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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
MMC was too much of a jerk with absolutely zero chemistry between him and the FMC. When literally every other side character kept pointing out that he was being a jerk, that's when I bailed. Why would I want to stick around for that???
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Death
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Even I'm surprised that I liked this book.
I thought it would be just another fae book (and it is a bit), but there are some really cool things here.
First, Sager's writing is super fluid and full of details without being too flowery or repetitive. The book is almost 400 pages long, and I finished it in 4 hours.
The story has a really nice pacing, I couldn't stop reading.
The book is very focused on the characters, and there is no super strong fantasy or world building, but I think the author knew how to focus on something and make what she wanted to write strong.
She developed the protagonists' past in a way that worked. In any other book, I would have found it superficial. Here, it matched the rhythm she was bringing to the story.
It's not so much about the plot, but rather about the interactions and personal discoveries of the characters.
I think it's really interesting that the protagonist is an acrobat and that this isn't just something that happens once and then disappears. You can see that she flourishes when she performs.
I found the combination of something more circus-like with a fantasy world very nice.
I'm not one of those who likes bully romances, and I honestly don't think that happens here. In a fantasy world where cruel Courts exist by nature and nurture, can you call it bullying? I think it's integrated into the concept of a world that is not ours.
But anyway, what I was going to say is that I'm not the biggest fan of the genre, but I liked the development of the main couple.
I particularly like how the author portrayed Zita as an extremely self-confident woman (physically, at least).
This book has no room for shame. And I think it's a good thing that the protagonist isn't a coward (not that FMCs have to do everything they're forced to do, either).
But I liked seeing for once a protagonist who really shows herself and isn't afraid to do things that others find humiliating. Zita is incredible.
And I like Sepher's redemption. I didn't think it was forced. And I like even more that he's not the main character we expect. We usually see the person who rules the courts in the books and not the exiled brothers, so it was really refreshing to read about him and a bunch of weirdos (I say this with love).
I think his relationship with Zita is full of chemistry. You can really feel the hate/love between the two. I can't say anything bad about their development.
The only thing I wish happened was a little more attention to the plot twist at the end. I always say this, but I don't like plot twists that happen without any clues as the story progresses. It ends up feeling kind of thrown in when there's no option for the reader to find out or create theories about who's guilty of a certain crime.
I also missed a little more tension in the part where Sepher and Zita make a deal, and her part is to try to reverse the curse. I wish there was more of an internal battle inside her for lying to him than there was in the book. I think it was a good point that was kind of ignored in the story.
Anya's part was also a bit left out. I think the author forgets some characters after they serve a purpose. I wish there was more depth in this regard.
Other than that, I liked everything. It's not the deepest book in the world, but there's a very interesting conversation about grief in it. I think that those who are affected by it like me will enjoy Zita's internal struggle. Many things have probably crossed many people's minds.
It's a nice story for those who want to read something to relex and a romantasy with true enemies to lovers.
I thought it would be just another fae book (and it is a bit), but there are some really cool things here.
First, Sager's writing is super fluid and full of details without being too flowery or repetitive. The book is almost 400 pages long, and I finished it in 4 hours.
The story has a really nice pacing, I couldn't stop reading.
The book is very focused on the characters, and there is no super strong fantasy or world building, but I think the author knew how to focus on something and make what she wanted to write strong.
She developed the protagonists' past in a way that worked. In any other book, I would have found it superficial. Here, it matched the rhythm she was bringing to the story.
It's not so much about the plot, but rather about the interactions and personal discoveries of the characters.
I think it's really interesting that the protagonist is an acrobat and that this isn't just something that happens once and then disappears. You can see that she flourishes when she performs.
I found the combination of something more circus-like with a fantasy world very nice.
I'm not one of those who likes bully romances, and I honestly don't think that happens here. In a fantasy world where cruel Courts exist by nature and nurture, can you call it bullying? I think it's integrated into the concept of a world that is not ours.
But anyway, what I was going to say is that I'm not the biggest fan of the genre, but I liked the development of the main couple.
I particularly like how the author portrayed Zita as an extremely self-confident woman (physically, at least).
This book has no room for shame. And I think it's a good thing that the protagonist isn't a coward (not that FMCs have to do everything they're forced to do, either).
But I liked seeing for once a protagonist who really shows herself and isn't afraid to do things that others find humiliating. Zita is incredible.
And I like Sepher's redemption. I didn't think it was forced. And I like even more that he's not the main character we expect. We usually see the person who rules the courts in the books and not the exiled brothers, so it was really refreshing to read about him and a bunch of weirdos (I say this with love).
I think his relationship with Zita is full of chemistry. You can really feel the hate/love between the two. I can't say anything bad about their development.
The only thing I wish happened was a little more attention to the plot twist at the end. I always say this, but I don't like plot twists that happen without any clues as the story progresses. It ends up feeling kind of thrown in when there's no option for the reader to find out or create theories about who's guilty of a certain crime.
Anya's part was also a bit left out. I think the author forgets some characters after they serve a purpose. I wish there was more depth in this regard.
Other than that, I liked everything. It's not the deepest book in the world, but there's a very interesting conversation about grief in it. I think that those who are affected by it like me will enjoy Zita's internal struggle. Many things have probably crossed many people's minds.
It's a nice story for those who want to read something to relex and a romantasy with true enemies to lovers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Violence, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Death, Blood, Murder
Shame I had high expectations but it was a let down. I loved some bits, hated others. I really enjoyed the beginning, middle was meh and then the last 20% of the book felt rushed and a little dumb. I guessed the killer from the 1st chapter, though I did change my mind during the book. I just can’t put my finger on what I didn’t like. And when he asked her to marry him I literally laughed at the fact she’s hanging upside down on another man
NGL: This level of descriptive spice is not my comfort zone at all. Read those content warnings as it is much darker than Clare Sager's usual; some things could be very much yikes.
However, I picked it up *because* Clare Sager wrote it, and she always makes real characters out of whatever role she sets them in her historical fantasy Sabreverse setting. Sepher the vindictive fae prince and vengeful performer Zita are no exception. If you're going for dark romance (and I mean Dark), giving them believable motives for being the messed up people they are helps sell the case of enemies to lovers, with an emphasis on the enemies part. These fae can be cruel and conniving (though we do get to see a bit more of their other side from side characters; the messageof self acceptance is strong throughout), but Zita, nihilistic though she feels, is more than a match for their sometimes literal claws.
However, I picked it up *because* Clare Sager wrote it, and she always makes real characters out of whatever role she sets them in her historical fantasy Sabreverse setting. Sepher the vindictive fae prince and vengeful performer Zita are no exception. If you're going for dark romance (and I mean Dark), giving them believable motives for being the messed up people they are helps sell the case of enemies to lovers, with an emphasis on the enemies part. These fae can be cruel and conniving (though we do get to see a bit more of their other side from side characters; the messageof self acceptance is strong throughout), but Zita, nihilistic though she feels, is more than a match for their sometimes literal claws.
I did soft dnf this book before but I gave it another go. this book starts slowly but does get going from about half way point. would recommend 👌
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
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
This was a delightful surprise for me. I started this book because of the Mortal Enemies to Monster Lovers series that started with Carissa Broadbent.
I have read many of Carissa Broadbent's works already, so I knew I'd enjoy her Vampire Conquerer, but this was a new author for me.
Blew me the hell away. The characters were so intriguing and I did not expect that twist!
I will be looking into Clare's other stories to be sure!
I have read many of Carissa Broadbent's works already, so I knew I'd enjoy her Vampire Conquerer, but this was a new author for me.
Blew me the hell away. The characters were so intriguing and I did not expect that twist!
I will be looking into Clare's other stories to be sure!
So many thoughts. Largest thought is that Clare is such a great romantasy writer. The perfect blend of romance, fantasy, and an easy escape. I’ve also never felt like I had such different thought processes from a narrator like I did in this book. I would think what I would do and the mc would do or think something I would never have even considered.
I very much enjoyed this book and the other books from Clare!!
I very much enjoyed this book and the other books from Clare!!
fast-paced
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes