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4.45 AVERAGE
4.45 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
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:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
My god this was a struggle to read, and now I have the hard task of writing a review for an 800 page book that could and should have been 500 pages at most.
To start, this book is so dense. I always thought I enjoyed fantasy nooks but this one has really put me off. Everything in the first 20% was so incredibly lore heavy, and so much information was thrown at the reader early on that I feel like I missed out on a lot of important information. I missed the section where one character was said to be a brother, an important plot point might I add, because so much of the rest of the chapter was overflowing with deep worldbuilding that it genuinely didn't register for me. And this was a major problem for me throughout. Why are we dedicating 8 pages of chapter talking about glittery unicorn toys in the closet? So much of this character development and world building felt unnecessary. Even now, at the end of the book, I couldn't confidently tell you what Vanir means. It took me just over 50% of the book to realise what FiRo meant. I continually forgot who Juniper was considering she was supposed to be important to the main character.
Just because there's lore, doesn't mean you need to explain it all. Let the readers piece some things together themselves.
In terms of characters, Hunt was the ONLY one I felt had any real development. His backstory was delved into enough to understand his actions once the narrative of the book started, and watching his grow from being cold and professional, to opening up a little, to that one scene where he's incredibly vulnerable for the first time, and the subsequent twists and developlments after that had me TRULY invested in his story. At point when I was happy to DNF this book, he actually brought me back to it, because he was a joy to read.
Bryce felt like nothing more than a narrative vehicle for the majority of this book, the only real trait I could tell you about her, and the only real driving force for anything she did (before the romance) was justice for her friend. If that's the only thing I can say about your main character through 50/60% of the book, I don't think she's been written spectacularly well. Although she redeemed herself to me towards the end, which is nice, and I actually grew more invested in her arc and her developing relationship. It's a shame it took so long to get there.
Controversially, Ruhn was such a nothing character. You could have cut most of his scenes and I don't think much would have changed in the narrative except for the ending 10%, but even then the ending revelations with Bryce only further showed how redundant he actually is.
I feel like this could have been good, and there were elements that really did get my heart racing, especially towards the 60/70% mark, when the main relationship really begins to flourish, and things start to go wrong. This is what I wish happened earlier. But these powerful moments were bogged down by excessive lore and too many characters that felt interchangeable. The writing was great, don't get me wrong; everything is described beautifully and so vividly but there is too much description constantly happening. Character details got lost. Important plot points got lost. And that in turn made me as the reader get lost. I had to message friends that have read this book to help me work out what I'd missed because there was no way I was going to re-read 200 pages just to figure it out.
Give me a Hunt Athalar origin book and I will be there, but other than that I have no real desire to continue this series, or delve into the authors other work.
To start, this book is so dense. I always thought I enjoyed fantasy nooks but this one has really put me off. Everything in the first 20% was so incredibly lore heavy, and so much information was thrown at the reader early on that I feel like I missed out on a lot of important information. I missed the section where one character was said to be a brother, an important plot point might I add, because so much of the rest of the chapter was overflowing with deep worldbuilding that it genuinely didn't register for me. And this was a major problem for me throughout. Why are we dedicating 8 pages of chapter talking about glittery unicorn toys in the closet? So much of this character development and world building felt unnecessary. Even now, at the end of the book, I couldn't confidently tell you what Vanir means. It took me just over 50% of the book to realise what FiRo meant. I continually forgot who Juniper was considering she was supposed to be important to the main character.
Just because there's lore, doesn't mean you need to explain it all. Let the readers piece some things together themselves.
In terms of characters, Hunt was the ONLY one I felt had any real development. His backstory was delved into enough to understand his actions once the narrative of the book started, and watching his grow from being cold and professional, to opening up a little, to that one scene where he's incredibly vulnerable for the first time, and the subsequent twists and developlments after that had me TRULY invested in his story. At point when I was happy to DNF this book, he actually brought me back to it, because he was a joy to read.
Bryce felt like nothing more than a narrative vehicle for the majority of this book, the only real trait I could tell you about her, and the only real driving force for anything she did (before the romance) was justice for her friend. If that's the only thing I can say about your main character through 50/60% of the book, I don't think she's been written spectacularly well. Although she redeemed herself to me towards the end, which is nice, and I actually grew more invested in her arc and her developing relationship. It's a shame it took so long to get there.
Controversially, Ruhn was such a nothing character. You could have cut most of his scenes and I don't think much would have changed in the narrative except for the ending 10%, but even then the ending revelations with Bryce only further showed how redundant he actually is.
I feel like this could have been good, and there were elements that really did get my heart racing, especially towards the 60/70% mark, when the main relationship really begins to flourish, and things start to go wrong. This is what I wish happened earlier. But these powerful moments were bogged down by excessive lore and too many characters that felt interchangeable. The writing was great, don't get me wrong; everything is described beautifully and so vividly but there is too much description constantly happening. Character details got lost. Important plot points got lost. And that in turn made me as the reader get lost. I had to message friends that have read this book to help me work out what I'd missed because there was no way I was going to re-read 200 pages just to figure it out.
Give me a Hunt Athalar origin book and I will be there, but other than that I have no real desire to continue this series, or delve into the authors other work.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
I liked the world building, the mystery and characters alone a lot. I was annoyed by their dialogue and like the first half of the book in general. Some of the stuff didnt sit super well but I’ll keep reading this series bc it’s fun
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Totally blown away! I hesitate to say it because the author hasn’t finished writing the series yet, but this might be my absolute favorite of all the SJM series.
I was skeptical about its genre being described as “urban fantasy,” but what that really describes is a unique world with both modern technology and magic. It might seem odd if you’re used to more traditional high fantasy settings, but not for long because magic and technology are both integral to the story.
A lot of reviews mention getting dragged down by the world-building, but I didn’t feel that way at all. There isn’t much you need to grasp to enjoy the main plot. It’s basically a detective story, which I also did not expect in any sort of “fantasy” book! The world-building stuff doesn’t take away from the mystery, and stuff that’s actually important gets reinforced often enough to let you pick up on it.
I thought the story moved at a decent pace throughout, but as with most SJM books the last 100-200 pages REALLY picked up the pace and I absolutely couldn’t put it down. My real-world responsibilities suddenly got super frustrating because of this book!
Parts of the ending were kind of cheesy but in a good way: you can recognize the tropes (hello, super long villain monologue!) but they unfold in a way that’s satisfying rather than predictable. At one point I found myself tearing up and then laughing with relief a few pages later. And unlike many “series” books, this one does stand on its own: I want to experience more of this world, but I can imagine the characters staying exactly where they end up too.
If you’ve read SJM’s other series, ACOTAR and ToG, you’ll find some fun easter eggs in this book too! Books and various magical items from those series are referenced, as well as certain creatures and magical abilities. The crossover is a nice bonus, not that I needed another reason to love this book.
I was skeptical about its genre being described as “urban fantasy,” but what that really describes is a unique world with both modern technology and magic. It might seem odd if you’re used to more traditional high fantasy settings, but not for long because magic and technology are both integral to the story.
A lot of reviews mention getting dragged down by the world-building, but I didn’t feel that way at all. There isn’t much you need to grasp to enjoy the main plot. It’s basically a detective story, which I also did not expect in any sort of “fantasy” book! The world-building stuff doesn’t take away from the mystery, and stuff that’s actually important gets reinforced often enough to let you pick up on it.
I thought the story moved at a decent pace throughout, but as with most SJM books the last 100-200 pages REALLY picked up the pace and I absolutely couldn’t put it down. My real-world responsibilities suddenly got super frustrating because of this book!
Parts of the ending were kind of cheesy but in a good way: you can recognize the tropes (hello, super long villain monologue!) but they unfold in a way that’s satisfying rather than predictable. At one point I found myself tearing up and then laughing with relief a few pages later. And unlike many “series” books, this one does stand on its own: I want to experience more of this world, but I can imagine the characters staying exactly where they end up too.
If you’ve read SJM’s other series, ACOTAR and ToG, you’ll find some fun easter eggs in this book too! Books and various magical items from those series are referenced, as well as certain creatures and magical abilities. The crossover is a nice bonus, not that I needed another reason to love this book.
Omfg this book. The beginning and the world building was iffy for me but the last 1/4 of this book just blew my fucking mind. ✨
I picked up this book 2 years ago and was like nah not for me
Here I am reading it and oh my god this book was a huge kick me in the balls, punch me in the face and absolutely shatter my heart perfect and soul destroying. I can’t believe I didn’t like this book the first time around because I fucking adored it this time and honestly my heart is so full and broken at the same time and I’m so happy that this book wasn’t just a huge smut fest like everyone told me it was for some reason.
Bryce and Hunts relationship is the most adorable and realistic thing and it hurts my heart so so much. They are so perfect and adorable and Hunt is the cutest little cinnamon roll and Bryce is an actual QUEEENNN like I’m obsessed with her she deserves the fucking world.
I will never be over this story or the characters and I’m dying to read book 2 and find out more about this amazing world and these glorious characters and what will happen next gosh who knows but I’m excited and scared and can’t fucking wait.
Here I am reading it and oh my god this book was a huge kick me in the balls, punch me in the face and absolutely shatter my heart perfect and soul destroying. I can’t believe I didn’t like this book the first time around because I fucking adored it this time and honestly my heart is so full and broken at the same time and I’m so happy that this book wasn’t just a huge smut fest like everyone told me it was for some reason.
Bryce and Hunts relationship is the most adorable and realistic thing and it hurts my heart so so much. They are so perfect and adorable and Hunt is the cutest little cinnamon roll and Bryce is an actual QUEEENNN like I’m obsessed with her she deserves the fucking world.
I will never be over this story or the characters and I’m dying to read book 2 and find out more about this amazing world and these glorious characters and what will happen next gosh who knows but I’m excited and scared and can’t fucking wait.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I was looking forward to reading this, but have been waiting awhile since it's the last series by this author that I have not read. I heard she was getting ready to release another book and that I should get these finished since several series will tie together. This was more modern day, so I wasn't expecting to like the world as much as I did. The only downside was the main female character, she was just super immature. I don't know....just really annoying. That said, I will of course be reading the rest of the series and hope she gets less annoying. All the characters can't be Manon, I guess.