Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
Overall 3/5
Spice 1/5
I really enjoyed this book and the first look into the world of Esfer. While I would've liked more world-building and more explanation of the overall magic of the world, I can't wait to see where the series goes!
The banter between the two main characters is great. I am hoping for more spice as the series progresses, but I love their push-pull and hope to see more development as they grow.
I'm hopeful that the characters show some more development and insight as the series progresses and hope that the FMC turns around into more a confident character.
It was a bit predictable in some ways as to where the story was going but is left on a great note to leave us wondering what will happen next and keeping us all on the edge waiting to see when the next novel comes out.
The Blood Queen was a great, fast paced read that I really enjoyed.
Spice 1/5
I really enjoyed this book and the first look into the world of Esfer. While I would've liked more world-building and more explanation of the overall magic of the world, I can't wait to see where the series goes!
The banter between the two main characters is great. I am hoping for more spice as the series progresses, but I love their push-pull and hope to see more development as they grow.
I'm hopeful that the characters show some more development and insight as the series progresses and hope that the FMC turns around into more a confident character.
It was a bit predictable in some ways as to where the story was going but is left on a great note to leave us wondering what will happen next and keeping us all on the edge waiting to see when the next novel comes out.
The Blood Queen was a great, fast paced read that I really enjoyed.
Thank you to NetGalley for a chance to read and review this book.
DNF @ 72%
I tried but it was a struggle for me to get through. The sentence structuring, grammar, and semantics felt disjointed and rough or even, at times, nonexistent. There was a lot of wordy exposition throughout the book; details or monologue repeated that didn’t contribute to whatever was happening at the time. It didn’t seem like the plot had a cohesive direction… it either unfolded too quickly without many details or inconsistently with too many subplots trying to vie for attention. The characters lack depth and any basic common sense.
Layla’s inner struggle and inability to decide who to trust felt like an endless pendulum of whiplash. Can she trust Rune, the poor mmc of interest, her betrothed, who is harboring secrets which he later divulges, whom she repeatedly claims to despise and tries to kill several times but is also the man she’s falling in love with. OR can she trust Brandt, the man whom she’s known most of her life, who has been running her kingdom for 5 years after the murder of her parents, a man she considers an uncle but who constantly creeps in the corner of her room when she’s not there and hits on her in the bedroom of her murdered parents. We just don’t know because the back and forth literally doesn’t stop… at least for 72% of the book. Girl, just flip a coin at that point. When a leading character who is “nearing thirty” acts in such a juvenile manner, well, it’s hard to dredge up an ounce of sympathy.
It’s unfortunate because the premise sounded rather interesting but it falls flat for me.
DNF @ 72%
I tried but it was a struggle for me to get through. The sentence structuring, grammar, and semantics felt disjointed and rough or even, at times, nonexistent. There was a lot of wordy exposition throughout the book; details or monologue repeated that didn’t contribute to whatever was happening at the time. It didn’t seem like the plot had a cohesive direction… it either unfolded too quickly without many details or inconsistently with too many subplots trying to vie for attention. The characters lack depth and any basic common sense.
Layla’s inner struggle and inability to decide who to trust felt like an endless pendulum of whiplash. Can she trust Rune, the poor mmc of interest, her betrothed, who is harboring secrets which he later divulges, whom she repeatedly claims to despise and tries to kill several times but is also the man she’s falling in love with. OR can she trust Brandt, the man whom she’s known most of her life, who has been running her kingdom for 5 years after the murder of her parents, a man she considers an uncle but who constantly creeps in the corner of her room when she’s not there and hits on her in the bedroom of her murdered parents. We just don’t know because the back and forth literally doesn’t stop… at least for 72% of the book. Girl, just flip a coin at that point. When a leading character who is “nearing thirty” acts in such a juvenile manner, well, it’s hard to dredge up an ounce of sympathy.
It’s unfortunate because the premise sounded rather interesting but it falls flat for me.
That ending! Yo!
This story was gripping. It sucked me in and wouldn't let me go!
Mystery, betrayal, lies, lu$t. It makes it hard to know who to trust. Friends could be enemies, and strangers could be allies.
Our FMC, Layla, is headstrong and fierce. Her soul shard, Keir the crow, is hilarious and loyal. Rune is the very definition of brawn. And the bar owner, Marv, is just awesome.
This story was gripping. It sucked me in and wouldn't let me go!
Mystery, betrayal, lies, lu$t. It makes it hard to know who to trust. Friends could be enemies, and strangers could be allies.
Our FMC, Layla, is headstrong and fierce. Her soul shard, Keir the crow, is hilarious and loyal. Rune is the very definition of brawn. And the bar owner, Marv, is just awesome.
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Sadly, this book turned out to be not my cup of tea. There were a bit too many inconsistencies and things that didn't flow right with the story in my opinion. The general development of both characters and story could have been handled differently as well. I really had to push myself through to keep on reading, partly because of the very immature characters. Nevertheless it reads very fluently once you put yourself to it and has an interesting magic system that I would have liked to see more of.
** First, I want to thank the author for allowing me to receive an ARC copy of the book for an honest review **
Rating 3-3.5/5 (I felt like the first half of the book was strong, but the second part felt rushed)
Spice
Rating 3-3.5/5 (I felt like the first half of the book was strong, but the second part felt rushed)
Spice
Wow! Please tell me there's a second book coming Caitlin! Please! You can't end a book like that without a second book. No spoilers. I can do this.
Layla is tough and independent. She is fierce and protective over her country. Layla needs no one to protect her not even Rune her betroth. Rune is one handsome man and the chemistry between the two is off the charts, but Layla trusts no one especially since her parents were brutally murdered. Rune has his own secrets. Can Layla get past them and marry him anyways? Will her hunt to avenge her parents murder cost her everything even her country?
Special thanks to Caitlin for this ARC! This book was beautifully written with twists and turns along the way. Amazing enemies to lovers, close proximity, touch her and die, and arranged marriage.
Layla is tough and independent. She is fierce and protective over her country. Layla needs no one to protect her not even Rune her betroth. Rune is one handsome man and the chemistry between the two is off the charts, but Layla trusts no one especially since her parents were brutally murdered. Rune has his own secrets. Can Layla get past them and marry him anyways? Will her hunt to avenge her parents murder cost her everything even her country?
Special thanks to Caitlin for this ARC! This book was beautifully written with twists and turns along the way. Amazing enemies to lovers, close proximity, touch her and die, and arranged marriage.
Ohh I like how spunky the fmc is! I definitely predicted the villain at the beginning of the story, so it was predictable but that doesn’t make them any less horrible! Which is what we want in a villain right?
This story kept my attention and did a good job creating feelings as I read along. I wish there was a bit more world building and the writing could’ve been a bit more polished. But overall it was a good read !
This story kept my attention and did a good job creating feelings as I read along. I wish there was a bit more world building and the writing could’ve been a bit more polished. But overall it was a good read !
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No