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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
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:
Complicated
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Really enjoyed the story, but this author desperately needs a good copy editor. Looking forward to book 2!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
"I want to be able to choose my future, not have it decided for me."
First of all, i just have to say that mr alderson owes me money for my therapy bills after everything that happened in this book because MY GOD. This was another one of those books that hit the ground running and just never stopped. I was perpetually stressed but in the good way that makes you keep reading because I could not put this down.
Poor Max, as a main character he is definitely one of those that gets put through the wringer again, and again, and again. I just felt like it was non-stop for this poor guy and despite it all he still held on to his ability to trust people, which, definitely could not be me. By the end of part one, I felt like I could not trust anyone and even now at the end (because of that ending) I still feel like I cannot trust anyone. Maybe. And if Max knew better, he would be the same too. But I truly think he is just that one bleeding heart, reluctant hero character who does what he has to, but maybe cries while doing it. All that to say: I really enjoyed the characters!
I also liked that most of the other characters in the main cast are POC. I really appreciate there being diversity and I honestly felt like there was even a lot of diversity and depth in the other characters as well. Like their motivations are quite obvious.
THE PLOT. God. What do I even say about the plot? I actually picked this up because I thought this would be a fun little romantic fantasy with an arranged marriage plot but NO. Instead we have politics, intrigue, backstabbing, betrayals, even literal stabbing. Quite a lot actually. This book was a lot more graphic in its violence than it was in its sex so I was definitely surprised by that. But pleasantly! I feel like the world was so rich, the people so complex and complicated, the magic and magical creatures were so interestingly tied into the world lore.
ICE BREATHING DRAGONS. That's all I'm going to say.
I will say the romance was barely existing in this book, which is the only reason I will say that there ISN'T actually a love triangle. It's more like there were the beginnings of romantic options but then the plot happened and, well. That was that. But I loved how tortured both options were and I can definitely say I ROOTED FOR THE RIGHT ONE. Although, even at the end, I was holding on to the hope that he could have both. Sue me, I like a good throuple. But I do think their relationships ended up where they were supposed to, despite it still being TORTURED. I'm both scared and hopeful for the future books.
Overall, I really really enjoyed this book. I loved his writing! It was so evocative and painted such vivid visuals that I was thoroughly immersed. I will say to look for content warnings for this book because there are definitely some graphic themes going on. But I feel like, if you loved game of thrones but wanted it to be gay, read this.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So good. There is a whole lot going on here and I love every minute of it. I think I’ve been taken on a rollercoaster ride. It is definitely engaging. I love Maximus’ story and what he stands for and how he grew into himself.
The characters are complicated. There’s a love-hate relationship I found myself having with them. But I still love them at the end.
There is a slow burn romance…more like two romances. And after reading another book of similar genre where the romance was almost nonexistent, this is kinda similar but I think it is progressing much better.
I am already picking up the next book.
Note: Super slow-burn, no heat/spice m/m fantasy romance
The characters are complicated. There’s a love-hate relationship I found myself having with them. But I still love them at the end.
There is a slow burn romance…more like two romances. And after reading another book of similar genre where the romance was almost nonexistent, this is kinda similar but I think it is progressing much better.
I am already picking up the next book.
Note: Super slow-burn, no heat/spice m/m fantasy romance
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Sadly, it felt a little bit all over the place, still gonna read the next part for the dragons tho