I read this book pretty quickly, although I'm sad to say I skimmed through a lot of it after 50%. The beginning was slow, but I did enjoy to read Oraya dealing with her grief at the loss of her father, her feelings of betrayal towards Raihn. Still, I wish she had been angrier. Not only at Raihn for doing what he did, but also at herself for giving the means for that happen.

I'd thought these words to myself countless times - I hate him (...) - and yet, when they slipped over my tongue, they tasted rancid, bitter for all the ways they were true and untrue. Because they should not be anything but true, when I was standing before the man who murdered my father.

I really didn't care about the forgiveness part, since there was never really a moment I felt like she might not forgive him. It didn't feel earned to me. To be pretty honest I didn't care much about their romance at all in this book, with the exception of some parts such as when he reveals he spent time trying to find out more about her past. I did enjoy reading a few of Raihn's chapters and seeing his viewpoint, but after some time he started to annoy me in both POVs. Catchphrases, and smirking and "princess". Just stop, please. And that ending...

she saved him from death... again...

There are a few minor things that I didn't like either and I felt like the book was too long, but overall I think I said what I actually wanted to say.

To end this on a positive note.

From that moment, little serpent. I could not entertain the possibility of killing you.
I'll do the next best thing, I tell myself. I will raise you. I will protect myself from you by protecting you from a world that would teach you how to kill me.

I really enjoyed the bits where Oraya reflected on her relationship with Vincent; How she saw him and came to understand how much he actually hid from her and why, and at the end, having closure and coming to terms with his passing. Their complex relationship is one of the highlights for me, in both book, I wish we could've had more of it. Also, Oraya finding out the truth about her mother and discovering she still had family alive, was really nice. It was a shame that bit was short, since it was a chance for Oraya to connect with her past and human side in a different way instead of just through Raihn.

Even though I wish the politicking part of things had stood out more, I enjoyed the ball/betrayal/rescue sequence. And I'm actually curious about Septimus, as it seems that he will be the main villain of the series. I enjoyed his character, his role in this book and want to see where it goes.

Half of my disappointment with this book is my own fault. The book is what it intends to be, a romantasy, when what I wanted was actually something else. It was there in both books but unfortunately wasn't the focus. Still, I intend to read the next ones, I just have to adjust my expectations accordingly.

Anyway, I humbly ask for a Vincent-focused prequel, please! <3

I'm already more afraid than I have ever been. Afraid of you and what you could do to me. Afraid of the world that could kill you so easily. Afraid of myself, gifted with another fragile heart that I know I cannot keep.

(I didnt highlight many lines, but I love the ones I did)

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

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3.5

A Serpente e as Asas Feitas de Noite by Carissa Broadbent

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced