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whatthefridge's review
The pacing feels too slow for me. I don’t mean for the slow burn. I mean for the plot. There’s this sense of meandering that I can’t shake. Like, one particular example to illustrate the point is how there’s an emphasis for on-page tours of the palace while there’s zero tension or stakes. It doesn’t even feel like the author wants to be there and that it’s just happening because it has to. That does not bode well for the rest of the pacing going forward, and while I can probably push myself through it, I don’t have the patience to try
winter_is_reading's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
<strong>A little rocky but good</strong>
It’s Lionel Hart’s earlier work before he finished The Orc Prince, so it’s a little rocky but still entertaining. I’d recommend giving it five chapters to build up, because I was ready to DNF in chapter 2, but ended up enjoying it a few chapters later.
Seeing a trans man who can change his appearance keep his body and top surgery scars was really neat.
The story is fun, albeit a little cliché. Understandable for an author’s early work. The characters are imperfect and at the beginning of their arcs, so expect imperfect choices by them.
Starting book 2 now!
Spice: 2-3/5
Angst: 2-3/5
It’s Lionel Hart’s earlier work before he finished The Orc Prince, so it’s a little rocky but still entertaining. I’d recommend giving it five chapters to build up, because I was ready to DNF in chapter 2, but ended up enjoying it a few chapters later.
Seeing a trans man who can change his appearance keep his body and top surgery scars was really neat.
The story is fun, albeit a little cliché. Understandable for an author’s early work. The characters are imperfect and at the beginning of their arcs, so expect imperfect choices by them.
Starting book 2 now!
Spice: 2-3/5
Angst: 2-3/5
trigory's review
adventurous
reflective
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
4.5
redhands's review
adventurous
emotional
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
While this fantasy world isn't too ground-breaking imo, it wasn't bad either; it was easy to get into and I enjoyed the writing a lot. I'm not the biggest fan of Florian, but I'm looking forward to some more character development from him in the second book.
sarah1910's review
adventurous
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? Yes
3.0
This was a solid read and the trans representation was excellent!
I did like the story and it was fast paced but the writing was pretty simple and some of the characters actions did annoy me.
Definitely going to continue with the series!
3/5 stars!
I did like the story and it was fast paced but the writing was pretty simple and some of the characters actions did annoy me.
Definitely going to continue with the series!
3/5 stars!
vrstal's review
5.0
I loved this book. This was a 4.5/5 but rounded up.
Not only was there a trans and gay protagonist, but the steamy scenes and explorations of gender were handled with care. Kade and Florian’s relationship is just beginning in this book was so sweet and even with ups and downs, I’m excited to see how it grows. The last 20% of the book is rough, I was crying, but it was worth it and I loved the ride this book took me on.
Writing wise, it was great! I spotted a couple of typos but not enough to pull me from the story. It’s all third person POV but we get Florian’s inner dialogue which kept me engaged and immersed as a reader.
The only criticism is Florian and Kade’s relationship troubles did feel a bit more like I was reading a YA novel with miscommunication issues. However, reflecting on it, I know that Florian is trans and I know that I missed out on my teenage/childhood a lot being trans and so I think sometimes I was a bit stuck in aspects of emotional maturity so this might be the same for Florian. I can’t wait for some character development and maturity for them both.
Can’t wait for the second one!
Not only was there a trans and gay protagonist, but the steamy scenes and explorations of gender were handled with care. Kade and Florian’s relationship is just beginning in this book was so sweet and even with ups and downs, I’m excited to see how it grows. The last 20% of the book is rough, I was crying, but it was worth it and I loved the ride this book took me on.
Writing wise, it was great! I spotted a couple of typos but not enough to pull me from the story. It’s all third person POV but we get Florian’s inner dialogue which kept me engaged and immersed as a reader.
The only criticism is Florian and Kade’s relationship troubles did feel a bit more like I was reading a YA novel with miscommunication issues. However, reflecting on it, I know that Florian is trans and I know that I missed out on my teenage/childhood a lot being trans and so I think sometimes I was a bit stuck in aspects of emotional maturity so this might be the same for Florian. I can’t wait for some character development and maturity for them both.
Can’t wait for the second one!
o666's review
5.0
Loved it.
As a nonbinary person it's so refreshing to read something that isn't strictly straight and/or cis oriented.
The story itself is good, and I feel like just this book could've been much longer without dragging too much. It has a nice, steady pace that picks up when appropriate.
A perfect read if you want something on the shorter side but enjoyable.
As a nonbinary person it's so refreshing to read something that isn't strictly straight and/or cis oriented.
The story itself is good, and I feel like just this book could've been much longer without dragging too much. It has a nice, steady pace that picks up when appropriate.
A perfect read if you want something on the shorter side but enjoyable.
unwise_samwise's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Transphobia and Body horror
cabc's review
3.0
Shaky start, but lots of potential for this series!
I'll be honest - I didn't love this book as much as the Orc Prince series. There was something unique and refreshing about those books, I absolutely loved the characters, the world sucked me right in, and the pacing never fizzled out.
The Changeling Prophecy fell into a rut that is all too common in the fantasy genre - spending a lot of time on world building and slowly building up to the point of the book. The pacing wasn't too bad, but there were parts I had to push myself through. Overall, I wanted more excitement and less preparing for the journey I wanted to already be reading about. And then when they finally start the journey, a ton happens in a short amount of time and it felt rushed because of the pacing of the rest of the book.
With that said, there was a lot to enjoy about the book. It was really easy to picture everything and visualize the world and I enjoyed learning about the fae world alongside Florian. I loved the trans representation and was pleasantly surprised that the author didn't shy away from this fact when things heated up between Florian and Kade. The book is a slow burn romance, but that totally fits the story and the characters, and they're sweet together. (They do have some really frustrating moments between each other, but I'm hoping they are past all of that after this book.) And the story itself is really interesting! I was left with a lot of questions to be answered in future books which I think is a great thing for a fantasy series.
I'll definitely be reading the next book. I do think Florian and Kade - Florian especially - could benefit from more character development, so I'm looking forward to that in the second book. Not to mention more of the plot! I'm eager to learn more about what's happening to the fae world and what role Florian will play in trying to save it.
I'll be honest - I didn't love this book as much as the Orc Prince series. There was something unique and refreshing about those books, I absolutely loved the characters, the world sucked me right in, and the pacing never fizzled out.
The Changeling Prophecy fell into a rut that is all too common in the fantasy genre - spending a lot of time on world building and slowly building up to the point of the book. The pacing wasn't too bad, but there were parts I had to push myself through. Overall, I wanted more excitement and less preparing for the journey I wanted to already be reading about. And then when they finally start the journey, a ton happens in a short amount of time and it felt rushed because of the pacing of the rest of the book.
With that said, there was a lot to enjoy about the book. It was really easy to picture everything and visualize the world and I enjoyed learning about the fae world alongside Florian. I loved the trans representation and was pleasantly surprised that the author didn't shy away from this fact when things heated up between Florian and Kade. The book is a slow burn romance, but that totally fits the story and the characters, and they're sweet together. (They do have some really frustrating moments between each other, but I'm hoping they are past all of that after this book.) And the story itself is really interesting! I was left with a lot of questions to be answered in future books which I think is a great thing for a fantasy series.
I'll definitely be reading the next book. I do think Florian and Kade - Florian especially - could benefit from more character development, so I'm looking forward to that in the second book. Not to mention more of the plot! I'm eager to learn more about what's happening to the fae world and what role Florian will play in trying to save it.