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4.3 AVERAGE
4.3 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
Only because it was spicy, I think? IDK, I liked Defy the Night a lot so I thought I'd try it but I wasn't expecting a polyamorus relationship.
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
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was hot. The warrior is a king named Ky with the power of fire who is supposed to marry a princess named Jory, whose father’s magic controls the weather. An alliance between these kingdoms could save Ky’s people from a drought and starvation. But Jory is in love with an assassin named Asher, whom she’s loved since childhood, and his latest assignment? Assassinate Jory the Princess and Ky the Warrior King to keep their union from happening. The plot heats up when the assassin decides to rescue his lover and her fiancé, only to discover that he has feelings for both Jory and the King. I’m not sure if this is a true why choose yet because the rest of the series isn’t finished, but the tension between the warrior, princess, and assassin is 🥵🥵🥵. The plot is fast-paced. The writing is solid. The beginning was a little formulaic and slow (the princess begins the narrative kinda naive and a virgin which would’ve been a boring trope if it had continued, but it didn’t so it turned out to be fine). I thought this book was a top-tier Romantasy. Truly enjoyed it. Actually salivating for the next installment.
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Death of parent
An instant cult classic.
Will easily be added to the list if ACOTAR & 4th Wing.
Will easily be added to the list if ACOTAR & 4th Wing.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
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
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I received no compensation, and all thoughts are entirely my own.
Rating: 4.5 ⭐️
This book hooked me from the very first page—fast-paced, emotional, and impossible to put down. I went in without realizing it featured a poly romance, but by the first quarter I already suspected where things might lead. Brigid Kemmerer does an incredible job developing each relationship, layering in moments of romance and deep emotion that make these characters shine—individually and together.
While the romance takes center stage, there’s also a strong thread of politics and magic running throughout. Secrets are everywhere, and it’s clear from the beginning that not everyone is being honest. Though not every mystery is resolved, the story concludes with enough satisfying moments to feel complete while still setting the stage for what’s to come. It feels like this first installment ties up neatly—yet promises that the real adventure is just beginning. I can’t wait to continue this journey!
I also loved how the world-building was handled. Even though we don’t physically explore a vast number of locations, the world feels expansive and vivid. Important details about the setting, its magic, and its darker truths are woven seamlessly into character interactions and emotional scenes. It never reads like an info-dump, just an organic glimpse into a fascinating and often brutal world.
Rating: 4.5 ⭐️
This book hooked me from the very first page—fast-paced, emotional, and impossible to put down. I went in without realizing it featured a poly romance, but by the first quarter I already suspected where things might lead. Brigid Kemmerer does an incredible job developing each relationship, layering in moments of romance and deep emotion that make these characters shine—individually and together.
While the romance takes center stage, there’s also a strong thread of politics and magic running throughout. Secrets are everywhere, and it’s clear from the beginning that not everyone is being honest. Though not every mystery is resolved, the story concludes with enough satisfying moments to feel complete while still setting the stage for what’s to come. It feels like this first installment ties up neatly—yet promises that the real adventure is just beginning. I can’t wait to continue this journey!
I also loved how the world-building was handled. Even though we don’t physically explore a vast number of locations, the world feels expansive and vivid. Important details about the setting, its magic, and its darker truths are woven seamlessly into character interactions and emotional scenes. It never reads like an info-dump, just an organic glimpse into a fascinating and often brutal world.