Reviews with content warning for War - King of Battle and Blood

The first 1/4 was a bit meh, and while the story is predictable - I very much enjoyed reading it. The characters are morally gray and far from virtuous but it was refreshing to read. Looking forward to continuing the series.

Content Warnings

unsuccessfulbookclub's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-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? Yes

3.0

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levesc17's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

This book was great fun! Very steamy vampire romance set in a fantasy world. Main character, Isolde, chafes at the misogynistic confines of her war torn land. She doesn’t expect that she the enemy will free her.

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_youfloweryoufeast_'s review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

3.75 ⭐️

Genre: Fantasy/Romance
Age group : Adult
POV : First person / single POV
Characters: 4.5/5 ⭐️
Plot: 4.5/5 ⭐️
Setting/Themes: 4.5/5 ⭐️
Writing: 4/5 ⭐️
Spice : 3.5 ⭐️

• Please check TWs & CWs
• mature language, sexual scenes, violence, murder, sacrificial fires, bloodletting, death, gore, slaughter, war, fire injury, genocide
• tropes: forced marriage, rebirth & more

“I do not pray,” he said. “But I begged for you.”

PHEWWWWWW. man did I love this. I really didn’t expect much, I wasn’t looking forward to loving it, but I did. The plot and theme of the story is so interesting, this book ended on a thrilling cliffhanger and I’m so excited for the next. The spice was good <3 The writing was good, it did though, make me laugh at some parts. Why? I’d assume that a book full of royals with formal language and poshness would evade from the usage of the word “fuck” but I was wrong, I guess. 🤭

Isolde. Ooh la la. This woman. I loved her, through and through. She a badass, with wit and an intelligent mind. I’ve always loved independent and strong women and that was exactly what Isolde was.

Adrian. Adrian is a HUUGE SIMP and I am living for it. You know the Kind of kings that are feared by the world but would bow to their queen? Yes , that’s who Adrian is. I love Adrian, I do.

However, I did have a bunch of issues as well (hence the hesitance to give this 4 - 5 ⭐️)

- From what I understand, Isolde is a black woman. Referring to her as an Islander and not clearly stating that she is a woman of the BIPOC community bothered me, it really did. Please feel free to correct me if I’ve got this mistaken.
- I loved the MLM & WLW relationships amongst the supporting characters, but I truly would love to hear more about these characters’ stories as well. I’m assuming that we’ll hear more in the next book (so not really an issue)
- spoiler: I am furious about Isla’s death. Furious, upset, heartbroken.

Overall, it was a good read and I enjoyed it more than I expected to. Stoked for the next book !

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sennaje's review against another edition

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fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.25

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rosegoes3's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

I don’t usually like fantasy but I liked this. The ending felt like a lot was happening very quickly and although I expected the twist, it still felt like it needed to be fledged out more

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gattolinos_nerdy_nook's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional tense fast-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

5.0

I absolutely loved this book. Fantasy romance is by far my favourite genre combination and something I read the most of. Add in the dark elements, enemies to lovers, and the best sex scenes that I have read in a while and I was hooked. I couldn't not stop reading and had to force myself to go to bed.

We follow Isolde through her marriage to the King of Revekka, Adrian, as she learns more about the vampires and who they truly are, and an alternative history of the burning and Dark Era.
A lot happens in this book and trying to write a review doesn't do it justice. There is a decent amount of sex and sexual tension as well a story and plot, and it is all really well balanced, something I find can be hard to get in some books.
The pacing and the scope of the book felt comfortable as well. It didn't feel like anything was rushed (despite only a couple of weeks passing in the book), and the twists and turns really felt on beat and not like you have been whipped lashed.

This is a book I know I will reread when the sequel comes out, whether it is in a month or 7. It was such a good read I already want to read it again. I am so excited to have found Scarlett St. Clair as an author, I know I will be binging her books and series now.

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