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bookswithjazmynnn's review
5.0
If you’re ure interested in a magical book with mages, fae, dragons, and the occasional elves and lots of twists , this book is definitely for you! There sas many moments in the book where I wanted to scream in frustration (the interactions between Varin and Cateline, also with Aiora. I also love how it was unpredictable. I didn’t see the twist coming and I love when a book catches me off guard. I would skip the next paragraph if you haven’t read it yet.
I do have some questions though, Why was Varin in such a rush to go home but hasn’t gone home yet? Is Adeline really Cateline’s sister? Is Roen good? Why did Seraphine help them escape Aiora?
Its very well written. Brianna makes you feel like you’re in the story and experiencing everything the characters are feeling. I was very sad when Varin had to face that loss and made me feel like i was going through that loss. Same with Cateline living a life of neglect, lies and betrayal. When will it stop?
I do have some questions though, Why was Varin in such a rush to go home but hasn’t gone home yet? Is Adeline really Cateline’s sister? Is Roen good? Why did Seraphine help them escape Aiora?
Its very well written. Brianna makes you feel like you’re in the story and experiencing everything the characters are feeling. I was very sad when Varin had to face that loss and made me feel like i was going through that loss. Same with Cateline living a life of neglect, lies and betrayal. When will it stop?
revreeder's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
This story has so much potential, but there are enough plot holes and grammatical and social weirdness that honestly left me confused and at some points led me astray/I thought one thing had happened but turns out later in the book I was wrong? But I'm not sure the problem was me..
ashleysreadingroom's review
5.0
You might like this book if you like books like The Witcher, LotR, and Game of Thrones! The worldbuilding is immersive, the characters are richly developed, and the storytelling is enthralling, making it a must-read high fantasy novel. I wasn't even halfway through the book and knew I was going to love this series and immediately purchased book two. We alternate mainly between Varin and Cateline's POVs, but we do get an Aiora chapter which sheds even more light into the story as secrets continue to unfold.
There are various forms of evil in this story. Between battling their own inner demons, afraid of what others will think of them when they think the worst, there is political evil as kings seem to have their own agenda and some more twisted than others, and magical evil. Evil isn't coherently good or evil, it's really a matter of how you choose to see it.
I am very invested on how Aiora's story is going to go down and to know what was going through her mind to betray Thaddius and Varin, the two people that had considered her their friend. It's been interesting watching Varin fight how he feels about the situation. I am looking forward to book two!
There are various forms of evil in this story. Between battling their own inner demons, afraid of what others will think of them when they think the worst, there is political evil as kings seem to have their own agenda and some more twisted than others, and magical evil. Evil isn't coherently good or evil, it's really a matter of how you choose to see it.
I am very invested on how Aiora's story is going to go down and to know what was going through her mind to betray Thaddius and Varin, the two people that had considered her their friend. It's been interesting watching Varin fight how he feels about the situation. I am looking forward to book two!
ashleysreadingroom's review against another edition
5.0
You might like this book if you like books like The Witcher, LotR, and Game of Thrones! The worldbuilding is immersive, the characters are richly developed, and the storytelling is enthralling, making it a must-read high fantasy novel. I wasn't even halfway through the book and knew I was going to love this series and immediately purchased book two. We alternate mainly between Varin and Cateline's POVs, but we do get an Aiora chapter which sheds even more light into the story as secrets continue to unfold.
There are various forms of evil in this story. Between battling their own inner demons, afraid of what others will think of them when they think the worst, there is political evil as kings seem to have their own agenda and some more twisted than others, and magical evil. Evil isn't coherently good or evil, it's really a matter of how you choose to see it.
I am very invested on how Aiora's story is going to go down and to know what was going through her mind to betray Thaddius and Varin, the two people that had considered her their friend. It's been interesting watching Varin fight how he feels about the situation. I am looking forward to book two!
There are various forms of evil in this story. Between battling their own inner demons, afraid of what others will think of them when they think the worst, there is political evil as kings seem to have their own agenda and some more twisted than others, and magical evil. Evil isn't coherently good or evil, it's really a matter of how you choose to see it.
I am very invested on how Aiora's story is going to go down and to know what was going through her mind to betray Thaddius and Varin, the two people that had considered her their friend. It's been interesting watching Varin fight how he feels about the situation. I am looking forward to book two!
darkfantasyreviews's review against another edition
5.0
I really feel the cover photo of the book is very beautiful and that is what caught my eyes in the first place. This book will take you to a portal which is going to take you to a new world. This perfect adventure of mystery and magical combat is going to take you to a wild rollercoaster ride. Trust me this book has an amazing world building. The characters are also very nice.
The author has flawless writing skills and has managed to keep the book interesting till the end. The plot has been written very nicely and I loved the character developments too. I am eagerly waiting to read the second book now.
The author has flawless writing skills and has managed to keep the book interesting till the end. The plot has been written very nicely and I loved the character developments too. I am eagerly waiting to read the second book now.
bound_and_tempted_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Do you like traveling through a portal to a new world. Well then this is the book for you. Once you start reading you won't be able to put down. The story follows along with two mages and their journey to complete the Firstborn Prophecy. Are they be able to put their differences aside in order to complete the tasks?
World Building 4/5 Throughout the story we travel to various places. Each different place was given a description that allowed you to Imagin what that place/village looked like. The longer and MC stayed in the location, the more descriptions that we received, and a better picture was developed.
Character Building 5/5 I felt really connected to the MCs as well as the background characters. They description on their appearance allowed you to get an image of what they look like. The characters development also allowed you to watch them grow and learn from their past.
Story/Plot 4.5/5 WOW they story, and plot is amazing. Two MC, Two POVs and multiple character development, and a story that sucked you in and wanted you to keep reading. There are so many twists and turns, that kept you so interested.
Spice 3/5 There was some tension and some scenes towards the end, but it really was not a spicy book, and I did not expect it to be.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, I could not put it down. The tension between characters, plot and adventure kept you intrigued and wanting to find out what happens. But the ending OMG, we are left with a cliffhanger and cannot wait to start the second book.
World Building 4/5 Throughout the story we travel to various places. Each different place was given a description that allowed you to Imagin what that place/village looked like. The longer and MC stayed in the location, the more descriptions that we received, and a better picture was developed.
Character Building 5/5 I felt really connected to the MCs as well as the background characters. They description on their appearance allowed you to get an image of what they look like. The characters development also allowed you to watch them grow and learn from their past.
Story/Plot 4.5/5 WOW they story, and plot is amazing. Two MC, Two POVs and multiple character development, and a story that sucked you in and wanted you to keep reading. There are so many twists and turns, that kept you so interested.
Spice 3/5 There was some tension and some scenes towards the end, but it really was not a spicy book, and I did not expect it to be.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, I could not put it down. The tension between characters, plot and adventure kept you intrigued and wanting to find out what happens. But the ending OMG, we are left with a cliffhanger and cannot wait to start the second book.
paige242's review against another edition
4.0
Wow!!! I got this through stuff your kindle day event and oh my gosh I so glad I picked this up! Hooked me in right from the beginning and I took this book with me wherever I went throughout the week I couldn’t put it down!! Got to the end and shocked that it just finished on a cliffhanger-brb going to read the next book asap!!!
absolutely amazing world building and character development- amazing work for a debut novel
4.5/5 stars
absolutely amazing world building and character development- amazing work for a debut novel
4.5/5 stars
rae_shutupandbookup's review against another edition
5.0
"Your soul is as limitless as your mind, and with those tools at your disposal, anything is possible." - Marvin
Varin was perfectly content just being a mercenary for the crown. Even if the jobs involved creatures that he shouldn't have walked away from in one piece. Yet with the accomplishment of his last job and an encounter with the court mage his life's about to change. A series of events lead to him traveling away from the home he always known.
Traveling to a kingdom that doesn't frown on non-humans or magical abilities. Yet can any of this be real? He's just a human, raised by human parents, right?
Cateline's been a prisoner inside the castle for as long as she's been alive. Not allowed to venture out, finding comfort in an elven servant. One who's surprisingly survived her father's prejudice against elves. Only within a night her world changes. Soon she's pushed into a new destiny that involves hunting down a dragon! Do such creatures really exist? Or are they just tales made up? And why's there a weird marking on her neck?
"Fate had a funny way of suggesting a path." - Varin
Who wants to go on a wild adventure in search of answers, magic, and dragons? I do! This was a very epic tale with high fantasy. I enjoyed seeing the different aspects of the lands and how they viewed magic and non-humans. There was a lot of secrecy and hidden truths in this book! I loved every part of it!
I loved all the arcs with the main cast. Cateline's coming of age, finally being free of her home. Only she doesn't see it as such. I was frustrated with some of the cast surrounding her and how they teased her. But neither side really understood the other. Varin stood up for one cast member that I personally thought he should have cast aside.
I am more of a morally gray character border lining on villain. . . He did have good reason for wanting to see the good in this particular character and maybe, just maybe in the books to come the character will redeem themselves.
I loved Thaddius and his personality! He's definitely a friend I would love to have. Helping to create balance, comedy, and sometimes the voice of reason. This may be a spoiler but he's a satyr! I loved how the cast is very diverse! I also hope a certain cast member ends up with Roen, that's all I'm going to say. I loved his character and hope to see more of him in the books to come.
This book instantly gave me The Witcher vibes as well as Game of Thrones. More so Witcher than anything else. I loved this book and hope to continue the series! There's scenes of violence along with one in particular that may be a little too much gore for some readers. You can skim read what the scene entails. The author didn't go into great, microscopic detail, but some may find it off-putting.
There are multiple POVs in this book which I loved. The author will make you feel things with her cast of characters. Anywhere from happiness and cheering to anger and frustration. There's some MF action but ultimately the scene fades to black. You just get a sense of what happened. I like that in this book the author focused more on the adventure and overcoming things than anything else.
This is a very fun, epic read with a cliffhanger! An adventure with magic and so much more. Enjoy the search for a dragon and give the author some stars!
shutupandbookup.blogspot.com
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Varin was perfectly content just being a mercenary for the crown. Even if the jobs involved creatures that he shouldn't have walked away from in one piece. Yet with the accomplishment of his last job and an encounter with the court mage his life's about to change. A series of events lead to him traveling away from the home he always known.
Traveling to a kingdom that doesn't frown on non-humans or magical abilities. Yet can any of this be real? He's just a human, raised by human parents, right?
Cateline's been a prisoner inside the castle for as long as she's been alive. Not allowed to venture out, finding comfort in an elven servant. One who's surprisingly survived her father's prejudice against elves. Only within a night her world changes. Soon she's pushed into a new destiny that involves hunting down a dragon! Do such creatures really exist? Or are they just tales made up? And why's there a weird marking on her neck?
"Fate had a funny way of suggesting a path." - Varin
Who wants to go on a wild adventure in search of answers, magic, and dragons? I do! This was a very epic tale with high fantasy. I enjoyed seeing the different aspects of the lands and how they viewed magic and non-humans. There was a lot of secrecy and hidden truths in this book! I loved every part of it!
I loved all the arcs with the main cast. Cateline's coming of age, finally being free of her home. Only she doesn't see it as such. I was frustrated with some of the cast surrounding her and how they teased her. But neither side really understood the other. Varin stood up for one cast member that I personally thought he should have cast aside.
I am more of a morally gray character border lining on villain. . . He did have good reason for wanting to see the good in this particular character and maybe, just maybe in the books to come the character will redeem themselves.
I loved Thaddius and his personality! He's definitely a friend I would love to have. Helping to create balance, comedy, and sometimes the voice of reason. This may be a spoiler but he's a satyr! I loved how the cast is very diverse! I also hope a certain cast member ends up with Roen, that's all I'm going to say. I loved his character and hope to see more of him in the books to come.
This book instantly gave me The Witcher vibes as well as Game of Thrones. More so Witcher than anything else. I loved this book and hope to continue the series! There's scenes of violence along with one in particular that may be a little too much gore for some readers. You can skim read what the scene entails. The author didn't go into great, microscopic detail, but some may find it off-putting.
There are multiple POVs in this book which I loved. The author will make you feel things with her cast of characters. Anywhere from happiness and cheering to anger and frustration. There's some MF action but ultimately the scene fades to black. You just get a sense of what happened. I like that in this book the author focused more on the adventure and overcoming things than anything else.
This is a very fun, epic read with a cliffhanger! An adventure with magic and so much more. Enjoy the search for a dragon and give the author some stars!
shutupandbookup.blogspot.com
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
jesslewis87's review against another edition
4.0
“We’ll be the worst of friends.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐ I loved this book. This book has definitely set up the rest of the series to be thorough, full of engrossing, beautiful world development, and large, high arcing character development. The emotions that get pulled and focused on are relatable and the characters all stay with you.
The world development was beautiful. I could picture the places that were mentioned, and I anticipate the same description in the series. A lot of places were mentioned, but not yet seen, so I’m excited for that. Cateline is a sheltered, relatable, and strong willed FMC. Does she have any idea what she’s doing? No. Does she let that stop her? Also no. Shes quick to trust which can be problematic, but it also highlights the good in her. Varin is the jerk you love to hate. He’s grumpy and cantankerous but you know, YOU KNOW he has a heart of gold. This grump/sunshine duo is going places.
Tropes I loved:
Grump/Sunshine
Chosen One
Unique Magic System
Found Family
⭐⭐⭐⭐ I loved this book. This book has definitely set up the rest of the series to be thorough, full of engrossing, beautiful world development, and large, high arcing character development. The emotions that get pulled and focused on are relatable and the characters all stay with you.
The world development was beautiful. I could picture the places that were mentioned, and I anticipate the same description in the series. A lot of places were mentioned, but not yet seen, so I’m excited for that. Cateline is a sheltered, relatable, and strong willed FMC. Does she have any idea what she’s doing? No. Does she let that stop her? Also no. Shes quick to trust which can be problematic, but it also highlights the good in her. Varin is the jerk you love to hate. He’s grumpy and cantankerous but you know, YOU KNOW he has a heart of gold. This grump/sunshine duo is going places.
Tropes I loved:
Grump/Sunshine
Chosen One
Unique Magic System
Found Family