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dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Genre: Historical Paranormal Romance
Format(s): Audiobook (Macmillan Audio)
Rating: 3.75/5 ⭐⭐⭐🐉
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Disclaimer: While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I can certainly see why it has been controversial. I had this book on my TBR before it was released. Then a lot of low reviews were coming out claiming this book was highly offensive, so I put it off for a bit. Having now read it, I think the issue is a bit of mismarketing. The description and cover make this seem like a standard romantasy, but in my opinion it is bit darker than it appears on the surface. Websites and booksellers did add disclaimers that this book contains dark themes, but those disclaimers were certainly easy to miss. So, I can absolutely understand someone picking this book up thinking it was romantasy and being blindsided by the darker elements. Whether or not I believe it is fair to give a book a low rating because it contains dark themes, is not relevant. I just want to say, if you are a romantasy and dark romance reader avoiding this book because of lower ratings, you could be missing out. Many of the low ratings seem to be from readers who do not like the power imbalance and master/slave dynamic. If that is where you land, then this book isn't for you. Otherwise, if you're looking for a romantasy with dark elements set in ancient Rome then I think this book is absolutely worth a try. Whichever camp your in, I hope your next read is a 5 star, be it this one or another <3.
Review: This book takes place in an alternate version of ancient rome, where the noble class is made up of dragon shifters. The emperor is conquering other nations and making the conquered people slaves. The MMC is the emperor's nephew and general in the military. Ergo, he is an active participant in killing innocent people and selling them into a life of slavery. It seems as if the MMC treats the situation as the needs of many more outweigh the needs of the many. He does not want to do any of these things, but feels he must in order to climb the ranks, earn the emperors trust, and ultimately overthrow the current regime to stop these acts from happening. Does this change anything or make him a misunderstood hero? Absolutely not, and that is why I think he is a true morally grey MMC. This story does have some plot and world building, but it primarily focuses on romance between MMC and FMC. Since the story was more character than plot driven, it couldn't quite reach a 4 star for me, hence the 3.75. However, I did enjoy the romance between the characters and the overall plot of the story. It was engaging and moved at a good pace. I would have preferred a bit more drama and/or tension between the MMC and FMC given this story is supposed to be a forbidden romance between a master and his captured slave girl. On the other hand, his adoration of her and gentleness did have me swooning. I also really enjoyed the side characters that were introduced, and how they each had their own story that made them more than just background noise. The ending was exciting with plenty of closure that has me excited for the next book, but not furious that I have to wait since readers aren't left with any crazy cliffhangers.
Final Verdict: I would recommend this book to those who enjoy, or are interested in, character driven and paranormal romance stories with darker themes and a setting in ancient Rome. Particularly if a he falls first/harder trope is your style.
Format(s): Audiobook (Macmillan Audio)
Rating: 3.75/5 ⭐⭐⭐🐉
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Disclaimer: While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I can certainly see why it has been controversial. I had this book on my TBR before it was released. Then a lot of low reviews were coming out claiming this book was highly offensive, so I put it off for a bit. Having now read it, I think the issue is a bit of mismarketing. The description and cover make this seem like a standard romantasy, but in my opinion it is bit darker than it appears on the surface. Websites and booksellers did add disclaimers that this book contains dark themes, but those disclaimers were certainly easy to miss. So, I can absolutely understand someone picking this book up thinking it was romantasy and being blindsided by the darker elements. Whether or not I believe it is fair to give a book a low rating because it contains dark themes, is not relevant. I just want to say, if you are a romantasy and dark romance reader avoiding this book because of lower ratings, you could be missing out. Many of the low ratings seem to be from readers who do not like the power imbalance and master/slave dynamic. If that is where you land, then this book isn't for you. Otherwise, if you're looking for a romantasy with dark elements set in ancient Rome then I think this book is absolutely worth a try. Whichever camp your in, I hope your next read is a 5 star, be it this one or another <3.
Review: This book takes place in an alternate version of ancient rome, where the noble class is made up of dragon shifters. The emperor is conquering other nations and making the conquered people slaves. The MMC is the emperor's nephew and general in the military.
Final Verdict: I would recommend this book to those who enjoy, or are interested in, character driven and paranormal romance stories with darker themes and a setting in ancient Rome. Particularly if a he falls first/harder trope is your style.