Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by zaiphon
Behooved by M. Stevenson
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thanks to Net Galley for the digital arc copy!
Behooved follows our FMC, Bianca Liliana, who struggles with believing in herself and finding her inner strength. Her country of Damaria is working with neighboring country Gildenheim on keeping the peace and negotiations which happen to include - offering Bianca as the bride to heir apparent Aric. An assasination attempt gone wrong sends these two on an adventure to secure the crown. On top of this, magic cursed Aric and he turns into a horse (or majestic white stallion, however you want to look at it). Once sunset approaches, he is able to temporarily turn back into a human form. I wasn't sure about this element, but it totally worked!
This was a slowburn with banter and excitement that had me hooked! Some spice is included, but it doesn't encompass the entirety of the plot. There were some moments that felt like it slowed down the momentum for me during the middle part of the novel, but otherwise I thought the pacing was perfect. I really love fantasy novels that have elements of "on the road"/journey and this definitely had that. Wish there was a map to go along with it!
While Bianca is fighting through her feelings, coming to understand the true political landscape of her country and her parents views, and trying to make sense of the chaos, she also deals with a chronic ailment. I thought that was interesting to her character and shone a little bit of light on chronic pain. It didn't overshadow anything or go into major details and it was more of something that was there in the realistic way a person would be reminded of chronic pain day to day in their life.
Really enjoyed this one and looking forward to reading more from this author!
Behooved follows our FMC, Bianca Liliana, who struggles with believing in herself and finding her inner strength. Her country of Damaria is working with neighboring country Gildenheim on keeping the peace and negotiations which happen to include - offering Bianca as the bride to heir apparent Aric. An assasination attempt gone wrong sends these two on an adventure to secure the crown. On top of this, magic cursed Aric and he turns into a horse (or majestic white stallion, however you want to look at it). Once sunset approaches, he is able to temporarily turn back into a human form. I wasn't sure about this element, but it totally worked!
This was a slowburn with banter and excitement that had me hooked! Some spice is included, but it doesn't encompass the entirety of the plot. There were some moments that felt like it slowed down the momentum for me during the middle part of the novel, but otherwise I thought the pacing was perfect. I really love fantasy novels that have elements of "on the road"/journey and this definitely had that. Wish there was a map to go along with it!
While Bianca is fighting through her feelings, coming to understand the true political landscape of her country and her parents views, and trying to make sense of the chaos, she also deals with a chronic ailment. I thought that was interesting to her character and shone a little bit of light on chronic pain. It didn't overshadow anything or go into major details and it was more of something that was there in the realistic way a person would be reminded of chronic pain day to day in their life.
Really enjoyed this one and looking forward to reading more from this author!