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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book might be too horny for the world its set in. I wanted more and just never got it.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Quinn's motivations and reactions made very little sense to me.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-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
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ruby Roe's 'A Game of Hearts and Heists' weaves a sapphic fantasy romance filled with intrigue, betrayal, and, as promised, steamy encounters. Set against the backdrop of a fantasy world, the novel pits Scarlett Grey, a disgraced assassin, against Quinn Adams, a medic turned poisoner, in a narrative brimming with rivalry, romance, and a high-stakes heist.
Despite the allure of its premise and the scarcity of spicy sapphic fantasies in the genre, I found myself assigning a 3 out of 5 stars rating to this initial installment of the series. The decision to continue with the subsequent books stems from both commitment, given my purchase of the trilogy, and a lingering curiosity about how the story unfolds rather than outright enthusiasm gleaned from this first book.
One of the primary challenges 'A Game of Hearts and Heists' faces is its world-building—or the conspicuous lack thereof. The setting feels underdeveloped, leaving readers craving more depth and detail about the world these characters inhabit. This lack of vivid backdrop unfortunately extends to the characters themselves, who, despite their intriguing roles and tumultuous relationship, often come across as flat and indistinguishable. The narrative attempts to differentiate Scarlett and Quinn, yet their voices meld into a singular tone, making it necessary to backtrack and confirm whose perspective is being shared.
The pacing of the novel further complicates the reading experience. Much of the book dedicates itself to setting up the central heist, relegating the action and adventure to the final quarter. This choice, presumably aimed at building tension, falls flat due to the insufficiently developed characters and their dynamics, failing to fully capture the intensity and stakes of their situation.
However, it's not without its merits. The book is an easy read, accessible and straightforward in its delivery. The spicy scenes within are well-crafted, offering moments of genuine connection and heat between Scarlett and Quinn. Moreover, the glimpses of plot and world-building that do emerge are intriguing, hinting at a richer narrative potential that could be explored in more depth in the series' later books.
In summary, 'A Game of Hearts and Heists' presents a mixed bag. While it tantalizes with the promise of a sapphic fantasy filled with danger, romance, and intrigue, the execution leaves room for improvement. Fans of the genre may find enough within these pages to pique their interest, particularly those in search of representation and romance. As for myself, I remain hopeful that the seeds planted in this first book will bloom more fully in its successors, offering a more immersive and engaging continuation of Scarlett and Quinn's story.
Despite the allure of its premise and the scarcity of spicy sapphic fantasies in the genre, I found myself assigning a 3 out of 5 stars rating to this initial installment of the series. The decision to continue with the subsequent books stems from both commitment, given my purchase of the trilogy, and a lingering curiosity about how the story unfolds rather than outright enthusiasm gleaned from this first book.
One of the primary challenges 'A Game of Hearts and Heists' faces is its world-building—or the conspicuous lack thereof. The setting feels underdeveloped, leaving readers craving more depth and detail about the world these characters inhabit. This lack of vivid backdrop unfortunately extends to the characters themselves, who, despite their intriguing roles and tumultuous relationship, often come across as flat and indistinguishable. The narrative attempts to differentiate Scarlett and Quinn, yet their voices meld into a singular tone, making it necessary to backtrack and confirm whose perspective is being shared.
The pacing of the novel further complicates the reading experience. Much of the book dedicates itself to setting up the central heist, relegating the action and adventure to the final quarter. This choice, presumably aimed at building tension, falls flat due to the insufficiently developed characters and their dynamics, failing to fully capture the intensity and stakes of their situation.
However, it's not without its merits. The book is an easy read, accessible and straightforward in its delivery. The spicy scenes within are well-crafted, offering moments of genuine connection and heat between Scarlett and Quinn. Moreover, the glimpses of plot and world-building that do emerge are intriguing, hinting at a richer narrative potential that could be explored in more depth in the series' later books.
In summary, 'A Game of Hearts and Heists' presents a mixed bag. While it tantalizes with the promise of a sapphic fantasy filled with danger, romance, and intrigue, the execution leaves room for improvement. Fans of the genre may find enough within these pages to pique their interest, particularly those in search of representation and romance. As for myself, I remain hopeful that the seeds planted in this first book will bloom more fully in its successors, offering a more immersive and engaging continuation of Scarlett and Quinn's story.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-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