Reviews

Prince and Betrothed by Tavia Lark

minetteinthewyld's review

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny 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? It's complicated

5.0

winglesswarrior's review

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny 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? It's complicated

4.0

veralupa's review

Go to review page

funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

lydiaaa's review

Go to review page

adventurous emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

saintsgirl74's review

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

whatthefridge's review

Go to review page

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. 

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. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

tinkcourtney's review

Go to review page

5.0

Fabulous, as always!

I’m a HUGE fan of this author. I’ve adored this whole series and this book was no exception! Not only the main characters but the supporting cast all have such depth, even the animals (omg I loved Marek’s dragon!). I basically read this in one sitting because it captivated me. So, SO good. ❤️

kit_moonstar's review

Go to review page

4.0

I really liked both of the main characters in this one.  While they have very different perspectives on the situation, they do both want a good outcome.  Marek has done his best to stay out of the politics of the court and focus on the military, but that's not an option at the moment.  And while he clearly wants to protect Sei, including from himself, he doesn't always go about it in a helpful way.  Sei, on the other hand, has been trained to conform to what others want of him at all times, and many of the Draskorans find that a little off putting. 
 
I appreciated the seeing Sei figure out how to be a person, rather than a possession which is how he's been trained to act.  I also appreciated that Marek does his best to give Sei the autonomy and agency that he can in their situation.  One of the big things for this couple is them figuring out how to effectively communicate with one another, and that was handled well here.  The miscommunication tropes are not a favorite of mine, but in this circumstances they worked well the way they were used.  I also love the realization of "oh, I'm in love with my betrothed" that happens.  This was a great outing in this series, though things are left on a bit of a cliffhanger with the political situation, which really makes me want the next book.  Four out of five stars. 

shunsicker's review

Go to review page

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

4.5

booklifeisthelife's review

Go to review page

adventurous emotional inspiring lighthearted 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? No

5.0