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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Alright, so I was really excited to read this, since it seemed to have everything I want in a book: fantasy with sci-fi elements, queer romance, a rebellion…but despite the premise, the book fell flat in almost every way that mattered to me.
The biggest problem was the lack of real character development. Asha and the others didn’t seem to grow or change in ways that felt earned. They mostly just moved from one plot point to the next, and some of their decisions felt like they were made to serve the story, not because they made sense for the characters themselves. I kept thinking, “Would they really do that?” and too often the answer felt like no.
I also struggled with the central romance. It lacked chemistry. Their connection felt told, not shown. I was supposed to believe in this deep, passionate bond, but I never felt it. Their conversations were stiff, and the emotional weight just wasn’t there. For a book that centers so much around a love that defies the odds, it never gave me a reason to care about that love.
Another big letdown was how representation was handled. I was excited to see queer characters of color front and center, but the world they lived in felt strangely sanitized. There was nothing that really acknowledged the queer or POC identities these characters were meant to carry. I understand the appeal of creating a world without those kinds of oppression, but when the only tension comes from the human vs. Made conflict, it ends up feeling one-dimensional. There’s no intersectionality, no nuance, and ultimately it made the characters feel less real, like their identities didn’t actually matter beyond surface-level traits.
Even with all that said, I’ll probably still read the next book in the series. I just hope the author builds on this world in more meaningful ways.
The biggest problem was the lack of real character development. Asha and the others didn’t seem to grow or change in ways that felt earned. They mostly just moved from one plot point to the next, and some of their decisions felt like they were made to serve the story, not because they made sense for the characters themselves. I kept thinking, “Would they really do that?” and too often the answer felt like no.
I also struggled with the central romance. It lacked chemistry. Their connection felt told, not shown. I was supposed to believe in this deep, passionate bond, but I never felt it. Their conversations were stiff, and the emotional weight just wasn’t there. For a book that centers so much around a love that defies the odds, it never gave me a reason to care about that love.
Another big letdown was how representation was handled. I was excited to see queer characters of color front and center, but the world they lived in felt strangely sanitized. There was nothing that really acknowledged the queer or POC identities these characters were meant to carry. I understand the appeal of creating a world without those kinds of oppression, but when the only tension comes from the human vs. Made conflict, it ends up feeling one-dimensional. There’s no intersectionality, no nuance, and ultimately it made the characters feel less real, like their identities didn’t actually matter beyond surface-level traits.
Even with all that said, I’ll probably still read the next book in the series. I just hope the author builds on this world in more meaningful ways.
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.5 stars. What an incredible read with POC and sapphic representation! I’ve been wanting to read this book for a couple years now, & kinda put my expectations high. I am pleased to say, I don’t regret it! The romance between the two main characters gives slow burn, but will have you rooting for the two of them to just confess their feelings already! And the enemies to lovers trope? The twists of this story? Really excited to read the sequel to this duology.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
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:
Complicated
Ayla, human, heard the screams of her parents and twin brother as they died at the hands of Automae. She vowed to avenge their deaths by killing the beloved daughter of the ruler of Rabu. Older and wiser as the book opens, she’s busy putting into place her plans to rise in the ranks of the servants in the House of the Sovereign in order to get close to Crier, the sovereign’s daughter. A change meeting between Ayla and Crier changes everything.
This debut novel is so very well written. The storyline is creative, intricate, and amazingly well plotted. The characters are strong, multifaceted, and unique. The world-building thoughtful and complex.
Read this book for the story of two young women, one determined to kill the other for revenge, and then after a slowly building relationship, falling in love. But savor the skill of the writing, the mind that created their world, and the creative force that brought all that together at once.
If you love world-building and an enemy to lover slow-burn romance, this book most definitely belongs at the top of your to-be-read list.
Thanks to Harper Teen and Edelweiss for an eARC.
This debut novel is so very well written. The storyline is creative, intricate, and amazingly well plotted. The characters are strong, multifaceted, and unique. The world-building thoughtful and complex.
Read this book for the story of two young women, one determined to kill the other for revenge, and then after a slowly building relationship, falling in love. But savor the skill of the writing, the mind that created their world, and the creative force that brought all that together at once.
If you love world-building and an enemy to lover slow-burn romance, this book most definitely belongs at the top of your to-be-read list.
Thanks to Harper Teen and Edelweiss for an eARC.