Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would. It’s the first romance that I honestly believed since it didn’t feel rushed or forced. The author did a great job of showing instead of telling in that regard, which I appreciate.
The relationship between the FMC and the MMC had time to develop naturally, both of them fully developed characters that complement each other. Also, it’s TRULY a slow burn, finally!.
The plot was gripping, even if the pacing at times felt too slow. I didn’t predict the ending, which is rare for me especially with a romantasy book, so it’s fair to say I was happily surprised.
It has all the traditional beats of a novel of this genre and yet it’s still new in the way they are presented and executed. I loved that the characters were complex, that they had a backstory that made sense and had ripples in the present, that the world building was well thought out and that the politics had me confused for most of it. And I especially loved that the characters were just human for once.
I would have loved to spend more time with the FMC at the beginning while she came to terms with her new reality and the implications it would have for her, because that part felt a bit rushed.
The disability representation was there though it could have been executed better: aside from constant pain and exhaustion, it doesn’t seem to affect the FMC’s ability to perform much, which didn’t feel realistic in a book where magic is barely present, if at all. I don’t mind a romantasy with little to no magic, but then the realism should be extended to all aspects of the story, which in this case, it wasn’t.
Is it the best book I’ve ever read? No. Do I have criticism about some elements of it? Sure, but it is one of the best I’ve read this year, and I do 100% recommend it.
I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes: “I would never deign to wrap myself in their garments and attempt to tell a tale only they should give voice to”. The RESPECT! Loved it.
The relationship between the FMC and the MMC had time to develop naturally, both of them fully developed characters that complement each other. Also, it’s TRULY a slow burn, finally!.
The plot was gripping, even if the pacing at times felt too slow. I didn’t predict the ending, which is rare for me especially with a romantasy book, so it’s fair to say I was happily surprised.
It has all the traditional beats of a novel of this genre and yet it’s still new in the way they are presented and executed. I loved that the characters were complex, that they had a backstory that made sense and had ripples in the present, that the world building was well thought out and that the politics had me confused for most of it. And I especially loved that the characters were just human for once.
I would have loved to spend more time with the FMC at the beginning while she came to terms with her new reality and the implications it would have for her, because that part felt a bit rushed.
The disability representation was there though it could have been executed better: aside from constant pain and exhaustion, it doesn’t seem to affect the FMC’s ability to perform much, which didn’t feel realistic in a book where magic is barely present, if at all. I don’t mind a romantasy with little to no magic, but then the realism should be extended to all aspects of the story, which in this case, it wasn’t.
Is it the best book I’ve ever read? No. Do I have criticism about some elements of it? Sure, but it is one of the best I’ve read this year, and I do 100% recommend it.
I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes: “I would never deign to wrap myself in their garments and attempt to tell a tale only they should give voice to”. The RESPECT! Loved it.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️
This was a book that I expected to blow me away but kinda just didn’t deliver unfortunately. I still enjoyed myself but there were some things that I didn’t love that keep me from rating it higher.
For the positives of this book, the story itself if amazing, I was hooked right away and the FMC was someone I found myself admiring a lot. I really enjoyed the way that this book approached disability/injury not as something to be “fixed” but instead something to adapt to and thrive with. Her attitude throughout the book had many ups and downs, moments of hopelessness followed by moments of determination and I think that was just really spot on.
I also really loved the descriptions of her dances, how the excitement built and intensified to the point it was almost disorienting, showing how she lost herself in her art. It really drove home for me not just her skill but her passion, it went much further than the author just saying “she was a good dancer” and the reader just needing to trust in that.
Now for the couple not so positives. These things weren’t deal breakers for me but they were definitely things that slowed down my reading and reduced my enjoyment a bit.
Firstly, this is a BIT of a love triangle, which I generally hate, and when I realized that I almost stopped reading completely. I will say it was handled relatively well and I’m glad I pushed through, but if you’re like me and your automatic reaction to love triangles is to run in the opposite direction… you might struggle.
The second thing that bothered me throughout was the politics. I still could not tell you the political structure of this world, and that may be entirely my fault for missing some things, but it felt really confusing and all over the place to me. There were many interesting aspects and conflicts within the political sphere but I fear many of them went over my head or lacked impact because I was trying to figure out how it was all interconnected in the grand scope. I think there’s a lot of potential in the world though so I have hopes that book two will clear some things up for me.
Overall it was a good read, I would likely still recommend it to those who love a fantasy with political intrigue and some solid romance, but there is definitely some room for improvement. I look forward to seeing how the world builds in the next installment!
Spice: 🌶️
This was a book that I expected to blow me away but kinda just didn’t deliver unfortunately. I still enjoyed myself but there were some things that I didn’t love that keep me from rating it higher.
For the positives of this book, the story itself if amazing, I was hooked right away and the FMC was someone I found myself admiring a lot. I really enjoyed the way that this book approached disability/injury not as something to be “fixed” but instead something to adapt to and thrive with. Her attitude throughout the book had many ups and downs, moments of hopelessness followed by moments of determination and I think that was just really spot on.
I also really loved the descriptions of her dances, how the excitement built and intensified to the point it was almost disorienting, showing how she lost herself in her art. It really drove home for me not just her skill but her passion, it went much further than the author just saying “she was a good dancer” and the reader just needing to trust in that.
Now for the couple not so positives. These things weren’t deal breakers for me but they were definitely things that slowed down my reading and reduced my enjoyment a bit.
Firstly, this is a BIT of a love triangle, which I generally hate, and when I realized that I almost stopped reading completely. I will say it was handled relatively well and I’m glad I pushed through, but if you’re like me and your automatic reaction to love triangles is to run in the opposite direction… you might struggle.
The second thing that bothered me throughout was the politics. I still could not tell you the political structure of this world, and that may be entirely my fault for missing some things, but it felt really confusing and all over the place to me. There were many interesting aspects and conflicts within the political sphere but I fear many of them went over my head or lacked impact because I was trying to figure out how it was all interconnected in the grand scope. I think there’s a lot of potential in the world though so I have hopes that book two will clear some things up for me.
Overall it was a good read, I would likely still recommend it to those who love a fantasy with political intrigue and some solid romance, but there is definitely some room for improvement. I look forward to seeing how the world builds in the next installment!
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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
adventurous
medium-paced
i didn't write this review straightaway and ngl i already forget the plot lol help. but i'l try to at least write a short review
Vasalie was a dancer in King Illian’s court, falsely accused of murder then thrown into the dungeon for 2 years, then suddenly summoned by the king to be his spy at the upcoming royal gathering.
I don’t know how to feel about this tbh. It’s just enough to keep me listening but not enough to get me invested, proved by the fact that I’ve forgotten the story just a couple of weeks after finished it. But one thing for sure, the chronic illness rep is on point.
Some things from this book reminded me of Arcana Academy though they’re nothing alike. Following Vasalie felt tiring sometimes, like she knew sh’s being used but she kept fulfilling King Illian’s order, even though he’s clearly a manipulative man. But okay at least I could see where her decision’s coming from. And she’s trying her best given her physical body’s circumstances. And the plot twist caught me off guard, i didn’t expect it at all! The ending left me with so many questions, but i still don’t know whether i’d read the sequel… so yeah.
Vasalie was a dancer in King Illian’s court, falsely accused of murder then thrown into the dungeon for 2 years, then suddenly summoned by the king to be his spy at the upcoming royal gathering.
I don’t know how to feel about this tbh. It’s just enough to keep me listening but not enough to get me invested, proved by the fact that I’ve forgotten the story just a couple of weeks after finished it. But one thing for sure, the chronic illness rep is on point.
Some things from this book reminded me of Arcana Academy though they’re nothing alike. Following Vasalie felt tiring sometimes, like she knew sh’s being used but she kept fulfilling King Illian’s order, even though he’s clearly a manipulative man. But okay at least I could see where her decision’s coming from. And she’s trying her best given her physical body’s circumstances. And the plot twist caught me off guard, i didn’t expect it at all! The ending left me with so many questions, but i still don’t know whether i’d read the sequel… so yeah.
55 pages in, started with a bang but then felt too young and not my kind of thing.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The plot did something so unrealistic that I had to close my eyes and put the book down - otherwise I really was enjoying it