Reviews

Solstice of the Drowned Empire by Frankie Diane Mallis

ashlyncherie's review

dark emotional inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Cutie little novella. Loved the POV and all the back story and what feels like foreshadowing we got. Some grammar errors and weird dialogue I didn’t like bumped it down

dingobingbongo's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad 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

5.0

I absolutely ate up this cute novella told from Rhyan’s POV.

The premise of the solstice where Lyr and Rhyan kissed. But I would recommend after reading 1 & 2 as it contains spoilers. It was so sweet to see Lyr through Rhyan’s eyes.
The whole thing was very sweet and really solidified my feelings that Rhyan is the most perfect book boyfriend ever? But be warned, it will take you on an emotional rollercoaster.

ashley_apairofreaders's review against another edition

5.0

What can I say? Rhyan's POV is everything in this novella. This novella should always be considered part of the canon reading for this series. It makes everything that happens in books 1 and 2 so much more clear, but also so much sweet.

I loved getting to see this pre-Daughter of the Drowned Empire play out from his perspective.

Honestly, 10-year-old Rhyan broke my heart. 19-year-old Rhyan, with his desire to play the hero, has my whole heart.

I think this novella does an amazing job of setting up Rhyan's overarching story ARC and really reveals his (tragic) past. You do not want to miss this one!

courtneyjoy's review against another edition

emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

kweppler's review against another edition

5.0

Be still my heart

oliviagold's review against another edition

adventurous dark reflective medium-paced

4.5

jinxei's review against another edition

5.0

"I’m also a hopeless romantic. And I'm rooting for you two."

Solstice of the Drowned Empire is the events that take place prior to the start of Daughter of the Drowned Empire told from Rhyan's POV. Read this AFTER Daughter and Guardian as there are spoilers.

Did we all beg Frankie to write this Rhyan POV for us? Yes, absolutely. Did I know how much joy this would bring, but also how much it would stomp on my heart? Also yes.

I loved Rhyan before Solstice, but now I am obsessed. We got to see his banter in the other two in the Drowned Empire, but to see from his eyes and his thoughts was perfection. I have cried for Lyr and her progression as a character, but to see Rhyan come into his own had me sobbing. And the romance/tension between him and Lyr?!

Spoiler

I loved getting to see Jules and really hope we will get to see more of her, despite the current assumed outcome of her.

aprhodes's review against another edition

5.0

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

rebareads27's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

sheredas's review against another edition

emotional informative sad tense fast-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? It's complicated

4.25

This is a great novella between books to give us some more background information. I loved hearing more of Rhyan’s story.