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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
This book was highly recommended because of the romance, and I had so much fun with it. The main pair are two different species forced into an arranged marriage. The main problem is that they are utterly disgusted with each other’s looks— it’s delightful. The author did a great job making humans seem otherworldly. That aside, there were times when the writing was a little clumsy (especially in the beginning), but it kind of smoothed out as it went on. Also, a lot of the time things were slow but I didn’t mind too much because I liked watching the relationship grow (even though I wished there were more “live” interactions and less telling). This is definitely set up for a series, but I just didn’t care enough about the overarching storyline to want to continue (at least for now), but I still recommend it for those who like this genre.
Oh this was just delightful and such a nice palate cleanser from dystopian sci fi. I've read a Grace Draven book before, and it was rote and wooden in its tone, but this book really hit all its marks as a fantasy romance with a wonderful, wonderful build.
I am not typically a friends to lovers trope fan, but when presented as it is here with a human and a Kai arranged marriage, each race thinking the other hideous in appearance, the romance starts with a strong core of friendship. It starts with two people caught in a bad situation trying to make the best of it and realizing - wait a second - they couldn't have asked for a better partner.
It's a wonderful, slow, fall and there was only a moment or two where i was jolted from the story by a particularly obvious turn of phrase. Most of it was naturally formed bonds through the very effective circumstances of two drastically different races joined, and the economic and political impact of that joining.
A high point of the book is that the female lead, Ildiko, is not presented as a wilting flower, but rather someone who Brishen (her arranged husband) learns to see incredible strength in. We learn to admire her through his own admiration. We learn to appreciate Brishen's personality through Ildiko's appreciation. It's wonderfully done and heartwarming and you just end up rooting for these characters.
Granted there's a rather obvious plotline running through, which is why i'm not really wasting time with a summary here, but you read on anyway because it is so, so wonderful to read about people that respect and admire each other so much.
I am not typically a friends to lovers trope fan, but when presented as it is here with a human and a Kai arranged marriage, each race thinking the other hideous in appearance, the romance starts with a strong core of friendship. It starts with two people caught in a bad situation trying to make the best of it and realizing - wait a second - they couldn't have asked for a better partner.
It's a wonderful, slow, fall and there was only a moment or two where i was jolted from the story by a particularly obvious turn of phrase. Most of it was naturally formed bonds through the very effective circumstances of two drastically different races joined, and the economic and political impact of that joining.
A high point of the book is that the female lead, Ildiko, is not presented as a wilting flower, but rather someone who Brishen (her arranged husband) learns to see incredible strength in. We learn to admire her through his own admiration. We learn to appreciate Brishen's personality through Ildiko's appreciation. It's wonderfully done and heartwarming and you just end up rooting for these characters.
Granted there's a rather obvious plotline running through, which is why i'm not really wasting time with a summary here, but you read on anyway because it is so, so wonderful to read about people that respect and admire each other so much.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
4 bloody stars
Ildiko and Brishen is getting married. They start up forming a friendship, because they are honest with each other and tell each other what they feel. They start out as friends and end up falling in love.
“Blood ties do not always make a family”
“Loneliness is an empty void. We look for that friend in the light”
“Will you be that for me Ildiko?” He said. “That beacon in the void?”
“The void is vast, like the sea at night and no land in sight. I’ll be the beacon Brishen”
So I’ll be honest, the first half of this book was okay.. There was a lot of build up and not a lot happened. But the second half of the book really picked up, and that ending, WOW! I think I’ll have to pick up the second book in the series, just to see what happens.
Ildiko and Brishen is getting married. They start up forming a friendship, because they are honest with each other and tell each other what they feel. They start out as friends and end up falling in love.
“Blood ties do not always make a family”
“Loneliness is an empty void. We look for that friend in the light”
“Will you be that for me Ildiko?” He said. “That beacon in the void?”
“The void is vast, like the sea at night and no land in sight. I’ll be the beacon Brishen”
So I’ll be honest, the first half of this book was okay.. There was a lot of build up and not a lot happened. But the second half of the book really picked up, and that ending, WOW! I think I’ll have to pick up the second book in the series, just to see what happens.
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Interesting idea, poor execution. The writing style is simple and bland, even though there are some funny moments here and there. The plot is quite boring and feels forced, like the author didn't know where things were going and was deciding on the spot. I spent much of the book wondering what part of this storyline was supposed to be keeping me invested. Plot holes were being explained immediately and conveniently, as if the author only noticed their existence after writing the book and went back to patch them sloppily. Writing quality also varied; some scenes were good, others were frankly confusing. I am still not sure exactly what the Kai look like. I have a vague idea but that's it. I don't quite understand why humans found them so terrifying - we have vampire fantasy that's scarier than this lot. I wanted to give this book a chance since it's so highly rated, but I will not be continuing this series.
I read this because it was recommended to me as romantasy that portrayed less toxic relationship dynamics, but it just did not do anything for me. The writing style is really confusing, the characters relationship builds too fast to feel realistic, the world isn't very vivid, the spice is bland, and by the end of the book I still didn't care about any of the characters. There were also some concerning moments of abuse, like when the human king punches the woman he is romantically interested in across the face to knock her out? I'm confused why this series has so many fans.
It may not be perfect but boy, oh boy, is it peak. Arranged marriage to friends to lovers, they will NEVER make me hate you!!!!!
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated