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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
I only read this because I described the plot to my husband and he wanted to know what was next. The plot keeps me going, but man am I kind of tired of the main character and her relationship as well as the writing. Things are just kind of “explained”. It’s so bizarre and it feels like a friend is revealing a story for me at times instead of me reading a story?
Im not gonna lie. This series is a hate read for me. From the beginning, there is so much that doesn’t work (the over the top characters, the repetitive writing, the slow plot) and yet I couldn’t get enough because I’m a filthy pervert. This one is where I broke. My motivation is no more. After reading reviews, it seems the writing just gets worse and I’d rather spend my time reading something that brings me joy
Oh my gosh this book was so good. So addicting I had trouble putting it down long enough to like sleep and ear and go to work. Can’t wait for more and this series continues to just get better and better.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (2nd reread) - I had already written a full review for this the first time I read it, but I now have added a few more bits
''You are the flames to my soul''
Safety warnings:
- No cheating
- OW Drama/OM Drama
- Miscarriage
- Gruesome violence/d*ath
- Trauma
- Abuse
- Loss of loved ones
- Cliffhanger
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
I went into this book with so many theories and scenarios that I was honestly shocked that it didn’t pan out that way - this was not at all what I expected (and not because it was bad OH NO but because it was refreshing to be shocked beyond belief so many times since most book twists nowadays seem so predictable).
I have a lot to say and a massive number of feelings so let’s dive in:
About 90% of my theories were wrong for this book. The only thing I was on the money on was Aria being pregnant and that Aurora was a lying bitch who was never for a moment was not thinking of herself. The fact Aria’s sisters knew of the horror that she dealt with as a child and the fact she isn’t their sister really puts things into perspective. I am glad Aria let go of that responsibility to protect them and no longer has to put herself in danger to keep them safe.
Aurora is revealed to being Aria's mother. Freya was Amara's mother, but Amara's twin died in the womb, while Aria ate her twin in the womb so they figured they could trick everyone. It's insane.
Knox is and will always be the most tortured MC I have ever read. I hated him in book 1-3 to the point where I loved him even more because I knew he would end up on her side and being who I knew he could be. However, with that being said I genuinely thought (especially with how Book 3 ended) he would be horrible again in this book and treat her with utter disrespect BUT Amelia once again brilliantly twisted that into him coming to terms on his own from page 1 - 100% no longer wishing her harm from himself or anyone else and no longer wishes to be her enemy nor her villain.
The fact he spent more time in the book (whenever he physically could) saying he just wanted to hold her was beautiful and showed his growth. He stands by her and will be the shield to protect her. Also let’s not forget his constant need to be WORTHY of her. Holy 180 Batman.
He was HEXED - to forever mourn his wife/son and so was the entire kingdom. Celia also placed things in his custom-made chest to hex him from feeling emotions other than anger etc. Glad he killed Celia. It didn’t hurt when Gideon died as we never got to know him like we do with the other guys. Celia was working with the witches and was being ''blackmailed'' to keep herself on their good side, which resulted in a bunch of shit happening because of her. She is the reason that Liliana died after Sven died, she removed the necklace from her neck and that was the cause of her death. She was just a horrible person, and I am glad that her fate was sealed in this book. I could NOT deal with anymore of her. ALSOOOOO you know how she said and Knox believed they had slept together? It was a LIE - she made it up and Killian proved it was false. Thank fuck.
The daughters they never got to have truly broke me. I figured she was pregnant in COC but I never really expected her to lose them. Knox’s dedication to them was such a tender moment. The honor he gave them was breathtaking.
Two of my favorite lines in the book are from Knox:
“I’ll breath for you, if you’ll let me, I’ll do it for you Aria” &
“Don’t add your name to my ghost”
''You are the flames to my soul''
Safety warnings:
- No cheating
- OW Drama/OM Drama
- Miscarriage
- Gruesome violence/d*ath
- Trauma
- Abuse
- Loss of loved ones
- Cliffhanger
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
I went into this book with so many theories and scenarios that I was honestly shocked that it didn’t pan out that way - this was not at all what I expected (and not because it was bad OH NO but because it was refreshing to be shocked beyond belief so many times since most book twists nowadays seem so predictable).
I have a lot to say and a massive number of feelings so let’s dive in:
About 90% of my theories were wrong for this book. The only thing I was on the money on was Aria being pregnant and that Aurora was a lying bitch who was never for a moment was not thinking of herself. The fact Aria’s sisters knew of the horror that she dealt with as a child and the fact she isn’t their sister really puts things into perspective. I am glad Aria let go of that responsibility to protect them and no longer has to put herself in danger to keep them safe.
Aurora is revealed to being Aria's mother. Freya was Amara's mother, but Amara's twin died in the womb, while Aria ate her twin in the womb so they figured they could trick everyone. It's insane.
Knox is and will always be the most tortured MC I have ever read. I hated him in book 1-3 to the point where I loved him even more because I knew he would end up on her side and being who I knew he could be. However, with that being said I genuinely thought (especially with how Book 3 ended) he would be horrible again in this book and treat her with utter disrespect BUT Amelia once again brilliantly twisted that into him coming to terms on his own from page 1 - 100% no longer wishing her harm from himself or anyone else and no longer wishes to be her enemy nor her villain.
The fact he spent more time in the book (whenever he physically could) saying he just wanted to hold her was beautiful and showed his growth. He stands by her and will be the shield to protect her. Also let’s not forget his constant need to be WORTHY of her. Holy 180 Batman.
He was HEXED - to forever mourn his wife/son and so was the entire kingdom. Celia also placed things in his custom-made chest to hex him from feeling emotions other than anger etc. Glad he killed Celia. It didn’t hurt when Gideon died as we never got to know him like we do with the other guys. Celia was working with the witches and was being ''blackmailed'' to keep herself on their good side, which resulted in a bunch of shit happening because of her. She is the reason that Liliana died after Sven died, she removed the necklace from her neck and that was the cause of her death. She was just a horrible person, and I am glad that her fate was sealed in this book. I could NOT deal with anymore of her. ALSOOOOO you know how she said and Knox believed they had slept together? It was a LIE - she made it up and Killian proved it was false. Thank fuck.
The daughters they never got to have truly broke me. I figured she was pregnant in COC but I never really expected her to lose them. Knox’s dedication to them was such a tender moment. The honor he gave them was breathtaking.
Two of my favorite lines in the book are from Knox:
“I’ll breath for you, if you’ll let me, I’ll do it for you Aria” &
“Don’t add your name to my ghost”
Aria faces more trials and betrayal than ever before. She must gather every shred of strength she has to continue to fight a battle she does not even know if she can win. Tragedy strikes when she least expects it, and the grief is unfathomable, but also gives her strength she never could have imagined. With the family she has made by her side she sets out to rattle the Nine Realms and bring them all to their knees, even her mate.
Another nine realms book that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat but also frustrated!
Although I still loved this book and it was hard to put it down there were a few things that kept me from giving it a full five stars:
- after book three I really hoped Aria and Knox were going to have more happy times in this installment of the series. This didn't happen.
- I like my fantasy romance with a decent amount of sexy time. This book is filled with teasers that have the reader thinking FINALLY when A and K start to hook up - but for the first 85% of the book these teasers don't go anywhere and just leave Aria frustrated.
- Aria continually makes assumptions that Knox is doing everything to hurt her whenever he isn't around to explain his actions, even when his actions are continually proving the contrary.
- it bares repeating again, there is no sex in this book until chapter freaking 54. 85% of the way through. Then there is one steamy night and that's it. I mean some people may prefer their books this way but I certainly prefer more than one hot night of lust in my romance books.
I finished this book in 1 day of reading pretty much, so it was good... But if there was less needless misinformation angst that would have made it better, and also the ending seemed a little weak. I felt like the end of the last chapter was a bit of an odd way to end it. It probably would have been better left either a little further into the story for a cliffhanger or a little bit shorter where the danger was higher for Aria. Where it left off was kind of odd in my opinion.
Would totally recommend this read, with the caveat that the reader should be ready for a super slow burn that is frustrating.
One last thing I loved - Ember is hilarious, I repeatedly read out her parts to my husband because I thought she was hilarious. Also Arias snark can't be beat. Here is one of my fave little Aria tidbits where she's talking to her mother about who sired her:
"You’re who rode the dick that made me, so why don’t you tell me how I got it? Or did you just ride all the dicks until one spit up enough stuff to make a baby-shake? You got fucked, and then I was ejected from your worthless, poisonous womb. The only one who knows who the fuck got fucked was you, right?"
Although I still loved this book and it was hard to put it down there were a few things that kept me from giving it a full five stars:
- after book three I really hoped Aria and Knox were going to have more happy times in this installment of the series. This didn't happen.
- I like my fantasy romance with a decent amount of sexy time. This book is filled with teasers that have the reader thinking FINALLY when A and K start to hook up - but for the first 85% of the book these teasers don't go anywhere and just leave Aria frustrated.
- Aria continually makes assumptions that Knox is doing everything to hurt her whenever he isn't around to explain his actions, even when his actions are continually proving the contrary.
- it bares repeating again, there is no sex in this book until chapter freaking 54. 85% of the way through. Then there is one steamy night and that's it. I mean some people may prefer their books this way but I certainly prefer more than one hot night of lust in my romance books.
I finished this book in 1 day of reading pretty much, so it was good... But if there was less needless misinformation angst that would have made it better, and also the ending seemed a little weak. I felt like the end of the last chapter was a bit of an odd way to end it. It probably would have been better left either a little further into the story for a cliffhanger or a little bit shorter where the danger was higher for Aria. Where it left off was kind of odd in my opinion.
Would totally recommend this read, with the caveat that the reader should be ready for a super slow burn that is frustrating.
One last thing I loved - Ember is hilarious, I repeatedly read out her parts to my husband because I thought she was hilarious. Also Arias snark can't be beat. Here is one of my fave little Aria tidbits where she's talking to her mother about who sired her:
"You’re who rode the dick that made me, so why don’t you tell me how I got it? Or did you just ride all the dicks until one spit up enough stuff to make a baby-shake? You got fucked, and then I was ejected from your worthless, poisonous womb. The only one who knows who the fuck got fucked was you, right?"
another amazing book by Amelia Hutchins!
I already can’t wait for the next one! This series is an emotional roller coaster in the best way possible! It’s so creative and through the entire book I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next!
I already can’t wait for the next one! This series is an emotional roller coaster in the best way possible! It’s so creative and through the entire book I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next!
This book is incredible! Probably my favorite in the series, but that could be my emotions talking right now because this book puts you through every possible emotion! I laughed out loud, I sobbed, I got so angry, and I felt all sorts of happy feelings.
To be honest, I think the best friends are my favorite relationship in the entire series so far. I mean, Knox is everything, but "Are we best friends yet?" was the relationship I looked forward to seeing more of.
THANK YOU AMELIA!
To be honest, I think the best friends are my favorite relationship in the entire series so far. I mean, Knox is everything, but "Are we best friends yet?" was the relationship I looked forward to seeing more of.
THANK YOU AMELIA!
My first read of of 2022 where I cried. It grabbed my soul. I felt the grief and sorrow. However, I wanted to love this more. I am glad Knox and Aria finally seem to be on the same side even if they aren’t together. And I was hoping for more spice. I can’t wait for the next book though.
