Scan barcode
jlove731's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Death of parent and Child death
ohshebookish's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Thank you to Valentine PR and Holly Renee for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
OMG. I don't know what Holly Renee put in this book, but I RAN through it! This book was the perfect fantasy romance with a true enemies to lovers trope. You are going to want to grab this one asap!
The story was fast paced, yet very easy to read. There wasn't a lot of world building, but what was there was seamlessly woven throughout the story that you almost didn't even notice it. There was no info dumping, and everything smoothly pushed the plot along. I would've liked to hear about/see more of the magic system and people's powers, but I'm hoping more will come in book 2. There was never a lull in the book. Between the plot, the romance, and the character development, it created the perfect pace to keep me engaged.
The characters were well fleshed out, and you got to learn about some of their pasts, as well as their motivations. Nyra was a perfect feisty, strong, FMC. Even though she grew up in the palace, she was never your spoiled posh princess. Running from her father's tyrannical reign, she lived on the streets, learning to fend for herself. In the rebel city, she stands up for her people, and challenges the rebels actions. This was interesting to see, as it really shined a light on the fact that even though the motives may be noble, the means can be just as vicious as those they're fighting against. The depth and range that Nyra showed was also nice to see. She showed courage, stubbornness, fear, sadness, etc. Seeing different sides of her really made it easy to connect with her.
As much as I loved Nyra, the star of the show...Daddy Dacre! Say hello to your new book boyfriend because I can assure you, he'll be on the top of your list. The mouth on this man! I may have melted a few times. And the nickname play? S W O O N. He's a badass, a grump, and he's doesn't play about Nyra. The tension between the two of them was perfection. There was a light attraction with hatred in the beginning. They're both torn between their duties, secrets, and lack of trust. The tensions and feelings grow, and as it grew, the moments between them became hotter and hotter until the dam burst. And we were rewarded with some top tier spice! I can't tell you how many of Dacre's lines I highlighted, and I'm not even sorry.
That cliffhanger though!? It should be illegal! I am UNWELL, and I need book 2, like yesterday. This is my first book by Holly Renee, but I can assure you that it won't be my last.
OMG. I don't know what Holly Renee put in this book, but I RAN through it! This book was the perfect fantasy romance with a true enemies to lovers trope. You are going to want to grab this one asap!
The story was fast paced, yet very easy to read. There wasn't a lot of world building, but what was there was seamlessly woven throughout the story that you almost didn't even notice it. There was no info dumping, and everything smoothly pushed the plot along. I would've liked to hear about/see more of the magic system and people's powers, but I'm hoping more will come in book 2. There was never a lull in the book. Between the plot, the romance, and the character development, it created the perfect pace to keep me engaged.
The characters were well fleshed out, and you got to learn about some of their pasts, as well as their motivations. Nyra was a perfect feisty, strong, FMC. Even though she grew up in the palace, she was never your spoiled posh princess. Running from her father's tyrannical reign, she lived on the streets, learning to fend for herself. In the rebel city, she stands up for her people, and challenges the rebels actions. This was interesting to see, as it really shined a light on the fact that even though the motives may be noble, the means can be just as vicious as those they're fighting against. The depth and range that Nyra showed was also nice to see. She showed courage, stubbornness, fear, sadness, etc. Seeing different sides of her really made it easy to connect with her.
As much as I loved Nyra, the star of the show...Daddy Dacre! Say hello to your new book boyfriend because I can assure you, he'll be on the top of your list. The mouth on this man! I may have melted a few times. And the nickname play? S W O O N. He's a badass, a grump, and he's doesn't play about Nyra. The tension between the two of them was perfection. There was a light attraction with hatred in the beginning. They're both torn between their duties, secrets, and lack of trust. The tensions and feelings grow, and as it grew, the moments between them became hotter and hotter until the dam burst. And we were rewarded with some top tier spice! I can't tell you how many of Dacre's lines I highlighted, and I'm not even sorry.
That cliffhanger though!? It should be illegal! I am UNWELL, and I need book 2, like yesterday. This is my first book by Holly Renee, but I can assure you that it won't be my last.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Violence, and Child abuse
More...