paradisebibliophile 's review for:

Crier's War by Nina Varela

3.75

adventurous challenging dark medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I thought the book was okay overall. The world-building is intriguing, especially the idea of the Automae and their complicated relationship with humanity. The beginning was a bit slow for me, but things started to pick up toward the end, which made the payoff more satisfying. The political intrigue and layered tension between Crier and Ayla gave the story some depth, though I found myself wishing for more consistent pacing throughout.

While the enemies-to-lovers dynamic and the sapphic romance had potential, it didn’t quite hit as hard as I expected early on. Still, by the final chapters, I was more invested in the characters and curious enough about where their story might go in the sequel.

If you’re into slow-burn fantasy with political undertones and queer representation, Crier’s War might be worth the read—just be ready for a gradual build before things really get moving.