znrtrreads's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
3.5
think Game of Thrones meets The Witcher — evil elves, royals driven to near-madness, a neverending war and always-lurking dark presence, betrayal galore, and seemingly unconventional relationships that end up just working.
the beginning was a bit of a slow start and i almost dnf’d, but around the 60% mark it picked up and was soooo hard to put down. you know that one really big twist at the end of Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard? the one that makes you gasp out loud because it feels like you, as a reader, just got betrayed? the last quarter of this book was like that, over and over. every time i thought i could trust someone or knew what was happening — bam, another twist. and, i guessed correctly, it ended on a cliffhanger and i absolutely need to read the rest of the series to see what happens next.
also i am obsessed with both main characters — niko was true to himself, badass, no-nonsense; visili was the perfect anti-hero cracking out of his shell. i love that their enemies to lovers arc was slow burn, blurring the lines between hatred and obviously falling for each other but not being able to realize it. i’m excited to see where the story takes them.
the beginning was a bit of a slow start and i almost dnf’d, but around the 60% mark it picked up and was soooo hard to put down. you know that one really big twist at the end of Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard? the one that makes you gasp out loud because it feels like you, as a reader, just got betrayed? the last quarter of this book was like that, over and over. every time i thought i could trust someone or knew what was happening — bam, another twist. and, i guessed correctly, it ended on a cliffhanger and i absolutely need to read the rest of the series to see what happens next.
also i am obsessed with both main characters — niko was true to himself, badass, no-nonsense; visili was the perfect anti-hero cracking out of his shell. i love that their enemies to lovers arc was slow burn, blurring the lines between hatred and obviously falling for each other but not being able to realize it. i’m excited to see where the story takes them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexual content, and Death
Moderate: Rape, War, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Minor: Classism, Kidnapping, Blood, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Grief, Murder, War, and Toxic relationship
If you’ve ever seen Game of Thrones, think of every triggering thing that could be in there and it’s in here. It’s very dark so go into it expecting that. Plot and characters make it worth it.sixav's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Drug use
Minor: War, Suicidal thoughts, and Incest
yoda32's review
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I’m disappointed because this sounded like everything I love- Grimdark fantasy, lethal Prince, slow burn, enemies to lovers romance- and yet it was meh.
I think my biggest problem was that I couldn’t get attached to Niko. He was just so STUPID. For someone proclaimed to be a deadly soldier known across the land as “the butcher” he was a bit of wimp. Now I get he’s fighting the darkness and all his inner turmoil- which I guess was interesting- but he was betrayed so many times throughout this book and seen NONE OF IT coming. And you’re perhaps wondering- well yeah, isn’t that the meaning of betrayAl. Yes but Niko was a solider trained to spot shit like this! Where was his cunning? Or his distrustful nature he so promised?
Next to Niko infuriating me, don’t even get me started on the “romance” and I’m not talking about the set up enemies to lovers( that I’m interested in). So Niko, along with making terrible decisions, thinks with his dick, and instead of scoping out the terrifying palace, and you know, being the assassin we are promised, he instead falls for Julian, the princes’ personal guard. And we the poor readers- get a whole load of romantic jargon. Which went EXACTLY how I expected it to go.
The plot was meh. I think personally, Niko and Julians romance annoyed me so much that I couldn’t concentrate. Towards the end, the plot became slightly more intriguing, but for the most part.. no.
Now all that being said- there were SOME parts of the book I liked, or else I wouldn’t have finished it.
Firstly- Prince Vasili. He was awful, cruel and conniving. The exact kind of character I love. At least HE embraced his darkness. Also the actual romance is set between him and Niko and despite all my complaints, I’m curious.
Secondly- The author did something I’ve never read about before, she made the elves evil cruel creatures and damn I want to know more.
Thirdly- It’s clear that the dynamic between Niko and Vasili will change from barely tolerating each other to more and despite it all- I’m hooked. I want to know how they fall in love. Like seriously- how!
Anyways, this wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read but if you’re intrigued by dark fantasy, and are curious about the lethal Prince Vasili, I recommend you try this. You may like it more than me.
I think my biggest problem was that I couldn’t get attached to Niko. He was just so STUPID. For someone proclaimed to be a deadly soldier known across the land as “the butcher” he was a bit of wimp. Now I get he’s fighting the darkness and all his inner turmoil- which I guess was interesting- but he was betrayed so many times throughout this book and seen NONE OF IT coming. And you’re perhaps wondering- well yeah, isn’t that the meaning of betrayAl. Yes but Niko was a solider trained to spot shit like this! Where was his cunning? Or his distrustful nature he so promised?
Next to Niko infuriating me, don’t even get me started on the “romance” and I’m not talking about the set up enemies to lovers( that I’m interested in). So Niko, along with making terrible decisions, thinks with his dick, and instead of scoping out the terrifying palace, and you know, being the assassin we are promised, he instead falls for Julian, the princes’ personal guard. And we the poor readers- get a whole load of romantic jargon. Which went EXACTLY how I expected it to go.
The plot was meh. I think personally, Niko and Julians romance annoyed me so much that I couldn’t concentrate. Towards the end, the plot became slightly more intriguing, but for the most part.. no.
Now all that being said- there were SOME parts of the book I liked, or else I wouldn’t have finished it.
Firstly- Prince Vasili. He was awful, cruel and conniving. The exact kind of character I love. At least HE embraced his darkness. Also the actual romance is set between him and Niko and despite all my complaints, I’m curious.
Secondly- The author did something I’ve never read about before, she made the elves evil cruel creatures and damn I want to know more.
Thirdly- It’s clear that the dynamic between Niko and Vasili will change from barely tolerating each other to more and despite it all- I’m hooked. I want to know how they fall in love. Like seriously- how!
Anyways, this wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read but if you’re intrigued by dark fantasy, and are curious about the lethal Prince Vasili, I recommend you try this. You may like it more than me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Incest
Spoiler
Attempted rape, non con, dubious content, drugged without consent.avidreader6's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Blood and Drug use
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