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mels_reading_log's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was such a fun stand alone fantasy book. I really enjoyed how the writer built this world so quickly but effectively.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
taryn_g's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Animal death, Bullying, Drug use, Sexual content, Violence, and Toxic friendship
midnightmoon_dreamer's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Violence, Blood, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual content, and Toxic friendship
pitoufas_bookish_corner's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
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
5.0
I've heard friends share praise about this book since I first joined bookstagram, and for so long, I've been waiting to read it. Luckily, I found out the library had the whole series in audiobook format, made by GraphicAudio and let me tell you...it truly felt like watching a movie eyes closed πβ€ needless to say I enjoyed it all from start to finish β€β€β€ Elise Kova is another new author to me, but I was sure I'd end up loving the book based on all the good feedback I came across, and marriage of convenience being the LEADING trope on my favorite tropes' list!
The author's writing style really had me immersed in from the very beginning. I loved Luella's will and determination to repay the town's people for all the help they were able to provide her. Her character was extremely caring and empathetic, and she used her knowledge in herbology to help treat her the ill. But Luella was not only kind, she was also brave and unafraid to dirty her hands for the sake of her loved ones if deemed necessary.
I loved the way the relationship blossomed between her and Eldas, the Elf king feared by all and believed to be the embodiment of cruelty and omen of dark hours. Of course, he was more than what meets the eye, but it took several heated arguments and quarrels to have a glimpse past his icy exterior. The man was not the greatest at expressing his feelings and emotions, but just like Luella, he cared β deeply β about the faith of the world as they knew it.
It was absolutely fascinating to learn about all of the intricacies, the beautifully detailed history, all the different characters, creatures and locations which gave shape to an elaborate universe β€ I do not read fantasy books as often as I'd wish for, but I become beyond enthralled whenever I pick up a similar story that consumes me until the very last page.
The author's writing style really had me immersed in from the very beginning. I loved Luella's will and determination to repay the town's people for all the help they were able to provide her. Her character was extremely caring and empathetic, and she used her knowledge in herbology to help treat her the ill. But Luella was not only kind, she was also brave and unafraid to dirty her hands for the sake of her loved ones if deemed necessary.
I loved the way the relationship blossomed between her and Eldas, the Elf king feared by all and believed to be the embodiment of cruelty and omen of dark hours. Of course, he was more than what meets the eye, but it took several heated arguments and quarrels to have a glimpse past his icy exterior. The man was not the greatest at expressing his feelings and emotions, but just like Luella, he cared β deeply β about the faith of the world as they knew it.
It was absolutely fascinating to learn about all of the intricacies, the beautifully detailed history, all the different characters, creatures and locations which gave shape to an elaborate universe β€ I do not read fantasy books as often as I'd wish for, but I become beyond enthralled whenever I pick up a similar story that consumes me until the very last page.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty
Moderate: Misogyny, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Addiction and Drug use
jaxx88's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I loved the book, my fave of the series thus far. However it took me a couple tries to get through. Not a bad book, I think just a bad time to try and read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Drug use, and Medical content
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, and War
Minor: Pregnancy
katharina90's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
Everything--worldbuilding, plot, characters, relationships, you name it--was really underdeveloped, the pace dragged, and the writing was mediocre at best. I liked the herbalism and the wolf, but not much else.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Drug use, Violence, and Kidnapping
Minor: Sexual content
tguccione's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug use, Violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
druzyquartz's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Blood, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content, Xenophobia, and Kidnapping
annick's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.75
Oof. I wanted to like this. I donβt recommend.
I found this so disappointing. This had promise. I got bored again and again. I struggled to feel interest or engagement with the characters.
And was skimming from 40% and again from 70%. Too much padded inner narrative and reflection. The writing of plot, dialogue and inner POV narrative - each struggled to keep my interest. I only wondered if it started as fanfic. It would have been better as a short story or novella of 1/5 this le gtg. And The spice was veiled.
I found this so disappointing. This had promise. I got bored again and again. I struggled to feel interest or engagement with the characters.
And was skimming from 40% and again from 70%. Too much padded inner narrative and reflection. The writing of plot, dialogue and inner POV narrative - each struggled to keep my interest. I only wondered if it started as fanfic. It would have been better as a short story or novella of 1/5 this le gtg. And The spice was veiled.
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug use and Sexual content
shadereads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Sexual content
Minor: Drug use