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kueso's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
4.75
cupcake8's review
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
tense
slow-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
3.75
katietheman's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
In good faith I can’t rate this higher than one star… there is SO much wrong with it. Girl needs an editor, STAT. At least it kept the gc entertained!
covetedbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Oh wow, where do I even start with this book?
I absolutely adored it. I’ve never really read a book like this, so it was neat to be able to read something with a new concept, and love it all at the same time!
I will say, the FMC was a bit infuriating at times and that’s why I knocked a star off. She was too stubborn and stuck in her ways for me to fully love, and she was like that throughout almost the entirety of the book, but I did appreciate the fact that the Jester was able to make her question her morals and ethics, and redefine her “black or white” beliefs. I just wished she had began to question and redefine them earlier in the book.
I loved how the jester and his personas played out. I think it was really smart to capture all parts of him, because it really made him so much more lovable and an intriguing/interesting character. I love how he ended up on a path of rediscovery and a journey of soul searching, and I really can’t wait to see how that plays out. The cliffhanger was amazing, and I’m definitely looking forward to purchasing the second book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I absolutely adored it. I’ve never really read a book like this, so it was neat to be able to read something with a new concept, and love it all at the same time!
I will say, the FMC was a bit infuriating at times and that’s why I knocked a star off. She was too stubborn and stuck in her ways for me to fully love, and she was like that throughout almost the entirety of the book, but I did appreciate the fact that the Jester was able to make her question her morals and ethics, and redefine her “black or white” beliefs. I just wished she had began to question and redefine them earlier in the book.
I loved how the jester and his personas played out. I think it was really smart to capture all parts of him, because it really made him so much more lovable and an intriguing/interesting character. I love how he ended up on a path of rediscovery and a journey of soul searching, and I really can’t wait to see how that plays out. The cliffhanger was amazing, and I’m definitely looking forward to purchasing the second book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
jessicaeliz's review against another edition
3.0
liked it but it isn’t the best.
The FMC is a twit and up her own arse I actually can’t stand her.
The romance I liked that’s one of the reason I carried on reading
Because the Plot was predictable
I loved the that the jester was the love interest.
The first few chapters were really good but it lost me in the last couple chapters
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a honest review
The FMC is a twit and up her own arse I actually can’t stand her.
The romance I liked that’s one of the reason I carried on reading
Because the Plot was predictable
I loved the that the jester was the love interest.
The first few chapters were really good but it lost me in the last couple chapters
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a honest review
wiltingnightshade's review
funny
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? Yes
4.5
nit_'s review against another edition
4.0
This was a great read! One of the most amazing aspects of this book is that the writing flows so smoothly, which is truly a testament to the author’s talent and skill. This was a longer book than I’m used to reading, but I was so hooked that I stayed up way too late and ended up reading it in one day.
Leyna is the FMC of the story, and while I appreciated her overall character arc, I found her to be extremely unlikeable for the first half of the book. She was entitled, selfish, and just generally inconsiderate of others. Her lack of empathy for other people’s situations was really tough to read. On the bright side, I did finally start to like her after I was about 50% of the way through the book.
The biggest draw for me, and the thing that kept me hooked to the story, was all the mystery surrounding who the “good guys” and who the “bad guys” were. The cherry on top was trying to figure out the jester’s identity as I was reading. All of the mystery was masterfully written and kept me on my toes the whole time, which was super exciting.
The romance was also enjoyable to read. The banter between the jester and Leyna was entertaining, and the sexual tension/chemistry was off the charts. There were two main steamy scenes that I remember, both of which were well-written. However, one of them took place in Leyna’s dream, which honestly felt really out-of-place and was kind of a let-down.
I also genuinely could not understand what made Leyna and the jester so attracted to each other to begin with. It was hard to make sense of when they fell for each other and why it happened so quickly, which the made overall romance less believable.
Overall, this was an exciting fantasy romance! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys court intrigue, swoon-worthy romance, and really interesting and often unpredictable plot twists.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Leyna is the FMC of the story, and while I appreciated her overall character arc, I found her to be extremely unlikeable for the first half of the book. She was entitled, selfish, and just generally inconsiderate of others. Her lack of empathy for other people’s situations was really tough to read. On the bright side, I did finally start to like her after I was about 50% of the way through the book.
The biggest draw for me, and the thing that kept me hooked to the story, was all the mystery surrounding who the “good guys” and who the “bad guys” were. The cherry on top was trying to figure out the jester’s identity as I was reading. All of the mystery was masterfully written and kept me on my toes the whole time, which was super exciting.
The romance was also enjoyable to read. The banter between the jester and Leyna was entertaining, and the sexual tension/chemistry was off the charts. There were two main steamy scenes that I remember, both of which were well-written. However, one of them took place in Leyna’s dream, which honestly felt really out-of-place and was kind of a let-down.
I also genuinely could not understand what made Leyna and the jester so attracted to each other to begin with. It was hard to make sense of when they fell for each other and why it happened so quickly, which the made overall romance less believable.
Overall, this was an exciting fantasy romance! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys court intrigue, swoon-worthy romance, and really interesting and often unpredictable plot twists.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
jlreadstoperpetuity's review against another edition
2.0
It took me 5days to read this. 5days. In a timeline where I can read a book in a day or two, 5days is a tell tale sign that I needed some time to compose myself because I am darn frustrated and at the verge of DNF'ing a book.
I really liked the side characters, especially the Jester (and then I didn't). I liked the concept of wizards protecting the royalty (fantasy book that includes magic, yes!). I liked the air of mystery, secret organizations, betrayal and uncovering the traitors part. What I did not like, the FMC; which is rather ironic since this book was told on the POV of the FMC and the underwhelming twists on how the book ended (Yeah, I know there is a second book but given the premise of this one, rather unnecessary)
The FMC has to be the most self absorbed, pretentiously self righteous and irritatingly st*pidest cast in this book (I am really so sorry for the lack of of a better term) It took her 30pages before the book ended to uncover the real villain behind the betrayals. The author tried portraying her as this intelligent and fierce badass FMC but truly, she is just a spineless lap dog unable to do sh*t for her friends. Stickler for rules even if the truth is right in front of her. As a reader, I find it sometimes offensive if authors brands their casts this way just to illicit emotions and extend the story. Who would want a lame as*s character all the way to the end?
The ending. My goodness. So each character has this secret on whatever lives they led before meeting the very oblivious FMC, which is all and great. Explanations were done at the ending, albeit not really helpful. A twist was mentioned which I think was an attempt to have a premise for the second book.
I'll end the review there are there's not much more that I can share that isn't a replication of the boorish repetitions from the book itself.
I really liked the side characters, especially the Jester (and then I didn't). I liked the concept of wizards protecting the royalty (fantasy book that includes magic, yes!). I liked the air of mystery, secret organizations, betrayal and uncovering the traitors part. What I did not like, the FMC; which is rather ironic since this book was told on the POV of the FMC and the underwhelming twists on how the book ended (Yeah, I know there is a second book but given the premise of this one, rather unnecessary)
The FMC has to be the most self absorbed, pretentiously self righteous and irritatingly st*pidest cast in this book (I am really so sorry for the lack of of a better term) It took her 30pages before the book ended to uncover the real villain behind the betrayals. The author tried portraying her as this intelligent and fierce badass FMC but truly, she is just a spineless lap dog unable to do sh*t for her friends. Stickler for rules even if the truth is right in front of her. As a reader, I find it sometimes offensive if authors brands their casts this way just to illicit emotions and extend the story. Who would want a lame as*s character all the way to the end?
The ending. My goodness. So each character has this secret on whatever lives they led before meeting the very oblivious FMC, which is all and great. Explanations were done at the ending, albeit not really helpful. A twist was mentioned which I think was an attempt to have a premise for the second book.
I'll end the review there are there's not much more that I can share that isn't a replication of the boorish repetitions from the book itself.
rissreadss's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked the cover of this book as well as the storyline, I can't wait to read the second book to see how the rest of the story plays out. I did like Leyna and was excited when the jester showed up! I really liked the Jester as well and recommend reading this book!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.