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maellemaud's review against another edition
4.0
Allen & Sarrica.
I really enjoy Megan Derr's fantasy world with harsh soldiers and deep romance...
A short efficient one: such a pleasure to be taken away so wholly!
I really enjoy Megan Derr's fantasy world with harsh soldiers and deep romance...
A short efficient one: such a pleasure to be taken away so wholly!
iroshiroi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ninaz7's review against another edition
Too little plot driven and fleshed out characters by the end. A lot of repeated internal monologues.
elfduchess's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely lovely slow burn romance with a wonderful cast of secondary characters. I adored the group of friends, but I especially loved Sarrica and Lesto's friendship because they've got that wonderful needling, bantering thing going on that only the best of friends can do.
The only thing that's kind of odd is there almost seems to be a third gender. Not exactly separate from the other two, but…there's a couple of instances where two people of the same gender have biological children. I have the feeling that the author was trying to do away with the need of having one man and one women to procreate - thereby getting rid of things like the (male) High King needing a female consort to produce heirs. This opens up plenty of chances to not have arranged marriages always be between two people of the opposite gender. I do like the idea, as odd as it is (maybe that's why I like it) - but it's never explained. I don't know if they were supposed to be trans or intersex (is that the right term?) or if we don't even currently have a proper way to refer to them. It would have been easy to just give a little mention of how this is possible (he was born in the wrong body - for example) but there's no mention at all. This would have been the perfect opportunity to delve deeper into this culture and this world and it was just a little disappointing to me that it's all left up to reader to try to figure out how this is even possible.
The only thing that's kind of odd is there almost seems to be a third gender. Not exactly separate from the other two, but…there's a couple of instances where two people of the same gender have biological children. I have the feeling that the author was trying to do away with the need of having one man and one women to procreate - thereby getting rid of things like the (male) High King needing a female consort to produce heirs. This opens up plenty of chances to not have arranged marriages always be between two people of the opposite gender. I do like the idea, as odd as it is (maybe that's why I like it) - but it's never explained. I don't know if they were supposed to be trans or intersex (is that the right term?) or if we don't even currently have a proper way to refer to them. It would have been easy to just give a little mention of how this is possible (he was born in the wrong body - for example) but there's no mention at all. This would have been the perfect opportunity to delve deeper into this culture and this world and it was just a little disappointing to me that it's all left up to reader to try to figure out how this is even possible.
mickoni's review against another edition
4.0
I really like the book. The worldbuilding was great. I like motives that run through the book. One is grief from losing a loved one and guilt from moving on. Second is fear of not living up to expectation. The story was good, whit a few twists and turns. Well developed characters. I thought the relational interplay between the two main characters in book was exceptional, complex, and culminated in a lovely, satisfying ending. It was refreshing that the main character prince Allen is competent. He is smart, charming and really good deduction. He treated everyone with courtesy and respect but at the same time, he didn't come off as being a pushover.
le_d_green30's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
3.75
jujudepamplemousse's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the premises and the first half of the book but there was some serious plot and pacing problems with the second half. Concerning the romance, there was almost no communication, getting to know each other or bonding time between the characters so the evolution of their feelings didn't make much sense. That said, I loved the small peeks of Rene and Tara romance. As for the fantasy plot, if we can call it that, it had huge holes...
___tamara___'s review against another edition
4.0
My 2nd re-read. I love Megan Derr's books because they always give me comfort and a happy end and this one is no different. I didn't really nee/want to re-read it right now (my previous re-read was in February this year, so - fairly recent), but it fit a category for two of my book challenges and none of the other books seemed tempting. And despite not really being in the mood for it, I read it in one sitting and enjoyed it immensely.