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tui_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Do you really love the work of Megan Whalen Turner but also wish you could read a truly dreamy m/m novel in the same setting? I loved this book. Beautiful writing, chemistry, worldbuilding, really human characters that jumped off the page at me. And, forgive me, but I liked that competing senses of honour and appropriateness did not end with a cliche. Gulped it down in a day and immediately bought Demas' other two novels.
helen's review against another edition
4.0
I originally bounced off this book at 15% because they were too friendly with each other for enemy soldiers and there was a lot of talking. But I picked it back up again, and once I hit the 40% mark and they go back to their own people, I was hooked. The touch of angst was welcome, and I really liked the MCs.
ladydewinter's review against another edition
4.0
A lovely, lovely book set in a world that is reminiscent of late Ancient Rome. There were a few times when the language seemed to jar with the world, but apart from that it was wonderfully immersive as well as a soft and gentle love story. I really enjoyed this and highly recommend it.
lexiecon's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
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? No
kalanadi's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
aprillen's review against another edition
4.0
Rounded down. A lovely and refreshingly different love story set in Mediterranean Antiquity. Well written with a restrained but pleasant prose. The characters are wonderful, and their interactions, full of low-key humour and human connection, are pure gold. The romance is sweet and serious and very believable.
aliceisonanadventure's review against another edition
3.0
Good premise - members of rival armies both save each others live's on the battlefield and go to a nearby abandoned temple to recover. Enemies to lovers etc. etc.
I feel like it could have been really good, the premise and plot were strong but the characterisation was shaky. The dialogue was the main let down of the novel, it felt stilted and awkward at times, with little distinction between in characters in the way they talk. Especially between characters with some language barriers (which always seemed to be forgotten about in the space of a few lines).
I feel like it could have been really good, the premise and plot were strong but the characterisation was shaky. The dialogue was the main let down of the novel, it felt stilted and awkward at times, with little distinction between in characters in the way they talk. Especially between characters with some language barriers (which always seemed to be forgotten about in the space of a few lines).
nehiyr's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5