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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
I genuinely don't think I can put into words as to how good this book was. This was a DELICIOUS book, it had every trope I've ever wanted and successfully kept my attention. Prisca has to be my all-time favorite FMC'S after this.
If you like Throne of Glass and Serpent and the Wings of Night, this is for you!
Right off the bat, I was drawn in. Prisca's power is unique and different than any of the fantasy books I've been reading lately. There are so many tropes that I love, but it never felt like it was doing too much at the same time. While I can't say that this book really broke away from my usual fantasy mold, it was the little things that I didn't see coming that made me enjoy the journey so much.
What to Expect
✨Enemies-to-lovers
✨Plot twists
✨Slow burn
✨Forced proximity
✨Found family
✨Morally grey MMC
✨Powerful FMC
✨Fae/Hybrids
Characters
Prisca is selfless and brave. She would willingly sacrifice herself if it means freeing hundreds of prisoners. She's full of anger for how the corrupt rulers have treated her people, which she uses to fuel her power. Because of these things, she reminds me SO much of Aelin in Throne of Glass. It was hard not to draw parallels between them.
Lorian is the best kind of fantasy man - mysterious, grumpy, controlling, protective, and of course sexy. He's aloof and pretends not to care, but is constantly pushing Prisca to be her best self, yes please. I'm still unsure how I feel about his nickname for Prisca, but I'll leave that up to you to decide for yourself.
"You weren't meant for a life of safety. A life of kisses on your cheek and mediocre fucking. A life of gossiping with villagers.... Your Thol would never have given you this.... Until you face up to the reality of your life, you will forever be a victim to it."
The Mercenaries were great and I loved all of their individual relationships with Prisca. It was adorable. I actually wish I got more of this, but I'm hopeful that this will continue in the next book.
Pacing/Plot
There are so many plot twists and reveals sprinkled throughout the book that it kept moving and re-engaging me as a reader. I'm in the middle of my re-read of the Throne of Glass series, so I apologize for comparing so much, but... I was beyond happy that you get all of these twists and turns in this book, rather than being spread across 3 or 4 books, like SJM does. TOG is so slow in comparison. Now, I'm not saying that these twists were surprising. They were fairly predictable when you've read as much fantasy as I have. I still enjoyed it and got wrapped up in the plot so much that I hardly noticed whether or not the writing was good. The reason I say this is because I usually highlight my favorite quotes, but I didn't have many in this book. The only strange thing was pacing at the end. SO much happened or was revealed in the last few pages. It felt a little rushed and it ended so abruptly. It does make me want to read the next book though!
Overall, I am happy to add this to my list in league with Serpent and the Wings of Night, Trial of the Sun Queen, and other amazing fantasy books that I have read this year and would highly recommend! On to A Kingdom This Cursed & Empty. I have to know what Lorian means when he says "I'd told her she was mine, but she hadn't truly accepted it. Soon, she would learn exactly what that meant."
Right off the bat, I was drawn in. Prisca's power is unique and different than any of the fantasy books I've been reading lately. There are so many tropes that I love, but it never felt like it was doing too much at the same time. While I can't say that this book really broke away from my usual fantasy mold, it was the little things that I didn't see coming that made me enjoy the journey so much.
What to Expect
✨Enemies-to-lovers
✨Plot twists
✨Slow burn
✨Forced proximity
✨Found family
✨Morally grey MMC
✨Powerful FMC
✨Fae/Hybrids
Characters
Prisca is selfless and brave. She would willingly sacrifice herself if it means freeing hundreds of prisoners. She's full of anger for how the corrupt rulers have treated her people, which she uses to fuel her power. Because of these things, she reminds me SO much of Aelin in Throne of Glass. It was hard not to draw parallels between them.
Lorian is the best kind of fantasy man - mysterious, grumpy, controlling, protective, and of course sexy. He's aloof and pretends not to care, but is constantly pushing Prisca to be her best self, yes please. I'm still unsure how I feel about his nickname for Prisca, but I'll leave that up to you to decide for yourself.
"You weren't meant for a life of safety. A life of kisses on your cheek and mediocre fucking. A life of gossiping with villagers.... Your Thol would never have given you this.... Until you face up to the reality of your life, you will forever be a victim to it."
The Mercenaries were great and I loved all of their individual relationships with Prisca. It was adorable. I actually wish I got more of this, but I'm hopeful that this will continue in the next book.
Pacing/Plot
There are so many plot twists and reveals sprinkled throughout the book that it kept moving and re-engaging me as a reader. I'm in the middle of my re-read of the Throne of Glass series, so I apologize for comparing so much, but... I was beyond happy that you get all of these twists and turns in this book, rather than being spread across 3 or 4 books, like SJM does. TOG is so slow in comparison. Now, I'm not saying that these twists were surprising. They were fairly predictable when you've read as much fantasy as I have. I still enjoyed it and got wrapped up in the plot so much that I hardly noticed whether or not the writing was good. The reason I say this is because I usually highlight my favorite quotes, but I didn't have many in this book. The only strange thing was pacing at the end. SO much happened or was revealed in the last few pages. It felt a little rushed and it ended so abruptly. It does make me want to read the next book though!
Overall, I am happy to add this to my list in league with Serpent and the Wings of Night, Trial of the Sun Queen, and other amazing fantasy books that I have read this year and would highly recommend! On to A Kingdom This Cursed & Empty. I have to know what Lorian means when he says "I'd told her she was mine, but she hadn't truly accepted it. Soon, she would learn exactly what that meant."
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was an ok start to the series. I’m not sold on the name Prisca at all, but it’s at least better than Wildcat. It could definitely use a bit more world building. I’m not attached to the characters in this series like I am with the other series by this author. I’ll continue on to the second book because there were a few interesting ideas in this one and I want to see how they play out.
adventurous
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
I really liked this book. I am a sucker for soft brutes.
The whole last chapter I was in shock and gasping through most of it. There were so many secrets and I enjoyed every one that came out at the least favorable time.
I loved seeing Prisca's growth throughout the book. I enjoyed watching her angry and threats towards Lucian, but also seeing the comfort that he gave her.
I loved having Lorian's POV. But even with this POV he was still mysterious. Loved the letters between him and his brother. Loved the banter.
Meg and Tim did a wonderful job narrating this book. I loved having it be dual narration. I could really feel the feelings the characters were feeling as expressed by Meg and Tim.
I loved seeing Prisca's growth throughout the book. I enjoyed watching her angry and threats towards Lucian, but also seeing the comfort that he gave her.
I loved having Lorian's POV. But even with this POV he was still mysterious. Loved the letters between him and his brother. Loved the banter.
Meg and Tim did a wonderful job narrating this book. I loved having it be dual narration. I could really feel the feelings the characters were feeling as expressed by Meg and Tim.
It isn't my favorite romantic fantasy, but it is a good one. I saw it going around on BookTok, so I decided to give it a try. It was an easy read, I liked the pace and how the story progressed. Some things were predictable, as they always are, but there were some interesting twists. I finished the book and was immediately ready for the second one, so that says a lot :)