jasminel95's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
jacklynnk's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
exlibrary_gabbie's review against another edition
medium-paced
1.75
It started off okay and then got weirder and more unrealistic and very tropey. I did skim read the last 40% or more of this book. There were to many themes in one book. Due to this the book lacked focus and caused the plot to not flow well or have more in depth details in parts of the world. I don’t like the main couple either. Other parts I also didn’t like where … the sort random and weird liking the brother at the end. Didn’t like that at all. The dragons and druids were very underdeveloped and I wish it was more fleshed out. I did have one of my most hated trope for me is the miscommunication trope. Just talk to each other!! As the mate relationship doesn’t make a lot of sense to me and was a bit messy.
The magic system did intrigue me. Wish there was more of that.
The magic system did intrigue me. Wish there was more of that.
martinagomez's review against another edition
básicamente en las 100 páginas q lei no logre conectar con los personajes ni con la historia, no me atrapo para nada. además el personaje masculino me daba rechazo con todo el tema de "es mia" y que se ponia celoso cuando nunca antes la habia visto en su vida ?????? y bueno eso es pq es un dark romance, cosa que me di cuenta después, y se ve que no es mi tipo de genero. juro q iba a seguirlo pero en serio no lo estaba disfrutando y estaba muy desanimada y me daba miedo entrar en un bloqueo lector. así q bueno, that's basically it
dzanni94's review against another edition
5.0
Topes:
~Fated Mates
~Magic
~Spicy
~Arranged Marriage
~Touch Her and Die
~One Bed
~Dark MMC
Summary:
Darakai, fleeing her kingdom to escape an arranged marriage with the assistance of her best friend, ends up fleeing into the arms of Wilder. Wilder and Darakai build a strong bond, however, Darakai is betrayed and is forced to flee again, however this time, she is alone and with a broken heart.
Review:
I really enjoyed this! I enjoyed the chemistry between Darakai and Wilder. They have a lot to overcome if they hope to be together in the end. I cannot wait to see what happens in the second book, I will absolutely be reading it- I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT! I felt that the spice was good, the plot was good, and I really liked the characters. I read this book in less than 24 hours, that’s how entranced I was. I stayed up really late to finish because I always needed to know what happened next.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
~Fated Mates
~Magic
~Spicy
~Arranged Marriage
~Touch Her and Die
~One Bed
~Dark MMC
Summary:
Darakai, fleeing her kingdom to escape an arranged marriage with the assistance of her best friend, ends up fleeing into the arms of Wilder. Wilder and Darakai build a strong bond, however, Darakai is betrayed and is forced to flee again, however this time, she is alone and with a broken heart.
Review:
I really enjoyed this! I enjoyed the chemistry between Darakai and Wilder. They have a lot to overcome if they hope to be together in the end. I cannot wait to see what happens in the second book, I will absolutely be reading it- I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT! I felt that the spice was good, the plot was good, and I really liked the characters. I read this book in less than 24 hours, that’s how entranced I was. I stayed up really late to finish because I always needed to know what happened next.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
jess_midwest_kindleworm's review against another edition
5.0
“I like to be the one in control, I need to dominate, but with her, right now, she needs this. We need this, and I will gladly watch Askia fall if it means we can be together.”
“You’re the moon to my darkness, Darakai”
Ahh! This may have been a debut novel for Melissa but this was my first novel dipping my toes into the realm of dark fantasy romance and OH. MY. GOODNESS. If you’ve never read it, this is a good one to start on.
This story is beautifully written and shows the tale of arranged marriage between kingdoms, death of people loved, relationships built and lost, and so, so much more.
I can’t even begin to pour into words how excited I am for book 2 to find out what happens. And since I won’t spoil the surprise, go on, go read it. You won’t regret it. I promise!
“You’re the moon to my darkness, Darakai”
Ahh! This may have been a debut novel for Melissa but this was my first novel dipping my toes into the realm of dark fantasy romance and OH. MY. GOODNESS. If you’ve never read it, this is a good one to start on.
This story is beautifully written and shows the tale of arranged marriage between kingdoms, death of people loved, relationships built and lost, and so, so much more.
I can’t even begin to pour into words how excited I am for book 2 to find out what happens. And since I won’t spoil the surprise, go on, go read it. You won’t regret it. I promise!
goddess_eve21's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.25
I truly enjoyed Melissa's debut ... this is the beginning to an amazing world of fantasy, romance, magic and darkness. The spice was an added bonus.
I loved the whole idea behind the fate aspect in this book. Melissa truly brought that together so beautifully. I am glad to see that in the end this brought Wilder and Darakai closer together.
I am curious about some details in this book, especially about the whole entanglement with Finnick.
So I am super excited to continue this world of Askia by reading book 2 when it comes out.
I loved the whole idea behind the fate aspect in this book. Melissa truly brought that together so beautifully. I am glad to see that in the end this brought Wilder and Darakai closer together.
I am curious about some details in this book, especially about the whole entanglement with Finnick.
So I am super excited to continue this world of Askia by reading book 2 when it comes out.
nic_readsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
4.0
This debut novel tells the story of Princess Darakai, who flees her kingdom after being told she will have to marry. During her escape she meets a mysterious man with a deep darkness in him. Together they go on to form a bond unlike any other until a betrayal leaves Darakai fleeing again; alone and heartbroken.
Review: What an astonishing debut novel. I read this book in one sitting and just couldn’t put it down.
I loved seeing the development of Darakai from a slightly spoilt princess to a strong woman, willing to fight for her people and her kingdom. She’s sassy, independent and definitely has a darker side which shows itself as the story develops. This made her such an interesting character for me.
Wilder is confident, dominant and fiercely protective. He loves hard and cares deeply for those around him. But he has a distinct dark side which makes him really hot.
Together they bring out the worst and best in each other but their chemistry was so believable and the steamy scenes are 🥵.
The background plot is clever and I enjoyed the way the prologue and epilogue cleverly brought it all together.
I would have liked to see some bits of the story fleshed out a bit more and they felt a little rushed especially around the secrets of some of the side characters but I’m hoping to learn a bit more about them as the series continues.
In case you can’t tell, I loved this book and I will definitely be picking up the sequel.
TW: choking, knife play, blood play, sexual assault
Review: What an astonishing debut novel. I read this book in one sitting and just couldn’t put it down.
I loved seeing the development of Darakai from a slightly spoilt princess to a strong woman, willing to fight for her people and her kingdom. She’s sassy, independent and definitely has a darker side which shows itself as the story develops. This made her such an interesting character for me.
Wilder is confident, dominant and fiercely protective. He loves hard and cares deeply for those around him. But he has a distinct dark side which makes him really hot.
Together they bring out the worst and best in each other but their chemistry was so believable and the steamy scenes are 🥵.
The background plot is clever and I enjoyed the way the prologue and epilogue cleverly brought it all together.
I would have liked to see some bits of the story fleshed out a bit more and they felt a little rushed especially around the secrets of some of the side characters but I’m hoping to learn a bit more about them as the series continues.
In case you can’t tell, I loved this book and I will definitely be picking up the sequel.
TW: choking, knife play, blood play, sexual assault
planted_library's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.5
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