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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
The writing was great! I have nothing against the author, and I know it's not easy to write a book, or everyone would do it. So I'm glad they pursued their dreams..
It's just, this book really wasn't for me. And it's a shame because I wanted to like it. The cover is so beautiful (especially the special edition version that I've got). But the more I read, I had to literally convince myself to keep going instead of just putting it down. In case it got better.
I need to stop making myself read things I'm not enjoying.
It's supposed to be an 'adult' fantasy.. but it reads exactly like a YA, just a bit more 'edgier.' Because it deals with angsty topics, like self-harm and alcohol abuse. But it just feels like... ticking the boxes to every political trap out there. Everyone in this book is gay, and while I definitely don't have a problem with that, I have a problem when it's doing it 'just to do it.' Because it's something that's in lately. There's even talk about gender-fluidness. Because we have to tick that box too.
Keera, is angsty and great at everything. It's kinda annoying. She wants to be assertive and closed off, she gives her hand-maiden (who's being abused by a prince) a secret weapon. Because "men are disgusting." I didn't make that up. For a book that's supposed to be 'adult,' I just know I can find this in a high school library. And it has a feeling of being geared towards young women, and that idea that they're reading this kind of stuff.. being so impressionable, it makes me kind of ehhh.
There are so many of the 'fae' books, I can't even keep up. And the differences between elves and fae (dark and light) are kind of confusing.. and not that important. Until we find out that of course, Keera is the 'different' special one, and her existence wows everyone. Like on top of everything else, we've got the 'I'm not special, but I'm not like the other girls,' thing. I've said it before: there's nothing wrong with being like regular girls. It just feels so insulting to the 'regular' girls.
AND, it doesn't end there. All of the halfling men were killed off, and the women are forced as slaves to work as the King's royal assassins. So they're all badasses, they're all hardcore, they're all angsty, they all hate men...
Until - she runs across a hot man, who kisses her randomly in the middle of the battle for...why? Because oh right, she can 'sense' magic too when no one else can. Then she's suddenly in a spiral of romance with this guy, who's supposed to be a legendary evasive Robin Hood type. Except when she gets involved, now he takes a step back, lets her do all the commanding of his people, and makes everyone listen to her..
And alcoholism. We get it, it's repeated every OTHER line that she really wants a drink right now, and after this book, so do I. But she manages to take on the 'legendary' status fighter at a spur-of-the-moment fight while being wasted.
He has magic, yeah. But the only time he ever uses it, is to give Keera a chance to reveal that she can feel it and the 'connection' between them too. Even though she's not supposed to, making Riven go 'oh she's special.'
I don't even know if sex or 'smut' in general was talked about for this book..but it's like a tease about it. They wanted to include it to make it more adult, but it doesn't really happen. Just a couple of times when she starts wanting it, then makes him stop because 'she's not ready,' and he of course, 'respects that.' Again, just another checkbox on the political list.
The scars. She carves names into her body. While the idea is there, and I understand it.. just the way it's done.. it's almost unhealthy in a way that feels like romanticizing it? I know it's not meant to.. but when I think about the target audience, I can't help but feel it. It becomes so much of an inconvenience to her, that she can't wear dresses or show some skin, and doesn't let people get close.. like okay. But you knew this before you started doing that, it had to cross your mind at some point. Why not just keep a journal instead? Because now it just feels like it's there to pull attention and pity if anyone happens to see it.
Oh, oh. And, she's all talk about being badass and angsty..but we just had to have a ball scene, where she wears the most amazing dress and has everyone's attention just by walking through the door. The attention of the special fae guy and even the prince.. but she doesn't 'do' girly things. Except for when they need her to do something female readers want to imagine themselves doing.
Maybe it's fun for people who like fae romance books.. but I'd be too worried about letting highschool girls read it. :/
I'm really really curious about where the 5 stars came from. If I was being generous, I could give it 2, but that is "it was okay." And I had to go with "I didn't like it," instead, because I just didn't. I'm sorry.
It's just, this book really wasn't for me. And it's a shame because I wanted to like it. The cover is so beautiful (especially the special edition version that I've got). But the more I read, I had to literally convince myself to keep going instead of just putting it down. In case it got better.
I need to stop making myself read things I'm not enjoying.
It's supposed to be an 'adult' fantasy.. but it reads exactly like a YA, just a bit more 'edgier.' Because it deals with angsty topics, like self-harm and alcohol abuse. But it just feels like... ticking the boxes to every political trap out there. Everyone in this book is gay, and while I definitely don't have a problem with that, I have a problem when it's doing it 'just to do it.' Because it's something that's in lately. There's even talk about gender-fluidness. Because we have to tick that box too.
Keera, is angsty and great at everything. It's kinda annoying. She wants to be assertive and closed off, she gives her hand-maiden (who's being abused by a prince) a secret weapon. Because "men are disgusting." I didn't make that up. For a book that's supposed to be 'adult,' I just know I can find this in a high school library. And it has a feeling of being geared towards young women, and that idea that they're reading this kind of stuff.. being so impressionable, it makes me kind of ehhh.
There are so many of the 'fae' books, I can't even keep up. And the differences between elves and fae (dark and light) are kind of confusing.. and not that important. Until we find out that of course, Keera is the 'different' special one, and her existence wows everyone. Like on top of everything else, we've got the 'I'm not special, but I'm not like the other girls,' thing. I've said it before: there's nothing wrong with being like regular girls. It just feels so insulting to the 'regular' girls.
AND, it doesn't end there. All of the halfling men were killed off, and the women are forced as slaves to work as the King's royal assassins. So they're all badasses, they're all hardcore, they're all angsty, they all hate men...
Until - she runs across a hot man, who kisses her randomly in the middle of the battle for...why? Because oh right, she can 'sense' magic too when no one else can. Then she's suddenly in a spiral of romance with this guy, who's supposed to be a legendary evasive Robin Hood type. Except when she gets involved, now he takes a step back, lets her do all the commanding of his people, and makes everyone listen to her..
And alcoholism. We get it, it's repeated every OTHER line that she really wants a drink right now, and after this book, so do I. But she manages to take on the 'legendary' status fighter at a spur-of-the-moment fight while being wasted.
He has magic, yeah. But the only time he ever uses it, is to give Keera a chance to reveal that she can feel it and the 'connection' between them too. Even though she's not supposed to, making Riven go 'oh she's special.'
I don't even know if sex or 'smut' in general was talked about for this book..but it's like a tease about it. They wanted to include it to make it more adult, but it doesn't really happen. Just a couple of times when she starts wanting it, then makes him stop because 'she's not ready,' and he of course, 'respects that.' Again, just another checkbox on the political list.
The scars. She carves names into her body. While the idea is there, and I understand it.. just the way it's done.. it's almost unhealthy in a way that feels like romanticizing it? I know it's not meant to.. but when I think about the target audience, I can't help but feel it. It becomes so much of an inconvenience to her, that she can't wear dresses or show some skin, and doesn't let people get close.. like okay. But you knew this before you started doing that, it had to cross your mind at some point. Why not just keep a journal instead? Because now it just feels like it's there to pull attention and pity if anyone happens to see it.
Oh, oh. And, she's all talk about being badass and angsty..but we just had to have a ball scene, where she wears the most amazing dress and has everyone's attention just by walking through the door. The attention of the special fae guy and even the prince.. but she doesn't 'do' girly things. Except for when they need her to do something female readers want to imagine themselves doing.
Maybe it's fun for people who like fae romance books.. but I'd be too worried about letting highschool girls read it. :/
I'm really really curious about where the 5 stars came from. If I was being generous, I could give it 2, but that is "it was okay." And I had to go with "I didn't like it," instead, because I just didn't. I'm sorry.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I didn't particularly love the characters or the plot. Great ideas but not great execution.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
✨📚 This book started out slow, but quickly picked up the pace, except in the spice department because that is a slooooooooow burn.
I really enjoyed the character development and the relationships that formed in the book.
The plot twists were shockingly good, and obviously I am ready for book 2.
This book touched on some heavy issues, such as racism, abandonment and addiction.
There was also great representation of LGBTQIA+ and disability.
Highly recommend picking up this Canadian Author!!!
I really enjoyed the character development and the relationships that formed in the book.
The plot twists were shockingly good, and obviously I am ready for book 2.
This book touched on some heavy issues, such as racism, abandonment and addiction.
There was also great representation of LGBTQIA+ and disability.
Highly recommend picking up this Canadian Author!!!
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
I really enjoyed this book and am excited to see how the series continues. It was a little slow to start and dragged on a bit but by the end I was hooked.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
I came here cause I was told this was a queer fantasy, and I’m disappointed to say it is not. Not even close. The queer relationship is a blur and in the past, so just be prepared for another morally grey brooding and scared male love interest.
The book itself was fine, not too different from things I’ve read before.
The book itself was fine, not too different from things I’ve read before.
I think it was a bit slow in the beginning but around the 50% mark it picked up and I couldn't put it down! I'm excited to continue with the series
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oh man I’m actually disappointed in this book and frankly kind of upset that I bought it on kindle for $5. The pacing was just not good, the reveal was anticlimactic and kind of boring, the side characters were not interesting enough and the main character kept making questionable choices in my eyes. I also found it lacking depth and she used too many repetitive words. the only reason it’s not completely a 1 is becaus I am interested in the ending which was almost the only good part of the story, albeit predictable….. honestly not memorable and overdone tropes
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes