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daisy2050's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Honestly, this book was a bit of a let down following Blood and Ash. It was slow and repetitive at parts. However, I did read the entire thing and intend to read the next... So take that for what it's worth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Xenophobia, Violence, War, and Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Sexism
jen1804's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
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
4.5
Eeek, I loved this book! (I’d give it more but there’s too many grammatical/ spelling mistakes to let it slide I’m sorry!) This book has everything you need from a good fantasy romance novel, good guys, bad guys, bad guys who you thought were good guys and good guys who you thought were bad guys, battle, blood, justice, fantastic banter between characters, endearing blossoming relationships, laugh out loud moments, complex character development, a sense of mystery, heavy flirting, arguments between our two MCs, sexy scenes, the list goes on. And boy did I love the strangers, to friends, to lovers, to enemies, to fake relationship, to lovers journey we got to go on with Poppy and Casteel throughout book 1 and 2.
There are parts of this book which felt so reflective for me, the scene with the chamber full of names of the fallen scratched into the walls was haunting. And the overall message of xenophobia throughout this book was deeply harrowing. The way our FMC, Poppy, has the ability to sense others’ feelings and emotions towards her, and the absolute disgust, distrust and hatred she feels just because she was born and raised elsewhere is horrific. Like at one point she gets stoned, and it is AWFUL.
But alongside this incredibly complex plot which keeps you engaged throughout and wanting to learn more about Poppy and her growing abilities, are some fantastically well developed characters. Poppy is so freaking strong, I actually adore her as a FMC. She has such a brilliant personality, unafraid to talk back and unapologetically herself. Casteel is just such a beautiful MMC and I am OBSESSED with their back and forth. Armentrout has created brilliant chemistry between the two of them on the page and I cannot get enough of their constant bickering, flirtatious arguments, Casteel’s dimple smirks and Poppy regularly stabbing Cas because he’s pissed her off, knowing he’ll quickly heal.
And I think the two of them fighting together on the battlefield is one of my fave fantasy couple scenes of all time🙊.
I actually cannot WAIT to find out what happens in the next book because that ENDING!
Satisfactory ending? Yes!
There are parts of this book which felt so reflective for me, the scene with the chamber full of names of the fallen scratched into the walls was haunting. And the overall message of xenophobia throughout this book was deeply harrowing. The way our FMC, Poppy, has the ability to sense others’ feelings and emotions towards her, and the absolute disgust, distrust and hatred she feels just because she was born and raised elsewhere is horrific. Like at one point she gets stoned, and it is AWFUL.
But alongside this incredibly complex plot which keeps you engaged throughout and wanting to learn more about Poppy and her growing abilities, are some fantastically well developed characters. Poppy is so freaking strong, I actually adore her as a FMC. She has such a brilliant personality, unafraid to talk back and unapologetically herself. Casteel is just such a beautiful MMC and I am OBSESSED with their back and forth. Armentrout has created brilliant chemistry between the two of them on the page and I cannot get enough of their constant bickering, flirtatious arguments, Casteel’s dimple smirks and Poppy regularly stabbing Cas because he’s pissed her off, knowing he’ll quickly heal.
And I think the two of them fighting together on the battlefield is one of my fave fantasy couple scenes of all time🙊.
I actually cannot WAIT to find out what happens in the next book because that ENDING!
Satisfactory ending? Yes!
It was the emotion behind the long looks and the seeking touches. The feeling behind the way his arm always tightened around me when we rode together and why he was always messing with my hair. It was the emotion that drove him to draw that line he wouldn’t cross with me. It was why he wouldn’t use compulsion, and it was what allowed him to want to protect me but demanded that he allow me to protect myself. It was how when he was with me, he didn’t think of his kingdom, his brother, or the time he’d been a captive. And it was one of many things forbidden to me as the Maiden. It was love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, War, Xenophobia, and Violence
Moderate: Kidnapping and Child death
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