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adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was basically ACOMAF with a less likeable male lead and enough world building inconsistencies to give high fantasy enthusiasts a headache.
I really wanted to love this, but the plot felt less like the writer had an interesting story to tell and more like a vehicle for smut and overplayed romantasy tropes. And some of the things people said were so jarringly modern that it would snap me out of the book completely. At one point Kingfisher said he would give the FMC the “cliff notes” of something. THE WHAT??? That’s like if a fantasy librarian said to “google” something in lieu of telling someone to look something up. Cliff notes is a modern study tool, why are they referencing it in this high fantasy world where public education doesn’t even exist?
I’m all about having fun, brain-off fantasy romances, but it got kind of ridiculous in this book. And the most egregious sin of all was that I didn’t even buy the romance. I’m supposed to believe they were fated to have some universe-shattering love that transcends time and space itself and all I could glean was that they wanted to jump each other’s bones. That deep connection just wasn’t there for me.
If you want to feel like you’re reading ACOMAF again and you truly only care about spice and sexual tension, this might be for you. Otherwise, I’d skip this.
I really wanted to love this, but the plot felt less like the writer had an interesting story to tell and more like a vehicle for smut and overplayed romantasy tropes. And some of the things people said were so jarringly modern that it would snap me out of the book completely. At one point Kingfisher said he would give the FMC the “cliff notes” of something. THE WHAT??? That’s like if a fantasy librarian said to “google” something in lieu of telling someone to look something up. Cliff notes is a modern study tool, why are they referencing it in this high fantasy world where public education doesn’t even exist?
I’m all about having fun, brain-off fantasy romances, but it got kind of ridiculous in this book. And the most egregious sin of all was that I didn’t even buy the romance. I’m supposed to believe they were fated to have some universe-shattering love that transcends time and space itself and all I could glean was that they wanted to jump each other’s bones. That deep connection just wasn’t there for me.
If you want to feel like you’re reading ACOMAF again and you truly only care about spice and sexual tension, this might be for you. Otherwise, I’d skip this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Police brutality
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
Let me start with the tropes that are in this book to offer you insight before you read this review.
Fated Mates
Found Family
Infertility
“He could kill me but he doesn’t so I find him hot” (this is not enemies to lovers and I need us all to accept that)
The Chosen One
Morally grey man who is actually a softy (and lowkey my new obsession)
The Hero’s Journey
The Lost Heir
Orphan Hero
Best Ever
All Hope is Lost
Price for Winning
Now you might be thinking how can so many tropes survive in a book of only 600 pages without feeling like it’s being crammed down your throat. You’d be fair in asking that question but I must reassure you, this author manages to take 90% of these tropes and remove the aspects of them that most people find cumbersome or annoying. There are aspects of the book that are annoying don’t get me wrong but it’s minor in comparison to what it could truly be. It’s as though the author took From Blood and Ash, ACOTAR, and a bit of Fourth Wing and put them together but removed the parts where you wanted to scream at the MC for being dumb. That’s not to say you don’t want to do that at certain points in this book but Saeris is interesting and a character with depth. The way the author created her home world, you understand why she HAS to get back to her home (unlike some books where you just sit there like ??? You want to go back to abuse and neglect home girl why?) and you miss it just as much as she does. In regards to plot I give a 5 out of 5. Character development was a 3 out of 5. There were certain parts that didn’t fit with the character’s personality but were explained away later in the plot. I would recommend this book though. I really did enjoy it. It got me out of my book slump.
Fated Mates
Found Family
Infertility
“He could kill me but he doesn’t so I find him hot” (this is not enemies to lovers and I need us all to accept that)
The Chosen One
Morally grey man who is actually a softy (and lowkey my new obsession)
The Hero’s Journey
The Lost Heir
Orphan Hero
Best Ever
All Hope is Lost
Price for Winning
Now you might be thinking how can so many tropes survive in a book of only 600 pages without feeling like it’s being crammed down your throat. You’d be fair in asking that question but I must reassure you, this author manages to take 90% of these tropes and remove the aspects of them that most people find cumbersome or annoying. There are aspects of the book that are annoying don’t get me wrong but it’s minor in comparison to what it could truly be. It’s as though the author took From Blood and Ash, ACOTAR, and a bit of Fourth Wing and put them together but removed the parts where you wanted to scream at the MC for being dumb. That’s not to say you don’t want to do that at certain points in this book but Saeris is interesting and a character with depth. The way the author created her home world, you understand why she HAS to get back to her home (unlike some books where you just sit there like ??? You want to go back to abuse and neglect home girl why?) and you miss it just as much as she does. In regards to plot I give a 5 out of 5. Character development was a 3 out of 5. There were certain parts that didn’t fit with the character’s personality but were explained away later in the plot. I would recommend this book though. I really did enjoy it. It got me out of my book slump.
Content Warnings
Minor: Infertility
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Is it the best book? No. Did I love it? Yes.
It took me a while to get into it, but then I was obsessed.
I'm in love with the characters and I can't wait to read the second one.🦋✨
It took me a while to get into it, but then I was obsessed.
I'm in love with the characters and I can't wait to read the second one.🦋✨
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, War
Moderate: Torture, Blood, Murder
Minor: Infertility, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit
adventurous
dark
funny
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence
Minor: Infertility, Torture, Death of parent, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, War
Moderate: Torture, Blood, Murder
Minor: Infertility, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
This was GREAT! kept me on my toes the whole book. It was dark and funny and spicy!
It is a dark romance for if that is not your thing, you may want to pass. Please read trigger warnings. If dark romance is your thing, you will LOVE this book!
-touch her and die
- forced proximity
- fated mates
- forbidden love
And so much more!
Highly recommend! My only regret is that I read it before a book two was released.
Overall 5/5
Spice 3/5 very well written but not overly done throughout.I think maybe 3 really hot scenes in a 600 page book.
It is a dark romance for if that is not your thing, you may want to pass. Please read trigger warnings. If dark romance is your thing, you will LOVE this book!
-touch her and die
- forced proximity
- fated mates
- forbidden love
And so much more!
Highly recommend! My only regret is that I read it before a book two was released.
Overall 5/5
Spice 3/5 very well written but not overly done throughout.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Infertility, Slavery, Torture, Kidnapping
Minor: Genocide, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Grief, Classism
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
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
I'd like to say I'm one of those sophisticated readers that DNF'd this book for the messy plot, but I fucking loved this. 🤩😂🙈
Were there several cringey writing and eyeroll inducing moments? Yes.
Did I have an absolute blast reading it anyway? Also yes.
It's a fun easy to read romantasy for in-between denser books.
It felt like all of my favorite fantasy stories rolled into one. It did take about until about 40% of the way through the book for the writing to find its flow and lose that immature voice but once it hooked me, I was all in! I loved all the magic, the angsty tension, the witty banter between the cast, the secrets... Kingfisher is the ultimate shadow daddy; a broody leader with a secretly big heart (and the filthiest mouth 🥵). I loved the found family vibes, the comic relief characters, the swoon worthy romantic gestures... so many secrets and mysteries. It's mostly romance focused and then the plot kicks in during the second half. This ended with an avalanche of reveals and I'm DYING for book two. It was such a fun unserious read.
Tropes Featured:
- Fae & Vampires & Humans
- Portal Fantasy
- Tattooed Shadow Daddy MMC
- "They can smell you..."
- Hate/Lust to Love
- Found Family
- Dark Prophesies & Fates
- Magic Powers & Swords
Recommend for fans of:
- From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
- The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
- A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
⚠️Content Warnings & Notes:
🌶️Sexual Content: graphic, less than 5 scenes
🤬 Cursing: f-bombs galore
⚔️ Violence: fighting, war, blood, monsters, demons
Were there several cringey writing and eyeroll inducing moments? Yes.
Did I have an absolute blast reading it anyway? Also yes.
It's a fun easy to read romantasy for in-between denser books.
It felt like all of my favorite fantasy stories rolled into one. It did take about until about 40% of the way through the book for the writing to find its flow and lose that immature voice but once it hooked me, I was all in! I loved all the magic, the angsty tension, the witty banter between the cast, the secrets... Kingfisher is the ultimate shadow daddy; a broody leader with a secretly big heart (and the filthiest mouth 🥵). I loved the found family vibes, the comic relief characters, the swoon worthy romantic gestures... so many secrets and mysteries. It's mostly romance focused and then the plot kicks in during the second half. This ended with an avalanche of reveals and I'm DYING for book two. It was such a fun unserious read.
Tropes Featured:
- Fae & Vampires & Humans
- Portal Fantasy
- Tattooed Shadow Daddy MMC
- "They can smell you..."
- Hate/Lust to Love
- Found Family
- Dark Prophesies & Fates
- Magic Powers & Swords
Recommend for fans of:
- From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
- The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
- A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
⚠️Content Warnings & Notes:
🌶️Sexual Content: graphic, less than 5 scenes
🤬 Cursing: f-bombs galore
⚔️ Violence: fighting, war, blood, monsters, demons
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Murder, War
Minor: Death, Infertility, Vomit
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
Closed Door Mod: Chapter 22 (some parts), Chapter 27 (some parts), Chapter 37 (some parts)
I really enjoyed this book and I cannot wait for the rest of the series to come out.
While it’s a bit slow to start, you get more into action of this story with the pacing picking up as you go farther along in the book. It was a bit too gory for my liking, but this book definitely lived up to the action-packed excitement it promised. Plus adding surprising plot twists and turns near the close of the book, you are going to be in for a good time with this book.
I also loved the character dynamics in this book. Each of the prominent characters of the book had their opportunity to showcase their strengths and weaknesses as well as how that relates to the rest of the characters. I also felt that there was a good build-up in the relationship between Saeris and Kingfisher, and the two pretty much embraced the enemies-to-lovers trope.
If you want an action-packed romantasy with morally grey main characters that will leave you not knowing what to expect till the very last page, you need to check out this book.
I really enjoyed this book and I cannot wait for the rest of the series to come out.
While it’s a bit slow to start, you get more into action of this story with the pacing picking up as you go farther along in the book. It was a bit too gory for my liking, but this book definitely lived up to the action-packed excitement it promised. Plus adding surprising plot twists and turns near the close of the book, you are going to be in for a good time with this book.
I also loved the character dynamics in this book. Each of the prominent characters of the book had their opportunity to showcase their strengths and weaknesses as well as how that relates to the rest of the characters. I also felt that there was a good build-up in the relationship between Saeris and Kingfisher, and the two pretty much embraced the enemies-to-lovers trope.
If you want an action-packed romantasy with morally grey main characters that will leave you not knowing what to expect till the very last page, you need to check out this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, War
Moderate: Gore, Blood, Vomit, Murder
Minor: Infertility, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent
adventurous
dark
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:
Yes
I like the concept.
2 🌶️
First 80% of the book is kind of slow and not much happens. This took longer to read than it usually would. The last 20%, however I really enjoyed. The banter in this book was so good. Spice was decent. I liked this book, but I don’t understand the huge hype over it.
Unsure if I would recommend this to a friend. I guess it just depends on the person. Should you give this book a shot? I’d give it a maybe to yes. I’ll probably read the next book, too.
2 🌶️
First 80% of the book is kind of slow and not much happens. This took longer to read than it usually would. The last 20%, however I really enjoyed. The banter in this book was so good. Spice was decent. I liked this book, but I don’t understand the huge hype over it.
Unsure if I would recommend this to a friend. I guess it just depends on the person. Should you give this book a shot? I’d give it a maybe to yes. I’ll probably read the next book, too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Violence, Police brutality, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, Classism
Moderate: Sexual violence, Slavery, Xenophobia
Minor: Genocide, Infertility, Grief, Suicide attempt
There’s tons of cursing in this. FYI to those that care
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Death of parent, War
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Slavery, Blood, Murder, Classism
Minor: Infertility, Vomit, Abandonment, Alcohol