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l_e_lavalle's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
<nospoilers>
It has no reread value. It was fun on the first read but when I tried to read it again it was just boring and I quit. The characters were horrible people, not because of some great backstory but just because they were.
It has no reread value. It was fun on the first read but when I tried to read it again it was just boring and I quit. The characters were horrible people, not because of some great backstory but just because they were.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Violence, and Death of parent
estormer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Violence
piperclover's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I thought I would hate this but by the end of the first chapter I was enthralled. These characters are so bad and messy but I still loved every bit of their story. The ending is such a huge let down though so that's why its not rated higher. It will bother some people that there isn't more ruthless fighting or scheming on Alessandra's behalf but I actually appreciated that that part faded a bit to the background. This is one of the first fantasies where I actually do understand why the love interest is the love interest.
Neither the king nor the Alessandra are good people. They both are incredibly morally grey but so blatant and ouward about it, you can't help but root for them. Theres a lot of really great themes like female friendship, sexually independent women, and women's rights generally. Alessandra is the quintessential "im here for women's rights AND women's wrongs" and the king cheers her on which is just so fun to watch.
Neither the king nor the Alessandra are good people. They both are incredibly morally grey but so blatant and ouward about it, you can't help but root for them. Theres a lot of really great themes like female friendship, sexually independent women, and women's rights generally. Alessandra is the quintessential "im here for women's rights AND women's wrongs" and the king cheers her on which is just so fun to watch.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
makenna_reads's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Violence
liferhi_inspired's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5/5 Stars
📝 1st Person POV, Bisexual side characters
I have to admit, I have high expectations when it comes to FMCs. This book delivered! Alessandra is an amazing morally gray character from the very beginning and I couldn’t get enough of her.
I enjoyed the overall storyline; there were a few mysteries sprinkled throughout the story to keep the plot moving forward at a great pace. The idea of the shadows was such a cool concept. I do wish there was a bit more world building, I never really got a feel for what was outside of the palace walls.
📝 1st Person POV, Bisexual side characters
I have to admit, I have high expectations when it comes to FMCs. This book delivered! Alessandra is an amazing morally gray character from the very beginning and I couldn’t get enough of her.
I enjoyed the overall storyline; there were a few mysteries sprinkled throughout the story to keep the plot moving forward at a great pace. The idea of the shadows was such a cool concept. I do wish there was a bit more world building, I never really got a feel for what was outside of the palace walls.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death of parent
lucymae0515's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
tense
slow-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? Yes
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content
karelidz's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Hmm.. I don´t know...
I thought it would be better. I was expecting it to be better.
It was fine, but i feel like it mostly left me confused with the way the mystery was solved. I was enjoying it and then the ending left me like: "???? THATS the ending?"
It also seemed to me that the secondary characters weren´t thaat fleshed out. I kept forgetting who was who; they all sounded the same.
Also, i feel like there might be plot-holes..?
Idk, either way it was an enjoyable read. Might not reread or buy a physical copy of the book but i had a good time reading it. Might have liked a bit more spice as it's what i think they call a "closed door" romance/situation. But it was over-all fine
I thought it would be better. I was expecting it to be better.
It was fine, but i feel like it mostly left me confused with the way the mystery was solved. I was enjoying it and then the ending left me like: "???? THATS the ending?"
It also seemed to me that the secondary characters weren´t thaat fleshed out. I kept forgetting who was who; they all sounded the same.
Also, i feel like there might be plot-holes..?
Idk, either way it was an enjoyable read. Might not reread or buy a physical copy of the book but i had a good time reading it. Might have liked a bit more spice as it's what i think they call a "closed door" romance/situation. But it was over-all fine
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol, Blood, Death of parent, Death, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Violence
forgottencupoftea's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
This book had been on my "want to read" shelf for two whole years before I finally picked it up! (we have my "to be read jar" to thank for that) Imagine my disappointment when I quickly realized this wasn’t going to be a hit for me...
I did not like the writing style: it is simple, plain and bland. It is extremely descriptive too, everything is described in excessive detail: how the clothes look, how the room is set, where the characters are sitting... Most of those details are unimportant and contribute nothing to the story. In fact, I find that the actual storytelling ends up drowned in all those unnecessary elements which is a shame. On top of the narration being too descriptive, the dialogues were rather cringe-worthy. I also found the cuts and the chapter division to be awkward and seldom in the right places.
(I can’t help but point out that both the author AND the editor/editing team are at fault here.)
Alessandra is described as cunning and selfish, she is supposed to be a woman who knows what she wants and stops at nothing to get it. I personally thought that she came across as rude, annoying and bratty even at times. Though she herself did terrible things(she did commit murder at the age of 15 just because a boy had lost interest) , she has this holier-than-thou attitude that I could not stand. The author desperately tried to paint Alessandra as a feminist figure/an empowered woman (going as far as having the character declare "I’m a sexually empowered woman and there is nothing wrong with that.") but, instead, only managed to make her manipulative.
Kallias, the Shadow King, was nothing more than simply okay. He was scary for all of two seconds (chapters?). He softened up very quickly for a King who is supposedly ruthless and has extreme trust issues.
Both Alessandra and Kallias have strong character development, which could have been a good thing except none of it really makes sense. Their change of heart isn’t explained or backed up by actions in the narration. It all comes out of thin air in the last third of the book.
The plot is poorly executed, there are too many events happening quickly and the progression is overall messy. It lacked world-building: Kallias is the King of six (I think) kingdoms and we barely know anything about them. The novel would have benefited from a stronger political/military storyline as the romance was quite bland anyway (it all happens fast and the MCs have little chemistry).
In general, it was a pretty unsatisfying read for me.
Alessandra is described as cunning and selfish, she is supposed to be a woman who knows what she wants and stops at nothing to get it. I personally thought that she came across as rude, annoying and bratty even at times. Though she herself did terrible things
Kallias, the Shadow King, was nothing more than simply okay. He was scary for all of two seconds (chapters?). He softened up very quickly for a King who is supposedly ruthless and has extreme trust issues.
Both Alessandra and Kallias have strong character development, which could have been a good thing except none of it really makes sense. Their change of heart isn’t explained or backed up by actions in the narration. It all comes out of thin air in the last third of the book.
The plot is poorly executed, there are too many events happening quickly and the progression is overall messy. It lacked world-building: Kallias is the King of six (I think) kingdoms and we barely know anything about them. The novel would have benefited from a stronger political/military storyline as the romance was quite bland anyway (it all happens fast and the MCs have little chemistry).
In general, it was a pretty unsatisfying read for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent and Blood
selestre's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Death, Murder, and Violence
brookey8888's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this! I really love the main characters she was probably my favorite part of the book. She was just so strong and unapologetic which I just loved. The romance was cute. I also really enjoyed the friendship aspect of this. The plot was interesting but wasn’t my favorite I just really like the characters and the relationships. I also liked the feminist tones of this book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Violence, Bullying, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Sexism, and Sexual harassment