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A review by nadiamasood
Bound to the Tyrant King by Bex Gil
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Fans of historical Kdramas, you'll enjoy this book! It's a new adult, slow-burn, closed-door Korean historical romance that explores the dynamics of arranged royal marriages, power, trust, and survival in a treacherous court environment.
The romance unfolds slowly and sweetly, with swoon-worthy scenes sprinkled throughout the book. I also think the court intrigue and politics were done nicely so that readers can follow without getting overwhelmed. The glossary at the end is helpful to understand unfamiliar terms.
My favorite is Seojun, the MMC. His character is layered and complex, and I like how the reasons behind his actions are gradually revealed as the story progresses. Bora suspects him up until like 60% of the story and always thinks he's going to kill her any second. At one point, this got tiring, to be honest.
If you haven't watched any historical Korean dramas yet, I'd recommend checking one out before diving into this book. Under the Queen's Umbrella is a great choice—it features a strong female lead, a queen who's ready to do anything to protect her family. Watching it will help you better appreciate the customs, traditions, court politics, clothes, food, and architecture in the book.
The romance unfolds slowly and sweetly, with swoon-worthy scenes sprinkled throughout the book. I also think the court intrigue and politics were done nicely so that readers can follow without getting overwhelmed. The glossary at the end is helpful to understand unfamiliar terms.
My favorite is Seojun, the MMC. His character is layered and complex, and I like how the reasons behind his actions are gradually revealed as the story progresses. Bora suspects him up until like 60% of the story and always thinks he's going to kill her any second. At one point, this got tiring, to be honest.
If you haven't watched any historical Korean dramas yet, I'd recommend checking one out before diving into this book. Under the Queen's Umbrella is a great choice—it features a strong female lead, a queen who's ready to do anything to protect her family. Watching it will help you better appreciate the customs, traditions, court politics, clothes, food, and architecture in the book.