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penguins_save_lives's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-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? No
4.0
When Princess Candra is called upon to serve for seven years in an isolated tower to appease the gods, she is devastated. Not only will she be cut off from her life in the palace, but she will also be trapped with the heir to the monstrous kingdom next door. Over time, Candra is drawn to Nemeth, and discovers that the prejudices she was taught as a child don't hold up in the face of his kindness. When the two fall in love, they know the wrath of both of their kingdoms is likely to fall on them. Can they survive the consequences of not only their choices, but the developments in the world outside?
This dark romance is a perfect fit for readers who crave a dark, adventurous, and spicy romance.
This dark romance is a perfect fit for readers who crave a dark, adventurous, and spicy romance.
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, and War
Moderate: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Medical content, Grief, Abandonment, and Classism
bear_ridge_tarot's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Princess Chandra is locked into a tower as a spoilt, soft and curvy femme with a backbone of steel. Warrior Prince Nemeth, locked in with her, is not human and outwardly not soft in the slightest. When they are forced to make a huge choice, one that could end with both of them dead either way, they face a world outside the tower that they no longer understand or recognize.
I picked up this book having missed the smut warnings, and was pleasantly surprised that it was written so well. I typically avoid pure smut novels because they become repetitive and predictable. Candra and Nemeth's story is not predictable, other than the enemies-to-lovers trope. The overarching weaves a web of court intrigue, misguided assumptions about other countries/races, and two-but-really-one religions. I wanted to know what would happen between the pair, and what was going on in the outside world too! Ruby Dixon writes a beautiful, gritty story and I could hardly put the book down.
I received this book as an advanced reader copy through NetGally. It does not affect my review in any way.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a shameless, knows-what-she-wants MC and a storyline that is actually more interesting than the smutty parts!
Graphic: Chronic illness, Confinement, Sexual content, Blood, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Physical abuse, Slavery, Pregnancy, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: War
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