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haileeraye's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gore, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual content
lillimariexo's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, and Physical abuse
howboutjane's review against another edition
dark
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
4.0
Dr. Seuss for adults that like dark fantasy. Really interesting magic system, solid plot and a cute slow burn romance. Great read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Minor: Torture, Child abuse, Abandonment, Sexual content, and Child death
cecilie26's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I REALLY loved this book!
It’s been quite a long time since I found a book, that makes me forget the world around me. This one did!
The characters, the plot everything just made sense. Even though the love interest didn’t get that much time to get to know each other before falling in love, I think it’s okay in this one. Even though I would be more than happy to have it made more time to show that they got to know each other and see when they clicked.
Though I’m not against spice, but I didn’t quite see the need for it in this book. Or see the need for it to be described.
Otherwise that small detail I really loved it. The author made you hate the characters you should hate and love the characters you should love really easily.
Loved that the character was smart and thought ahead and who to trust.
I couldn’t recommend this enough.
It’s been quite a long time since I found a book, that makes me forget the world around me. This one did!
The characters, the plot everything just made sense. Even though the love interest didn’t get that much time to get to know each other before falling in love, I think it’s okay in this one. Even though I would be more than happy to have it made more time to show that they got to know each other and see when they clicked.
Though I’m not against spice, but I didn’t quite see the need for it in this book. Or see the need for it to be described.
Otherwise that small detail I really loved it. The author made you hate the characters you should hate and love the characters you should love really easily.
Loved that the character was smart and thought ahead and who to trust.
I couldn’t recommend this enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Murder
coffeekitaab's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
One of those moments where I am so grateful to Bookstagram for recommending this else I would never pick it up - literally, don't judge a book by it's cover!
A well thought of, clever premise that's beautifully written. I was consumed by this fantasy world, by the story of Elspeth who struggles with a dark magic that resides in her mind, but which also protects her from danger - and Ravyn, who is Captain of the guard which arrests and punishes people just like Elspeth..only Rayvn keeps Elspeth safe because he needs her magic to save his brother. With this fear around magic there are lots of secrets in the book and you have your heart in your throat most of the time but it is power packed. There is so much going in the background with the history of the King, how the magic came to exist and the usurper who now abuses it, but the writing makes this really easy to follow.
This is a book which has heart and soul, lovable characters (and not so lovable) and actually makes you feel smarter once you've finished reading. I devoured it within the space of a few days (just so that I could join a buddy read for the 2nd book which starts today, but I made it!). 75% in there was a little too much repetition for my liking but I'd highly recommend this - a favourite read this year definitely.
A well thought of, clever premise that's beautifully written. I was consumed by this fantasy world, by the story of Elspeth who struggles with a dark magic that resides in her mind, but which also protects her from danger - and Ravyn, who is Captain of the guard which arrests and punishes people just like Elspeth..only Rayvn keeps Elspeth safe because he needs her magic to save his brother. With this fear around magic there are lots of secrets in the book and you have your heart in your throat most of the time but it is power packed. There is so much going in the background with the history of the King, how the magic came to exist and the usurper who now abuses it, but the writing makes this really easy to follow.
This is a book which has heart and soul, lovable characters (and not so lovable) and actually makes you feel smarter once you've finished reading. I devoured it within the space of a few days (just so that I could join a buddy read for the 2nd book which starts today, but I made it!). 75% in there was a little too much repetition for my liking but I'd highly recommend this - a favourite read this year definitely.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Sexual content, Grief, Mental illness, Confinement, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Torture
saeriiss's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book is delightful to read, it manages to be funny and engaging while exploring dark themes and settings, and I think that's what drew me in the most.
The magic system is quite cool, although not original, it's different from what we are used to see and the way the author incorporates it into the world is very refreshing. I loved the characters, Elspeth and the Yews (including Elm) were well built during the story and I was able to connect easily with them, the only problem is that, despite the enemies-to-lovers trope between the main couple, it feels like there is no character development, but I think that's a consequence of another issue in this book.
If I'm being honest, this book feels like it's actually the first half of a story that has been dragged out. It's not until 40% in that the plot starts to develop a bit and the final 30% is extremely rushed because we spent the rest of it doing barely anything. You're probably thinking "maybe it's just a character-driven story", and yes, you might see it that way, but then there should've been much more development of the main characters' arc and journey, we should've seen them in way more depth than we were able to.
Final thoughts: if you're looking for an easy read, with very cool characters, a seductive male lead, dark magic, a royal family full of secrets, and kind of a plot going on in the background, I highly recommend this!
The magic system is quite cool, although not original, it's different from what we are used to see and the way the author incorporates it into the world is very refreshing. I loved the characters, Elspeth and the Yews (including Elm) were well built during the story and I was able to connect easily with them, the only problem is that, despite the enemies-to-lovers trope between the main couple, it feels like there is no character development, but I think that's a consequence of another issue in this book.
If I'm being honest, this book feels like it's actually the first half of a story that has been dragged out. It's not until 40% in that the plot starts to develop a bit and the final 30% is extremely rushed because we spent the rest of it doing barely anything. You're probably thinking "maybe it's just a character-driven story", and yes, you might see it that way, but then there should've been much more development of the main characters' arc and journey, we should've seen them in way more depth than we were able to.
Final thoughts: if you're looking for an easy read, with very cool characters, a seductive male lead, dark magic, a royal family full of secrets, and kind of a plot going on in the background, I highly recommend this!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Minor: Sexual content
chrleee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore and Blood
wellreadandhalfdead's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content
booksdogsandcoffee's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
5.0
This captivating realm of mystique and dark fantasy is a wild ride. Gillig pulls of a ground breaking magic system unlike any I have seen in other fantasy novels. The intricate card based magical system is nothing short of phenomenal and leaves me wanting to have an actual collection of my own of providence cards. This was utterly gripping until the very end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Vomit, Murder, Gaslighting, and Violence
Moderate: Grief and Sexual content
mtorma13's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Gore, and Violence
Minor: Child death and Child abuse