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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wasn’t entirely sold right away but holy crap, this was SUCH A GOOD BOOK. I was enthralled, couldn’t put it down until I was literally falling asleep reading.
20/10
This was top tier smut in all the best ways and a pretty engaging plot. I wish this would have been a duology just so I could have a bit more details and things flushed out. I think the ending was my favorite though, like that’s pretty wholesome. I do wish Erynne had a happier ending, I’m very sensitive about things happening to children and I wish this part was just left out- she deserved both her babies.
20/10
This was top tier smut in all the best ways and a pretty engaging plot. I wish this would have been a duology just so I could have a bit more details and things flushed out. I think the ending was my favorite though, like that’s pretty wholesome. I do wish Erynne had a happier ending, I’m very sensitive about things happening to children and I wish this part was just left out- she deserved both her babies.
That was a wild ride and unfortunately not in a good way.
The premise of the book was intriguing, the execution not so much. A princess and a prince from rival kingdoms are sent to a tower where they have to stay for seven years in order to appease their goddess and stop her from cursing their kingdoms. Although as I’m typing this out it sounds ridiculous. Anyway. Candra’s sister was trained for life in the tower (what?) but when she dies in a shipwreck, Candra must take her place and spend seven years locked up with the enemy.
I will say this: there were interesting parts and the plot itself wasn’t bad — there just wasn’t a lot of it.
Another big issue: the characters. Candra is a spoiled, lazy and vapid princess who can’t do anything by herself and she was overall just very irritating. Her rival, the Fellian warrior prince Nemeth was honestly just boring. They obviously hate each other at first but then (surprise, surprise) start sleeping together at some point. And after the 30% mark or so it’s just straight up smut with little to no plot and their “relationship” progresses very quickly. The plot doesn’t pick up until much later and even the the unexpected plot twists at the end can’t change the fact that this book should’ve been at least 200 pages shorter.
Thank you to Netgalley, Wattpad Books, and Ruby Dixon for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The premise of the book was intriguing, the execution not so much. A princess and a prince from rival kingdoms are sent to a tower where they have to stay for seven years in order to appease their goddess and stop her from cursing their kingdoms. Although as I’m typing this out it sounds ridiculous. Anyway. Candra’s sister was trained for life in the tower (what?) but when she dies in a shipwreck, Candra must take her place and spend seven years locked up with the enemy.
I will say this: there were interesting parts and the plot itself wasn’t bad — there just wasn’t a lot of it.
Another big issue: the characters. Candra is a spoiled, lazy and vapid princess who can’t do anything by herself and she was overall just very irritating. Her rival, the Fellian warrior prince Nemeth was honestly just boring. They obviously hate each other at first but then (surprise, surprise) start sleeping together at some point. And after the 30% mark or so it’s just straight up smut with little to no plot and their “relationship” progresses very quickly. The plot doesn’t pick up until much later and even the the unexpected plot twists at the end can’t change the fact that this book should’ve been at least 200 pages shorter.
Thank you to Netgalley, Wattpad Books, and Ruby Dixon for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ruby Dixon fan here.... this is my favorite of all her books that I have read!!
First, it was much longer than I expected and I really enjoyed the whole thing! It was a wonderful spice-to-plot ratio.
I was super curious how the book would explain the timeline but I was delightfully surprised.
I am obsessed with Candra!! I loved how flirty and carefree she is and watching her evolve was amazing.
As usual, the spice was *chef's kiss* - but we expect nothing less from Queen Ruby.
First, it was much longer than I expected and I really enjoyed the whole thing! It was a wonderful spice-to-plot ratio.
I was super curious how the book would explain the timeline but I was delightfully surprised.
I am obsessed with Candra!! I loved how flirty and carefree she is and watching her evolve was amazing.
As usual, the spice was *chef's kiss* - but we expect nothing less from Queen Ruby.
This could have been maybe 1/3 of the size. Pacing is sooo slow it’s painful. The characters are…not great. The MMC isn’t bad and I honestly wanted to ask him multiple times if he honestly wanted to spend the rest of his life with the FMC. The FMC is one of the most unlikeable characters I’ve ever come across. I get that she is supposed to be a spoiled princess but she is so surprised by the consequences of her actions at every single turn. She’s selfish as hell and while she has a little character growth it is super minuscule and honestly largely takes place the last maybe three chapters. So 71 chapters you are just hoping that she goes away.
I have really liked Ruby Dixon’s books but this one is a huge miss for me.
I have really liked Ruby Dixon’s books but this one is a huge miss for me.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Overall I enjoyed this story but I’ll admit that I struggled a bit. The FMC was really hard to like. She doesn’t have many redeeming qualities and she doesn’t really mature in character until the last 25% or so.
adventurous
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Being a lover of epic fantasy and ruby Dixon, I was excited for this. I even got this book at a signing. It's good, but could have used some editing. The pacing is slow. She very clearly paints a picture of what's happening and it's easy to imagine. I would have liked for things to progress a bit quicker. I feel like we still have unanswered questions about the things Nameth was hiding and why he lied. Perhaps this will be a series and we'll get more answers. I wonder if Ernne wanted her sister to die in the tower and that's why the supplies were so inadequate. I appreciated Candra's development. Overall it was good, just a little too long.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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