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brits_kindle's review
5.0
“If I were to ever fall in love, it would be the result of truly knowing I was safe. Of trusting someone so much that my instinct to protect my wounded heart finally faded away. Of realizing the reward was so much greater than the risk. ”
This book had me hooked right from the very beginning! Eva is an amazing FMC with a very tragic past and I fell in love with her immediately. Don't get me wrong I am a slow-burn kinda girl but this insta-love had me giddy and kicking my feet.
The banter was great, the world-building I could picture things like I was there. I love the dual POV, especially when the two main characters are in serious denial of their feelings.
This book has some of my favorite tropes. Also I would like to welcome Bash into my shadow daddy book boyfriend list.
This book ends on a cliffhanger and it had me like “HOLD UP, wait…WHAT?!” I will definitely be reading book 2.
My heart hurts for EVA and Bash
deeandtea's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book sadly fell flat for me. I think it fell victim to a typical formulaic approach to the fantasy novel genre - which is the regular traumatized girl finds out she is special and powerful. The formula is too overdone and you really have to create something special to stand out.
I did like the diversity, and I liked certain elements, but after some time I found myself skimming and lacking interest. Eva really lacks as the FMC - she is just too gifted without trying, too tough without reason, too perfect for nothing - it’s quite hard to connect with her.
I’ll probably pass on the sequel, however, I do think this author is quite talented and some of the descriptions of more mundane things (emotions, the night sky, etc) were really beautiful.
I did like the diversity, and I liked certain elements, but after some time I found myself skimming and lacking interest. Eva really lacks as the FMC - she is just too gifted without trying, too tough without reason, too perfect for nothing - it’s quite hard to connect with her.
I’ll probably pass on the sequel, however, I do think this author is quite talented and some of the descriptions of more mundane things (emotions, the night sky, etc) were really beautiful.
avy9891's review against another edition
4.0
It’s a great read filled with tragedy, friendship, lust, and love. After losing her family Eva tries her best to live a normal life as possible. She’s got her best friend by her side and a second family that looks out for her just like her own had when they were around. There is a good amount of spice in this book, intrigue, and some betrayal. With a few twists and turns here and there. Can’t wait to find out what’ll happen in the next book.
Thanks to Owl Press City for the arc copy. These opinions are my own.
Thanks to Owl Press City for the arc copy. These opinions are my own.
rambleandsipwithelise's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
ashleycristinereads's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
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? No
3.5
Thank you to NetGalley, Owl City Press, and Dana Evyn for this ARC! There were a lot of things I really loved about this book. For starters, the writing is really lovely. I think that there is a lot of beautiful descriptions without being too flowery. I really liked the characters and the found family aspect that I absolutely adore in a fantasy book. The mirror being a portal to travel through is very interesting and it’s my first time reading a book that incorporates mirrors as a part of the magic system. Also, I loved Bash! He was such a sweetheart. I think he was truly very charming and I would love to see what his character does next. Eva was very a very strong and resilient character as well.
There were a few things that I wish were different as far as the story. I really hope that Eva’s friend becomes a more important part of the story because it seems like we just forgot her. I also am the kind of girl that really needs a slow burn! This book really felt like insta-love and in a fantasy, I don’t think you need that. You should be able to have some development in that regard. I feel like there could have been a little bit more tension. I hoped that the conflict in there relationship would be because of outside factors mostly instead of them denying their feelings.
All in all, I really loved Dana Evan’s writing and I am excited to see what she does with this trilogy.
There were a few things that I wish were different as far as the story. I really hope that Eva’s friend becomes a more important part of the story because it seems like we just forgot her. I also am the kind of girl that really needs a slow burn! This book really felt like insta-love and in a fantasy, I don’t think you need that. You should be able to have some development in that regard. I feel like there could have been a little bit more tension. I hoped that the conflict in there relationship would be because of outside factors mostly instead of them denying their feelings.
All in all, I really loved Dana Evan’s writing and I am excited to see what she does with this trilogy.
amayablan's review against another edition
4.0
I. AM. OBSESSED!!
First of all, thank you so much Dana Evyn for the E-ARC, I'm sooooooooooo grateful and happy I got to read this book because I've REALLY enjoyed it.
Eva, our 24 year old MC, is trying to go through life even as her past trauma haunts her day and night, the day when her family died in a terrible fire. Seven years have passed since that fateful night, but everything Eva thinks she knows is about to change drastically when a magical creature attacks her. Enter a handsom fae, Bash, who claims she is the predestined to the fae king and insists on taking her with him so the curse that has been damaging both worlds, fae and human, can be broken.
Eva agrees to this, only because it's an opportunity to know more about her parents' deaths and all the secrets they kept from her. But there are more things brewing under the surface than she thinks, while she develops an unlikely bond with Bash, discovers hidden secrets, and stands face to face with evil. Will she be strong enough to conquer her fears or will the weight of them drown her?
I LOVED IT! I really liked that the characters weren't always perfect, they were flawed and showed character development, which I love to see. Bash and Eva fell hard and fast, even when the odds were against them, and they knew they shouldn't. THE ANGST WAS ON POINT.
One thing I think I'd love to see more of is the bond between the group and Eva. Also where is Quinn? I need to know more about her and her story!!
Prince Aviel... Yeah, I'm not going to say anything about him :)
THE ENDING?!?!?!?! I need book two
First of all, thank you so much Dana Evyn for the E-ARC, I'm sooooooooooo grateful and happy I got to read this book because I've REALLY enjoyed it.
Eva, our 24 year old MC, is trying to go through life even as her past trauma haunts her day and night, the day when her family died in a terrible fire. Seven years have passed since that fateful night, but everything Eva thinks she knows is about to change drastically when a magical creature attacks her. Enter a handsom fae, Bash, who claims she is the predestined to the fae king and insists on taking her with him so the curse that has been damaging both worlds, fae and human, can be broken.
Eva agrees to this, only because it's an opportunity to know more about her parents' deaths and all the secrets they kept from her. But there are more things brewing under the surface than she thinks, while she develops an unlikely bond with Bash, discovers hidden secrets, and stands face to face with evil. Will she be strong enough to conquer her fears or will the weight of them drown her?
I LOVED IT! I really liked that the characters weren't always perfect, they were flawed and showed character development, which I love to see. Bash and Eva fell hard and fast, even when the odds were against them, and they knew they shouldn't. THE ANGST WAS ON POINT.
One thing I think I'd love to see more of is the bond between the group and Eva. Also where is Quinn? I need to know more about her and her story!!
Prince Aviel... Yeah, I'm not going to say anything about him :)
THE ENDING?!?!?!?! I need book two
jessfc's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
eleina89's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
3.75
books_highlighters_me's review
3.0
The concept of mirrors used for travelling in the fae realm was unique and initially that’s what hooked me to the plot. The ‘love triangle’ was also very well formed and for a while it even had me fooled. The first half of the novel was exceptionally done and the plot was filled with good twists and turns. However, after the pieces started falling into place at around 60-70% through the book, the plot became very predictable and a bit cliche. The ending was sure a promising cliffhanger though. I’m still having mixed feelings about this one because some parts were utterly well written whereas some made me skim through it.
All in all, this one was a fine one time read for me.
All in all, this one was a fine one time read for me.