Scan barcode
bholland's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jasilunae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
majabwds's review against another edition
3.0
I think this book was confused as it what it was supposed to. Characters had several personality changes throughout the story, the tone of the story shifted at the 60% mark from serious, anxious and heavy to light and humorous, and the main plot of the story got resolved off page.
The cover and the summary would suggest that this is a romance book, but the romance part starts happening in the last third of the book. The romance itself was fine, nothing too spectacular. The fanfic tropes had me rolling my eyes but I guess they served the story.
This book is really hyped but I would suggest to set you expectations lower. I though I was going to read a romance not a counterfeit mystery with villains that turn out to be comic relief.
There is anxiety and panic attack rep.
The cover and the summary would suggest that this is a romance book, but the romance part starts happening in the last third of the book. The romance itself was fine, nothing too spectacular. The fanfic tropes had me rolling my eyes but I guess they served the story.
This book is really hyped but I would suggest to set you expectations lower. I though I was going to read a romance not a counterfeit mystery with villains that turn out to be comic relief.
There is anxiety and panic attack rep.
jordannahamel's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-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
I liked this book - didn’t love it but it wasn’t bad! It was much more slower paced then I imagined and the romance was the slowest of burns but it was overall enjoyable. I admittedly did skim the latter half because it didn’t feel like much was happening. I feel like a lot of it was filler but I did enjoy the moments between all of the characters and the nuances of the social hierarchies and politics.
soupwife's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
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
4.25
dubtek5000's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book. It was a very cute romance. The only real criticism I have is that I wanted more about the weord touch tasting magic, and I wanted to go through the part of the story where they navigated how to be together at the end. So I really just wanted about 100 more pages because I really enjoyed what I got. Highly recommend
thelittlebook_bee's review against another edition
5.0
I picked up this book (based on the cover) because I was in the mood for a spicy fantasy romance.
Weeellllll that's not ✨quite✨ what I got, but what it lacks in spice, it makes up for in originality, incredible world building, fantastic character dialogue, and queerness in a fantasy world with NO QUEERPHOBIA. NONE. Honestly, that alone could have won a 5 star rating out of me.
✨✨✨✨✨
Our anxious protagonist, Prince Kadou, has recently become a proud uncle to the heir to the throne, his beloved sister's darling daughter. His joy is overshadowed by his suspicion of the infant's body-father (more on THAT in a moment), his sister's lover and a powerful court ambassador.
A miscommunication turns deadly and Kadou is nearly exiled by his sister, who decides instead to temporarily kick her abashed brother out of court. Kadou is appointed a new kahya - a personal bodyguard and attendant - named Evermer. Evermer's disdain for the prince slowly transforms to respect - and something more - as he realizes Kadou's panic attacks stem not from cowardice, but from a deep seeded fear of failing at his position and, as a result, his constituents as a whole.
While investigating a sudden surge in counterfeit gold pieces - a horrifying development for a country whose pride and glory lies with its pure precious medals - Kadou and Evermer find themselves entangled with an underground conspiracy - and with each other.
I could go on about what I loved about this book. First of all - the world building. In Arasht, genderfluid people are not only respected, but revered. A person who impregnates another has no claim to the child, other than the title of body-father, acknowledging only biology, until the person who birthed the baby gives them the legal title of law-father. A third option - my HEART - is "love-father", a designation given to someone who raises a child as their own, regardless of biology or legal status.
Children in Arasht are loved deeply and defended fiercely. Marriages may be arranged to create heirs, yes, but controlled by consenting adults and never forced on the unwilling. Heirs are simply the first born children, regardless of gender.
LOVE. LOVE.
Weeellllll that's not ✨quite✨ what I got, but what it lacks in spice, it makes up for in originality, incredible world building, fantastic character dialogue, and queerness in a fantasy world with NO QUEERPHOBIA. NONE. Honestly, that alone could have won a 5 star rating out of me.
✨✨✨✨✨
Our anxious protagonist, Prince Kadou, has recently become a proud uncle to the heir to the throne, his beloved sister's darling daughter. His joy is overshadowed by his suspicion of the infant's body-father (more on THAT in a moment), his sister's lover and a powerful court ambassador.
A miscommunication turns deadly and Kadou is nearly exiled by his sister, who decides instead to temporarily kick her abashed brother out of court. Kadou is appointed a new kahya - a personal bodyguard and attendant - named Evermer. Evermer's disdain for the prince slowly transforms to respect - and something more - as he realizes Kadou's panic attacks stem not from cowardice, but from a deep seeded fear of failing at his position and, as a result, his constituents as a whole.
While investigating a sudden surge in counterfeit gold pieces - a horrifying development for a country whose pride and glory lies with its pure precious medals - Kadou and Evermer find themselves entangled with an underground conspiracy - and with each other.
I could go on about what I loved about this book. First of all - the world building. In Arasht, genderfluid people are not only respected, but revered. A person who impregnates another has no claim to the child, other than the title of body-father, acknowledging only biology, until the person who birthed the baby gives them the legal title of law-father. A third option - my HEART - is "love-father", a designation given to someone who raises a child as their own, regardless of biology or legal status.
Children in Arasht are loved deeply and defended fiercely. Marriages may be arranged to create heirs, yes, but controlled by consenting adults and never forced on the unwilling. Heirs are simply the first born children, regardless of gender.
LOVE. LOVE.
emilyinthewoods's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
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
5.0
alkora's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
n0vel_ideas's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.0