Review by koistyfishy - Warrior of the Drowned Empire

A review by koistyfishy
Warrior of the Drowned Empire by Frankie Diane Mallis

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

4 Maraaka Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level:🌶️🌶️/5

“I don’t need to claim you. Nor mark you. It’s not your body that’s mine. It’s your heart, it’s your soul. Just as my heart, body, and soul are yours. In this life, in every life. Forever. Rakame.”

This was an incredibly difficult book review to write!!!

I am mad... and sad... and want to scream and break something...
Like why does it feel like SO MUCH HAPPENED and nothing happened at all. I am the biggest Frankie HYPE GIRL! I was SO hyped, excited, and anxiously waiting for this release! I know I had high expectations. This series will always be dear to my heart, but I cannot deny that this book left me wanting more.

Unfortunately, even though this is Book 4, it suffers badly from middle-book syndrome.

BUT JUST SO YOU KNOW Frankie is going to abuse your emotions and shatter your heart and maybe step on it a little bit... then burn the pieces and laugh as you cry in the corner suffering...

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
This book picks up almost exactly where book three ended, but we are introduced to a new POV. I won’t spoil who it is, but it is a character you know but not necessarily one you would expect. Lyr and Rhyan have just rescued Meera and been betrayed by Morgana, who now possesses the lilac shard but hasn’t given it to Aemon yet. Meanwhile, Lyr is on a mission to rescue Jules, now fully certain that she is alive. But of course things don't according to plan and they are captured by NONE OTHER THAN RHYAN's EX FRIENDS, Aiden and Dario, who have orders to bring them to Imperator Hart...

NOTE: Now, while the novellas aren’t required to follow the main storyline, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND reading Son of the Drowned Empire , which tells Rhyan’s journey to becoming Forsworn and the events leading up to his arrival in book 1. A lot of characters that make appearances in this book, their motivations and backstory are referenced in this book without being repeated, and while you will still understand the main PLOT... knowing this side of the story definitely adds depth to the plot.

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
The book immediately throws you into the action. Tensions are sky-high almost throughout the entire book. There are so many moving pieces, so many plots unfolding at once, that it feels like everything is crumbling while our characters desperately try to hold things together.

As always, Frankie’s writing is exceptional. However, I struggled to get into the story initially, but that’s entirely on me for not doing a re-read beforehand,! Luckily, Frankie includes a recap of the story at the start of her books, which helps. It still took me about 20% of the book to feel fully invested, but once I was in?! OH BOY, I was sucked in. Emotionally and physically, the writing captivated and mesmerised me, witnessing everything our characters go through. The world-building and lore expansion continue to be some of the strongest elements of this series. Every book adds more and more layers, making the universe feel incredibly rich and well-developed.

Lyr and Rhyan's relationship is truly tested in this book. They are forced into situations that challenge everything they have built together. There is a lot of trust that needs to be rebuilt and a lot of acceptance (especially when it comes to Rhyan’s past and the things he has done.) On top of that there is the political intrigue that pulls our characters in multiple directions. Bargains, oaths, and new alliances forming, while old alliances are questioned - adding to a constant uncertainty of who can actually be trusted.

Now, here’s where things get complicated...

I have been trying to write this review without talking about my frustrations, but honestly? I can’t. I love this series too much not to be honest about where this book didn’t work for me. I am a little mad BECAUSE I WANTED MORE. So much happens and yet at the same time nothing happened. There are plot elements and themes that I have seen play out before and then to see them play out again MULTIPLE TIMES in this book started getting frustrating because it was feeling repetitive and that the plot was going in circles instead of moving forward. Now do not get me wrong, some aspects DO MOVE FORWARD. But for a book this long, I expected more.

Then, I felt like there weren't many "BIG REVEALS". There were twists and turns, and some shock moments, but nothing felt new. I had predicted a lot of these reveals in my theories after reading the previous books, so when they happened, I wasn’t surprised. There were no jaw-dropping moments, no earth-shattering twists, just confirmations of what I already predicted.

Then there is the character development...or lack thereof. It felt like Lyr and Rhyan stagnated, and after the incredible growth seen in both of them in Lady and Son, it was stagnant in Warrior. I felt Lyr was incredibly selfish and juvenile at times with her actions and decisions.

I must say the side character growth did make up for it a little. Meera starts coming out of her shell and elements of the Heir Apparent she was shine through in some of her actions. AND THEN THERE IS MORGANA! I LOVE HER VILLAIN ARC! Even though I still don’t fully understand her, or her choices and motivation, I loved how she was written. She remains one of the most intriguing characters in this series, and I cannot wait to see what she does next.

This book does have a few spicy scenes and my brain still battles on enjoying reading Aemon Smut (BECAUSE HE IS THE BAD GUY AND I SHOULDNT BE ENJOYING IT), but you can see that Frankie heard our pleas to amp it up in sexy moments, and delivered.

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Multi POV
▶ Forbidden Romance
▶ Forbidden Magic/Powers
▶ Soul Mates
▶ Reincarnated Gods
▶ Political Intrigue
▶ Complex World Building
▶ Touch Him/Her You Die
▶ Secret Pining
▶Written in the Stars

𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ "Mine"
▷ Nicknames
▷ "It's always been you"
▷ Forehead Kisses
▷ "Lift your hips for me"

𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨:
Overall, Warrior was still an enjoyable read and while the CLIFFHANGER IS GOING TO KILL YOU INSIDE... It's setting up for what is sure to be an explosive last three books. Even though aspects annoyed me... I still love this world, and I will be picking up the next book the moment I can get my little hands on it!!!!

Thank you so much to Frankie for this gifted copy! All thoughts and feelings are my own!

Content Warnings

A review by koistyfishy Warrior of the Drowned Empire by Frankie Diane Mallis

A review by koistyfishy
Warrior of the Drowned Empire by Frankie Diane Mallis