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caitsreadingcorner 's review for:
The Dawn of the Cursed Queen
by Amber V. Nicole
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Likes:
Multiple POVs: I love Reggie and Miska so much!!! The introduction of Miska brings a new dynamic to the story but it doesn’t feel like an afterthought, she is a very intentional character both in her healing powers and how she brings out a nurturing side of Dianna that we haven’t seen before. Shining the spotlight on some of the secondary characters and getting some different POVs really well. Cameron, Vincent, and Camilla all had intriguing storylines and good growth/character development.
Dianna and Samkiel: The continued growth of Dianna and Samkiel’s relationship was also very enjoyable but I also have qualms about them….I’ll get to that later. Samkiel might be my favorite romantasy MMC of all time now. He climbed up the ranks so quickly. Sami is such a trusting cinnamon roll of a man and would do anything to protect Dianna and ensure that she is safe and happy. His unwavering loyalty, good communication and how he always puts Dianna first is just extremely hot to me. He’s somehow the softest man ever while also being one of the most dangerous would burn the world down for her, no one so much as look as her possessive men ever. Also, the spice was giving…..the spice in this was on a whole other level.
Action: There was non-stop action, tension and twists in this book and I was here for it.
Dislikes:
Filler/Too Long: I’ve had this issue with every book in this series but seriously I feel like a lot of significant actions or steps could have been taken to at least plan out how to defeat Nismera. But nope. A long portion of the book was spent while Samkiel was healing. Seems like the perfect time to hammer out some strategy or something. Some of the alliances and events that happened were very convenient for Samkiel so it ended up working in his favor. Still…..find a way to get your power back. Do something, Sami!!! I also mentioned enjoying the spice but there was so much of it. Holy smokes.I get that Dianna sold her soul to resurrect Sami and that he is essentially her emotional lifeline and that is making things even more intense for them intimately but wow I feel like they could have made a lot more progress had they just been a bit less handsy. It got a bit repetitive.
The Villains: Kaden is a great villain to me. He’s multifaceted, complicated, brooding…even confused but I still can’t bring myself to like him. Adding in the dynamic of Nismera and his relationship with Isaiah didn’t really do it for me. 1) I get that they felt scorned and forgotten in their childhood and Kaden tried to be a good brother and they envy Samkiel and blah blah blah. That does not make me hate Kaden any less. I almost feel like readers are being forced to start feeling pity for him but it just isn’t working. 2) The same thing goes for Isaiah and his growing affection for Imogen but I suppose there is still hope for him. 3) Nismera is just a crazy bitch. Pardon my language. Her motives for essentially controlling everyone and destroying everything feel pretty weak to me. She’s definitely not all there in the head. Don’t get me wrong, she’s an absolutely vile and terrible person and that makes her a good villain but I just don’t have any interest in her as a character. At least there is some backstory and depth to Kaden. As for Unir, he can kick rocks.
Dianna’s Temper: This was extremely annoying in the second book as well, she essentially just went on a several hundred page emotionally charged temper tantrum warpath and tried to intentionally hurt Sami and push him away. It’s becoming a bit tiresome if I’m being honest. Don’t get me wrong, her and Samkiel are absolutely endgame and he helps balance her out but I also feel like it’s draining. I just want her to be as open and trusting as he is, it doesn’t feel fair to a man who is literally one of the greenest of green flags. I want a bit of maturity from her. Yes, she hid some things to protect him and yeah, I get that she cares very deeply for those that she loves and it can cause her to act irrationally but girl…please. Sami is literally the best man ever.
Confusion: The plot twists towards the end just felt muddled and not well flushed out to me. I really need to better understand how Death fits into all of this and what the heck is happening to Reggie. Also, I hated how quickly Vincent was brought back to life. Hello??! Let him be dead for a while, build some suspense for his redemption arc. Samkiel killing Kaden was orgasmic but we know we aren’t done with him just yet. And Unir?!! UNIR!!! After so many pages of filler and smut, I felt that the ending could have been wrapped together a bit better. Hopefully things will really click into place in the next book.
Multiple POVs: I love Reggie and Miska so much!!! The introduction of Miska brings a new dynamic to the story but it doesn’t feel like an afterthought, she is a very intentional character both in her healing powers and how she brings out a nurturing side of Dianna that we haven’t seen before. Shining the spotlight on some of the secondary characters and getting some different POVs really well. Cameron, Vincent, and Camilla all had intriguing storylines and good growth/character development.
Dianna and Samkiel: The continued growth of Dianna and Samkiel’s relationship was also very enjoyable but I also have qualms about them….I’ll get to that later. Samkiel might be my favorite romantasy MMC of all time now. He climbed up the ranks so quickly. Sami is such a trusting cinnamon roll of a man and would do anything to protect Dianna and ensure that she is safe and happy. His unwavering loyalty, good communication and how he always puts Dianna first is just extremely hot to me. He’s somehow the softest man ever while also being one of the most dangerous would burn the world down for her, no one so much as look as her possessive men ever. Also, the spice was giving…..the spice in this was on a whole other level.
Action: There was non-stop action, tension and twists in this book and I was here for it.
Dislikes:
Filler/Too Long: I’ve had this issue with every book in this series but seriously I feel like a lot of significant actions or steps could have been taken to at least plan out how to defeat Nismera. But nope. A long portion of the book was spent while Samkiel was healing. Seems like the perfect time to hammer out some strategy or something. Some of the alliances and events that happened were very convenient for Samkiel so it ended up working in his favor. Still…..find a way to get your power back. Do something, Sami!!! I also mentioned enjoying the spice but there was so much of it. Holy smokes.
The Villains: Kaden is a great villain to me. He’s multifaceted, complicated, brooding…even confused but I still can’t bring myself to like him. Adding in the dynamic of Nismera and his relationship with Isaiah didn’t really do it for me. 1) I get that they felt scorned and forgotten in their childhood and Kaden tried to be a good brother and they envy Samkiel and blah blah blah. That does not make me hate Kaden any less. I almost feel like readers are being forced to start feeling pity for him but it just isn’t working. 2) The same thing goes for Isaiah and his growing affection for Imogen but I suppose there is still hope for him. 3) Nismera is just a crazy bitch. Pardon my language. Her motives for essentially controlling everyone and destroying everything feel pretty weak to me. She’s definitely not all there in the head. Don’t get me wrong, she’s an absolutely vile and terrible person and that makes her a good villain but I just don’t have any interest in her as a character. At least there is some backstory and depth to Kaden. As for Unir, he can kick rocks.
Dianna’s Temper: This was extremely annoying in the second book as well, she essentially just went on a several hundred page emotionally charged temper tantrum warpath and tried to intentionally hurt Sami and push him away. It’s becoming a bit tiresome if I’m being honest. Don’t get me wrong, her and Samkiel are absolutely endgame and he helps balance her out but I also feel like it’s draining. I just want her to be as open and trusting as he is, it doesn’t feel fair to a man who is literally one of the greenest of green flags. I want a bit of maturity from her. Yes, she hid some things to protect him and yeah, I get that she cares very deeply for those that she loves and it can cause her to act irrationally but girl…please. Sami is literally the best man ever.
Confusion: The plot twists towards the end just felt muddled and not well flushed out to me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, War
Minor: Sexual assault, Torture