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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
First of all, I would like to thank NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC.
I'd like to start by saying this is my first book by Nisha Tuli. I am an avid fantasy and romantasy reader, so judging by the description of the book, it should've have right up my alley. And the story really was - I liked the worldbuilding and how the plot progressed.
Still, I must admit there were some things I found a bit overwhelming. I really struggled with the first part of the book, not so much with the terminology (which was vast), but more so with the description and the narrative. The second part of the book was significantly faster in terms of plot and character development.
My main problem with the story is that I couldn't seem to connect with any of the characters. They were well written, but I just missed something (some depth, maybe) to form a connection with them. The relationship part, which is marketed as enemies to lovers, is there, but only at its beginning. I'm guessing we will see the relationship develop more in the second book.
Overall, it's a solid 3 star for me. I feel sad I couldn't give the book more, since I did have high expectations, but I'm hoping the second book will have a different impact on me.
I'd like to start by saying this is my first book by Nisha Tuli. I am an avid fantasy and romantasy reader, so judging by the description of the book, it should've have right up my alley. And the story really was - I liked the worldbuilding and how the plot progressed.
Still, I must admit there were some things I found a bit overwhelming. I really struggled with the first part of the book, not so much with the terminology (which was vast), but more so with the description and the narrative. The second part of the book was significantly faster in terms of plot and character development.
My main problem with the story is that I couldn't seem to connect with any of the characters. They were well written, but I just missed something (some depth, maybe) to form a connection with them. The relationship part, which is marketed as enemies to lovers, is there, but only at its beginning. I'm guessing we will see the relationship develop more in the second book.
Overall, it's a solid 3 star for me. I feel sad I couldn't give the book more, since I did have high expectations, but I'm hoping the second book will have a different impact on me.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
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:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
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:
Complicated
I loved this book and am thrilled there will be 3 more books in the series! We get Indian and South Asian inspired mythology bundled with a fierce FMC and the beginnings of enemies-to-lovers gold. The world building and details are fantastic - the food descriptions alone will have you starving as you read along!
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I loved the setting of the story, with all the fantasy elements stemming from Indian mythology. It was confusing at first, to recognize what all the names meant. But by the end it was somewhat embedded into my mind. I wish there was a glossary for this purpose, to avoid all the needless confusion.
The main character, Zarya, is basically a pampered, shaded, spoilt princess who was being protected from the big bad world. She is not very likeable, and acts like a teenager most times, maybe because she was brought up in isolation and doesn't actually have the experiences a 20 year old will have.
I enjoyed Yasen very much, and he had great chemistry with Zarya. I was almost disappointed at him being gay, simply because it felt like all that buildup between their characters was wasted. He's going to be my crush in this series, I know it, the unattainable gay guy but still wonderful eye candy, the Matt Bomer in this universe.
Vikram, Amrita, and the Chiranjivi all felt like broad strokes of characters, no true depth to them, but Vikram was fleshed a little better near the end.
Row was a great grey character, and his disappearance drove the mystery, but that whole thing resolved in one single chapter, like a house of cards falling apart, it didn't stand up to the actual mystery alluded to.
I also liked Aarav, even the troubled relationship he had with Zarya. Hope he has more growth over the series.
Rabin was extremely hot in the briefest glimpses given, but I wish he had more scenes at least at the end.
I'm intrigued by the plot, the magic system, and some of the characters. I'll be reading the next book for sure.
The main character, Zarya, is basically a pampered, shaded, spoilt princess who was being protected from the big bad world. She is not very likeable, and acts like a teenager most times, maybe because she was brought up in isolation and doesn't actually have the experiences a 20 year old will have.
I enjoyed Yasen very much, and he had great chemistry with Zarya. I was almost disappointed at him being gay, simply because it felt like all that buildup between their characters was wasted. He's going to be my crush in this series, I know it, the unattainable gay guy but still wonderful eye candy, the Matt Bomer in this universe.
Vikram, Amrita, and the Chiranjivi all felt like broad strokes of characters, no true depth to them, but Vikram was fleshed a little better near the end.
Row was a great grey character, and his disappearance drove the mystery, but that whole thing resolved in one single chapter, like a house of cards falling apart, it didn't stand up to the actual mystery alluded to.
I also liked Aarav, even the troubled relationship he had with Zarya. Hope he has more growth over the series.
Rabin was extremely hot in the briefest glimpses given, but I wish he had more scenes at least at the end.
I'm intrigued by the plot, the magic system, and some of the characters. I'll be reading the next book for sure.
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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