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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
adventurous
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:
No
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5⭐️3🌶️
Dual POV
Viking Romantasy
Sign language rep
Mute MMC
Orphan FMC
Enemies to lovers
Bodyguard
Forced proximity
Unique Magic system
Self discovery
Panic attack rep
Viking lore, a fascinating magic system, a long-lost heroine in hiding, and a mute hero who communicates through sign language—this book had so many elements that instantly pulled me in. The prologue throws you right into the action, which I loved. It sets a fast pace and allows the world-building to unfold naturally, without overwhelming info dumps.
This was my first LJ Andrews book, and now I’m wondering why I waited so long to dive into her work.
The setting felt rich and immersive, with a historical tone that grounded the fantasy elements beautifully. While the world-building leaned a bit heavy at times, it was layered and engaging, making it easy to stay invested. The magic system was fresh and compelling. I’m eager to learn even more as the series continues!
I can’t wait to read the next installment (and everything else LJ Andrews has written because they are now officially at the top of my TBR priority list).
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for gifting me the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I don’t know what LJ Andrews puts in her books, but they are so easy to devour and enjoy, and this one was no exception!
Tropes
enemies to lovers
forced proximity
grumpy bodyguard
norse mythology
dark magic
slowburn
Let’s first talk about our characters. One thing that always works well for me with Andrews is how she is able to really create a complete cast of characters you’ll truly enjoy and care about. All side characters feel important in a way, they have great banter and truly add to the story.
Our main ones are easy to fall for. You get a super strong FMC fighting for the ones she loves and what she believes in. And then you have the grumpy, morally gray mysterious warrior that will get you intrigued in no time. I particularly enjoyed how our MMC had to use hand gestures after losing his voice. It created a superb connection between our main characters and also added to the tension and proximity between the two.
The first part of the book had quite a bit of world-building while staying so fascinating. I’d say that when you have a magic system that captivating, it is easy to feel this need of wanting to know more and more about it. I was so engrossed in this story and by the end of it everything went so fast, it was impossible to put it down!
There was quite a bit of action, as expected with the Viking vibes going on. You also have your fair share of political intrigues, and it will keep you glued to your seat until the very end. This is definitely a must-read for any fantasy lover, and if you haven’t tried LJ Andrews yet, what are you doing with your life?!
Thanks to Berkley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
Tropes
enemies to lovers
forced proximity
grumpy bodyguard
norse mythology
dark magic
slowburn
Let’s first talk about our characters. One thing that always works well for me with Andrews is how she is able to really create a complete cast of characters you’ll truly enjoy and care about. All side characters feel important in a way, they have great banter and truly add to the story.
Our main ones are easy to fall for. You get a super strong FMC fighting for the ones she loves and what she believes in. And then you have the grumpy, morally gray mysterious warrior that will get you intrigued in no time. I particularly enjoyed how our MMC had to use hand gestures after losing his voice. It created a superb connection between our main characters and also added to the tension and proximity between the two.
The first part of the book had quite a bit of world-building while staying so fascinating. I’d say that when you have a magic system that captivating, it is easy to feel this need of wanting to know more and more about it. I was so engrossed in this story and by the end of it everything went so fast, it was impossible to put it down!
There was quite a bit of action, as expected with the Viking vibes going on. You also have your fair share of political intrigues, and it will keep you glued to your seat until the very end. This is definitely a must-read for any fantasy lover, and if you haven’t tried LJ Andrews yet, what are you doing with your life?!
Thanks to Berkley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
adventurous
dark
emotional
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:
No
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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:
Complicated
A melder’s craft was only found perhaps once a generation and rarely in a woman’s blood. This woman has been hidden from the king.
There were raids that killed many to get this girl with silver scarred eyes with the blood of a melder. She went missing and thought dead.
Turns out, she was only hidden.
Now a missive has been received that she’s alive. And it’s Roark’s job, the one known as the Death Bringer, the one who works closest with the Prince, to go get her.
This was truly uniquely crafted world! The magic system is unique, although a bit gruesome since they deal a lot with bones and blood, but unique and created this darker morally grey world. No one seems innocent in this world. You have to find the light in the darkness.
Lyra is that light. Despite having this unique ability that people literally kill others for, she’s a kind person. I loved her character. She’s kind, caring, and yet fierce and not afraid to back down when it comes to protecting those she loves. And as always, L.J. Andrews always knows how to write these wonderful kind fierce and yet logical female characters. She definitely has written some of my favorites!
Lyra had this beautiful sibling-like relationship with Kael who is like a brother to her. They’re the best of friends and would do anything for each other. I loved how that never changed. They were always there for each other.
Despite never knowing how to trust, there’s a bit of a found family that develops that is new for Lyra and yet she seemed to flourish meeting these people and becoming more.
The romance is this decadent slow burn enemies to lovers romance. And I mean enemies to lovers. They’re drawn to each other, which they don’t understand, and yet hate each other. And what draws them is a twist in of itself that made this a unique story.
There’s a few twists in here with one catching me so off guard. I love when there’s a twist I don’t catch. It makes a book even more enjoyable for me. It was not predictable.
This was definitely a riveting story, I couldn’t put it down. There was nothing I disliked. Once I was finished, I felt satisfied and not disappointed in anything. I’m looking forward to the next one!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Australia for this eARC to one of my most anticipated 2025 releases.
This was a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I am a huge fan of LJ Andrews. The Ever Seas and Broken Kingdoms series were fantastic. So I had very high hopes for this book and I wasn’t disappointed.
LJ does Nordic/Viking lore incredibly well. Everytime I have read something she’s written I have no issues following along. She build the world in such a way, that even when you’re confused or not sure of the world building, you get answers. She did that wonderfully in Broken Souls and Bones. The magic especially was fun to read and discover. It was very unique and unlike something I’ve read before.
Don’t go into this book expecting action after action and instant love or spice. The story and romance is a slow burn. But I personally loved the pacing of the book. LJ gives you time with the characters and the plot so you can take it all in. But I know that some people wil struggle with the pacing.
Lyra and Roarke are wonderfully written MCs. It’s not a massive spoiler but don’t want to reveal in the review but Roarke is different from other MMCs. He has a disability which I really admired LJ for writing a main character like this. It’s great to see disability representation in stories.
The cast of side characters and the found family aspect of the story was done so well. Characters are developed and get to shine and you fall in love with those characters.
The ending surprised me and now I’m over here like 😧😧😧 waiting for the next book. I believe LJ stated this is a two book series so hopefully won’t be a super long wait.
This was a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I am a huge fan of LJ Andrews. The Ever Seas and Broken Kingdoms series were fantastic. So I had very high hopes for this book and I wasn’t disappointed.
LJ does Nordic/Viking lore incredibly well. Everytime I have read something she’s written I have no issues following along. She build the world in such a way, that even when you’re confused or not sure of the world building, you get answers. She did that wonderfully in Broken Souls and Bones. The magic especially was fun to read and discover. It was very unique and unlike something I’ve read before.
Don’t go into this book expecting action after action and instant love or spice. The story and romance is a slow burn. But I personally loved the pacing of the book. LJ gives you time with the characters and the plot so you can take it all in. But I know that some people wil struggle with the pacing.
Lyra and Roarke are wonderfully written MCs. It’s not a massive spoiler but don’t want to reveal in the review but Roarke is different from other MMCs. He has a disability which I really admired LJ for writing a main character like this. It’s great to see disability representation in stories.
The cast of side characters and the found family aspect of the story was done so well. Characters are developed and get to shine and you fall in love with those characters.
The ending surprised me and now I’m over here like 😧😧😧 waiting for the next book. I believe LJ stated this is a two book series so hopefully won’t be a super long wait.