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karapillar's review
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
slow-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Death, Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual content, and Racism
Moderate: Death of parent, Violence, Genocide, Deportation, Slavery, Confinement, Murder, Torture, and Physical abuse
Minor: War, Gaslighting, Grief, Kidnapping, Mental illness, and Religious bigotry
dinipandareads's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
TL;DR: It took me a minute to get into this story but once I was hooked, I didn't want to put it down! This was action-packed and full of magical adventure and a somewhat literally steamy romance. 😉 Daella and Rivelin were fun characters to root for as you see them go from untrustworthy enemies, tentative friends to eventual lovers. It was a nice slow burn! Overall, this was a great first cosy-ish fantasy romance at the start of a new series and I can't wait to continue it soon!
Although I feel this had a bit of a slow start as we're introduced to this magical kingdom that has been taken over by a megalomaniac frost giant hell-bent on getting rid of all dragons, dragon-magic users and other creatures that threaten his dictatorial rule. This world had a mix of all the creatures that you'd expect to find in a fantasy including elves, orcs, dragons, pixies, ice giants, dwarves and elemental demons, amongst many others. Despite the kingdom having a dark history, this was a pretty cute and cosy fantasy romance! There was something so comforting reading about the idyllic island life and the midsummer parties, plus I especially loved the Travelling Tavern!
I liked Daella and Rivelin. Both have experienced great losses due to the emperor and they were both easy to root for and empathise with. When Rivelin finds Daella he believes her to be a murk from the Emperor and despite both feeling some kind of attraction for each other, their initial enmity and lack of trust meant they went from enemies to tentative friends and eventually became lovers. The romance moves quickly once they give in to their feelings but I wouldn't necessarily call it "instalove" and although the events happen over one summer, it didn't feel like it happened fast and I enjoyed the way their relationship evolved as they let their guard down around each other.
That said, where it went kinda bonkers for me was in the last maybe 30%. The miscommunication or more like no communication trope plays a massive role in their third act and I was not a fan of it especially since they made snap judgements about the other when they had seemingly worked past doing that. Things escalated quickly from speculation to pointing fingers straight to jail and it was very confusing and a bit nonsensical. The logic was not logic-ing and it kinda took away from my enjoyment a bit simply by how predictable and how quickly things escalated. I wish that Rivelin had to do a bit more grovelling for how he reacted and Daella's instant forgiveness of the other community members who played a role in driving her away was just too easy. I wanted to feel they were more sorry than they came across!
Overall though, this was a fun read. Friendship, a magical midsummer competition, and a community of fantasy species living in relative harmony on a secluded idyllic island location, out of sight of the kingdom's bloodthirsty tyrannical ruler. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series about Lillia cos I loved her!
Although I feel this had a bit of a slow start as we're introduced to this magical kingdom that has been taken over by a megalomaniac frost giant hell-bent on getting rid of all dragons, dragon-magic users and other creatures that threaten his dictatorial rule. This world had a mix of all the creatures that you'd expect to find in a fantasy including elves, orcs, dragons, pixies, ice giants, dwarves and elemental demons, amongst many others. Despite the kingdom having a dark history, this was a pretty cute and cosy fantasy romance! There was something so comforting reading about the idyllic island life and the midsummer parties, plus I especially loved the Travelling Tavern!
I liked Daella and Rivelin. Both have experienced great losses due to the emperor and they were both easy to root for and empathise with. When Rivelin finds Daella he believes her to be a murk from the Emperor and despite both feeling some kind of attraction for each other, their initial enmity and lack of trust meant they went from enemies to tentative friends and eventually became lovers. The romance moves quickly once they give in to their feelings but I wouldn't necessarily call it "instalove" and although the events happen over one summer, it didn't feel like it happened fast and I enjoyed the way their relationship evolved as they let their guard down around each other.
That said, where it went kinda bonkers for me was in the last maybe 30%. The miscommunication or more like no communication trope plays a massive role in their third act and I was not a fan of it especially since they made snap judgements about the other when they had seemingly worked past doing that. Things escalated quickly from speculation to pointing fingers straight to jail and it was very confusing and a bit nonsensical. The logic was not logic-ing and it kinda took away from my enjoyment a bit simply by how predictable and how quickly things escalated. I wish that Rivelin had to do a bit more grovelling for how he reacted and Daella's instant forgiveness of the other community members who played a role in driving her away was just too easy. I wanted to feel they were more sorry than they came across!
Overall though, this was a fun read. Friendship, a magical midsummer competition, and a community of fantasy species living in relative harmony on a secluded idyllic island location, out of sight of the kingdom's bloodthirsty tyrannical ruler. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series about Lillia cos I loved her!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Death
hobbithopeful's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
A cozy, light read full of magic, romance, and dragons, my only complaint it was over all too soon.
The world building and the lore in Forged by Magic is one of my favorite parts. The lush setting and extensive history makes the land and people feel real and vibrant. Daella and Rivelin have great chemistry, I love how they took time to get together and weren't instantly sleeping together. When they did get together it was STEAMY! Towards the middle and end I did find a bit of with the pacing. The ending and the plot felt rushed, I wish there was more of a chance for Daella to showcase her battle prowess and for a confrontation with the emperor. There almost felt like a bit of disconnect from the end and the rest of the book. The miscommunication that occurs also felt very out of character for the side characters.
There is another book in the series, and I will definitely be reading that next!
Overall this is a light and cozy read, and a perfect story for anyone looking for a sweet fantasy.
The cover is amazing! Honestly the whole reason I picked up this book through KU is because the cover caught my eye. I love the composition, color, and how well depicted the characters are.
The world building and the lore in Forged by Magic is one of my favorite parts. The lush setting and extensive history makes the land and people feel real and vibrant. Daella and Rivelin have great chemistry, I love how they took time to get together and weren't instantly sleeping together. When they did get together it was STEAMY! Towards the middle and end I did find a bit of with the pacing. The ending and the plot felt rushed, I wish there was more of a chance for Daella to showcase her battle prowess and for a confrontation with the emperor. There almost felt like a bit of disconnect from the end and the rest of the book. The miscommunication that occurs also felt very out of character for the side characters.
There is another book in the series, and I will definitely be reading that next!
Overall this is a light and cozy read, and a perfect story for anyone looking for a sweet fantasy.
The cover is amazing! Honestly the whole reason I picked up this book through KU is because the cover caught my eye. I love the composition, color, and how well depicted the characters are.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Violence
sweejy's review
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
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
3.5
Cute, and the mystery element did have me stressin at the end. But it was almost a lil too much drama/conflict for "cozy fantasy" plot for me lol. I've read other cozy fantasy that were more satisfying. Aside from that, I did like the characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Violence, Blood, and Cursing
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