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katwolfe_rn's review against another edition
5.0
I’ve read this book twice and I still can’t adequately put into words what this book did to me. First and foremost it is deliciously violent. It’s a polyamorous relationship with a necromancer, a demon, and their human toy to start with, so please don’t go in expecting sunshine and sweet nothings. It’s HOT AF. Wingspan takes on a whole different meaning. IYKYK, okay. This is about to be such an incoherent review, but basically if you like dark romance with a plot that keeps you on your toes, read this book!!!
Alrighty now into my unhinged word vomit.
THE LAST LINE, are you fckn kidding me?!?! I’ve gone back to reread the last scene over and over, it hits the same every single time. I was ready to drop to the floor myself.
My mental health is directly related to Nyx and her happiness, if anything happens to her I will simply perish. Selene is well and truly a genuine enemies to lovers character arc. Without giving spoilers, I’m ready to see more of the intertwining of the relationship, there seems to be more than presently meets the eye.
Aside from the incredible writing with a story that draws you in from the beginning, you feel everything that this character feels. Honestly, at times I was ready to slam the book shut because I was so frustrated with the characters inner monologue in regards to her self consciousness/ timidness, however towards the end of the book the mental health aspects of the story came out in full force. Themes of stepping into who you are, outgrowing old friends, reevaluating the belief symptom we grew up with were saturating every page and as much as I related to Selene in these moments, I know that there are also so many people who could relate.
I’m excited to see more of the world building, history of the magic system, and the characters themselves in the books to follow. This easily became on of my top reads of the year and my new comfort read.
Alrighty now into my unhinged word vomit.
THE LAST LINE, are you fckn kidding me?!?! I’ve gone back to reread the last scene over and over, it hits the same every single time. I was ready to drop to the floor myself.
My mental health is directly related to Nyx and her happiness, if anything happens to her I will simply perish. Selene is well and truly a genuine enemies to lovers character arc. Without giving spoilers, I’m ready to see more of the intertwining of the relationship, there seems to be more than presently meets the eye.
Aside from the incredible writing with a story that draws you in from the beginning, you feel everything that this character feels. Honestly, at times I was ready to slam the book shut because I was so frustrated with the characters inner monologue in regards to her self consciousness/ timidness, however towards the end of the book the mental health aspects of the story came out in full force. Themes of stepping into who you are, outgrowing old friends, reevaluating the belief symptom we grew up with were saturating every page and as much as I related to Selene in these moments, I know that there are also so many people who could relate.
I’m excited to see more of the world building, history of the magic system, and the characters themselves in the books to follow. This easily became on of my top reads of the year and my new comfort read.
giraffeinabookstore's review
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? Yes
4.25
mary_goddess_of_oz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
5.0
mimsicles's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0
veraeliza's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Okay, so this book was...not what I expected.
So, let me just jump into the part of the book that was my absolute favourite: the relationship between our three main characters. I've rarely seen a poly relationship written this well. It was portrayed so perfectly equal and natural. Like they were a literal perfect love-triangle. And you just can't help but start rooting for them, and feeling and caring for them. And Selene's pining for them was so pure and heart wrenching at times.
I liked the world building, but I didn't love it. This book really focusses on Selene's relationship with Nyx and Zal, not so much on plot. I feel like it has a lot of potential though. I'm fascinated by the Order of the Unbeating Heart and I wish we learned so much more about the political nature of the story. But I hope that's where the sequel comes in. I am also interested in this latent magic she discovered. It felt a little bit too easy for it just to conveniently pop up for her, but I like that it has the potential to level the playing ground between her and Nyx and Zal even more, making her their true equal. But we'll see about that in the sequel.
Lastly I just didn't get the ending. Like, so Zal and Nyx knew Selene was a spy all this time, but they still seemed to genuinely care for her up until they pulled that little stunt at the ball. And I kind of assumed that was because they wanted to protect Sel from the messy and bloody things about to ensue. But then when Sel breaks out of the castle and finds her way back to blood crest manor, they still seem to treat her like trash? Like I don't get that juxtaposition.
So, let me just jump into the part of the book that was my absolute favourite: the relationship between our three main characters. I've rarely seen a poly relationship written this well. It was portrayed so perfectly equal and natural. Like they were a literal perfect love-triangle. And you just can't help but start rooting for them, and feeling and caring for them. And Selene's pining for them was so pure and heart wrenching at times.
I liked the world building, but I didn't love it. This book really focusses on Selene's relationship with Nyx and Zal, not so much on plot. I feel like it has a lot of potential though. I'm fascinated by the Order of the Unbeating Heart and I wish we learned so much more about the political nature of the story. But I hope that's where the sequel comes in.
Lastly I just didn't get the ending.
kaylareadsallthetime's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
4.5
booksta_adventure's review
dark
emotional
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
This book mixes Dark Romance + Horror + Monster Romance + LGBTQIA+ and was unlike anything I’ve ever read before.
Selene works as spymaster for the royal court, and has been tasked with taking out Nyxis and Zalthorn, the two cult leaders posing a threat to her kingdom. But she finds herself hopelessly entangled with her charismatic targets instead.
When I first started this read, I automatically got 𝘎𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘩 vibes, in that neither I, nor the narrator, seemed to know what was going on! 😂 (Oh, and of course, necromancy!) But as soon the story took off, it definitely became its own tale.
I think my favorite part of this book was the pining on Sel’s part. Through the narrative, I was truly feeling all of her angst myself. But don’t you worry, even with all that angst, there was still plenty of the good (🌶️) stuff!
The chemistry between the 3 MC’s was just so good, and I just loved all their interactions. With only Sel’s POV, we only truly know her feelings on their relationship, and can only guess to Nyx and Zal’s motivations, which just adds to the tension.
I feel like we’ve only brushed the surface of this world so far, and after that final scene, I’m clamoring for the next book!
What this book is giving:
✅ Enemies to Lovers
✅ Polyamory
✅ Necromancy
✅ Demons
✅ Morally BLACK Love Interests
✅ “Good Girl”
✅ Double the 🍆🍆 fun!
As with most Dark Romances: Check TW before jumping in!
Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Murder
abby_burns's review
4.5
Oh. My. Gosh. This. Book! 11/10 stars for characters and world-building. The imagery is vivid. The characters are so fleshed out and beautifully flawed that even when you’re screaming at their choices, the things they do are entirely believable. My only critique is the pacing is a little rough in some places.