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adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love a protagonist who is actually terrified of their magic. This book felt kinda slow paced at first but I think that’s because it was planned as a duology. It needs the next one. But it did feel like a satisfying ending. And a really well done cliffhanger, too
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Murder, Gaslighting
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Self harm, Death of parent
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
Ik vond dit boek goed. De rijmpjes in het verhaal zijn erg poeïtisch, maar dit haalde mij soms uit het verhaal. Ze zijn wel belangrijk voor het verhaal!
Ik vond Elspeth erg interessant en leuk. Ze heeft een sterke persoonlijkheid,maar ik vond dat ze de nachtmerrie wel snel om hulp vroeg, terwijl ze wist wat de consequenties waren . Ravyn is ook zo leuk, hij heeft persoonlijkheid en beschermd Elspeth op een goede manier. Ik vond Ravyn een goede keuze als love interest al had ik Elm ook niet zo erg gevonden🤭.
Het verhaal loopt goed. De spanning zit er goed in en er gebeurd precies genoeg. De vertaling is ook goed gedaan. De zinnen lopen vloeiend en het is allemaal een logisch samenhangend verhaal. Het magie systeem is simpel en wordt ook simpel uitgelegt. Je krijgt niet ineens on 1x alle informatie, maar dit wordt goed verdeeld over het boek. Ik vond het ook erg goed dat de nachtmerrie niet in 1x zijn geheimen prijs gaf. Dit gaf nog een extra laag mysterie.
Ik had alleen iets meer verwacht. Dit boek wordt enorm opgehypt en ik ging ook met die verwachtingen het verhaal in. Het verhaal is goed, maar niet spectaculair. De gebeurtenissen voelde soms wat afgeflakt aan. Ik ben wel geïntegreerd en ik ga dan ook zeker deel 2 lezen! Dit is namelijk een perfect voorbeeld van een goed neergezette "gotische" fantasy
Ik vond Elspeth erg interessant en leuk. Ze heeft een sterke persoonlijkheid,
Het verhaal loopt goed. De spanning zit er goed in en er gebeurd precies genoeg. De vertaling is ook goed gedaan. De zinnen lopen vloeiend en het is allemaal een logisch samenhangend verhaal. Het magie systeem is simpel en wordt ook simpel uitgelegt. Je krijgt niet ineens on 1x alle informatie, maar dit wordt goed verdeeld over het boek. Ik vond het ook erg goed dat de nachtmerrie niet in 1x zijn geheimen prijs gaf. Dit gaf nog een extra laag mysterie.
Ik had alleen iets meer verwacht. Dit boek wordt enorm opgehypt en ik ging ook met die verwachtingen het verhaal in. Het verhaal is goed, maar niet spectaculair. De gebeurtenissen voelde soms wat afgeflakt aan. Ik ben wel geïntegreerd en ik ga dan ook zeker deel 2 lezen! Dit is namelijk een perfect voorbeeld van een goed neergezette "gotische" fantasy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit, Abandonment
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I have been hearing about this book everywhere and was finally able to get the audiobook through my library after several weeks of having it on hold with Libby. Overall, I was not gripped by this story until the third act and then I was absolutely invested. For the first two-thirds, I was more just going with the flow learning who all the characters were and the world-building facts that Gilling was integrating into the story.
I am a bit confused by two things throughout the story. First, Ione's whole subplot confused me. How did Ione and Elspeth grow up so close and then diverge so quickly on their paths? Elspeth was a well-constructed character and throughout her motivations were clear, but I have no idea why Ione was making the choices that she was. The game that all the characters play toward the climax of the book did make things slightly clearer, but overall she did not feel fully fleshed out. I hope that she gets a bigger subplot in the next book.
The second thing that was confusing for me throughout the book and it is possible that I just did not understand this in the text is how many cards there are in total. There are rarer cards that are much harder to find, but some of the cards are quite ubiquitous. The cards seemed to be important for displays of power, but I'm not sure if two different decks are being constructed by the two factions or if one group is ahead in the number of cards that they have.
I really enjoyed the romance subplot of the book. The dynamics between the characters were fun to watch develop throughout the book.
The ending of this book was absolutely shocking and gripping! I have no idea how Gillig is going to resolve all the loose ends in the next book, but I cannot wait to find out.
Highly recommend. It starts a bit slow but the plot is worth the wait.
I am a bit confused by two things throughout the story. First, Ione's whole subplot confused me. How did Ione and Elspeth grow up so close and then diverge so quickly on their paths? Elspeth was a well-constructed character and throughout her motivations were clear, but I have no idea why Ione was making the choices that she was. The game that all the characters play toward the climax of the book did make things slightly clearer, but overall she did not feel fully fleshed out. I hope that she gets a bigger subplot in the next book.
The second thing that was confusing for me throughout the book and it is possible that I just did not understand this in the text is how many cards there are in total. There are rarer cards that are much harder to find, but some of the cards are quite ubiquitous. The cards seemed to be important for displays of power, but I'm not sure if two different decks are being constructed by the two factions or if one group is ahead in the number of cards that they have.
I really enjoyed the romance subplot of the book. The dynamics between the characters were fun to watch develop throughout the book.
The ending of this book was absolutely shocking and gripping! I have no idea how Gillig is going to resolve all the loose ends in the next book, but I cannot wait to find out.
Highly recommend. It starts a bit slow but the plot is worth the wait.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Sexual content, Toxic relationship
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Blood
dark
emotional
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: Death, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood
adventurous
dark
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
I finally got around to reading this book and it was definitely worth the hype! The magic system is unique, but understandable. The story creates its own lore and builds off of it beautifully. The characters are flawed, but lovable. And the plot moves at the perfect pace for me -- it doesn't drag, but also doesn't skim over interesting character-building moments.
I'm on book two now. So far in the series there haven't been any plot twists that I haven't seen coming and there have been a few moments in which I haven't fully believed the characters' decisions, based on their characterization (primarily the King and Prince Hauth), but honestly, I don't really care. I am bought in enough to the main characters, the magical world, and the primary plot arc to just enjoy the story as it unfolds!
As someone who prioritizes storytelling over prose, this was exactly what I needed. It was the perfect cozy, gothic fantasy for a cold winter weekend and I am officially addicted to the series!
I'm on book two now. So far in the series there haven't been any plot twists that I haven't seen coming and there have been a few moments in which I haven't fully believed the characters' decisions, based on their characterization (primarily the King and Prince Hauth), but honestly, I don't really care. I am bought in enough to the main characters, the magical world, and the primary plot arc to just enjoy the story as it unfolds!
As someone who prioritizes storytelling over prose, this was exactly what I needed. It was the perfect cozy, gothic fantasy for a cold winter weekend and I am officially addicted to the series!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Violence, Blood
Minor: Child abuse
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Overall, I enjoyed this! It has an interesting premise, cool card-based magic system, and (mostly) well fleshed out characters. I loved and understood Elspeth and the decisions she made (including the questionable ones) and enjoyed many of the side characters. This was also a fairly quick read–i'd sit down for a little bit and gobble up 50 pages without realising it.
That being said, there were several points where this didn't work for me (besides that I thought this was a monster romance and spent the whole book simping for the Nightmare).
That being said, there were several points where this didn't work for me (besides that I thought this was a monster romance and spent the whole book simping for the Nightmare).
- The romance. This is marketed as a romantasy so I expect the romance to be well fleshed out. Yet, I could not for the life of me tell you why these two fall for each other. That's not to say there wasn't the occasional swoon worthy moment between them, but I giggled a lot more for DaddyNightmare being all protective and stern (and giving her a choice). 🤷🏻♀️ It also was insta-lovey, especially since he's supposed to be one of the people she fears the most! Give me the tension pls.
- Narrative inconsistencies. For example, Elspeth has a broken wrist but this is completed disregarded at times (wdym she was braiding her own hair?!) and then brought back up when its necessary for the plot.
- Ravyn's characterisation. He's the head of this brutal killing squad and yet we barely see him be brutal. The one time we did was hot AF—and I enjoyed learning his other secrets!—but overall he was kind of bland to me.
- Somewhat predictable. Listen, I am a top tier passenger princess when I read. I am not theorising or picking up on foreshadowing on an initial read through. I'm here for the journey! And I enjoy that tbqh. However, it means that when I do predict a twist...🥴 And while there were surprises, some were so so very obvius.
- The vibes. I know this is supposed to be moody, spooky, and gothic but I really didn't feel that the setting was well fleshed out (would've really appreciated a map). I was more afraid of the men than the mist especially since there were so many ways around the mist taking you? But maybe that was the point.
This is comped to Uprooted which was one of my favorite books of 2024 and one that I think does the monstrous (but human) love interest, creepy wood, and gothic vibes much better.
I'm glad I read this. I do think its overhyped. But onto the next! I'm excited for Elm and Ione, especially since their connection was setup perfectly in this one.
Initial Review
I still maintain the nightmare would’ve been the better love interest. 🤷🏻♀️
Full RTC (maybe)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Violence, Blood
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I have no words! It was so good literally couldn’t put it down and when I had to (mom duties) I was constantly thinking about it. I want more of the nightmare’s story and how everything went down. Just grabbed book 2 & not entirely happy about multiple POVs but let’s see how it goes!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, 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: Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Terminal illness, Violence, Vomit
Minor: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury