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brooketreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
If you are a fan of Throne of Glass series by SJM or Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard, this book is much like those.
I found it to be a little predictable imo. I still enjoyed it though. I like our main character Keera. She is battling some inner demons through the book. I didn’t really care for Riven, however I did like the mystery of The Shadow. I wish we had gotten that mystery a little longer. I didn’t like that he had sharp teeth (or fangs?) I didn’t understand that. Also no idea why, but I pictured him as a pirate the whole time. 😆
I didn’t feel the character building was very strong. We didn’t get a good description of Keera until a ways into the book when she had gotten sober and toned. Her description of what she looked like while not sober and active assassin… didn’t feel conducive to someone who could do the job of assassin.
I also didn’t like that Riven essentially sl*t shames Keera (she never did what he implied). Then in the same 24 hours another guy does the same thing and Riven gets really nasty about it. It was like dude you just did that a couple pages ago, what do you mean…
I did like Killyn (sp? I listened to this book on audiobook). I enjoyed Keera and Killyn’s interactions - don’t want to say too much on that to avoid slight spoilers.
I found the ending predictable, but I still liked it. It ends with a clear, there will be another book. I will most likely read it when it comes out.
I found it to be a little predictable imo. I still enjoyed it though. I like our main character Keera. She is battling some inner demons through the book. I didn’t really care for Riven, however I did like the mystery of The Shadow. I wish we had gotten that mystery a little longer. I didn’t like that he had sharp teeth (or fangs?) I didn’t understand that. Also no idea why, but I pictured him as a pirate the whole time. 😆
I didn’t feel the character building was very strong. We didn’t get a good description of Keera until a ways into the book when she had gotten sober and toned. Her description of what she looked like while not sober and active assassin… didn’t feel conducive to someone who could do the job of assassin.
I also didn’t like that Riven essentially sl*t shames Keera (she never did what he implied). Then in the same 24 hours another guy does the same thing and Riven gets really nasty about it. It was like dude you just did that a couple pages ago, what do you mean…
I did like Killyn (sp? I listened to this book on audiobook). I enjoyed Keera and Killyn’s interactions - don’t want to say too much on that to avoid slight spoilers.
I found the ending predictable, but I still liked it. It ends with a clear, there will be another book. I will most likely read it when it comes out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Physical abuse, and Self harm
cosmicmo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Slavery, and Colonisation
Moderate: Misogyny, Self harm, and Torture
nicolesbookcase's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
A solid middle-of-the-road rating of 2.5 seems appropriate. The beginning of this book was a definite 1 or 2; I almost DNF'd a few times within the first 10 chapters. But after that it got a little better. And then the second half of the book was a solid 4 stars, for me.
This is very evidently a debut novel, and I believe better editing would have significantly helped this book. The writing is, for the most part, good, and the premise is amazing. The tropes and themes and representation in this book are fantastic. I just wish the introduction to all of it had been better laid out.
The flow of the writing was super choppy in the beginning; it was almost hard to read because there was no natural cadence to adjacent lines. This did get much better as the book progressed. I think this choppiness came from the content; there was a LOT of info-dumping in the first 10 or so chapters. In order to get the information needed about this fantasy world into the readers' minds, the main character was put into situations and events occurred that didn't make a lot of logical sense, purely so we could get relevant worldbuilding info. That definitely could have been done better. There was also a lot of repetition of a specific plot point in the beginning, which eventually led to huge character development later on, but it was hammered in way too much.
The characterization of the main character, Keera, in the beginning was all over the place. Keera vacillated between being this deadpan, badass assassin who cares for no one and doesn't give a crap about anything to being a devoted friend desperately trying to help to being a clumsy, giggly girl in front of most men she encountered. I understand that people have layers, facets...and Keera was perhaps all of these things, but it honestly felt like I was reading about two different people; she was a completely different person with each character she interacted with. I needed more synchronicity between these different personalities, and given this is written in first person, that should have been easier. I definitely felt like Keera's character was more cohesive in the second half of the book. After more supporting characters were introduced and plot points became more fleshed out, Keera came into her own more; I could actually buy the things she was saying out loud as things she would actually say. There was also great character development of Keera as the book progressed.
There were plot-holes and inconsistencies throughout this book, which I again think would have benefited significantly from better editing. I'm also still not totally sure on some of the worldbuilding points. What is the difference between Elves and Fae? Still not sure, despite all of the info-dumping in the beginning. Hopefully more to come in the following book; I can see how that could become a relevant plot point in the sequel.
I did really enjoy the premise of the book, and the plot in the second half of the book was tense and exciting! I liked the mystery and intrigue involved in who was who and who was involved in what and the risks being taken, and I am excited to read the next book. I also liked the enemies-to-lovers romance aspect, although I did feel like things were a tad rushed, with the enemy going from hating Keera one second to completely falling for her 3 minutes later. There were lots of tropes I love (including THERE'S ONLY ONE BED and WHO DID THIS TO YOU?). There was the classic romance aspect of boy meets girl and girl can't imagine her life without boy, which I don't love, but that's a romance plot for you.
Overall, this is a debut novel with a great premise, a very interesting fantasy world (although one I wish had been fleshed out more without so much info-dumping), great characters with fantastic development and growth, and a very intriguing ending that draws you in to the sequel, but also a book that could have done with some more content editing in the first half to clear up some plot-holes and inconsistencies, adjust the flow of the writing, and cement some characterizations and worldbuilding! I will definitely be picking up the next book, and I imagine it can only get better from here.
This is very evidently a debut novel, and I believe better editing would have significantly helped this book. The writing is, for the most part, good, and the premise is amazing. The tropes and themes and representation in this book are fantastic. I just wish the introduction to all of it had been better laid out.
The flow of the writing was super choppy in the beginning; it was almost hard to read because there was no natural cadence to adjacent lines. This did get much better as the book progressed. I think this choppiness came from the content; there was a LOT of info-dumping in the first 10 or so chapters. In order to get the information needed about this fantasy world into the readers' minds, the main character was put into situations and events occurred that didn't make a lot of logical sense, purely so we could get relevant worldbuilding info. That definitely could have been done better. There was also a lot of repetition of a specific plot point in the beginning, which eventually led to huge character development later on, but it was hammered in way too much.
The characterization of the main character, Keera, in the beginning was all over the place. Keera vacillated between being this deadpan, badass assassin who cares for no one and doesn't give a crap about anything to being a devoted friend desperately trying to help to being a clumsy, giggly girl in front of most men she encountered. I understand that people have layers, facets...and Keera was perhaps all of these things, but it honestly felt like I was reading about two different people; she was a completely different person with each character she interacted with. I needed more synchronicity between these different personalities, and given this is written in first person, that should have been easier. I definitely felt like Keera's character was more cohesive in the second half of the book. After more supporting characters were introduced and plot points became more fleshed out, Keera came into her own more; I could actually buy the things she was saying out loud as things she would actually say. There was also great character development of Keera as the book progressed.
There were plot-holes and inconsistencies throughout this book, which I again think would have benefited significantly from better editing. I'm also still not totally sure on some of the worldbuilding points. What is the difference between Elves and Fae? Still not sure, despite all of the info-dumping in the beginning. Hopefully more to come in the following book; I can see how that could become a relevant plot point in the sequel.
I did really enjoy the premise of the book, and the plot in the second half of the book was tense and exciting! I liked the mystery and intrigue involved in who was who and who was involved in what and the risks being taken, and I am excited to read the next book. I also liked the enemies-to-lovers romance aspect, although I did feel like things were a tad rushed, with the enemy going from hating Keera one second to completely falling for her 3 minutes later. There were lots of tropes I love (including THERE'S ONLY ONE BED and WHO DID THIS TO YOU?). There was the classic romance aspect of boy meets girl and girl can't imagine her life without boy, which I don't love, but that's a romance plot for you.
Overall, this is a debut novel with a great premise, a very interesting fantasy world (although one I wish had been fleshed out more without so much info-dumping), great characters with fantastic development and growth, and a very intriguing ending that draws you in to the sequel, but also a book that could have done with some more content editing in the first half to clear up some plot-holes and inconsistencies, adjust the flow of the writing, and cement some characterizations and worldbuilding! I will definitely be picking up the next book, and I imagine it can only get better from here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Trafficking
el393way's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
In the moment of reading this book, I enjoyed it enough to finish it with ease. After finishing, I thought about some things a bit more and started to change my opinion. I can see why people have overall rated this book so high. It was easy to get through, had some quick pacing at times, and had lots of the tropes people really like.
The representation of different types of people (I assume comparing to different races) was probably the most consistently well-done part of this book. It would make sense as this topic is important to the author and she is able to give an own-voice perspective to it. Some of the divisions of the different fae, humans, halflings, and elves was a bit confusing, but mostly well done.
After learning the origin of this book, the over abundance of tropes makes sense. However, it feels like checking off tropes was more important than a cohesive plot. The book tried to stay lighthearted in some ways but also tackled some very sensitive subjects. It didn't feel like the author had personal experience with any of these tough topics, so the portrayal of them (alcoholism and self-harm) were very poorly done compared to the topic that did have importance to the author. It was a bit frustrating that the idea of self harm felt very surface level and then was completely abandoned by the time it was finally revealed to the love interest. In fact, it became something that made her more attractive. The internal thoughts of the character regarding her alcoholism were somewhat accurate but the outward portrayal was so unrealistic. Her addiction was given a literal magic potion to make it go away.
The pacing of the book was so strange. Some things like travel and visits to elsewhere, that had potential for so much to happen, were quick and seemingly unimportant. But then whole chapters were devoted to planning things and discussion of crop economics. It was bizarre.
I think this author has the potential to make a good second book considering it would be impossible to release it in the same way they did the first. I would hope that the author takes note of the critiques received because there really is potential for this world to improve.
The representation of different types of people (I assume comparing to different races) was probably the most consistently well-done part of this book. It would make sense as this topic is important to the author and she is able to give an own-voice perspective to it. Some of the divisions of the different fae, humans, halflings, and elves was a bit confusing, but mostly well done.
After learning the origin of this book, the over abundance of tropes makes sense. However, it feels like checking off tropes was more important than a cohesive plot. The book tried to stay lighthearted in some ways but also tackled some very sensitive subjects. It didn't feel like the author had personal experience with any of these tough topics, so the portrayal of them (alcoholism and self-harm) were very poorly done compared to the topic that did have importance to the author. It was a bit frustrating that the idea of self harm felt very surface level and then was completely abandoned by the time it was finally revealed to the love interest. In fact, it became something that made her more attractive. The internal thoughts of the character regarding her alcoholism were somewhat accurate but the outward portrayal was so unrealistic. Her addiction was given a literal magic potion to make it go away.
The pacing of the book was so strange. Some things like travel and visits to elsewhere, that had potential for so much to happen, were quick and seemingly unimportant. But then whole chapters were devoted to planning things and discussion of crop economics. It was bizarre.
I think this author has the potential to make a good second book considering it would be impossible to release it in the same way they did the first. I would hope that the author takes note of the critiques received because there really is potential for this world to improve.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Self harm
Moderate: Death and Sexual violence
sarash92's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
ccouey's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Colonisation
Minor: Trafficking and War
beckyyreadss's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I wanted to read this book due to the hype that was all over Booktok in 2021. It took me a while to get around to read it but I'm glad I've read it now with the sequel coming out this year, because that cliff hanger left me wanting more.
Keera is a killer. As the King’s Blade, she is the most talented spy in the Kingdom and the King’s favourite assassin. When a mysterious figure called the Shadow starts making moves against the Crown, Keera is forced to hunt the masked figure down. She crosses into the magical land of the Fae, trying to discern if the enemy is Mortal, Elf or a Halfling like her. But the Faeland is nothing to what it seems, and neither is the Shadow. Keera is shocked by what she discovers and can’t help but wonder who her enemy truly is – Is it the King that destroyed her people? The Prince that tortures them? Or the Shadow that threatens her place at court? As Keera searches for an answer, she is haunted by a promise she made a long time ago. A promise not to save herself but an entire kingdom.
This book is thrilling, details and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I love the idea of this book and I love how it was executed. You wouldn’t think that this book was a debut novel. It was so good. I love Keera, I'm scared of her, and I want to be her, and she can hit me as much as she wants, and I would say thank you. I love the found family aspect of this and the storyline and it was an enjoyable read. I just wanted more. I'm so glad that there is a sequel – June cannot come quick enough. I liked the mystery in this book and you constantly wondering what the promise what that she made and who the connection is. I wouldn’t say it was a weakness, but I would have loved more of a mystery of the Shadow, I understand why they were revealed when they were, but I would have loved more of a build-up on who the Shadow was. After we find out who the Shadow is, I feel like it was very fast-paced and a lot of action.
I really enjoyed this debut novel of Melissa Blair’s and I cannot wait for the sequel and to see more of Keera kick some ass.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Self harm, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, and Suicidal thoughts
yadira315's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
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
4.75
What an amazing debut! I can’t believe it took me so long to pick this book up! I was invested right as the book began because Melissa has such an easy way of drawing the reader in! This book handled so many dedicatoria topics with such care and grace. It showed how colonization effects every person differently and people have to find different means of survival. We have and flawed MC that has so much development upon creating different relationships. A diverse cast of characters including a “wheelchair user” were not being fully abler body did not get in her way of being a bad ass. I love how this book took its time with the world building and fleshing out all the politics while giving us hints of a possible love interest in the next book.
I gave it 4.75 because I had difficulty differentiating the beings in this world and how they fit into the hierarchical system.
Looking forward to book two. Btw what a gorgeous cover!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Violence, and Colonisation
Moderate: Self harm and Grief
Minor: Sexual content
eventualghost's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This a good fantasy romance read. I appreciate the authors attempts to explore difficult topics like alcoholism and self harm. It’s wonderful to see a queer female main character. I admire the world building, and the military layout is so on point, I wish I thought of it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Self harm
catchme_ridingnerdy's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Read for a book club on Fable.
I will say that I found this more entertaining than I thought I would. I mean it had all of the tropes you can think of (but I think that was the point?). It followed a typical fantasy book plot. It took a bit for me to ease into Keera. I’m all for a morally ambiguous characters, but her vice (I went say because of spoilers) just didn’t sit right with me and I don’t know why. I felt some of her choices were not necessary to the plot or maybe could have been done a different way (yes, vague, but spoilers!). This book is considered new adult, but she read a bit like a YA character. Some parts were predictable, but honestly this was just an entertaining read even with the tropes.
I will say that I found this more entertaining than I thought I would. I mean it had all of the tropes you can think of (but I think that was the point?). It followed a typical fantasy book plot. It took a bit for me to ease into Keera. I’m all for a morally ambiguous characters, but her vice (I went say because of spoilers) just didn’t sit right with me and I don’t know why. I felt some of her choices were not necessary to the plot or maybe could have been done a different way (yes, vague, but spoilers!). This book is considered new adult, but she read a bit like a YA character. Some parts were predictable, but honestly this was just an entertaining read even with the tropes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Self harm