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kreela's review against another edition
4.0
I obtained this novel from a Christmas book giveaway. With a title like that and the mention of a healer protagonist, I wanted to see if the story was worth reading.
Boy was I pleasantly surprised! The story started in what I envisioned as a tropical island paradise, and the cultural details were exquisite. It reminded me of an older fantasy style with political-cultural influences. Think T.A. White’s “Pathfinder’s Way” or “A Woman Worth 3 Coppers” or “Kushiel’s Dart.”
I think the warlord’s group is based loosely upon an asian culture, and everything is infused with deep reverence:
“The chamber filled quickly with servants who wept on their knees. I wished to console them, but could do nothing. Their cries filled Pleasure Hall”
Despite growing up trained as a healer, Tera was so naive about the world, she trusted her father and the brothel mistress...and she ended up enslaved and bullied. It amazed me she escaped rape (trigger warning!). Once enslaved, adhering to the Hypocratic Oath was a test of willpower. When she discovered (finally) that she was giving poison to a warlord, he tried to bribe and threaten her to free him. This is why she remained a slave. She was so afraid she would be killed that she ignored him and her own sense of compassion. It was heartrending. But that is why I recommend this story; her journey into self-enlightenment is fun to experience.
“Strange how sometimes we cannot see things simply because we do not expect to see them. Even after living among the Kadar all that time”
Or
“When you follow that true calling, you can accomplish the impossible if only you dare accept your true power.”
THE ROMANCE
Boy was I pleasantly surprised! The story started in what I envisioned as a tropical island paradise, and the cultural details were exquisite. It reminded me of an older fantasy style with political-cultural influences. Think T.A. White’s “Pathfinder’s Way” or “A Woman Worth 3 Coppers” or “Kushiel’s Dart.”
I think the warlord’s group is based loosely upon an asian culture, and everything is infused with deep reverence:
“The chamber filled quickly with servants who wept on their knees. I wished to console them, but could do nothing. Their cries filled Pleasure Hall”
Despite growing up trained as a healer, Tera was so naive about the world, she trusted her father and the brothel mistress...and she ended up enslaved and bullied. It amazed me she escaped rape (trigger warning!). Once enslaved, adhering to the Hypocratic Oath was a test of willpower. When she discovered (finally) that she was giving poison to a warlord, he tried to bribe and threaten her to free him. This is why she remained a slave. She was so afraid she would be killed that she ignored him and her own sense of compassion. It was heartrending. But that is why I recommend this story; her journey into self-enlightenment is fun to experience.
“Strange how sometimes we cannot see things simply because we do not expect to see them. Even after living among the Kadar all that time”
Or
“When you follow that true calling, you can accomplish the impossible if only you dare accept your true power.”
THE ROMANCE
smutty_librarian's review
3.0
It was ok. This was nothing really memorable, but it wasn't bad enough to receive two stars. It reminded me of a knock-off Poison Study.
halezebab's review
4.0
This book was definitely a pleasant surprise. I bought this book expecting literary junk food. It was under a dollar, and I figured a quick read, but it turned out to be much better than I expected. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a book that I expect to be on required reading for school any time soon, but it's worth the read. I'd actually like to see more books come out set in this world.
The main characters are flushed out with backgrounds and details (I know, low-hanging fruit), the story line is rich and interesting, and the writing pulls you along. [a:Dana Marton|150270|Dana Marton|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1277834079p2/150270.jpg] writing makes the idea of "one more chapter, then I'm going to bed," hard to stick to.
The world is inhabited with diverse cultures, with specific customs and traits, however they aren't all painted the same. Within the separate cultures, there is variety of how strong the people cling to their ideas and traditions.
The author does usually write more standard romance novels, so any romantic scenes in this book definitely have that feel.
The main characters are flushed out with backgrounds and details (I know, low-hanging fruit), the story line is rich and interesting, and the writing pulls you along. [a:Dana Marton|150270|Dana Marton|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1277834079p2/150270.jpg] writing makes the idea of "one more chapter, then I'm going to bed," hard to stick to.
The world is inhabited with diverse cultures, with specific customs and traits, however they aren't all painted the same. Within the separate cultures, there is variety of how strong the people cling to their ideas and traditions.
The author does usually write more standard romance novels, so any romantic scenes in this book definitely have that feel.
jmorgynwhite's review against another edition
About a quarter of the way in, I almost bailed (aka - I almost threw it at the proverbial wall). The set up to the story is long and not that pleasant. I know that it was important to get the history and context in place, but it was a long path to what I knew would inevitably happen. The surprises lie not with the heroine but rather in the roll-out of the story path. Our heroine is set on her path from the first chapter of what she must avoid to obtain her destiny. That said (and to avoid spoilers) it was a hard road to walk with the heroine until she arrived at the more complex part of the story line. I liked the hero (when we got to him), but he was never 3-D to me - he never had a face.
Would I read the sequel? Maybe, but I wasn't compelled to go and read it next. I was happy to go on to another book.
Would I read the sequel? Maybe, but I wasn't compelled to go and read it next. I was happy to go on to another book.
cuckleberryfins's review against another edition
4.0
There was no smut at all like the title suggested but I still enjoyed it a lot. It was a solid fantasy.
nelsonseye's review against another edition
3.0
Probably a three and a half star rating. I didn't really care for the prophecy and the scrolls but I did like the final battle and the last few paragraphs.
hannah_krietemeyer's review against another edition
1.0
I have never been let down so bad. The story has too many rough transitions which made it feel choppy, the semantics were on consistent, and the main character is extremely annoying. Also, this “romance” felt VERY Stockholm Syndrome-esque. The world building was too quick and needed more time and space to make sense, it just felt rushed.
Also, manpart? Cmon.
Also, manpart? Cmon.
jess_enriquez's review against another edition
3.0
This was a quick read, and I actually enjoyed it. These types of romances aren’t usually my thing, but I’m thinking that may change? I was just in it for the romance though lol.
blue_bell2001's review against another edition
5.0
This book surprised me, I really enjoyed it. I think the author would be better off renaming the book. This is a fantasy book, not a cheap tawdry romance as the title would suggest. Labeling it as a romance misleads readers and leads to bad reviews. If you love fantasy mingled with battles and romance, you would love this book.