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pritabread's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
yggdrasil_dreams's review
medium-paced
4.25
This ended up being so much different from what I expected but in a very good way!
The dynamics between Astra and Marlek were so much fun. I loved seeing them progress from enemies to lovers and especially love that it took time. The banter made their interactions seem more real to me.
I am not OK with that ending, I need more!
Really really hoping it's not too long until book 2 because it can't be left like that - I need to know what happens next.
The dynamics between Astra and Marlek were so much fun. I loved seeing them progress from enemies to lovers and especially love that it took time. The banter made their interactions seem more real to me.
I am not OK with that ending, I need more!
Really really hoping it's not too long until book 2 because it can't be left like that - I need to know what happens next.
bibi_reads_writes's review
4.0
3.5⭐ rounded up to 4. Although I LOVED this book when I started listening to the audio version, the plot was sacrificed very early on to leave room for romance, and there were way too many of the FMC’s inner thoughts for my liking.
Note: I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for honest feedback.
❤️ There’s a DARK unicorn named CHERRY CAKE
❤️ The “princess doppelgänger” storyline
❤️ FMC has purple (not white or silver!!) hair
❤️ Interesting worldbuilding, lore, and court intrigue
❤️ Sexual tension and dream-connection smut
❌ MISCOMMUNICATION GALORE
❌ Plot sacrificed for romance very early on
❌ Only surface information of the (interesting) worldbuilding and lore
❌ Too many of the FMC’s inner thoughts
❌ Flat writing style
Trigger warnings: violence, blood and gore, death, kidnapping, forced marriage, emotional abuse, death of a parent, death by fire (mentioned, off-page).
Plot:
As part of the elite guard, Astra’s role is to act as a doppelgänger for the princess in the human kingdom of Krastel. Her life is not her own, and her only comfort is a dream connection to her kindred soul. During a mission where she takes the princess’s place, Astra and the Krastel prince are ambushed by Marlak, the Crystal Court’s powerful, but disgraced prince. It turns out he’s the man in her dreams... and he wants to ask the king for her hand—her hand, and not the princess’s. But this man is nothing like the one in her dream, and Astra has a dark, dangerous secret.
There’s a slow burn, enemies-to-lovers romance, forced proximity, forced marriage, dream smut… and tons and tons of miscommunication. If you enjoy these tropes and “romance over plot” high fantasy, you’d probably enjoy this one. Unfortunately, it’s not my cup of tea and I feel like this book didn’t live up to its potential. I’m curious about Marlak’s backstory, but not enough to read or listen to the second book, unfortunately.
Characters:
Yet another obliviously-superpowered not-like-the-other-girls FMC with a dark secret! Hey, at least she has purple, rather than white or silver, hair! I wasn’t crazy about Astra, but I really liked Marlak and some of the secondary characters, like Nelson the purring Fae and Cherry Cake the dark unicorn. I was also very intrigued by the Krastel prince and would have liked to see more of him. Even if it’s a character-driven book, I think that we could have seen more character growth and depth with dual POVs and less miscommunication.
Writing:
The writing was alright, but not exceptional. Some parts were beautiful and evocative, others very flat. Most of all, there was simply too much of Astra’s inner thoughts. Most of the books felt like internal ramblings, and there were so. many. questions. Why is he doing this? What does this mean? It was repetitive and annoying, especially since the answers were pretty obvious most of the time. Astra just sounded naïve and clueless, almost dim.
Audiobook:
The audio was fine, but I’ve heard better. It has nothing to do with the narrator; I simply think I’ve grown accustomed to multi-POV books where there’s more than one voice actor, and it helps keep me interested.
Follow me on Instagram: @bibi.reads.writes
Note: I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for honest feedback.
❤️ There’s a DARK unicorn named CHERRY CAKE
❤️ The “princess doppelgänger” storyline
❤️ FMC has purple (not white or silver!!) hair
❤️ Interesting worldbuilding, lore, and court intrigue
❤️ Sexual tension and dream-connection smut
❌ MISCOMMUNICATION GALORE
❌ Plot sacrificed for romance very early on
❌ Only surface information of the (interesting) worldbuilding and lore
❌ Too many of the FMC’s inner thoughts
❌ Flat writing style
Trigger warnings: violence, blood and gore, death, kidnapping, forced marriage, emotional abuse, death of a parent, death by fire (mentioned, off-page).
Plot:
As part of the elite guard, Astra’s role is to act as a doppelgänger for the princess in the human kingdom of Krastel. Her life is not her own, and her only comfort is a dream connection to her kindred soul. During a mission where she takes the princess’s place, Astra and the Krastel prince are ambushed by Marlak, the Crystal Court’s powerful, but disgraced prince. It turns out he’s the man in her dreams... and he wants to ask the king for her hand—her hand, and not the princess’s. But this man is nothing like the one in her dream, and Astra has a dark, dangerous secret.
There’s a slow burn, enemies-to-lovers romance, forced proximity, forced marriage, dream smut… and tons and tons of miscommunication. If you enjoy these tropes and “romance over plot” high fantasy, you’d probably enjoy this one. Unfortunately, it’s not my cup of tea and I feel like this book didn’t live up to its potential. I’m curious about Marlak’s backstory, but not enough to read or listen to the second book, unfortunately.
Characters:
Yet another obliviously-superpowered not-like-the-other-girls FMC with a dark secret! Hey, at least she has purple, rather than white or silver, hair! I wasn’t crazy about Astra, but I really liked Marlak and some of the secondary characters, like Nelson the purring Fae and Cherry Cake the dark unicorn. I was also very intrigued by the Krastel prince and would have liked to see more of him. Even if it’s a character-driven book, I think that we could have seen more character growth and depth with dual POVs and less miscommunication.
Writing:
The writing was alright, but not exceptional. Some parts were beautiful and evocative, others very flat. Most of all, there was simply too much of Astra’s inner thoughts. Most of the books felt like internal ramblings, and there were so. many. questions. Why is he doing this? What does this mean? It was repetitive and annoying, especially since the answers were pretty obvious most of the time. Astra just sounded naïve and clueless, almost dim.
Audiobook:
The audio was fine, but I’ve heard better. It has nothing to do with the narrator; I simply think I’ve grown accustomed to multi-POV books where there’s more than one voice actor, and it helps keep me interested.
Follow me on Instagram: @bibi.reads.writes
drained's review
4.0
Got the ARC from NetGalley!
Not going to lie, the start of the book was a bit rocky. I'm glad I stuck around because the main characters feel fully fleshed out and had real interactions--not like those cringy quips that you'd think "no one would say that out loud".
The plot moved well, I love how given the third-person restricted point-of-view, we were as clueless as the lead character. Also really love the use of dreams in this book... *dreamy sigh*
Anyway, my only gripe would probably be that the side characters feel like side characters, what do I mean by that? It just means that with fully fleshed out main characters, you kind of expect just a lot more roundedness to the side characters as well.
It might also just be that this is the first book to a series and so the author's just trying to set the scene for everything to unfold! So excited to read the actual book and especially the sequel!!!
Not going to lie, the start of the book was a bit rocky. I'm glad I stuck around because the main characters feel fully fleshed out and had real interactions--not like those cringy quips that you'd think "no one would say that out loud".
The plot moved well, I love how given the third-person restricted point-of-view, we were as clueless as the lead character. Also really love the use of dreams in this book... *dreamy sigh*
Anyway, my only gripe would probably be that the side characters feel like side characters, what do I mean by that? It just means that with fully fleshed out main characters, you kind of expect just a lot more roundedness to the side characters as well.
It might also just be that this is the first book to a series and so the author's just trying to set the scene for everything to unfold! So excited to read the actual book and especially the sequel!!!
gina_bibliovibes's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I enjoyed the relatable angst and overthinking of the FMC, which brought back fond memories of my early twenties and dealing with insecurities and anxieties. However, the pacing was a significant drawback for me along with the somewhat confusing magic system and worldbuilding, and the story feeling drawn out.
Although I didn't dislike the novel, it didn't quite meet my expectations based on the intriguing blurb. I'll still read the series cause I'm still curious to see how the story will continue.
I'd like to thank NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to ARC read and review "A Cursed Son." I sincerely apologize for the delay in posting my review, life got a bit hectic, but I wanted to make sure I provided a thoughtful and honest assessment.
My thanks to the author for the opportunity to read and review their work.
Although I didn't dislike the novel, it didn't quite meet my expectations based on the intriguing blurb. I'll still read the series cause I'm still curious to see how the story will continue.
I'd like to thank NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to ARC read and review "A Cursed Son." I sincerely apologize for the delay in posting my review, life got a bit hectic, but I wanted to make sure I provided a thoughtful and honest assessment.
My thanks to the author for the opportunity to read and review their work.
caroolemon's review
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you so much to Day Leitao for the arc review. This is my honest thoughts on the book.
At first the book speed was a little slow for me and the main character, Astra, her inner monologue was little repetitive and long since she didn’t have many interactions. Once her plan to go out comes to fruition the book started getting better and better. This book kept me on my toes with the suspense of not knowing what it going on between dreams and reality and the reasons everything happened. The ending was fantastic and I can’t wait to read the next book!!
My only downside on the book is the amount of times that they call each other wife and husband. Although it is funny and adds to their dynamic I think, at times, it can be excessive. But it’s an easy thing to overlook and worth it for the plot.
At first the book speed was a little slow for me and the main character, Astra, her inner monologue was little repetitive and long since she didn’t have many interactions. Once her plan to go out comes to fruition the book started getting better and better. This book kept me on my toes with the suspense of not knowing what it going on between dreams and reality and the reasons everything happened. The ending was fantastic and I can’t wait to read the next book!!
My only downside on the book is the amount of times that they call each other wife and husband. Although it is funny and adds to their dynamic I think, at times, it can be excessive. But it’s an easy thing to overlook and worth it for the plot.
melhye's review against another edition
1.0
I can't get into this writing style. You are completely in this persons head, hearing all her mundane thoughts and they sound like a teenager.
bibi_reads_writes's review against another edition
4.0
3.5⭐ rounded up to 4. Although I LOVED this book when I started listening to the audio version, the plot was sacrificed very early on to leave room for romance, and there were way too many of the FMC’s inner thoughts for my liking.
Note: I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for honest feedback.
❤️ There’s a DARK unicorn named CHERRY CAKE
❤️ The “princess doppelgänger” storyline
❤️ FMC has purple (not white or silver!!) hair
❤️ Interesting worldbuilding, lore, and court intrigue
❤️ Sexual tension and dream-connection smut
❌ MISCOMMUNICATION GALORE
❌ Plot sacrificed for romance very early on
❌ Only surface information of the (interesting) worldbuilding and lore
❌ Too many of the FMC’s inner thoughts
❌ Flat writing style
Trigger warnings: violence, blood and gore, death, kidnapping, forced marriage, emotional abuse, death of a parent, death by fire (mentioned, off-page).
Plot:
As part of the elite guard, Astra’s role is to act as a doppelgänger for the princess in the human kingdom of Krastel. Her life is not her own, and her only comfort is a dream connection to her kindred soul. During a mission where she takes the princess’s place, Astra and the Krastel prince are ambushed by Marlak, the Crystal Court’s powerful, but disgraced prince. It turns out he’s the man in her dreams... and he wants to ask the king for her hand—her hand, and not the princess’s. But this man is nothing like the one in her dream, and Astra has a dark, dangerous secret.
There’s a slow burn, enemies-to-lovers romance, forced proximity, forced marriage, dream smut… and tons and tons of miscommunication. If you enjoy these tropes and “romance over plot” high fantasy, you’d probably enjoy this one. Unfortunately, it’s not my cup of tea and I feel like this book didn’t live up to its potential. I’m curious about Marlak’s backstory, but not enough to read or listen to the second book, unfortunately.
Characters:
Yet another obliviously-superpowered not-like-the-other-girls FMC with a dark secret! Hey, at least she has purple, rather than white or silver, hair! I wasn’t crazy about Astra, but I really liked Marlak and some of the secondary characters, like Nelson the purring Fae and Cherry Cake the dark unicorn. I was also very intrigued by the Krastel prince and would have liked to see more of him. Even if it’s a character-driven book, I think that we could have seen more character growth and depth with dual POVs and less miscommunication.
Writing:
The writing was alright, but not exceptional. Some parts were beautiful and evocative, others very flat. Most of all, there was simply too much of Astra’s inner thoughts. Most of the books felt like internal ramblings, and there were so. many. questions. Why is he doing this? What does this mean? It was repetitive and annoying, especially since the answers were pretty obvious most of the time. Astra just sounded naïve and clueless, almost dim.
Audiobook:
The audio was fine, but I’ve heard better. It has nothing to do with the narrator; I simply think I’ve grown accustomed to multi-POV books where there’s more than one voice actor, and it helps keep me interested.
Follow me on Instagram: @bibi.reads.writes
Note: I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for honest feedback.
❤️ There’s a DARK unicorn named CHERRY CAKE
❤️ The “princess doppelgänger” storyline
❤️ FMC has purple (not white or silver!!) hair
❤️ Interesting worldbuilding, lore, and court intrigue
❤️ Sexual tension and dream-connection smut
❌ MISCOMMUNICATION GALORE
❌ Plot sacrificed for romance very early on
❌ Only surface information of the (interesting) worldbuilding and lore
❌ Too many of the FMC’s inner thoughts
❌ Flat writing style
Trigger warnings: violence, blood and gore, death, kidnapping, forced marriage, emotional abuse, death of a parent, death by fire (mentioned, off-page).
Plot:
As part of the elite guard, Astra’s role is to act as a doppelgänger for the princess in the human kingdom of Krastel. Her life is not her own, and her only comfort is a dream connection to her kindred soul. During a mission where she takes the princess’s place, Astra and the Krastel prince are ambushed by Marlak, the Crystal Court’s powerful, but disgraced prince. It turns out he’s the man in her dreams... and he wants to ask the king for her hand—her hand, and not the princess’s. But this man is nothing like the one in her dream, and Astra has a dark, dangerous secret.
There’s a slow burn, enemies-to-lovers romance, forced proximity, forced marriage, dream smut… and tons and tons of miscommunication. If you enjoy these tropes and “romance over plot” high fantasy, you’d probably enjoy this one. Unfortunately, it’s not my cup of tea and I feel like this book didn’t live up to its potential. I’m curious about Marlak’s backstory, but not enough to read or listen to the second book, unfortunately.
Characters:
Yet another obliviously-superpowered not-like-the-other-girls FMC with a dark secret! Hey, at least she has purple, rather than white or silver, hair! I wasn’t crazy about Astra, but I really liked Marlak and some of the secondary characters, like Nelson the purring Fae and Cherry Cake the dark unicorn. I was also very intrigued by the Krastel prince and would have liked to see more of him. Even if it’s a character-driven book, I think that we could have seen more character growth and depth with dual POVs and less miscommunication.
Writing:
The writing was alright, but not exceptional. Some parts were beautiful and evocative, others very flat. Most of all, there was simply too much of Astra’s inner thoughts. Most of the books felt like internal ramblings, and there were so. many. questions. Why is he doing this? What does this mean? It was repetitive and annoying, especially since the answers were pretty obvious most of the time. Astra just sounded naïve and clueless, almost dim.
Audiobook:
The audio was fine, but I’ve heard better. It has nothing to do with the narrator; I simply think I’ve grown accustomed to multi-POV books where there’s more than one voice actor, and it helps keep me interested.
Follow me on Instagram: @bibi.reads.writes
mcmao's review against another edition
4.0
I need the sequel right now!!
What to expect:
✅ Fae
✅ Fated mates
✅ 🌶️🌶️
✅ Hidden identity
✅ Is it all that it seems?
✅ Arranged marriage
What to expect:
✅ Fae
✅ Fated mates
✅ 🌶️🌶️
✅ Hidden identity
✅ Is it all that it seems?
✅ Arranged marriage