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moonstalker's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
clockworkbook's review
4.0
4.25 - This is a very pleasant surprise. It was cover infatuation at first, but I actually enjoy 'Amber and Shadow'. Which, in all honesty, is rare due to being based on Bully, Enemies to Lovers and Academy/University tropes. The Academy worked this time (for me) because they are 20-25, not teenagers. I still hate the Bullying aspect and it is quite nasty in the beginning. 'Amber and Shadow' is a slow-burn romance, but according to Marie Mackay, the second book has the "spice payoff" and book three even more according to the acknowledgments.
Emerald and Flame, Book 2: June 1, 2022
Lilac and Thorn, Book 3: July 1, 2022
Possibly Spoiler...
Other than my general dislike of the tropes, my main issue revolves around the powers and secrets. If you know that you and others can use "stealth" (a veil that shifts conscious eyes away from caster.), wouldn't a counter be available or you would really go out of your way to have private conversations, especially to your secrets?
CW/TW: Cheating(ish) and OW drama, mostly secrets and misperception. Per author - ...exploration of violence, suicide and mature sexual situations. The first three chapters have heavier themes of bullying and intimidation. Please read at your discretion.
Emerald and Flame, Book 2: June 1, 2022
Lilac and Thorn, Book 3: July 1, 2022
Possibly Spoiler...
Other than my general dislike of the tropes, my main issue revolves around the powers and secrets. If you know that you and others can use "stealth" (a veil that shifts conscious eyes away from caster.), wouldn't a counter be available or you would really go out of your way to have private conversations, especially to your secrets?
CW/TW: Cheating(ish) and OW drama, mostly secrets and misperception. Per author - ...exploration of violence, suicide and mature sexual situations. The first three chapters have heavier themes of bullying and intimidation. Please read at your discretion.
kennys's review
2.0
This book is written as though you need to read a novella before it to understand what is going on.
2/5 stars, DNF.
2/5 stars, DNF.
rae_shutupandbookup's review
3.0
eArC reader
This is my honest opinion and there may be a couple of spoilers. I would rate this book 3.5 stars mainly because of my personal preferences.
I agree with whoever said that this book is Hogwarts only full of demons and monsters. Some don't even have the actual monster look, just look like humans. When I read the short intro to the book all I could think was Dragon Age.
Briar is a low born who enrolled and is soon to enlist to help fight the Breach. And the demons that wish to pour out of the Breach. But first she has to tackle three long terms at the Dusk Wall Academy. Upon initiation she tactfully or stupidly makes a snap decision that soon defines her academy life.
Thrust into an unbreakable bond with the notorious Sylas, Briar regrets everything. More than her past she's running from and wishing to forget. Until she's stronger and able to take revenge. First she must survive the trail of Sylas and his guard dog, Axel.
Both men not liking her at all and even bullying her. For me personally I didn't enjoy the extent of the bullying. This is a dark fantasy and I think the author is going with enemies to lovers scenario. But damn, the male leads are rather cruel. Honestly wanted to punch both men in the face constantly.
We follow the story of Brair trying to navigate and survive. While constantly being reminded that she is a low born and pathetic. Having barely any magical attributes and being weak physically. School is harder for our female lead and the two male leads do not help.
Brair wishes to endure and survive. To get through the first trial of the semester and find out her form. Because what better way to fight unruly demons than with demons. She must kill a demon for her soul to combine with theirs. Fighting at the Breach isn't the only goal Briar has in mind. She strives to surpass all of this and get on track to her real goal.
Okay so maybe a spoiler, but I didn't like how the two male leads treated Briar. Right down to our female lead snapping at one of them stating that she's a human being. To me, personal feelings, it was rather toxic. Again I wanted to punch both male leads.
I don't know if I will be continuing the series. I did love the fantasy and the lacing of demons. The author provided a lot of twists. Some I didn't see coming. But the dynamic between the leads? I want to see Brair get stronger and put the two male leads in their place. The guys I wanted to like and did like them a little more toward the end. Just a little. Their toxic behavior starting out very strong and lessening a little toward the end of the book. Still I wasn't a fan of the bullying and the lines the two males crossed.
I guess I'm just rather head strong and would get a demon of protection. I may read the next book but I am still on the fence. The story ends on a cliffhanger to drive you into the next book. There isn't a happy ending because again this is a series. Can't tie up everything in book one.
Again, this review is my personal opinion and preferences. This may be something you would absolutely love. Whatever you decide, enjoy the book and give the author some stars.
This is my honest opinion and there may be a couple of spoilers. I would rate this book 3.5 stars mainly because of my personal preferences.
I agree with whoever said that this book is Hogwarts only full of demons and monsters. Some don't even have the actual monster look, just look like humans. When I read the short intro to the book all I could think was Dragon Age.
Briar is a low born who enrolled and is soon to enlist to help fight the Breach. And the demons that wish to pour out of the Breach. But first she has to tackle three long terms at the Dusk Wall Academy. Upon initiation she tactfully or stupidly makes a snap decision that soon defines her academy life.
Thrust into an unbreakable bond with the notorious Sylas, Briar regrets everything. More than her past she's running from and wishing to forget. Until she's stronger and able to take revenge. First she must survive the trail of Sylas and his guard dog, Axel.
Both men not liking her at all and even bullying her. For me personally I didn't enjoy the extent of the bullying. This is a dark fantasy and I think the author is going with enemies to lovers scenario. But damn, the male leads are rather cruel. Honestly wanted to punch both men in the face constantly.
We follow the story of Brair trying to navigate and survive. While constantly being reminded that she is a low born and pathetic. Having barely any magical attributes and being weak physically. School is harder for our female lead and the two male leads do not help.
Brair wishes to endure and survive. To get through the first trial of the semester and find out her form. Because what better way to fight unruly demons than with demons. She must kill a demon for her soul to combine with theirs. Fighting at the Breach isn't the only goal Briar has in mind. She strives to surpass all of this and get on track to her real goal.
Okay so maybe a spoiler, but I didn't like how the two male leads treated Briar. Right down to our female lead snapping at one of them stating that she's a human being. To me, personal feelings, it was rather toxic. Again I wanted to punch both male leads.
I don't know if I will be continuing the series. I did love the fantasy and the lacing of demons. The author provided a lot of twists. Some I didn't see coming. But the dynamic between the leads? I want to see Brair get stronger and put the two male leads in their place. The guys I wanted to like and did like them a little more toward the end. Just a little. Their toxic behavior starting out very strong and lessening a little toward the end of the book. Still I wasn't a fan of the bullying and the lines the two males crossed.
I guess I'm just rather head strong and would get a demon of protection. I may read the next book but I am still on the fence. The story ends on a cliffhanger to drive you into the next book. There isn't a happy ending because again this is a series. Can't tie up everything in book one.
Again, this review is my personal opinion and preferences. This may be something you would absolutely love. Whatever you decide, enjoy the book and give the author some stars.
mrsjohnson829's review
5.0
I wanted so much not to like Axel or Sylas but I can't help but love them both. This is such a good book. A little confusing when the pov switches and doesn't say whose it is right away but it wasn't enough to stop my from reading. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book.
mousegrey's review
4.0
It takes a bit to get into- I’m not a fan of getting ten chapters of world building before a hint of story, but this is WAY in the opposite direction, and the world is fairly unique to me- here, vamps ARE shifters. Many of the characters we meet have or will (or at least will attempt to) draw a demon to them, which they will kill with a knife, to bond to its power. This is, by the way, how they can become vamp shifters. There’s also different cultures, not just rich and poor, which is always nice to see.
TL:DR it’s a bit of a culture shock when you start reading, but the sooner you ease up and just accept you’ll learn as you go, the sooner you’ll start enjoying the book.
TL:DR it’s a bit of a culture shock when you start reading, but the sooner you ease up and just accept you’ll learn as you go, the sooner you’ll start enjoying the book.
naiapard's review
2.0
For this book the blurb convinced me because I liked how it boldly broke the fourth wall (I am not a fan of breaking the fourth wall, but in this case seemed cool).
Anyways, the book was a bit weird, not in that sexy cool way.
He reached up, fingers splaying along her cheeks, and she couldn’t stop the hitch in her breathing as he renewed his touch. “Is that what makes me sick?” he asked.
All I have to say about the romantic part is that that relationship was too toxic even for a YA.
glavo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
amy_sutt's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0