Reviews - Radiance | The StoryGraph

3.67k reviews for:

Radiance

Grace Draven

3.87 AVERAGE

chapteronemags's review against another edition

3.5

emotional funny lighthearted tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I want to preface this review with: this was literally the FIRST book I have read in my adult life. I was (and still am!) still very much finding out my taste and preferences and this book taught me a lot. I am grateful to this book and hold some sentimental value towards it.

Radiance was SUCH an easy read. At just under 300 pages, it was a perfect length for a beginner and even easier to read. I really mean it when I say I DEVOURED this in just a few days which was a pleasant surprise. There were a couple of chapters of back and forth

where the two had to take turns "appeasing" one another's kingdom via lavish feasts etc

which, for myself, was very boring and I often found myself just skim-reading. The same goes for the

evil mother-in-law trope. Whilst she truly IS evil for reasons you learn pretty much at the end, the petty comments and icy attitude were frustrating and often boring.

The best parts of this book was when there was GENUINE tension, action and stakes - which there DEFINITELY was at one point.

This is very much a story of FRIENDS to lovers, which I personally really enjoyed. Having the main love interests actually LIKE and - more importantly - RESPECT one another straight off the bat was really wonderful, especially for a hetero relationship. Their blossoming relationship was incredibly sweet but this did lead to it feeling maybe TOO easy. There was no tension between them, their only doubts being skin deep and easily addressed via humor. There was a lot of initially-not-so-affectionate-turned-affectionate "teasing" between the two which echoed throughout their relationship on a whole. Whilst the humor wasn't for me, I can very much see how others could find it charming/sweet.

There was a vague "magic system" in this regarding

mortem lights and the lore that comes with them

which genuinely was my favorite part of the worldbuilding. As far as worldbuilding goes, there wasn't much. But the fragments we got, I was interested in.

Overall, Radiance was a lovely, easy story of friends to lovers based in a Fantasy setting. The main focus is almost entirely on Ildiko and Brishen, with little worldbuilding and only a couple of other characters, who really aren't focused on. The sex scenes are sensual and loving. The small bits of action and tension are great and do get pretty intense. If you like love stories where they do ACTUALLY love each other and get along right off the rip, you might like Radiance.

Content Warnings

sydney_jane's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous 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

hyunniebunny's review against another edition

3.0

funny lighthearted fast-paced

kels_la's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous emotional slow-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

sarahknowsthestory's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective 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: No

ninaswife's review against another edition

1.5

adventurous fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

athenaq's review against another edition

4.0

Expecting a fantasy romance on the shallow side, but instead getting strong friends-to-lovers, can-communicate-extremely-well, personality-matters-more, original-plot fantasy romance. The only thing keeping me from five stars is the lack of motive explanation behind the only gruesome plot twist.

sarah_mitra's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous emotional funny 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: Complicated

murder_burnout_books's review against another edition

4.0

I don’t come across many romances that do the whole friends to lover troupe. However, I am glad to have read Radiance. I can say that a 3.4-4 stars is appropriate for this novel for a few reasons:

The pacing was decent given that the novel was not exceedingly long (256 pages if you read the ebook edition). The climax didn’t feel hand fisted. Elements of the story such as the enemies, Queen Secmis and Beladine, were naturally integrated into the story. I felt like I was given just enough information about Secmis to feel intrigued but not over-explained. The love interests, whose names I can’t be bothered to look up again, were interesting enough.

The element that I think could’ve used some more work was the Kai themselves. Other than the food, sunlight, strength and magic there really wasn’t much setting them apart from humans. I’m not sure if that was intentional or not. I think if there were more differences to explore, this book could’ve earned a 5 stars from me.

The romance was really nice. I’m not a huge fan of petty romance (jealously, lack of communication, ridiculous expectations). It was a relief to read a piece of literature that demonstrated two adults communicating clearly with each other about their wants, needs and expectations. While the progression of the romance was fast, it didn’t feel too unrealistic.

It’s kind of a toss us on whether or not I plan to read the rest of the series. I’m definitely considering it but it’s not a huge priority. However, if you like a faster-paced friendship style romance with a small ounce of spice then this is your book!

taylei94's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

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