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cait_reads13's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Oh.My.Goodness. This book ๐!
Book dragons, I knew I would probably enjoy Lunaria by Kara Douglas after reading the list of tropes and the blurb. What I wasnโt prepared for was to devour this book in less than 2 days! I donโt think my kindle left my hands as long as I was awake, which is basically the highest praise I can give ๐.
I had such a fun time following FMC, Amira Ramsey, as she traded life as the only woman in a soldierโs war camp, for the opulent castle and The Matching (basically the marriage market for eligible nobility). Although Amira has no intention of marrying and is really just using the opportunity to escape her awful father, she finds that life at the castle is different than she expected.
Trust me when one say that I could not stop turning pages! From masked balls, to couples games, to surprise proposals, to political intrigue, to midnight runs through the castle gardens, to missing best friends, a terrible father, and two men vying for her attention (ok, one was being more subtle about it, but you get my point ๐), this book was utterly unputdownable. If you enjoy romantic fantasy, please do yourself a favor and read Lunaira. ๐
If youโre the type of reader who doesnโt like to wait for the next book, fear not! Book 2 in the series, Illuminance, is due to be published on March 21, 2024! I know Iโll be picking it up ASAP!
In the pages, you will find:
๐ฅฐ๐ชNew Adult Fantasy Romance
๐ช A strong FMC that knows her mind.
๐ซฃ Hidden identities
๐ญ A masquerade
๐ Royality
โค๏ธ Slow burn enemies-to-lovers
๐บ Reign meets the Bachelor
๐ชข Forced proximity
๐คฏ Shocking twists!
๐ A book you canโt put down!
โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ/5
growmealibrary's review
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Oh my goodness this book was such an unexpected surprise for me. It was seriously such a fun read. It has all of my favorite things from a slow burn romance, morally gray mmc, strong fmc, to castle setting. I mean come on.
I absolutely loved Amira and her growth through the story. I think this was a great start to a series and leaves me itching for book two!! I have so many questions left unanswered but Iโm in no way upset about it.
I absolutely loved Amira and her growth through the story. I think this was a great start to a series and leaves me itching for book two!! I have so many questions left unanswered but Iโm in no way upset about it.
redreviews4you's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was an exciting novel from a first time author that had a bit of a slow burn style for me, but luckily I don't give up easily or quickly on a novel and I stuck with this one. Trust me, do the same, because about a quarter of the way into this novel the this book took off and I was hooked. I am thrilled that this is not a one shot because I want to stay in this world and revisit these characters again; plus I really need to get off the cliff I am currently hanging from because what a cliff it is!
Closing thought: Although my first reaction to the beginning was that it was a little slow , as the book progressed I found that this was part of the author's style and was beautifully integrated into the novel. This was well paced and well designed and well written, so that i clearly saw how this was needed because to fully invested the reader not only in the characters but also in their world --and the inclusion of the map shows this by letting me easily follow the action. Vivid and real, Douglass clearly has created a world rooted not only in her imagination but also in her personal values, something that makes strong fantasy that leaves a lasting impression.
Closing thought: Although my first reaction to the beginning was that it was a little slow , as the book progressed I found that this was part of the author's style and was beautifully integrated into the novel. This was well paced and well designed and well written, so that i clearly saw how this was needed because to fully invested the reader not only in the characters but also in their world --and the inclusion of the map shows this by letting me easily follow the action. Vivid and real, Douglass clearly has created a world rooted not only in her imagination but also in her personal values, something that makes strong fantasy that leaves a lasting impression.
ettaviereads's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
This was an amazing slow burn fantasy. Amira is the perfect badass FMC and Greylanโs dark, brooding attitude but softness towards Amira is absolutely perfect.
The initial few chapters build the dark backstory for Amiraโs desperation to escape her father and the training camp.
This book is a wonderful mix between The Selection and The Red Queen but with its own interesting twists. Overall, most of the main characters are extremely likeable and the plot points kept me reading late into the night.
I will definitely be reading book number 2 which releases later this month!
courtneystrong's review
dark
emotional
slow-paced
5.0
I absolutely devoured this book and could not put it down. I loved everything about it - the writing, the pacing, the characters, EVERYTHING! I truly had no idea who Amira was going to end up with and the ending truly shocked me. I am SO excited for the release of Iluminance this month!
xndynareads's review
5.0
I read this book after being recommended it by a friend and can I just say I was not disappointed!! The first couple of chapters were tricky because of the world building but it was definitely necessary. As soon as I had fallen head first into the plot I did not resurface until I hit the acknowledgments page. This book really was amazing and the characters were so charming too, (Graylen, anyone??
literatureandleaves's review
5.0
โOnly you can decide your future, you just have to be strong enough to take control of it.โ
Lunaria has a special kind of magic to it.
One that slowly simmers before it lights the whole world on fire.
Filled with hard won friendships, fierce determination, and a slow burn that will have you happy sighing- you donโt want to miss out. The writing was immersive and fun while achingly emotional at times.
I loved it, and canโt wait to read whatโs next!!
*I received this as an eArc but my opinions are my own*
Lunaria has a special kind of magic to it.
One that slowly simmers before it lights the whole world on fire.
Filled with hard won friendships, fierce determination, and a slow burn that will have you happy sighing- you donโt want to miss out. The writing was immersive and fun while achingly emotional at times.
I loved it, and canโt wait to read whatโs next!!
*I received this as an eArc but my opinions are my own*
crooks_book_nook's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.5
I have had my eye on this book for quite a while, and I was thrilled to have a chance to get an ARC copy! Thank you, Kara and RR Booktours for sending me a copy for a review!
I'm so glad that the next book is coming out, because I'm dying to see what happens next! There were some twists I wasn't expecting (especially toward the end, Kara keeps them coming). I really like the characters, and I especially like that Kara is keeping some mystery with a lot of the characters. I can't wait to see what she's going to do with some of them. I could see how some people could find the beginning slow, but if you keep pushing through, things pick up and get really interesting. I'm excited for the world building and to learn more about what is going on in it.
No spice in this book (a lot of romantic tension, will they/won't they, love triangle type of angst)
I'm so glad that the next book is coming out, because I'm dying to see what happens next! There were some twists I wasn't expecting (especially toward the end, Kara keeps them coming). I really like the characters, and I especially like that Kara is keeping some mystery with a lot of the characters. I can't wait to see what she's going to do with some of them. I could see how some people could find the beginning slow, but if you keep pushing through, things pick up and get really interesting. I'm excited for the world building and to learn more about what is going on in it.
No spice in this book (a lot of romantic tension, will they/won't they, love triangle type of angst)
meenu456's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-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
5.0
โฅ๐ณ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐. ๐๐๐ ๐
๐๐โ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐
๐๐๐โ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐
๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐. ๐ฐ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐
๐๐๐
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐โ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐
๐ฟ๐ผ๐ข๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ข๐จ๐๐ฎ: Young Blood, Cold heart and Strong Dr Dr 1 tomind. Such a deadly set of traits!
This is what our FMC got๐ก๏ธ๐ซ
Amira Ramsey born and raised among men wearing leathers and handling daggers. Learning every now and then how to defend and attend the voice of her freedom.
๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ง๐๐๐ฃ ๐๐ฉ๐๐ฌ๐๐ง๐ฉ: Hiding his identity very well Adrian enters her life and make sure to lead the paths for Amira to be free. I literally fall for a man knowing very well no love comes without pain my heart couldn't hold the truths coming one after another specially the things that come after chap 31 ๐
The moment his character turn from high to low and then goes to bottom I'm not saying much about him (there's a lot more to come)
๐ฟ๐๐ง๐๐ฎ๐ก๐๐ฃ ๐๐๐ง๐ง๐๐๐ค๐ฃ: Ahhhh what should I say for my baby he's everything Amira had and everything she never want. His character built was so beautiful and breathtaking that it turns a simple chemistry (between Amira And Adrian) into love triangle ๐๐
Never judge a book by cover Graylen holds so many things yet until unleashed but the sense of responsibility he give toward Amira sounds much more than I would be expecting from him
Few minus points from (not to say author left anything to pick against her writing skills but) the females other than lead got me confused many times there are many names to remember better give your attention fully while reading ๐คญ๐
No one knows the dark secrets behind the great wall of Runnswick Castle where they need to play along with their game.
โ ๏ธ Little Spoiler hints
โจHidden Identity
โจLibrary with Secrets
โจDrums of Mourning
โจCasted Shadows
โจInhuman things
โจGreed for Love
๐ฟ๐ผ๐ข๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ข๐จ๐๐ฎ: Young Blood, Cold heart and Strong Dr Dr 1 tomind. Such a deadly set of traits!
This is what our FMC got๐ก๏ธ๐ซ
Amira Ramsey born and raised among men wearing leathers and handling daggers. Learning every now and then how to defend and attend the voice of her freedom.
๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ง๐๐๐ฃ ๐๐ฉ๐๐ฌ๐๐ง๐ฉ: Hiding his identity very well Adrian enters her life and make sure to lead the paths for Amira to be free. I literally fall for a man knowing very well no love comes without pain my heart couldn't hold the truths coming one after another specially the things that come after chap 31 ๐
The moment his character turn from high to low and then goes to bottom I'm not saying much about him (there's a lot more to come)
๐ฟ๐๐ง๐๐ฎ๐ก๐๐ฃ ๐๐๐ง๐ง๐๐๐ค๐ฃ: Ahhhh what should I say for my baby he's everything Amira had and everything she never want. His character built was so beautiful and breathtaking that it turns a simple chemistry (between Amira And Adrian) into love triangle ๐๐
Never judge a book by cover Graylen holds so many things yet until unleashed but the sense of responsibility he give toward Amira sounds much more than I would be expecting from him
Few minus points from (not to say author left anything to pick against her writing skills but) the females other than lead got me confused many times there are many names to remember better give your attention fully while reading ๐คญ๐
No one knows the dark secrets behind the great wall of Runnswick Castle where they need to play along with their game.
โ ๏ธ Little Spoiler hints
โจHidden Identity
โจLibrary with Secrets
โจDrums of Mourning
โจCasted Shadows
โจInhuman things
โจGreed for Love
read_withtay's review
hopeful
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
4.0
This was such a cool story. I hit it out of the park lately with these indie author picks! I enjoyed the hidden identity piece and how the relationship in the book developed from there. Magic is always a wonderful plus and the ending was such a cliffhanger, I can't wait for the next one!