Reviews

His Sacred Incantations by Scarlett Gale

clever_but_forgettable's review

adventurous emotional mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

capriceowl's review

adventurous emotional 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? Yes

4.0

stuffandwhatnot's review

adventurous emotional funny

4.25

Not as much delicious aching intense yearning as the first book, naturally. But Lucían's growth from meek and anxious monk to kickass battlemage is so much fun. He and his super buff love Glory continue to hunt for the stolen books, while undead abominations stalk the land. Could it have something to do with the missing grimoire? You know it does! Time to gather up a classic adventuring party (with some tanks, a glass cannon, a sassy rogue, and don't forget the healers), and hunt down a necromancer. 

I was worried for a while that we wouldn't get to see Lucían confront

the fuckwad Abbot, but never fear he does and it is magnificent.

Cozy fantasy world in which love and acceptance is the norm, and the monastery's cruel small-minded bigotry is an aberration.

kaelareads's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

thebrimmingheart's review against another edition

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? No

3.5

katertot's review against another edition

4.0

The second book is SPICY. The author does a great job incorporating informed consent, negotiating scenes, and showing incredibly tender aftercare. This is absolutely femdom for the femme gaze. There is sadism, gentle domming, and sex that isn't particularly kinky but really passionate and loving. Minor spoiler for a particular sex act:

Spoiler

There is a pegging scene! It was done really well and also very hot.

It feels like a real dynamic. The times when the characters describe their feelings and desires about submission and domination are fleshed out and actually very sweet. There's a good amount of spice but it doesn't detract from the story.

The story is also really good. The plot isn't super fast, but the climax of the action kept me up way too late. The characters are diverse - different races, genders, and sexual identities. The author herself is queer and her wife is a trans woman, so it is done in a really natural way with no character feeling like a token. One of the threads that runs through both books is the importance and closeness of found family.

My only critique is that it is a little heavy handed at times with the metaphors & critique of organized religion. It didn't bother me enough to remove a star, but there were times I thought "Ok, I get it!"

I wish I could find more fantasy romance in this style!

elegory's review

1.0

I almost stopped reading when the author referred to a pottery sherd as a shard but I decided to be a brave little archaeology student and persevere.

Sadly after writing the previous sentence I passed away from third degree cringe sustained while reading the ending of this book.

mrdan's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful 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? No

4.5

jennysjw's review against another edition

This had the same cozy vibe as the first book, but with higher stakes and more spice as Lucian’s sexual awakening is explored (a subversion of the usual virgin trope). 

I wish this book was more subtle, and less obvious and heavy-handed, but there aren’t many other books like this one, so I’m not mad. 

cecilia_branco's review

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? Yes

5.0