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whatthefridge's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Considering my low expectations entering this book, I’m overall pleasantly surprised.
The whump is real with Sei’s training as a grail. He’s been conditioned to exist entirely for another person, from how he looks to how he acts. He’s polite above all else, forcing himself into perfectionism at the cost of his own desires. Marek can’t see through it, but he definitely sees around it, comprehending that something is wrong.
The whump is real with Sei’s training as a grail. He’s been conditioned to exist entirely for another person, from how he looks to how he acts. He’s polite above all else, forcing himself into perfectionism at the cost of his own desires. Marek can’t see through it, but he definitely sees around it, comprehending that something is wrong.
I was worried about Marek being boring, but that’s what Vana’s impression painted him as. He’s just very straightforward, and he prefers being a leader in a straightforward capacity, which works for soldiers. He’s also thoughtful and considerate. All traits that Sei needs in his life.
Marek’s observation about Sei and Vana is very on point: “They’re both far too concerned with duty. Marek can just imagine them throwing everything into this royally mandated arrangement. They would both try so hard to survive their marriage, never once considering that either of them deserved to be happy.”
The arranged marriage trope works and was very gripping. Sei being active in wanting to be a wellspring for Marek makes Sei’s position as a grail bearable. Overall a solid story…
Except!
The climactic conflict with the reveal antagonist has a giant glaring plot hole. Sei is a grail who is meant to be used by a mage. He gets abducted by Radovan, with all the horrors of becoming a grail used against his will. But Radovan isn’t a mage! I can’t find whether it’s in this book or the previous one, but I swear Radovan is described as non-magical with a scientific interest in magic. At best, I know the previous book calls him an enchanter, but I’m pretty certain that’s different from a mage. It still comes down to: a grail is used by a mage and Radovan is not a mage, therefore Radovan can’t use Sei. Yet the climax hinges on Radovan taking Sei for usage. Fortunately for me I was only hit with this realization after the fact, because if you close your eyes to the hole, it’s a well written emotionally strung situation.
Additionally, I can’t get over the fact that Marek’s rank and legend among the dragonriders should have given him a bigger connection to Rakos’s story. Like, ok fine, Rakos was wing marshal before Marek’s time, and when Rakos left three years ago, that’s when Marek stepped up. Even with that explanation, I still feel like there’s a distinct disconnect between Marek and Rakos considering Marek was infamous among dragonriders from his teen years. Alas.
And now my expectations for Kazia’s book are way too high.
And now my expectations for Kazia’s book are way too high.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: War
tragicgloom's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, and Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War and Gore
madscientistcat's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Kidnapping
Moderate: Gore and Death
Minor: War
Re: gore
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