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rafafinhass 's review for:
Slaying the Shifter Prince
by Clare Sager
dark
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Even I'm surprised that I liked this book.
I thought it would be just another fae book (and it is a bit), but there are some really cool things here.
First, Sager's writing is super fluid and full of details without being too flowery or repetitive. The book is almost 400 pages long, and I finished it in 4 hours.
The story has a really nice pacing, I couldn't stop reading.
The book is very focused on the characters, and there is no super strong fantasy or world building, but I think the author knew how to focus on something and make what she wanted to write strong.
She developed the protagonists' past in a way that worked. In any other book, I would have found it superficial. Here, it matched the rhythm she was bringing to the story.
It's not so much about the plot, but rather about the interactions and personal discoveries of the characters.
I think it's really interesting that the protagonist is an acrobat and that this isn't just something that happens once and then disappears. You can see that she flourishes when she performs.
I found the combination of something more circus-like with a fantasy world very nice.
I'm not one of those who likes bully romances, and I honestly don't think that happens here. In a fantasy world where cruel Courts exist by nature and nurture, can you call it bullying? I think it's integrated into the concept of a world that is not ours.
But anyway, what I was going to say is that I'm not the biggest fan of the genre, but I liked the development of the main couple.
I particularly like how the author portrayed Zita as an extremely self-confident woman (physically, at least).
This book has no room for shame. And I think it's a good thing that the protagonist isn't a coward (not that FMCs have to do everything they're forced to do, either).
But I liked seeing for once a protagonist who really shows herself and isn't afraid to do things that others find humiliating. Zita is incredible.
And I like Sepher's redemption. I didn't think it was forced. And I like even more that he's not the main character we expect. We usually see the person who rules the courts in the books and not the exiled brothers, so it was really refreshing to read about him and a bunch of weirdos (I say this with love).
I think his relationship with Zita is full of chemistry. You can really feel the hate/love between the two. I can't say anything bad about their development.
The only thing I wish happened was a little more attention to the plot twist at the end. I always say this, but I don't like plot twists that happen without any clues as the story progresses. It ends up feeling kind of thrown in when there's no option for the reader to find out or create theories about who's guilty of a certain crime.
I also missed a little more tension in the part where Sepher and Zita make a deal, and her part is to try to reverse the curse. I wish there was more of an internal battle inside her for lying to him than there was in the book. I think it was a good point that was kind of ignored in the story.
Anya's part was also a bit left out. I think the author forgets some characters after they serve a purpose. I wish there was more depth in this regard.
Other than that, I liked everything. It's not the deepest book in the world, but there's a very interesting conversation about grief in it. I think that those who are affected by it like me will enjoy Zita's internal struggle. Many things have probably crossed many people's minds.
It's a nice story for those who want to read something to relex and a romantasy with true enemies to lovers.
I thought it would be just another fae book (and it is a bit), but there are some really cool things here.
First, Sager's writing is super fluid and full of details without being too flowery or repetitive. The book is almost 400 pages long, and I finished it in 4 hours.
The story has a really nice pacing, I couldn't stop reading.
The book is very focused on the characters, and there is no super strong fantasy or world building, but I think the author knew how to focus on something and make what she wanted to write strong.
She developed the protagonists' past in a way that worked. In any other book, I would have found it superficial. Here, it matched the rhythm she was bringing to the story.
It's not so much about the plot, but rather about the interactions and personal discoveries of the characters.
I think it's really interesting that the protagonist is an acrobat and that this isn't just something that happens once and then disappears. You can see that she flourishes when she performs.
I found the combination of something more circus-like with a fantasy world very nice.
I'm not one of those who likes bully romances, and I honestly don't think that happens here. In a fantasy world where cruel Courts exist by nature and nurture, can you call it bullying? I think it's integrated into the concept of a world that is not ours.
But anyway, what I was going to say is that I'm not the biggest fan of the genre, but I liked the development of the main couple.
I particularly like how the author portrayed Zita as an extremely self-confident woman (physically, at least).
This book has no room for shame. And I think it's a good thing that the protagonist isn't a coward (not that FMCs have to do everything they're forced to do, either).
But I liked seeing for once a protagonist who really shows herself and isn't afraid to do things that others find humiliating. Zita is incredible.
And I like Sepher's redemption. I didn't think it was forced. And I like even more that he's not the main character we expect. We usually see the person who rules the courts in the books and not the exiled brothers, so it was really refreshing to read about him and a bunch of weirdos (I say this with love).
I think his relationship with Zita is full of chemistry. You can really feel the hate/love between the two. I can't say anything bad about their development.
The only thing I wish happened was a little more attention to the plot twist at the end. I always say this, but I don't like plot twists that happen without any clues as the story progresses. It ends up feeling kind of thrown in when there's no option for the reader to find out or create theories about who's guilty of a certain crime.
Anya's part was also a bit left out. I think the author forgets some characters after they serve a purpose. I wish there was more depth in this regard.
Other than that, I liked everything. It's not the deepest book in the world, but there's a very interesting conversation about grief in it. I think that those who are affected by it like me will enjoy Zita's internal struggle. Many things have probably crossed many people's minds.
It's a nice story for those who want to read something to relex and a romantasy with true enemies to lovers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Violence, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Death, Blood, Murder