Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was surprised by this book given all the hype and reviews I had read previously. It felt like I was reading 2 separate novels, so I will review separately:
SPOILERS BELOW
The first half: 4.5 stars
I was immediately impressed by the uniqueness of the world and magic system here. I liked the characters, flow of the story, and was excited to read something that was unlike many of the other romantasies I have read recently. Acker was a delightful mysterious yet noble MMC and I liked the chemistry and banter, especially in the journey out of her home. This last until the moment they arrived at the castle; then, it was like a switch flipped into a completely different plot and writing style.
The second half: 2 stars
After arriving at the castle, the plot degrades into the most generic “lost princess struggling to fit into society and angst about having a fated mate” situation possible. Very little happens despite it being a long portion of the book. The main character’s internal monologue completely changes, and becomes one dimensional and hard to follow. Her actions don’t make any sense. There is an immense plot twist at the end that basically renders everything you understood for the whole story to be false, and directly conflicts with the thoughts and feelings that you have been reading from the first-person narration up until that point. There were also scattered grammatical errors, which I hope will be polished when it is traditionally published.
SPOILERS BELOW
The first half: 4.5 stars
I was immediately impressed by the uniqueness of the world and magic system here. I liked the characters, flow of the story, and was excited to read something that was unlike many of the other romantasies I have read recently. Acker was a delightful mysterious yet noble MMC and I liked the chemistry and banter, especially in the journey out of her home. This last until the moment they arrived at the castle; then, it was like a switch flipped into a completely different plot and writing style.
The second half: 2 stars
After arriving at the castle, the plot degrades into the most generic “lost princess struggling to fit into society and angst about having a fated mate” situation possible. Very little happens despite it being a long portion of the book. The main character’s internal monologue completely changes, and becomes one dimensional and hard to follow. Her actions don’t make any sense. There is an immense plot twist at the end that basically renders everything you understood for the whole story to be false, and directly conflicts with the thoughts and feelings that you have been reading from the first-person narration up until that point. There were also scattered grammatical errors, which I hope will be polished when it is traditionally published.
OMG what a book. Hated the ending (but in a good way). I shouldn't have read the sneak peak for the next book because now what am I supposed to do?! 😭
Quite a few spelling/grammatical mistakes which is disappointing. I'm also sad thatMesser just disappeared for a good portion of the book. And I wish we saw a little more of the BTS with Beau but perhaps that's coming in book 2.
The vibes are saying 5 stars even though this book wasn't perfect. I didn't want it to end.
More thoughts:
okay, I read someone else's review who pointed out how the betrayal was tacked on more or less and doesn't make any sense and the more I think about it, I'm starting to agree. If Brynn and Kai were planning this all along then the scene at the dressmakers makes no sense. How did Jovie plan this betrayal at dinner when she just saw her mother via vision just days before? How did the Mailie soldiers come so fast?
Acker and Grenadine saw each other when they were sneaking out. But neither of them recognized each other as mother/son?
Why didn't Jovie/Brynn know about Messer's powers beforehand and how did he become awakened?
Quite a few spelling/grammatical mistakes which is disappointing. I'm also sad that
The vibes are saying 5 stars even though this book wasn't perfect. I didn't want it to end.
More thoughts:
Acker and Grenadine saw each other when they were sneaking out. But neither of them recognized each other as mother/son?
Why didn't Jovie/Brynn know about Messer's powers beforehand and how did he become awakened?
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Holy shit I did not see that ending coming. 5 stars for plot and just straight vibes, 3 stars for writing (I think the world and characters could have been developed a bit more), so overall 4. Talk about an unreliable narrator. I am shook. And the bonus scene?!?! Did she even love him?!?! I need the second book now.
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
POSSIBLE SPOILERS - VERY LIGHT AND VAGUE
That ending……. Yeah did NOT see that crazy twist coming at all!
I’ve been trying to think back for any foreshadowing or hints to that ending and I really can’t think of any. But man. Gosh I hope I do t have to wait long for book 2!
Fantastic though!
Such a creative story and makes me question so many things. Does Jo really love Acker or was that a lie too. She played her role spectacularly and for us readers I didn’t see it coming. The only odd hint was when Beau said something about no matter what she does she breaking hearts. That was bit odd but I thought she meant something else. But now that I know it ends, it makes perfect sense. Trying my best to keep this spoiler free as much as possible.
I really enjoyed the writing style. It was very easy to follow in terms of world building, the plot, characters story, and the magic system. It’s elemental which is a nice change of pace in terms of fantasy. The fated mates is also unique.
But man do I have lots of questions now! I’m gonna need some more time to process to finish this review but wanted to at least get a head start.
To be continued….
That ending……. Yeah did NOT see that crazy twist coming at all!
I’ve been trying to think back for any foreshadowing or hints to that ending and I really can’t think of any. But man. Gosh I hope I do t have to wait long for book 2!
Fantastic though!
Such a creative story and makes me question so many things. Does Jo really love Acker or was that a lie too. She played her role spectacularly and for us readers I didn’t see it coming. The only odd hint was when Beau said something about no matter what she does she breaking hearts. That was bit odd but I thought she meant something else. But now that I know it ends, it makes perfect sense. Trying my best to keep this spoiler free as much as possible.
I really enjoyed the writing style. It was very easy to follow in terms of world building, the plot, characters story, and the magic system. It’s elemental which is a nice change of pace in terms of fantasy. The fated mates is also unique.
But man do I have lots of questions now! I’m gonna need some more time to process to finish this review but wanted to at least get a head start.
To be continued….
Wow the ending absolutely sucked and I found so many typos just in the last chapter alone (plus the sneak peek into the 2nd book). Not sure how this story will be salvaged…I can totally see now why some reviewers called it “bridge kingdom in reverse” 🙄 I just don’t understand how you can throw that twist in the end of how she was conspiring to betray Acker the whole time, when we’re literally in her head the whole book and she seems oblivious to her true identity? Unless I missed some kind of clue within her thoughts, this seems completely out of left field…like the author decided to throw in this twist after she already wrote their love story. Took me over a week just to get to reading the last chapter because I was so disappointed with the turn of events.