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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
The author did a signing at the bookstore I work at and so I picked up the book to give it a try. I liked the premise of the book and I thought the characters were very interesting, I'm excited to see what happens in book 2.
More of a 2.5. I have some feelings about this book.
The concept was interesting and so was the overall plot. However. I was this close to chucking it. All of the hot/cold, he loves me/he hates me, "I've gotta be a dick for her own protection" got real old real fast. Also, I'm pretty sure they only knew each other for like 3 days? Tops. Before he was madly "in love". Ugh.
On top of that! That whole show down at the end was totally pointless! They literally could have talked it out. And DID! Eventually. Also Kost has a beast that can heal people! WHY is he not using it? Is Iov not worth summoning a creature so he can be healed?
The concept was interesting and so was the overall plot. However. I was this close to chucking it. All of the hot/cold, he loves me/he hates me, "I've gotta be a dick for her own protection" got real old real fast. Also, I'm pretty sure they only knew each other for like 3 days? Tops. Before he was madly "in love". Ugh.
On top of that! That whole show down at the end was totally pointless! They literally could have talked it out. And DID! Eventually. Also Kost has a beast that can heal people! WHY is he not using it? Is Iov not worth summoning a creature so he can be healed?
I can’t say enough positive things about this book. It hooked me from the beginning. The main character has to sell her magical creatures but as a result she has been sentenced to death. She tells the group of assassins that she is willing to get them beasts so that maybe they will save her life. She also ends up falling for one of them assassins. Such a situation to be in. I couldn’t fall for the one that was going to kill me. But, it sure does make for a great story.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book but took a chance. And I’m glad I did. An interesting and original story. I liked that this isn’t a coming of age or a coming into magic story. The leads are who they are, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t growth and self-discovery. I loved the beasts, and this had more of a fantastical pokemon feel than the comparison made to Fantastic Beasts. There are assassins in this story, but I don’t get the Assassins Creed comparison either. The “guild” is part of the story but it’s not actually about that. This is an adventure story and a quest. I thought all of the good guys were well written, and I am anxious to find out what happens to them.
There were two big problems though. The world building and the bad guys. I never got a clear picture of what kind of world this is. I think it was supposed to be Steam Punkish, but there weren’t clear enough descriptions of the three places visited. Also, the villains were too veiled in secrecy. Even if some characters were in the dark we the readers should’ve been at least clued in on motivations if not detailed plans. That being said I did enjoy this book and I am looking forward to book two.
There were two big problems though. The world building and the bad guys. I never got a clear picture of what kind of world this is. I think it was supposed to be Steam Punkish, but there weren’t clear enough descriptions of the three places visited. Also, the villains were too veiled in secrecy. Even if some characters were in the dark we the readers should’ve been at least clued in on motivations if not detailed plans. That being said I did enjoy this book and I am looking forward to book two.
Review:
I recieved this book from NetGalley for review.
So, this book wasn't as good as I think it could have been. The characters aren't really introduced in a way that made it easy for me to get invested in them, or what they were doing. The worldbuilding was also somewhat weak.
I recieved this book from NetGalley for review.
So, this book wasn't as good as I think it could have been. The characters aren't really introduced in a way that made it easy for me to get invested in them, or what they were doing. The worldbuilding was also somewhat weak.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me with an e-arc via NetGalley.
3 stars
I just couldn't get into this one... and I really, really wanted to!
This was one of my most anticipated reads this year so when I got sent an ARC from the publisher I was ecstatic!
Don't get me wrong here, I very much enjoyed a lot of it. It reminded me so much of Pokemon & Fantastic Beasts which is a huge strong point. What I didn't enjoy too much was the romance in it. I felt it was a little over the top and not really needed to make this a great read. I understand that Leena is a charmer and she carries an aura of it everywhere she goes but the way in which Noc - The master of Cruor Assassins, falls uncontrollably in love with her and is willing to give up everything for this new found love that he just met, seemed a little unbelievable to me.
If anything I would have loved more focus on the personalities of the beasts and the beast world! Those parts were sooo magical and by far my favorite.
The book is very long and not enough detail in the most important areas like world building and character development. I liked the book and I would probably read the next one... but to me it felt like it was missing something.
3 stars
I just couldn't get into this one... and I really, really wanted to!
This was one of my most anticipated reads this year so when I got sent an ARC from the publisher I was ecstatic!
Don't get me wrong here, I very much enjoyed a lot of it. It reminded me so much of Pokemon & Fantastic Beasts which is a huge strong point. What I didn't enjoy too much was the romance in it. I felt it was a little over the top and not really needed to make this a great read. I understand that Leena is a charmer and she carries an aura of it everywhere she goes but the way in which Noc - The master of Cruor Assassins, falls uncontrollably in love with her and is willing to give up everything for this new found love that he just met, seemed a little unbelievable to me.
If anything I would have loved more focus on the personalities of the beasts and the beast world! Those parts were sooo magical and by far my favorite.
The book is very long and not enough detail in the most important areas like world building and character development. I liked the book and I would probably read the next one... but to me it felt like it was missing something.
I honestly would have given this 5 if I could cut out most of the romance stuff... I’m sorry! I didn’t like it and I guess I’m a prude!
I must have missed that it was a romance fantasy even though I see it is printed everywhere.
Otherwise the storyline and the mythical elements were absolutely amazing! It was a slow start for me but from the halfway point I sped through this. We have a great adventure in this fantasy world meeting and capturing mythical beasts. Very much like fantastical beats but more adult I guess, more dangerous. The assassins angle was really exciting and the book was definitely action packed!
I totally didn’t see the ending coming and I cannot wait for the rest of these series.
I must have missed that it was a romance fantasy even though I see it is printed everywhere.
Otherwise the storyline and the mythical elements were absolutely amazing! It was a slow start for me but from the halfway point I sped through this. We have a great adventure in this fantasy world meeting and capturing mythical beasts. Very much like fantastical beats but more adult I guess, more dangerous. The assassins angle was really exciting and the book was definitely action packed!
I totally didn’t see the ending coming and I cannot wait for the rest of these series.
*I received this ARC courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
It has been a while since I fell this much in love with a world and the characters in it. This was such a great story, and I loved every second of it. I honestly can't remember ever coming across a boring part in this book. It was wonderfully paced and held on to my interest until the very end.
I fell head over heels in love with the world and characters Martineau created and I can't wait to delve deeper into this world and learn more about its magic, history, politics, creatures and characters.
I was left wanting a bit more world building, but the story itself made up for it and I'm hoping to get more of that in the coming book(s). I also wanted to get to know the secondary characters better (the assassins), as I found them all very interesting and would've loved to know just a little bit more about them and see their personalities shine through more.
When it comes to the two main characters I really enjoyed their personalities and chemistry. Their relationship did feel somewhat rushed in the beginning, but I get that it had to be that way for the sake of the story and it made more sense towards the end. They've definitely become one of my favourite pairings.
Kingdom of Exiles receives five glorious stars from me and a place amongst my all time favourite books.
It has been a while since I fell this much in love with a world and the characters in it. This was such a great story, and I loved every second of it. I honestly can't remember ever coming across a boring part in this book. It was wonderfully paced and held on to my interest until the very end.
I fell head over heels in love with the world and characters Martineau created and I can't wait to delve deeper into this world and learn more about its magic, history, politics, creatures and characters.
I was left wanting a bit more world building, but the story itself made up for it and I'm hoping to get more of that in the coming book(s). I also wanted to get to know the secondary characters better (the assassins), as I found them all very interesting and would've loved to know just a little bit more about them and see their personalities shine through more.
When it comes to the two main characters I really enjoyed their personalities and chemistry. Their relationship did feel somewhat rushed in the beginning, but I get that it had to be that way for the sake of the story and it made more sense towards the end. They've definitely become one of my favourite pairings.
Kingdom of Exiles receives five glorious stars from me and a place amongst my all time favourite books.
I loved how intricately the world was built, the beasts and Charmers and Assassins! Kingdom of Exiles follows Leena, a Charmer who has illegally been selling her beasts. A hit is placed on her, to be filled out by the Assassins of Cruor. Instead, a deal is struck between her and Noc, the assassin.
I love these types of deals in stories, and this novel was no exception! Seeing how everything was going to play out kept me on the edge of my seat, and I even made some theories of how everything was going to end. I also loved the characters, it was really cool in a fantasy romance to see the heroine not only grow closer to the hero, but to his friends and family as well. Leena's bond with Calem and Oz and even Kost made the story. I would have liked more slow burn on the romance, they seemed to find attraction and romance quickly considering how they met. Overall an engaging and lovely read, with mysteries and secrets galore.
I love these types of deals in stories, and this novel was no exception! Seeing how everything was going to play out kept me on the edge of my seat, and I even made some theories of how everything was going to end. I also loved the characters, it was really cool in a fantasy romance to see the heroine not only grow closer to the hero, but to his friends and family as well. Leena's bond with Calem and Oz and even Kost made the story. I would have liked more slow burn on the romance, they seemed to find attraction and romance quickly considering how they met. Overall an engaging and lovely read, with mysteries and secrets galore.
This was my first time reading a fantasy romance. Martineau built a world of mystical beasts with different powers. There were also some nice surprises to the characters that I enjoyed. The book left me on somewhat of a cliffhanger, but it is the first in a series and I'm game for reading the next one.
The only issue I had was how somewhat cookie cutter it was as far as enemies become insta friends. I've been seeing this a lot in books lately, but needless to say, I still enjoyed the characters individually. I hope the author does books on the characters from this book.
If you're looking for something different in your fantasy (i.e. steamy scenes), this would definitely be something worth checking out.
The only issue I had was how somewhat cookie cutter it was as far as enemies become insta friends. I've been seeing this a lot in books lately, but needless to say, I still enjoyed the characters individually. I hope the author does books on the characters from this book.
If you're looking for something different in your fantasy (i.e. steamy scenes), this would definitely be something worth checking out.