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savage_book_review's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Destined for the gallows, Yelena is no fool and accepts an offer to keep her life. In return, she must become the food taster for Commander Ambrose, leader of Ixia. Risking her life with every bite, she must also navigate the 'training' given by the chief spy master, Valek, try to survive the wrath of the father of the man she killed and keep her own secrets safe.
This is a great series starter and I'm really looking forward to reading the next one, but equally it's a really enjoyable story in its own right. I'd also say it would serve as quite a good 'on-ramp' for those who are just dipping their toes into the romantasy genre - it's got the magic, the intrigue and a number of the tropes that are very familiar (although no Fae, shadow daddies or wingspans in here - but then these books do predate these fashions), but at the same time it's not overwhelmingly fantastical - you could almost be fooled into thinking you're reading more of a historical fiction novel with a twist.
While it is an easy read, there is a darker undertone to the story and, while not explicitly detailed, there are moments in Yelena's backstory that are deeply disturbing. She is a very well drawn character and, although I would have liked to have seen a bit more depth to her development, she is certainly a character you can get on board with and walk alongside. Similarly, her relationship with Valek is joyfully inevitable given the genre, and while I didn't get much 'feeling' until it was written in black and white, at the same time I didn't really need it - my imagination just filled in the gaps for me!
I was very pleasantly surprised by a layer of representation in here that came completely out of no-where, but it's a wonderful idea and I'm very excited to see how it affects the story moving forward. Not saying what the representation is as I don't want to spoil the surprise, but it gives the book a feeling that it's a little ahead of its time IMO!
I feel like SJM might have read this book... I get definite ACOTAR vibes in a few places. The 'power twins' who teach our main character to fight with weapons and have a banter between them like no others; a grumpy yet skilled female warrior involved in the training; the man with power over the FMC that compels her back to him at regular intervals... there's even a character called Nix!
Hoping to meet the author at RARE24 in a couple of weeks, so really want to get through the next couple in the series before then! But with how smooth this was to read, I'm hoping there won't be a problem with that!
This is a great series starter and I'm really looking forward to reading the next one, but equally it's a really enjoyable story in its own right. I'd also say it would serve as quite a good 'on-ramp' for those who are just dipping their toes into the romantasy genre - it's got the magic, the intrigue and a number of the tropes that are very familiar (although no Fae, shadow daddies or wingspans in here - but then these books do predate these fashions), but at the same time it's not overwhelmingly fantastical - you could almost be fooled into thinking you're reading more of a historical fiction novel with a twist.
While it is an easy read, there is a darker undertone to the story and, while not explicitly detailed, there are moments in Yelena's backstory that are deeply disturbing. She is a very well drawn character and, although I would have liked to have seen a bit more depth to her development, she is certainly a character you can get on board with and walk alongside. Similarly, her relationship with Valek is joyfully inevitable given the genre, and while I didn't get much 'feeling' until it was written in black and white, at the same time I didn't really need it - my imagination just filled in the gaps for me!
I was very pleasantly surprised by a layer of representation in here that came completely out of no-where, but it's a wonderful idea and I'm very excited to see how it affects the story moving forward. Not saying what the representation is as I don't want to spoil the surprise, but it gives the book a feeling that it's a little ahead of its time IMO!
I feel like SJM might have read this book... I get definite ACOTAR vibes in a few places. The 'power twins' who teach our main character to fight with weapons and have a banter between them like no others; a grumpy yet skilled female warrior involved in the training; the man with power over the FMC that compels her back to him at regular intervals... there's even a character called Nix!
Hoping to meet the author at RARE24 in a couple of weeks, so really want to get through the next couple in the series before then! But with how smooth this was to read, I'm hoping there won't be a problem with that!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Excrement, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Alcohol, and Dysphoria
jackiepreston's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Deadnaming and Transphobia
lisa_m's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Don't get me wrong, this was a good book. I might even say it was a great one but it was just nothing special. I really wish I would have enjoyed it more. This could have been a five star read but something was missing. I liked the writing, loved the characters, loved the plot and magic system. My only real concern was that the romance felt rushed and underdeveloped. Since the rest was good I don't really mind though.
I think the reason I didn't like it as much as I could have is how much YA Fantasy I have already read. At some point it just starts to become repetitive. I really hope that is not true though because I love YA Fantasy. :( If I read this book 2 years ago I would have probably liked it more.
Another concern I had was that certain serious topics where discussed quite graphically which I don't like and which always makes me uncomfortable. It was used to establish Yelenas character and her past trauma but still I wished it had been less graphic.
Nonetheless I will definitely be reading the following books of the series. I also hope Ari and Janco will be in the next booka as well since they were my favourite characters. (Btw. I thought their friendship could have been established better. They basically went from not knowing Yelena to wanting to die for her which felt very rushed.) I guess I just wished it was longer but since it is the first book of a series that's not really a big issue.
Edit: One more thing. I didn't expect the romance to be Between thlse two people for two reasons. 1. it was underdeveloped and 2. he is 33 and she is 19!! I didn't even realise it that much while reading the book but at first I did think he was going to be a sort of mentor/father figure. When they started hinting at a romance I aged him down in my mind but now that I finished the book I looked it up and he really is 33! Idk what to think about that tbh
I think the reason I didn't like it as much as I could have is how much YA Fantasy I have already read. At some point it just starts to become repetitive. I really hope that is not true though because I love YA Fantasy. :( If I read this book 2 years ago I would have probably liked it more.
Another concern I had was that certain serious topics where discussed quite graphically which I don't like and which always makes me uncomfortable. It was used to establish Yelenas character and her past trauma but still I wished it had been less graphic.
Nonetheless I will definitely be reading the following books of the series. I also hope Ari and Janco will be in the next booka as well since they were my favourite characters. (Btw. I thought their friendship could have been established better. They basically went from not knowing Yelena to wanting to die for her which felt very rushed.) I guess I just wished it was longer but since it is the first book of a series that's not really a big issue.
Edit: One more thing. I didn't expect the romance to be Between thlse two people for two reasons. 1. it was underdeveloped and 2. he is 33 and she is 19!! I didn't even realise it that much while reading the book but at first I did think he was going to be a sort of mentor/father figure. When they started hinting at a romance I aged him down in my mind but now that I finished the book I looked it up and he really is 33! Idk what to think about that tbh
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Deadnaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
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