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dark
emotional
sad
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:
Yes
Such an incredible read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.75 rounded up. Thank you to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review. I have never read anything by Julie Soto and I went into this book not realizing at first that it was a rewrite of her Dramione fanfic, The Auction (which I haven’t read), so the beginning felt a bit disjointed and I found it really hard to keep my interest engaged at first.
The world-building felt underdeveloped to me and magic system felt difficult to follow and seemed contradictory at times. I felt that there was an assumption that the reader should know a lot of the background info and world-building already because this started out as a Harry Potter fanfic and once I confirmed with a friend that this was a rewrite of The Auction, a lot of it clicked into place in my brain because I then had previous background info from knowing the HP characters/world.
The pacing of this book also felt off and as I said, the beginning felt disjointed. I attribute a lot of this to the flashbacks, and while I think this was Julie’s attempt to give us background info while also foreshadowing events in the upcoming chapters, it disrupted the narrative and took me out of the flow of what what happening in present time. The flow seemed better once we got less of the flashbacks, and I think it would have been better if this had been rearranged chronologically. The epilogue with the dragon also felt out of place because we have next to zero info on the dragon throughout the whole book, and then we get the epilogue from her POV when there was never a POV change in the rest of the book? I think it would have been more impactful if it had been from Rory’s POV, but I guess it would have ruined “the big reveal”, even though it didn’t feel like one.
This is just a personal issue, but I also had a hard time with some of the names as they did not seem to fit and also took me out of the story. Biltmore Palace was a bit on the nose with The Biltmore Estate and made me think of North Carolina. Didion’s last name of Winchester made me think of Supernatural, even though I haven’t watched anything beyond the first season. Liam Quill kept reminding me of Starlord (Peter Quill). Mallow kept having marshmallow popping into my head. And while Julie had no way of knowing this, my local art studio is named Rosewood, so I kept getting distracted. Again, I understand this is a me issue.
I definitely think this could use some refining, but overall I enjoyed this and I will continue the series. I also plan to listen to the audio when it is available as that may change my opinion.
The world-building felt underdeveloped to me and magic system felt difficult to follow and seemed contradictory at times. I felt that there was an assumption that the reader should know a lot of the background info and world-building already because this started out as a Harry Potter fanfic and once I confirmed with a friend that this was a rewrite of The Auction, a lot of it clicked into place in my brain because I then had previous background info from knowing the HP characters/world.
The pacing of this book also felt off and as I said, the beginning felt disjointed. I attribute a lot of this to the flashbacks, and while I think this was Julie’s attempt to give us background info while also foreshadowing events in the upcoming chapters, it disrupted the narrative and took me out of the flow of what what happening in present time. The flow seemed better once we got less of the flashbacks, and I think it would have been better if this had been rearranged chronologically. The epilogue with the dragon also felt out of place because we have next to zero info on the dragon throughout the whole book, and then we get the epilogue from her POV when there was never a POV change in the rest of the book? I think it would have been more impactful if it had been from Rory’s POV, but I guess it would have ruined “the big reveal”, even though it didn’t feel like one.
This is just a personal issue, but I also had a hard time with some of the names as they did not seem to fit and also took me out of the story. Biltmore Palace was a bit on the nose with The Biltmore Estate and made me think of North Carolina. Didion’s last name of Winchester made me think of Supernatural, even though I haven’t watched anything beyond the first season. Liam Quill kept reminding me of Starlord (Peter Quill). Mallow kept having marshmallow popping into my head. And while Julie had no way of knowing this, my local art studio is named Rosewood, so I kept getting distracted. Again, I understand this is a me issue.
I definitely think this could use some refining, but overall I enjoyed this and I will continue the series. I also plan to listen to the audio when it is available as that may change my opinion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Blood, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting
challenging
dark
fast-paced
The first thing I had to do was put aside everything I knew about the fanfic and stop trying to connect these stories to their fanfic counterparts and as soon as I did I fell headfirst into the story.
The magic system was interesting—the arbitrary division between mind and heart magic dividing these two countries was so well down because both people had the ability to do both but it was a matter of teaching that made one better than the other.
Briony’s character is clearly on the beginning of her journey. She doesn’t question everything but the reader get glimpses of how strong she is and how her thought process works and that she is willing to question everything. Toven is similarly interesting—we get a very limited version of him based on who Briony thinks he and his family is and this something I love about having a limited point of view.
The flashbacks were my favorite! They do so much to ground the story in the political feelings at the time, Briony’s attraction to Toven and her relationship with her brother, the king.
The content is DARK! The violence, the slavery over magical power, the SA (not graphic yet?) was tough for me to read but the story was so compelling that I didn’t want to put it down.
The magic system was interesting—the arbitrary division between mind and heart magic dividing these two countries was so well down because both people had the ability to do both but it was a matter of teaching that made one better than the other.
Briony’s character is clearly on the beginning of her journey. She doesn’t question everything but the reader get glimpses of how strong she is and how her thought process works and that she is willing to question everything. Toven is similarly interesting—we get a very limited version of him based on who Briony thinks he and his family is and this something I love about having a limited point of view.
The flashbacks were my favorite! They do so much to ground the story in the political feelings at the time, Briony’s attraction to Toven and her relationship with her brother, the king.
The content is DARK! The violence, the slavery over magical power, the SA (not graphic yet?) was tough for me to read but the story was so compelling that I didn’t want to put it down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review early.
So, first off: this book was enjoyable... But it was *not* like the hype I had seen online at all.
I kept getting the ick while reading, the marketing on this was really off imo. No one in their right mind would market The Handmaid's Tale as a romance... we all know it's dystopian and horrifying. This is like a fantasy based Handmaid's Tale, yet we are here for the romance? Ehhh.
For a book who's romance storyline is entirely build up, longing and arguing.. I did not *feel* that from them very often.
I honestly found the romance to be the weakest bit in this book. I was far more interested in Briony and the budding rebellion, and I look forward to seeing where that goes.
Also, this book felt like nothing but set up for the next book. I was really interested for the first 40% or so, and after that I was just waiting for the big reveal and fairly bored.
I am sure there will be loads of people who really enjoy this book. I would recommend ignoring most of the hype around it and going in with an open mind for the best experience.
So, first off: this book was enjoyable... But it was *not* like the hype I had seen online at all.
I kept getting the ick while reading, the marketing on this was really off imo. No one in their right mind would market The Handmaid's Tale as a romance... we all know it's dystopian and horrifying. This is like a fantasy based Handmaid's Tale, yet we are here for the romance? Ehhh.
For a book who's romance storyline is entirely build up, longing and arguing.. I did not *feel* that from them very often.
I honestly found the romance to be the weakest bit in this book. I was far more interested in Briony and the budding rebellion, and I look forward to seeing where that goes.
Also, this book felt like nothing but set up for the next book. I was really interested for the first 40% or so, and after that I was just waiting for the big reveal and fairly bored.
I am sure there will be loads of people who really enjoy this book. I would recommend ignoring most of the hype around it and going in with an open mind for the best experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Medical content, Sexual harassment, War
Minor: Animal cruelty, Death, Abortion, Death of parent
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I did recieve an e-arc from netgalley and the publisher.
There are a few things that caught me off guard that make me a little upset and sad but there are triggers in this book. Please read the triggers first before you decide to read it. It is DARK. I got through the darkness because I wanted to know what was going to happen to the main character in the way if she was going to survive. Other than the dark bits happening, the magic system was interesting and I kept trying to figure out what the plan was. I am super curious what will happen next. The book had me hooked. There is a bit of flashback from the past to the present. I will say the ending caught me off guard.
There are a few things that caught me off guard that make me a little upset and sad but there are triggers in this book. Please read the triggers first before you decide to read it. It is DARK. I got through the darkness because I wanted to know what was going to happen to the main character in the way if she was going to survive. Other than the dark bits happening, the magic system was interesting and I kept trying to figure out what the plan was. I am super curious what will happen next. The book had me hooked. There is a bit of flashback from the past to the present. I will say the ending caught me off guard.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Violence, Kidnapping, Abandonment
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
Loveable characters:
Yes
IYKYK. There isn't a world where I don't give this 5 stars. The wait for book 2 promises to be painful and slow. Julie Soto is a genius. Mind the content warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Infertility, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Sexual harassment, War
Minor: Torture, Abortion, Pregnancy, War