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ms_chievous's review
3.0
Hmm. I guess you could say I enjoyed this book. It was unique and interesting. It had a fascinating world that I'd love to know more about...but at the same time, the story was a bit trite and, I guess the best way to describe it would be strained. It felt like this book was just filler, just setting up the actual story, which I didn't like because this is the first freaking book in the series! I might read the second just because I am interested...but probably only if I get a good deal on it.
aefy's review against another edition
5.0
I just finished reading this book. It was a little slow at first with the details, and the sex scenes added nothing, but it was still realllly good.
I'm a little surprised at how quickly the characters change, as it doesn't seem like it would be in character, but I'm looking forward to the next book to see how it turns out.
I'm a little surprised at how quickly the characters change, as it doesn't seem like it would be in character, but I'm looking forward to the next book to see how it turns out.
samrushingbooks's review
5.0
Aww...come on now, Mel. Why'd you end it that way? Now I need the next book so I can find out what happens next! This was an interesting read. The beginning really did take the time to set up the characters and the world, as well as the romance, which is to be expected in the first book. Honestly, until the last 15% of the book, I wondered when there would be some real action. Most of the book was spent on a birthday, a funeral, a coronation, a wedding, and the belated birthday ball. There was a bit of intrigue in the middle that set up the events at the end, which was nice. But that last 15% made all the threads start to weave together nicely, and the story picked up pace. In the end, we are left with Sophie and Cam in a place completely foreign to them and unsure of what they will face next...which is precisely what we the readers feel as well. I know it will likely be a year before the next book is released, and I understand that as a writer, but as I reader I still wish the next book was in my hands already.
jackiehorne's review
3.0
2.5 Out of all the RITA nominated fantasy books this year, this one sounded the most interesting. But it never rose much further above the average. Royal witches (women with direct royal bloodlines) in Anglion come into their powers at 21, when they are bound both to their temple/country and to a husband. Sophia Kendall, a distant royal member, is serving as a lady in waiting until her 21st birthday comes around.
An attack on the palace sends Sophia and her royal guard escort, Cameron, fleeing through portals a few days before her birthday. They are still on the run on the big day, when Sophie's powers come in with a vengeance—and, with Cameron, rather than a temple priestess by her side, with unexpected consequences for them both. Sophie's magic is unbound, making her a threat not only to the princess-to-be (the king has been killed in the attack), but also to the Domina, the head priestess.
Lots at stake plot-wise for Sophie and Cameron, but there's not much in the way of character development for either.
Did not care for the insta-lust/love plotline, either, nor for the way the book (perhaps inadvertently) implies that women in power are bad.
An attack on the palace sends Sophia and her royal guard escort, Cameron, fleeing through portals a few days before her birthday. They are still on the run on the big day, when Sophie's powers come in with a vengeance—and, with Cameron, rather than a temple priestess by her side, with unexpected consequences for them both. Sophie's magic is unbound, making her a threat not only to the princess-to-be (the king has been killed in the attack), but also to the Domina, the head priestess.
Lots at stake plot-wise for Sophie and Cameron, but there's not much in the way of character development for either.
Did not care for the insta-lust/love plotline, either, nor for the way the book (perhaps inadvertently) implies that women in power are bad.
nicolemhewitt's review
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
The Shattered Court was an intriguing start to a fantasy series, but it really felt like just that – a start. While my interest is sufficiently piqued so I’ll seek out the next book in the series, this book felt like it was really just getting us started in the world that Scott created. I almost feel like I have to reserve judgment on the series until I read the next book.
This book sets up the romance and the political intrigue, but I think the real payoff will come in future books!
What I loved:
The magic.
I enjoyed the glimpses that we got into the magic of this world, and I hope to see even more of it in future books in the series. I was very intrigued by the different types of magic and how some of the women’s power was bound (under normal circumstances). It seems like Sophia has the potential to be extremely strong and I’m curious about how her powers will continue to grow.
Romance entangled with magic.
I really liked Sophia and Cameron together and was rooting for them, but the best part of their relationship was the hints about how their bond might affect their magic and how they’re both stronger because of it. I think that this concept was really unique and well done and I’m eager to see how Scott expands on it in the next book! I also appreciated how their attraction was intensified by the magic (there were some steamy scenes spurred by magic!). It was almost as if the magic brought them together – and then it brought them even closer later in the book.
The negatives:
Not much really happens.
I felt like I spent a lot of this book waiting for something big to happen. And it just never really did. I enjoyed the worldbuilding and learning things about the magic in this world and how it worked, and I enjoyed the characters, but I wasn’t super excited about the plot, and the story ended up being not particularly memorable because of that.
Conflict in the romance based on not talking to each other.
This is a pet peeve of mine. The conflict in the romance was pretty much purely the fact that Sophia and Cameron don’t tell each other that they’re both actually interested in each other and not just “fine” with being betrothed. I’m not a fan of romances where the conflict could easily be solved with one conversation.
Like I said, I am definitely intrigued enough to pick up the next book in this series and see where Scott goes with it. For now, this first book in the series gets 3/5 stars.
***Disclosure: I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
The Shattered Court was an intriguing start to a fantasy series, but it really felt like just that – a start. While my interest is sufficiently piqued so I’ll seek out the next book in the series, this book felt like it was really just getting us started in the world that Scott created. I almost feel like I have to reserve judgment on the series until I read the next book.
This book sets up the romance and the political intrigue, but I think the real payoff will come in future books!
What I loved:
The magic.
I enjoyed the glimpses that we got into the magic of this world, and I hope to see even more of it in future books in the series. I was very intrigued by the different types of magic and how some of the women’s power was bound (under normal circumstances). It seems like Sophia has the potential to be extremely strong and I’m curious about how her powers will continue to grow.
Romance entangled with magic.
I really liked Sophia and Cameron together and was rooting for them, but the best part of their relationship was the hints about how their bond might affect their magic and how they’re both stronger because of it. I think that this concept was really unique and well done and I’m eager to see how Scott expands on it in the next book! I also appreciated how their attraction was intensified by the magic (there were some steamy scenes spurred by magic!). It was almost as if the magic brought them together – and then it brought them even closer later in the book.
The negatives:
Not much really happens.
I felt like I spent a lot of this book waiting for something big to happen. And it just never really did. I enjoyed the worldbuilding and learning things about the magic in this world and how it worked, and I enjoyed the characters, but I wasn’t super excited about the plot, and the story ended up being not particularly memorable because of that.
Conflict in the romance based on not talking to each other.
This is a pet peeve of mine. The conflict in the romance was pretty much purely the fact that Sophia and Cameron don’t tell each other that they’re both actually interested in each other and not just “fine” with being betrothed. I’m not a fan of romances where the conflict could easily be solved with one conversation.
Like I said, I am definitely intrigued enough to pick up the next book in this series and see where Scott goes with it. For now, this first book in the series gets 3/5 stars.
***Disclosure: I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
moocowimpi's review
4.0
I really enjoyed the story and the premise though the writing was good rather than excellent. I really don't enjoy it when authors throw sex scenes in randomly. Almost disjointed from the love story itself...
But overall, I would recommend it.
But overall, I would recommend it.
lrwlee's review
4.0
I thought this was a good start to a new series. I think I downloaded it from a freebie promo the author ran. I'm used to reading YA and I have to say this had three fairly explicit sex scenes that put me a bit on edge. Nothing bad, but just more explicit than I'm used to. An illicit sex act becomes the central conflict around which everything then revolves. So, if you can overlook that, you will probably enjoy this book as the world and characters are well developed. I'll probably read the next installment.
rheannereads's review
2.0
The plot had potential but the execution wasn’t great. Slow plot, slow to get to the climax, just slow.
Sex scenes weren’t great. No anticipation really for the love story. Solid meh book.
I won’t be reading the sequels.
Sex scenes weren’t great. No anticipation really for the love story. Solid meh book.
I won’t be reading the sequels.
ginny_c's review
2.0
I feel like this book had so much potential and so I'm a bit disappointed. This book falls more into the romance category and tends to gloss over the magic and fantasy bits. I would have liked to see more of Sophie's powers, or hell more of anyone's powers really. I liked the portals and how they were used for travel. I really wanted to know more about the demons. They're mentioned but that's about it. Maybe they make an appearance in the next book?
Now here's my biggest issue. The first time Sophia and Cameron get it on it's just very abrupt. They've barely said two words to each other and there's an attempt to try to explain it but it just seemed a bit lazy. The other times are not as abrupt and make sense (a wedding night) but I just can't get over the "we were overcome by magic" excuse. And this magical sex is basically a huge catalyst for events that take place. I'm all for sexy times in a book but I think it was relied on too heavily here as a plot point.
I think if the book focused a bit more on the magic/fantasy it would have been much better.
Now here's my biggest issue. The first time Sophia and Cameron get it on it's just very abrupt. They've barely said two words to each other and there's an attempt to try to explain it but it just seemed a bit lazy. The other times are not as abrupt and make sense (a wedding night) but I just can't get over the "we were overcome by magic" excuse. And this magical sex is basically a huge catalyst for events that take place. I'm all for sexy times in a book but I think it was relied on too heavily here as a plot point.
I think if the book focused a bit more on the magic/fantasy it would have been much better.