You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
manicmoodreaderr's Reviews (150)
![Onyx Storm (2 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation] by Rebecca Yarros](https://cdn.thestorygraph.com/lskhb993767uvrg13krb3kgbgj1z)
![Onyx Storm (1 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation] by Rebecca Yarros](https://cdn.thestorygraph.com/tn532u6s8hu4lmccitrf6qjjc3nq)
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
tense
medium-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:
No
Much love to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK/One More Chapter for the advanced copy of this book—all thoughts & opinions are honest and my own.
This is a wildly impressive debut novel! Not only is it a romantasy with dragons, but the FMC is a badass assassin who takes shit from no one, not even the king.
Arla Reinhart and Hark Stappen are wonderfully crafted characters with depth and realistic personality. They both had flaws, desires, beliefs, and passions that made them stand out and shine perfectly in the story.
The lore behind the old ways was brilliant. I love the use of magic here, too—it wasn’t overwhelming or in your face. It wasn’t a strong focus of the entire book like most fantasy novels tend to be and I loved the approach!
The world-building was phenomenal. It was easy to imagine myself in the world and get immersed in the travels from kingdom to kingdom. The castles sound absolutely beautiful and I loved that they were crafted to almost balance each other in a way? One full of color and riches, one dull and gray.
The ending was perfectly executed. I definitely didn’t see it coming, and that’s all a girl can ask for in a novel, truly.
Overall, this was an outstanding debut novel from Abbie Eaton. I highly recommend it to fans of strong and stabby fmc’s, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and of course dragons ✨
adventurous
funny
medium-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
🪐b e t a r e v i e w🪐
Title: Courting Death & Desire
Author: CB Woods
Release Date: June 20, 2025
Preorder Link in Bio 🔗
✨Romantasy
✨Slow Burn
✨Why Choose
✨Mythology Appearance
✨Absolute Goddess of an FMC
✨Older MCs
✨Political Intrigue
✨Celestial World-Building
I was blessed graciously with the opportunity to beta read for @cbwoodsbooks after being so viciously obsessed with Rift, and let me start by saying Courting Death & Desire did NOT disappoint 🤭
While I was given an early, unedited copy of this book, I will say that I cannot even start to imagine what a finished copy will look like, that’s how much I absolutely ate this book up. Once that moment hit (we all know the moment, the intense chest flare-y moment) I simply did not want to put it down. I’m not kidding, last night alone I devoured probably 50% of the book in one sitting.
The characters? To die for. The romance? To die for. The spice? TO. DIE. FOR. The plot is evenly paced, and just when you think it might slow down for a beat, nope she’s back at it again with her wit and sass and eldest daughter charm we all know and love. There is some overlap with Rift, but I loved that so much, seeing it from another perspective, getting to experience some of my favorite parts all over again… Ugh. Obsessed.
To make the longest story ever semi-short, I am still madly in love with the world that CB Woods created within these pages. If I could pack up and move there, I feel I’d be the perfect Lunarian courtier as a Cancer sign girlie. Though I must say, I might find myself slipping off to Pluto once or twice. Especially for the trippy tea they serve at those parties and the sapphire everything (they’re my favorite).
Definitely a 5 star read and it’s not even at its highest, fullest capacity yet. I cannot WAIT to buy every available format and dive in all over again when it’s released.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
A beautiful, yet tragic, retelling of a timeless Greek tale.
The story of Achilles and Patroclus is one that gets misinterpreted time and time again, but make no mistake: this is a story of a love so strong that fate is defied and blood is spilled.
The story of Achilles and Patroclus is one that gets misinterpreted time and time again, but make no mistake: this is a story of a love so strong that fate is defied and blood is spilled.
Could the story have been told from Achilles’ point of view? Sure, of course. But I think Patroclus being the narrator added such a strong layer of character to Achilles beyond just being a raging force of a war-machine as he’s made out to be. He was a friend, a lover, which is often left out when the stories are told of the ‘aristos achaion’ and the Trojan War.
The symbolism in the title is mind-blowing. Where the Iliad paints Achilles out to be angry and ruthless, this story uses his love for music to add beauty and softness, to give him humanity. But more than that, song and music were utilized in those days for telling stories, for tales of the past, for honoring those who have fallen. Since the end of the book brings Achilles’ death and the end of the war is not part of the plot, it’s safe to assume that the entirety of the book can be seen as Achilles’ song of remembrance, a way of honoring him.
This novel is a true masterpiece. The thought behind it, the research, the accuracy… It was executed flawlessly.
This will be an immediate recommendation from me indefinitely. This book and its many beautiful quotes are going to stick with me for a very long time.