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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
I thought this was a good balance of fantasy and romance. I really appreciated that this was a slow burn. It was cheesy sometimes but I think the overall plot and world building covered for the cheesiness. I think the way the world was build was great! It wasn't given all at once, but was told to us through expressions and comparisons the characters and shown through the setting. I love Sefa and Marek and that they stay in the book . I hope that I see them again in the second book! I liked that what Sylvia wanted what wasn't what many jasadis wanted. I liked that she had to relearn her kingdom as an adult opposed to her knowledge as a child. I thought Soraya was a really interesting character. She's a character I would usually root for in these books, but here she's a villian and I wanted to know more about her. Arin seemed a typical enemies to lovers male lead. I hope we'll see more of him in book 2. Though, I did love most of his scenes with Sylvia! I can see where some of book 2 is going. I'm excited to read it!!
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
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
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
adventurous
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
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Honestly a miracle that I finished this. I cared about no one and nothing in this book. Almost DNFed like 6 different times, only finished it for the buddy read 🤡
Sylvia was a drag, Arin only developed a personality in the last 15% of the book, and Sefa and Marek were like damsels in distress that were only brought out as a plot device for Sylvia. And the LORE DUMPING. Bruh, pls, show, don't tell. There was so much info dumping in the first 20% that I honestly just stopped trying to keep track of anything I was reading. Subsequently, any bombs dropped in the story did not hit because I didn't know or care what was happening. Still don't understand the magic system.
Sylvia was a drag, Arin only developed a personality in the last 15% of the book, and Sefa and Marek were like damsels in distress that were only brought out as a plot device for Sylvia. And the LORE DUMPING. Bruh, pls, show, don't tell. There was so much info dumping in the first 20% that I honestly just stopped trying to keep track of anything I was reading. Subsequently, any bombs dropped in the story did not hit because I didn't know or care what was happening. Still don't understand the magic system.
3.8.
The third act was unfortunately underwhelming, the trials a bit confusing, the pacing and story choppy. Somehow, not only were the trials under-explained, but they were also boringly formulaic. Sylvia arrived at (insert) kingdom, learned about the culture/met one stand-out character, fought in a short trial that wasn't convincingly threatening, and promptly passed out and woke up on the way to the next kingdom. There also wasn't a strong foundation for why the trials existed or what happened to the victors after winning. There was seemingly no point to any of it, and I found myself a bit bored by them.
In retrospect, not much truly happened for the first 3/4ths of the book until suddenly everything was happening at once in a vague amalgamation of a checklist. There was no time to breathe between the final trial (or lack thereof), the predictable attack of the Mufsids, Arin and Sylvia finally getting together, and the final feast. There were so many moving parts that Soraya's ending didn't have the impact it should have, and was in fact spelled out for the reader during the last 1/4th of the book, killing all anticipation and build-up. It was still an enjoyable read, but I'm crossing my fingers that the next book is a bit better.
"I had made a vow against intoxication, but I would recant immediately for a chance to savor the decadence of him."
Also, if you liked A Broken Blade, you'll probably like this.
The third act was unfortunately underwhelming, the trials a bit confusing, the pacing and story choppy. Somehow, not only were the trials under-explained, but they were also boringly formulaic. Sylvia arrived at (insert) kingdom, learned about the culture/met one stand-out character, fought in a short trial that wasn't convincingly threatening, and promptly passed out and woke up on the way to the next kingdom. There also wasn't a strong foundation for why the trials existed or what happened to the victors after winning. There was seemingly no point to any of it, and I found myself a bit bored by them.
In retrospect, not much truly happened for the first 3/4ths of the book until suddenly everything was happening at once in a vague amalgamation of a checklist. There was no time to breathe between the final trial (or lack thereof), the predictable attack of the Mufsids, Arin and Sylvia finally getting together, and the final feast. There were so many moving parts that Soraya's ending didn't have the impact it should have, and was in fact spelled out for the reader during the last 1/4th of the book, killing all anticipation and build-up. It was still an enjoyable read, but I'm crossing my fingers that the next book is a bit better.
"I had made a vow against intoxication, but I would recant immediately for a chance to savor the decadence of him."
Also, if you liked A Broken Blade, you'll probably like this.
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
This is a FANTASTIC debut novel! High Fantasy with a slow burn enemies to maybe lovers subplot - just what I like! The pacing was solid and the writing beautifully described this Egyptia inspired world. I love when a book goes into detail about the cuisine!!
The political intrigue and God lore really kept me invested and I did not call any of the plot twists! The wit and banter was also stunning! Loved this! There were a couple minor plot holes that dug at me otherwise I would have given this a full 5 stars!
Read if you like
☆Trials
☆Reluctant Heros and Allies
☆ Rich world building
☆ Enemies to Lovers
The political intrigue and God lore really kept me invested and I did not call any of the plot twists! The wit and banter was also stunning! Loved this! There were a couple minor plot holes that dug at me otherwise I would have given this a full 5 stars!
Read if you like
☆Trials
☆Reluctant Heros and Allies
☆ Rich world building
☆ Enemies to Lovers
emotional
inspiring
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
adventurous
informative
sad
tense
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