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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Actual rating: 3.5 stars, rounded down on GR primarily because of the below update and a lot of predictability.
Update at 55% of audio: I'm still not vibing with the insta-lust of not one, but apparently two characters and the annoying angst over being torn between the two, but I guess that's what sells in romantasy. If the magic wasn't so interesting, I would have DNF'd a while ago.
Update at 55% of audio: I'm still not vibing with the insta-lust of not one, but apparently two characters and the annoying angst over being torn between the two, but I guess that's what sells in romantasy. If the magic wasn't so interesting, I would have DNF'd a while ago.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
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:
Yes
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A dark, gothic romantasy with a lot of secrects, twists and magic, fit for fans of Belladonna and One Dark Window.
When I picked up this book, I did not know what to expect but I was pleasently surprised. I really enjoy this world and the magic system, and the spin on the 'fae'. Hopefully we will find out more about them in the next book.
Edira was a goog FMC. She is selfless but strong and comes with a certain bit of female rage. Yes, she was a bit too gullible at times but not so much that it would have been annoying.
The romance aspect is there, but it is not the sole focus of the story. I would descirbe it as a kind of love triangle with a bit of a twist, without spoiling too much.
The ending was satisfying, but left enough open to keep you interested for more.
When I picked up this book, I did not know what to expect but I was pleasently surprised. I really enjoy this world and the magic system, and the spin on the 'fae'. Hopefully we will find out more about them in the next book.
Edira was a goog FMC. She is selfless but strong and comes with a certain bit of female rage. Yes, she was a bit too gullible at times but not so much that it would have been annoying.
The romance aspect is there, but it is not the sole focus of the story. I would descirbe it as a kind of love triangle with a bit of a twist, without spoiling too much.
The ending was satisfying, but left enough open to keep you interested for more.
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.2 stars. I got an ARC, and this one had me in a chokehold. It’s giving cursed manor, healing magic that bites back, and morally gray tension I fully approved of.
Edira is a solid FMC. She’s tough, closed-off, and tired in the way all great fantasy girls are. Hehe. The magic system is genuinely cool (and a little disturbing), the world is dark without being a drag, and the slow burn romance? Umm…earned. No insta-anything, just delicious tension and quiet moments that hit.
It lost a few points for some side characters that didn’t land and a couple pacing lulls, but the vibe never let up. Gloomy, gritty, and full of emotional damage in the best way.
Honestly, if your reading taste lives in the overlap of “moody magic” and “soft pining with sharp edges,” this one belongs on your shelf.
Edira is a solid FMC. She’s tough, closed-off, and tired in the way all great fantasy girls are. Hehe. The magic system is genuinely cool (and a little disturbing), the world is dark without being a drag, and the slow burn romance? Umm…earned. No insta-anything, just delicious tension and quiet moments that hit.
It lost a few points for some side characters that didn’t land and a couple pacing lulls, but the vibe never let up. Gloomy, gritty, and full of emotional damage in the best way.
Honestly, if your reading taste lives in the overlap of “moody magic” and “soft pining with sharp edges,” this one belongs on your shelf.
dark
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-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
This as an excellent story, very well written with plenty of smart intrigue.
A well crafted plot that kept me interested throughout, even if there were a few lulls in the middle of it all.
The blurb mentions Rachel Gilig and SJM as likeminded books. Rachel Gilig 100%. The lore is unique, the atmosphere is gothic/horror in the depiction of the blight, the story is centered on a few places and all are isolated/picturesque.
SJM had no place in that blurb. This was way better crafted than SJM's plots and characters were far more developed and nuanced than she was ever capable across multiple books (where SJM writes trash entertainment, this book is more akin to a Starz show: an excellent underdog that lives and breathes the author's passion)
Our FMC isn't a helpless pretty virgin young girl, but a capable, cunning resourceful decisive woman. The MCs surrounding her are rich and complexe enough to keep us guessing.
A very enjoyable read. I'll be sure to look out for book 2 and look back of the author's other works.
A well crafted plot that kept me interested throughout, even if there were a few lulls in the middle of it all.
The blurb mentions Rachel Gilig and SJM as likeminded books. Rachel Gilig 100%. The lore is unique, the atmosphere is gothic/horror in the depiction of the blight, the story is centered on a few places and all are isolated/picturesque.
SJM had no place in that blurb. This was way better crafted than SJM's plots and characters were far more developed and nuanced than she was ever capable across multiple books (where SJM writes trash entertainment, this book is more akin to a Starz show: an excellent underdog that lives and breathes the author's passion)
Our FMC isn't a helpless pretty virgin young girl, but a capable, cunning resourceful decisive woman. The MCs surrounding her are rich and complexe enough to keep us guessing.
A very enjoyable read. I'll be sure to look out for book 2 and look back of the author's other works.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Vomit, Death of parent, Murder
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
Its a solid plot. The side plot with Ediras love interests is good, but I could honestly read this book without the romance.
