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glfowler's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
rozarka's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
I don't know how to rate this book. It was OK as a romance, even though it took me a while to understand charaters' personalities and motivations (and I still find it funny that the proclaimed bodyguard/protector lost almost all his fights). The main problem of the book is that there are so many plot holes it resembles a swiss cheese. I'd actually prefer if there was less plot, less action, less conspiracies if what was left made more sense. You can't have characters fleeing a mission they fucked up and then discussing their sex lives instead of, you know, informing people in charge about what they discovered. Or saying "the villain knows where we hide, it could be a problem" and not addressing it ever again (and not moving locations, wtf). I don't need a complicated plot in my romance, but it has to make sense.
I'm still going to read the sequel. Tadek was a gem and he made the latter half of the book much more enjoyable.
I'm still going to read the sequel. Tadek was a gem and he made the latter half of the book much more enjoyable.
aminas_venting_machine's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
3.75
Hard to say tbh. First of all: The book was very enjoyable, i liked it. The characters are interesting and I liked following their story. Though I felt like the plot could've been tied together better at the end- like the whole money forgery plot was kind of secondary the whole time, just a way to bring kadou and evemer together and quickly resolved mostly off screen at the end. Also, the "villain" was kind of obvious from the beginning and quite flat. I was hoping till the end that he was gonna get a bit more deph, eg his concern that kadou might overthrow his sister was kind of justified from his pov? Also, doubts about his actions because of his daughter or love to zeliha?
Also, the fact that seranos knows of their secret hiding place at evemer's mother's house should be some kind of problem, right? But it remains completely irrelevant.
In addition, it should be said that this is not actually what i would call an "enemies to lovers" story, what this was often advertised as. They are never enemies. Evemer dislikes Kadou at the beginning, never straight up hates him. Kadou never dislikes Evemer, he is uncomfortable around him because Evemer dislikes him. But this is not what I would call ememies. Also,they start getting along like 30% (?) into the story.
Also, the fact that seranos knows of their secret hiding place at evemer's mother's house should be some kind of problem, right? But it remains completely irrelevant.
In addition, it should be said that this is not actually what i would call an "enemies to lovers" story, what this was often advertised as. They are never enemies. Evemer dislikes Kadou at the beginning, never straight up hates him. Kadou never dislikes Evemer, he is uncomfortable around him because Evemer dislikes him. But this is not what I would call ememies. Also,
lostinaskyofdreams's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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? No
4.0
It was a fun read. The world is very interesting and the power structure is facinating.
Kadou was our loveable If a bit scatterbrained, indecisive and fearful (at least at the start) Main Protagonist. A coward of a Prince in His own words but he is not nearly as much of a coward as He believes. Yes his fears rule him at the start but He is far more courageous than he believes. He will willingly put himself in danger for His kingdom and His beloved people. His Panic attacks and his Moments of overwhelming fear were written really well. He sometimes is his own worst enemy.
Evemer our dear male lead. Seems as steady as rock on the outside. But in regards to Kadou he definitly has His weakspots. With Kadou he is not nearly as composed as he pretends to be. He is a loveable character, that stands by his beliefs but has no issues aknowledging His wrongs and changing them.
Zeliyah, the Queen or Sultan and Kadous sister. God I wanted to Shake her Like listen to your Brother. Sigh. She does Love him but Kadou has no confidence in her love.
Tadek was a delight. At First I was a Bit suspicious of him but He turned out to be a truly good Guy. Him and Evemer's Interactions were hilarious. He really knows how to teaser and Evemer nearly drowning him in retaliation was kinda deserved.
Siranos and Sylvia sigh. Siranos was suspicious right from the get go. I cannot stand him and His sister is No better. All in all they were decent antagonists but nothing ground breaking. Also a bit too predictable. Like right from the get go Siranos was holding up signs with "its me Inam the villain" or at least I immideatly detected that sth was off with him. His Sisters involvement came as a surprise though, also that he has a sister was a surprise.
The Ending also Kind of was too aprupt in a way everything Else was so detailed and slowly written. Like I wanted more of their relationship other than the one blowjob. Also I wanted some kind of conclusion with His sister, like him actually talking about His fears with her.
All in all a fun adventure of unraveling a plot against the royal family.
Some scenes Made me squeal Like the whole marriage while kidnapped or their first kiss. Some parts of it felt a little tedious and too slowish.
I would love another Story in this world. There is so much Lore that can be deepend and built upon.
The book in parts reminded me off Captive Prince (without the triggers).
In conclusion 4 Stars from me.
Kadou was our loveable If a bit scatterbrained, indecisive and fearful (at least at the start) Main Protagonist. A coward of a Prince in His own words but he is not nearly as much of a coward as He believes. Yes his fears rule him at the start but He is far more courageous than he believes. He will willingly put himself in danger for His kingdom and His beloved people. His Panic attacks and his Moments of overwhelming fear were written really well. He sometimes is his own worst enemy.
Evemer our dear male lead. Seems as steady as rock on the outside. But in regards to Kadou he definitly has His weakspots. With Kadou he is not nearly as composed as he pretends to be. He is a loveable character, that stands by his beliefs but has no issues aknowledging His wrongs and changing them.
Zeliyah, the Queen or Sultan and Kadous sister. God I wanted to Shake her Like listen to your Brother. Sigh. She does Love him but Kadou has no confidence in her love.
Tadek was a delight. At First I was a Bit suspicious of him but He turned out to be a truly good Guy. Him and Evemer's Interactions were hilarious. He really knows how to teaser and Evemer nearly drowning him in retaliation was kinda deserved.
Siranos and Sylvia sigh. Siranos was suspicious right from the get go. I cannot stand him and His sister is No better. All in all they were decent antagonists but nothing ground breaking. Also a bit too predictable. Like right from the get go Siranos was holding up signs with "its me Inam the villain" or at least I immideatly detected that sth was off with him. His Sisters involvement came as a surprise though, also that he has a sister was a surprise.
The Ending also Kind of was too aprupt in a way everything Else was so detailed and slowly written. Like I wanted more of their relationship other than the one blowjob. Also I wanted some kind of conclusion with His sister, like him actually talking about His fears with her.
All in all a fun adventure of unraveling a plot against the royal family.
Some scenes Made me squeal Like the whole marriage while kidnapped or their first kiss. Some parts of it felt a little tedious and too slowish.
I would love another Story in this world. There is so much Lore that can be deepend and built upon.
The book in parts reminded me off Captive Prince (without the triggers).
In conclusion 4 Stars from me.
ethias's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely LOVED this book. The way it handled Kadou’s anxiety, his melt downs, his panic attacks, his overwhelming and constant fear, spoke to me on such a personal level that I don’t know how to process this book and my feelings for it. The way he experiences anxiety and fear is exactly the same as I do, the way he is calmed by Tadek is exactly how I have to be calmed by my partner. I really loved the romance, the complicated emotions and difficult conversations. I loved it.
I loved the touch tasting. I loved all the characters. I loved that it felt so much like a romance with vibes inspired by The Goblin Emperor which is one of my favorite books of all time.
I loved the inclusion of a nonbinary gender that was just kind of treated like business as normal, no big monologues about it, no storyline involving it, that’s the kind of representation I personally like. I deal with the difficulties of being nonbinary every day, it’s nice to just have its inclusion without it meaning something or without it being a big deal.
The “twist” of who was behind the counterfeits was absolutely clear from quite literally the beginning and nothing there surprised me in the slightest but I don’t mind that honestly.
My ONLY complaint is the ending. It simply ends too soon. I wanted some sort of contentedness and domesticity and togetherness, some sort of closure and moment that I could sigh and know they will be comfortable and happy together. I read the “epilogue” thing the author posted on AO3 and it didn’t really help the situation of the ending at all, it didn’t really answer any questions or sooth any anxiety it was just Evemer writing awkward letters to Kadou and Tadek being Tadek.
Overall it’s a new favorite with an ending I will just have to fill out in my head. Love this book.
I loved the touch tasting. I loved all the characters. I loved that it felt so much like a romance with vibes inspired by The Goblin Emperor which is one of my favorite books of all time.
I loved the inclusion of a nonbinary gender that was just kind of treated like business as normal, no big monologues about it, no storyline involving it, that’s the kind of representation I personally like. I deal with the difficulties of being nonbinary every day, it’s nice to just have its inclusion without it meaning something or without it being a big deal.
The “twist” of who was behind the counterfeits was absolutely clear from quite literally the beginning and nothing there surprised me in the slightest but I don’t mind that honestly.
My ONLY complaint is the ending. It simply ends too soon. I wanted some sort of contentedness and domesticity and togetherness, some sort of closure and moment that I could sigh and know they will be comfortable and happy together. I read the “epilogue” thing the author posted on AO3 and it didn’t really help the situation of the ending at all, it didn’t really answer any questions or sooth any anxiety it was just Evemer writing awkward letters to Kadou and Tadek being Tadek.
Overall it’s a new favorite with an ending I will just have to fill out in my head. Love this book.
bookheathens's review against another edition
3.5
It was gay and it was okay. I don't know that I'd seek out more books in this series (even though I was today years old when I found out that it's a series 😅)
mj_books's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
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
4.5
The amount of times I got emotional over this book is unbelievable! My friends got tired of me constantly talking about it and the characters and the plot. Evemer and Kadou have my heart even though half the time I was thinking that they were never going to be happy with each other but THEY DO! THEY DO! Believe in them!!! They will capture your heart as they did mine!
(It does start of slow but that does add to the character building that leads the rest of the story. But the slow start was reason for it not being a 5. That doesn’t take away the fact that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!)
(It does start of slow but that does add to the character building that leads the rest of the story. But the slow start was reason for it not being a 5. That doesn’t take away the fact that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!)
hegerst's review against another edition
5.0
I have been a big fan of Alex through their podcast for over a year now, but finally getting to hear their voice come through in this story was more than I could have ever wished for. Not only did I know how much this book meant to them, I enjoyed it so immensely, I had a book hangover for several days after and didn’t want to believe it was over.
If you are in any way moved by fealty, the ethics of, subtle fantasy, economics, queer romance, or the Ottoman Empire, then this book is for you.
If you are in any way moved by fealty, the ethics of, subtle fantasy, economics, queer romance, or the Ottoman Empire, then this book is for you.