dalek_caan's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Vomit, War, Blood, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Violence
csantos's review
I don’t want to say that AK Mulford ripped another author off , because I know that artists are inspired by others they respect, admire, etc. but the
Spoiler
last living member of the royal family who was long thought dead plotting to take back her throne plot<\spoiler> is very reminiscent of the plot of a very popular romantasy author’s first series. Also, whenSpoiler
when Remy and Hale are getting sexy and trying to distract the other royal fae by being lewd, and they accidentally get turned on even though they are acting<\spoiler> I can’t help but be reminded of that same romantasy authors very famous throne room scene in another one of her series. It’s practically the same thing. There were so many lines that I highlighted that I’m like , I remember this dialogue from another authors fantasy romance series. I would say this is beyond being inspired or influenced by another author. I don’t want to accuse of plagiarism, but the similarities are too uncanny to be a mere coincidence.There were some sweet moments, likable characters, and a promising premise, but it all fell flat. I just didn’t believe that the stakes were as high as Mulford was trying to convince us. I did not believe the romantic or platonic connections were there with the characters. I can’t bring myself to care how this story ends. Bottom line:this author spent a lot of time telling us these relationships and stakes exist, but did little to make the reader believe or care.
Props for diversity in race, gender, and sexuality. That was the only thing that didn’t seem forced and it was believable for the characters.
Graphic: Genocide and Violence
aseel_reads's review
- 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
Moderate: Death, Child death, Genocide, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Grief, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Torture, and Violence
apersonfromflorida's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Blood, and Genocide
Moderate: War, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Child death and Vomit
liliana_b's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, Genocide, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Child death, and Sexual content
gattolinos_nerdy_nook's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I was intrigued by not only the characters but the world that has been created. The history alone that we learn in book one makes me want to pick up a history book of the world. I also liked how the courts are different in their cultures rather than types of magic they use as is common in fae books. It made the world feel more alive.
I adore Remy and Hale's relationship and interactions. They were just so fun. I thought all the side characters were good and had intriguing plot lines that I hope we explore with the other books in the series. I cannot wait to continue with the series and explore more of the world.
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Genocide, Torture, and War
Minor: Death of parent, Child death, and Body horror
rhi_'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
Moderate: Genocide, Murder, Sexual content, Blood, Death, Gore, and War
Minor: Confinement, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
nikkisbooknook's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
All your favourite fantasy figures are represented: fae, witches, humans. There are fated mates (of all variants not just MF), magic and quests. it feels a bit like Dungeons and Dragons come to life and I really enjoyed it. I'm a sucker for a hidden identity type trope and this delivered.
Remy, a red witch, is hiding in plain sight amongst Brown witches (Healers), trying to stay under the radar of witch hunters. Enter Hale, of the Eastern Court, who is on a quest for some fabled artifacts, and his posse of Fae warriors. Remy is strong, emotionally and magically. She loves her found family and would do anything for them. Hale and his team interrupt their plan of being incognito though. Hale himself has a compelling backstory and I enjoyed learning more about him during their journey. Hale is equally compelling, and I loved learning more about him and his backstory. Don't be too quick to judge some of the characters - allies may be found in some very overlooked places!
The characters are all fully formed and have distinct personalities. They are not "perfect" and have their flaws. What I loved most about the world was its inclusiveness. It's LGBTQ+ friendly, has all sizes of people represented and love is love, no matter who or what you are. Each area has a distinct feel and the descriptions provided really cement the vision of them in your head.
Whilst there is prejudice between the races represented it doesn't mean that Fae/Witches/Humans can't or don't work together to overturn the High King. They just have their own strengths and weaknesses.
The banter is on point and you know that this team may take the pee out of each other but they are in this together.
Onwards and Upwards to book two!
Minor: Child death, Death of parent, and Genocide
ka_ke's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Classism, Cursing, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Grief, Murder, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent and Genocide
Minor: War, Vomit, and Trafficking
finnickdeservedbetter's review
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Genocide, Confinement, Cursing, Torture, and War
Minor: Death of parent, Grief, and Child death