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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Tropes:
Arranged Marriage
Slow Burn
Morally Grey MMC
Reluctant Protector
Forced Proximity
Cuddling for Warmth
One Horse
Enemies to Lovers
Hurt/Comfort
Who hurt you?
Trigger Warnings:
Abuse
Torture
Murder
Cannibalism
Gore
Snapping of a birds neck
Dead corpse of a cat
Attempted Suicide
This book is a unique, creative, alluring and dark read. It's a fantastical world draped in chains, cruelty, and naivety for a girl who's never been beyond The Wall before.
We meet twin girls named Syra and Pandora. Pan will do anything to save and protect her sister, including letting her Father offer her up for marriage to a Witch. Those who are rumored to do unspeakable things for anything including youth.
Neither Pandora or Sitri want each other, they are both forced into the situation for their own reasons. They are both full of anger, shyness, passion, and being awkward. What is he to do with a girl with no magic when his world is nothing but magic after all? What is she to do when she's locked in his chambers, nothing but a bird locked in a cage?
The touches, the words spit in anger, the depth for what Sitri will go through for the things he wants, it all develops swiftly but also slowly. The world starts with world building, but it doesn't make the story overwhelming, it doesn't make it feel stuttered or lacking. There are moments that some may be shocked by, there are moments full of anger that you feel with them and moments where you're likely to cry (I mean I did….). We have a sheltered girl thrust into a world that she was never supposed to be a part of, and a man who never wanted a wife. Their chemistry is explosive, secrets must be kept, bargains must be made, and attachments shouldn't be formed.
If you want a book that is shocking, satisfying, touches on the darker side of a world with fantastical world building and a unique world that has a touch of familiarity in it this book is for you. The trigger warnings are there, and they don't shy away.
With Sitri I had moments at the start where I hated him. Yup, I hated him. Then when I started to like him I hated him again. That quickly grew with each flip of the page to where I hated that I loved him, to just outright loving him and knowing he is precious. He's an MMC that only wants to protect her, goes through so much and is full of denial, trauma, heartbreak and loss.
Pandora…. She's lived behind a wall thinking and being taught one thing her entire life and now being out in the world suddenly learns that things are what she was taught, but not everything was true. She's plagued with a daemon, she's an outcast in her home, and never supposed to have been the one there with the Prince. She's daring, she's brash, she's infuriating, she's childish, she's lost, she's hurt, full of denial, touch starved, and also carries her own bags full of trauma. She has a lot to unpack, and there's only so much you can do in yet another cage.
Despite the bleak scenes that are depicted at times there is much to laugh and smile about through out this story. I sat by rooting for the MMC and kept hoping the FMC would just realize things.
This book was devoured.
It consumed me.
It's going to be rent free in my head. Easily made my top recommendations.
Where is book 2!?
Thank you so much to the author Kerri Andrews for this fantastic story and the opportunity to read this gifted eARC.
I cannot wait to purchase this book. This was easily a swift 5 star read.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-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:
N/A
I am lucky enough to be granted an ARC for this!
What specifically drew me in? The tropes, of course! Enemies to lovers. Arranged Marriage. Magical powers. Yes, please. I was already expecting a dark, slow-burn fantasy romance—and I got exactly that, and MORE.
The relationship between the two leads is everything. The MMC is powerful, broody, a bit mean—but also protective in the most frustrating, swoony way. And the FMC? She’s innocent, a little naive from being secluded so long, but full of emotion. They’re both constantly torn between trusting and doubting each other, push and pull energy, and that tension? Chef’s kiss.
I loved how their relationship unfolded so slowly. There’s no rush here. Just soft, subtle moments that build and build. The banter, the subtle flirting, the stolen glances, the brush of the hand, and subtle touches, it's all so deliciously slow—you feel every moment.
The writing is smooth and easy to get into, and the world feels rich without being overwhelming. You can tell this is just the beginning of something BIGGER, and I’m already excited for what’s next. (I was in 89% when I realized "Wait!! No no no! I need more!!!)
If you’re into enemies to lovers, arranged marriage, morally grey characters, slow-burn romance, and all the “touch her and die” energy—this book was made for you.
What specifically drew me in? The tropes, of course! Enemies to lovers. Arranged Marriage. Magical powers. Yes, please. I was already expecting a dark, slow-burn fantasy romance—and I got exactly that, and MORE.
The relationship between the two leads is everything. The MMC is powerful, broody, a bit mean—but also protective in the most frustrating, swoony way. And the FMC? She’s innocent, a little naive from being secluded so long, but full of emotion. They’re both constantly torn between trusting and doubting each other, push and pull energy, and that tension? Chef’s kiss.
I loved how their relationship unfolded so slowly. There’s no rush here. Just soft, subtle moments that build and build. The banter, the subtle flirting, the stolen glances, the brush of the hand, and subtle touches, it's all so deliciously slow—you feel every moment.
The writing is smooth and easy to get into, and the world feels rich without being overwhelming. You can tell this is just the beginning of something BIGGER, and I’m already excited for what’s next. (I was in 89% when I realized "Wait!! No no no! I need more!!!)
If you’re into enemies to lovers, arranged marriage, morally grey characters, slow-burn romance, and all the “touch her and die” energy—this book was made for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder
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:
Complicated
I absolutely love when writers are able to write characters I genuinely become attached to; I am obsessed with Pandora and Sitri. I love both Pandora’s and Sitri’s growth as they navigate the dynamics of their situation. Besides the tense moments and adventure in the story, Kerri Andrews wrote the book in such a way that there were moments I genuinely was laughing aloud as I read. I loved this story and CANNOT wait for book 2.
I received this as an ARC, however that has no effect on my review. This had a grumpy reluctant hero who's somehow still the softest, a snarky heroine just trying to survive, and just enough "are they going to kiss or kill each other" tension!
Sitri was perfect. His self-awareness about being her captor, a nickname and hair tickling? Book boyfriend material right there.
The poor communication trope was a bit more than I would have liked-these two were allergic to having a direct conversation! But it wasn't enough to kill my enjoyment. Plus, the world building is solid without being overwhelming, and the side characters are great!
I had a blast with this one and I'm absolutely picking up book two when it drops!
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Diclaimer: I received a free copy of this book as an ARC but this has no bearing on my review.
I had loads of fun with this book and read it over 2 days.
This is the first book of a planned 4 book series and as such it does a good job with some essential world building. The set up of the societies and the basics of their traits are well explained and easy to follow from the outset. There are magical people and non-magical people and they have been segregated by a wall for hundreds of years, the non-magical folks being kind of cultish in their isolation. A believable scenario and well translated onto the page.
The characters were easy to get to know, and their tropes well fulfilled without being twee or two dimensional.
The storyline was interesting, with plenty of developing relationships and uncovered histories twining with the unfolding events to keep the story moving along at a good pace.
There was I think 2 points where I felt the main characters took the "terrible secret" and "misunderstanding/communication failure" a frustrating step too far so I felt I was going over old ground a little, but the author still kept my interest in the long run. The hook is baited for book 2 and I'm on it, ready. I will be reading!
I had loads of fun with this book and read it over 2 days.
This is the first book of a planned 4 book series and as such it does a good job with some essential world building. The set up of the societies and the basics of their traits are well explained and easy to follow from the outset. There are magical people and non-magical people and they have been segregated by a wall for hundreds of years, the non-magical folks being kind of cultish in their isolation. A believable scenario and well translated onto the page.
The characters were easy to get to know, and their tropes well fulfilled without being twee or two dimensional.
The storyline was interesting, with plenty of developing relationships and uncovered histories twining with the unfolding events to keep the story moving along at a good pace.
There was I think 2 points where I felt the main characters took the "terrible secret" and "misunderstanding/communication failure" a frustrating step too far so I felt I was going over old ground a little, but the author still kept my interest in the long run. The hook is baited for book 2 and I'm on it, ready. I will be reading!
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-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