Scan barcode
hebberelle's review
5.0
This was beautiful. A princess who not only isn't useless, but she's strong and determined and intelligent instead! We get to see the world as she's exploring it through her new 'eyes'. A love interest who isn't an asshole, and a system for making his gruff personality more interesting. I normally don't care about court machinations, but this was smartly done as well.
The title says it's 'steamy' but I wouldn't say that at all.
The title says it's 'steamy' but I wouldn't say that at all.
sarahlreadseverything's review against another edition
4.0
A new Jen Lynning book is a bit like getting a perfectly wrapped chocolate - a small treat just for yourself. I've read everything she's published to date, and I feel like she's just consistently great at putting unique worlds and set-ups and beautifully strong heroines in front of her readers. A Princess of Vision is no exception to that rule.
Josyn was my favourite character in A Lady of Truth (the prequel novella to this series) and continues to be excellent here. She's crafty - a spy in Princess clothing - but also strong and kind. Like all of Jen Lynning's heroines, she knows her own mind and fights to retain her agency (rightfully calling out other characters when they impinge upon it). A Princess of Vision starts with a life-altering change in Josyn's circumstances and at first it felt as if her reaction to that change was a little matter-of-fact - but Lynning weaves through Josyn's slow emotional processing throughout the novel in a way that, by the end, felt very reflective of her character.
Aevin was not my favourite Lynning hero - he was nice enough, but beyond his 'Beast' characteristics it felt like we didn't get masses of insight into him as a person. The whole 'Beast' side of things was a lovely and loving send up of Beauty and the Beast though, and I really hope we get to find out even more about it later in the series.
The premise for The Great Balance World and A Princess of Vision is multilayered and really original. I've never encountered a fantasy world like it before, and Jen Lynning's world building and exploration of the culture and politics in the world she has built is just as complex and good as for the Treaties of Moial series. Like the Treaties of Moial, she does throw you in the deep end a bit. You're thrust into the middle of a fully built out fantasy world and instead of gently introducing concepts Lynning writes as if you know how the world works already and just trusts that you'll be able to catch up. It's a testament to her skill as a world builder that you can! But like Empath's Lure before it, I felt like I spent the first half of A Princess of Vision getting to grips with what was going on and why it was important; I think you would struggle even more without the context gained from reading A Lady of Truth first.
Overall a very solid 4 stars. If you're looking for consistently fun, well-written, unique fantasy romances with rounded, strong heroines that have actual character, then you really can't go wrong with Jen Lynning.
*Disclaimer: I received an advance copy of this title from the author in exchange for an honest review*
Josyn was my favourite character in A Lady of Truth (the prequel novella to this series) and continues to be excellent here. She's crafty - a spy in Princess clothing - but also strong and kind. Like all of Jen Lynning's heroines, she knows her own mind and fights to retain her agency (rightfully calling out other characters when they impinge upon it). A Princess of Vision starts with a life-altering change in Josyn's circumstances and at first it felt as if her reaction to that change was a little matter-of-fact - but Lynning weaves through Josyn's slow emotional processing throughout the novel in a way that, by the end, felt very reflective of her character.
Aevin was not my favourite Lynning hero - he was nice enough, but beyond his 'Beast' characteristics it felt like we didn't get masses of insight into him as a person. The whole 'Beast' side of things was a lovely and loving send up of Beauty and the Beast though, and I really hope we get to find out even more about it later in the series.
The premise for The Great Balance World and A Princess of Vision is multilayered and really original. I've never encountered a fantasy world like it before, and Jen Lynning's world building and exploration of the culture and politics in the world she has built is just as complex and good as for the Treaties of Moial series. Like the Treaties of Moial, she does throw you in the deep end a bit. You're thrust into the middle of a fully built out fantasy world and instead of gently introducing concepts Lynning writes as if you know how the world works already and just trusts that you'll be able to catch up. It's a testament to her skill as a world builder that you can! But like Empath's Lure before it, I felt like I spent the first half of A Princess of Vision getting to grips with what was going on and why it was important; I think you would struggle even more without the context gained from reading A Lady of Truth first.
Overall a very solid 4 stars. If you're looking for consistently fun, well-written, unique fantasy romances with rounded, strong heroines that have actual character, then you really can't go wrong with Jen Lynning.
*Disclaimer: I received an advance copy of this title from the author in exchange for an honest review*
gmrosiee's review
It’s not bad but i realized I wasn’t all that invested in the main character when she almost got kidnapped
suphybaby's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
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
4.5
plumpymuffin's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
melliussa's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
cmbohn's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this one. The world building could have been stronger, but I really liked the characters. Nice slow burn romance.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Death, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, and Kidnapping
whatsmacksaid's review
5.0
I stayed up until 2:30 am finishing this! The magic system was very cool and I appreciate how Lynning didn't expect the reader to remember every single color that Josyn did--we got reminders for the important things.
I also loved the balance (hah) that Josyn learned to strike between her "ice princess" persona and simply not letting everything she felt cross her expression. Aevin (LI) was wonderful and Germein (her brother) was awesome in that he fully and completely trusted her take on political mechanisms, no questions asked. (Other than "are you scheming this way? no? okay, thanks for clarifying.") Excellent sibling relationship.
I also loved the balance (hah) that Josyn learned to strike between her "ice princess" persona and simply not letting everything she felt cross her expression. Aevin (LI) was wonderful and Germein (her brother) was awesome in that he fully and completely trusted her take on political mechanisms, no questions asked. (Other than "are you scheming this way? no? okay, thanks for clarifying.") Excellent sibling relationship.
rachmcf's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
starryeyedreader78's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I had the privilege of winning a signed copy of this book, thanks to @farofeb.
This was such a unique read. A story of a women blinded by magic and given something in exchange.
There is a great mystery as to who and why they blinded Josyn. As the plot unfolds we she that there is much more to Jos than meets the eye (sorry for the pun 😄)
The romance and tension between her and Aevin was a nice touch. Aevin and Jos had been friends since childhood and is her brother's best friend. After some time and hurt they are forced back together. It's a slow burn but worth it.
Aevin was a great MMC. Yes he was incharge of keeping her safe but he never made her feel less than, just bc of her blindness. Something I really appreciated.
All in all the story was great, the pace was good, and the characters were interesting. I really enjoyed this book
This was such a unique read. A story of a women blinded by magic and given something in exchange.
There is a great mystery as to who and why they blinded Josyn. As the plot unfolds we she that there is much more to Jos than meets the eye (sorry for the pun 😄)
The romance and tension between her and Aevin was a nice touch. Aevin and Jos had been friends since childhood and is her brother's best friend. After some time and hurt they are forced back together. It's a slow burn but worth it.
Aevin was a great MMC. Yes he was incharge of keeping her safe but he never made her feel less than, just bc of her blindness. Something I really appreciated.
All in all the story was great, the pace was good, and the characters were interesting. I really enjoyed this book