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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
3 1/2 stars, rounded up. This was a very satisfying fantasy debut, but a VERY slow-paced one at times—I found myself struggling with it even though I was really enjoying it, and I wished that both the politics and the mythology/magic of this world were delved into a little more deeply. But the fantasy world feels very rich and full and real, and the fantastical elements, like Death’s realm, are extremely creative and unique. The relationship between Hellevir and Sullivain was SO juicy and complex and well done, too; other reviewers who pointed out that this is not quite a romance were spot on. I’m excited to read the sequel!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.5
If you want a gothic feeling book with a great story line, atmosphere and good characters look no further.
The cover gives it no justice, but this was an enjoyable read and would be perfect for anyone looking to read some gothic fantasy.
I did not care for the "love" story aspect as it was a toxic relationship, did like the relationship with the main character and her family as there are different relationships with each family member. This is a great contrast to the Princess "love interest" and the relationship with her grandmother the Queen and the lack of her parents.
The magic system was fun and the character Death was an interesting figure that I cannot wait to learn more about in the next book.
I am grabbing the next book as I am interested in what happens next to our Hellevir.
If you want a gothic feeling book with a great story line, atmosphere and good characters look no further.
The cover gives it no justice, but this was an enjoyable read and would be perfect for anyone looking to read some gothic fantasy.
I did not care for the "love" story aspect as it was a toxic relationship, did like the relationship with the main character and her family as there are different relationships with each family member. This is a great contrast to the Princess "love interest" and the relationship with her grandmother the Queen and the lack of her parents.
The magic system was fun and the character Death was an interesting figure that I cannot wait to learn more about in the next book.
I am grabbing the next book as I am interested in what happens next to our Hellevir.
oh how i loved and devoured this .. <3
hellevir will always be loved by me and i cannot wait to see what she encounters in book two.
the world building, the PROSE, the characters, the tragedies that befall them - everything within this book was done so well. also to each their own but the negative reviews for this confuse me, from what i’ve seen i think a lot of people went into this book with a misunderstanding of what it would entail (so many thinking this is a romantasy????) and then being understandably disappointed because their expectations were not met.
if you’re thinking about picking this up, DO IT!!! do not let certain reviews stop you from doing so. just be prepared to read a dark fantasy, because that’s what this is.
hellevir will always be loved by me and i cannot wait to see what she encounters in book two.
the world building, the PROSE, the characters, the tragedies that befall them - everything within this book was done so well. also to each their own but the negative reviews for this confuse me, from what i’ve seen i think a lot of people went into this book with a misunderstanding of what it would entail (so many thinking this is a romantasy????) and then being understandably disappointed because their expectations were not met.
if you’re thinking about picking this up, DO IT!!! do not let certain reviews stop you from doing so. just be prepared to read a dark fantasy, because that’s what this is.
I found the idea of this book better than the actual book. It didn’t really feel like enough big things happened. I did like this book enough to want to read the second one and see what happens.
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The premise of this story is so fun, and like many others I really enjoyed the scenes with Death. The problem is, I found there was a lot more chemistry between the otherworldy entity and Hellevir than Hellevir and Sullivan. I felt like there could've been a better development of the tie between them, emphasizing that it was not based on true romantic feelings. It felt a little like I was supposed to like the two of them together only because the book told me they wanted it. I didn't fully finish the book but read up on the rest of it because I became too frustrated. I can see why people were frustrated with Hellevir, but I think that her relative meekness and recklessness with herself were interesting character flaws to potentially be worked out. I think it would be more impactful if she herself saw the toxicity in the relationship more plainly and battled herself more over reconciling the pull she feels toward Sullivan and what she knows Sullivan has done. The refrain of "my grandmother asked me to" and "i know her grandmother made her" is an explanation but not an excuse and it felt like that absolved Sullivan for the most part in Hellevir's mind. It just fell short of making me believe that there was a reason that H. was so adamant in keeping S. alive at the cost of everything.
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Give me more lesbians with resurrectionist powers who can talk to animals and sprites and has a raven as a companion and looks like the scariest being on the planet but is actually a big softy at heart
Really cool magic and world building. Hellevir is a strong character with some really intriguing choices ahead of her. There are some interesting questions about mortality and what is beyond death. Kind of want to see more of Sullivain in the sequel, I feel like most of her complexities are merely told to us rather than shown.
Really cool magic and world building. Hellevir is a strong character with some really intriguing choices ahead of her. There are some interesting questions about mortality and what is beyond death. Kind of want to see more of Sullivain in the sequel, I feel like most of her complexities are merely told to us rather than shown.