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beautiful_articulate's review
adventurous
funny
medium-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
4.75
What a fun book! This book was pitched to me as a fantasy rom-com, and while I'm not big in romance in general, that definitely intrigued me. This is definitely a slow-burn, which I personally prefer. If you're not a big fan of slow-burn, it's important to note that you won't see the MCs get together in this book already.
I liked that the book took some of the most used tropes in the romance genre and exaggerated them, at times. Damien, the MMC, is the prince of all evil, yes, but his dad calls him via a magic crystal and supports his evil endeavors as any good father would. It's details like this that make this book really endearing.
On the topic of the main characters, I felt like Amma was very well-balanced. She didn't feel like a damsel-in-distres, but she is also clearly in over her head and out of her element. I felt like the way she acted felt more realistic compared to how other FMCs act in similar situations.
Damien is introduced as being an almost comical villain, but it becomes clear that he is a well-rounded character with his own set of morals. I was a bit scared of how he would treat the FMC when I heard the premise of the novel was that Amma would be bound to Damien through magic, but Damien isn't abusive or excessively mean to Amma and the power dynamic between them is addressed.
My only gripe is that some of the scenes felt a little bit more like padding to the story, although this didn't feel excessive nor did it make me feel like skimming the book. While this is a slow burn, I felt like the romance aspect of the story could have waited even longer. I feel like Damien and Amma started to make googly eyes at each other fairly early in the story and before knowing each other well, but again I think this comes down to personal preference.
This is still a fantasy book, at its core, but the world building is pretty straightforward and without too many new premises or systems. I personally don't mind if the world building takes a backseat in a romance story, but it felt worth mentioning. I think if you've ever engaged with any sort of fantasy content, you can keep up with the world pretty easily.
Overall, a very entertaining read and I definitely think I'll be finishing this series.
I liked that the book took some of the most used tropes in the romance genre and exaggerated them, at times. Damien, the MMC, is the prince of all evil, yes, but his dad calls him via a magic crystal and supports his evil endeavors as any good father would. It's details like this that make this book really endearing.
On the topic of the main characters, I felt like Amma was very well-balanced. She didn't feel like a damsel-in-distres, but she is also clearly in over her head and out of her element. I felt like the way she acted felt more realistic compared to how other FMCs act in similar situations.
Damien is introduced as being an almost comical villain, but it becomes clear that he is a well-rounded character with his own set of morals. I was a bit scared of how he would treat the FMC when I heard the premise of the novel was that Amma would be bound to Damien through magic, but Damien isn't abusive or excessively mean to Amma and the power dynamic between them is addressed.
My only gripe is that some of the scenes felt a little bit more like padding to the story, although this didn't feel excessive nor did it make me feel like skimming the book. While this is a slow burn, I felt like the romance aspect of the story could have waited even longer. I feel like Damien and Amma started to make googly eyes at each other fairly early in the story and before knowing each other well, but again I think this comes down to personal preference.
This is still a fantasy book, at its core, but the world building is pretty straightforward and without too many new premises or systems. I personally don't mind if the world building takes a backseat in a romance story, but it felt worth mentioning. I think if you've ever engaged with any sort of fantasy content, you can keep up with the world pretty easily.
Overall, a very entertaining read and I definitely think I'll be finishing this series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Abortion
aleighbythesea's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood
evatheruler's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Gore, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, and Classism
Moderate: Abandonment
callistag1's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Death, Self harm, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
glutenfree_nonbinary_heehee's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Ok I just finished the audiobook. I’ll give a more thorough review later but I was giggling, laughing out loud, and KICKING MY FEET!!!! I’m not into guys but those feet were kicking my dudes.
Downloading the second one rn.
Quick notes:
-surprisingly great consent
-THE SLOW BURN IS SLOWLY BURNING
-cool magic
-very good voice actors
-Damien’s dad gives Gorthalax the insatiable vibes a bit iykyk
-I haven’t seen dual POV used so well in such a long time
Downloading the second one rn.
Quick notes:
-surprisingly great consent
-THE SLOW BURN IS SLOWLY BURNING
-cool magic
-very good voice actors
-Damien’s dad gives Gorthalax the insatiable vibes a bit iykyk
-I haven’t seen dual POV used so well in such a long time
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Sexual assault
avacyn731's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Rape and Alcohol
mzquirk's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Blood, Kidnapping, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Self harm, and Sexual content
alyshapowe11's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Self harm and Sexual violence
samflowerv6's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
THIS IS A KU GEM! This is everything you could want tension, humor (that actually works), quests, magic, a villain who is secretly a cinnamon role love interest with sunshine barbie who loves the world, interesting world building, enemies to lovers, possessive, magical creatures, slow slow slow burn that burns so good, forced proximity and much more. JUST READ IT! Damien is the son of a demon and Amma is assumed to be a thief when they meet under magical and thieving circumstances. They go on a dangerous journey through their realm while Amma wears down Damien and his grumpiness, he starts to question.... is he really evil. Along with his grouchy companion Kaz, an imp they meet many obstacles and the secrets between them are palpable and destructive. Throne in the Dark is a romantic slow burn adventure between lovable characters. This is a trilogy and self published (and it actually funnier than many traditional published books I have read). This book is a lot of world building and bonding on their adventures. DAMIEN AND AMMA ARE SO CUTE!
“Now.” She lowered her voice again, and his eyes snapped up to hers as if she had some command over him. “I did a favor for you, so repay me. Where is the…sanctum of dark, evil stuff?”
“Now.” She lowered her voice again, and his eyes snapped up to hers as if she had some command over him. “I did a favor for you, so repay me. Where is the…sanctum of dark, evil stuff?”
this Damien Mal-whatever-thorn, claimed to be one of the most feared and powerful beings in and out of the realm. And he was, what, a glum and self-absorbed twenty-something, living up in the Infernal Mountains and prowling the dirty streets of Aszath Koth to heal wounded kittens?
Narrowing his eyes, something flashed in them, a deep bewilderment from their stunningly violet color.
But I am so happy that the thing you believe in is happening according to your perception.
though it mattered a little less when she was traveling with someone so openly homicidal toward anyone who dared touch her.
“Hobby?”
“Spilling the blood of my enemies.”
“This woman is mine. Do not even think of touching her again. Return to your home. Remain there.”
Amma frowned. “Is this one of those times when you’re exaggerating to seem scary, or do you really mean it?”
“Good. And since you have chosen to press yourself against the most frightening thing in this forest, you are either very brave,” he said with a playful lilt and then dropped his voice to a heady rumble, “or you are already in the worst possible danger you could be.”
“I know you’ve likely become accustomed to this, Amma, but I find it ridiculous. Is it too much to ask to be treated like a threat?"
Why kill him when you could just cut off his favorite parts and make him wish he were dead?” Then he frowned—perhaps it wasn’t wise to put those kinds of ideas into her head.
Damien gave her a look, one he feared was more adoring than he would have liked to let on.
“You do want me to untie you, don’t you?” Amma swallowed, hesitating.
Narrowing his eyes, something flashed in them, a deep bewilderment from their stunningly violet color.
But I am so happy that the thing you believe in is happening according to your perception.
though it mattered a little less when she was traveling with someone so openly homicidal toward anyone who dared touch her.
“Hobby?”
“Spilling the blood of my enemies.”
“This woman is mine. Do not even think of touching her again. Return to your home. Remain there.”
Amma frowned. “Is this one of those times when you’re exaggerating to seem scary, or do you really mean it?”
“Good. And since you have chosen to press yourself against the most frightening thing in this forest, you are either very brave,” he said with a playful lilt and then dropped his voice to a heady rumble, “or you are already in the worst possible danger you could be.”
“I know you’ve likely become accustomed to this, Amma, but I find it ridiculous. Is it too much to ask to be treated like a threat?"
Why kill him when you could just cut off his favorite parts and make him wish he were dead?” Then he frowned—perhaps it wasn’t wise to put those kinds of ideas into her head.
Damien gave her a look, one he feared was more adoring than he would have liked to let on.
“You do want me to untie you, don’t you?” Amma swallowed, hesitating.
“I see. Tighter next time, then,” he whispered
Her eyes flashed then, narrowing. “How pretty?”
“I’ve met prettier since,” he said carefully.
“Well, yeah, duh, it makes you mysterious and scary, but good scary, ya know? Makes you wonder, like, how’d he get that? And what’s he gonna do to me once he gets me tied up?"
“I want to kiss you endlessly, Amma, and never stop.”
“She has been deceiving you…and you will have to kill her eventually…but maybe the harlot doesn’t deserve to die here…exactly.” (kaz LMFAO)
You can’t just pretend to take me and run away—you have to actually take me when you escape.” Damien took in a deep breath through a clenched jaw. “It would be my pleasure.”
“Oh, right.” He grabbed her much more tightly then, dropping his voice. “Ready to go, my little prisoner?” Amma almost giggled, tingling under his grip
“Careful talking like that, or I’ll think you really are mine for the taking.”
Her eyes flashed then, narrowing. “How pretty?”
“I’ve met prettier since,” he said carefully.
“Well, yeah, duh, it makes you mysterious and scary, but good scary, ya know? Makes you wonder, like, how’d he get that? And what’s he gonna do to me once he gets me tied up?"
“I want to kiss you endlessly, Amma, and never stop.”
You can’t just pretend to take me and run away—you have to actually take me when you escape.” Damien took in a deep breath through a clenched jaw. “It would be my pleasure.”
“Oh, right.” He grabbed her much more tightly then, dropping his voice. “Ready to go, my little prisoner?” Amma almost giggled, tingling under his grip
“Careful talking like that, or I’ll think you really are mine for the taking.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Cursing, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Blood
foxclcves's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-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? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Self harm, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Abortion, Alcohol, and Classism