tormented emotions feel so real. Reading both Talasyn and Alaric's POVs - especially when it came to the duties of their positions vs their personal feelings/beliefs - felt like have a knife twist and turn in my chest. AND THE TENSION!!! The alternate POVs really amplified the repressed romantic and sexual tension between them (and like the messed-up soul I am, this gave me life). Both their stories are so painful, and this book may just be one of the most raw and poignant enemies-to-lovers fantasies I've ever read. The aching and pining and obvious attraction mixed with lies and secrets and impending betrayal is somehow exhilarating. Is this a drug? Because it feels like a drug.
While the building attraction between the main characters is a core feature, it does not overshadow the rest of the rich storyline. With a real slowburn (which is PERFECT for this context), the focus is less on the romance and more on the characters and story developments. Thea Guanzon wields the English language like a weapon. It takes great skill to make someone feel such BIG feelings and think such BIG thoughts by using nothing but the same 26 letters rearranged in different ways. This book is a work of art. And I am soooooo normal about it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
Minor: Child abuse and Physical abuse
sarahyjackson'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
It’s a little Star Wars derivative and I could have done with a bit more yearning in the first half BUT the second half was very fun, very spicy! I feel very invested in the political and personal dramas unfolding and will eager await the next installment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War, Death of parent, Violence, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Xenophobia, Physical abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
soniajoy98's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Abandonment, War, Colonisation, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Grief, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Confinement, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, and Xenophobia
Minor: Animal cruelty, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
memoirsofabooklover's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
i loved this book. the characters were well fleshed out and i loved that we got both perspectives so could see from both sides. their back stories got more complex and entangled as the story progressed, their conflict and contrast of their feelings politically and romantically, tinged with each of their childhood traumas was so well done. the tension weaved throughout was exquisite. i love the world this author created, so many beautiful sentiments and intriguing concepts in their cultures. i cannot wait for the next book to continue this story!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Dysphoria, Gaslighting, Death, Hate crime, Blood, Murder, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Alcohol, Terminal illness, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Gun violence
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