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shaekin's review
5.0
I didn't know any about this book other than I loved the author. There have certainly been books of hers I was less than impressed with, but this wasn't one of them. I loved it! I'm very glad I have the second book in the series just sitting here waiting for me.
emmascc's review
4.0
Loved the world building in this and the characters. I'm always a sucker for a well written sibling relationship.
eaterofwordsandworlds's review
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
petitestory's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
thisistoostressful's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-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
3.0
whitzilla'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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Pregnancy
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Excrement, Violence, Incest, and War
nessa_arandur's review
4.0
This is a great fantasy story that is LGBT+ friendly, and has a musical magic system that is really interesting. The characters are what makes it shine, especially Annice. I wish Huff had explained a bit more about the magic system, but I'm actually glad she didn't because as it stands the system exists as an integral part of the setting without loads of exposition dumping. This works because it is never used as a deus ex machina - it just enriches the world without bogging us down in information unnecessary to the plot. I will be happy to read the rest of the series and find things out gradually as I go along.
plbmso's review
3.0
I listened to this book as an audiobook, so my feelings about it are colored by the reader. The Drama in the book and from the reader (appropriately) were intense and the hostile and acerbic relationship between the two protagonists was never ending. The dialogue did not ring true to me, characters need to be more dimensioned or deep for me to retain a book worth of interest. So, I wished, by page one hundred that all the characters might suffer a painful end. In many ways this was a genre romance: unpleasant arrogant Duke is tamed (eventually) by feisty and beautiful bard. To those readers who like this and expected this book to deliver this, then it might rate 4 stars. There was a good plot, an interesting fantasy world with spirits and some good villainy. Do I recommend it? To someone knowing what they are getting, sure, but expecting a Martha Wells woman-based romance, no.