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sandonat's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I really liked the two main characters, especially at the beginning. I think the banter and falling in love could have been a little longer and more detailed. At points the plot was pretty good- I liked when Keris seemed really clever and capable. But by the end I was kind of over the risk everyone else for this one person. It felt like it comprised his morals for him to just risk everyone else when I wish he was just more clever and out manuevered everyone else. Also it was kinda annoying that I already knew all the major plot points from the previous books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
ktbeth143's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
While I think I like Aren and Lara as main characters better, Keris’s and Zara’s story is undoubtedly better—so much so I feel like it’s a whole level above The Bridge Kingdom. The plot and literary techniques are sound and captivating. The political strategy is so intriguing it keeps readers’ attention AND keeps them guessing. The character development is stronger, and the tie between each of their motivations, the choices they make, and the way things play out is more consistent than in the first two books.
Of course, all of these things mean this is an incredibly long book and some readers might feel it drags. But if you stick with it, you’ll be rewarded with a complex story-masterpiece that will grip you.
Unfortunately, I do think you have to read the first two books in order to understand this one—even though much of this one’s timeline overlaps the second book. If you’re a fan of love stories, you won’t mind that. But if you prefer more plot that love story, you might have trouble with the first two. The second one though does give you hints of the thrill this book is so good a delivering.
I would reccomend this to readers who like the politics in Game of Thrones and Throne of Glass, reluctant heroes, star-crossed lovers, and epic adventures.
Of course, all of these things mean this is an incredibly long book and some readers might feel it drags. But if you stick with it, you’ll be rewarded with a complex story-masterpiece that will grip you.
Unfortunately, I do think you have to read the first two books in order to understand this one—even though much of this one’s timeline overlaps the second book. If you’re a fan of love stories, you won’t mind that. But if you prefer more plot that love story, you might have trouble with the first two. The second one though does give you hints of the thrill this book is so good a delivering.
I would reccomend this to readers who like the politics in Game of Thrones and Throne of Glass, reluctant heroes, star-crossed lovers, and epic adventures.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content, Torture, Violence, and War
Minor: Kidnapping and Alcohol
juliettewood's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicide, Torture, and Vomit
Minor: Gore
booksalacarte's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-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? No
2.75
The inadequate Heir- 3⭐️ 3🌶️
An Endless War. A Forbidden Love.
A soldier raised as heir to an empire, Zarrah is motivated by two truths. The first is that the Veliant family murdered her mother. And the second is that her pursuit of vengeance will put every last one of them in their graves.
The Endless War between Maridrina and Valcotta has raged for generations, leaving thousands of Zarrah’s people dead and countless more orphaned. So when she’s given command of the contested city of Nerastis, Zarrah is prepared to do whatever it takes to destroy the Maridrinian forces who oppose her. And to kill the Veliant prince who leads them.
Yet a chance encounter with an anonymous, and handsome, Maridrinian causes Zarrah to question whether the violence she’s perpetrated is justice or a crime. And as she continues to meet the nameless man each night, she finds common ground—and fiery passion–in his arms.
But when identities are revealed, Zarrah must decide whether to embrace a chance at peace… or march to the drums of war
✨My Opinion✨
This story overlaps with book 2, just from a different set of POV’s. I didn’t really like rehashing an old story. It didn’t feel as well flushed out as the second book did… even with the reused dialogue. Maybe because I already knew the outcome, the steaks didn’t feel as high. I’m glad that book 4 will be new content… but I’m guessing now that a 3rd couple will be introduced and their story will overlap what has already happened. Maybe Aren’s sister and her arranged marriage? It’s a lot of the same plot to have 6 books focus
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Grief, and Gaslighting
booktalkwithrae's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-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
4.0
Gosh, I absolutely love this book. I didn’t think we could get spicier and more enjoyable but here we are.
I will save this book, felt a little repetitive, and I think it could have been shorter and more enjoyable that way. Of course, because this book follows the same timeline as the second book, there’s a lot of things the reader knows going into it and so a lot of things I felt like I wish it was sped up a little bit. But overall I still absolutely love this book.
I love the characters dynamics and being in their head. Especially Keris who we got to see acts very differently than what he feels and thinks is right. The complexity of his character in fighting with himself was something I really enjoyed about his character development in the story.
The main reason that I lowered this book to a four-star is because they were a few extremely high stakes dramatic scenes that I felt like the characters reactions were very under played, and I would like to see more from that.
The romance was a slow burn and thoroughly enjoyable. The spice was spicier in this book, which just made it even more enjoyable and although the ending took an interesting turn, I am super excited for book 4, and I’m very glad I do not have to wait much longer to pick up this book. This series will definitely be a new favourite romance, fantasy series and I am excited to try more of this authors work.
I will save this book, felt a little repetitive, and I think it could have been shorter and more enjoyable that way. Of course, because this book follows the same timeline as the second book, there’s a lot of things the reader knows going into it and so a lot of things I felt like I wish it was sped up a little bit. But overall I still absolutely love this book.
I love the characters dynamics and being in their head. Especially Keris who we got to see acts very differently than what he feels and thinks is right. The complexity of his character in fighting with himself was something I really enjoyed about his character development in the story.
The main reason that I lowered this book to a four-star is because they were a few extremely high stakes dramatic scenes that I felt like the characters reactions were very under played, and I would like to see more from that.
The romance was a slow burn and thoroughly enjoyable. The spice was spicier in this book, which just made it even more enjoyable and although the ending took an interesting turn, I am super excited for book 4, and I’m very glad I do not have to wait much longer to pick up this book. This series will definitely be a new favourite romance, fantasy series and I am excited to try more of this authors work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Sexual content
Moderate: Violence
dkgreads's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
3.75
Though the heat level went up several notches from its predecessors (not complaining), I wasn’t nearly as invested in this book as I was the previous two. I think it’s because A) The Traitor Queen ended in such a way that I feel like there’s still so much of Lara and Aren’s story left to tell and I wasn’t ready to move on to new characters, and B) the majority of the events of this book take place simultaneously with that of the end of The Bridge Kingdom and the entirety of The Traitor Queen, so I felt like I already knew the outcome of most of the plot and just didn’t become invested in Keris and Zarrah’s story. In fact, I wasn’t really all that interested until the last three chapters of the book, when NEW plot was finally added. Now I’m definitely looking forward to the second half of Keri’s and Zarrah’s duet, even if it looks like the plot smacks heavily of similarity to The Traitor Queen.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and War
aniwisniewski's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Gore, and Gaslighting
Minor: Incest, Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Trafficking
sami_leigh's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicide and Death of parent
sarah_cameron's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
A solid read with compelling characters, a great addition to the world-building of the previous books, and a hint of political intrigue. Overall really enjoyable!
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Excrement, Vomit, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and War