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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
So it appears my inner mood-reader thinks it's spooky season, as I'm currently in the middle of my witch era. This is the second book that I've read this year with the basic premise that a witchling must compete in a trial to try and become the new leader of their coven, so I felt on firm ground from the off. But the characters, chemistry and magic system gave it its own USP, and made it a really enjoyable read. It also gives off vibes similar to the Shepherd King series by Rachel Gillig, so if you enjoyed that I'd highly recommend picking this one up!
The writing is extremely focused on our main character, Raven, and although it's written in the third person it comes across as being completely from her point of view. As a result, many of the secondary characters are held on the periphery of your notice - they are named and you get a sense of them, but unless they have a direct affect on her outlook they don't really get fleshed out to the extent that one might hope. Even the main competition, while described in more detail, doesn't necessarily pop off the page in the way that they should. However, this means that all of your attention is drawn to the core cast. I personally am particularly intrigued by Grey... I feel like he needs his story told!
The premise of the story is set out well, but there are elements that you just have to go with as the depth of explanation isn't always there. For example, the magic system is really well developed throughout the book, and the fact that Raven is an Unmarked Witch is clearly important and sets her apart from the rest of the coven. But it's not as highlighted in the narrative as you might expect. And when it does become central to the plot, it's explained in a 'blink and you'll miss it' way. I feel like there could have been a lot more done with it, even though there is enough there for your imagine to fill in the gaps.
Similarly, the start of the relationship development between Raven and Bastian is incredibly good to read; sweet and yet totally inkeeping with the type of character he is, and yet it does feel a little abrupt - I was expecting things to go in a very different direction. BUT *Shadow Daddy alert!* Bastian is everything you'd hope for; dark, brooding, sexy and powerful, the villain in everyone's narrative but his own and would burn down the world for his girl. And he has wings. And a mountain cabin. With soup. Need I say more?
There are plenty of twists, turns and surprises in here, with moments I was genuinely not expecting. While they didn't cause me to drop my Kindle in shock or launch it across the room, they're the sort of events that make you wonder just how the author is going to bring things back around because surely she didn't just do that?! This continues right to the conclusion, and to borrow a phrase it definitely ends on a cliff dangle! And I have to know what happens next! So there's another KU book jumping the TBR queue...
The writing is extremely focused on our main character, Raven, and although it's written in the third person it comes across as being completely from her point of view. As a result, many of the secondary characters are held on the periphery of your notice - they are named and you get a sense of them, but unless they have a direct affect on her outlook they don't really get fleshed out to the extent that one might hope. Even the main competition, while described in more detail, doesn't necessarily pop off the page in the way that they should. However, this means that all of your attention is drawn to the core cast. I personally am particularly intrigued by Grey... I feel like he needs his story told!
The premise of the story is set out well, but there are elements that you just have to go with as the depth of explanation isn't always there. For example, the magic system is really well developed throughout the book, and the fact that Raven is an Unmarked Witch is clearly important and sets her apart from the rest of the coven. But it's not as highlighted in the narrative as you might expect. And when it does become central to the plot, it's explained in a 'blink and you'll miss it' way. I feel like there could have been a lot more done with it, even though there is enough there for your imagine to fill in the gaps.
Similarly, the start of the relationship development between Raven and Bastian is incredibly good to read; sweet and yet totally inkeeping with the type of character he is, and yet it does feel a little abrupt - I was expecting things to go in a very different direction. BUT *Shadow Daddy alert!* Bastian is everything you'd hope for; dark, brooding, sexy and powerful, the villain in everyone's narrative but his own and would burn down the world for his girl. And he has wings. And a mountain cabin. With soup. Need I say more?
There are plenty of twists, turns and surprises in here, with moments I was genuinely not expecting. While they didn't cause me to drop my Kindle in shock or launch it across the room, they're the sort of events that make you wonder just how the author is going to bring things back around because surely she didn't just do that?! This continues right to the conclusion, and to borrow a phrase it definitely ends on a cliff dangle! And I have to know what happens next! So there's another KU book jumping the TBR queue...
Actually giving this 4 stars cuz they killed a queer person
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
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:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Add Bastian the Dark King to the list of swoony shadow daddies!
I really loved this book. Think The Witch Collector meets The Serpent and the Wings of Night but less gory and more witchy goodness.
Raven and Bastian's banter and interactions gave me all the feels. And the deep friendship between Raven and Kirsi felt genuine.
The plot definitely has some predictable parts (including the cliffhanger at the end) but I found myself itching to read more, and that usually earns high marks for me.
Book 2 (The Unbound Witch) read like a totally different story to me, and I did not enjoy it nearly as much as this one.
I really loved this book. Think The Witch Collector meets The Serpent and the Wings of Night but less gory and more witchy goodness.
Raven and Bastian's banter and interactions gave me all the feels. And the deep friendship between Raven and Kirsi felt genuine.
The plot definitely has some predictable parts (including the cliffhanger at the end) but I found myself itching to read more, and that usually earns high marks for me.
Book 2 (The Unbound Witch) read like a totally different story to me, and I did not enjoy it nearly as much as this one.
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
inspiring
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
I loved this book a lot! I really enjoyed the trials and thought they were done well, unique, and super interesting!
I'm super attached to the main characters and completely heartbroken over the ending. I'm starting the next book immediately!
Raven is an awesome FMC. She is brave, kind, compassionate, wicked smart, and I can't wait to see the magic she is capable of.
Bastian is being added to my ever growing list of book boyfriends! I have learned that I am smitten over super morally grey men that are total softies for the ones they love. Literally murder somebody and then sweep you off of your feet... Swoon 😍🫶🥹
I also love the supporting characters (😭) and appreciate when witches have animal familiars because, let's face it, they really are the best!
There is a lot of betrayal in this story and I'm ready for people to PAY!
I've been listening to the audiobooks and Nicci Pryor does a fantastic job! I listen at 2x speed and it's perfect 👏
I loved this book a lot! I really enjoyed the trials and thought they were done well, unique, and super interesting!
I'm super attached to the main characters and completely heartbroken over the ending. I'm starting the next book immediately!
Raven is an awesome FMC. She is brave, kind, compassionate, wicked smart, and I can't wait to see the magic she is capable of.
Bastian is being added to my ever growing list of book boyfriends! I have learned that I am smitten over super morally grey men that are total softies for the ones they love. Literally murder somebody and then sweep you off of your feet... Swoon 😍🫶🥹
I also love the supporting characters (😭) and appreciate when witches have animal familiars because, let's face it, they really are the best!
There is a lot of betrayal in this story and I'm ready for people to PAY!
I've been listening to the audiobooks and Nicci Pryor does a fantastic job! I listen at 2x speed and it's perfect 👏