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covetedbooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The book follows a God kissed woman, Sabine. Her gift is that she has the ability to speak and communicate with animals, and vice versa. Sabine has a gentle and tender personality, even though she’s been abused for the last several years of her life. However, that abuse comes to an end once she is bought as a bride for a risqué, wealthy, and handsome man, Lord Rian.
Wolf is Lord Rian’s oldest confidante and advisor, and is tasked with the challenge of bringing Sabine on a 21 day horseback ride to Lord Rian. He’s rugged and abrasive, and has extreme loyalty to his master that he’s known since he was a young boy. He’s also incredibly handsome, which just makes this ride very challenging and tense.
I absolutely loved the plot. It developed into so much more than just a horseback ride to another town where a man gets a bride. There are themes of forbidden love weaved throughout this book, and it’s hands-down, one of my favorite tropes.
Reading about Sabine and her gentle nature clashing with Wolf’s abrasive and rough personality was amazing. It’s almost like she melted his heart, because he’s never known a tender or gentle touch until he’s met Sabine.
However, naturally, men piss women off. A lot. And Sabine takes “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” to a WHOLE new level. Seeing Sabine evolve from this meek and mild character, to someone that is more brazen and courageous, sent such a thrill through me. Her mind and determination slowly shifted into steel — strong and durable.
This is book one out of four, with book three being published next month. I can’t wait to read the second book, because the cliffhanger was so freaking good and gave me a little adrenaline rush.
Wolf is Lord Rian’s oldest confidante and advisor, and is tasked with the challenge of bringing Sabine on a 21 day horseback ride to Lord Rian. He’s rugged and abrasive, and has extreme loyalty to his master that he’s known since he was a young boy. He’s also incredibly handsome, which just makes this ride very challenging and tense.
I absolutely loved the plot. It developed into so much more than just a horseback ride to another town where a man gets a bride. There are themes of forbidden love weaved throughout this book, and it’s hands-down, one of my favorite tropes.
Reading about Sabine and her gentle nature clashing with Wolf’s abrasive and rough personality was amazing. It’s almost like she melted his heart, because he’s never known a tender or gentle touch until he’s met Sabine.
However, naturally, men piss women off. A lot. And Sabine takes “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” to a WHOLE new level. Seeing Sabine evolve from this meek and mild character, to someone that is more brazen and courageous, sent such a thrill through me. Her mind and determination slowly shifted into steel — strong and durable.
This is book one out of four, with book three being published next month. I can’t wait to read the second book, because the cliffhanger was so freaking good and gave me a little adrenaline rush.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Fire/Fire injury
FOR TRIGGER WARNINGSpagepixie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A Snow White retelling with a Lady Godiva spin to it.
I really liked this book. I was honestly shocked at how much of the story and growth we witnessed with characters in only about 400 pages. Sometimes I feel like emotions form too quickly in romance books that it’s hard to believe and enjoy it but that was not the case here.
I actually thought the pacing was spectacular. It was fast paced but not too busy. And while some moments had me cringing I enjoyed it overall.
I’m the beginning I really did not like Wolf. He was giving major asshole vibes that did not suit my tastes but somewhere around 30% in I started to lean into him a little more and by the end, I really enjoyed his character.
I also really enjoyed Sabine as a female lead. I thought she was an interesting mix of softness and kindness while also being ruthless when the time called for it. Despite having no fighting skills of her own, she used her brains and magic to try and one up those around her. I think with the way this plot line went, she has so much potential to grow into an even more fascinating and complex character.
Throughout the whole book I was very eager to meet Rian. And interestingly enough, I’m also very excited at the potential of his character as well. It’s clear to me he is a morally grey character with some abi guilty to him. It seems like he cares about Basten as a brotherly figure, or simply a kind of kindred spirit. Despite their different backgrounds they both grew up alone in their own ways. I’m interested to see how his character interacts with Sabine and the path he takes in the next book.
Overall, I enjoyed the romance, the plot, and I’m excited for the next book!
Spice wise, there are a few open door scenes. I’d give it a 3/5 maybe.
However, I would check trigger warnings for this book before reading.
I really liked this book. I was honestly shocked at how much of the story and growth we witnessed with characters in only about 400 pages. Sometimes I feel like emotions form too quickly in romance books that it’s hard to believe and enjoy it but that was not the case here.
I actually thought the pacing was spectacular. It was fast paced but not too busy. And while some moments had me cringing I enjoyed it overall.
I’m the beginning I really did not like Wolf. He was giving major asshole vibes that did not suit my tastes but somewhere around 30% in I started to lean into him a little more and by the end, I really enjoyed his character.
I also really enjoyed Sabine as a female lead. I thought she was an interesting mix of softness and kindness while also being ruthless when the time called for it. Despite having no fighting skills of her own, she used her brains and magic to try and one up those around her. I think with the way this plot line went, she has so much potential to grow into an even more fascinating and complex character.
Throughout the whole book I was very eager to meet Rian. And interestingly enough, I’m also very excited at the potential of his character as well. It’s clear to me he is a morally grey character with some abi guilty to him. It seems like he cares about Basten as a brotherly figure, or simply a kind of kindred spirit. Despite their different backgrounds they both grew up alone in their own ways. I’m interested to see how his character interacts with Sabine and the path he takes in the next book.
Overall, I enjoyed the romance, the plot, and I’m excited for the next book!
Spice wise, there are a few open door scenes. I’d give it a 3/5 maybe.
However, I would check trigger warnings for this book before reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Animal death, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Torture, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Abandonment
hazelgirl21's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Confinement and Kidnapping
Minor: Animal death and Death of parent
doahdancer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Rape, Vomit, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
r1vana's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
It’s been a while since I’ve read a fantasy book that gripped my full attention. From beginning till the end.
Wow! And the ending. A cliffhanger.
Wow! And the ending. A cliffhanger.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Kidnapping
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