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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
slow-paced
dark
emotional
fast-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
I honestly wasn't sure how this was going to end. Lagged a little bit at times - I wish the original story was a little more entwined early on. Almost feels like it was two books mashed together? However, I love how Heather Walters writes and the slow descent into darkness was so cool. Give me more tragic queers.
adventurous
dark
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
I tried, I really did.
It started off slow but I'm okay with that when it comes to fantasies. The world building and character introduction can take time (not always, but it can). However once Ayleth reached the White Palace, a series of convenient events occur to keep the action moving. And the few mysterious happenings I read before I quit were obvious, things I spotted a mile away.
For a villain origin story, there's a surprising lack of tension. It should be there, the backstory is set up to support it, but the execution misses the mark. And this should not have been marketed as a romantasy! The romance is weak and doesn't seem to drive much of the story. I have no idea why Ayleth and Jacquetta like/liked each other.
I skimmed a lot once I realized it wasn't going to hook me in. It shouldn't take getting 35% into a book to meet the first interesting character (Princess Blodwyn). As I think back on them to write this review, the characters kind of all blend together. It's a shame because this premise is intriguing and I think it could've been really good if it had been developed a bit more.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Del Rey, and the author for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.
It started off slow but I'm okay with that when it comes to fantasies. The world building and character introduction can take time (not always, but it can). However once Ayleth reached the White Palace, a series of convenient events occur to keep the action moving. And the few mysterious happenings I read before I quit were obvious, things I spotted a mile away.
For a villain origin story, there's a surprising lack of tension. It should be there, the backstory is set up to support it, but the execution misses the mark. And this should not have been marketed as a romantasy! The romance is weak and doesn't seem to drive much of the story. I have no idea why Ayleth and Jacquetta like/liked each other.
I skimmed a lot once I realized it wasn't going to hook me in. It shouldn't take getting 35% into a book to meet the first interesting character (Princess Blodwyn). As I think back on them to write this review, the characters kind of all blend together. It's a shame because this premise is intriguing and I think it could've been really good if it had been developed a bit more.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Del Rey, and the author for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think I would have enjoyed this more if I was either a teenager or more of a moody Judy.