Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoy this story overall but there is so much redundancy which makes the book more lengthy than needed. I also am starting to be annoyed by the main character. Not sure if I want to finish this series.
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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:
Yes
This book was so fucking convoluted I literally don’t even know if I enjoyed it but also I’m still invested in this series. Like I can’t even follow all the lore anymore I’m so confused but also ow to like the last 10% of this book. I want to shake this author….
adventurous
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
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
3.5 stars
This book felt like it was going on forever. JLA definitely dragged it on purpose, and like in the two previous books, only the last 20% is full of plot twists, shocking surprises, and betrayals. Those chapters definitely upgraded my rating for this book. I enjoyed the start—it was all chaos and madness because so many things were revealed about Poppy and her powers. The middle dragged and was full of fillers and unnecessary, repetitive information and scenes, but the ending was absolutely a rollercoaster of emotions. The world-building is expanding to another level, the plot is getting intense, and there’s still no clear direction as to who could be the ultimate villain—because it sure as hell isn’t Isbeth. She’s just one piece of something very evil that’s coming in the next books, and I am seated.
Poppy is like a Pokémon, unlocking new powers and new levels of evolution in every book. She’s not stopping, and I love seeing her embrace her alpha queen personality. I mean, a goddess, a healer of life and harbinger of death? I love this trope in fantasy books. Poppy is the main focus of this book—it was all about her powers and her origin, how she’s becoming the most powerful being in their world from the demure Maiden she once was, how she is trying to be the Queen of Atlantia. I’m really loving her growth and development, both in terms of powers and character. There is still so much we don’t know about her history—the whys and hows are not answered.
“I wasn’t embarrassed by my scars, either. Not when he looked at me like he did now, as if I could very well be a deity or a goddess. Not when those scars, like his, were proof of the life I’d lived and the things I’d survived.”
Casteel, my man—where did you go? I feel like his whole personality revolved around Poppy in this book. I wanted him to be on equal footing with Poppy—maybe not in terms of powers, because he never can be—but just in terms of his story. His full backstory is still a mystery and I need to know what happened to him when he was held captive. I want to know how he survived. I need his POV. I love the way he loves Poppy, how he is so devoted to her, saves her every time from death, always places her first in his life—she comes even before his kingdom! He’s so flirty and cocky in this book, always taking pride in his wife’s powers, making sure everyone respects her.
“You are the foundation that helps me stand. You are my walls and my roof. My shelter. You are my home.”
Cas and Poppy are just perfect, but they were way too horny for each other in this book. So much of their time was spent having sex or teasing each other about it. They are a power couple, a true king and queen. I was a little bored with their dynamics in this book—it was quite simple and horny, because they’re already married and in love, and now they’re just enjoying that marital bliss along with killing people and preparing for wars. I love them, I love their spicy scenes—and some of those were really good—but sometimes they started getting at it in the middle of more important things, and even with Kieran in the middle? And I was like, can we please focus on the plot?
I really liked how so many new characters were introduced, and how they all are becoming an important part of the story. I liked Kieran and Vonetta, and Delano is definitely my favourite goofy wolf boy. Also, the dragons—and Nyktos was finally mentioned—and I’m already in awe of Daddy Nyktos! I can’t wait to know more about him and his Consort!
JLA’s writing bored me in this book. Maybe it was because of long explanatory paragraphs, never-ending Poppy monologues—which are just repeating in every book. I got tired of it all. I love Poppy and I loved reading how her mind works, but sometimes it was too much for my little brain. The action scenes in this were so good—another thing that made this book bearable and somewhat exciting. That cliffhanger at the end was illegal!
There was a mention of the Joining in this book, and so far I have no issue with it—because I like Kieran and I want to see how it would play out in future for all three of them (sexually or not). Poppy and Cas are both curious about different things and they definitely enjoy watching each other, so I can’t wait to see how it all plays out for them. What bothers me is the potential throuple situation in upcoming books. I’m not against Joining or threesomes, but throuple is where I draw the line—because Cas and Poppy are so dear to me, and they are soulmates, so I like them as they are—possessive of each other. Kieran can become a platonic friend to both since they’ll be bonded in future books, but a more romantic relationship between Poppy and Kieran is not for me. Plus, he’s a Black character, and I feel like making him a third wheel in a heartmates’ relationship is just a bad representation of a Black character. He deserves his own lover, because how can he compete with what Cas and Poppy share?
I even went down the rabbit hole to find out if a poly relationship is a plot point in the next, unreleased books—and JLA hasn’t confirmed anything yet. Which is to say that I think it’s time I take a break from this series, until I can get at least a confirmation about this new development. Because even if I was aware of threesomes in this series before I started it, I didn’t sign up for poly relationships. I’m not against it, but this whole series is marketed as MF romantasy, and yes, the Joining has been foreshadowed since Book 2—but I do not want Casteel and Poppy in a three-way relationship with Kieran. But I also don’t think the throuple is ever going to happen, considering how jealous Casteel is, and since JLA is always saying that this is Cas and Poppy’s story—so I’m hopeful. But I need a break after how this book bored and annoyed me.
“You are worthy of me, Cas. I need you to know that.”
“With you in my arms, I feel worthy,” he said, pressing his lips against mine once more. “I do.”
This book felt like it was going on forever. JLA definitely dragged it on purpose, and like in the two previous books, only the last 20% is full of plot twists, shocking surprises, and betrayals. Those chapters definitely upgraded my rating for this book. I enjoyed the start—it was all chaos and madness because so many things were revealed about Poppy and her powers. The middle dragged and was full of fillers and unnecessary, repetitive information and scenes, but the ending was absolutely a rollercoaster of emotions. The world-building is expanding to another level, the plot is getting intense, and there’s still no clear direction as to who could be the ultimate villain—because it sure as hell isn’t Isbeth. She’s just one piece of something very evil that’s coming in the next books, and I am seated.
“You need to understand that I will do anything and everything for my wife.” Casteel’s gaze latched on to his father‘s. “No risk is too great, nor is anything too sacred. Because she is my everything. There is nothing greater than her, and I do mean nothing.”
Poppy is like a Pokémon, unlocking new powers and new levels of evolution in every book. She’s not stopping, and I love seeing her embrace her alpha queen personality. I mean, a goddess, a healer of life and harbinger of death? I love this trope in fantasy books. Poppy is the main focus of this book—it was all about her powers and her origin, how she’s becoming the most powerful being in their world from the demure Maiden she once was, how she is trying to be the Queen of Atlantia. I’m really loving her growth and development, both in terms of powers and character. There is still so much we don’t know about her history—the whys and hows are not answered.
“I wasn’t embarrassed by my scars, either. Not when he looked at me like he did now, as if I could very well be a deity or a goddess. Not when those scars, like his, were proof of the life I’d lived and the things I’d survived.”
Casteel, my man—where did you go? I feel like his whole personality revolved around Poppy in this book. I wanted him to be on equal footing with Poppy—maybe not in terms of powers, because he never can be—but just in terms of his story. His full backstory is still a mystery and I need to know what happened to him when he was held captive. I want to know how he survived. I need his POV. I love the way he loves Poppy, how he is so devoted to her, saves her every time from death, always places her first in his life—she comes even before his kingdom! He’s so flirty and cocky in this book, always taking pride in his wife’s powers, making sure everyone respects her.
“You are the foundation that helps me stand. You are my walls and my roof. My shelter. You are my home.”
Cas and Poppy are just perfect, but they were way too horny for each other in this book. So much of their time was spent having sex or teasing each other about it. They are a power couple, a true king and queen. I was a little bored with their dynamics in this book—it was quite simple and horny, because they’re already married and in love, and now they’re just enjoying that marital bliss along with killing people and preparing for wars. I love them, I love their spicy scenes—and some of those were really good—but sometimes they started getting at it in the middle of more important things, and even with Kieran in the middle? And I was like, can we please focus on the plot?
“I love you, Penellaphe. You. Your fierce heart, your intelligence and strength. I love your endless capacity for kindness. I love your acceptance of me. Your understanding. I’m in love with you, and I will be in love with you when I take my last breath and then beyond in the Vale.”
I really liked how so many new characters were introduced, and how they all are becoming an important part of the story. I liked Kieran and Vonetta, and Delano is definitely my favourite goofy wolf boy. Also, the dragons—and Nyktos was finally mentioned—and I’m already in awe of Daddy Nyktos! I can’t wait to know more about him and his Consort!
JLA’s writing bored me in this book. Maybe it was because of long explanatory paragraphs, never-ending Poppy monologues—which are just repeating in every book. I got tired of it all. I love Poppy and I loved reading how her mind works, but sometimes it was too much for my little brain. The action scenes in this were so good—another thing that made this book bearable and somewhat exciting. That cliffhanger at the end was illegal!
There was a mention of the Joining in this book, and so far I have no issue with it—because I like Kieran and I want to see how it would play out in future for all three of them (sexually or not). Poppy and Cas are both curious about different things and they definitely enjoy watching each other, so I can’t wait to see how it all plays out for them. What bothers me is the potential throuple situation in upcoming books. I’m not against Joining or threesomes, but throuple is where I draw the line—because Cas and Poppy are so dear to me, and they are soulmates, so I like them as they are—possessive of each other. Kieran can become a platonic friend to both since they’ll be bonded in future books, but a more romantic relationship between Poppy and Kieran is not for me. Plus, he’s a Black character, and I feel like making him a third wheel in a heartmates’ relationship is just a bad representation of a Black character. He deserves his own lover, because how can he compete with what Cas and Poppy share?
I even went down the rabbit hole to find out if a poly relationship is a plot point in the next, unreleased books—and JLA hasn’t confirmed anything yet. Which is to say that I think it’s time I take a break from this series, until I can get at least a confirmation about this new development. Because even if I was aware of threesomes in this series before I started it, I didn’t sign up for poly relationships. I’m not against it, but this whole series is marketed as MF romantasy, and yes, the Joining has been foreshadowed since Book 2—but I do not want Casteel and Poppy in a three-way relationship with Kieran. But I also don’t think the throuple is ever going to happen, considering how jealous Casteel is, and since JLA is always saying that this is Cas and Poppy’s story—so I’m hopeful. But I need a break after how this book bored and annoyed me.
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes