Scan barcode
wineywitch202's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
beeskneesandtoes's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I was a little hesitant at first to give this book 5 stars but finally I decided that it deserves it. After all the only issue I had was the fact that there were some grammatical errors and repeating words.
More important are the reasons why I think this awesomeness piece of writing deserves the rating I settled on.
First of all, this book is a part of an incredible series. Each instalment was better than the previous one and how often does that happen? I cannot wait for the next one and whatever comes after that!
That said, I absolutely fell in love with the world that the author introduced us to. The world and the characters. Ayla - a monster, a murderer, a wicked woman - yes. But also an abused child, a lover who, against all odds, seems to love truly, although in her own, mad way. It seems that Ayla Darkleaf is too cruel for the world but as it turns out, there's one woman who would simply accept her and all her insanity. And that woman - Flowridia - is no better. Watching her slowly becoming who she feared she would be and then even worse was infuriating at times, and thus beyond thrilling.
Of course, Khastra and Etoliè steal the spotlight. Khastra being her gentle and loving self, Etoliè being a drunk fool. Whenever there was something about them I was smiling.
Finally, Lara. The empress is that sort of character you love throughout the whole story.
This book is an amazing tale about how monsters are created, how being good always ends in heartbreak. What amazes me since the second book of this series is how the reader has no choice but to feel characters' anguish and fear and pain themselves. And there is a lot of all that. I am amazed and emotionally hungover in the best way possible.
More important are the reasons why I think this awesomeness piece of writing deserves the rating I settled on.
First of all, this book is a part of an incredible series. Each instalment was better than the previous one and how often does that happen? I cannot wait for the next one and whatever comes after that!
That said, I absolutely fell in love with the world that the author introduced us to. The world and the characters. Ayla - a monster, a murderer, a wicked woman - yes. But also an abused child, a lover who, against all odds, seems to love truly, although in her own, mad way. It seems that Ayla Darkleaf is too cruel for the world but as it turns out, there's one woman who would simply accept her and all her insanity. And that woman - Flowridia - is no better. Watching her slowly becoming who she feared she would be and then even worse was infuriating at times, and thus beyond thrilling.
Of course, Khastra and Etoliè steal the spotlight. Khastra being her gentle and loving self, Etoliè being a drunk fool. Whenever there was something about them I was smiling.
Finally, Lara. The empress is that sort of character you love throughout the whole story.
This book is an amazing tale about how monsters are created, how being good always ends in heartbreak. What amazes me since the second book of this series is how the reader has no choice but to feel characters' anguish and fear and pain themselves. And there is a lot of all that. I am amazed and emotionally hungover in the best way possible.
wanderlust13's review against another edition
5.0
Honestly, I am so glad that there is not a book in the series after this one. I’m glad the fifth one is still being written. I need a little break because I am going through an intense emotional hangover at this point. This book was a lot longer than the previous ones, and I can absolutely see why. So many different things happened to these characters and you can see them grow immensely. I do like that we get a lot more interpersonal relationships in this book. There’s a lot of growth between characters that help them form the decisions they make as the book continues. A lot of secrets are unfolded and a lot of inner turmoil is confronted. I do appreciate all the time that has taken to give each of these characters their growth. Honestly at this point everything is a spectrum between light and dark and good versus evil. I don’t think I can see any protagonist or antagonist in the usual black and white. Everybody has done some pretty fucked up things but they also do them with good intentions. I love all of these characters and it’s sad but also brilliant to see them make the choices that they make.
jazw92's review against another edition
4.0
So, let me start by saying that I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this series so far. The story and the character development are really great.
But (and idk if this is just the kindle version), I have to say that this 4th book really could have used a second pass by an editor. There is a LOT of repetitive phrasing and quite a few spelling/grammatical errors and incorrect word usage. Normally I wouldn't notice or care but in this book it got to be really distracting. So much so that I felt the need to take a break from reading to write this review.
But (and idk if this is just the kindle version), I have to say that this 4th book really could have used a second pass by an editor. There is a LOT of repetitive phrasing and quite a few spelling/grammatical errors and incorrect word usage. Normally I wouldn't notice or care but in this book it got to be really distracting. So much so that I felt the need to take a break from reading to write this review.
banrions's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Ok here is the thing: I AM VERY CONFLICTED ABOUT THIS BOOK AND THUS, THIS SERIES.
I’ve already talked about it, I don’t like Ayla and Flowridia much, and that only escalated for a majority of this book (though not all). I just, I cannot tell WHAT this story is. For a long time, I thought we were supposed to like them, their relationship, and (though it be complex and conflicted), ultimately, root for them. AND I SIMPLY DID NOT!! The longer these books went on, the less I liked Flowridia at all. She is such a hypocrite, and FINALY someone (hilariously, Ayla) calls her out on it in this book. But it frustrated me that for so long I couldn’t tell what the author was trying to convey here. Especially in this book with revelations about Ayla’s childhood and earlier life, I’m just like, so in order to make her sympathetic she has to have be been abused? (Which, content warning and also spoilers but, CSA and abuse warnings for a small portion of this, nothing explicit at all just alluded to, but still). Like I’m sorry, I feel sympathy for her as a child and young woman, but she turned into a literally gleeful murderous power hungry monster and two things can be true at once and I don’t suddenly like her now.
For a little bit there, I was actually elated. I was like, oh okay, this has all been a slow burn long con and Flowridia is the villain! This is so cool, actually! All of the things I’ve been feeling are justified!! But then with the very end.. I’m not so sure. And that’s a little frustrating, but there are a lot of other things in this series that I like. At this point, Etolie is my fav and I love her arc in this book a lot, and I will definitely keep reading and she’s who I’m rooting for.
I’ve already talked about it, I don’t like Ayla and Flowridia much, and that only escalated for a majority of this book (though not all). I just, I cannot tell WHAT this story is. For a long time, I thought we were supposed to like them, their relationship, and (though it be complex and conflicted), ultimately, root for them. AND I SIMPLY DID NOT!! The longer these books went on, the less I liked Flowridia at all. She is such a hypocrite, and FINALY someone (hilariously, Ayla) calls her out on it in this book. But it frustrated me that for so long I couldn’t tell what the author was trying to convey here. Especially in this book with revelations about Ayla’s childhood and earlier life, I’m just like, so in order to make her sympathetic she has to have be been abused? (Which, content warning and also spoilers but, CSA and abuse warnings for a small portion of this, nothing explicit at all just alluded to, but still). Like I’m sorry, I feel sympathy for her as a child and young woman, but she turned into a literally gleeful murderous power hungry monster and two things can be true at once and I don’t suddenly like her now.
For a little bit there, I was actually elated. I was like, oh okay, this has all been a slow burn long con and Flowridia is the villain! This is so cool, actually! All of the things I’ve been feeling are justified!! But then with the very end.. I’m not so sure. And that’s a little frustrating, but there are a lot of other things in this series that I like. At this point, Etolie is my fav and I love her arc in this book a lot, and I will definitely keep reading and she’s who I’m rooting for.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, Murder, and War
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Sexual assault
queerbillydeluxe's review against another edition
5.0
This book—this series is murderous. I wept for a solid half of the last 15% of this beast. I need the 5th one like I need oxygen.
Also, it is supremely weird to feel such a kinship with a vampiric demon demi-goddess-like creature from beyond the shadows. Like, hi, fellow anxiety-ridden one who doesn’t trust love. Did we just become besties? Yup.
Also, it is supremely weird to feel such a kinship with a vampiric demon demi-goddess-like creature from beyond the shadows. Like, hi, fellow anxiety-ridden one who doesn’t trust love. Did we just become besties? Yup.
nniltiacc's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
brennooth's review against another edition
5.0
This entire series is phenomenally written. I love every single thing about it. The world is just... I love it.
In the first book, I absolutely loved Flowridia, this shy innocent witch. Her journey wasn’t boring for a single second. I enjoyed the relationship that built up with Ayla despite Ayla’s rather questionable ‘personality’. I missed her when she was missing. I’ve always loved Empress Alauriel Solviraes. From the first appearance on, I adored her. I am now heartbroken with the turn of events which made me rather hesitant about enjoying even a single moment between Flowra and Ayla. Especially the pretending to be Lara part. I’m not saying that I hate how it was written or anything, gods no, but I remain heartbroken. And Flowridia? She did what she thought was right and I grew to like her less and less.
That being said, Etolié and beefcake Khastra? I absolutely adore them. I loved Khastra back in the Sea and Stars series and was delighted to see her in this series as well.
But... gods, I cried for Lara. A lot.
In the first book, I absolutely loved Flowridia, this shy innocent witch. Her journey wasn’t boring for a single second. I enjoyed the relationship that built up with Ayla despite Ayla’s rather questionable ‘personality’. I missed her when she was missing. I’ve always loved Empress Alauriel Solviraes. From the first appearance on, I adored her. I am now heartbroken with the turn of events which made me rather hesitant about enjoying even a single moment between Flowra and Ayla. Especially the pretending to be Lara part. I’m not saying that I hate how it was written or anything, gods no, but I remain heartbroken. And Flowridia? She did what she thought was right and I grew to like her less and less.
That being said, Etolié and beefcake Khastra? I absolutely adore them. I loved Khastra back in the Sea and Stars series and was delighted to see her in this series as well.
But... gods, I cried for Lara. A lot.
jacemchale's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore
zefrien's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
5.0
More...