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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
3.5/5⭐️
So. The premise sounded really nice, the side characters’ plots were engaging, the villains felt ok, not too complex but they accomplished their role, there wasn’t that much world building and it was quite simple to follow. It was an enjoyable read, sure.
The issue to me was that the MCs relationship’s development felt disappointedly short. I would’ve liked a slower burn, but it just all came down to the same thing as any other romantasy and the path towards it wasn’t that nice to make up for the fast pace. I don’t mind closed door sex scenes but there was one open door scene that also felt incredibly short and sooooo underwhelming, specially since it was their first time. I truly don’t need details of their every encounter but if you’re going to be more explicit during the first one idk, make it more impactful.
I like the politics part of the plot and I’m not planning on leaving the trilogy altogether but truth be told the way the MCs relationship was handled was not that good and since it’s a big part of the plot… I do hope the second book picks up because it has potential.
So. The premise sounded really nice, the side characters’ plots were engaging, the villains felt ok, not too complex but they accomplished their role, there wasn’t that much world building and it was quite simple to follow. It was an enjoyable read, sure.
The issue to me was that the MCs relationship’s development felt disappointedly short. I would’ve liked a slower burn, but it just all came down to the same thing as any other romantasy and the path towards it wasn’t that nice to make up for the fast pace. I don’t mind closed door sex scenes but there was one open door scene that also felt incredibly short and sooooo underwhelming, specially since it was their first time. I truly don’t need details of their every encounter but if you’re going to be more explicit during the first one idk, make it more impactful.
I like the politics part of the plot and I’m not planning on leaving the trilogy altogether but truth be told the way the MCs relationship was handled was not that good and since it’s a big part of the plot… I do hope the second book picks up because it has potential.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
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
typo on page 3 pissed me off immediately
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
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:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Whilst the premise and writing are good, the construction of the book, scenes and characters were not good enough to get me intrested in reading book 2. The "big" reveals were not great, because the foreshadowing was so plain and obvious that you just waited for the characters to catch up. I did appreciate Kellan's pov chapters. The male is despecable but at least he brought a little more to the story and tone of voice for the book.
Something that really urked me and a reason why I won't continue, is the fact that Lia and Jace are supposed to be the best at what they do. They are supposed to be leaders and commanders and skilled in combats and strategy... They showed absoluetly none of those skills at anypoint during these 360 pages. They actually got bested several times in very easy ways throughout the story.
Also what kind of great warrior gets high in an enchanting forest riddled with danger with their ennemy at night? Just teenage behaviour to put them in situation where they would be vulnerable and see the person behind the title. Not well enough executed imo.
Something that really urked me and a reason why I won't continue, is the fact that Lia and Jace are supposed to be the best at what they do. They are supposed to be leaders and commanders and skilled in combats and strategy... They showed absoluetly none of those skills at anypoint during these 360 pages. They actually got bested several times in very easy ways throughout the story.
Also what kind of great warrior gets high in an enchanting forest riddled with danger with their ennemy at night? Just teenage behaviour to put them in situation where they would be vulnerable and see the person behind the title. Not well enough executed imo.
BOOK I | THE DAGGER & THE FORBIDDEN HEIR
A strongly thrilling series starter, The Dagger and the Forbidden Heir is a fascinating tale which tightly knits the concepts of perseverance, survival, oppression, and matters of the heart in an engaging fashion. Right from its first page, readers are lured into a bold fantasy where the hands of fate play tricky games with the lives of those leading a world bound by the bloody threads of war.
This story centers upon Elianna, the determined and zesty heroine who despite earning a prestigious position of authority within her ranks, is perpetually fighting for a place of worth in her realm’s royal courts. As she maneuvers these risky spaces, guarding her true identity becomes her primary concern as this one truth has the power to throw her world into an irreversible state of chaos. Though such knowledge rarely remains hidden and readers soon witness Lia’s meticulously crafted lies quickly unravel and bleed into every aspect of her existence. Oh how intensely tangled it all becomes...
Overflowing with jaw-dropping revelations and heart-stopping truths at every bend and twist, this series opener is a well executed fast-paced fantasy that carefully sets up a vast gameboard where its power players are strategically placed to cause the greatest harm to its most vulnerable pawns. As the story progresses, the essential character set is introduced and each new occurrence presents an intriguing glimpse at the core motives which guide each personality. From the conflicted to the truly heinous, these characters attempt to navigate a time clouded by the horrors of war but the true cost of such a struggle is one some can no longer afford.
With lives and hearts on the line for the taking and breaking, the pages of this introductory novel are flooded with bombshell discoveries, burning betrayals and despicable dealings that will leave readers stunned and immediately itching to tear into the continuing chapter of this series.
FINAL VERDICT // A pulse pounding narrative that follows our tenacious lead through the dangerous roads of battle, the amplified horrors of war further roots Lia’s desire for peace while a wealth of unimaginable challenges start redefining her perspectives on crucial characters and conflicts. With vicious agents trying to push her off her course in the most excruciating ways, seeing Lia fight her way to the forefront of an epic war ravaging both her realms and heart was both riveting and soul crushing. Dagger is an exciting initial volume in an enthralling fantasy that is set to grow more bloody and fiery in the coming novel chapters & I highly recommend picking this one up ASAP ✨
A strongly thrilling series starter, The Dagger and the Forbidden Heir is a fascinating tale which tightly knits the concepts of perseverance, survival, oppression, and matters of the heart in an engaging fashion. Right from its first page, readers are lured into a bold fantasy where the hands of fate play tricky games with the lives of those leading a world bound by the bloody threads of war.
This story centers upon Elianna, the determined and zesty heroine who despite earning a prestigious position of authority within her ranks, is perpetually fighting for a place of worth in her realm’s royal courts. As she maneuvers these risky spaces, guarding her true identity becomes her primary concern as this one truth has the power to throw her world into an irreversible state of chaos. Though such knowledge rarely remains hidden and readers soon witness Lia’s meticulously crafted lies quickly unravel and bleed into every aspect of her existence. Oh how intensely tangled it all becomes...
Overflowing with jaw-dropping revelations and heart-stopping truths at every bend and twist, this series opener is a well executed fast-paced fantasy that carefully sets up a vast gameboard where its power players are strategically placed to cause the greatest harm to its most vulnerable pawns. As the story progresses, the essential character set is introduced and each new occurrence presents an intriguing glimpse at the core motives which guide each personality. From the conflicted to the truly heinous, these characters attempt to navigate a time clouded by the horrors of war but the true cost of such a struggle is one some can no longer afford.
With lives and hearts on the line for the taking and breaking, the pages of this introductory novel are flooded with bombshell discoveries, burning betrayals and despicable dealings that will leave readers stunned and immediately itching to tear into the continuing chapter of this series.
FINAL VERDICT // A pulse pounding narrative that follows our tenacious lead through the dangerous roads of battle, the amplified horrors of war further roots Lia’s desire for peace while a wealth of unimaginable challenges start redefining her perspectives on crucial characters and conflicts. With vicious agents trying to push her off her course in the most excruciating ways, seeing Lia fight her way to the forefront of an epic war ravaging both her realms and heart was both riveting and soul crushing. Dagger is an exciting initial volume in an enthralling fantasy that is set to grow more bloody and fiery in the coming novel chapters & I highly recommend picking this one up ASAP ✨
I absolutely loved this story. I typically do not like novels in first person POV but once I got used to it, I enjoyed seeing the multiple perspectives of the characters. Lia, oh Lia....girl you are intense. The ending, ah! I was not prepared to just be left hanging like that. I love a good cliffhanger and this one was a good one.