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nmonzyk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
Every fantasy romance trope you’ve read tossed up and served like a salad. I finished it, but barely.
Content Warnings
Minor: Physical abuse
elntastic's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Even though the world-building and story wasn‘t something entirely new or grand, I still really liked all the ideas and characters. But most of all, I liked the dynamic between Kane and Arwen. It was a live-story that I thoroughly enjoyed even though their start was a little rough and (Attention Spoiler!! ) I didn’t get why he threatened to torture her and she just seemed to completely dismiss that he said that for the rest of the story. I thought that was too abusive. Also that he had to beg for getting a normal room instead of having to live in the friggin dungeons?! I would‘ve liked it more if he had offered it to her himself. It just made him seem cruel and then her liking him just seemed so stupid just because he was hot?
Well, anyways, the rest of the book was very good! Couldn’t put it down and I can’t wait for the second part.
Well, anyways, the rest of the book was very good! Couldn’t put it down and I can’t wait for the second part.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Torture, Violence, and War
dinipandareads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I was feeling quite slumpy when I picked this up but it was apparently exactly what I needed to pull myself out of the funky mood! While I don't think this brings anything particularly new or different to the romantic fantasy genre, it delivers what it says it will and I had a really great time reading it!
The story is told solely through Arwen's POV and although she came across as young and naive for a good portion of the first half of the book, she does experience some considerable growth. She's a mentally strong and driven character who understands her weaknesses and does her best to balance that by challenging herself mentally and physically. I really enjoyed the friendship she develops with Mar who brought an excellent comedic element to the story! I also enjoyed the slow burn of the romance between Arwen and Kane. He was definitely a morally grey MMC who I wasn't sure about at the beginning because he's so extremely hot and cold and there were times that I wished the romantic element had actually been stronger, especially to show them get to know each other and the strength of their connection. That said, he really grew on me, just like he grew on Arwen and oof, the sexual tension really sizzles! The tension reminded me a little bit of The Bridge Kingdom and since that's one of my all-time favourite romantasies, it's not a bad thing at all! It was SO good and oof, just as things start to really get steamy, IT'S CHAOS! IT WAS SUCH A TEASE and with the way the story ended, I just know the angst and tension are going to get even stronger in the next book. I can't wait! 😍
Much like the FMC, we're kind of kept in the dark about the "truth" of what's happening in this world and it all comes to light at the end. But as much as I enjoyed the world-building that we got, I do feel like this element was the weakest part of the whole story because I feel like there's still a lot that I don't really understand. It would've been great to get more details about the history of the kingdoms and more about how the war really began; however, I'm hopeful that we can get more of these details in the next book because this WILD ENDING sets things up nicely for more "truths" to be revealed and I'm really hoping we get it!
The story is told solely through Arwen's POV and although she came across as young and naive for a good portion of the first half of the book, she does experience some considerable growth. She's a mentally strong and driven character who understands her weaknesses and does her best to balance that by challenging herself mentally and physically. I really enjoyed the friendship she develops with Mar who brought an excellent comedic element to the story! I also enjoyed the slow burn of the romance between Arwen and Kane. He was definitely a morally grey MMC who I wasn't sure about at the beginning because he's so extremely hot and cold and there were times that I wished the romantic element had actually been stronger, especially to show them get to know each other and the strength of their connection. That said, he really grew on me, just like he grew on Arwen and oof, the sexual tension really sizzles! The tension reminded me a little bit of The Bridge Kingdom and since that's one of my all-time favourite romantasies, it's not a bad thing at all! It was SO good and oof, just as things start to really get steamy, IT'S CHAOS! IT WAS SUCH A TEASE and with the way the story ended, I just know the angst and tension are going to get even stronger in the next book. I can't wait! 😍
Much like the FMC, we're kind of kept in the dark about the "truth" of what's happening in this world and it all comes to light at the end. But as much as I enjoyed the world-building that we got, I do feel like this element was the weakest part of the whole story because I feel like there's still a lot that I don't really understand. It would've been great to get more details about the history of the kingdoms and more about how the war really began; however, I'm hopeful that we can get more of these details in the next book because this WILD ENDING sets things up nicely for more "truths" to be revealed and I'm really hoping we get it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Physical abuse and War
Minor: Chronic illness
readswithcat's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Medical content, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape
kalie626's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I really enjoyed the world and the main characters were well developed and like-able. I’m looking forward to the next one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Physical abuse and Death of parent
Minor: Medical content
madisonbandini's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
What a debut for Kate Golden! And what a way to start my 2023. A fantasy, slow burn, enemies to lovers romance, with a morally gray mmc and a “who did this to you“ scene. It has my heart and I eagerly await the sequel. On top of that, our FMC was strong, caring, and smart. It sincerely exceeded my expectations and I’m glad I read it.
1.5/5 on spiciness, but I think book 2 will get there!
1.5/5 on spiciness, but I think book 2 will get there!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse and Sexual content
Minor: Gore and Violence