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Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Stalking, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting
Minor: Torture
Moderate: Death
Minor: Bullying
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, War, Injury/Injury detail
Every book should have dragons. Seriously what is it about dragons that takes us right back to our childhood!
Also for romance lovers, the romance straight ROMANCED. It was exquisite to read. Plus they destroy a room during sex...so like yes it's excellent.
Also Tairn and his little petty comments gave me life I love him so much.
The twist was A TWIST! I thought I knew what was going to happen but I was so wrong.
THE ENDING KILLED ME! If I see the author it is on sight and I'm throwing hands.
I HIGHLY recommend this book,it's fun, fantasy, romance, and just a great time.
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Outing, Toxic friendship, War, Injury/Injury detail, Deportation
I have to admit, for the first few days I wasn't sure I understood the hype. I liked it from the beginning, but wasn't completely hooked.
And then.
Much like the dragons, I felt like the book was sinking its claws into me until I couldn't put it down. I don't know if it was the dragons themselves, the vast, complex world-building, the brilliant characters and Violet's found family, or a combination of everything. I love the concept, Violet is an awesome FMC (she's broken, she's strong, she's bloody fierce) and her connection with Andarna and Tairn is EVERYTHING. Xaden too, but I was here more for the connection between him and Violet than the smut.
But then it's the way the plot just runs wild. Was it entirely unpredictable? No. But was I utterly obsessed anyway? Absolutely. It had the audacity to pull at all of my emotions, and I'm still not over the final scenes. I am itching to get my hands on the next book and find out where this is all going!
Graphic: Child death, Sexual content, Death of parent, Murder
Moderate: Bullying, War
I know, I know - what took me so long to read this book?! And I have no idea. Seriously, if you have been holding onto this book but haven't read it yet, READ IT!
4.5β out of 5β
Nov 17, 2023-
In a world at war, young adults can enter the war college to face the challenges of possibly becoming a dragon rider, and protecting their lands. But the challenges at the college is just as capable of killing them as any dragon or opponent can. The only options of the college once you enter, is graduate or die. So when Violet is thrust into the Rider's Quadrant - Violet who can barely make it up the stairs with her pack without getting winded, Violet who's joints can pop out at any inconvenience, and bones snap easier than others- she is viewed as the weakest link, and becomes target number one. Especially from the marked ones. Being the daughter of the general who helped execute their parents who led the rebellion six years ago. So her main objective- don't die, and stay away from Xaden- the one who wants her dead more than any other... But staying away from Xaden becomes infinitely more difficult when their lives become tied together.
So, I reread this book - not only to read the bonus chapters but also to prepare for Iron Flame.
And I loved it just as much the second time around.
I loved the world, the magic & dragons, and the characters.
It has great world building, - that isn't overwhelming. It has the nostalgia feel of dystopian novels, with the fantasy element of dragons, and dragons woven in.
And the characters.
Violet's illness may make others view her as a liability - she's more brittle, weaker, smaller than everyone else- yet she is stronger- maybe not in muscle but in her compassion & personality & also dealing with pain on the daily- and smarter & more cumning than those around her.
Rhiannon who is smart, loyal & a great friend.
Liam who is protective, sweet & caring.
Xaden who is dark, brooding, lethal & ruthless but more than he seems.
I loved this book and cannot wait to dive into Iron Flame - dive more into this wonderful world of magic & magnificent dragons & see more from this characters. I cannot wait to see what happens next.
4.5 βs out of 5β.
3πΆοΈ out of 5πΆοΈ. Multiple scenes throughout in detail.
Tropes:
β fantasy romance /romantasy
β enemies to lovers
β forced Proximity
β academy (war college)
β New Adult romance
β chronic illness (h) representation
β morally gray H
βfound family
β slow burn
β overcoming adversity/underdog
β dysfunctional family
Minor: Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Sexual content, Violence, War
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Chronic illness, Gore, Blood, Medical content, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, War
Moderate: Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Genocide, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Chronic illness, Gore, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Vomit, War