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widdlemun's review against another edition
dark
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
4.5
I loved this book. I relate to the main character heavily and I really enjoyed following her development. When I say I want a meaningful character arc this is what I mean. The plot was compelling and I was immersed in the world. The only thing I didn't love was the worldbuilding with the Elves vs Fae. It's never entirely clear what distinguises them other than their parantage. Can't wait to read the next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Self harm
_alyssar_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Physical abuse, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Self harm, Classism, Grief, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, and Violence
Minor: Drug use, Suicide attempt, Trafficking, Gore, Torture, Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Body horror, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Slavery
mickiepags's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Self harm
mgodkin1's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Maybe trying to annotate and sticky tab as I read was my mistake but trying to do so made every flaw and boring sentence glaringly obvious. I gave up about 70 pages in when I realized I was begging the author to show and not tell (or to simply please just stop explaining things twice in a row oh my god) and suggesting full sentence rewrites. I'm not some famous author so what does it matter if I disagree with the prose in the grand scheme of if someone ELSE would like this book or not, but holy cow I was bored.
If you don't have the space to be empathetic towards someone with an alcohol dependency you may struggle with liking the main character. I recognize the beauty in focusing on that kind of struggle in a MC's journey but I wasn't actually expecting it to play so center stage for some reason.
I found almost all the twists to be very predictable, probably because everything was over explained any chance the author got.
Once I decided I'd stop annotating and start to "turn my brain off"/try to enjoy it for the story it is/speed read, I still had a tough time loving or even liking this book. It was fine.
Those who say it is like FBAA from JLA are more correct in terms of pacing and skill. Those who say it is similar to TOG from SJM are right only in that we have a magical realm with a king's assassin who lost a loved one and is traumatized. I wouldn't say there's anywhere near the same level of intrigue, sass from the FMC, or emotion in the writing in general. Or worldbuilding tbh.
and I have no idea why people are saying its super spicy. it was like a 🌶️🌶️ at MOST.
TL/DR; cool idea, terrible execution
If you don't have the space to be empathetic towards someone with an alcohol dependency you may struggle with liking the main character. I recognize the beauty in focusing on that kind of struggle in a MC's journey but I wasn't actually expecting it to play so center stage for some reason.
I found almost all the twists to be very predictable, probably because everything was over explained any chance the author got.
Once I decided I'd stop annotating and start to "turn my brain off"/try to enjoy it for the story it is/speed read, I still had a tough time loving or even liking this book. It was fine.
Those who say it is like FBAA from JLA are more correct in terms of pacing and skill. Those who say it is similar to TOG from SJM are right only in that we have a magical realm with a king's assassin who lost a loved one and is traumatized. I wouldn't say there's anywhere near the same level of intrigue, sass from the FMC, or emotion in the writing in general. Or worldbuilding tbh.
and I have no idea why people are saying its super spicy. it was like a 🌶️🌶️ at MOST.
TL/DR; cool idea, terrible execution
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Alcoholism
Moderate: Death, Torture, and Xenophobia
iforgotilivedhere's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
3.0
I wanted to like this but the writing got so annoying sometimes. Melissa Blair could benefit from not having this in first person past tense. This would have been ten times better with third person past tense. Hopefully the second book is better because that ending was pretty interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Alcohol
Moderate: Self harm
tkelly15's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
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
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
sherbereads's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Alcoholism, and Physical abuse
chrisb913's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
5.0
Please read the trigger warnings.
This was an absolute fantastic read from start to finish. Everything from the character growth and the world building was on point.
We start off the story with Keera, the Blade to the King and leader of his Arsenal. As the story progresses we see Keera struggle not only with her personal flaws but her commitment to the King. The character development of Keera through out the book had me desperate to continue the story.
This story has a little bit of everything. Lots of action, a mystery surrounding what is truly happening in the kingdom, a fantastic slow burn enemies to lovers subplot, and an absolute badass master assassin that is not ONLY a FMC but truly feels as though they have earned that title. Melissa writes Keera in such a way that truly outshines many other popular female lead assassin books out on the market today.
This is the first of the four book saga and i will absolutely be continuing on with this story. The first three books are out now and I HIGHLY recommend you pick this up and give it a try.
This was an absolute fantastic read from start to finish. Everything from the character growth and the world building was on point.
We start off the story with Keera, the Blade to the King and leader of his Arsenal. As the story progresses we see Keera struggle not only with her personal flaws but her commitment to the King. The character development of Keera through out the book had me desperate to continue the story.
This story has a little bit of everything. Lots of action, a mystery surrounding what is truly happening in the kingdom, a fantastic slow burn enemies to lovers subplot, and an absolute badass master assassin that is not ONLY a FMC but truly feels as though they have earned that title. Melissa writes Keera in such a way that truly outshines many other popular female lead assassin books out on the market today.
This is the first of the four book saga and i will absolutely be continuing on with this story. The first three books are out now and I HIGHLY recommend you pick this up and give it a try.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Slavery, Alcoholism, Racism, Addiction, Alcohol, Classism, Colonisation, Death, Self harm, and Xenophobia
rachelfayreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Alcoholism, Death, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Colonisation
Moderate: Trafficking, Addiction, Torture, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, and Kidnapping
reed_harmon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Self harm
Minor: Genocide and Physical abuse