Scan barcode
hrobles1009's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Murder
natashalg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gore, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual content and Vomit
kale_abomination's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
ms_morri's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Death, Gore, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Rape, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, and Vomit
annick's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Cracking good fantasy read. Morally grey characters (male and female). Some disability representation (mute and mechanical arm). And the women fight for their safety/freedom. multi pov in third person. the last third was really engaging and a great mix of plot and character drama.
This book has well paced plot, tension, intrigue and a mix of well drawn characters who react with their flaws and learn with time to change their minds and actions.
The world building is interesting.
I enjoyed the various plot twists. And was deeply satisfied with some near the end that I did not anticipate.
The use of old Norse words was appealing to me (i learned some Swedish in recent years).
I’m eager to read book two.
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Drug use, Misogyny, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Slavery
dblue236's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
I've been really interested in Norse mythology and folklore since playing Assassin's Creed Valhalla a few years ago, so that drew me to this book. I am *not* a big fan of romantasy in general, so some of those themes were a bit lost on me, but overall I enjoyed the book despite its relatively slow pace. I liked the characters and the buildup of the relationships among them as a group, and the epilogue left me wanting to continue with the series. This was not necessarily something I'd make a habit of reading, but I did enjoy it for what it was.
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Blood, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death and Kidnapping
jennipea382's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Kidnapping, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Alcohol
belle13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
❤️Found family
❤️Secret identities
❤️Twists & turns
❤️Magic & spooky creatures
❤️High fantasy
❤️Adventure & danger
I had high hopes for this one after reading all the reviews and I definitely wasn’t disappointed. It wasn’t a full five star read for me because it did drag a little in the middle but it definitely started with a bang and ended on an even bigger bang which made up for any pacing issues in the middle. It was much darker than I was anticipating, it was a little scary and had my heart racing at points which I loved.
I wish I had looked up spoilers beforehand like I usually do because there was a particular trope in there that is a pet peeve of mine, but this didn’t affect my rating as it’s a personal issue, not an issue with the writing.
I would recommend it if you love a high fantasy with a twisty mystery and an intriguing romantic subplot or if you've ever played Skyrim and loved it.
Amount of spice:🔥1-2 scenes
Explicitness: 🌶️🌶️Open door but not overly explicit
Thanks to Orion Publishing Group for the ARC ❤️
Graphic: Death, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Drug use
booksalacarte's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
4.75⭐️3🌶️
Adult Fantasy Romance
Viking inspired
20yo FMC
Dual POV
Journeying
Disabled Side cCharacters
Unique Magic System
Slow burn
Found Family
Complicated Characters
Secret Identities
Forced Proximity
Tw: murder, addiction
I should have read this sooner.
I heard about it through mutuals and it has been on my TBR for a long time. I was so excited to get an arc of it which made me hike it up on my never ending TBR.
This was such a refreshing read! The plot was intriguing. The world building was slow, but well done. It didn’t distract for the story, and never felted like an info dump. The magic system has only been revealed when needed. And usually that annoys me, or makes me think it’s not been well thought out… but in this instance, I think it suits the plot really well.
The beginning was slow to get into. I was waiting for the FMC to get to a decently capable point, and it took a while. But the further I read, the more I had to keep reading. The plot was surprising, the characters unique and I was so angry when the twist happened! That character better get what’s calming to them!!
The first PoV is the FMC and very compelling. Orphan on the run with a secret even she doesn’t know about.
The second POV introduces us to another girl… the enemy, essentially, hunting for the first FMC by the order of the mysterious queen.
Third POv is the blond mercenary with a troubled past.
4th POV is the band leader who is as tight lipped and mysterious as anyone.
The beginning was hard to get into, I was waiting for the FMC to get to a decently capable point, and it took a while. But the further I read, the more I had to keep reading. The plot was surprising, the characters unique and I was so angry when the twist happened! That character better get what’s calming to them!!
The love triangle-ish had me on the edge of my seat! I was so intrigued by how the romance would play out.
Thank God I have an ARC of the second book… cause I would not do well with that cliffhanger and POV addition if I had to be patient and wait until February, when it is going to be released.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing - Ballantine, Dellacorte Press for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Graphic: Addiction, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
doahdancer's review
- 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
4.5
Relationships are built steadily, but no key moment is spared to move the plot forward. If you enjoy the slow build of a friendship or a romance and don't mind a road trip, then this is for you.
The FMC is a gentle soul, but strong hearted. She's a good antidote to sassy personalities, if they've got you down.
The MMC though? Complicated. Really wasn't sure about him most of the time, but I actually think I'm really, really going to like him in the next book. He's got some great development towards the end that sets up for an amazing payout next book. Here's to hoping we actually get it!
Graphic: Confinement, Deadnaming, Death, Drug use, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail