Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have had this in my library for months because of Booktok and decided to give it a try since I’m eating up some romantasy right now. I’m not really sure what happened and for some reason I wanted to. I’m not in love with the presented love interest and I’m positive the 234 questions you’re left with at the end of this book are the only reason to continue. I don’t think a single thing was explained in this one. Also she randomly goes “into heat” and I’m truly still reeling from some wild turns in this book. I did continue the series but I am 420 pages into book two and think I will DNF this series as I am only left with more questions and I’m only vaguely interested in the story of one random side character now?
slow-paced
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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:
No
I feel so fortunate to live in a time when fantasy romance is having a major moment, because these are the kind of books being produced at a rapid rate that I can’t even keep up with, and I just want them all in my eyeballs right meow. Speaking of this specific book, imagine this: what if in ACOTAR Tamlin was the hero after all? Or well, antihero. Before you leap too far, I’m not saying this book was like ACOTAR in any way or that Tamlin should have been the hero (eww no), but it did give me dark ACOTAR vibes as a Rapunzel reimagining with a yummy forbidden twist.
The story is told in a very unique way where we are never really told what kind of beings any of the MCs are? But that makes sense since we’re in their head and humans don’t often refer to themselves human in their heads, do we? This makes for a slightly jarring start but soon I was into it and it only adds to the layer of secrets wrapping around this story because there are many. MANY. Several. In fact, we still don’t know most of them by the end of book one. The writing is beautiful and poetic, if a little purple.
Orlaith is again an FMC who forces you to think and reflect about the definition of strength and how it looks different in each individual. We get an up close look into her fragile mental health and anxiety stemming from PTSD, so much so you can feel it viscerally, and how it’s held her back through so much of life. To see her peel out of her shell and bloom is both terrifying and heartening. The author had me at her dedication alone, because we don’t even realize how many of us are afraid to bloom. And it’s MCs like Orlaith that show that one can bloom whenever and however they choose.
Rhordyn, well, he’s a muscular, intimidating daddy enigma wrapped in swathes of mystery and sxxy black clothes. Dude does not know if he wants to stow away his ward or stay away from her or kiss her and we enjoy that type of torment around here. He’s moody and growly and secretive and completely unreasonable most of the time, but what man isn’t honestly. Even though we see a tiny bit of it, Imma need to see them both unleash and descend chaos upon each other before long.
A slow burn dark fantasy is just the kind of special t0rture I revel in, and this one had my glasses steamed up without even a lot ot action you guys. The cliffhanger takes that t0rture to the next level so I’m just glad the trilogy is complete because waiting on the resolution on this one would drive me to madness.
TW: depictions of PTSD, anxiety, mental health struggles, and grief
The story is told in a very unique way where we are never really told what kind of beings any of the MCs are? But that makes sense since we’re in their head and humans don’t often refer to themselves human in their heads, do we? This makes for a slightly jarring start but soon I was into it and it only adds to the layer of secrets wrapping around this story because there are many. MANY. Several. In fact, we still don’t know most of them by the end of book one. The writing is beautiful and poetic, if a little purple.
Orlaith is again an FMC who forces you to think and reflect about the definition of strength and how it looks different in each individual. We get an up close look into her fragile mental health and anxiety stemming from PTSD, so much so you can feel it viscerally, and how it’s held her back through so much of life. To see her peel out of her shell and bloom is both terrifying and heartening. The author had me at her dedication alone, because we don’t even realize how many of us are afraid to bloom. And it’s MCs like Orlaith that show that one can bloom whenever and however they choose.
Rhordyn, well, he’s a muscular, intimidating daddy enigma wrapped in swathes of mystery and sxxy black clothes. Dude does not know if he wants to stow away his ward or stay away from her or kiss her and we enjoy that type of torment around here. He’s moody and growly and secretive and completely unreasonable most of the time, but what man isn’t honestly. Even though we see a tiny bit of it, Imma need to see them both unleash and descend chaos upon each other before long.
A slow burn dark fantasy is just the kind of special t0rture I revel in, and this one had my glasses steamed up without even a lot ot action you guys. The cliffhanger takes that t0rture to the next level so I’m just glad the trilogy is complete because waiting on the resolution on this one would drive me to madness.
TW: depictions of PTSD, anxiety, mental health struggles, and grief
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
I read this book because I was so intrigued with a rapunzel fairytale retelling. It’s not one you see as often as others so between the cover and the story I was hooked.
When I say I could not put this book down, I could not put this book down! The world created here is layered with mystery, mythical creatures, and strong characters.
Orlaith and Rhordyn’s relationship had me on the edge of my seat pretty much from the beginning and for the entire book. Was I rooting for them? Yes? I’m not sure? Really they were just as fascinating together as were their separate stories. I’m wondering what is the the thread that’s is holding this relationship together.
Orlaith’s parallels to Rapunzel made her endearing, but her differences made her powerful.
Did this book leave so many questions unanswered? YES. Was I obsessed with this book and unable to put it down? ALSO YES. By the end did I have more questions about than answers? Okay, also yes, but I’m telling you this book was so good I could not stop reading it. Sometimes I was wondering what was going on, but I kept coming back because I loved Orlaith, I really loved Rhordyn (although he also thoroughly made me angry and cuss at the book). I also loved Kai and had so many questions about him! (What is inside him??). Baze was a great brother type character that I really need to know more about, ESPECIALLY at the end. Cain I cannot wait to learn more from his mystery, do I trust him?? Honestly do I trust any of them?? I have so many questions.
Look I’m telling you to read this, but keep in mind you will absolutely need the next book ASAP
When I say I could not put this book down, I could not put this book down! The world created here is layered with mystery, mythical creatures, and strong characters.
Orlaith and Rhordyn’s relationship had me on the edge of my seat pretty much from the beginning and for the entire book. Was I rooting for them? Yes? I’m not sure? Really they were just as fascinating together as were their separate stories. I’m wondering what is the the thread that’s is holding this relationship together.
Orlaith’s parallels to Rapunzel made her endearing, but her differences made her powerful.
Did this book leave so many questions unanswered? YES. Was I obsessed with this book and unable to put it down? ALSO YES. By the end did I have more questions about than answers? Okay, also yes, but I’m telling you this book was so good I could not stop reading it. Sometimes I was wondering what was going on, but I kept coming back because I loved Orlaith, I really loved Rhordyn (although he also thoroughly made me angry and cuss at the book). I also loved Kai and had so many questions about him! (What is inside him??). Baze was a great brother type character that I really need to know more about, ESPECIALLY at the end. Cain I cannot wait to learn more from his mystery, do I trust him?? Honestly do I trust any of them?? I have so many questions.
Look I’m telling you to read this, but keep in mind you will absolutely need the next book ASAP
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
That was different but I ate it up. Dark Romantasy with lots of jealousy, mystery and tension? Sign me up.
I read the prologue and noped out. This is my first DNF of 2023. It’s obvious that the guy in the prologue is going to fall in love with the literal toddler he just rescued and that is gross. After I DNF, I read some other reviews to see if my guess was right and of course it was.
I don’t care about the rest of the story, I don’t care how the author tries to dress it up, I don’t care how tragic and broken the man is, I don’t care how “mature” the child ends up being in the future, just NOPE. Absolutely not. This man should be a father figure to her, not a love interest. If others like it, then good for y’all, but it’s an automatic no from me
I don’t care about the rest of the story, I don’t care how the author tries to dress it up, I don’t care how tragic and broken the man is, I don’t care how “mature” the child ends up being in the future, just NOPE. Absolutely not. This man should be a father figure to her, not a love interest. If others like it, then good for y’all, but it’s an automatic no from me
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm conflicted about this book, it captured my interest and I enjoyed reading it, but I felt like there was something missing. I'm hoping book 2 will have more of a sense of adventure, book 1 is just full of questions!