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starglowhaven's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
books_tea_and_fantasy's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 ⭐️
Characters: 8
Atmosphere: 8
Writing: 9
Plot: 8
Intrigue: 9
Logic: 8
Enjoyment: 9
Characters: 8
Atmosphere: 8
Writing: 9
Plot: 8
Intrigue: 9
Logic: 8
Enjoyment: 9
heddas_bookgems's review against another edition
3.0
This book starts with a bang, immediately drawing readers in with its thrilling opening where the characters jump headfirst in some traumatic events. After a 150 pages or so, war is over though and the point of interest shifts towards the romantic plot. And although I’m here for some spice and romantic fantasy this didn’t really worked out for me. It felt like a separate book.
While the flow of the book is generally good, the author’s tendency towards flowery writing can be a little distracting. Additionally, I found the world-building somewhat confusing. While the book had many fascinating elements – such as elemental magic, Asian-influenced themes and dragons – it felt somewhat underdeveloped or disorganized.
On the bright side, as the story progresses towards a more romantic angle, it lays the groundwork for the tense dynamic between Talasyn and Alaric, reminiscent of Rey and Kylo Ren from Star Wars. Being a Star Wars enthusiast myself, although the characters' attraction felt somewhat underwhelming, I found it quite enjoyable and full of potential.
Despite these flaws, the book still manages to deliver a nice slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance. Just don't expect any mountains.
While the flow of the book is generally good, the author’s tendency towards flowery writing can be a little distracting. Additionally, I found the world-building somewhat confusing. While the book had many fascinating elements – such as elemental magic, Asian-influenced themes and dragons – it felt somewhat underdeveloped or disorganized.
On the bright side, as the story progresses towards a more romantic angle, it lays the groundwork for the tense dynamic between Talasyn and Alaric, reminiscent of Rey and Kylo Ren from Star Wars. Being a Star Wars enthusiast myself, although the characters' attraction felt somewhat underwhelming, I found it quite enjoyable and full of potential.
Despite these flaws, the book still manages to deliver a nice slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance. Just don't expect any mountains.
scijessreads's review against another edition
5.0
Despite the word war being in the title, this was more a book about political maneuvering and a study in “keep your enemies close.” But in this case the enemies are forced to marry, and in the endless wars of words and negotiations, they also fight against the idea that maybe there is more to the enemy at hand than they would like to acknowledge. Because confronting the idea that they might have something in common with each other is absolutely the worst.
The slow burning dance between hate and maybe-something-that’s-not-hate that happens between Alaric and Talasyn is one of the best examples of simmering tension that I have read in a long time. They are fundamentally at odds, on opposite sides of a war and both steadfast in their knowledge that they are on the side of right. Even though both are at the whims of others that hold the strings of power. Their sparring only highlights the notion that when you live with one version of events, that version is the only one that makes sense to be true. Everything else is a lie. Right?
Woven in the strands of this story of magic and war and wrangling for power is a cautionary tale of how easy it can be to hold onto the notion that there is only one right way to do things. And that you never truly know the whole story, especially as it’s being written by someone else and isn’t over yet.
I can’t wait for this world to continue. For Alaric and Talaysin to continue to grow into themselves, and maybe finally see that there can be many ways to end a war, and not just the one path you were put on by others and told to follow.
The slow burning dance between hate and maybe-something-that’s-not-hate that happens between Alaric and Talasyn is one of the best examples of simmering tension that I have read in a long time. They are fundamentally at odds, on opposite sides of a war and both steadfast in their knowledge that they are on the side of right. Even though both are at the whims of others that hold the strings of power. Their sparring only highlights the notion that when you live with one version of events, that version is the only one that makes sense to be true. Everything else is a lie. Right?
Woven in the strands of this story of magic and war and wrangling for power is a cautionary tale of how easy it can be to hold onto the notion that there is only one right way to do things. And that you never truly know the whole story, especially as it’s being written by someone else and isn’t over yet.
I can’t wait for this world to continue. For Alaric and Talaysin to continue to grow into themselves, and maybe finally see that there can be many ways to end a war, and not just the one path you were put on by others and told to follow.
firebreathingwitchqueen12's review against another edition
3.0
I almost DNF at page 130 because so much time was spent on world building rather than building her characters so even when we finally got to the meat of the story, nothing really seemed all the special about the characters. I wanted to like this so bad, but I was sorely disappointed.
maysiemoot's review against another edition
It's literally so bad i dont know how this book was ever published, i have told everyone i know to avoid this book. I even had a pretty fairyloot edition but the beauty of if did not make the terrible story worth it
emmabonk's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
breatherain's review against another edition
2.0
i gave it 3* at first but then i learnt it’s a star wars fanfic goodbye
gisreads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
reflective
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
4.0