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mom2three's review
5.0
I needed a story I could just escape into. One that would be fast-paced and complex, and more on the grey side than actually dark. That's what this one is for me. It's got complex characters and a plot that has a lot of moving pieces. The darkness is there, but it's still light compared to some of the truly dark reads I usually turn to. I loved the angst and banter between the characters. I loved their chemistry and how well I was able to become invested in all the relationships. The writing was fantastic, the worldbuilding is great, and everything just flowed. I'm definitely going to check out more books by this author.
anna_marie_mer's review
5.0
This was actually very good, very well written! Loved Anaria and felt for her during all she had to go through. Does leave you guessing at the end of the book so now starting book 2!
lynx_bookworm's review
5.0
An epic, fast paced fae fantasy book, where the faeries are as vicious, backstabbing and cruel, as much as they are beautiful. And where the heroine learns to save herself.
Carex Centaria king of Caladrius and the Shadow King Serpens Centaria have been at War with each other, for a millenia. Their vicious fight for power and magic has lasted for so long, that they forgot that the power they crave, was stolen.. Both are evil to and will kill and use anyone/everyone and in their quest to overpower each other!
This is the story of an innocent slave girl called Anaria who has been beaten down every day of her life, but has not lost her spirit. Her strength, hope and intelligence, keep her from giving up, on the worst of circumstances, when she is kidnapped and whisked away to Caladrius, by Solok, the King's right hand man/fae, known as the King's Axe. She manages to take her friend Ember, who was also a slave, who grew up with her in Varitus Omnius.
After arriving in Tempeste, the capital of Caladrius, Anaria discovers that she was kept a slave, mistreated and humiliated, by her Father and his people. Apparently she stole the King's power when she was born, and will have to return it on a ritual, where she will die.
Anaria manages to survive the ritual and runs away, stumbling on a conspiracy to save her, she's whisked away to Solarys Anaria will have to trust four warriors who hate her guts, because when she came into her power, she inadvertedly killed someone they cared about.
The characters are diverse and complex, I loved who Anaria falls for!! Anaria is head strong and smart with a good heart but she doesn't take anyone's shit! Tavion Montgomery the Caladrius kings commander of the high guard who has been undercover for the Shadow King waiting for Anaria to be brought to court so that he could kidnap her for king Serpens and get his reward is a giant prick and has it in for Anaria because she caused his brothers death but when secrets come out he realizes how wrong he's been but by now Anaria hates him! ..
Once they reach Solarys, Anaria decides she won't be a pawn anymore, and uses her virginity blood to unlock her stolen powers, by sacrificing the one thing she had of value (her innocence) and frms a bond with Raziel.
Another of the males that helps get her to Solarys is Zorander, who can't stand the touch of any woman. But he becomes one of Anaria's biggest allies and slowly grows to like her. We don't know much about Tristian the archer, because he left as soon as they got to the Shadow kings castle but I'm sure their part of the story will develop in book two Cruel Is My Court.
Anaria ends up claiming and keeping the magic within her, and while using it to kill Solok, these four males are marked by her magic, thus becoming bonded to her.
This book ended with the shadow king ordering his armies and their general Zorander to Caladrius to start their invasion.But before Zorander left he received a summons from Tempeste, seems Torin the Oracle, knows who they've killed and demands their presence and it sends chills down all their spines!!
This is a well written, gripping, start of the series, and I can't wait to read book 2!
Carex Centaria king of Caladrius and the Shadow King Serpens Centaria have been at War with each other, for a millenia. Their vicious fight for power and magic has lasted for so long, that they forgot that the power they crave, was stolen.. Both are evil to and will kill and use anyone/everyone and in their quest to overpower each other!
This is the story of an innocent slave girl called Anaria who has been beaten down every day of her life, but has not lost her spirit. Her strength, hope and intelligence, keep her from giving up, on the worst of circumstances, when she is kidnapped and whisked away to Caladrius, by Solok, the King's right hand man/fae, known as the King's Axe. She manages to take her friend Ember, who was also a slave, who grew up with her in Varitus Omnius.
After arriving in Tempeste, the capital of Caladrius, Anaria discovers that she was kept a slave, mistreated and humiliated, by her Father and his people. Apparently she stole the King's power when she was born, and will have to return it on a ritual, where she will die.
Anaria manages to survive the ritual and runs away, stumbling on a conspiracy to save her, she's whisked away to Solarys Anaria will have to trust four warriors who hate her guts, because when she came into her power, she inadvertedly killed someone they cared about.
The characters are diverse and complex, I loved who Anaria falls for!! Anaria is head strong and smart with a good heart but she doesn't take anyone's shit! Tavion Montgomery the Caladrius kings commander of the high guard who has been undercover for the Shadow King waiting for Anaria to be brought to court so that he could kidnap her for king Serpens and get his reward is a giant prick and has it in for Anaria because she caused his brothers death but when secrets come out he realizes how wrong he's been but by now Anaria hates him! ..
Once they reach Solarys, Anaria decides she won't be a pawn anymore, and uses her virginity blood to unlock her stolen powers, by sacrificing the one thing she had of value (her innocence) and frms a bond with Raziel.
Another of the males that helps get her to Solarys is Zorander, who can't stand the touch of any woman. But he becomes one of Anaria's biggest allies and slowly grows to like her. We don't know much about Tristian the archer, because he left as soon as they got to the Shadow kings castle but I'm sure their part of the story will develop in book two Cruel Is My Court.
Anaria ends up claiming and keeping the magic within her, and while using it to kill Solok, these four males are marked by her magic, thus becoming bonded to her.
This book ended with the shadow king ordering his armies and their general Zorander to Caladrius to start their invasion.But before Zorander left he received a summons from Tempeste, seems Torin the Oracle, knows who they've killed and demands their presence and it sends chills down all their spines!!
This is a well written, gripping, start of the series, and I can't wait to read book 2!
siasprout's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
rita_library's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
booked_up_nixi's review
4.0
An exciting series debut
This book was a whirlwind of action and excitement!
I found this book to be well-paced, exciting, spicy and a fantastic starter! It leaves a lot of intrigue for the sequels to come, and is an enticing read!
The story was well-developed and the world building was great. The characters are wonderful and each point of view is gripping.
I am super excited for the next installment!
I received an ARC through Booksirens and willingly leave this honest review.
This book was a whirlwind of action and excitement!
I found this book to be well-paced, exciting, spicy and a fantastic starter! It leaves a lot of intrigue for the sequels to come, and is an enticing read!
The story was well-developed and the world building was great. The characters are wonderful and each point of view is gripping.
I am super excited for the next installment!
I received an ARC through Booksirens and willingly leave this honest review.
maddiebear25's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
5.0
veebs's review
3.0
Interesting
I really enjoyed this story. However, it was difficult to tell which character was speaking at times, and there were a few grammatical errors, which were distracting. If not for the above, I would have given this 5 stars. That said, I definitely plan to read the next book.
I really enjoyed this story. However, it was difficult to tell which character was speaking at times, and there were a few grammatical errors, which were distracting. If not for the above, I would have given this 5 stars. That said, I definitely plan to read the next book.