jajorgen's review against another edition
3.0
This is really more of a 3 1/2 stars book. I really liked the world-building and the characters but thought everything wrapped up a little too quickly. My reaction may be colored by the fact that I thought this was a first book in a series and I was thinking a lot of the book was set-up for that series. When everything got settled by books' end it threw me a little bit.
redhairedashreads's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars - I liked it
I apparently read this series years ago, but I remember none of it. Red Gloves is a mercenary and extremely practical woman. She may be attracted to the goat herder Josiah but also isn’t amused by the belief that she is the prophesied one who will save their corrupted kingdom.
Red Gloves and Josiah’s story was enjoyable but not as romantic as I was expecting. Red and Josiah have an instant attraction and spend the nights together but the majority of this story is focused on her being the chosen and saving the kingdom. I still enjoyed these two and especially liked that Josiah fights for Red and their future together. Red’s reasoning for wearing gloves was heartbreaking, but also a weird choice for what happened to her, but PTSD works that way sometimes.
The whole prophecy was interesting and I enjoyed seeing Red save the kingdom. I also enjoyed the fact that while this story does take place over a month or so we have a lot of time skips so it didn’t drag out. I know this is set in the same world as the Chronicles of the Warlands and I wonder if there will be contact with Xy or the Plains in this series. Overall, this was good and I enjoyed it. I look forward to learning more about this world.
Trigger Warnings: slavery, torture, PTSD, rape; kidnapping; death
emyzig's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-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
bibliobabe94's review against another edition
3.0
Reg Gloves is a mercenary, but to her dismay discovers she is a Chosen one, destined to take the throne from the Regent and restore the lands. Fantasy and magic, mixed up with historical romance. great read! 05022008
aliased's review against another edition
1.0
I felt like I was reading an outline for a book rather than an actual book.
All the small details that make a good novel were left out, most of the suspenseful scenes were related second hand or seen from a distance, and the dialogue was vague enough in places that the characters would have had serious miscommunication issues if the writer had been self aware.
Basically it read like a story that hadn't been edited or beta-read by anyone competent enough to point out basic issues the author wasn't able to see in her fatigue or excitement over the story.
May just be the worst book I ever forced myself to finish reading.
All the small details that make a good novel were left out, most of the suspenseful scenes were related second hand or seen from a distance, and the dialogue was vague enough in places that the characters would have had serious miscommunication issues if the writer had been self aware.
Basically it read like a story that hadn't been edited or beta-read by anyone competent enough to point out basic issues the author wasn't able to see in her fatigue or excitement over the story.
May just be the worst book I ever forced myself to finish reading.
cdawnsavage's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty good world building. Looking forward to the next two books.
loverofromance's review against another edition
4.0
posted on Addicted To Romance
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
First Impressions
Dagger Star has been a book I have been meaning to get to for quite a while now. I was able to have the opportunity to actually buddy read this one last night with a fellow bookstammer that also loved her “Chronicles of the Warlands” series. I have to say that I was impressed with this one here. Now it wasn’t exactly a perfect read, but it was such a thrilling adventure and I love how easy and quick it was to read here. There is something so unique about the way that Elizabeth Vaughan writes her fantasy romance, and I was having a blast with this one because it had such a unique dynamic that I haven’t seen from this author before and not super common in epic or high fantasy romance, at least not in my experience anyway. So I was so intrigued to see where she would take this one. It was also interesting to see the set up of the series and how it related to the Chronicles of the Warlands (which is a more distant connection). Although we may see stronger connected in the next two books.
Summary
The story starts off with our heroine, Red Gloves, who is a traveling mercenary alongside with her friend, Bethral. They come across sanctuary as they and their horses are in need of rest. They receive sheltar from a man who has a wounded soul by the name of, Josiah. Red Gloves is instantly drawn to Josiah, who is much more than he seems and there is an instant attraction. When he notices a mark on her torso, that signifies that she could be the hope for restoring Palin to its greatness and free the people from abuse and slavery. Josiah, was once a powerful influencer within Palin, but then he was betrayed and his territory was decimated and his people either taken or slaughtered. He was the only survivor and has lived a life of seclusion ever since. But then comes along Red Gloves, who awakens his passions and also his fire to fight. But will their destiny’s clash or will they be able to find common ground to work their way towards their own HEA?
What I Loved
I absolutely adored this one, and it was such a fun adventure and it was so interesting to see Red Gloves and Josiah as a pair. Red Gloves is such a fiery spirit, she is strong willed, shameless, and goes after what she wants. She has no regrets and faces challenges head on and is a brilliant fighter. Then we have Josiah who is a tortured soul, still grieving for his people and failing them. I really found that Red Gloves and Josiah were just right for each other. They truly fit the “Yin Yang” and bring balance in just the right way. They each push each other in what they need. Red Gloves encourage Josiah to keep living and fighting and not let what happened in the past defeat him. Then Josiah teaches Red Gloves the power of embracing emotion and love. They each teach each other and encourage one another in different but profound ways. I found the journey that Red Gloves goes on to be so interesting. We are also interesting to most of the main characters in the other books and I am so intrigued by their stories and see where this author plans on taking the series. I found the ending sweet and endearing.
What I Struggled With
I won’t say that this book was absolutely perfect, but biggest issues was the romance connection. There is a ton of chemistry between Red Gloves and Josiah but my largest issue was not fully feeling the actual heart of their romance. I just wanted a bit more of the emotional intimacy and felt like it was all casual sex type of stuff and not enough emotion that I have come to expect from this author. I still enjoyed the story so much, but I just needed a bit more and it would have been a five star read.
Overall View
I found Dagger Star to be a brilliant beginning to what I imagine is a action packed series. I found this installment to be a powerhouse of a read, it sparkles in such unique ways, it delivered in a way that seemed to work so well for the story as a whole. Its a page turner of a fantasy read that will only leave you more intrigued in needing more!
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
First Impressions
Dagger Star has been a book I have been meaning to get to for quite a while now. I was able to have the opportunity to actually buddy read this one last night with a fellow bookstammer that also loved her “Chronicles of the Warlands” series. I have to say that I was impressed with this one here. Now it wasn’t exactly a perfect read, but it was such a thrilling adventure and I love how easy and quick it was to read here. There is something so unique about the way that Elizabeth Vaughan writes her fantasy romance, and I was having a blast with this one because it had such a unique dynamic that I haven’t seen from this author before and not super common in epic or high fantasy romance, at least not in my experience anyway. So I was so intrigued to see where she would take this one. It was also interesting to see the set up of the series and how it related to the Chronicles of the Warlands (which is a more distant connection). Although we may see stronger connected in the next two books.
Summary
The story starts off with our heroine, Red Gloves, who is a traveling mercenary alongside with her friend, Bethral. They come across sanctuary as they and their horses are in need of rest. They receive sheltar from a man who has a wounded soul by the name of, Josiah. Red Gloves is instantly drawn to Josiah, who is much more than he seems and there is an instant attraction. When he notices a mark on her torso, that signifies that she could be the hope for restoring Palin to its greatness and free the people from abuse and slavery. Josiah, was once a powerful influencer within Palin, but then he was betrayed and his territory was decimated and his people either taken or slaughtered. He was the only survivor and has lived a life of seclusion ever since. But then comes along Red Gloves, who awakens his passions and also his fire to fight. But will their destiny’s clash or will they be able to find common ground to work their way towards their own HEA?
What I Loved
I absolutely adored this one, and it was such a fun adventure and it was so interesting to see Red Gloves and Josiah as a pair. Red Gloves is such a fiery spirit, she is strong willed, shameless, and goes after what she wants. She has no regrets and faces challenges head on and is a brilliant fighter. Then we have Josiah who is a tortured soul, still grieving for his people and failing them. I really found that Red Gloves and Josiah were just right for each other. They truly fit the “Yin Yang” and bring balance in just the right way. They each push each other in what they need. Red Gloves encourage Josiah to keep living and fighting and not let what happened in the past defeat him. Then Josiah teaches Red Gloves the power of embracing emotion and love. They each teach each other and encourage one another in different but profound ways. I found the journey that Red Gloves goes on to be so interesting. We are also interesting to most of the main characters in the other books and I am so intrigued by their stories and see where this author plans on taking the series. I found the ending sweet and endearing.
What I Struggled With
I won’t say that this book was absolutely perfect, but biggest issues was the romance connection. There is a ton of chemistry between Red Gloves and Josiah but my largest issue was not fully feeling the actual heart of their romance. I just wanted a bit more of the emotional intimacy and felt like it was all casual sex type of stuff and not enough emotion that I have come to expect from this author. I still enjoyed the story so much, but I just needed a bit more and it would have been a five star read.
Overall View
I found Dagger Star to be a brilliant beginning to what I imagine is a action packed series. I found this installment to be a powerhouse of a read, it sparkles in such unique ways, it delivered in a way that seemed to work so well for the story as a whole. Its a page turner of a fantasy read that will only leave you more intrigued in needing more!
brinnet's review against another edition
3.0
I'm still trying to figure out the correct order to read this series along with the Warlord series. I started by reading the first three of the Chronicles of Warlands (aka Warprize) series and moved on to this one, but so far it's not clear why this is the recommended order. I’ll keep plodding along, for science.
A more romance-heavy series than Vaughan's first, but also more fantasy elements, which are slow to emerge, but do come out full force as the book progresses.
This book doesn't play with ideas of language or culture like her first series, either. If you're looking for some standard, solid fantasy romance, this is a decent option. Nothing mind-blowing,but some of my favorite very minor characters introduced early in the book. There is also some serious #feminism happening in these pages. How does that affect the characters? Well, you can decide if it does.
I enjoyed it, but only recommending to my romance fans who also enjoy some fantasy elements. (I personally could do with more fantasy, less romance, but I'm still reading the next book!)
A more romance-heavy series than Vaughan's first, but also more fantasy elements, which are slow to emerge, but do come out full force as the book progresses.
This book doesn't play with ideas of language or culture like her first series, either. If you're looking for some standard, solid fantasy romance, this is a decent option. Nothing mind-blowing,but some of my favorite very minor characters introduced early in the book. There is also some serious #feminism happening in these pages. How does that affect the characters? Well, you can decide if it does.
I enjoyed it, but only recommending to my romance fans who also enjoy some fantasy elements. (I personally could do with more fantasy, less romance, but I'm still reading the next book!)