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thebookwhale's review
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
4.75
I loved this. I loved every chapter, every page, every word of it. This book, it is fantasy with a romance in enemies-to-lovers style as a subplot and it has DUAL POV(!!!!). And everything is so well thought out. I have to admit I haven't read the Remnant Chronicles yet which come before this duology , but still, I didn't feel like I was missing too much information, even though some things were a bit confusing, but that's my fault and not the books.
Kazi is one of the best FMC I've ever read. She reminded me of Katniss sometimes and I fell in love with her. I feel like I know her because her flaws, her thoughts, and her emotions are so well written. We get to know things about her past, her family and also her relationship with her fellow soldiers / friends (I love Synové and Wren btw) who she deeply cares for.
Jase is another great guy, I love him. I love the connection he has with his family, and how they come before anyone else. I love his thoughts about Kazi, how they are not that different from each other than what they think.
The romance, it is definitely a slow-burn, even though we get kisses pretty early. But the ways they showed their affection and their love and how they went through ups and downs together, I have to say that it did feel genuine, it didn't feel out of character for them to act the way they did with each other.
One thing I have to criticize is that the ending felt a little rushed.All of a sudden Kazi and the other Rahtan decide to leave, and though I did understand their reasons, I didn't like how fast that decision was made. Like one day they were on good terms with the Ballengers and the next they decide to leave.
Also a few plot holes were left open, like
How did Jase find out that Kazi replaced the sleep medicine with salt?
Why would Synové kill the prisoner she hates if she said she wouldn't and she knew it was the Queen's order not to do so?
I know these are kinda irrelevant but I still want to know
Also, leaving a book on a cliffhanger like this? A disgusting and genius thing to do. Just stop before chapter 62 if you don't want to read the next book or don't have it yet or if you don't want to be left on a cliffhanger. Because now I have to wait weeks until my bookstore has it again.
Loved it, 5/5
EDITED:
Okay so I reread this because I wanted to read Vow of Thieves, and I think I have to change a few things.
I am not that big of a fan of the relationship anymore. It annoyed me that there could have been a single conversation to erase all of the problems but that just didn't happen and I don't know why. At the same time, it felt rushed. They barely knew each other and somehow fell in love so hard in a short time of 2 months?
A few characters were really underdeveloped. The queen, and her relationship with Kazi, Gunner, Mason, and Wren and Synové (especially Wren) are only some examples. The author could have made so much more out of it if she decided to develope them a little bit more.
Sometimes, Kazi and Jase felt a little blunt and dull, and I am a little shocked that I didn't notice it before. Sometimes, they, and especially Kazi, just annoy me.
However, this book still has a place in my heart, even if I see some of its flaws now. 4.75/5
Kazi is one of the best FMC I've ever read. She reminded me of Katniss sometimes and I fell in love with her. I feel like I know her because her flaws, her thoughts, and her emotions are so well written. We get to know things about her past, her family and also her relationship with her fellow soldiers / friends (I love Synové and Wren btw) who she deeply cares for.
Jase is another great guy, I love him. I love the connection he has with his family, and how they come before anyone else. I love his thoughts about Kazi, how they are not that different from each other than what they think.
The romance, it is definitely a slow-burn, even though we get kisses pretty early. But the ways they showed their affection and their love and how they went through ups and downs together, I have to say that it did feel genuine, it didn't feel out of character for them to act the way they did with each other.
One thing I have to criticize is that the ending felt a little rushed.
Also a few plot holes were left open, like
How did Jase find out that Kazi replaced the sleep medicine with salt?
Why would Synové kill the prisoner she hates if she said she wouldn't and she knew it was the Queen's order not to do so?
I know these are kinda irrelevant but I still want to know
Also, leaving a book on a cliffhanger like this? A disgusting and genius thing to do. Just stop before chapter 62 if you don't want to read the next book or don't have it yet or if you don't want to be left on a cliffhanger. Because now I have to wait weeks until my bookstore has it again.
Loved it, 5/5
EDITED:
Okay so I reread this because I wanted to read Vow of Thieves, and I think I have to change a few things.
I am not that big of a fan of the relationship anymore. It annoyed me that there could have been a single conversation to erase all of the problems but that just didn't happen and I don't know why. At the same time, it felt rushed. They barely knew each other and somehow fell in love so hard in a short time of 2 months?
A few characters were really underdeveloped. The queen, and her relationship with Kazi, Gunner, Mason, and Wren and Synové (especially Wren) are only some examples. The author could have made so much more out of it if she decided to develope them a little bit more.
Sometimes, Kazi and Jase felt a little blunt and dull, and I am a little shocked that I didn't notice it before. Sometimes, they, and especially Kazi, just annoy me.
However, this book still has a place in my heart, even if I see some of its flaws now. 4.75/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Genocide and Murder
Minor: Pregnancy, Rape, and Infertility
katharina90's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.5
This was a challenge to get through. It mostly felt slow and boring. The characters were pretty flat and forgettable, the plot was mediocre, and even after 16 hours of listening to the audiobook I still didn't really understand the world this story was set in.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping, Violence, Trafficking, and Death of parent
Minor: Miscarriage
annsfictworld's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Murder, Violence, Abandonment, and Death
victoria_elaine's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? N/A
4.25
Loved this book! It was a perfect mix of romance and fantasy world building/politics kind of vibe. It starts out a little slow, but just give it a couple of chapters and you’ll be hooked! Love Jase and Kazi ❤️❤️ cute lil enemies to lovers moment but it’s predictable so I’m not spoiling dw. ALSO THE END???? (There’s a sequel btw)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Grief, Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: War and Death of parent
Minor: Abandonment and Trafficking
mrsalexisrjones's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
4.75
This book is a dystopian possibly fantasy novel that links together the rich and the poor, the friends and foes, the enemies and lovers. It’s a dance amongst thieves.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Miscarriage, Trafficking, War, Gore, Torture, Violence, Murder, Blood, and Death
jana_f's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Trafficking, Medical content, and Death of parent
Minor: Pregnancy, Miscarriage, and Torture
moanareads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Murder, Sexual content, and Slavery
Moderate: Death, War, Child death, Cursing, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, and Violence
livelaughomo's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death
Moderate: Trafficking and Blood
Minor: Miscarriage and Torture
pageafter_paige's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I haven’t read any fantasy in a hot minute but I think this was a good one to read to get me back into it! I like how after the first 20 pages or so I was able to fully comprehend the fantasy world without much effort. I also love a dual POV and an enemies to lovers trope (also lowkey has the forbidden lovers thing)!
It was definitely a slow burn romance wise. I think the book had a pretty good pace, maybe a little slow at some parts but not too bad.
Honestly the thing that annoyed me the most was how the FMM being constantly described as an untouchable warrior but like we see she makes mistakes that seem a little obvious… maybe she blinded by love though so who am I to judge.
Overall I liked Jase’s character a lot and hearing the history of his family was VERY interesting I almost wish there was a book on that! Kazi was also likable and gave me Inej vibes form Six of Crows (except Inej is actually untouchable lmao). I’ll be interested to see what happens with them in the second book.
It was definitely a slow burn romance wise. I think the book had a pretty good pace, maybe a little slow at some parts but not too bad.
Honestly the thing that annoyed me the most was how the FMM being constantly described as an untouchable warrior but like we see she makes mistakes that seem a little obvious… maybe she blinded by love though so who am I to judge.
Overall I liked Jase’s character a lot and hearing the history of his family was VERY interesting I almost wish there was a book on that! Kazi was also likable and gave me Inej vibes form Six of Crows (except Inej is actually untouchable lmao). I’ll be interested to see what happens with them in the second book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Stalking, War, Alcohol, Bullying, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Excrement, Trafficking, Abandonment, Classism, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence
pitchblackkoi's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Violence, and Trafficking