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marac3's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A textbook enemies to lovers fantasy story.
The start of the book was very promising. I liked the world-building and the dialogue scenes. The action scenes were also very lively. However, I feel conflicted about both the FMC and the Ash King. The Ash King did some inexcusable things and I would have preferred to see our FMC walk away with dignity and choose herself.
The start of the book was very promising. I liked the world-building and the dialogue scenes. The action scenes were also very lively. However, I feel conflicted about both the FMC and the Ash King. The Ash King did some inexcusable things and I would have preferred to see our FMC walk away with dignity and choose herself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying and Physical abuse
chenellejay's review
adventurous
dark
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
4.0
emjaguar's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
lmeigs1's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
I loved this book from start to finish. Rebecca never disappoints. Every book of hers I’ve read has been uniquely different and I’ve loved them all for it. 10/10 highly recommend
carat_svt's review
relaxing
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
rrgailey's review
3.0
This book was pretty predictable and the ending felt rushed, but it was a fun, mindless fantasy romance read while my brain continues to feel like mush with the cold that will not end.
speedireads's review against another edition
4.0
I think this might be my favorite book in the Dark Rulers series. If you shipped Prince Zuko and Katara, definitely give this a read. I thought the main characters were good foils to one another, making the enemies-to-lovers feel believable.
I sometimes struggle when you have an unlikeable main character in romance. It can be hard for the reader to get on board with the sunshine character pining after the grump - especially if they're a violent caricature. But I think Kenney did a good job of making The Ash King genuinely unlikeable at first before slowly peeling back layers for both the reader and our girl, Cailin. That being said, The Ash King didn't suddenly become a virtuous non-violent puppy in an instant. His progress is non-linear and he remains somewhat cruel up until the end.
I really enjoyed the plot, magic system, violence, and I especially enjoyed the smut (dear god, that massage scene almost killed me).
I may just have to read this one again.
I sometimes struggle when you have an unlikeable main character in romance. It can be hard for the reader to get on board with the sunshine character pining after the grump - especially if they're a violent caricature. But I think Kenney did a good job of making The Ash King genuinely unlikeable at first before slowly peeling back layers for both the reader and our girl, Cailin. That being said, The Ash King didn't suddenly become a virtuous non-violent puppy in an instant. His progress is non-linear and he remains somewhat cruel up until the end.
I really enjoyed the plot, magic system, violence, and I especially enjoyed the smut (dear god, that massage scene almost killed me).
I may just have to read this one again.