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morganish's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I have mixed feelings about this book because of one particular element that really stands out. But overall I liked it and am interested enough to keep reading the series.
The highlight for me was definitely the magic system, which is just cool, and the main character's relationship to magic in her world. It's as cool on the page as it sounds in the blurb - a world where magic largely revolves around storms and certain people can "steal" the stormhearts? Yes, please! Watching the main character's arc strengthen and grow around her unique powers, while she learns more about what she can and cannot do, was probably the most rewarding part of the entire story for me, and the thing that makes me want to read future books.
I also really enjoyed the juxtaposition of a romance based around a highborn girl and lowborn love interest. I feel like so many M/F fantasy romances go in the opposite direction, at least in the last two decades. Somehow I find shaking up that dynamic to be more intriguing. Roar, if that's what we're calling her here, is still "likable," for those who want their female MC's not too proud or competent; she has to learn how to grow into her powers and gain confidence in herself through trial and error.
However, there is one major drawback of the book for me personally, which might be something others in the fantasy romance readerbase love: The very strong reliance on a kind of paternalistic "protectiveness" over Roar by her main love interest, echoed too by the evil(?) guy she's betrothed to. It's very much not my cup of tea, and it's also really prevalent in the story, so it says a lot about the other elements that I still enjoyed this book. The men are constantly worried about her, trying to keep her from doing stuff that might be dangerous, and often go so far as to bodily stop her or grab her or pick her up to prevent her from doing things. I don't think this is a worse or more over-the-top portrayal than in a lot of other popular fiction right now, so if you're into this kind of dynamic, this might be your new favorite! It just really isn't mine at all, so if you're like me, you might want to consider giving this one a pass.
It's broken up into several POVs, which I usually like and probably gave me more to grasp onto, especially when some new POVs show up later in the book. But the inclusion of her terrible betrothed's POV felt strange, and like maybe the series is working toward a redemption story for him or a love triangle for her. But while I can get on board with redemption stories more than some other readers can, this one definitely felt like a stretch, so that might be something to keep in mind for if you don't like that kind of thing. Or it might be a bonus, for those who love redemption stories and bad-boy love interests!
Overall I think this will be a good fit for readers of fantasy romance who like protective male love interests, intriguing magic systems, and stories where characters get big, triumphant moments of growing into their power (literally and metaphorically). And this is the beginning of a series that sounds like some future installments have been delayed, so this would be a good fit for those who have patience and like to have the tension between installments drawn out. But if overprotective love interests, traditional fantasy elements, or unfinished series really bother you, it might be a good idea to take a pass here.
The highlight for me was definitely the magic system, which is just cool, and the main character's relationship to magic in her world. It's as cool on the page as it sounds in the blurb - a world where magic largely revolves around storms and certain people can "steal" the stormhearts? Yes, please! Watching the main character's arc strengthen and grow around her unique powers, while she learns more about what she can and cannot do, was probably the most rewarding part of the entire story for me, and the thing that makes me want to read future books.
I also really enjoyed the juxtaposition of a romance based around a highborn girl and lowborn love interest. I feel like so many M/F fantasy romances go in the opposite direction, at least in the last two decades. Somehow I find shaking up that dynamic to be more intriguing. Roar, if that's what we're calling her here, is still "likable," for those who want their female MC's not too proud or competent; she has to learn how to grow into her powers and gain confidence in herself through trial and error.
However, there is one major drawback of the book for me personally, which might be something others in the fantasy romance readerbase love: The very strong reliance on a kind of paternalistic "protectiveness" over Roar by her main love interest, echoed too by the evil(?) guy she's betrothed to. It's very much not my cup of tea, and it's also really prevalent in the story, so it says a lot about the other elements that I still enjoyed this book. The men are constantly worried about her, trying to keep her from doing stuff that might be dangerous, and often go so far as to bodily stop her or grab her or pick her up to prevent her from doing things. I don't think this is a worse or more over-the-top portrayal than in a lot of other popular fiction right now, so if you're into this kind of dynamic, this might be your new favorite! It just really isn't mine at all, so if you're like me, you might want to consider giving this one a pass.
It's broken up into several POVs, which I usually like and probably gave me more to grasp onto, especially when some new POVs show up later in the book. But the inclusion of her terrible betrothed's POV felt strange, and like maybe the series is working toward a redemption story for him or a love triangle for her. But while I can get on board with redemption stories more than some other readers can, this one definitely felt like a stretch, so that might be something to keep in mind for if you don't like that kind of thing. Or it might be a bonus, for those who love redemption stories and bad-boy love interests!
Overall I think this will be a good fit for readers of fantasy romance who like protective male love interests, intriguing magic systems, and stories where characters get big, triumphant moments of growing into their power (literally and metaphorically). And this is the beginning of a series that sounds like some future installments have been delayed, so this would be a good fit for those who have patience and like to have the tension between installments drawn out. But if overprotective love interests, traditional fantasy elements, or unfinished series really bother you, it might be a good idea to take a pass here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Confinement, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Misogyny, Murder, Sexism, Sexual content, and Torture
Minor: Abandonment, Death, Grief, Sexual assault, and War
Additional content warnings for: *paternalistic/infantilizing M/F relationship dynamics *dubious consent due to magical influence *unclear/under-negotiated consent regarding casual touch/bodily autonomy
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