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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
picotly's review
3.75
Well-written grumpy-sunshine catnip. Also appreciate how consent is treated re: the circumstances of the romance-to-be.
Only a little beffudled bythe sudden mention of SA which was then kind plot insignificant for the rest of the ending. Hoping we're able to sit with it more over the next book.
Only a little beffudled by
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape and Abortion
girface108's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault and Abortion
lindan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
5.0
Funny, engaging, I was excited to see where each page should take me. I loved the author’s writing style and tone of voice for the two POVs! I totally felt the fantasy element throughout but I enjoyed how the book didn’t take itself too seriously and made various asides to the reader. The romance was definitely a slow burn but I’m so invested in seeing how the relationship pans out. Overall so well done and I am looking forward to continuing the series!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Sexual assault and Abortion
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
alba_1994's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Violence and Murder
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Abortion
disastrvirgo's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault and Abortion
mabellene's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Rape and Kidnapping
Minor: Abortion and Abandonment
allo_leo's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault and Abortion
downtown_kb's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-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? No
5.0
Damien is half demon/half human and a blood mage. He has finally accomplished his life goal of creating a talisman that allows him to control the actions of whoever touches it. Unfortunately, some woman tries to pick-pocket that talisman before he can use it on his intended target. He’s stuck with her until he can figure out how to free her from it. Otherwise, he might just have to kill her.
This was action packed, one adventure, or misadventure, after another with great world building and just a lot of personality in the world and among the side characters. It takes its time letting you get to know your main characters so at times it moved a bit too slow for me but I fell in love with Damien and his surliness. Amma comes across as bubbly and silly but as you get to know her she definitely has secrets. I loved the deadpan and sarcastic humor of the characters mixed with the clever irony and satire in the world building. One of my favorite things and a good example of what I mean is that the god that is worshiped is named “Osurehm”. It was like reading The Princess Bride or watching a Monty Python movie. This was just great storytelling and exactly the humor I like but it is definitely a slow burn!
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape and Abortion