Reviews

I have been in a funky mood so that might affect my thoughts here, but this is a 2.5 rounded down for me. I liked the first half, but the second half was extremely blergh to me. I appreciate the writing style, especially as I blazed through it, but I didn't feel really connected to the book. The romance felt way too forced for my tastes, though there were aspects that I enjoyed from both couples and I liked parts of the dynamics. I did appreciate the different pacing as well with that.

Some conflicts that do pop up seemed to be a bit too convenient with the timing. Overall, the plot was okay (but I feel the races took up too many pages, tbh, even though I get they were the main point), and the writing style was fine, but I got really really frustrated with everyone except Reid and Shira. That said, Reid also felt too much of a side character for his role here, though I expect (and hope) he gets more depth in the next book.

spookynerd00's review against another edition

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adventurous dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

“Now this is pod racing”

And it is, for a portion, but it is also a game of politics, power grabs, and betrayal, all of which is pinned on the outcome of this series of deadly races.

It was a fun story that kept my attention, and I love any story that focuses on what someone will do to gain power and not be afraid again. There are elements of this struggle in both of the POV main characters.

That being said, I found Mikira… annoying? She doesn’t know when to keep her mouth shut, and continually regretting it when people abuse their power, the power she knows they have, in order to punish her for it.

There is one part where she says she’s never acted on her rage, and I laughed, because she keeps getting mad and acting on it.

We’ll see how things go for in book 2, I’ll likely read it, especially because…

Arielle. I kept reading for her point of view. She’s made mistakes, she makes decisions, and I am very very interested in what she will do next. The exploration of her powers is very fun and the magic system in general I found to be cool. I enjoyed her relationships with other characters, how she reacted to different events and revelations, and overall felt like she was a strong, flawed, and consistent character.

Damien and Reid are also fun characters, I wish we got to see more of them.

romance:

one of them seems kinda forced, liking trying to do rivals to lovers but they’re both just rude, and the other developed a little more naturally in my opinion over shared interests, and they seem very much like I am powerful and can destroy you, you are powerful and can destroy me, let’s do this. Love that, personally.

LBGTQIA: canon bi, canon demi aroace

bookishgenerations's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

melsthemoon's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

carolina_dreamer's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

tibbarasden's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense fast-paced

5.0

I absolutely loved this. The horses definitely helped, but there was so much more I enjoyed. Competition is not a huge buzzword for me, but I loved the aspect of the story. The intelligence of the horses and the enchantments that were a part of everything. I loved how the characters interacted. The danger and secrets. I loved the moral grayness of some of the characters and the absolute corruptness of others. I am really looking forward to the next book.

pujadev's review against another edition

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adventurous fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.5

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