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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
I wasn't sure about this book. I knew it would be dark, just by reading the first one. But was not prepared.
If you want your FMC queen to be the only hero and female rage, this is the book for you.
This book could have triggered me, as I have a specific known special one. But, it didn't. I'm just happy with that.
If you want your FMC queen to be the only hero and female rage, this is the book for you.
This book could have triggered me, as I have a specific known special one. But, it didn't. I'm just happy with that.
There is so much I want to say, but I don't
know how without giving something away,
so I'll say this...
Ok, I think Audra is my spirit animal... no, for reals!!
Like in "A King So Cold, she shows us just how far
she'll go for her kingdom (which she loves), and
keeping the peace. She is truly a fierce Queen. Amazing
storytelling, wickedly good world building, and fantastic
characters, even the baddies. She's taken by someone who
holds secrets she ought to know, but doesn't really need to
(atm). She's lied to, yet again... andddd it's a BIG HUGE
FREAKING secret. She's put through trials (again), and
so is Zadicus. Also, as people she loves are put through
their own trials because of her disappearance, a few she
wasn't expecting to, step up. Vague much!?!? Truly one
of my favourites from this author.
know how without giving something away,
so I'll say this...
Ok, I think Audra is my spirit animal... no, for reals!!
Like in "A King So Cold, she shows us just how far
she'll go for her kingdom (which she loves), and
keeping the peace. She is truly a fierce Queen. Amazing
storytelling, wickedly good world building, and fantastic
characters, even the baddies. She's taken by someone who
holds secrets she ought to know, but doesn't really need to
(atm). She's lied to, yet again... andddd it's a BIG HUGE
FREAKING secret. She's put through trials (again), and
so is Zadicus. Also, as people she loves are put through
their own trials because of her disappearance, a few she
wasn't expecting to, step up. Vague much!?!? Truly one
of my favourites from this author.
4 stars for entertainment. Not for good story telling interesting plot or characters.
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Well..... I wasn't sure what to expect with this story as A King So Cold seemed pretty final.
But, what an adventure. I did not see any of that coming.
This book really illuminated all of my senses. There were so many descriptions of everything that I was on sensory overload. Fantasy might be my new favorite thing because literally anything and everything can happen and it's totally normal.
Audra is "Nevertheless, she persisted" personified. She is such a brilliant, effective ruler if not a little brash in her ways. She really surprised me in this story. She lets you see a little more vulnerability.
It was interesting to see Zad a little more helpless. A bit of a role reversal that I enjoyed immensely as a woman. I love it when the females are superheroes.
But, what an adventure. I did not see any of that coming.
This book really illuminated all of my senses. There were so many descriptions of everything that I was on sensory overload. Fantasy might be my new favorite thing because literally anything and everything can happen and it's totally normal.
Audra is "Nevertheless, she persisted" personified. She is such a brilliant, effective ruler if not a little brash in her ways. She really surprised me in this story. She lets you see a little more vulnerability.
It was interesting to see Zad a little more helpless. A bit of a role reversal that I enjoyed immensely as a woman. I love it when the females are superheroes.
I felt like the things I really liked about Zad and Audra were lacking in this one. Zad is cunning and smart but somehow could not hold it together in this one? When in the whole first book he is able to suppress urges in order to get what he needs. I felt like he should have been able to outsmart his brother very quickly so I was just confused the whole time. Audra, I get is changing, but I liked her fire in the first. The story was fast paced and interesting and I'm glad I read it but I just wished there was more intellect used from the characters.
Audra & Zadicus stress me the f*ck out.
First of all, never has the Authors Note hooked me... until now. Ella Fields thanks her kids aka "The most magical of all my creations." only to end with explicit warning "Also, if you ever see this, stop right here and put the damn book down. I mean it."
I mean, if that doesn't get get someones attention idk what will. I'm only 3 chapters in, but it's safe to say I have very high hopes for The Stray Prince, & was hooked quite literally from page fucking one.
*UPDATE*
Just finished The Stray Prince, & I think I have more gray hairs then when I started. I totally loved it though.
This story continues Audra, Zadicus, Raiden & the crews story after the mess that was the love triangle in A King so Cold. They have their own little flow going now.
Raid hates Zad.
Zad hates Raid.
Audra is icey & tolerates things that align with her Queenly duties because she's a boss.
Her two men tolerate each other, because they have to. King Raiden spends most of his time in the Sun Kingdom, reappearing in the Moon Kingdom for kingdom ruling reasons, & also because he loves to piss of his wifes mate. All as to be expected, business as usual. The small amount of banter we get with these two is entertaining IMO.
Shit gets weird when Audra is found sleep walking.
Not just walking around the castle but wandering the town, even found in a lake.
Zad is flipping out. Audra internally panics, afraid it's a sign she's losing her mind like her father did. Zad knows more than he's letting on, omitting some pretty important facts (that you'll have to read to learn) & that's where the trouble really starts
Fast forward, we meet Zad's estranged half brother, Ryle. He's... not nice.
Audra is no Queen of warmth & compassion, so you'd think nothing would scare or surprise her. Ryle though, does just that. Audra had to watch her mother be beaten by several people, forced to witness god knows what else at her wicked fathers hands. Audra has seen & done some v dark shit, so you can only imagine the sort of things she'd have to witness to illicit this reaction:
True to form, Queen Audra never shows a sliver of weakness, ever the logical, analytical, dutiful Queen. She is truly Ice Queen goals:
That being said, her smooth as silk character arc does continue. And, just like her arc in A King so Cold, EF managed to write character growth without compromising or changing Audra's true nature & that's what I love the most about her character.
She can feel her "cold heart" thawing, perhaps to certain things, but the coldness remains.
But finally, & I mean FINALLY she sets her pride to the side, or maybe it's not pride, but her own stubborn mind that didn't let her acknowledge it before, only now able to voice it - & she tells Zad what she's needed to forevs.
*chefs kiss*
Zad on the otherhand, he was a real handful this fucking time around, let me tell you. In true male form (his true form) his arrogance & ego for the first time took control and overpowered his feelings for Audra. Something he finally acknowledges at some point.
Zad's emotions are like a yo-yo throughout this whole thing. He went from being the constant, most predictable element, the male that waited like a puppy in Audra's bed while she went about her life in A King so Cold - to one of the most unpredictable & impulsive bastards in the duology. The amount of times he apologized, only to flip the f out again, was insane. But, I was v into it. Moody Broody Zad FTW
First of all, never has the Authors Note hooked me... until now. Ella Fields thanks her kids aka "The most magical of all my creations." only to end with explicit warning "Also, if you ever see this, stop right here and put the damn book down. I mean it."
I mean, if that doesn't get get someones attention idk what will. I'm only 3 chapters in, but it's safe to say I have very high hopes for The Stray Prince, & was hooked quite literally from page fucking one.
*UPDATE*
Just finished The Stray Prince, & I think I have more gray hairs then when I started. I totally loved it though.
This story continues Audra, Zadicus, Raiden & the crews story after the mess that was the love triangle in A King so Cold. They have their own little flow going now.
Raid hates Zad.
Zad hates Raid.
Audra is icey & tolerates things that align with her Queenly duties because she's a boss.
Her two men tolerate each other, because they have to. King Raiden spends most of his time in the Sun Kingdom, reappearing in the Moon Kingdom for kingdom ruling reasons, & also because he loves to piss of his wifes mate. All as to be expected, business as usual. The small amount of banter we get with these two is entertaining IMO.
“Did you not ask for warriors?” Raiden asked.
But all I heard was, “Why haven’t you punched me in the face?”
Shit gets weird when Audra is found sleep walking.
Not just walking around the castle but wandering the town, even found in a lake.
Zad is flipping out. Audra internally panics, afraid it's a sign she's losing her mind like her father did. Zad knows more than he's letting on, omitting some pretty important facts (that you'll have to read to learn) & that's where the trouble really starts
Now, he was just another male who was not what he’d promised. Who was not who I’d thought he was.
Fast forward, we meet Zad's estranged half brother, Ryle. He's... not nice.
Audra is no Queen of warmth & compassion, so you'd think nothing would scare or surprise her. Ryle though, does just that. Audra had to watch her mother be beaten by several people, forced to witness god knows what else at her wicked fathers hands. Audra has seen & done some v dark shit, so you can only imagine the sort of things she'd have to witness to illicit this reaction:
Of all the atrocities I’d experienced, of all the wicked things I’d done with my own two hands and magical abilities, not once had I ever felt like this. Helpless, horrified, and disturbed right down to the dregs of my soul.
True to form, Queen Audra never shows a sliver of weakness, ever the logical, analytical, dutiful Queen. She is truly Ice Queen goals:
I could lie. But just because I loved a male to the point of self-ruination did not mean I’d lose that shard of ice I was born with.
That being said, her smooth as silk character arc does continue. And, just like her arc in A King so Cold, EF managed to write character growth without compromising or changing Audra's true nature & that's what I love the most about her character.
She can feel her "cold heart" thawing, perhaps to certain things, but the coldness remains.
I would freeze it, surely. A heart like mine might not have been as dark as it once was, as what it could have become, but it was still cold nonetheless.
But finally, & I mean FINALLY she sets her pride to the side, or maybe it's not pride, but her own stubborn mind that didn't let her acknowledge it before, only now able to voice it - & she tells Zad what she's needed to forevs.
“You... you balance the scales. You make me better without robbing me of who I really am. And that is why my soul chose yours. That is why I let my heart do the same.”
*chefs kiss*
Zad on the otherhand, he was a real handful this fucking time around, let me tell you. In true male form (his true form) his arrogance & ego for the first time took control and overpowered his feelings for Audra. Something he finally acknowledges at some point.
“I was not only mad at you,” he admitted. “I was furious with myself—for I knew—deep down, I knew what you would do. I knew you would outsmart anyone you had to and return home alive at any cost, and I was furious that I hadn’t been able to give that to you. That instead, you did it yourself because I...” He blew out a warm breath, and my eyelashes fluttered as it met my mouth. “I couldn’t keep up, couldn’t keep my head and heart afloat, let alone on the same page with each new assault and fear. I failed you, and just know that has been almost unbearable, almost as unbearable as being without you.”
Zad's emotions are like a yo-yo throughout this whole thing. He went from being the constant, most predictable element, the male that waited like a puppy in Audra's bed while she went about her life in A King so Cold - to one of the most unpredictable & impulsive bastards in the duology. The amount of times he apologized, only to flip the f out again, was insane. But, I was v into it. Moody Broody Zad FTW
Hello darkness my old friend...
The series is over and somehow I’m just supposed to go on with my life without more Audra and Zad.
This was stunning.
1. Audra is wickedly merciless and quite possibly my true love.
I’m completely enamored. She stays consistently herself in this book, something I always worry about when it comes to characters like her in sequels. I’m not interested in them morphing into good and loving people. So, thank goodness Audra continued to have zero patience for any of that.
2. Zad was territorial and it was hot AF.
The series is over and somehow I’m just supposed to go on with my life without more Audra and Zad.
This was stunning.
1. Audra is wickedly merciless and quite possibly my true love.
I’m completely enamored. She stays consistently herself in this book, something I always worry about when it comes to characters like her in sequels. I’m not interested in them morphing into good and loving people. So, thank goodness Audra continued to have zero patience for any of that.
2. Zad was territorial and it was hot AF.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ideal 2nd & final book
Love a good story, but love a strong second act even more. This 2nd book is equally as strong as the first. Enough spice, intrigue, and mystery to keep you engaged and wondering.
Love a good story, but love a strong second act even more. This 2nd book is equally as strong as the first. Enough spice, intrigue, and mystery to keep you engaged and wondering.