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adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
The first half or so dragged a bit but oh BOY did the end reveals get me excited! I’m interested to see how the next book plays out. I think I’ll like it more than this one. I’ve had my fair share of deadly trial storylines and this one was pretty well done but I look forward to the aftermath more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Genocide, Rape, Torture, War
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Carissa just doesn't miss. This is a new world from her War of Lost Hearts Trilogy. I knew I could trust her even in this new world. This book was so good and I absolutely did NOT see the twist even coming. I cannot wait to start book two.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Torture
Minor: Self harm, Slavery, Death of parent
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
When I first started this book, I will admit I was a little impatient and found myself bored quite quickly. However, once I worked through that impatience I felt during the first 50 pages, I was hooked! Let me also just say, my jaw was TO THE FLOOR during the last part of the book. I felt so many different emotions at once while reading the last 150 pages. That’s how you know a book is good and has made an impact on you! Love, sadness, anger, betrayal… this book has it all! I loved it and can’t wait to pick up the second book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Genocide, War
Minor: Slavery, Torture
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
On one hand, this is the first time when reading a fantasy romance that I've actually cheered the main couple on. The other hand is that an author who cannot write an action scene has chosen to write a five-phase combat tournament and it is grating. (I am side-eyeing every named editor who didn't catch the glaring continuity error in the first chapter.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Confinement, Genocide, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Medical content, Death of parent, Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity, Self harm, Slavery, Vomit, War
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
it was fun. there was a lot of fighting, which was great because I love action in books. there was also romance. it was very slow burn, but I prefer that to them getting together 50 pages in. I did sort of struggle to finish this book, though. I'm not entirely sure why. it's not like I was bored, but maybe I was? I don't know what it was. something just didn't click for me, so I have to give it 4 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Torture
Minor: Self harm
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Violence
Minor: Torture
adventurous
dark
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
Wow. I don't even know what to say about this book!
Oraya was a human. She was taken in by the vampire king, taught never to trust others because she wouldn't be safe. Never safe. Taught to fight so she could protect herself. She used those skills to hunt down vampires trying to harm the innocent humans in the human district. And was taught to protect her heart at all costs.
She threw herself into the Kejari- a tournament held every century, the winner granted just one wish from the goddess herself. And Oraya knew exactly what she wanted - she didn't want her human weaknesses anymore.
But in the tournament she needed to form an alliance. Everything about Raihn was dangerous. He was her greatest competition and rival. But she still found herself drawn to him. But there was no room for compassion. Raihn may have understood her more than anyone ever had before. And their attraction may end up being her downfall in a world where nothing was more deadly than love.
So, it took me a little longer to get into this book than I would have liked, I have been in a huge book slump for weeks. But it was intriguing and interesting and despite me taking awhile to get into the story, I wanted to know more.
I was drawn to the characters, and their stories, and wanted to know all I could about them. How strong Oraya was, and brave - not only living in a world that was designed to kill her but to over come that every day, and to fight back against the injustices every chance she could despite her not having vampire strength, or powers. She fought for what she could, and still had compassion despite the world trying to beat it out of her.
And I wanted to know more of Raihn. He was mysterious, and dangerous. He was ruthless and cunning. But he was also intriguing and curious.
The world may be on the precipice of war, offering up horrors despite the characters being in the Kejari- the trials spanning weeks. Truths coming to light.
I loved the dark fantasy world of magic. The depravity of the world but also the small glimpses of hope too.
If you are looking for a new fantasy world to dive into filled with blood and carnage then I recommend this book!
4 Asteris ⭐ out of 5⭐.
2🌶️ out of 5 🌶️. - a couple detailed scenes.
Tropes:
→ Enemies/Rivals to lovers
→ Trials/tournament
→ slow burn
→ romantasy
→ dark fantasy
→ vampires
→ dark magic
→ shadow daddy
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
adventurous
dark
tense
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
Took some getting use to, I was unaware it was a vampire story (my first one also) so that took some adjusting, but overall was hooked and enjoyed the story. Love the characters, loved the trials, found it very original and a fun read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, Cursing, Gore, Rape, Sexual content, Torture, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence
Moderate: Sexual violence, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Confinement, Torture, War
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
- 🌶️1 ; there are a lot of tense moments and banter, but the book focuses on content not really spice.
- I loved the dynamic with the main characters and truly enjoyed the banter/ wit. I saw good character development and found the characters lovable and easy to hate at the same time.
- The story was slow to start but it picked up 1/3 of the way and the last 10% was wild 💯.
- The author had an easy to read writing style that was focused on 1 character.
- The reason I did not give this book above a 4 was the world building was “ok”. The content of the book focused on a multiple part game, so in all fairness world building wasn’t fully necessary. That being said I wanted more backstory about the gods, previous main character battles, humans, other vampires, etc. This may be rectified in book 2. What is currently in book one didn’t provide enough world breadcrumbs for me to care about it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, War