Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
It has been a while since I read medievals and this one kinda is - and not. The setting is an alternate Earth with 5 kingdoms but it has a medieval feel to it. Extra are the fantasy elements which give the story its pizzazz. Some characters in the story are Embraced, gifted with special powers.
Luciana (19) has lived in a convent since she was an infant. She has 4 good friends, all Embraced and from the different Kingdoms. One day her father arrives with the coffin of her dead twin sister and she is asked to take her sister's place and marry the Lord Protector as demanded by the King of her country. Luciana can see and speak with the dead.
Leo (26) has been Lord Protector since he was 19 and is nephew of the King. He has withstood many attempts by the King to kill him. He can charge himself with energy from lightning and is called the Beast as he can kill with one touch.
Luciana and Leo are instantly attracted but he cannot touch her. The story revolves mostly around the King trying to have them killed and Luciana hiding her true identity.
The story is intriguing and very easy to read with many interesting characters. I do think the whole 'no touching' story was a bit too easily solved. Near the end the plot got a bit repetitive with all the assassination attempts plus everything was wrapped up fast and with a pink bow. A bit of an anti-climax.
However, I really enjoyed the book and look forward to the next.
Luciana (19) has lived in a convent since she was an infant. She has 4 good friends, all Embraced and from the different Kingdoms. One day her father arrives with the coffin of her dead twin sister and she is asked to take her sister's place and marry the Lord Protector as demanded by the King of her country. Luciana can see and speak with the dead.
Leo (26) has been Lord Protector since he was 19 and is nephew of the King. He has withstood many attempts by the King to kill him. He can charge himself with energy from lightning and is called the Beast as he can kill with one touch.
Luciana and Leo are instantly attracted but he cannot touch her. The story revolves mostly around the King trying to have them killed and Luciana hiding her true identity.
The story is intriguing and very easy to read with many interesting characters. I do think the whole 'no touching' story was a bit too easily solved. Near the end the plot got a bit repetitive with all the assassination attempts plus everything was wrapped up fast and with a pink bow. A bit of an anti-climax.
However, I really enjoyed the book and look forward to the next.
3.5 Still sick stars, but it has been productive for my reading schedule, in between bouts of coughing.
-NOT what I expected, based on name. It's a bit of Beauty and the Beast, but it's much more medieval than I initially gave it credit for. It's also not a snarkfest, but a fantasy/historical/paranormal mix and that surprise definitely made this more enjoyable than I thought it would be.
-The setup for the series is good, and the worldbuilding gives intriguing tidbits without getting the reader lost in the details
-I liked both leads, and their angsty romance is a slow burner that makes sense...to a point.
-This would have been a 5 star read for me, had the last half of the book lived up to the first half. There was SO MUCH packed into the climax and end, that the book felt uneven. First half was all angsty romance and intrigue (aka good), then the second half still has the angsty romance that started to feel a bit forced, and then holy speed train - it literally flies by with info dump twists packed in with convenient resolutions to huge obstacles. By the time this happens,I was still on board, but I was feeling a little queasy. The convenient resolution, by the way, made the final confrontation completely anti-climactic, though I’m still curious enough to continue on.
3.5 stars
I enjoyed it, flaws and all,so I’m willing to continue on with the series. I just hope once the ‘verse is fleshed out more that the pacing evens out, because there’s great potential for a five star read in this series, I can feel it. Though that may be the cough medicine talking right now....oh well. If you’re into light fantasy romances with a touch of angst, I would recommend giving this a shot.
**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley for review**
For more reviews, visit
-NOT what I expected, based on name. It's a bit of Beauty and the Beast, but it's much more medieval than I initially gave it credit for. It's also not a snarkfest, but a fantasy/historical/paranormal mix and that surprise definitely made this more enjoyable than I thought it would be.
-The setup for the series is good, and the worldbuilding gives intriguing tidbits without getting the reader lost in the details
-I liked both leads, and their angsty romance is a slow burner that makes sense...to a point.
-This would have been a 5 star read for me, had the last half of the book lived up to the first half. There was SO MUCH packed into the climax and end, that the book felt uneven. First half was all angsty romance and intrigue (aka good), then the second half still has the angsty romance that started to feel a bit forced, and then holy speed train - it literally flies by with info dump twists packed in with convenient resolutions to huge obstacles. By the time this happens,I was still on board, but I was feeling a little queasy. The convenient resolution, by the way, made the final confrontation completely anti-climactic, though I’m still curious enough to continue on.
3.5 stars
I enjoyed it, flaws and all,so I’m willing to continue on with the series. I just hope once the ‘verse is fleshed out more that the pacing evens out, because there’s great potential for a five star read in this series, I can feel it. Though that may be the cough medicine talking right now....oh well. If you’re into light fantasy romances with a touch of angst, I would recommend giving this a shot.
**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley for review**
For more reviews, visit