Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - Song of Blood & Stone

This busy series starter kicks off a fantasy romance saga that holds a lot of promise. Our protagonists are Jasminda and Jack. Jasminda's a brave, no-nonsense farm girl with no family left in the world and one foot each in two warring countries. Her father was a magic-wielder from Lagrimar, her mother disowned from her Elsiran family for who she loves. Jasminda has experienced fear and ridicule in Elsira for her Lagrimari magic and appearance. On the verge of losing the family farm, she rescues Jack, an Elsiran soldier wounded and captured by Lagrimari who assume she will be on their side by looking at her. Sparks fly between Jasminda and Jack from the start, even though there are even more barriers to keep them apart than Jasminda knows.

Although I was a bit overwhelmed at first, I was firmly settled into the world by the end of the book. It has a historical vibe with technology like airships, radios, and cars. The book largely avoids info dumps. Each chapter kicks off with an adage from the world's legends, and Jasminda explores an important moment in history, the schism between Elsira and Lagrimar, firsthand through a magical object. I enjoyed how even though the 1920s/30s accoutrements made the world a bit familiar, it still feels fresh and intriguing.

In terms of romance, since that's the main engine for the plot, you can expect a star-crossed, us against the world feel with some open door steam. It's a bit instalove or at least a whirlwind, but the intensity of their experiences together made it slightly less perplexing to me.

I will warn readers that in addition to the fun sexual content on the page, there are some violent near-misses in terms of sexual assault for both leads. There is also copious sexual harassment directed Jasminda's way. Wartime violence extends to the attack of unarmed or underpowered refugees on multiple occasions. It is a hard book in those respects.

While the particular central romance was nice but not amazing for this reader, I feel very invested in the world and its trajectory by the end of this book. Now that world-building is established, I am excited to pick up the sequel and see if its romantic tropes are more to my taste because I think the series has a lot to offer.

Content Warnings

bani's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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