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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
Close to a 4.5.
The beginning was a bit slow, but once I got to learn about each of the main characters, the magic system, bg info, and their roles in the main plot, I was hooked. All the twists and turns the book gave me were great, and I can't wait to read the next book.
Also, very little romance rn
The beginning was a bit slow, but once I got to learn about each of the main characters, the magic system, bg info, and their roles in the main plot, I was hooked. All the twists and turns the book gave me were great, and I can't wait to read the next book.
Also, very little romance rn
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“I think what people were is less important than what they are. And what people are is less important than what they could be.”
[b:Dark Rise|55424891|Dark Rise (Dark Rise, #1)|C.S. Pacat|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1615586695l/55424891._SY75_.jpg|71684002] is a surprising turn to high fantasy in C.S. Pacat's ever-expanding repertoire. While I felt it started off slow with a myriad of unsurprising tropes, the real jewel of Dark Rise for me was toward the ending. With plot-twists galore and a heart-wrenching series of painful events, the end of this book left me needing to know what happens next.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Christian Coulson, and he did a wonderful job! There were moments when I felt the words could have been read with a bit more emphasis or flair, but for the most part it was lovely to listen to.
[b:Dark Rise|55424891|Dark Rise (Dark Rise, #1)|C.S. Pacat|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1615586695l/55424891._SY75_.jpg|71684002] is a surprising turn to high fantasy in C.S. Pacat's ever-expanding repertoire. While I felt it started off slow with a myriad of unsurprising tropes, the real jewel of Dark Rise for me was toward the ending. With plot-twists galore and a heart-wrenching series of painful events, the end of this book left me needing to know what happens next.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Christian Coulson, and he did a wonderful job! There were moments when I felt the words could have been read with a bit more emphasis or flair, but for the most part it was lovely to listen to.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
First time reading Pascat, but I had a friend who raved about Captive Prince, so I know three things about her writing: it's m/m, it's kinky and it's slow burn AF.
Slow burn is accurate. It takes almost the entire book for Will and James to meet on amicable terms. And their second to last meeting is FULL of delicious, kinky power dynamics.
I'm also here for the twisty deception of James thinking Will is someone else, even though I do wish there was some gender twisting of the OG old world trio in the modern trio. (Also, me being me, I wish that it was an actual ot3 situation.)
I'm definitely more here for the characters and their dynamics than the plot or world building, because while it takes most of the book, I'm not enthralled of either. But that might also be because I've read Seduced by the Demon King and The Great Jahy Will Not be Defeated. Like yeah, a long time ago the light defeated the dark and now the dark seeks to regain power and have the light fall. Fall in defeat ideally, but they'll take in love as well.
And it's not bad I know this set up, but I hope Pascat does something interesting with it or at least with the characters.
Still, I can't fault the effort that has gone into the world building, nor how well paced the action is, once you get past the info-dumps. A hopeful four stars.
Also, disappointed it's spelled Rassalon not Rassilon.
Slow burn is accurate. It takes almost the entire book for Will and James to meet on amicable terms. And their second to last meeting is FULL of delicious, kinky power dynamics.
I'm also here for the twisty deception of James thinking Will is someone else, even though I do wish there was some gender twisting of the OG old world trio in the modern trio. (Also, me being me, I wish that it was an actual ot3 situation.)
I'm definitely more here for the characters and their dynamics than the plot or world building, because while it takes most of the book, I'm not enthralled of either. But that might also be because I've read Seduced by the Demon King and The Great Jahy Will Not be Defeated. Like yeah, a long time ago the light defeated the dark and now the dark seeks to regain power and have the light fall. Fall in defeat ideally, but they'll take in love as well.
And it's not bad I know this set up, but I hope Pascat does something interesting with it or at least with the characters.
Still, I can't fault the effort that has gone into the world building, nor how well paced the action is, once you get past the info-dumps. A hopeful four stars.
Also, disappointed it's spelled Rassalon not Rassilon.
dark
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
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-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
adventurous
dark
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:
Yes
Holy crash out, Batman. I knew this book was well liked and had my reservations because of the lingering controversy over her other series (Captive Prince). I did not expect a very complex world and characters with an insane amount of depth. I’ll admit I was confused as heck for the first 1/3 of the book- but it was so intriguing that I couldn’t put it down. The world was so interesting. It finally started to have less (in hindsight very necessary) world building and some crazy action. I was screaming at my friend that certain characters better live. I was absolutely crashing out at the fantastic ending that I did not see coming. So so crazy.
If you like some crazy unique world building based on London (think sorta like A Darker Shade of Magic?), some amazing characters, and twists out the whazoo, you’ll love this book.
Go in reading it blind. You’ll be so confused like me but it’s worth it.
If you like some crazy unique world building based on London (think sorta like A Darker Shade of Magic?), some amazing characters, and twists out the whazoo, you’ll love this book.
Go in reading it blind. You’ll be so confused like me but it’s worth it.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This was my first book by this author and I can tell you it will not be the last. This was very good - slow moving (the middle lulled a little bit) but overall very nicely built up. The story involves some tried and true tropes - light vs dark, an ancient order of stewards/guardians and the chosen one to fight off the evil in the world, which I loved. The main character is also bisexual and I am absolutely here for the rep, though we don’t get much romance in this book yet. That being said, the ending MAKES this book. I have not been so excited by the potential of a sequel in a long time. I will not give anything away but I absolutely ADORE the twist and cannot wait for book 2!
Rating: 4.25 stars/5
Romantic elements but no real spice.
CW: Violence, death.
A huge thank you to HCC Frenzy, Harper Collins Canada and Netgalley for the arc for review. All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4.25 stars/5
Romantic elements but no real spice.
CW: Violence, death.
A huge thank you to HCC Frenzy, Harper Collins Canada and Netgalley for the arc for review. All opinions are my own.