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rvnqueen 's review for:
A Bargain of Smoke and Vines
by J.L. Tomlinson
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
You know that feeling when you pick up a book, thinking you’ll just read a few chapters before bed, and suddenly it’s 2 AM, and you’re bargaining with yourself to read just one more? That was A Bargain of Smoke and Vines for me.
JL Tomlinson pulled me in from the very first page, weaving a story that felt both familiar and fresh. If you love A Court of Thorns and Roses, you’re going to devour this. It has that same intoxicating mix of dark bargains, tension-filled romance, and a world that feels lush and dangerous all at once. There’s something about stories where a strong-willed heroine is thrown into an uneasy alliance with a powerful, mysterious force that just hits every time and this book delivers that in spades.
The magic system, the intrigue, and the slow-burn tension kept me hooked. I loved how the world felt richly built without overwhelming me with endless exposition. The characters had depth, the stakes felt high, and the relationships; both romantic and otherwise; were compelling enough to make me feel genuinely invested.
Honestly, if you’re a fan of fantasy romance with a touch of danger, courtly intrigue, and a heroine who refuses to be a pawn in anyone’s game, this book is it. I already know I’ll be thinking about this story long after I’ve turned the last page.