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A review by lemonsandligaments
King of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St. Clair
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
I'll admit that I didn't go into this book in the mood to read. I was quite "downtrodden".
This book uses a trope that I normally love, and it did illicit some emotion, but I'm not too big of a fan of the romance, this dynamic isn't for me.
I get Isolde's behaviour. If she were a dude, it'll be described as "typical". I spent a lot of the book being irate at how soft Adrian was, though. Then the reveal's elaboration happened and I got all sad. The reveal was 80-90% into the book so I just spent most of it being slightly put off.
I like a lot of the mirroring and banter in the book, some cute lines are in there. I also like the whole Adrian wiping blood off her knife thing. I wish it surmounted into something bigger at the end.
The worldbuilding is interesting and feels like a play with cardboard props at times. I'm not too interested in that though.
There is creativity with the scenes and scenarios, which I appreciate.
I think my biggest gripe with the book is their names. I still have not taken to Adrian (does not scream power) and Isolde (used for every single fantasy heroine), but it might just be a me thing.
This book uses a trope that I normally love, and it did illicit some emotion, but I'm not too big of a fan of the romance, this dynamic isn't for me.
I get Isolde's behaviour. If she were a dude, it'll be described as "typical". I spent a lot of the book being irate at how soft Adrian was, though. Then the reveal's elaboration happened and I got all sad. The reveal was 80-90% into the book so I just spent most of it being slightly put off.
I like a lot of the mirroring and banter in the book, some cute lines are in there. I also like the whole Adrian wiping blood off her knife thing. I wish it surmounted into something bigger at the end.
The worldbuilding is interesting and feels like a play with cardboard props at times. I'm not too interested in that though.
There is creativity with the scenes and scenarios, which I appreciate.
I think my biggest gripe with the book is their names. I still have not taken to Adrian (does not scream power) and Isolde (used for every single fantasy heroine), but it might just be a me thing.