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challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Trafficking, Sexual harassment, War
SO many things here. I just finished this book and I feel really uncomfortable with many parts. I think starting with first and foremost: if you want to write a romance where the HEA involves a colonizer and a slave, then you should really a) make sure that the audience knows the colonizer doesn't actually believe in slaves/doesn't uphold that power dynamic in their relationship b) make sure the tension and romance is realistic and present c) maybe market the book not as a warrior saving his love but as an enslaver literally finding his fated mate and making her be his slave. Publishers- you gotta do better with checking white women and their propensity to rewrite stories that glorify white men who are only somewhat mediocre. Everything about this was so disappointing: the dragons always have potential, but then it's just outlawed and nothing really happens? Rape and vile men.... And just. I would love a romantasy to be original and not have a system that is based in the degradation of women and people of color. Like, let's be more creative than our current systems of oppression just regurgitated back while STILL making it seem like that it's NOT ALL WHITE PEOPLE ARE EVIL. God, I'm so over it. There's so much more to say, but I literally don't want to spend more time on this book. The writing was flat, the tension was not tensioning, the description of the "tethering" was not impressive nor was it compelling. I was hopeful from the beginning with the Minerva telling but Juliette really did Malina dirty. and Lela. That chapter at the end- truly vile. Both Lela and Malina deserve so much more than the colonizers/enslavers they are being paired with. ALSO- ROME WAS GAY AS FUCK. WHERE IS THE QUEERNESS? Seriously tho- this is just another example writing minorities out of history. Basically- white women need to sit the fuck down and get in the back of the line when it comes to romantasy and/or re-imagining history with white people as the heros. Okay I lied before because clearly I'm all bent out of shape but truly. I will not give this anymore time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Cultural appropriation, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Classism
Thank you to NetGalley, Juliette Cross, and Macmillan Audio for allowing me access to the e-arc.
The audiobook: 5 stars
Blair Dade and Kale Williams's audiobook brought to life was well done. I enjoyed the way the audiobook was done. It was entertaining, and I could truly feel how the characters were feeling. I will pick up another audiobook by these narrators.
The book: 4.5 stars
I would like to start by saying that if you haven’t read any dragon shifter books, this one could be shocking at times. I would not recommend it as a beginner dragon shifter Romance. I knew this book was going to be dark, considering the setting, but it still shocked me a bit. Just keep in mind that the women are property or a prize.
But with all things considered, I fell in love with this book because of Malina and Julian. Malina is a strong FMC who is so sick of the tyrannical rule. She has been blessed with “witch” powers. I adored the story beyond women getting these incredible gifts. I do hope that comes into play even more in the next book. Julian was not what I expected he would be. It is known pretty early on that he wants things to be different than the way his uncle is ruling. If he was just as gross as the other males then I would have given this book a lower rating but thankfully that is not the case.
The audiobook: 5 stars
Blair Dade and Kale Williams's audiobook brought to life was well done. I enjoyed the way the audiobook was done. It was entertaining, and I could truly feel how the characters were feeling. I will pick up another audiobook by these narrators.
The book: 4.5 stars
I would like to start by saying that if you haven’t read any dragon shifter books, this one could be shocking at times. I would not recommend it as a beginner dragon shifter Romance. I knew this book was going to be dark, considering the setting, but it still shocked me a bit. Just keep in mind that the women are property or a prize.
But with all things considered, I fell in love with this book because of Malina and Julian. Malina is a strong FMC who is so sick of the tyrannical rule. She has been blessed with “witch” powers. I adored the story beyond women getting these incredible gifts. I do hope that comes into play even more in the next book. Julian was not what I expected he would be. It is known pretty early on that he wants things to be different than the way his uncle is ruling. If he was just as gross as the other males then I would have given this book a lower rating but thankfully that is not the case.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Slavery, Murder, Sexual harassment
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Liked
*Malina is a decent character who knows how to use what she has to survive
*Duel cast narrated audiobook
*Dragon shifters
Disliked
*This is a master/slave romance dynamic that is disguised as fated mates AND captor/captive. Someone really didnt want to label a spade a spade. If they weren't fated mates I honestly don't understand how she would be attracted to a man who makes her a slave and doesn't even offer her the chance to just pretend to be submissive when strangers are around to protect her.
*This is labeled dark fantasy and the dark element is basically rape and sexual aggression toward women which felt like a lazy way to assert that the mmc is the "good guy" because he doesn't act the same.
*I was drawn to this story because the fmc is a witch but that is such a minor element of the story. Her magic is sporadic
*The mmc is the cliche "good guy masquerading as a bad guy" the only reason I let his "good slave owner" go is because I remembered this is a historical and he as an upper class member had to own slaves to appear the complacent follower.
*This isn't what I would call a fantasy romance. Its set in ancient rome (that's not fantasy) The only fantastical element is the dragons so I'd say more dark paranormal historical
*The smut scenes were cringy with the "you're mine" "who do you belong to" talk especially as she is still acting as his slave and the use of words like quim was revolting and odd since the characters use pussy also so why the need for such a cringe alternative just stick with what works.
*Why are the Roman's dragons?? Did I miss that lore? Feels like no reason at all except to add dragons into an otherwise dark historical romance.
*The author labels the rape scene to a side character as dubious consent.....NO ITS NOT. When the character has no chance to say no because if she does she or her husband could be killed that's not dubious and the implied, "she wanted it because she was wet" is just so fucking disgusting and is NOT DUBIOUS CONSENT!!!!!
2⭐️, 3🌶, 0 🧪
Rating, smut, chemistry
*Malina is a decent character who knows how to use what she has to survive
*Duel cast narrated audiobook
*Dragon shifters
Disliked
*This is a master/slave romance dynamic that is disguised as fated mates AND captor/captive. Someone really didnt want to label a spade a spade. If they weren't fated mates I honestly don't understand how she would be attracted to a man who makes her a slave and doesn't even offer her the chance to just pretend to be submissive when strangers are around to protect her.
*This is labeled dark fantasy and the dark element is basically rape and sexual aggression toward women which felt like a lazy way to assert that the mmc is the "good guy" because he doesn't act the same.
*I was drawn to this story because the fmc is a witch but that is such a minor element of the story. Her magic is sporadic
*The mmc is the cliche "good guy masquerading as a bad guy" the only reason I let his "good slave owner" go is because I remembered this is a historical and he as an upper class member had to own slaves to appear the complacent follower.
*This isn't what I would call a fantasy romance. Its set in ancient rome (that's not fantasy) The only fantastical element is the dragons so I'd say more dark paranormal historical
*The smut scenes were cringy with the "you're mine" "who do you belong to" talk especially as she is still acting as his slave and the use of words like quim was revolting and odd since the characters use pussy also so why the need for such a cringe alternative just stick with what works.
*Why are the Roman's dragons?? Did I miss that lore? Feels like no reason at all except to add dragons into an otherwise dark historical romance.
*The author labels the rape scene to a side character as dubious consent.....NO ITS NOT. When the character has no chance to say no because if she does she or her husband could be killed that's not dubious and the implied, "she wanted it because she was wet" is just so fucking disgusting and is NOT DUBIOUS CONSENT!!!!!
2⭐️, 3🌶, 0 🧪
Rating, smut, chemistry
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Sexual harassment
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
🇫🇷French & English reviews🇬🇧
*Cette chronique est basée sur un NetGalley ARC en échange d'un avis neutre et honnête*
Genre & Tropes : Romantasy x Historical x Roman empire x Dragon x Mythology x Slave / Master x Mate-at-first-sight
Un premier tome d'une série qui promet beaucoup et que j'ai lu avec plaisir
Quand j'ai appris que Juliette Cross (une auteure que j'adore, notamment pour ses séries Stay a Spell (qui existe maintenant en français sous le titre Un loup bien relou !) et Vampire Blood) allait écrire une série avec des vibes d'empire romain ET de dragons, j'étais aux anges ! Je ne suis pas toujours une grande fan des dragons mais J'ADORE l'Empire romain !! Alors avoir un ARC ... <3
Après avoir fini ce livre, je suis un peu partagée :
- j'ai dévoré ce livre, vibré avec les personnages (ET TELLEMENT STRESSE notamment à cause de Cyprian !! Certains moments étaient hyper tendus mais j'ai aimé qu'on ne tombe pas dans le glauque !) et j'ai eu un ENORME coup de coeur pour l'univers qui était aussi génial que ce que j'imaginais (toute cette revisite de l'empire romain mais mélangée avec le foklore des dragons ... GENIAL !)
MAIS
- il m'a manquée un petit quelque chose pour que ce soit un coup de coeur ... J'aurais voulu passer plus de temps à apprendre à connaitre les personnages et à découvrir tout l'univers (je voulais explorer Rome et tout le foklore lié aux dragons !) !
J'aurais voulu une intrigue plus tordue et poussée et un slow burn pour les personnages (surtout étant donné la position esclave d'un peuple qui a été opprimé par les romains / maître et général romain connu pour sa cruauté !)
J'attends donc le deuxième tome avec impatience pour me prononcer définitivement pour cette série, même si je ne sais pas si j'aimerais autant Trajan et Lela que Milena et Julian (MAIS je suis hyper curieuse pour les barbares dragons !)
Bref, un premier tome de romantasy que j'ai lu avec plaisir et qui promet une série forte en rebondissements !
PS2 : to the publisher and Netgalley, thank you so much for the ARC =D
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
*This review is based on a NetGalley ARC in exchange for a neutral and honest review*
A first book of a series that promises a lot and that I read with pleasure
When I learned that Juliette Cross (an author that I love, especially for her series Stay a Spell and Vampire Blood) was going to write a series with Roman empire AND dragon vibes, I was over the moon ! I'm not always a big fan of dragons but I LOVE the Roman Empire !! So having an ARC ... <3
After finishing this book, I'm a little torn :
- I devoured this book, vibrated with the characters (AND STRESSED SO MUCH especially because of Cyprian !! Some moments were super tense but I liked that we didn't fall into the gloomy and really awful !) and I had a HUGE crush on the universe which was as great as what I imagined (all this revisiting of the Roman empire but mixed with the folklore of dragons ... BRILLIANT !)
BUT
- I missed a little something for it to be a favorite ... I would have liked to spend more time getting to know the characters and discovering the whole universe (I wanted to explore Rome and all the folklore related to dragons !) !
I would have liked a more twisted and advanced plot and a slow burn for the characters (especially given the slave position of a person who were oppressed by the Romans / Roman master and general known for his cruelty !)
So I'm impatiently waiting for the second book to make a final decision for this series, even if I don't know if I would like Trajan and Lela as much as Milena and Julian (BUT I am very curious about the dragon barbarians !)
In short, a first book of romantasy that I read with pleasure and which promises a series full of twists and turns !
PS2: to the publisher and Netgalley, thank you so much for the ARC =D
*Cette chronique est basée sur un NetGalley ARC en échange d'un avis neutre et honnête*
Genre & Tropes : Romantasy x Historical x Roman empire x Dragon x Mythology x Slave / Master x Mate-at-first-sight
Un premier tome d'une série qui promet beaucoup et que j'ai lu avec plaisir
Quand j'ai appris que Juliette Cross (une auteure que j'adore, notamment pour ses séries Stay a Spell (qui existe maintenant en français sous le titre Un loup bien relou !) et Vampire Blood) allait écrire une série avec des vibes d'empire romain ET de dragons, j'étais aux anges ! Je ne suis pas toujours une grande fan des dragons mais J'ADORE l'Empire romain !! Alors avoir un ARC ... <3
Après avoir fini ce livre, je suis un peu partagée :
- j'ai dévoré ce livre, vibré avec les personnages (ET TELLEMENT STRESSE notamment à cause de Cyprian !! Certains moments étaient hyper tendus mais j'ai aimé qu'on ne tombe pas dans le glauque !) et j'ai eu un ENORME coup de coeur pour l'univers qui était aussi génial que ce que j'imaginais (toute cette revisite de l'empire romain mais mélangée avec le foklore des dragons ... GENIAL !)
MAIS
- il m'a manquée un petit quelque chose pour que ce soit un coup de coeur ... J'aurais voulu passer plus de temps à apprendre à connaitre les personnages et à découvrir tout l'univers (je voulais explorer Rome et tout le foklore lié aux dragons !) !
J'aurais voulu une intrigue plus tordue et poussée et un slow burn pour les personnages (surtout étant donné la position esclave d'un peuple qui a été opprimé par les romains / maître et général romain connu pour sa cruauté !)
J'attends donc le deuxième tome avec impatience pour me prononcer définitivement pour cette série, même si je ne sais pas si j'aimerais autant Trajan et Lela que Milena et Julian (MAIS je suis hyper curieuse pour les barbares dragons !)
Bref, un premier tome de romantasy que j'ai lu avec plaisir et qui promet une série forte en rebondissements !
PS2 : to the publisher and Netgalley, thank you so much for the ARC =D
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
*This review is based on a NetGalley ARC in exchange for a neutral and honest review*
A first book of a series that promises a lot and that I read with pleasure
When I learned that Juliette Cross (an author that I love, especially for her series Stay a Spell and Vampire Blood) was going to write a series with Roman empire AND dragon vibes, I was over the moon ! I'm not always a big fan of dragons but I LOVE the Roman Empire !! So having an ARC ... <3
After finishing this book, I'm a little torn :
- I devoured this book, vibrated with the characters (AND STRESSED SO MUCH especially because of Cyprian !! Some moments were super tense but I liked that we didn't fall into the gloomy and really awful !) and I had a HUGE crush on the universe which was as great as what I imagined (all this revisiting of the Roman empire but mixed with the folklore of dragons ... BRILLIANT !)
BUT
- I missed a little something for it to be a favorite ... I would have liked to spend more time getting to know the characters and discovering the whole universe (I wanted to explore Rome and all the folklore related to dragons !) !
I would have liked a more twisted and advanced plot and a slow burn for the characters (especially given the slave position of a person who were oppressed by the Romans / Roman master and general known for his cruelty !)
So I'm impatiently waiting for the second book to make a final decision for this series, even if I don't know if I would like Trajan and Lela as much as Milena and Julian (BUT I am very curious about the dragon barbarians !)
In short, a first book of romantasy that I read with pleasure and which promises a series full of twists and turns !
PS2: to the publisher and Netgalley, thank you so much for the ARC =D
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Deportation