A review by auburnedge
The Chalice and the Crown by Kassandra Flamouri

4.0

Wow. This is one dark fantasy read. I appreciate that the author gave content warnings in the front of the book. It is one of my favorite things that authors are doing now. If I had gone in blind I don't think I would have made it past the first few pages.

The read follows Sasha who is torn between two places. Nightmares rule her sleep and seep over into her waking life. In these nightmares she is a slave and it is a cruel place. She remembers that she is a dancer and this is the thing that really helps to create a safe space in those cruel times. I would classify this as a dark fantasy and you can feel the oppression in the writing. It feels like a nightmare and if you aren't prepared to feel that way.

There is a slight off side romance that isn't crucial to the plot. The characters are more left to your imagination for how they look as well as the world building. A lot you need to fill in with the small details given. For a lot of the book it is great since it lets you imagine your own nightmare scene.

I would suggest this for those who enjoy a darker theme and to feel like they are in a nightmare. I would equate it to Ghost in the Shell.