Scan barcode
stopandsmelltheproses's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
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
3.5
reads_travels's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
I was not a huge fan of Veyka in the beginning of the book, but in the middle and on I didn’t mind her as much. There were some spots that were predictable, but they were revealed in a not so obvious way. I am excited to see what the fourth book brings!
happy_bookish_heart's review
4.0
Okay, so overall I liked this book a lot. That said, I did have somewhat mixed feelings about it.
On the one hand, it took me a while to get into. The pacing in this book was slower than the first two. The first 20% dragged for me to the point that it wasn’t holding my attention and I was losing motivation to read. The main couple was separated for about 35% of the book which I didn’t love and then only to be met with an amnesia trope that they deal with for the majority of the book…which, again, I didn’t love. It was definitely a more emotional book and they are dealing with some heavy stuff, but Veyka’s inner monologue got a bit tiresome for me because it became so repetitive. I didn’t find Cyara’s POV to be very necessary to the storytelling, but I didn’t mind having it in included.
On the other hand, I think this one may have been the strongest book in the series so far. It was a more emotionally impactful book (which is something I appreciate because I love a book that makes you feel). I definitely teared up a few times. I felt myself more invested in the story and the relationship once things picked up around the halfway mark. The world-building and plot continued to expand and develop and we learned more about the prophecy. While Veyka’s inner monologue got a bit tedious at times, her character didn’t annoy me as much in this one! I liked that the main couple wasn’t as hyper-sexualized in this book because it allowed me to focus more on the actual story rather than having the spice be distracting from the plot as it had been in the first two books. It felt like there was a better balance in this book between plot, romance, and spice. While I don’t love the amnesia trope, I did appreciate that it kept the romance from getting stale (as many fictional couples tend to do after being mated/married, etc.).
Similarly to the last book(s), I still rolled my eyes with some of the lustful comments/thinking, but it wasn’t as frequent or distracting in this book. I still cringed with the use of “p*ssy” and “c*nt” which generally just aren’t my preferred word choices for those types of scenes. That’s not really a critique of the writing, more just a misalignment between the writing style and my personal preferences.
Again, there were numerous typos and grammatical errors throughout the book which didn’t bother me too much, but I know that’s the type of thing that would bother some readers so hopefully those got ironed out by the final released copy.
Despite my critiques, I will point out again that this book was probably my favorite in the series so far! I’m interested to see how the story will conclude when the next book releases in the Fall!
Thank you to Emberly Ash, NetGalley, and Victory Editing for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
_lc_'s review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
4.5
This was my favourite book in the series so far. It was a bit darker as Veyka tries to deal with everything that happened at the end of book two (no spoilers). It was really sad to experience her heartbreak and loneliness through not only her eyes, but of those around her too.
As always it left me wanting more of this world and to know what happens next.
Thanks to #NetGallery and publisher for a copy of this book.
Genre: Romance/Fantasy MF
Format: Digital
POV: Multiple
Tropes: fated mates, “zombie” hoards, embracing the void, lost love, badass female knights of the round table, Arthur retelling.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ /5
Age suggestion: 18+
doglover4eva's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
clairereadstoomuch's review
adventurous
challenging
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? N/A
3.75
With this being the third book in the series, I feel like things are coming together. At the same time though, it feels like the resolution is also more and more further. In book two, we see Veyka finally coming into herself with her accepting her powers and her bond with Arran. However, instead of furthering this relationship both romantic and political, we are thrown right back to point zero.
While I can see why Arran’s storyline happened, all magic has a cost after all, I fail to see how it benefitted the story. Pushing Veyka’s own character arc forward? Probably. That’s how it’s sold to us, however I’m not so sure.
The struggle he has to face, and as a consequence them as a couple have to face, are the same of book one. And while this could have been a great opportunity for us to really get to know Arran, I feel like we stayed on the surface. The things that made him Arran, his traumas and experiences that forced the male in 300 years, we’ve yet to know them. Truly.
The resolution of his storyline was also very anticlimactic.
The best thing about this book was the found family. Truly all of these characters shone through the pages. I’m so attached to all of them and I love how they’re all either coming into themselves as well or they’re taking a more central role.
Things are getting more and more complicated so I can’t wait to see what happens next!
While I can see why Arran’s storyline happened, all magic has a cost after all, I fail to see how it benefitted the story. Pushing Veyka’s own character arc forward? Probably. That’s how it’s sold to us, however I’m not so sure.
The struggle he has to face, and as a consequence them as a couple have to face, are the same of book one. And while this could have been a great opportunity for us to really get to know Arran, I feel like we stayed on the surface. The things that made him Arran, his traumas and experiences that forced the male in 300 years, we’ve yet to know them. Truly.
The resolution of his storyline was also very anticlimactic.
The best thing about this book was the found family. Truly all of these characters shone through the pages. I’m so attached to all of them and I love how they’re all either coming into themselves as well or they’re taking a more central role.
Things are getting more and more complicated so I can’t wait to see what happens next!
nicoleg_haus's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lindseymkish's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
bookboxbabe's review
adventurous
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
first of all how dare you
second if all, this book just solidifies that this is one of my favorite series of all time.
this book was ROUGH on my emotions but i enjoyed every time a tear was shed. the angst, the tension, the steam, it all just fits together nicely and emberly really just makes it impossible to put the book down (i’m writing this review at midnight)
i love veyka and arran and i can not wait to see how she will wrap up this insane story. when is book 4 coming again??
second if all, this book just solidifies that this is one of my favorite series of all time.
this book was ROUGH on my emotions but i enjoyed every time a tear was shed. the angst, the tension, the steam, it all just fits together nicely and emberly really just makes it impossible to put the book down (i’m writing this review at midnight)
i love veyka and arran and i can not wait to see how she will wrap up this insane story. when is book 4 coming again??
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Torture, and Rape
emeliaisreading_'s review
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
4.5
Title: Court of Vines and Vipers (Book 3, Secrets of the Faerie Crown) by Emberly Ash
Genre: Adult Romantasy
Pub Date: April 30, 2024
⭐️ 4.5/5
🌶 3/5
🔥 Slow Burn w/ Spice
🌟 Fated Mates
💀 Cursed Undead Foes
⌛️ Ancient Prophecy
🌿 Elemental + Terrestrial Fae
🐺 Shifter Romance
🩶 Morally Grey MMC
💖 Plus Sized FMC
➡️ SWIPE for Synopsis
(🚨SPOILERS for book 2 in synopsis🚨)
Arran and Veyka are so beautiful together, I absolutely adore them and their love, no matter the circumstances. I don't want to give anything away since it's book 3 in the series but I will say this one was BRUTAL. If you want a good cry, Court of Vines and Vipers will do it. I need the last book ASAP... being an ARC reader is both a blessing and a curse because now all I have until November is this cliffhanger 🥹
Queen of Blood and Vengeance, Book 4 in the Secrets of the Faerie Crown series, is coming November 2024.❣️
Thank you so much Emberly Ash for the digital review copy❣️
Genre: Adult Romantasy
Pub Date: April 30, 2024
⭐️ 4.5/5
🌶 3/5
🔥 Slow Burn w/ Spice
🌟 Fated Mates
💀 Cursed Undead Foes
⌛️ Ancient Prophecy
🌿 Elemental + Terrestrial Fae
🐺 Shifter Romance
🩶 Morally Grey MMC
💖 Plus Sized FMC
➡️ SWIPE for Synopsis
(🚨SPOILERS for book 2 in synopsis🚨)
Arran and Veyka are so beautiful together, I absolutely adore them and their love, no matter the circumstances. I don't want to give anything away since it's book 3 in the series but I will say this one was BRUTAL. If you want a good cry, Court of Vines and Vipers will do it. I need the last book ASAP... being an ARC reader is both a blessing and a curse because now all I have until November is this cliffhanger 🥹
Queen of Blood and Vengeance, Book 4 in the Secrets of the Faerie Crown series, is coming November 2024.❣️
Thank you so much Emberly Ash for the digital review copy❣️