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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
3.5 stars
I enjoyed it, the story is beautifully written and the imagination behind each character and world building is incredible if my review was based on that alone it would be 5 stars.
"I'm not human wife"
"but your still mine, husband"
my favorite quote
The fact that these two fell in love with each others souls is beautiful, i adore how the love loyalty and trust grew between the two main characters.
Despite all this the reason i gave a 3.5 star's?
it was very slow.
Sometimes there was too much inner monologue and description between a conversation i got lost as to what was actually being said between characters. Also for me too many people introduced too quickly with hard to pronounce unfamiliar names i took a while to get who was who.
The story jumped around in the timeline a lot which is unique and beautiful but hindered my reading enjoyment a bit, i'm also not a huge fan of upper class perfect ladies, Brishen despite being a lord and gentleman did offer a little extra, i think we saw this only from him as we saw him interact with people more familiar to him.
I really do recommend this book as i know a lot of my friends on goodreads are raving about it, i will read 2nd book
I enjoyed it, the story is beautifully written and the imagination behind each character and world building is incredible if my review was based on that alone it would be 5 stars.
"I'm not human wife"
"but your still mine, husband"
my favorite quote
The fact that these two fell in love with each others souls is beautiful, i adore how the love loyalty and trust grew between the two main characters.
Despite all this the reason i gave a 3.5 star's?
it was very slow.
Sometimes there was too much inner monologue and description between a conversation i got lost as to what was actually being said between characters. Also for me too many people introduced too quickly with hard to pronounce unfamiliar names i took a while to get who was who.
The story jumped around in the timeline a lot which is unique and beautiful but hindered my reading enjoyment a bit, i'm also not a huge fan of upper class perfect ladies, Brishen despite being a lord and gentleman did offer a little extra, i think we saw this only from him as we saw him interact with people more familiar to him.
I really do recommend this book as i know a lot of my friends on goodreads are raving about it, i will read 2nd book
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-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
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Radiance is charming and refreshing romance novel. story is driven by plot. characters must assimilate.
what i liked the most is the fact that FMC and MMC are open to changes and challenges.
Brishen and Ildigo come together as pair in arranged marriage, human and non-human. they learn and teach about the other. they communicate and they take in consideration cultural differences. love connection is result of exploring each other and friendship.
what i felt as missing was what is happening in the kingdom. who is pulling the strings. who is cause of the destruction. who benefits. but the book is part of series, so i don't give a hope i will lean all of this in following books.
conclusion - i like MMC and FMC - they communicate as adults and are open minded, hence i like the book :)
what i liked the most is the fact that FMC and MMC are open to changes and challenges.
Brishen and Ildigo come together as pair in arranged marriage, human and non-human. they learn and teach about the other. they communicate and they take in consideration cultural differences. love connection is result of exploring each other and friendship.
what i felt as missing was what is happening in the kingdom. who is pulling the strings. who is cause of the destruction. who benefits. but the book is part of series, so i don't give a hope i will lean all of this in following books.
conclusion - i like MMC and FMC - they communicate as adults and are open minded, hence i like the book :)
I have a number of books I keep on a mental list of “Things I Never Knew I Needed In My Life But Now I Can’t Live Without” and “Radiance” just moved to the top (or pretty close, anyway).
I’d never heard of this book or this author until I heard the many denizens of r/romancebooks raving about it, so I decided to give it a chance and I’m forever thankful to them for bringing this story into my life. It’s sort of similar to “The Winter King” in that regard, so they’re pretty much 2-for-2. I’m currently reading another r/romancebooks favorite, “Punk 57”, so let’s see if they can continue their streak of perfection.
I digress, though. I’m here to extoll the virtues of “Radiance” and they are many. This book works on many levels – a romance, a fantasy, a character/personality study in what it means to be human (kind of ironic considering that one of the MCs isn’t). Given its many points of appeal I’m kind of shocked that it’s not more popular than it is, but I’m a selfish little book dragon so I like to keep secrets like this to myself sometimes. Sue me.
Ildiko and Brishen are rivaling Jude and Cardan as my ultimate OTP. I’m on a romance kick right now, and I’ve been bemoaning the unrealistic depictions of relationships and the people that are in them, and “Radiance” sort of smashed all of those expectations to bits. It gave me reassurance for the current state of my own relationship and hope for the future. It made that 16-year-old insecure version of me that still lives in my head and has way too much influence over 42-year-old me’s thoughts feel so much better about herself.
I guess it is rather poignant that it would take a fictional depiction of a relationship between a human woman and a non-human (but still humanoid) man to show that it’s possible to love someone for who they are in an ephemeral sense, as opposed to physical, but there you have it. The growth of Ildiko and Brishen’s relationship, the way it blossoms from friendship to passionate love, the way their opinion of each other’s hearts so greatly influences their initial (negative) impressions of each other’s outer appearance is so heartwarming and portrayed so realistically that I want to cry just thinking about it. It makes me want to focus more on being a better person on the inside than trying to improve myself on the outside in an effort to get other people to recognize my worth. It makes me angry for all the time I wasted in my life doing the exact opposite. This is like the one thing that wouldn’t make think the statement about beauty being in the eye of the beholder not want to retch immediately.
I could sit and expound upon the actual plot, but it’s pointless really because it’s the relationship between the two main characters that makes this book shine as brightly as it does (dare I say it’s……radiant?). That’s not to say that this doesn’t stand alone on its own merits as a fantasy story with phenomenal world-building, because it does, but that’s not its strength.
I love this book. I love Ildiko and Brishen. I love them on their own and I love them even more together. My life is better for having read “Radiance” and I cannot recommend it enough.
I’d never heard of this book or this author until I heard the many denizens of r/romancebooks raving about it, so I decided to give it a chance and I’m forever thankful to them for bringing this story into my life. It’s sort of similar to “The Winter King” in that regard, so they’re pretty much 2-for-2. I’m currently reading another r/romancebooks favorite, “Punk 57”, so let’s see if they can continue their streak of perfection.
I digress, though. I’m here to extoll the virtues of “Radiance” and they are many. This book works on many levels – a romance, a fantasy, a character/personality study in what it means to be human (kind of ironic considering that one of the MCs isn’t). Given its many points of appeal I’m kind of shocked that it’s not more popular than it is, but I’m a selfish little book dragon so I like to keep secrets like this to myself sometimes. Sue me.
Ildiko and Brishen are rivaling Jude and Cardan as my ultimate OTP. I’m on a romance kick right now, and I’ve been bemoaning the unrealistic depictions of relationships and the people that are in them, and “Radiance” sort of smashed all of those expectations to bits. It gave me reassurance for the current state of my own relationship and hope for the future. It made that 16-year-old insecure version of me that still lives in my head and has way too much influence over 42-year-old me’s thoughts feel so much better about herself.
I guess it is rather poignant that it would take a fictional depiction of a relationship between a human woman and a non-human (but still humanoid) man to show that it’s possible to love someone for who they are in an ephemeral sense, as opposed to physical, but there you have it. The growth of Ildiko and Brishen’s relationship, the way it blossoms from friendship to passionate love, the way their opinion of each other’s hearts so greatly influences their initial (negative) impressions of each other’s outer appearance is so heartwarming and portrayed so realistically that I want to cry just thinking about it. It makes me want to focus more on being a better person on the inside than trying to improve myself on the outside in an effort to get other people to recognize my worth. It makes me angry for all the time I wasted in my life doing the exact opposite. This is like the one thing that wouldn’t make think the statement about beauty being in the eye of the beholder not want to retch immediately.
I could sit and expound upon the actual plot, but it’s pointless really because it’s the relationship between the two main characters that makes this book shine as brightly as it does (dare I say it’s……radiant?). That’s not to say that this doesn’t stand alone on its own merits as a fantasy story with phenomenal world-building, because it does, but that’s not its strength.
I love this book. I love Ildiko and Brishen. I love them on their own and I love them even more together. My life is better for having read “Radiance” and I cannot recommend it enough.
More like 3.5 stars. I loved the dynamic in this book; the unique relationship makes this book shine. There wasn’t a whole lot going on, and I felt like the action and political intrigue was glossed over. But the ending gives me higher hopes for a more thrilling sequel.
It seems strange to be giving this 4(.5) stars since I finished this book a few days ago and am struggling to remember the plot details, but I really enjoyed this.
The FMC and MMC initially find each other repulsive to look at, and frankly that was so refreshing from all the insta-love/insta-lust you get in a lot of romance novels I give it 5 stars for that alone. I only wish it wasn't pointed out that to other members of their own species (she's human, he's Kai) they are each very attractive. Why point that out?
As with other Grace Draven books I would classify this as more of a fantasy with romantic elements than a romance novel. Loved the world building, great characters, moments of levity and of darkness.
This is stand-alone, however there is quite the setup for the next book in the epilogue.
Looking forward to the rest of the series.
The FMC and MMC initially find each other repulsive to look at, and frankly that was so refreshing from all the insta-love/insta-lust you get in a lot of romance novels I give it 5 stars for that alone. I only wish it wasn't pointed out that to other members of their own species (she's human, he's Kai) they are each very attractive. Why point that out?
As with other Grace Draven books I would classify this as more of a fantasy with romantic elements than a romance novel. Loved the world building, great characters, moments of levity and of darkness.
This is stand-alone, however there is quite the setup for the next book in the epilogue.
Looking forward to the rest of the series.
the first half of this book should have been a deep-dive into the kai and the humans and why they don't like each other and brishen should have 100% not been so affectionate at the very beginning. what the hell is this
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I liked the relationship between Ildiko and Brishen, and how it developed over time.
Didn't like the plot as much - especially the last 20% I found arduous to get through and the description and aftermath ofBrishen's torture were a bit too excessive for me.
Also I don't think I understand the motives of the main antagonist at all - though perhaps that was intended. Still, it felt frustrating.
Also the sex scenes were a bit too much for my tastes - those two really started to be incredibly horny for each other at some point and I have no clue why. That was... weird.
Still, especially the first ~50% were rather wholesome. It's rare to see a main couple in a romance novel actually communicate with each other, which was refreshing to see.
Didn't like the plot as much - especially the last 20% I found arduous to get through and the description and aftermath of
Also I don't think I understand the motives of the main antagonist at all - though perhaps that was intended. Still, it felt frustrating.
Also the sex scenes were a bit too much for my tastes - those two really started to be incredibly horny for each other at some point and I have no clue why. That was... weird.
Still, especially the first ~50% were rather wholesome. It's rare to see a main couple in a romance novel actually communicate with each other, which was refreshing to see.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Excrement
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
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
I found this book very enjoyable. It features a romance built on friendship and goodwill rather than the (IMO overdone) instant lust/fated mate trope. There is no unnecessary drama, just pure respect & romance, and you can feel the characters falling into friendship first and then into love. Additionally, worldbuilding is quick, simple, and easy to understand. Some of the banter between the main characters is pretty funny, and the writing did a good job showing us how they tried to see one another not as the "other" species but just as another living being. I will read the whole series.
Surprisingly enjoyable. A romance built on friendship and goodwill rather than instalust.