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koistyfishy's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️.5/5
I love this book so much, that I made my phone background a picture of the cover art...
Reading this feels like you're wrapped up in a warm, fluffy blanket, with oversized socks and a cup of deliciously spiced tea while you're sitting by a roaring fire, watching the rain outside. If that doesn't give you the epitome of cosy vibes, then I don't know what you find cosy.
This was also a very unexpected surprise. I wasn't sure how this book ended up on my TBR, so went in with no expectations - and I am pretty happy I did. I was blown away by the story, the plot and the characters.
This is a dual POV - Daella, a half-Orc is a captive of a brutal tyrannical emperor who forces her to do his dirty work. She is also allergic to fresh water (not in the same way as Gremlin's where she multiplies into little evil versions of herself)... Instead, she ends up in giant boils and welts. Sent on a mission to track Dragon-Magic users her ship is attacked by a vicious storm. She ends up falling overboard - don't worry, salt water is fine - and washes up on the island of Fable in a little town where a gorgeous elf with long silver hair greets her with a sword to her throat. Rivelin strikes up a deal with Daella. She can return to the mainland in six weeks after she helps him win this year's Midsummer Games by being his assistant. Rivelin needs to win the games as the winner is granted a wish - and he wants to wish for the protection of his Island and home.
It was really sweet and charming to see how these two forged a bond. (This is funny because Rivelin is a blacksmith). At the start, they are very apprehensive of each other and have both built up walls around their hearts. But as more and more time goes along, the two start opening up to each other and start falling for each other as they learn to trust one another.
Daella was the complete opposite of my perceptions of a Half-Orc. I expected brutish, quick to anger and a brain one step above a Neanderthal. While she is stubborn, she is incredibly kind-hearted. She has a traumatic past and has been pushed to her limits by the Emperor, only doing his bidding as he will kill her if she doesn't with a magic ice shard embedded into her hip. Given her guarded actions, she comes off with a resting bitchface personality but as people slowly get to know her, they realize that she is incredibly self-sacrificing, honest, noble and gentle.
Rivelin is a grumpy, lonesome blacksmith who deeply cares for his family, his village and his home. All he wants is for that to remain safe. He's self-sacrificing, noble and incredibly generous - especially towards Daella. Underneath his grumpy persona lurks a spicy little cinnamon roll.
The world-building is easy to understand. The writing is captivating and gripping causing the book to be a perfect quick little romantasy palate cleanser.
Tropes in this include:
▶ Cosy Fantasy
▶ Dual POV
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Enemies Rivals to Lovers
▶ Interracial/Multicultural Romance
▶ Found Family
▶ Dragons
▶ Who Did This To You
▶ Rolled Sleeves (and Forearms)
▶ Hold on to the...
If you are looking for a low angst fluffy read with a little bit of spice and maybe some dragons, I highly recommend this. The tropes were well executed and the characters were enjoyable and sweet.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Confinement, Death of parent, and Cursing
Minor: War and Genocide
tania_mybookishsecret's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: War and Death of parent
karapillar's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Alcohol, Death, Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual content, and Racism
Moderate: Death of parent, Violence, Genocide, Deportation, Slavery, Confinement, Murder, Torture, and Physical abuse
Minor: War, Gaslighting, Grief, Kidnapping, Mental illness, and Religious bigotry
nofys's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Genocide and War
bellebookcorner's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
The world building is fascinating with a big world where there's a hidden magical island and several different creatures living together like Orcs, humans, dragons and elves which fantasy lovers would be thrilled to read about like myself.
This story has a dual POV from these two main characters which is a great touch to get to know the characters where they have their own agendas and see how they grow throughout the story.
The slow burn romance between Rivelin and Daella is delightful. I absolutely love the high tension and bantering between them which eventually leads to the spicy moments which is worth the wait.
However, as much as I like the people on the island and Riveliin (MMC) they were too quick to judge Daella (FMC) just because she was an outsider which really annoyed me sometimes.
Moreover, Daella kinda forgives too easy... I was hoping to see Rivelin grovelled his way back to Daella a little bit harder.
Nonetheless, this book was a heart-warming and enjoyable story with easy to read writing style, badass FMC and other elements inside which fantasy romance readers would love.
The ending also got wrapped up nicely and I'm looking forward to read the next book from this series!
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Moderate: Confinement, War, and Cursing
Minor: Sexual harassment, Murder, and Blood
kim03's review against another edition
2.0
- Dual POV (even though I'm certain we spent more time in her head than his)
- The cover (seriously. It's the reason I wanted to read this book. So gorgeous.)
What I didn't like:
- The characters
- The plot
- The writing (felt like purple prose to me)
- Any and all intimate scenes. They were cringe and unsexy. I hate one singular thought throughout them all: "Ew."
- The back and forth. I already had problems bc i don't like enemies to lovers but this couldn't even decide where it was on the Journey. I hated it.
- The way it took a rumor to make each doubt the other? Never seen two ppl have this little faith in each other.
Moderate: Death of parent, War, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content
Minor: Murder and Sexual harassment
robin_reads's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
This was such a pleasure to read. Cozy vibes, lighthearted but still had a very nice plot and some stakes.
Wonderful read. I'll be picking up the second book as soon as it comes out.
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Death of parent, War, Grief, and Confinement