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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
lighthearted
fast-paced
Full Review at loganashleyleduc.com
Though this book was a really interesting read, it wasn't one I'd be looking to read again.
I was really hopeful based on the synopsis of this book, which featured plenty of information regarding the bad-ass female this book is supposed to be about. Unfortunately, I was definitely disappointed.
Kalinda was a great main character and I really loved her. I thought it was so interesting to see what happened to her through her journey as she left the temple and began her journey to living and becoming the 100th wife of the Rajah. I was disappointed when the story took a turn and instead of focusing on how bad-ass and persistent Kalinda was with her goals, it turned instead to the romantic aspect as she began to fall in love. It wasn't just about dying for women's rights anymore. It became about dying for love which wasn't what I was expecting based on the synopsis.
I was underwhelmed by this book and though I really enjoyed the plot overall, I felt the writing could definitely use some work. It was choppy, and often times I severely questioned whether this was actually a title written for YA readers or if it should be adjusted to be an adult genre piece.
I'd probably read something else and just skip this one if I could go back in time.
Though this book was a really interesting read, it wasn't one I'd be looking to read again.
I was really hopeful based on the synopsis of this book, which featured plenty of information regarding the bad-ass female this book is supposed to be about. Unfortunately, I was definitely disappointed.
Kalinda was a great main character and I really loved her. I thought it was so interesting to see what happened to her through her journey as she left the temple and began her journey to living and becoming the 100th wife of the Rajah. I was disappointed when the story took a turn and instead of focusing on how bad-ass and persistent Kalinda was with her goals, it turned instead to the romantic aspect as she began to fall in love. It wasn't just about dying for women's rights anymore. It became about dying for love which wasn't what I was expecting based on the synopsis.
I was underwhelmed by this book and though I really enjoyed the plot overall, I felt the writing could definitely use some work. It was choppy, and often times I severely questioned whether this was actually a title written for YA readers or if it should be adjusted to be an adult genre piece.
I'd probably read something else and just skip this one if I could go back in time.
This is a YA fantasy book that took me by storm. I saw many of the reviews for this book were low, but decided to give the book a chance anyway. I loved this book. It had everything I love in a romance and had an even better idea of what sisterhood and friendship should be. I am NOT a fantasy reader. I have tried many books and failed to get through them. I enjoyed how there was not much world building, and the magic system did not seem to be a system at all. I enjoyed how relaxed it was, and maybe that is why I enjoyed it so much.
I loved the book from beginning to end. Some things were predictable, while others were not. I desperately want to read the other books, but part of me is afraid. I know the next books will expand on the magic in this world, and I am unsure if the next books will help my love grow stronger, or cause me to dislike the entire series.
I loved the book from beginning to end. Some things were predictable, while others were not. I desperately want to read the other books, but part of me is afraid. I know the next books will expand on the magic in this world, and I am unsure if the next books will help my love grow stronger, or cause me to dislike the entire series.
I plodded through and finished this book. It’s a bad sign when each page comes with the question, why would she be this reckless? The pacing in this whole book was off with too much happening all the time leading to no time for character development. It felt like reading a soap opera. The instalove added nothing to the story and their relationship just felt desperate. The idea that a people, in less than one generation , could forget a tenet of their faith is just ludicrous. The lack of world building and reliance on tropes/racial stereotypes was painful. We need more heroines and hero’s of colour but this offering was subpar.
3.5 out of 5
So the first like...half was kind of uncomfortable for me. The concept of choosing women to add to your stack of 70+ wives just... *cringe and shiver* Also not a fan of insta-love which is basically 99% of the relationship the mc has. What really peaked my interest was the magic and I definitely want to see more of that. I was surprised by the lineage reveal (and I'm a sucker for those) so I think I'll try book two.
So the first like...half was kind of uncomfortable for me. The concept of choosing women to add to your stack of 70+ wives just... *cringe and shiver* Also not a fan of insta-love which is basically 99% of the relationship the mc has. What really peaked my interest was the magic and I definitely want to see more of that. I was surprised by the lineage reveal (and I'm a sucker for those) so I think I'll try book two.
Originally, I gave this 3 stars, but after mulling over this book for a bit I decided 3 stars was too generous.
This book had a promising plot line and I truly believe I could have enjoyed it if it weren't written in
rushed manner that was accompanied by insta-love and characters who were over all hollow, unbelievable, and not genuine.
This book had a promising plot line and I truly believe I could have enjoyed it if it weren't written in
rushed manner that was accompanied by insta-love and characters who were over all hollow, unbelievable, and not genuine.
It's awesome! Starting off with the intriguing story of a mysterious girl who does not know her ancestry and her being taken away against her will. With a little twist of romance between Kalinda and the Captain, and enough conspiracy to keep the story at a good pace. In my opinion, it's a combination of Sarah J. Maas's "Throne of Glass" series and "The Selection" by Kiera Cass.
I don’t know why I read this book.
It started off interesting with a band of bad ass warrior sister monks and then it just went downhill.
Some of my smaller pet peeves include:
Kalinda never ate. Literally every time she’s at a meal in the palace (I swear EVERY time) she chooses not to eat. No wonder she is stick thin. She also should be dead? But it’s beyond stupid, she knows she will need to fight for her life in a tournament and she doesn’t eat? Does she want to die? And she never once trains! All these hardcore women warriors (and male soldiers!) and she doesn’t think to ask someone to help her train so she can hold her own?
It’s all so stupid. She is such a weak character and the religion they follow seems very cobbled together and all over the place. Apparently her love interest is very religious himself and knows that he 100% should not have anything to do with the viraji and yet he doesn’t even seem to care. Like he gives up years of religious belief for some girl he barely knows with hardly any noticeable guilt or emotional struggle?
And the part where the Rajah doesn’t even give a shit that this is potentially his own daughter he is marrying!? Gtfo that’s absurd. It’s also absurd that these women who grew up never having even seen a man can just go from isolation to orgies without massive depression or like suicide. I mean you’re gonna talk about how the Rajah likes his group sex and his prostitutes you could also cover some real emotions that these women might have. But apparently they all just go from badass warrior sisterhood women to desperate-to-please man worshipers overnight. Cool.
ALSO the rajah was waiting in the chapel when they all tried to escape because he knew it was the closest hidden tunnel - So he knew about the secret tunnels all along and didn't bother to post a guard at them all the time? Like wouldn't that be a number 1 priority to guard if you knew bhutas were trying to steal something of yours and had been sneaking around your palace?
I don’t know what led me to read this entire book but I should have oven up a lot earlier. It was poorly written and silly.
It started off interesting with a band of bad ass warrior sister monks and then it just went downhill.
Some of my smaller pet peeves include:
Kalinda never ate. Literally every time she’s at a meal in the palace (I swear EVERY time) she chooses not to eat. No wonder she is stick thin. She also should be dead? But it’s beyond stupid, she knows she will need to fight for her life in a tournament and she doesn’t eat? Does she want to die? And she never once trains! All these hardcore women warriors (and male soldiers!) and she doesn’t think to ask someone to help her train so she can hold her own?
It’s all so stupid. She is such a weak character and the religion they follow seems very cobbled together and all over the place. Apparently her love interest is very religious himself and knows that he 100% should not have anything to do with the viraji and yet he doesn’t even seem to care. Like he gives up years of religious belief for some girl he barely knows with hardly any noticeable guilt or emotional struggle?
ALSO the rajah was waiting in the chapel when they all tried to escape because he knew it was the closest hidden tunnel - So he knew about the secret tunnels all along and didn't bother to post a guard at them all the time? Like wouldn't that be a number 1 priority to guard if you knew bhutas were trying to steal something of yours and had been sneaking around your palace?
I don’t know what led me to read this entire book but I should have oven up a lot earlier. It was poorly written and silly.
I feel like if RED QUEEN and REBEL OF THE SANDS had a book love child, this would be it.
I adored this book: the premise, the setting, the characters, the magic. It was predictable in the good way the "ordinary-girl-discovers-she-has-abilities" trope is done. The romance was quick to develop but I think that's more down to Kalinda's sheltered life. The rajah was a cruel, enjoyable antagonist, and the dynamic of the palace was highly tense.
This book had all the right twists and alliances. I could barely put it down!
I adored this book: the premise, the setting, the characters, the magic. It was predictable in the good way the "ordinary-girl-discovers-she-has-abilities" trope is done. The romance was quick to develop but I think that's more down to Kalinda's sheltered life. The rajah was a cruel, enjoyable antagonist, and the dynamic of the palace was highly tense.
This book had all the right twists and alliances. I could barely put it down!