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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
5⭐️—Utterly brilliant.
This was a re-read via audiobook ahead of book 3’s release in a few days, and it has been SO FASCINATING to read again and pick up even more clues—some I’d missed, and some that had new light cast on them knowing what I know from book 2.
This is a dark fantasy romance. If you don’t immediately realise the FMC is an unreliable narrator (we meet her in a drug-abused state so it’s established early), and that the author is playing off and cleverly subverting specific genre expectations (you might get some Plated Prisoner Midas/Slade or even some ACOTAR Tamlin/Rhysand thematic vibes), then you might have strong negative and suss feelings about the FMC/MMC relationship (such as it is at this stage!). All I can do is implore you to go into with curiosity and to really absorb the language and symbolism woven throughout this book. All is not as it seems. Things get dark (and even darker in book 2), so do check your TW’s—but I can’t stress enough how utterly brilliant this is.
I’m diving right into book 2 now so I can be ready to pick up book 3 on release day—30 March 2023 🙌
Edited to add (ever so SLIGHTLY SPOILERY so don’t read on if you aren’t keen): I’ve read a few reviews and DNF’s due to the issue of grooming of the FMC by the MMC—I just wanted to say that this is an absolute no-go trope in romance for me (non-con and dub-con are not for me either), but it was very clear to me that this was a clever misdirect from the careful way book 1 was written (e.g. the metaphor of Orlaith’s mural that was partially in shadow so the whole story cannot be seen) but it seems it wasn’t clear to some readers. The prologue of book 2 is worth reading to help allay your fears in this regard, if you were worried about that particular thread of the narrative. But I’d just say if darker themed stories that push you to uncomfortable places aren’t your thing that is perfectly ok too! I just felt compelled to add this as I’d hate for those reviews to turn people off when I think it’s just that the misdirect has worked too well on those readers who had the ick! Book 2’s prologue will cast helpful light I promise 🥰
This was a re-read via audiobook ahead of book 3’s release in a few days, and it has been SO FASCINATING to read again and pick up even more clues—some I’d missed, and some that had new light cast on them knowing what I know from book 2.
This is a dark fantasy romance. If you don’t immediately realise the FMC is an unreliable narrator (we meet her in a drug-abused state so it’s established early), and that the author is playing off and cleverly subverting specific genre expectations (you might get some Plated Prisoner Midas/Slade or even some ACOTAR Tamlin/Rhysand thematic vibes), then you might have strong negative and suss feelings about the FMC/MMC relationship (such as it is at this stage!). All I can do is implore you to go into with curiosity and to really absorb the language and symbolism woven throughout this book. All is not as it seems. Things get dark (and even darker in book 2), so do check your TW’s—but I can’t stress enough how utterly brilliant this is.
I’m diving right into book 2 now so I can be ready to pick up book 3 on release day—30 March 2023 🙌
Edited to add (ever so SLIGHTLY SPOILERY so don’t read on if you aren’t keen): I’ve read a few reviews and DNF’s due to the issue of grooming of the FMC by the MMC—I just wanted to say that this is an absolute no-go trope in romance for me (non-con and dub-con are not for me either), but it was very clear to me that this was a clever misdirect from the careful way book 1 was written (e.g. the metaphor of Orlaith’s mural that was partially in shadow so the whole story cannot be seen) but it seems it wasn’t clear to some readers. The prologue of book 2 is worth reading to help allay your fears in this regard, if you were worried about that particular thread of the narrative. But I’d just say if darker themed stories that push you to uncomfortable places aren’t your thing that is perfectly ok too! I just felt compelled to add this as I’d hate for those reviews to turn people off when I think it’s just that the misdirect has worked too well on those readers who had the ick! Book 2’s prologue will cast helpful light I promise 🥰
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I didn't have a great start to this book, i had some problems with the mc i found a lot of her behaviour in the beginning to be very juvenile, it had me cringing out a lot and wanting to skip.
Though the book did redeem itself in the middle and i had me really enjoying the story, not wanting to stop. I had too many questions that i needed answered to want to stop.
I did end up finishing this book in one sitting and that kind of speaks for itself. Towards the end i was completely gripped, i did not see all those hits coming. I thought i knew what was going to happen but nope the author managed to surprise me.
I totally ended up buying the second book after finishing it, i just have to know what is going to happen I have too many questions left unanswered.
I definitely recommend but you will have to persevere through the first half of the book for it to get really good.
Though the book did redeem itself in the middle and i had me really enjoying the story, not wanting to stop. I had too many questions that i needed answered to want to stop.
I did end up finishing this book in one sitting and that kind of speaks for itself. Towards the end i was completely gripped, i did not see all those hits coming. I thought i knew what was going to happen but nope the author managed to surprise me.
I totally ended up buying the second book after finishing it, i just have to know what is going to happen I have too many questions left unanswered.
I definitely recommend but you will have to persevere through the first half of the book for it to get really good.
No plot, just vibes. But they were damn good vibes
You’re really telling me the FMC’s love interest is a man who saved her when she was 2 years old and raised her in his castle for 19 years??? We’re really going with that?? Bc that is actually so weird
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I can't for the life of me finish this book. The writing is beautiful but the whole idea of loving your captor (who is way older might I add) just puts me off.
Soft Dnf for now. The plot is to slow.