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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
I received this ARC from Netgally and, well. It's a no from me.
If I never hear or read the word "knot" again, it will be too soon.
If I never hear or read the word "knot" again, it will be too soon.
》ARC Review: Bound to the Shadow Prince《
I had so much fun reading this one! I’ve long been a Ruby Dixon fan, so I had a pretty good feeling about this but I still found myself happily surprised. Yes, this book is long, which may not be everyone’s cup of tea; and after reading Ice Planet Barbarian, I certainly expected a more fast paced, short read. However, due to its length, Dixon worked her magic into world-building and slow romancing. The narrative breathed, allowing its love story to take its time (very well paced!) and allowing intrigue to what was happening outside the tower to constantly heighten tension and anticipation. 4.5✨
》The Leads《
The star of the show, for me, was Candra.
I loved her.
She is the type of character to be spilling thick tears down her cheeks while remaining steadfast that she’s certainly not weeping. She puts up a very strong front, tries to appear nonchalant and nonplussed, but she’s such a softie. She’s got a great big, soft heart. I also love how wickedly forward she is in her seducing and affection towards Nemeth. Speaking of whom! I loved Nemeth almost as much as Candra. I loved how utterly opposite his personality his to Candra. Where she is an extrovert, he’s an introvert. Where she is forward in her flirting, he is subtle. They may be opposite yet they are a perfect fit, one for the other.
》The Romance《
The love story was gorgeous! I was giggling and kicking my feet in total delight when Candra and Nemeth finally crossed that line into something more. He’s like a blushing school boy to Candra’s wicked temptress. Their dynamic was so much fun! The only hiccup I had along the way was how some of Nemeth’s late game arc developed. Nevertheless, that never stopped me from loving this couple.
》The World-Building《
This book did a great job of making the enclosed tower feel initially claustrophobic but then feel like a home. The said, I felt such tension rise, wondering what was happening outside that tower. The narrative cleverly built up that anticipation of discovery. I was itching to leave the tower. I think of all the books I’ve read by Dixon, this one, by far, did the best job with building its world.
》To Sum it Up《
This is easily my favorite Ruby Dixon read. I loved the leads, their romance, and their story.
Thank you NetGalley and Wattpad Books for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review.
I had so much fun reading this one! I’ve long been a Ruby Dixon fan, so I had a pretty good feeling about this but I still found myself happily surprised. Yes, this book is long, which may not be everyone’s cup of tea; and after reading Ice Planet Barbarian, I certainly expected a more fast paced, short read. However, due to its length, Dixon worked her magic into world-building and slow romancing. The narrative breathed, allowing its love story to take its time (very well paced!) and allowing intrigue to what was happening outside the tower to constantly heighten tension and anticipation. 4.5✨
》The Leads《
The star of the show, for me, was Candra.
I loved her.
She is the type of character to be spilling thick tears down her cheeks while remaining steadfast that she’s certainly not weeping. She puts up a very strong front, tries to appear nonchalant and nonplussed, but she’s such a softie. She’s got a great big, soft heart. I also love how wickedly forward she is in her seducing and affection towards Nemeth. Speaking of whom! I loved Nemeth almost as much as Candra. I loved how utterly opposite his personality his to Candra. Where she is an extrovert, he’s an introvert. Where she is forward in her flirting, he is subtle. They may be opposite yet they are a perfect fit, one for the other.
》The Romance《
The love story was gorgeous! I was giggling and kicking my feet in total delight when Candra and Nemeth finally crossed that line into something more. He’s like a blushing school boy to Candra’s wicked temptress. Their dynamic was so much fun! The only hiccup I had along the way was how some of Nemeth’s late game arc developed. Nevertheless, that never stopped me from loving this couple.
》The World-Building《
This book did a great job of making the enclosed tower feel initially claustrophobic but then feel like a home. The said, I felt such tension rise, wondering what was happening outside that tower. The narrative cleverly built up that anticipation of discovery. I was itching to leave the tower. I think of all the books I’ve read by Dixon, this one, by far, did the best job with building its world.
》To Sum it Up《
This is easily my favorite Ruby Dixon read. I loved the leads, their romance, and their story.
Thank you NetGalley and Wattpad Books for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review.
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Now, I have read Lord of the Ring/Hobbit and the A Song of Ice and Fire series, so a lengthy book is not one to deter me. I believe that once a fantasy book hits 15+ hours or over 350 pages, we, the reader, deserve "map/family tree in the front of the book" levels of world building. We should also have multiple character povs because this is a long book. That sadly is not what we got.
To be fair, there was some world building. It was however all smooshed at the end. It was as if the author had decided it was finally time for our libidinous leads to finally do something about the problems surrounding them so now here comes the plot. We were also only stuck with the POVs of our two main characters who were fine. I liked them enough. I believed in there love. They weren't annoying/offensive, they were fine.
The rushed plot at the end and 2 fine leads does not make this book live up to all 21+ hours for me. It was a book in need of editing. I have a feeling that since it was originally published episodically on Yonder, a lot of it was padded out (much like a Soap Opera) because one never truly knows when a reader is jumping into the plot. However when that is all put together, that same padding made portions of the book feel like the plot is standing still.
Outside of that, I liked the book. The plot was very interesting to me and I wish we had been able to truly explore that by having multiple povs (basically all of the sisters). I understand that one of them is the main villain however we could have maybe followed the men who helped her and then did a switch at the end. I dunno just spit balling.
Enemies to lovers, she’s beauty he’s beast (literally) Forced proximity? Check. Spice? Check. Adventure? Check.
I love Ruby Dixon and originally became a fan during the Ice Planet Barbarians TikTok era IYKYK. In Bound to the Shadow Prince we have our spoiled seemingly ill princess and our gruff nerdy prince from two different warring kingdoms. The character development was probably my favorite aspect of this story. Seeing both MC’s come into their own, overcome the obstacles thrown at them, and stand up against those they love for each other was *chefs kiss*
I have mixed emotions because I really enjoyed this story and I know that so much was necessary to the world building…. I just felt at times that there was a little too much filler. It felt drug out and then the end felt rushed.
I really hope that this is going to be a series as I just feel like there is so much more to this story. I need to know what happens *after* even if it’s from a different characters POV.
I love Ruby Dixon and originally became a fan during the Ice Planet Barbarians TikTok era IYKYK. In Bound to the Shadow Prince we have our spoiled seemingly ill princess and our gruff nerdy prince from two different warring kingdoms. The character development was probably my favorite aspect of this story. Seeing both MC’s come into their own, overcome the obstacles thrown at them, and stand up against those they love for each other was *chefs kiss*
I have mixed emotions because I really enjoyed this story and I know that so much was necessary to the world building…. I just felt at times that there was a little too much filler. It felt drug out and then the end felt rushed.
I really hope that this is going to be a series as I just feel like there is so much more to this story. I need to know what happens *after* even if it’s from a different characters POV.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
I loved it
such a comfort book
pleasantly surprised
highly recommend its just like I dont want to spoil it but its so good <3333
7/5 stars dude
such a comfort book
pleasantly surprised
highly recommend its just like I dont want to spoil it but its so good <3333
7/5 stars dude
Was this book too long? Yes. Did I skim parts because I didn’t need another scene where the MMC is telling the FMC their traveling plans? Also, yes. But there was knotting, tails, a smart mouthed curvy fmc and a cinnamon roll mmc. What more could a girl want?
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Princess Candra grew up being the pampered, sickly princess who didn't have a care in the world. But a tragic accident has Candra rushing to prepare to take her younger sister's place as the sacrifice locked up in a tower for 7 years just three days before she has to be in the tower, and nothing will ever prepare her for what awaits her and her kingdom.
It's a weird plot because a lot happens while also feeling like nothing is going on at all. I mean, a large portion of it takes place with Candra and Nemeth locked up in a tower with no windows and next to no diversions. Then there's even more wandering with no idea of what's going on in general and it could get frustrating if you're not used to that in books, but it felt like tension and world-building to me because I'm used to it in epic fantasy.
Ruby Dixon is known for her cinnamon roll heroes and Nemeth is a perfect example of one. He's bookish and caring, but the monster side of him is ready to come out if it means protecting Candra. It's a nice little balance to the fact that he's most definitely not human because it puts an emphasis on his empathy and human-like qualities.
My one major gripe is that the banter during the smexy times gets downright ridiculous at times. There's playful and then there's whatever Candra and Nemeth engage in. I was either cringing from second-hand embarrassment or skimming the good parts just to save myself from having to read that. Not exactly ideal.
I'm still not sure I'm completely in on the whole monster romance genre, but I will say that I don't regret reading Bound to the Shadow Prince because it's an enjoyable fantasy romance.
Very happy thanks to NetGalley and W by Wattpad Books for the fascinating entry into monster romantasy!
It's a weird plot because a lot happens while also feeling like nothing is going on at all. I mean, a large portion of it takes place with Candra and Nemeth locked up in a tower with no windows and next to no diversions. Then there's even more wandering with no idea of what's going on in general and it could get frustrating if you're not used to that in books, but it felt like tension and world-building to me because I'm used to it in epic fantasy.
Ruby Dixon is known for her cinnamon roll heroes and Nemeth is a perfect example of one. He's bookish and caring, but the monster side of him is ready to come out if it means protecting Candra. It's a nice little balance to the fact that he's most definitely not human because it puts an emphasis on his empathy and human-like qualities.
My one major gripe is that the banter during the smexy times gets downright ridiculous at times. There's playful and then there's whatever Candra and Nemeth engage in. I was either cringing from second-hand embarrassment or skimming the good parts just to save myself from having to read that. Not exactly ideal.
I'm still not sure I'm completely in on the whole monster romance genre, but I will say that I don't regret reading Bound to the Shadow Prince because it's an enjoyable fantasy romance.
Very happy thanks to NetGalley and W by Wattpad Books for the fascinating entry into monster romantasy!