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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
It was a nice enough read, pretty straight forward albeit a little uneventful.
I really enjoyed the easy dynamic between Ildiko and Brishen. They are both quick-witted and always have a come-back answer at the ready. I liked how their relationship started out as an arrangement between the two of them and how they were friends and equals from the start. This relationship they had from the get go made it even better when they realized they felt and wanted more out of their marriage than simply friendship and companionship.
But the story as a whole felt like it was pretty smooth sailing from the beginning and neither Brishen nor Ildiko faced any real challenge in the first book in my opinion. I wish there had been a little more plot twists and adventure, even though I enjoyed the easiness between them and the growing romance.
That being said, book #2 seems a little more promising in the adventure department and it seems like Brishen and Ildiko will be facing a few trials after all.
So all in all, I actually enjoyed this book and I'm curious to see where this story is going in book #2.
I really enjoyed the easy dynamic between Ildiko and Brishen. They are both quick-witted and always have a come-back answer at the ready. I liked how their relationship started out as an arrangement between the two of them and how they were friends and equals from the start. This relationship they had from the get go made it even better when they realized they felt and wanted more out of their marriage than simply friendship and companionship.
But the story as a whole felt like it was pretty smooth sailing from the beginning and neither Brishen nor Ildiko faced any real challenge in the first book in my opinion. I wish there had been a little more plot twists and adventure, even though I enjoyed the easiness between them and the growing romance.
That being said, book #2 seems a little more promising in the adventure department and it seems like Brishen and Ildiko will be facing a few trials after all.
So all in all, I actually enjoyed this book and I'm curious to see where this story is going in book #2.
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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:
No
Lovely to read Brishen and Ildiko fall in love with one another thorough mutual respect and friendship.
Issues-Chapers would start at one scene then flashback to another scene and then back to scene one. I feel like we could have just read the scenes consecutively. Alsothe the wvil bitch of Brishen's mom needed a bit more development imo.
Issues-Chapers would start at one scene then flashback to another scene and then back to scene one. I feel like we could have just read the scenes consecutively. Also
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Sexual content, Grief, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Animal death, Incest, Cannibalism, Alcohol
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have read Grace Draven before, so I went into this with high expectations and was not disappointed. This book was a romantasy marriage of convenience that wrapped you up like a warm hug.
The two main characters the throwaway royals, so the continuation of the royal line is not dependent on their union, so a marriage is utilized to form an alliance. They couldn't be more different in terms of their looks (actually their looks - they are different races of creatures), their social customs, and their overall way of life. They truly do find one another hideous in the beginning, and both comment on it during their POV chapters, but they do enjoy the humor and company of each other. Their banter is funny right from the start. They find common ground and develop a beautiful friendship-to-lovers relationship over the course of book 1.
Grace Draven was already one of those authors that I intend to work through her whole backlist, and Radiance just solidified my desires.
The two main characters the throwaway royals, so the continuation of the royal line is not dependent on their union, so a marriage is utilized to form an alliance. They couldn't be more different in terms of their looks (actually their looks - they are different races of creatures), their social customs, and their overall way of life. They truly do find one another hideous in the beginning, and both comment on it during their POV chapters, but they do enjoy the humor and company of each other. Their banter is funny right from the start. They find common ground and develop a beautiful friendship-to-lovers relationship over the course of book 1.
Grace Draven was already one of those authors that I intend to work through her whole backlist, and Radiance just solidified my desires.
emotional
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is such a refreshing take on romantasy. This is a fast read and while there is some action it is never bogged down with drawn out fight scenes. We’re in a fantasy world with kingdoms vying for alliances, power and war but the heart of the story is the gentle nature of our two main characters. Everything else is secondary. This is heavy on romance and less on fantasy.
I love the relationship in this being about a true development of love not from the physical but through a friendship and camaraderie that grows into respect and love.
Ildiko and Brishen have a very mature take on being forced into marriage. They are both sensitive to how the other must be feeling in this situation. Like basically all other reviewers I absolutely loved that they both thought the other hideous. Instead their love and appreciation for each other’s personalities grows and shapes a love for their physical traits as well. Kind people are more beautiful.
My favorite aspect is that though this is a series this book could honestly operate as a standalone. We get a glimpse of the next book at the end but it would be easy to leave the story here as well. I might pick up the next, I might not. Either way, I feel fulfilled with this book beginning to end.
I love the relationship in this being about a true development of love not from the physical but through a friendship and camaraderie that grows into respect and love.
Ildiko and Brishen have a very mature take on being forced into marriage. They are both sensitive to how the other must be feeling in this situation. Like basically all other reviewers I absolutely loved that they both thought the other hideous. Instead their love and appreciation for each other’s personalities grows and shapes a love for their physical traits as well. Kind people are more beautiful.
My favorite aspect is that though this is a series this book could honestly operate as a standalone. We get a glimpse of the next book at the end but it would be easy to leave the story here as well. I might pick up the next, I might not. Either way, I feel fulfilled with this book beginning to end.
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I wasn't sure in the first few pages if I would like this, I'll be honest. But I ended up enjoying it, although I will say I didn't think about it when I wasn't reading it. I liked that it didn't fall into the fantasy trap that another 200 pages would have forced it to: big drama, hating and/or being scared of each other until forced proximity or an attack forced them to start working together. This is friends to lovers, two people who find joy in each other, an affection that grows to attraction, and I just really was here for it. I did feel the development of the characters and the relationship was a bit lacking (it's a very slow burn by the way), and I was bracing myself for the attack I knew was coming, but I just really liked them together. Just as I was enjoying that there was no angst or big bad to fight... we get the final chapter and the epilogue. Oh well. Will I read book 2? Probably.
I really wanted to like this but there was no plot? Or like “friends to lovers” WAS the plot? But there was no tension because the main characters were already perfect? And liked each other from the get-go so there was no “will they won’t they”? Also they didn’t have personalities? Or goals in life? The whole book was just a collection of events that had nothing to do with each other? I am? confused?