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sian_m's review against another edition
2.0
I found the writing in this book easy to read. It’s a fairly simple fantasy book to follow, considering how fantasy is known to be complex, with the world building and such. Perhaps a good starting point for new fantasy readers.
I kept changing my mind as to how much I liked this book, or not. It certainly kept me coming back to read more, which is a good sign, but honestly, something was missing for me. It was a little too simplistic for what I was looking for.
There is some weird scenes in the book, which of course fantasy can hold and I did get a little irritated that the princess had to do certain things that I didn’t agree with, but then a book that creates an emotional response is meant to be a good sign, right?
I was gutted with the cliffhanger, I did want more of an ending after I’d read the book. I understand this is a series, however, I won’t be reading the next book, so I guess I’ll never know. My conclusion is it was okay, it just wasn’t really for me.
I’d like to say thank you to NetGalley and all involved in giving me the chance to read this book, in exchange for an honest review.
I kept changing my mind as to how much I liked this book, or not. It certainly kept me coming back to read more, which is a good sign, but honestly, something was missing for me. It was a little too simplistic for what I was looking for.
There is some weird scenes in the book, which of course fantasy can hold and I did get a little irritated that the princess had to do certain things that I didn’t agree with, but then a book that creates an emotional response is meant to be a good sign, right?
I was gutted with the cliffhanger, I did want more of an ending after I’d read the book. I understand this is a series, however, I won’t be reading the next book, so I guess I’ll never know. My conclusion is it was okay, it just wasn’t really for me.
I’d like to say thank you to NetGalley and all involved in giving me the chance to read this book, in exchange for an honest review.
edem_92's review against another edition
4.0
After reading the Warrior Midwife series, I was unsure how I was going to feel reading about Saraya’s sister, Altara. While I think Saraya will always be my favourite of the 2, I was pleasantly surprised by this book.
Altara is strong, capable character. And it was interesting to see how her magic manifested in a way that was so different to her sisters.
Unsurprisingly, the writing is on point, and so is the world building and character development. And after that cliff-hanger, I can’t wait to see what happens next!
Altara is strong, capable character. And it was interesting to see how her magic manifested in a way that was so different to her sisters.
Unsurprisingly, the writing is on point, and so is the world building and character development. And after that cliff-hanger, I can’t wait to see what happens next!
aimzer's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
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
t_ajda's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
This one is for all the girls with a little darkness tucked away in a far flung corner of their hearts. One day, when you show it the beauty of the stars, it will weep with joy.
amandaslittlelibrary's review against another edition
4.0
Really loved this! The Archer Princess is about Altara, a healer princess on the run after escaping her evil stepmother and venturing to where her mother was originally from. She takes on a new name to hide her identity and starts to go to a finishing school but it turns out there’s dark forces at play, including the Old Ones, a quartet of warriors, who are awakened after a two hundred year slumber and are ready to take back the kingdom that belongs to their leader - King Ashzale Boneweaver. Tara is forced to marry Zale and despite their hatred for each other, there’s a bond and attraction between neither of them can deny.
I absolutely loved how powerful and sex positive Tara was from the start, though she did sometimes let her needs get the better of her at inopportune moments - which gets her engaged to not only a bloodthirsty warrior king, but to a gross demon as well. But, it was pretty funny how she got into these predicaments and was forced to deal with some consequences.
I also thoroughly enjoyed Zale - possessive, grumpy, a downright dick at times….. but soft for Tara despite having a shadow heart that makes him the best warrior ever. The way he logically doesn’t want to want Tara but she gets under his skin and makes him gentle with her had me giddy and wanting more.
I really loved the side characters as well - Rani, Malika and Pia were all such a fun group on Tara’s side, and I also really enjoyed Kai, Raen and Atax from Zale’s side.
Spice was mild but I have seen that it will get spicier through the series which I’m excited for because the tension between Tara and Zale had me ready to beg them to just fuck already and then stupid demons had to ruin the moment
I absolutely loved how powerful and sex positive Tara was from the start, though she did sometimes let her needs get the better of her at inopportune moments - which gets her engaged to not only a bloodthirsty warrior king, but to a gross demon as well. But, it was pretty funny how she got into these predicaments and was forced to deal with some consequences.
I also thoroughly enjoyed Zale - possessive, grumpy, a downright dick at times….. but soft for Tara despite having a shadow heart that makes him the best warrior ever. The way he logically doesn’t want to want Tara but she gets under his skin and makes him gentle with her had me giddy and wanting more.
I really loved the side characters as well - Rani, Malika and Pia were all such a fun group on Tara’s side, and I also really enjoyed Kai, Raen and Atax from Zale’s side.
Spice was mild but I have seen that it will get spicier through the series which I’m excited for because the tension between Tara and Zale had me ready to beg them to just fuck already and then stupid demons had to ruin the moment
hedgehognerd's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you for this book which I received as E-ARC for an honest review.
3.5 ⭐️
The story is definitely new adult fantasy romance, the main character knew what she wanted sexually, which felt empowering.
There was one point where she used her power with a very strange outcome and this took me back a lot and I felt it was put in for shock factor maybe, I didn’t get it but I persevered and ignored this aspect of the story so it lost some stars there for me.
There is plenty of action and fantasy based tropes, which I loved. Overall I really enjoyed it and will be continuing the series and checking out other work by this author.
3.5 ⭐️
The story is definitely new adult fantasy romance, the main character knew what she wanted sexually, which felt empowering.
There was one point where she used her power with a very strange outcome and this took me back a lot and I felt it was put in for shock factor maybe, I didn’t get it but I persevered and ignored this aspect of the story so it lost some stars there for me.
There is plenty of action and fantasy based tropes, which I loved. Overall I really enjoyed it and will be continuing the series and checking out other work by this author.
zydecovivo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
brytanykb's review against another edition
3.0
3⭐️
I felt a little disconnected from the characters, especially Altara. She was focused so heavily on sex that it took away from what was going on around her. The politics, danger and trauma. The side characters all had a role to play and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens with everyone. The last 20% of the book was fast paced and it had me hooked. I have such high expectations for this trilogy after reading Saraya’s story.
I felt a little disconnected from the characters, especially Altara. She was focused so heavily on sex that it took away from what was going on around her. The politics, danger and trauma. The side characters all had a role to play and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens with everyone. The last 20% of the book was fast paced and it had me hooked. I have such high expectations for this trilogy after reading Saraya’s story.
maria_1124's review against another edition
5.0
An amazing book.
I loved how authentic and culture filled it was, unlike other books in the ya and fantasy genre.
I absolutely adored the authenticity of all the characters specifically the female ones. They were dressed in beautiful clothes, they were feminine and sexual unlike most written female characters.
I absolutely loved the journey they each were going through and obviously the tension between the love interests.
10 out of 10 would read again!
I loved how authentic and culture filled it was, unlike other books in the ya and fantasy genre.
I absolutely adored the authenticity of all the characters specifically the female ones. They were dressed in beautiful clothes, they were feminine and sexual unlike most written female characters.
I absolutely loved the journey they each were going through and obviously the tension between the love interests.
10 out of 10 would read again!
selsbookcorner's review against another edition
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow, just wow. When I saw this beautifully done cover art, I had to pick this book up immediately, and what can I say? It was one of my best book decisions, and I'm so happy I found this gem. This was my first read from this author, and you bet it won't be my last, especially after I found out there already is a trilogy revolving around Altara's sister.
E.P. Bali's writing is fantastic and made this book such a pleasure to read. Altara is now part of my favorite female characters of all time. I love that she is such a powerful woman that knows exactly what she wants and how she will get it. Now Zale and his brothers? I can't tell you which one of these hot men I'd want for myself but the choice would probably be all. Altara's girl group has my heart, and I can't wait to read more about them, especially Pia. And can we just talk about the diversity in this book? It was amazing to see so much rep in this, and I am desperate to read the next installment of this trilogy!
Thank you E.P. Bali, BooksGoSocial, and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy, all opinions on this book are mine.
Wow, just wow. When I saw this beautifully done cover art, I had to pick this book up immediately, and what can I say? It was one of my best book decisions, and I'm so happy I found this gem. This was my first read from this author, and you bet it won't be my last, especially after I found out there already is a trilogy revolving around Altara's sister.
E.P. Bali's writing is fantastic and made this book such a pleasure to read. Altara is now part of my favorite female characters of all time. I love that she is such a powerful woman that knows exactly what she wants and how she will get it. Now Zale and his brothers? I can't tell you which one of these hot men I'd want for myself but the choice would probably be all. Altara's girl group has my heart, and I can't wait to read more about them, especially Pia. And can we just talk about the diversity in this book? It was amazing to see so much rep in this, and I am desperate to read the next installment of this trilogy!
Thank you E.P. Bali, BooksGoSocial, and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy, all opinions on this book are mine.