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A review by _carlyb_
Radiance by Grace Draven
4.0
Ildiko, a human noblewoman, is sent to marry Brishen, a Kai prince from a race famously known as “ugly bastards.” The Kai don’t understand human ideas of beauty, and vice versa. When Brishen first sees her, he’s appalled. Her skin reminds him of a boiled mollusk. Her red hair burns in the sunlight like a cursed torch. Her human eyes? Moving parasites lodged in her skull. “Nightmarish” doesn’t even begin to cover it. She, in turn, tells him that if she’d seen him as a child, she would’ve beaten him to death with her dad’s mace. And that’s before the wedding.
And yet, somehow, they click.
Their first meeting is hilarious. They’re both so honest about how awful the other looks, and it’s refreshing. There’s no fake politeness, no pining. Just two people trying to make the best of a political marriage by absolutely roasting each other. And somehow, it’s sweet. Their friendship blooms fast and naturally. The skipped wedding isn’t even disappointing because watching them become allies through laughter is way more satisfying.
There’s a moment where Ildiko goes cross eyed at him and Brishen just about jumps out of his skin, yelling “Lover of thorns and holy gods!” like she just cursed his bloodline. And her reply? She doubles down and offers to move only one eye next time. I was howling. Every moment of banter is this weirdly perfect mix of absurd and affectionate.
What’s brilliant is that this doesn’t take away from the emotional depth. For all the teasing and eye-rolling, there’s genuine care. The moment Brishen tells her he’s not human, and she just mumbles, “You’re still mine” in her sleep? It hit. It really hit.
And yes, the last act takes a turn. Brishen is tortured, his eye is cut out, and I wanted blood. But even then, the love between them holds firm. No melodrama, no whining, just two people who found something solid in the most unlikely of places.
The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, but not the kind that ruins your night. They’re safe, they’re together, and for now, that’s enough.
Friends to lovers just might be superior
And yet, somehow, they click.
Their first meeting is hilarious. They’re both so honest about how awful the other looks, and it’s refreshing. There’s no fake politeness, no pining. Just two people trying to make the best of a political marriage by absolutely roasting each other. And somehow, it’s sweet. Their friendship blooms fast and naturally. The skipped wedding isn’t even disappointing because watching them become allies through laughter is way more satisfying.
There’s a moment where Ildiko goes cross eyed at him and Brishen just about jumps out of his skin, yelling “Lover of thorns and holy gods!” like she just cursed his bloodline. And her reply? She doubles down and offers to move only one eye next time. I was howling. Every moment of banter is this weirdly perfect mix of absurd and affectionate.
What’s brilliant is that this doesn’t take away from the emotional depth. For all the teasing and eye-rolling, there’s genuine care. The moment Brishen tells her he’s not human, and she just mumbles, “You’re still mine” in her sleep? It hit. It really hit.
And yes, the last act takes a turn. Brishen is tortured, his eye is cut out, and I wanted blood. But even then, the love between them holds firm. No melodrama, no whining, just two people who found something solid in the most unlikely of places.
The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, but not the kind that ruins your night. They’re safe, they’re together, and for now, that’s enough.
Friends to lovers just might be superior