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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
Audio listened on:
28/3 2024. Rating still 5 stars.
6/5 2023. Rating still 5 stars.
29/1 2022. Rating changed to 5 stars.
5-6/2 2021. Rated 4 stars.
28/3 2024. Rating still 5 stars.
6/5 2023. Rating still 5 stars.
29/1 2022. Rating changed to 5 stars.
5-6/2 2021. Rated 4 stars.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
I am a little bit sad right now because I have enjoyed every book in the series until now. I am a bit disappointed because I was very excited for Rydstrom’s book. He was quite a prominent character in earlier books so his character was already known and I felt like I had a good grasp of him. I did not know anything of Sabine.
One of the reasons I did not really appreciate Rydstrom in this book is because of his attitude towards cade. I really liked Cade’s book and liked his character. In that book, we got to see how much he struggled with his self-esteem and with how he thought he betrayed his brother. And I felt so bad for him. So now when I get the brothers perspective, I’m thinking he’s actually not gonna be feeling that towards cade and that cade has actually misunderstood him. That was not the case. Rydstrom very clearly blames him. Unjustifiably, in my opinion. There’s even has a moment where Rydstrom tells his brother that he loves him, and Cade is surprised. When cade did the impossible and got him the sword, Rydstrom didn’t even react. Everything that was fucked for in the earlier book felt cheapened. I think it’s safe to say that Rydstrom failed as a brother…
But, moving on to what really made this book a disappointment - Sabine. There are morally grey characters and then there’s just characters that are plain bad and annoying to read about. I get that she was hurt and I know that she had some kindness in her, especially regarding her sister, but that did not make up for what she did. She knew how she acted was bad but she did not care. Instead, Rydstrom is the one that changes to fit her. I know she gets a little bit better, but not enough for me to forget about it. I also don’t like the idea of “I’m evil and that’s just who I am”.
For example, when that dragon attacked all those innocent people and she was freed, she thought it was ridiculous to suggest that she was actually going to save them as she said she would. It was also really annoying that when she came to the camp and no one liked her because she’s been oppressing them for centuries, she was mad that they didn’t like her. Because no one could understand her and she is the victim. 😤 please, I couldn’t. If you’re going to be sad that no one likes sorcerers, then maybe try to not be a jackass to everyone.
I wanted to have sympathy for her, but I didn’t. Another thing, she was mad that Rydstrom didn’t treat her right when he escaped, claiming that she didn’t do anything that bad to him. Meanwhile, she literally planned to murder him and their child. I mean, come on.
I really tried to like this book more because I do really love the series, but it was kind of a struggle to get through. I really do like the world and I like the side characters, and I think that’s the reason I give it three stars.
Listen, its the fan-favorite for a reason. It takes 5 books but we finally get Rydstrom's book, the deposed demon king. And we get an unlikable heroine in Sabine but you know what? I fucking love her. Its the trauma for me, the love for her sister, the unabashed love for pretty things and power. #hatersgonnahate
I really do enjoy Sabine. She's just on the wrong side of good. She's devious and immoral, but not as good at covering her growing feels as she'd like to be. Everything in her life has always been brutal she doesn't know how to deal with the softer side of life.
Rydstrom has such a strong sense of purpose. He's devoted to his kingdom and has such a steel spine. I liked seeing him soften to Sabine as his rage came under control. They're back and forth relationship was all over the place as they both got their revenge.
I liked seeing the overlap with this book and Cadeon's story. It's nice to see all the pieces coming together in the sage to get to Omort the Deathless.
Rydstrom has such a strong sense of purpose. He's devoted to his kingdom and has such a steel spine. I liked seeing him soften to Sabine as his rage came under control. They're back and forth relationship was all over the place as they both got their revenge.
I liked seeing the overlap with this book and Cadeon's story. It's nice to see all the pieces coming together in the sage to get to Omort the Deathless.
I was very unsure about this book because both the MCs were irritating me for the first 20% or so. Sabine grew on me much quicker that the MMC, but I eventually made my peace with him as well. It was interesting to have a morally grey FMC, although she was occasionally over the top for my tastes. I think I prefer her little sister.
This book was all about dubcon and power exchange with the FMC driving the dubcon. The true villain of the story was… somehow more horrifying that Groot (spelling? I’ve been doing the audiobooks lol).
Anyway, those readers who like a nice redemption arc, this book definitely had it for both MCs.
Spice: 5/5
Triggers: murder, violence, incest, torture, dubcon, captivity, kidnapping, children suffering
This book was all about dubcon and power exchange with the FMC driving the dubcon. The true villain of the story was… somehow more horrifying that Groot (spelling? I’ve been doing the audiobooks lol).
Anyway, those readers who like a nice redemption arc, this book definitely had it for both MCs.
Spice: 5/5
Triggers: murder, violence, incest, torture, dubcon, captivity, kidnapping, children suffering
I am shocked! I went into this prepared to not like this book. Almost everyone I know who has read this book has either not liked it or has DNF'd it. Going in I knew I was getting Rhydstrom story and finding out what happened to him during Cade's story (Dark Desires After Dusk), and I didn't have the highest of opinions of Rhydstrom even if he is considered the noble of royals in the demon species. But what I wasn't expecting was just how much I adored this book? Like, Sabine and Rhydstrom were a complete hoot for me and I actually binged this story in one sitting.
Now I will say, my friends were right in their assessment in Rhydstrom--he is indeed an idiot. But what made this story for me was Sabine. Specifically what Sabine brought out of Rhydstrom. I loved their dynamic and how they both gave as good as they got (if you know you know). The chemistry between them was absolutely on fire, and I had such a blast watching them "torture" each other that I couldn't stop smiling throughout this story.
Sabine is the queen of illusions who is destined to be mated to Rhydstrom the true king of Rothkalina. However, Sabine's half brother, Omort, stole the crown a couple centuries ago and will do anything to keep it--even if that means using Sabine to ensure it. But what he didn't bank on was just how determined Rhydstrom is to return his people and kingdom to their former glory, but also just how much Sabine dreams of freedom and answering to no one.
For the first time in this series, I feel like we are given a pairing that are equals in so many ways. Neither of them are ignorant of the Lore or the inner workings and both are known for their power. I loved watching them realize this about the other and the mutual respect that comes with being around an equal. I feel like Sabine is probably my favorite heroine so far in this series because she is such a complete badass. She does everything to ensure that her and her sister survives; and I love that she says "to hell with everything and everyone else".
It didn't take me as long as I thought it would to soften up to Rhydstrom while I was reading this story, as I think Sabine's form of punishment was good enough for the bullshit he made Cadeon go through in the previous novel. I do however stand by my friends' assessment that he is indeed still an idiot. No matter how far in the novel we got, I was still shaking my head and muttering how much of an idiot Rhydstrom was with all of his actions.
All in all this was a ride I was so thrilled to be on. Sabine and Rhydstrom is an enemies to lovers romance that had me clutching my pearls and scrambling to turn the page just so I could get more of what was happening. Without a doubt, I can see myself re-reading this story later on down the road! If you are thinking of reading this one, I highly recommend starting with Cadeon's story first before plowing into this one though!
Now I will say, my friends were right in their assessment in Rhydstrom--he is indeed an idiot. But what made this story for me was Sabine. Specifically what Sabine brought out of Rhydstrom. I loved their dynamic and how they both gave as good as they got (if you know you know). The chemistry between them was absolutely on fire, and I had such a blast watching them "torture" each other that I couldn't stop smiling throughout this story.
Sabine is the queen of illusions who is destined to be mated to Rhydstrom the true king of Rothkalina. However, Sabine's half brother, Omort, stole the crown a couple centuries ago and will do anything to keep it--even if that means using Sabine to ensure it. But what he didn't bank on was just how determined Rhydstrom is to return his people and kingdom to their former glory, but also just how much Sabine dreams of freedom and answering to no one.
"So you're just a cold, heartless bitch."
"As much as you're a self-righteous, miserable prick." Her lips curled into a smirk. "But that doesn't mean we can't have something meaningful between us."
For the first time in this series, I feel like we are given a pairing that are equals in so many ways. Neither of them are ignorant of the Lore or the inner workings and both are known for their power. I loved watching them realize this about the other and the mutual respect that comes with being around an equal. I feel like Sabine is probably my favorite heroine so far in this series because she is such a complete badass. She does everything to ensure that her and her sister survives; and I love that she says "to hell with everything and everyone else".
It didn't take me as long as I thought it would to soften up to Rhydstrom while I was reading this story, as I think Sabine's form of punishment was good enough for the bullshit he made Cadeon go through in the previous novel. I do however stand by my friends' assessment that he is indeed still an idiot. No matter how far in the novel we got, I was still shaking my head and muttering how much of an idiot Rhydstrom was with all of his actions.
All in all this was a ride I was so thrilled to be on. Sabine and Rhydstrom is an enemies to lovers romance that had me clutching my pearls and scrambling to turn the page just so I could get more of what was happening. Without a doubt, I can see myself re-reading this story later on down the road! If you are thinking of reading this one, I highly recommend starting with Cadeon's story first before plowing into this one though!
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I didn't really like this pairing at all. Every part of the chemistry felt forced, and the only highlight was more Cadeon, Holly, Regin, and Nïx. Crossing my fingers that the next one is more up my alley...
I found this on a list of recommendations for romances between two villains, and the synopsis seems to point in that direction. Unfortunately this didn't scratch that itch for me. The "villainous" heroine is in fact just misunderstood, and her "Demonic" love interest is the canonically the nicest, most upstanding guy around. So, yeah, not the dark love story it's marketed as.
There also wasn't a huge amount of romance. Or bonding of any kind. There was some sex, but it was a strange blend of outlandish and perfunctory. The most memorable line of the book for me was the heroine thinking to herself "The sexual tension had been palpable," referring to something that had just happened off screen... um, okay, how about you show us that, then?!
There was also a non-romantic plot that I very sincerely did not care about. The pacing of this wasn't handled well at all, with the first half of the book filled with exposition only for everything to be wrapped up at lightspeed in the span of half a chapter.
2/5, not the worst thing I've ever read, but I'm not interested in picking up more from this author.
There also wasn't a huge amount of romance. Or bonding of any kind. There was some sex, but it was a strange blend of outlandish and perfunctory. The most memorable line of the book for me was the heroine thinking to herself "The sexual tension had been palpable," referring to something that had just happened off screen... um, okay, how about you show us that, then?!
There was also a non-romantic plot that I very sincerely did not care about. The pacing of this wasn't handled well at all, with the first half of the book filled with exposition only for everything to be wrapped up at lightspeed in the span of half a chapter.
2/5, not the worst thing I've ever read, but I'm not interested in picking up more from this author.