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danicapage's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25*
My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: I listened to this on audio, which may well explain my one criticism. I felt like, at times, things jumped, and I had a hard time figuring out if I was in a flashback, a memory, or if something weird and magical had happened. I felt confused sometimes in this book about where and when I was. That wasn't a complaint those who read the book seemed to have, so I think that may have been a medium problem--meaning a problem for those who listened on audio instead of reading. This is why I prefer to read fiction rather than listen to it when I can.
So many of my friends loved this book, which is why I decided to read it. When I'm reading, I tend to get lost in the book and not remember what other people think. This is no exception. I loved so much about this book: political intrigue, true enemies to lovers, banter, character dynamics, world building, etc. This book did a lot exceptionally well. I'm extremely curious to see what happens next.
I think because of the medium I read and my difficulties at times understanding where/when I was/what was happening, it lessened this one slightly for me. Otherwise, I'd probably have rated higher. I can see why many are obsessed with this one. I really liked it; can't quite say I loved it as much as others.
This is a slow-burn enemy to lovers, so for now, no spice in this one. We'll see if that holds. I still would put this as adult fiction though.
Love,
Danica Page
You can connect with me on Instagram @danicapage.
My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: I listened to this on audio, which may well explain my one criticism. I felt like, at times, things jumped, and I had a hard time figuring out if I was in a flashback, a memory, or if something weird and magical had happened. I felt confused sometimes in this book about where and when I was. That wasn't a complaint those who read the book seemed to have, so I think that may have been a medium problem--meaning a problem for those who listened on audio instead of reading. This is why I prefer to read fiction rather than listen to it when I can.
So many of my friends loved this book, which is why I decided to read it. When I'm reading, I tend to get lost in the book and not remember what other people think. This is no exception. I loved so much about this book: political intrigue, true enemies to lovers, banter, character dynamics, world building, etc. This book did a lot exceptionally well. I'm extremely curious to see what happens next.
I think because of the medium I read and my difficulties at times understanding where/when I was/what was happening, it lessened this one slightly for me. Otherwise, I'd probably have rated higher. I can see why many are obsessed with this one. I really liked it; can't quite say I loved it as much as others.
This is a slow-burn enemy to lovers, so for now, no spice in this one. We'll see if that holds. I still would put this as adult fiction though.
Love,
Danica Page
You can connect with me on Instagram @danicapage.
audie_reads23's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
4.5
giulia_acobac's review against another edition
3.5
I enjoyed the story and I found the world interesting. I was a bit bored in the middle but then it picked up again. Can’t wait for the sequel !
janet_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
drlark's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
3.25
While the slow burn, enemies to lovers romance in this is exquisitely paced, I just did not care about the plot. Our main girl Sylvia is the last of a line of royalty from a kingdom that's been destroyed. She lives under a hidden identity, hiding her magic, until she's chosen as a champion for this competition. The guy who chooses her is, of course, the enemy of her kingdom.
I like the Egyptian-inspired fantasy world, and the relationship between our leads keeps the book afloat, but overall, I think there's too much exposition between lines of dialog, and I think having this be 1st person does a disservice to the side characters and the world. I didn't want to only be stuck in Sylvia's head. That, with a magical competition plot structure that did not capture my interest or ultimately mean much, would indicate this wasn't really for me. I would not have made it through were it not for the audiobook.
I like the Egyptian-inspired fantasy world, and the relationship between our leads keeps the book afloat, but overall, I think there's too much exposition between lines of dialog, and I think having this be 1st person does a disservice to the side characters and the world. I didn't want to only be stuck in Sylvia's head. That, with a magical competition plot structure that did not capture my interest or ultimately mean much, would indicate this wasn't really for me. I would not have made it through were it not for the audiobook.
thatpreciousplot's review against another edition
2.0
Sadly this one is absolutely not for me - I found the pacing really off, the characters (and there were a lot of them!!) a bit flat and I wanted more magic? I think the writer is good and they obviously have a lot of good solid ideas, just maybe not the strongest of debuts.
To be honest, it’s on me for going into this one. I hadn’t realised it was going to be a trials/games trope kinda deal which looking at my track record is never a winner with me.
I can see this will definitely appeal to lots of others and that I am definitely just not the target audience.
Thanks so much to netgalley for the Arc! Sorry it wasn’t for me.
To be honest, it’s on me for going into this one. I hadn’t realised it was going to be a trials/games trope kinda deal which looking at my track record is never a winner with me.
I can see this will definitely appeal to lots of others and that I am definitely just not the target audience.
Thanks so much to netgalley for the Arc! Sorry it wasn’t for me.
hayley4297's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.75
bookish__cat's review against another edition
adventurous
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent