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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Me recordó un poco a Radiance, aunque Radiance es mucho mejor. A pesar de ello, es una lectura hermosa y la relación de los personajes principales también lo es. Estoy deseando seguir con la segunda parte.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think there was a lot potential in this book. The world is interesting, the different magic systems had an opportunity to be really cool, and the political intrigue should have been fun. Unfortunately for me, I felt very meh when all was said and done. I know this is a start of a series but I really dislike when the entire first book feels like it's ONLY a set up for what's going to happen next. The majority of the plot feels like filler and I don't really have any sort of drive to find out what happens next.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.75⭐️2.25🌶️
Romantasy
Dual POV
Slow burn
Unique Fae magic and lore
Mythical beasts
Politics
Deception
Tw: misogyny
The worldbuilding was pretty crazy. I wish there had been more information about the difference between the fae differences, and the magic left me with questions still. I’m hoping that a lot will be explained in book 2.
That ending was wild. A lot was foreshadowed, And I’m interested to see what happens… I was interested in some of the side characters, to only have them gone when so much was character building was put into them was an interesting choice.
It was a little too insta-love for me. But also slow burn at the same time?
I didn’t love the POV shifting and having to read the same scene from the new POV. It made things too repetitive for me. I think it stunted the pace of things.
The emotions from the MMC in the end reveal was confusing. It didn’t fit the character as far as we know him in this book. I’m hoping his reaction to things get explained in book 2, because…. It made me not like him for character inconsistency.
The last chapter is very interesting!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Gaslighting, Abandonment, War
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
DNF at page 237
This began with promise, and I was anticipating an easy read romance. The writing is good, and the characters, whilst not hugely developed, were likeable enough that I was invested in them. However, about a third of the way in, there was suddenly a ridiculous twist that felt really contrived and seemed to exist purely to create entirely unnecessary angst. I plodded through a bit more, but after reading the synopsis for book 2, I realised it was going to be dragged out for another book and a half and I just couldn't be bothered anymore. The characters weren't interesting enough to read through that much angst.
Additionally, the world building was absolutely non-existent. You can't just throw a load of made-up words on the page and call it world building. To quote Faraine, "His words paint such sensations in my head. Not visions, for I have no way of envisioning the strange things of which he speaks." As a reader, I wasn't doing much envisioning either as the author didn't bother to describe anything when it came to the fae underworld. I think romantasy series always fail when the author tries to pin too much focus on the romance element. If you want to write an angsty romance, stick to the real world. You can't just dump your couple in a fantasy setting and expect the story to be immersive unless you put the effort into building out the fantasy element.
This began with promise, and I was anticipating an easy read romance. The writing is good, and the characters, whilst not hugely developed, were likeable enough that I was invested in them. However, about a third of the way in, there was suddenly a ridiculous twist that felt really contrived and seemed to exist purely to create entirely unnecessary angst. I plodded through a bit more, but after reading the synopsis for book 2, I realised it was going to be dragged out for another book and a half and I just couldn't be bothered anymore. The characters weren't interesting enough to read through that much angst.
Additionally, the world building was absolutely non-existent. You can't just throw a load of made-up words on the page and call it world building. To quote Faraine, "His words paint such sensations in my head. Not visions, for I have no way of envisioning the strange things of which he speaks." As a reader, I wasn't doing much envisioning either as the author didn't bother to describe anything when it came to the fae underworld. I think romantasy series always fail when the author tries to pin too much focus on the romance element. If you want to write an angsty romance, stick to the real world. You can't just dump your couple in a fantasy setting and expect the story to be immersive unless you put the effort into building out the fantasy element.
Fun, somewhat predictable but looking forward to reading the next book.
Oh where to even begin?! I adored this one. I loved this one.
Faraine is my girl. I love her! I love soft heroines, whose strength isn’t in brawn nor sharp tongues constantly firing quick quips. No, Faraine is gentle, kind, sweet, and good. So much goodness in her!
Now this is definitely a book that sets up the next, so resolution will have to wait, but with that comes the beginning of a gorgeous slow burn romance. Which is right up my alley.
Something that worried me from the synopsis was Faraine taking her sister’s place. The last thing I wanted was to see Vor fall in love with the ‘wrong’ sister, not knowing Faraine. Luckily, the narrative is crafted in a way where that is not a concern. Not at all. And that is due to allowing a burgeoning friendship between Faraine and Vor to take place early on in the story. Their connection is immediate, undeniable, and filled with such longing and heartache. It’s clear from the start that in an ideal world they would be a perfect fit. However, Faraine is shunned from her family (primarily her father) and worth nothing in terms of a political alliance, not like her beloved sister is. She remains in the shadows, but Vor sees her as clear as day. However, for his people he knows he cannot pick her for his bride.
I won’t spoil the book but by its end my heart went out to Faraine. We see her goodness, her efforts, her heart, and we see others blind to it, questioning her motive and place. I just wanted to wrap her up in a giant hug!
This one ends on a cliffhanger that will have you clamoring for more and more!
Faraine is my girl. I love her! I love soft heroines, whose strength isn’t in brawn nor sharp tongues constantly firing quick quips. No, Faraine is gentle, kind, sweet, and good. So much goodness in her!
Now this is definitely a book that sets up the next, so resolution will have to wait, but with that comes the beginning of a gorgeous slow burn romance. Which is right up my alley.
Something that worried me from the synopsis was Faraine taking her sister’s place. The last thing I wanted was to see Vor fall in love with the ‘wrong’ sister, not knowing Faraine. Luckily, the narrative is crafted in a way where that is not a concern. Not at all. And that is due to allowing a burgeoning friendship between Faraine and Vor to take place early on in the story. Their connection is immediate, undeniable, and filled with such longing and heartache. It’s clear from the start that in an ideal world they would be a perfect fit. However, Faraine is shunned from her family (primarily her father) and worth nothing in terms of a political alliance, not like her beloved sister is. She remains in the shadows, but Vor sees her as clear as day. However, for his people he knows he cannot pick her for his bride.
I won’t spoil the book but by its end my heart went out to Faraine. We see her goodness, her efforts, her heart, and we see others blind to it, questioning her motive and place. I just wanted to wrap her up in a giant hug!
This one ends on a cliffhanger that will have you clamoring for more and more!
Trolls? How in the world did I end up owning an audio book about TROLLS? It must have been a heck of a deal at one time. I must not have understood I was getting a troll book. But here it was, and I wish I could say that it was swoon-worthy and compelling as many other reviewers have said, but, alas, that's not going to be the case. Blame it on my deep troll-prejudice I guess, but I couldn't get past the fact that these were trolls that I was reading about. Sure, Faraine liked to think about how lovely Vor was, but I couldn't feel that. I kept seeing Vor like either the neon fluffy haired dolls of my youth or the gigantic blobs of rock from other fantasy novels. It wasn't working for me. So, okay, these aren't actually troll-trolls. They are 'trolldyke', which I guess makes them underground creatures who are more intelligent and refined than a stereotypical troll might be. If I stopped thinking about trolls I could try to sit back and enjoy the story, but ...
I didn't really like the story. It had potential ... a connection is formed between a quiet and isolated human princess and a troll(dyke) king, but their relationship cannot be because the king is already slated to be married to the Faraine's beautiful sister. Vor and Faraine like each other very much, but they are resigned to their fate. It's all a little sad because Faraine sees the beauty in Vor and would be perfectly okay being an underground troll princess, and her sister isn't so keen on it. But it is what it is until ....
Okay, I won't spoil things too much, but I will say that there is a GIGANTIC act of deception here that really ticked me off. REALLY ticked me off. I was so put off by the actions of a group of characters here that I couldn't really get over it. The romance immediately felt icky to me. There was a weakness uncovered in this deception that kept me from actively wanting to root for this relationship. Unfortunately, this book ends with things unsettled, so I didn't have time to get back in the groove with this couple.
As for the audio ... oh my goodness! I was not a fan of Tim Campbell's narration at all. He decided to go with the grand Laurence Olivier delivery style, and maybe it works for troll kings, but it was too weird for me. Emily Lawrence was a little better, but there was a REALLY strange epilogue that she narrated, and I have no idea what was going on there. Was she Farraine? Was she some other weird creature? Her voice had totally changed, and it made no sense on the audio version. Maybe in the book it made more sense. Who knows? I didn't end up liking this much at all, and I don't think I'll be continuing on in the series. Two stars. It was okay.
I didn't really like the story. It had potential ... a connection is formed between a quiet and isolated human princess and a troll(dyke) king, but their relationship cannot be because the king is already slated to be married to the Faraine's beautiful sister. Vor and Faraine like each other very much, but they are resigned to their fate. It's all a little sad because Faraine sees the beauty in Vor and would be perfectly okay being an underground troll princess, and her sister isn't so keen on it. But it is what it is until ....
Okay, I won't spoil things too much, but I will say that there is a GIGANTIC act of deception here that really ticked me off. REALLY ticked me off. I was so put off by the actions of a group of characters here that I couldn't really get over it. The romance immediately felt icky to me. There was a weakness uncovered in this deception that kept me from actively wanting to root for this relationship. Unfortunately, this book ends with things unsettled, so I didn't have time to get back in the groove with this couple.
As for the audio ... oh my goodness! I was not a fan of Tim Campbell's narration at all. He decided to go with the grand Laurence Olivier delivery style, and maybe it works for troll kings, but it was too weird for me. Emily Lawrence was a little better, but there was a REALLY strange epilogue that she narrated, and I have no idea what was going on there. Was she Farraine? Was she some other weird creature? Her voice had totally changed, and it made no sense on the audio version. Maybe in the book it made more sense. Who knows? I didn't end up liking this much at all, and I don't think I'll be continuing on in the series. Two stars. It was okay.
slow-paced