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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
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
Wow wow wow. I do not understand how this book doesn’t have more hype! Beautifully written and with complex character dynamics, this book would have perfectly filled the gaping whole the Shepherd King Duology left in me this summer. Same vibes and ambiance but with toxic lesbians at the center. Perfection. And beautiful writing and imagery like, “her voice collaps[ed] at its edges like wet sand.”
The sibling dynamic between Hellevir and Farvor really stuck out to me, as I don’t often feel like this is portrayed realistically or even given much time in other books in this genre, but I loved the siblings together, as well as individually. I don’t often cry at books, but this one made me tear up for sure. The scene whereHellevir hopes to raise Calgir and only sees his ashes broke me, not so much on Calgir’s behalf but on her and Farvor’s. I was rooting for the gays, hard. Can’t wait to read the sequel!
The sibling dynamic between Hellevir and Farvor really stuck out to me, as I don’t often feel like this is portrayed realistically or even given much time in other books in this genre, but I loved the siblings together, as well as individually. I don’t often cry at books, but this one made me tear up for sure. The scene where
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I needed some time to connect with this book, but the more I read, the more I loved what I read. This story is a lot darker, sadder and a lot more emotional than what I currently read. Maybe that's why it stood out and touched me in a different way. Although the heroine of this story does make a lot of mistakes, it's also impossible not to feel for her. Because of what she is and who she is, loads of people use and abuse her. A lot of what's happening to her is being done by people who don't care about her well being at all. It's hard to watch her just endure it. It's hard to watch her fall in love with someone who might mean well, but acts all wrong. It's hard to see her stuck in a situation she doesn't want to be in. It also makes the book incredibly sad. Just when you think things can't get worse, it does get worse. However, I'm really curious what will happen in the next book!
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
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:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
First I must say this books cover doesn’t do it justice. It looks like a dark romantasy book and I was not expecting it to a book that was more about court political intrigue and a very well established magic system. The writing is excellent. I would have given this 5 stars if the characters hadn’t infuriated me (this is definitely part of the story so not a flaw in the writing but it did take me out of the story a few times a personally). These characters really are morally gray and this isn’t really a romance because the romantic aspect is not the forefront of the story. I am really looking forward to next book for the character development I know is coming, this book most certainly set up a lot of the story that is to come and the characters still have a lot to work on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Death of parent
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes