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4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
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
Mixed feelings, but I liked it overall. Will probably read the next book in the series!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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:
No
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4.75 the hype is real. I was hesitant but by chapter 20 I didn’t want to put it down!
Pros:
- magic system(however few characters are shown using magic and Hart doesn't explain this yet
- gods/fate/religious system
- different faeries, how they gained/lost their magic
- historical lore of the realms
- character development
- dramatic irony
- foreshadowing and gradual reveals
- pretty even ratio of female to male characters
- strong female lead (Hart builds suspense and there are times you think Saeris will give up, but she overcomes).
- 🌶️ was good their love story was not distracting from the main story or feel baseless. The first half of the book, the love story felt a little awkward, but improved.
- great foreshadowing for book 2
Cons (minor complaints):
- use of some modern slag that felt out of place “this sucks.”
-I hate the word “mate” for romantic bonds. It feels too possessive. In contrast, Kingfisher and Saeris’ relationship is built more on respect, compassion, communication, sacrifice, and love. Not infatuation or pure lust. I do appreciate the Hart doesn’t immediately reveal that they’re mates until chapter 35. She teases their connection in Chapter 27 though.
-I think Hart rushed the explanation about witches. Also, Fisher and Ren find the witches' settlement in less than 1 page, even though it was supposed to be secret and nearly impossible to find. That felt resolved too quickly. I'm hoping book 2 explains the witches' exile more and how they were accused of plaguing the Fae.
-Another aspect that felt rushed was Carrion's reveal that he's the long lost descendant to the Yvelian thrown. I'm hoping book two delves into more detail.
-Lastly, Madra appears in Yvelia standing next to Belikan and Malcolm. Somehow, she's able to travel to their realm without the quicksilver and presumably without another alchemist. Hart doesn't explain this or how they formed their alliance. Hopefully book 2 will provide the details
- a few awkward lines of dialogue
Pros:
- magic system
- gods/fate/religious system
- different faeries, how they gained/lost their magic
- historical lore of the realms
- character development
- dramatic irony
- foreshadowing and gradual reveals
- pretty even ratio of female to male characters
- strong female lead (Hart builds suspense and there are times you think Saeris will give up, but she overcomes).
- 🌶️ was good their love story was not distracting from the main story or feel baseless. The first half of the book, the love story felt a little awkward, but improved.
- great foreshadowing for book 2
Cons (minor complaints):
- use of some modern slag that felt out of place “this sucks.”
-
-
-
-
- a few awkward lines of dialogue
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, War
Minor: Vomit, Alcohol
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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:
No
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
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:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
*CONTAINS SPOILERS*
I thought I was going to DNF this book and probably should have. So many people I know and follow have read this book and raved about it, so I continued on because I REALLY wanted to love it. And I'm a vibes reader. I'm not overly critical of books. If I have a good time, the book gets a high rating. Unfortunately, it took entirely too long for me to get to a place where I actually had said good time.
The book opened up with a strong, angry, defiant character. Once we entered the fae realm I felt like I started to see a complete contradiction to the character I was first, albeit very briefly, introduced to. Anything and everything involving Kingfisher was either whiney and immature, or she was cowering at the sight of him. This woman unalived highly trained, skillful royal guards and then proceeded to walk through the throne room with a sword hanging out of her stomach. She repeatedly raised her chin, not letting her fear get the better of her in situations where she was severely outnumbered. To then COWER in the presence of one fae male just fell so flat for me. Maybe the author was trying to represent just how powerful and terrifying Fisher is, but it was poorly executed.
When Saeris wasn't cowering, she came across like a petulant child throwing a temper tantrum. I'd be angry in her situation too, but (IMO) the focus should have been centered around her desperation to get back to Hayden; and because it wasn't, I didn't have the emotional depth and understanding of her character that would have allowed me to buy into her reactions. Hayden is kind of an after-thought to be honest. Being in Saeris' head was uncomfortably cringy and highly repetitive. More time could have been better spent on allowing the reader to get to know her "why", her experiences, and her drive.
The romance felt INSANELY rushed. This book happens in a span of a month or so, and we are already in fated mates AND God pairing territory. Not to mention, the first half of this book was one week/week and a half. ONE WEEK. By his time I still felt like I didn't know these characters, know their dynamics, know their experiences... it felt so shallow and I just couldn't buy into it. Honestly, it seemed like building a story around rushed tropes rather than, well, the story or the characters.
The plot and world building elements weren't there in the beginning, and when they were, it left me with more questions than answers. it felt very choppy and not well explained. When the focus did become more about the plot? I got sucked in. I was enjoying the storyline, I loved the elements of the world, I loved the twists, and I loved the characters a hell of a lot more. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Saeris' friendships develop with Lorreth, Carrion, and Ren. I learned much more about Saeris and Fisher when it was reflected through the story line. There is so much to be said for nuanced reactions and mannerisms, and telling a story through a character's actions that we just did not get in the beginning.
I actually thought that they had someone else ghost-write the second half of the book. It's a shame that it took past the halfway mark for me to enjoy this story. Am I going to read the next one? I'm going to try, yes, but if I'm 30% of the way through the second book and it feels like the majority of what Quicksilver felt like - uncomfortably painful to read - I am going to have to give up on this series. Carrion was always entertaining to read, and probably the only thing that got me through most of it.
I thought I was going to DNF this book and probably should have. So many people I know and follow have read this book and raved about it, so I continued on because I REALLY wanted to love it. And I'm a vibes reader. I'm not overly critical of books. If I have a good time, the book gets a high rating. Unfortunately, it took entirely too long for me to get to a place where I actually had said good time.
The book opened up with a strong, angry, defiant character. Once we entered the fae realm I felt like I started to see a complete contradiction to the character I was first, albeit very briefly, introduced to. Anything and everything involving Kingfisher was either whiney and immature, or she was cowering at the sight of him. This woman unalived highly trained, skillful royal guards and then proceeded to walk through the throne room with a sword hanging out of her stomach. She repeatedly raised her chin, not letting her fear get the better of her in situations where she was severely outnumbered. To then COWER in the presence of one fae male just fell so flat for me. Maybe the author was trying to represent just how powerful and terrifying Fisher is, but it was poorly executed.
When Saeris wasn't cowering, she came across like a petulant child throwing a temper tantrum. I'd be angry in her situation too, but (IMO) the focus should have been centered around her desperation to get back to Hayden; and because it wasn't, I didn't have the emotional depth and understanding of her character that would have allowed me to buy into her reactions. Hayden is kind of an after-thought to be honest. Being in Saeris' head was uncomfortably cringy and highly repetitive. More time could have been better spent on allowing the reader to get to know her "why", her experiences, and her drive.
The romance felt INSANELY rushed. This book happens in a span of a month or so, and we are already in fated mates AND God pairing territory. Not to mention, the first half of this book was one week/week and a half. ONE WEEK. By his time I still felt like I didn't know these characters, know their dynamics, know their experiences... it felt so shallow and I just couldn't buy into it. Honestly, it seemed like building a story around rushed tropes rather than, well, the story or the characters.
The plot and world building elements weren't there in the beginning, and when they were, it left me with more questions than answers. it felt very choppy and not well explained. When the focus did become more about the plot? I got sucked in. I was enjoying the storyline, I loved the elements of the world, I loved the twists, and I loved the characters a hell of a lot more. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Saeris' friendships develop with Lorreth, Carrion, and Ren. I learned much more about Saeris and Fisher when it was reflected through the story line. There is so much to be said for nuanced reactions and mannerisms, and telling a story through a character's actions that we just did not get in the beginning.
I actually thought that they had someone else ghost-write the second half of the book. It's a shame that it took past the halfway mark for me to enjoy this story. Am I going to read the next one? I'm going to try, yes, but if I'm 30% of the way through the second book and it feels like the majority of what Quicksilver felt like - uncomfortably painful to read - I am going to have to give up on this series. Carrion was always entertaining to read, and probably the only thing that got me through most of it.
This was so bingable and the most tantalizing enemies to lovers I've read in a while.
It's pretty spicy, but the plot and world building kept me invested and on the edge of my seat. The second half really picks up, and I like that a lot gets revealed by the end. Speaking of the end... pretty crazy, I did not see it coming. It was just enough of a twist that you just know the second book is going to be wild.
As for the characters...If you love a brudy, tortured soul, look no further than the FMC Kingfisher. You love to hate him, and you hate to love him. Pair him with an FMC with a fiery temper, and you get some great banter. Side characters held their own as well, not getting overshadowed by the romance.
This was so good, and I'll be thinking about it until book 2 comes out. I could totally reread this immediately.
It's pretty spicy, but the plot and world building kept me invested and on the edge of my seat. The second half really picks up, and I like that a lot gets revealed by the end. Speaking of the end... pretty crazy, I did not see it coming. It was just enough of a twist that you just know the second book is going to be wild.
As for the characters...If you love a brudy, tortured soul, look no further than the FMC Kingfisher. You love to hate him, and you hate to love him. Pair him with an FMC with a fiery temper, and you get some great banter. Side characters held their own as well, not getting overshadowed by the romance.
This was so good, and I'll be thinking about it until book 2 comes out. I could totally reread this immediately.