Scan barcode
reading_historical_romance's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Gore, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
silverfern's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This review is purely me writing this for myself and reflecting. Because of the headspace I was in, I really don't think it will be that helpful to anyone else...
A few things to take into account:
Over the period of reading this book I got quite depressed and highly irritable so I think a lot of my thoughts on this book are probably quite "judgy" and harsher than they need be.
There were also some things about it that I'm just not that into in general so that didn't help.
The good stuff:
I liked a lot of the Vocab choices, I highlighted the book throughout for Vocab, quotes, storybuilding, etc.
Me venting and reflecting:
I think reading three of the mortal enemies to monster lovers books has solidified for me that I'm really not into smut. (Or it has to be a slow build and then maybe one scene that isn't overly descriptive? Haha)
But this book felt like it had a lot of scenes to me and I'm always reading it thinking 'what about the people nearby?? Or, there's danger around for goodness sake!' and I get anxious or embarrassed on the characters behalf 😅
I also thought the pacing was kinda off? I highly prefer Helen S' other books for pacing and well... Just overall.
I think I found that with her novellas too? Like they're good, but I really think she's so amazing with series that these one shots are lacking in comparison. They have some good elements but they just don't feel like a well paced story that feels natural with its development - if that makes sense?
Thoughts decisions or logic of characters was off too at times? I got pissed off a lot - though as I mentioned I was more irritable.
I wasn't that into Talemir - not on my book crush list and Drue bothered me at times too (though from memory it was rare?)
I thought they did have some chemistry but again cause of pacing and plot, etc I was bothered by the progression rate of their relationship.
Some tropes were not my thing and that didn't help. And then because tropes are tropes, and I had a low tolerance while reading, stuff made me roll my eyes for it's cliche nature.
But yea, took me a long time to finish, kinda finished it not because the story had me hooked but because I wanted to accomplish finishing a book that wasn't a middle grade audiobook...(I'm looking at you Series of Unfortunate Events)
3/5
A few things to take into account:
Over the period of reading this book I got quite depressed and highly irritable so I think a lot of my thoughts on this book are probably quite "judgy" and harsher than they need be.
There were also some things about it that I'm just not that into in general so that didn't help.
The good stuff:
I liked a lot of the Vocab choices, I highlighted the book throughout for Vocab, quotes, storybuilding, etc.
Me venting and reflecting:
I think reading three of the mortal enemies to monster lovers books has solidified for me that I'm really not into smut. (Or it has to be a slow build and then maybe one scene that isn't overly descriptive? Haha)
But this book felt like it had a lot of scenes to me and I'm always reading it thinking 'what about the people nearby?? Or, there's danger around for goodness sake!' and I get anxious or embarrassed on the characters behalf 😅
I also thought the pacing was kinda off? I highly prefer Helen S' other books for pacing and well... Just overall.
I think I found that with her novellas too? Like they're good, but I really think she's so amazing with series that these one shots are lacking in comparison. They have some good elements but they just don't feel like a well paced story that feels natural with its development - if that makes sense?
Thoughts decisions or logic of characters was off too at times? I got pissed off a lot - though as I mentioned I was more irritable.
I wasn't that into Talemir - not on my book crush list and Drue bothered me at times too (though from memory it was rare?)
I thought they did have some chemistry but again cause of pacing and plot, etc I was bothered by the progression rate of their relationship.
Some tropes were not my thing and that didn't help. And then because tropes are tropes, and I had a low tolerance while reading, stuff made me roll my eyes for it's cliche nature.
But yea, took me a long time to finish, kinda finished it not because the story had me hooked but because I wanted to accomplish finishing a book that wasn't a middle grade audiobook...(I'm looking at you Series of Unfortunate Events)
3/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Sexual content
jennybugg's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
livruther's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
3.5
i didnt really like the beginning or the world building or the fact that drue never formally apologized for calling him a monster in the beginning. but it was overall a fine fantasy romance. the characters were pretty good together
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Sexual content
bellebookcorner's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-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
5.0
“Sometimes, to love someone, we have to let them go. And that sometimes, in order to go where we need to, we must turn away from one path, onto another.”
Read this book if you love;
• Enemies-to-Lovers
• Forced Proximity
• Found Family
• Touch-her-and-you-die
• He falls first
• Strong FMC in a world of men
• Bantering and spicy scenes!
The plot started out with a strong opening, the main characters (Drue and Talemir) meet immediately and I instantly fell in love with the spark between them. I love their bantering as well as the sassy and funny remarks from both of them!
The story is told in dual POVs with good pacing and great writing style which makes it easier to envision the action scenes and the world building.
The characters (both main and side ones) are well developed and loveable. I like that Drue and Adrienne have a fierce and determined personality which makes them a great leader.
I also like seeing Talemir's character grwoth in accepting himself.
I feel satisfied with the ending, although it’s not the end of everything. Things are from over and I would love to explore more about this world in the next book with Wilder as the main character in Blood and Steel!
Talemir and Drue will also make an appearance on the second book which will come out later this year, I feel so excited for that as well!
Overall, this is a great prequel to the series. It’s highly enjoyable and entertaining!
It’s the perfect combination of action, fantasy and romance with all of my favorite tropes thrown inside as well!
Thank you to Book of Matches Media and author for giving me an e-ARC of the book and for having me on this book tour. I’m leaving this review voluntarily!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence and Blood
Minor: Sexual violence and Suicidal thoughts
samantha_ellen's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-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
Spicy fantasy romance stand alone = Trifecta 🤌🏽
I find Helen’s writing to be really easy to consume, but it’s not simple in any way. She is really good at her craft & I just inhale her books.
Overall the story had a heartwarming romance with a feisty FMC & an arrogant but ultimately cinnamon roll mmc. I really loved the two MC’s dynamic & it had the perfect amount of spice.
The plot was interesting & kept the momentum going, while also giving us more information into the world of the Legends of Thezmarr series.
There were lots of fun tropes like, one tent, reluctant allies to lovers, acts of service, shadow play & lots more ✨
I also LOVED seeing the MMC from Blood & Steel; Wilder Hawthorne ~ as this can be read as a prequel to that book ~ it’s made me so excited to continue that series!
This is her first romance forward story & in some moments I felt like I could tell ~ mainly towards the end there were some big impact moments that felt a little rushed, & one scene I wished was from the other characters pov so we understood the motivation behind their choices (especially as it was the conflict moment)
But these were the only moments I noticed in an otherwise throughly enjoyable fantasy romance.
Thank you Helen for the opportunity to arc read.
This review was provided voluntarily
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Blood, and Violence
More...