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gigi256 's review for:
Bound to the Shadow Prince
by Ruby Dixon
I want to start off saying that I love Ruby Dixon’s writing…usually. This one just wasn’t a hit for me. I’m not sure if it was the branching into fantasy over her typical sci-fi romance, or if there is something else that is factoring into it., but it didn’t seem up to her typical standards. There are good parts of the story! In fact, the second half of the book was incredibly entertaining. But you had to push through the first half to get there. I can completely understand why some readers decided to set it aside.
The book is centered around Candra, one of three princess of the kingdom of Lios. She is, unfortunately, a pretty bratty and unlikeable main lead. I don’t mind leads that have some unlikeable traits, but there a has to be someway to connect to them that gives you a hint of a “good person” inside. I think we were supposed to feel some sympathy because of a blood disorder that can kill her if she doesn’t receive constant care, but the lack of gratitude for those who keep her healthy negates it for me.
The inciting incident of the story is that she’s suddenly thrust into an centuries old tradition that requires one of the princesses of Lios to be locked into a tower for seven years to appease a goddess and bring prosperity to the nation. Her younger sister was supposed to be that sacrifice, but when she dies in an accident, Candra is expected to step in. She initially refuses but eventually relents when it becomes clear that the only other option is her heavily pregnant older sister.
She won’t be alone, though. There is another sacrifice from a rival nation who will be stuck with her for seven years: Nemeth. They are initially antagonistic towards one another, but you can imagine what eventually happens when a girl and guy are stuck together all alone in a romance novel.
Like Dixon’s other novels, the spice was on point. There were also some of my favorite tropes in here, including forced proximity and “nurse them back to health.” However, there was also a whole bunch of back and forth with the “do you actually like me?” sort of thing that became tiring.
I don’t want to give much more of the story away, but if you’re willing to trudge through the first half and deal with an unlikable heroine who eventually learns empathy and selflessness, then things really pick up in the second half. There’s more action, character development, and plenty of plot twists to keep you hooked. I just really wish that the story was either a) shorter or b) had a better balance of excitement spread throughout.
Overall, I’d say if you are expecting something akin to Ice Planet Barbarians or some of Ruby Dixon’s other works, you aren’t going to find it here. If you’re looking for a change of pace and are patient, then feel free to give it a try. Personally, I’ll stick to her other series.
Thank you to NetGalley and W by Webtoon/Wattpad Books for providing an ARC of Bound to the Shadow Prince by Ruby Dixon. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The book is centered around Candra, one of three princess of the kingdom of Lios. She is, unfortunately, a pretty bratty and unlikeable main lead. I don’t mind leads that have some unlikeable traits, but there a has to be someway to connect to them that gives you a hint of a “good person” inside. I think we were supposed to feel some sympathy because of a blood disorder that can kill her if she doesn’t receive constant care, but the lack of gratitude for those who keep her healthy negates it for me.
The inciting incident of the story is that she’s suddenly thrust into an centuries old tradition that requires one of the princesses of Lios to be locked into a tower for seven years to appease a goddess and bring prosperity to the nation. Her younger sister was supposed to be that sacrifice, but when she dies in an accident, Candra is expected to step in. She initially refuses but eventually relents when it becomes clear that the only other option is her heavily pregnant older sister.
She won’t be alone, though. There is another sacrifice from a rival nation who will be stuck with her for seven years: Nemeth. They are initially antagonistic towards one another, but you can imagine what eventually happens when a girl and guy are stuck together all alone in a romance novel.
Like Dixon’s other novels, the spice was on point. There were also some of my favorite tropes in here, including forced proximity and “nurse them back to health.” However, there was also a whole bunch of back and forth with the “do you actually like me?” sort of thing that became tiring.
I don’t want to give much more of the story away, but if you’re willing to trudge through the first half and deal with an unlikable heroine who eventually learns empathy and selflessness, then things really pick up in the second half. There’s more action, character development, and plenty of plot twists to keep you hooked. I just really wish that the story was either a) shorter or b) had a better balance of excitement spread throughout.
Overall, I’d say if you are expecting something akin to Ice Planet Barbarians or some of Ruby Dixon’s other works, you aren’t going to find it here. If you’re looking for a change of pace and are patient, then feel free to give it a try. Personally, I’ll stick to her other series.
Thank you to NetGalley and W by Webtoon/Wattpad Books for providing an ARC of Bound to the Shadow Prince by Ruby Dixon. All thoughts and opinions are my own.