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our_bookish_reads's review against another edition
- 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
This is my first time reading Scarlett St. Clair's work, and holy shit, it was astounding! The way Scarlett writes is absolutely beautiful. The descriptions of colors, food, scents, people, how things feel on skin and emotionally, make you feel like you're experiencing it first hand. I can't wait to start the next book, Queen of Myth and Monsters!
Graphic: Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, Grief, Genocide, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Death
lizzye33's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
2.25
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Chronic illness, Death, Grief, Murder, and Sexual content
Moderate: Gaslighting, Violence, Sexism, Torture, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: War and Slavery
naaytaashreads's review against another edition
- 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
There are not enough stars in the world for me to give to King of Battle and Blood.
I devoured, fell in love, needed more and consumed the read like it was made for me.
For a long time, I've been looking for a vampire read, more dark, intense romance, which gave it to me.
I was sceptical in reading the series as I did not enjoy Scarlett St. Claire - Persephone x Hades series; however, this one blew my mind away.
From the beginning of the first chapter, it captivated me with what was going on.
The world introduced to us was pretty fast at the start, introducing the characters and their tension and later on, it slowed down the pace to tell a story of the world and their history.
The storytelling of their history was brilliantly written.
The mixture and parallel of history and Isolde's life were dream-like. I was confused at first by the parallel and overlapped, but later on, it made me awe at how it was done.
I love that we follow the storytelling and get to know the world's truth with Isolde. We discover the history, how Isolde was a part of this history, and why she arranged marriage to Adrian so important. From the pacing of the read, we get to witness Isolde's character growth. She has always been a badass,, but because of who she is, her life has always been dictated by her father, commander, and people. She didn't know who she was and who she was meant to be. It was such a pump-fisting moment seeing her grow throughout the read.
King Adrian Aleksandr Vasiliev is the love of my life.
I have found the one, the top book boyfriend on my list. I'm sorry, Rhysand and Azriel, you're going down the list.
He was phenomenal. He is such a villain hero we all need.
I didn't find frustration in not getting his POV. I felt like his scenes were interjected well in each chapter when needed. Of course, there is a mystery in his story, and feelings and how he found out about Isolde were still questions to be answered.
He had a part to play in Isolde's truth discovery, and though he was an alpha dominant male, he never underestimated Isolde and treated her as an equal.
I can't wait to see how their relationship develops. I love the enemies-to-lovers romance, and it didn't feel rushed; although they did have sexual tension, it was explained through their connection, which made sense. I want to see where they go from here and how they will fight the war that's been long brewing.
P.s I want to see more involvement of the side characters and their interaction. WE NEED A SQUAD.
“All the stars in the sky,” Adrian said. The words made my heart race, and I halted as an answer that was not my own formed in my mind—are not as bright as my love for you.”
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Medical content, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Medical trauma, Murder, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, and Physical abuse
ka_ke's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Violence, War, Death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Blood, Body horror, Colonisation, Cursing, and Grief
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Classism, Genocide, and Mental illness
Minor: Infertility, Slavery, and Torture
ecravens's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Blood, Body horror, Death, Death of parent, and Sexual content
midnacine's review against another edition
- 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
Maybe I'm just really into trashy romance novels recently but I fucking loved this book. It feels like this is what a condensed version of JLA's From Blood and Ash would have been without
It was interesting coming to this after having read A Touch of Darkness because the writing style was so much different and engaging. To me it seems like Scarlett St. Clair really found her voice in this story, and I can't wait to read the second one in December!
Graphic: Blood, Sexual content, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, and War
Moderate: Body horror, Animal death, Genocide, Sexism, Medical content, Misogyny, Grief, Cursing, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Vomit, Racism, Slavery, Alcohol, and Infidelity
kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, War, Blood, Colonisation, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Murder, Religious bigotry, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Xenophobia
annabelle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.5
Now was this groundbreaking literature? Not really. The writing was simple. The plot was predictable. Some important moments of plot/character development were definitely glossed over in favor of the horny moments. It got to the point near the end where I genuinely was like “I appreciate and understand that you are horny for each other, but can we PLEASE discuss what is going on for more than five seconds??!!!” I think I got too invested in the plot and world building for a horny vampire book lmao.
Overall, I had a good time reading this. Isolde is a violent girlboss and we love that for her. Adrian is a classic emo vampire with a tragic past. It’s just a good time. There is mystery, betrayal, magic, and LOTS of stabbing. What more could you ask for?!
Graphic: Death of parent, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual content, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Death and Grief
Minor: Slavery
rosegoes3's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Sexual content, Death of parent, and War
bedtimesandbooks's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Colonisation, Cursing, Death of parent, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, War, Vomit, and Torture
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Minor: Domestic abuse