You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
Eh.
I was kind of let down with this book. There was too much happening in the second half of the book and it was giving me whiplash.
The first part made no sense. How does one even come up with a plan to marry and kill a human bride every month unless one volunteers. Very Hunger Games like. Did that ever get explored more than the king just saying “My wife hurt me so I’m lashing out on her kind.”?
I very much enjoyed the plot twists. I was not expecting them at all and it threw me off for sure. But after the first couple, it seemed so random and all over the place. The pacing was so off and I was so confused.
I expected more romance between Asha and Kiran. There was little chemistry and the big confessions seemed forced because there was very little build up to their relationship. And no spice. I was expecting some spice. Even a sprinkling of intimacy but the most we got was like one kiss?
There was a lot of potential for this to be great if there was more time spent editing. I didn’t like how faced paced the plot twists were - there was no time to process things before they switched again.
After finding out Kiran’s first wife was actually alive, we think that he is the bad guy and Asha doesn’t have time to explore that. She also doesn’t question anything and just takes everyone for their word. So when we find out that Gwenyth was actually manipulating Asha, she just believed her husband again so quickly before she gets trapped in a plot to kill him. You would think she would be skeptical about everything at this point.
And she suddenly pretends to kill her husband and his brother to protect Dinah, when Asha doesn’t even ask for proof that she was kidnapped.
At the end, Asha doesn’t even have a grand reunion with Kiran and it fell flat.
I liked how the story Asha and her Old Magic were telling came back into play at the very end but I’ll be honest.. I skipped the chapters that had the story in them and I still was able to understand everything else happened.
Don’t even get me started on Az.
I gave it 3/5 stars because I read the whole thing and enjoyed being surprised as much as I was. I probably wouldn’t read anything else from this series or author but you never know?
I was kind of let down with this book. There was too much happening in the second half of the book and it was giving me whiplash.
The first part made no sense. How does one even come up with a plan to marry and kill a human bride every month unless one volunteers. Very Hunger Games like. Did that ever get explored more than the king just saying “My wife hurt me so I’m lashing out on her kind.”?
I very much enjoyed the plot twists. I was not expecting them at all and it threw me off for sure. But after the first couple, it seemed so random and all over the place. The pacing was so off and I was so confused.
I expected more romance between Asha and Kiran. There was little chemistry and the big confessions seemed forced because there was very little build up to their relationship. And no spice. I was expecting some spice. Even a sprinkling of intimacy but the most we got was like one kiss?
There was a lot of potential for this to be great if there was more time spent editing. I didn’t like how faced paced the plot twists were - there was no time to process things before they switched again.
After finding out Kiran’s first wife was actually alive, we think that he is the bad guy and Asha doesn’t have time to explore that. She also doesn’t question anything and just takes everyone for their word. So when we find out that Gwenyth was actually manipulating Asha, she just believed her husband again so quickly before she gets trapped in a plot to kill him. You would think she would be skeptical about everything at this point.
And she suddenly pretends to kill her husband and his brother to protect Dinah, when Asha doesn’t even ask for proof that she was kidnapped.
At the end, Asha doesn’t even have a grand reunion with Kiran and it fell flat.
I liked how the story Asha and her Old Magic were telling came back into play at the very end but I’ll be honest.. I skipped the chapters that had the story in them and I still was able to understand everything else happened.
Don’t even get me started on Az.
I gave it 3/5 stars because I read the whole thing and enjoyed being surprised as much as I was. I probably wouldn’t read anything else from this series or author but you never know?
4.5 stars!!!
Keep in mind this book is NOT a smutty romance. This is a fantasy romance without any spice.
Wow. I have no words for this book. The growth of all of the main characters was astounding. Asha got over her selfishness and sacrificial lamb mentality. Dinah finally finds her voice and tells her story. Kiran, stopped being a prick...kind of. Az....well he got what was coming to him.
I noticed some of the reviews stated that the book was slow paced. I disagree with that in a way. If readers are picking up this book thinking it's going to be like ACOMAF or FBAA then they're in the wrong place. This book reminds me of ACOTAR with the pacing speed. Even though the story was slow paced in the middle and basically detailed the hum drum of Asha's day to day life; there are plot points sprinkled in there that become very important later on in the story.
I wish the second book continued with the series! These books can be read as stand alone novels or read in order.
Keep in mind this book is NOT a smutty romance. This is a fantasy romance without any spice.
Wow. I have no words for this book. The growth of all of the main characters was astounding. Asha got over her selfishness and sacrificial lamb mentality. Dinah finally finds her voice and tells her story. Kiran, stopped being a prick...kind of. Az....well he got what was coming to him.
I noticed some of the reviews stated that the book was slow paced. I disagree with that in a way. If readers are picking up this book thinking it's going to be like ACOMAF or FBAA then they're in the wrong place. This book reminds me of ACOTAR with the pacing speed. Even though the story was slow paced in the middle and basically detailed the hum drum of Asha's day to day life; there are plot points sprinkled in there that become very important later on in the story.
I wish the second book continued with the series! These books can be read as stand alone novels or read in order.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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:
Yes
Every two pages someone vomits or threatens to. Sometimes the author forgets she only has one eye.
Skimmed the last 15% so dull.
Skimmed the last 15% so dull.
devoured - nothing like i’ve read in a while. loved it up to the very last chapter, but that could’ve just been me. i’m a yearner at heart.
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
A Word so Fitly Spoken fully absorbed my attention for a few days. There may not be any "spice" but the tension is incredibly palpable. I felt like I was blushing any time Asha blushed in the company of Kiran. In addition to the beautiful romance, there was a twist when I was not expecting and then several more surprises by the ending.
I really enjoyed the worldbuilding in the book, especially the portrayal of magic. The characters were fleshed out for the most part. I loved the dynamic between the two sisters, Asha and Dinah, and felt that Dinah, as a minor character, developed when she gave Asha reality checks (of course, in the context of fantasy) given Asha's circumstances. I found Asha to be very endearing from the beginning while she also had significant growth in the story. She is a unique heroine and I love the representation of people with disabilities through her character.
I could not put the book down, and it will probably be (obsessively) on my mind for a while.
I really enjoyed the worldbuilding in the book, especially the portrayal of magic. The characters were fleshed out for the most part. I loved the dynamic between the two sisters, Asha and Dinah, and felt that Dinah, as a minor character, developed when she gave Asha reality checks (of course, in the context of fantasy) given Asha's circumstances. I found Asha to be very endearing from the beginning while she also had significant growth in the story. She is a unique heroine and I love the representation of people with disabilities through her character.
I could not put the book down, and it will probably be (obsessively) on my mind for a while.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book delivers an adventurous tale with romantic undertones set in a beautifully crafted fantasy world. The attention to detail in the world-building—whether it’s the culture, the landscapes, or the magical elements—paints a vivid backdrop for the story. Asha is Central to the narrative, torn between her duties, her bond with her sister Dina, and her developing feelings for Kiran. The family dynamic, especially the sisters' relationship, takes center stage and brings emotional depth to the story. Still, it often overshadows the romance, which I hoped would play a more prominent role.
The plot is full of unexpected twists. Just when it feels like the story might lose its way, something dramatic happens—the betrayal by Az or the revelation of hidden agendas—pulls you right back in. Kiran, initially reserved, becomes an intriguing figure as his layers are peeled back, contrasting sharply with Az, who disappoints Asha on multiple fronts. Watching Asha grapple with these relationships—while trying to assert herself in a world that doesn’t always value her—was both heartbreaking and satisfying.
The multi-POV narrative adds richness, though Abra’s perspective felt disconnected early on, only making sense later in the story. The tone remains adventurous throughout, with flashes of romance that hint at the enemies-to-lovers trope but never fully deliver on its promise.
The ending ties up this chapter of the story well, but I was disappointed to discover that the series shifts its focus to other characters in future books. While the interconnected nature of the series is intriguing, I found myself wanting to stay with Asha and Kiran, whose story felt unfinished.
For readers who enjoy fantasy with intricate world-building and a strong emphasis on family bonds, this is a solid start. But those seeking a deeply romantic enemies-to-lovers arc might find themselves wishing for more.
The plot is full of unexpected twists. Just when it feels like the story might lose its way, something dramatic happens—the betrayal by Az or the revelation of hidden agendas—pulls you right back in. Kiran, initially reserved, becomes an intriguing figure as his layers are peeled back, contrasting sharply with Az, who disappoints Asha on multiple fronts. Watching Asha grapple with these relationships—while trying to assert herself in a world that doesn’t always value her—was both heartbreaking and satisfying.
The multi-POV narrative adds richness, though Abra’s perspective felt disconnected early on, only making sense later in the story. The tone remains adventurous throughout, with flashes of romance that hint at the enemies-to-lovers trope but never fully deliver on its promise.
The ending ties up this chapter of the story well, but I was disappointed to discover that the series shifts its focus to other characters in future books. While the interconnected nature of the series is intriguing, I found myself wanting to stay with Asha and Kiran, whose story felt unfinished.
For readers who enjoy fantasy with intricate world-building and a strong emphasis on family bonds, this is a solid start. But those seeking a deeply romantic enemies-to-lovers arc might find themselves wishing for more.
This book kinda reminded me of The Selection at the beginning tbh and although the similarities died off pretty quickly after I thought Kiran was kinda similar to Maxon at some points in the book hehehe. I did like this book and I couldn’t put it down for the last 30%, but I thought some chapters were so chaotic and others were so uneventful that I felt like I was just reading to move onto the next page if that makes sense. The ending just seemed so unresolved, but it was shocking and eventful which was nice, and I know there’s gonna be another book made about these two later but there was so much going on that I feel like my brain is spinning which is why this sentence doesn’t make much sense but I just feel like ??????! In summary, yes it was good but my brain feels a lil broken