Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.4 AVERAGE
4.4 AVERAGE
adventurous
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
The best part of this series is the character relationships/dynamics. However, I do feel like the plot can be slightly messy at times. Also, I did kind of forget what happened in the last one so that didn't help. Though, I'm still very intrigued about the rest of the series. I'm still committed ☺️
adventurous
dark
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
adventurous
dark
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
It was a bit repetitive at times but I enjoyed it still
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Sexual content, Blood
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder
Minor: Confinement, Grief
This book should be titled ‘Finally Saffron doesn’t get his shit absolutely rocked” like in the first two books. THANK GOD because I had been worried sick over the beatings my little man Saffron was taking. This book improved on the first two books in all the right ways. The love Cylvan and Saffron share was so touching and on full, sappy display for the reader. There were funny and heartwarming moments with new friends. More information about magical was shared as Saffron came into his own. The spice was also much more plentiful and I looooved it. Truly scrumptious. This was my favorite of the Rowan blood books so far and I can’t wait to read the next one!
slow-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
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
One of my favourite book series, and I’m going to be so sad when I finally catch up with the series with the next book (and I enter the wait for the next one). And as soon as I get a stable living situation, I will be treating myself to the physical copies.
I love how despite having a different setting to the first two books, it didn’t feel clunky or odd or weird to have it set in a totally different and new place. It felt authentic and the world building they’ve done is top notch.
And the characters are amazingly written as well. Cylvan is probably one of my favourite characters of all time and Saffron is maybe too relatable. And their relationship is honestly beautifully written. There was a character that made big waves in this book and I honestly hate him so much (and that’s probably the point). I just want him to suffer.
And also possible redemption and character development for a past villain? I love it.
I honestly can’t recommend this series enough. If you need a fae romantasy fix, this series is for you.
I love how despite having a different setting to the first two books, it didn’t feel clunky or odd or weird to have it set in a totally different and new place. It felt authentic and the world building they’ve done is top notch.
And the characters are amazingly written as well. Cylvan is probably one of my favourite characters of all time and Saffron is maybe too relatable. And their relationship is honestly beautifully written. There was a character that made big waves in this book and I honestly hate him so much (and that’s probably the point). I just want him to suffer.
And also possible redemption and character development for a past villain? I love it.
I honestly can’t recommend this series enough. If you need a fae romantasy fix, this series is for you.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
Herald of the Witch’s Mark is the third book in the MM fey romantasy series Rowan Blood. Saffron and Prince Cylvan are set to be betrothed. To transition Saffron into the position, he must attend school alongside Cylvan glamoured as an anonymous fey lord who will be wooed by the prince. Between making new friends and attending classes for the first time, he also has to learn to control his rowan magic while human rebels headed by the enigmatic Ryder Kyteler are determined to recruit him in their plans for a confrontation with the fey.
The first third of this book was actually really cute. I really enjoyed the fish-out-of-water aspect of Saffron’s pretending to be fey, going to classes, and making friends. I loved his best friend Siobhan and roommate Copper. Their interactions were always a delight. Meanwhile, Saffron can be frustrating sometimes because he is just so self-sabotaging and over dramatic and not think things through before acting. Then I just needed more of Cylvan because it feels like he disappears from the narrative a lot.
I think I’ve finally figured out what my main issue with this book is. The main story is just moving way too slowly that I’ve just lost interest in following along. I still want to know what happens but just don’t trust the author to deliver it in any way I would actually appreciate. So now I am just focused on the small moments that happen that are actually quite good surrounded by all this filler and slow peicemeal delivery of actual plot. There were some truly spectacular moments between Saffron and Cylvan (in the library and at the ending) and between Saffron and Ryder (during their confrontation) where there was just so much depth and emotions to cling to, but you’ve got to dredge through everything else.
Herald of the Witch’s Mark makes for a frustrating read with some great parts that are spread thin.