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natashareadsbooks's review
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
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
4.5
Ilsa is a young ruler of Wilding - a realm of temptresses cursed to kill anyone they fall in love with. They are feared and despised. But Ilsa has a secret. One that no one can know. And she is heading to the Centennial a deadly game that is played every hundred years to try and end the curses of all the realms.
Ilsa must lie and cheat and even betray to survive... But each of the six ruler's coming into the Centennial this year has something to hide. Each curse upon the realms is uniquely wicked. And to destroy the curses... One ruler must die.
"And I don’t know what I enjoy more. Replaying the image of my sword against your throat . . . or thinking about how your heart might look on my plate.” Grim’s dark eyes flashed with amusement. “Careful, Hearteater,” he whispered, towering over her, standing far too close. “I might just give it to you."
So I have been in a reading slump for weeks now, again, and decided to finally pick up Lightlark. I love a good fantasy and shadow Daddy, so this checked those boxes. I didn't know what to expect going in, because I didn't know anything about Lightlark. - I don't read the blurbs or anything about a book before hand & just dive in blind.
But I loved this book. I loved how strong and fierce Ilsa was - she was a warrior, and stronger than even the best of the opponents that she was up against. While her secret could just be the thing that kills her, she didn't let that stop her or slow her down. She did whatever it took to try and save her people and the people she cares about.
She made allies & enemies along the way during the Centennial.
There was Celeste - Ruler of Starling, cursed to die at twenty five. Ilsa's friend she had made prior to the games. They kept their alliance a secret, trying to best not only their opponents but to break the curses.
Grim - Ruler of Nightshade, cursed to perish if they are outside after nightfall, and one of the most powerful people Ilsa has ever met- but he has his own motives and agenda that Ilsa can't figure out.
Oro - King and ruler of Sunling, cursed to burn in the sunlight. And he can't stand Wildings and all they have become.
Azul - ruler of Skyling, whose curse was losing the ability to fly, but willing to do anything to break the curses.
Cleo - ruler of Moonling, and cursed with the sea becoming deadly every full moon, but that hasn't stopped her realm from building ships and an army.
All of them have something to hide, and all will do whatever it takes to break their curses. Can Ilsa trust any of the other rulers in the games, or will they fail at breaking the curses that has plagued them all for hundreds of years?
I loved this story, this world and these characters. Although I did guess a major twist early on- it wasn't exactly as it had seemed. Overall, I enjoyed this book & cannot wait to see what happens next!
If you love fantasy, shadow Daddy's & high stake games, I definitely recommend picking up Lightlark!
4.5⭐ out of 5⭐.
1🌶️ out of 5🌶️. - tame, sexual tension, fade to black with minimal details.
Tropes:
→ ya fantasy
→ romantasy
→ Enemies to lovers
→ shadow daddy
→ trials/contest
→ forced proximity
→ "who did this to you?"
→ knife to throat scene
→ he falls first
→ love triangle
Content Warnings
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Confinement, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent
hobbit_96's review
adventurous
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
I liked this book a lot. I was hesitant because all I saw was booktok bashing it. Now I think their claims are based on the level of smut they want in a book 🙄
This is a great book if you want fantasy that has nothing to do with fae and doesn’t have smut/romance every other page. It’s a slow burn, but even who she ends up with was a surprise for me. I like how the love interests (it’s a love triangle of sorts but more two people like the same person) didn’t think with their lower heads (does Grim get a pass?) for most of the book.
The romance is subtle which I love, and not really the main point of the book.
I absolutely loved the plot because it’s refreshing to me and I was mad that the book ended in a cliffhanger. I want to know what happens!! Especially with Isla’s new…situations. Also, wondering if one of the male MCs will turn villain? So much to ponder 🤔
This is a great book if you want fantasy that has nothing to do with fae and doesn’t have smut/romance every other page. It’s a slow burn, but even who she ends up with was a surprise for me. I like how the love interests (it’s a love triangle of sorts but more two people like the same person) didn’t think with their lower heads (does Grim get a pass?) for most of the book.
The romance is subtle which I love, and not really the main point of the book.
I absolutely loved the plot because it’s refreshing to me and I was mad that the book ended in a cliffhanger. I want to know what happens!! Especially with Isla’s new…situations. Also, wondering if one of the male MCs will turn villain? So much to ponder 🤔
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder, Violence, and War
yuidf's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Death, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Vomit
spatterson7's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Murder, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
Minor: Alcohol, Cannibalism, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Sexual content, Torture, Vomit, and Death of parent
izzyreadswhilequilting's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, and Death
Minor: Cannibalism, Torture, Violence, and Sexual content
dearhaleynicole's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This was such a page turner read for me! It had me from the moment Isla first stepped foot on Lightlark. But the plot twists in this book, y'all 👀 I was invested and couldn't put the second half of the book down. I literally had to know what happened next. Such a thrilling read with an interesting world, curse & magic system, and some equally love-able/loathe-able characters. I definitely felt so many emotions reading.
Potentional relationship/love interest spoiler:
I have never been so conflicted with a love triangle before, truly. If you're a fan of believable love triangles...WHEW. Buckle up. This one's for you. At the conclusion of this book, I don't know who to cheer for. I am personally in love with both love interests. And also equally heartbroken. Read with caution 😭 'cause I need Alex to help pay my therapy bills now.
Cannot wait to read Nightbane. Like, currently restructuring my whole tbr list to accomodate as I write this...
Potentional relationship/love interest spoiler:
Cannot wait to read Nightbane. Like, currently restructuring my whole tbr list to accomodate as I write this...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Blood
Moderate: Sexual content, Death of parent, Violence, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Vomit, Genocide, and Fire/Fire injury
mj_86's review
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Murder, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Minor: War and Fire/Fire injury
anewton's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- 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? Yes
3.75
Highly entertaining book with questionable world building and subpar writing style. HOWEVER an easy read, fast paced fantasy that is enjoyable, even if it’s not a masterpiece
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Violence
jonghyun4life's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
4.75 ⭐️- I’m very pleased to have given myself a chance to read this book after all the review bombing. However, It captured my attention from the very beginning. It was a quick and easy read. This book gave me one of the biggest emotional rollercoasters I’ve had over a book. I would definitely re-read this again and proceed to think about it for years to come.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Violence
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Blood, and Death of parent
Minor: Vomit and Alcohol
mgseaton01's review
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.25
Went in blind and really enjoyed! Definitely a teen/ya book so if you’re looking for high fantasy, you’ll be disappointed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Death of parent and Sexual content