beelovesreading's review
4.0
I found the start of the book a little slow at first and a little confusing. The timeline didn't seem to work for me because as far as I knew Elspeth had only robbed one place after the events of her family's deaths and was already seen as a legend and given the title of Bandit King. I felt I'd missed something.
As the book progressed, however, I really got into it. Elspeth really grew on me as did Irwin. I also loved Heinrich and found him very funny and witty, I really hope we see more of him in the second book though the epilogue has me worried for his character.
I love that, despite a few kisses, Elspeth and Otello didn't jump immediately into a relationship. With everything going on it was nice to see that their relationship was strained and not immediately going into a full blown love story. I felt like it would have detracted from the rest of the story.
As the book progressed, however, I really got into it. Elspeth really grew on me as did Irwin. I also loved Heinrich and found him very funny and witty, I really hope we see more of him in the second book though the epilogue has me worried for his character.
I love that, despite a few kisses, Elspeth and Otello didn't jump immediately into a relationship. With everything going on it was nice to see that their relationship was strained and not immediately going into a full blown love story. I felt like it would have detracted from the rest of the story.
cassreadsforever's review
2.0
Thank you so much to Net Galley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of “Betrayal & Banditary” by Jes Drew in exchange for an honest review. All of the following opinions are formulated on my own. Any quotes in this review should be cross-referenced with the final copy for any possible edits.
My review:
Betrayal and Banditry is a quick read about Elspeth, a disgrabed noblewoman elf, and Otello, the mortal Sacred Prince. Unfortunately, I was not a fan of the writing style in this novel. I did not enjoy how quickly the reader is thrown into the story with no background or build up... As I read this, I was falling asleep, not due to the book though. I don't think it would be something to stay up late at night and read. If this novel were a bit more polished, the characters given depth, and maybe a few other edits I would have really enjoyed it. The cover is stunning though. Good job to whoever to designed it!
My review:
Betrayal and Banditry is a quick read about Elspeth, a disgrabed noblewoman elf, and Otello, the mortal Sacred Prince. Unfortunately, I was not a fan of the writing style in this novel. I did not enjoy how quickly the reader is thrown into the story with no background or build up... As I read this, I was falling asleep, not due to the book though. I don't think it would be something to stay up late at night and read. If this novel were a bit more polished, the characters given depth, and maybe a few other edits I would have really enjoyed it. The cover is stunning though. Good job to whoever to designed it!
laceym18's review
2.0
First of all, I wanna say a huge thanks to NetGalley and Jes Drew for allowing me to read an ARC copy of this wonderful book!
I would describe this book as a YA fantasy with lots of action and adventure, with a strong female main character. It has dual POVS which I loved and some pretty cool magic systems mixed into the world. I found there was a lot of setting the scene prior to major events taking place, so be prepared for world building rather than expecting big action right out of the gate.
One thing I found a bit odd was the male characters, the way they reacted when seeing a leg or a small amount of skin was not how I was expecting. However, in the world it seemed to be appropriate, especially for the main character (you will understand why with the back story). The way this was depicted made the male characters seem younger than they were but overall I didn’t find it to take too much away from the story.
Overall, I had a wonderful time reading this book and found myself quite immersed in it, and was left in shock when it ended on a cliff hanger.
I would definitely recommend giving this a read if YA fantasy, elves and magic are your thing.
I would describe this book as a YA fantasy with lots of action and adventure, with a strong female main character. It has dual POVS which I loved and some pretty cool magic systems mixed into the world. I found there was a lot of setting the scene prior to major events taking place, so be prepared for world building rather than expecting big action right out of the gate.
One thing I found a bit odd was the male characters, the way they reacted when seeing a leg or a small amount of skin was not how I was expecting. However, in the world it seemed to be appropriate, especially for the main character (you will understand why with the back story). The way this was depicted made the male characters seem younger than they were but overall I didn’t find it to take too much away from the story.
Overall, I had a wonderful time reading this book and found myself quite immersed in it, and was left in shock when it ended on a cliff hanger.
I would definitely recommend giving this a read if YA fantasy, elves and magic are your thing.
eaug's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I received this book on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book was intriguing from the first chapter, it had Romeo and Juliet vibes if Romeo and Juliet met more than once and had their memories wiped. The story follows Otello who is the prince of the empire, and Lady Elspeth, a noblewomen Elf, who’s family and life were taken from her out of prejudice. They need to help each other survive and reclaim what is rightfully theirs and learn what they mean to each other.
In this book you will find a female Robin Hood, miscommunications (done tastefully), memory loss, different magic systems, mistaken identity, mind control, and some murder.
I’m excited to see where this book goes in book 2, as the stakes are higher at the end of book 1 and they need to learn to work together to survive and claim what is theirs, plus tension as they learn what they mean to each other.
This book was intriguing from the first chapter, it had Romeo and Juliet vibes if Romeo and Juliet met more than once and had their memories wiped. The story follows Otello who is the prince of the empire, and Lady Elspeth, a noblewomen Elf, who’s family and life were taken from her out of prejudice. They need to help each other survive and reclaim what is rightfully theirs and learn what they mean to each other.
In this book you will find a female Robin Hood, miscommunications (done tastefully), memory loss, different magic systems, mistaken identity, mind control, and some murder.
I’m excited to see where this book goes in book 2, as the stakes are higher at the end of book 1 and they need to learn to work together to survive and claim what is theirs, plus tension as they learn what they mean to each other.
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