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libraryofaphrodite's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Max is a servant living under the oppressive Gathrax family, constantly pursued by their maniacal eldest son, Julian.
When Julian chases Max into Galloway Forest, Max discovers that he is a mage, something the south lost long ago. This sets off a chain of events leading to an arranged marriage, battles with dragons, and a quest to uncover the truth of Max's identity.
I had really wanted to love this new M/M fantasy but something didn't quite click for me. I felt at times that descriptions were lacking and the characters didn't have as much depth as I would have liked. At points it read more like YA than adult fantasy (albeit with a large amount of gore) which might be why it wasn't for me.
I did really enjoy parts and had trouble putting the book down in those sections. It just didn't feel fully realised or consistent yet.
There is definitely an audience for this book - if you enjoy M/M fantasy, slow burn romance, mythological monsters, and warring nations, this may well be the book for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Second Sky for an advanced digital copy in return for my honest review.
When Julian chases Max into Galloway Forest, Max discovers that he is a mage, something the south lost long ago. This sets off a chain of events leading to an arranged marriage, battles with dragons, and a quest to uncover the truth of Max's identity.
I had really wanted to love this new M/M fantasy but something didn't quite click for me. I felt at times that descriptions were lacking and the characters didn't have as much depth as I would have liked. At points it read more like YA than adult fantasy (albeit with a large amount of gore) which might be why it wasn't for me.
I did really enjoy parts and had trouble putting the book down in those sections. It just didn't feel fully realised or consistent yet.
There is definitely an audience for this book - if you enjoy M/M fantasy, slow burn romance, mythological monsters, and warring nations, this may well be the book for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Second Sky for an advanced digital copy in return for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual violence, and Fire/Fire injury
anapthine's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Thank you NetGalley and Second Sky for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I cannot put it into words how much I love this book. The plot just flowed so flawlessly and had you hooked the entirety of the way through. Alderson writes in such an incredible way that you form such a connection with the characters, with their emotions so perfectly written, making it so easy to imagine - almost as if this is happening right in front of you. There were so many twists and turns in this novel, many of which were not expected, always keeping you on your toes.
This book contains the following tropes (as if the things I have already listed haven’t made you put this book on your TBR):
- Found family
- Enemies to lovers
- Forced proximity
- Multiple love interests
- Elemental magic
- Dragons, dragon riders
- A lost child
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Sexual content
bittennailbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Inviting, bold, and surprisingly bloody - Heir to Thorne and Flame sets up a brand new world to get lost on a dragon's back in.
Thumbs up: A servant boy is just trying to keep his head down as he serves a cruel king and his wicked family. The only adventure I've read that started with just wanting to read smut in a library after hours, this fantasy has it all! MM romance, dragons, mage magic, betrayal, lies - a fun first installment.
Thumbs down: I think because it's advertised as a romance, I thought there would be more romance? There is definitely a romantic plot but sprinkled as a treat. It's widely spread throughout politics and epic battles, still fun, just was unexpected. I also found the pacing a bit slow in the later half which had my mind wandering a bit.
Was it a nail biter? I had fun with this one! It pulled a lot of smiles from me and the characters were lovable and surprisingly layered. Thank you to the publishers for sending this one my way! 3.75/5 ⭐
Thumbs up: A servant boy is just trying to keep his head down as he serves a cruel king and his wicked family. The only adventure I've read that started with just wanting to read smut in a library after hours, this fantasy has it all! MM romance, dragons, mage magic, betrayal, lies - a fun first installment.
Thumbs down: I think because it's advertised as a romance, I thought there would be more romance? There is definitely a romantic plot but sprinkled as a treat. It's widely spread throughout politics and epic battles, still fun, just was unexpected. I also found the pacing a bit slow in the later half which had my mind wandering a bit.
Was it a nail biter? I had fun with this one! It pulled a lot of smiles from me and the characters were lovable and surprisingly layered. Thank you to the publishers for sending this one my way! 3.75/5 ⭐
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Blood, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death