A review by elaichipod
King of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St. Clair

adventurous dark sad tense fast-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

2.0

I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it. And I don't even think I liked it. I almost don't care to even read the 2nd book, but we'll see. Parts of the story just never clicked with me, but the second the words 'magic' and 'witch' were uttered, everything became so obvious. The characters did not feel as multi-dimensional, and whatever dimensionality they did attain was only towards the end of the book. I really did not like Nadia at all. She resembled those people who push you to accept their way of thinking and disregard your own. I'm telling you right now, if Nadia went with Isolde's dad to visit Isolde,

she would have also tried to kill her. But who knows, maybe it'll happen in the next book

(if I decide to actually read it). Also, for a majority of the book I could not understand the attraction between Adrian and Isolde. Of course, we learn a lot more in the last two chapters of the book, but half the time I could not understand why they were hooking up so passionately when Isolde was kept in the dark. If anything, this book felt like PWP, although even the first P was so underwhelming it should with pWP. Sure, there were some cute moments between the two, but it was usually just Adrian saying one heartfelt line and Isolde barely reciprocating. Personally, I enjoy a buildup to the relationship but this one was so rapid and self-induced (?) that it didn't excite me. The past couple fantasy romance books I've read gave me so many giggles and so much giddiness, so this story was a let-down.

“And what if I miss the sun?” How bright was the sky in Revekka— what would the sun look like beaming from behind red clouds? Would I even be able to see it? “Then I will find it for you,” he replied.

“What are you doing?” I asked, coming to stand beside him. “Watching my fish.” He did not look at me, just stared into the pool.

“All the stars in the sky are not as bright as my love for you.”