onebookmore's review
4.0
I was so excited to read Viola’s story since we were introduced to her in A Dance With Magic. Sister to Victor, the hero of The Wayward Tower, Viola is everything I thought she’d be and more. Smart, skilled, and strong, Viola dares to challenge societal norms. She is a fierce fighter and very loyal to her people and her family. There is nothing she wouldn’t do to protect those she loves, which she proves throughout her story. I like that Viola stays true to herself and fights for what and who she believes in. Her journey isn’t always easy, but she never gives up.
The story is told from dual perspectives, so you get to really understand the thoughts, feelings, and motivations of both Viola and Rue. Rue is as layered and interesting as Viola, though their stories are very different. Rue finds herself in a deadly predicament, and she often appears to lack choices. It’s interesting to see how Rue handles what she has to do even though it’s not what she wants to do.
The novella also makes good use of flashbacks to further develop the characters and provide context for the relationships and events that led to the tumultuous present. There is a lot of suspense, intrigue, and action, and the flashbacks heighten the intensity and reveal just how much is at stake for the characters and the kingdom. I also love the magical elements and how the author retells classic stories in such a fresh and unique way.
Another aspect of the story that I loved is the slow-building enemies-to-lovers romance between Viola and Rue. The women have a connection from the start, though they try to fight it, and their chemistry is strong even as they try to resist their growing feelings for each other. The pair can’t trust each other, and many secrets, suspicions, and lies stand in their way. Plus, The Mage King looms over them as an ever-present and increasingly deadly threat. Like the other relationships in the previous novellas, many obstacles make this romance seem impossible. Time is literally running out for Rue, and it’s interesting to see how she and Viola face these high-stakes conflicts while still dealing with their feelings for each other.
I thought this was a great conclusion to The Twin Kingdoms series. It has compelling characters, a unique fantasy world, an intriguing plot, and a lovely romance. I would definitely recommend the novella and the series as a whole to lovers of fairy tale retellings, ya fantasy, or romance, and I’m super thankful to the author for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest review.
The story is told from dual perspectives, so you get to really understand the thoughts, feelings, and motivations of both Viola and Rue. Rue is as layered and interesting as Viola, though their stories are very different. Rue finds herself in a deadly predicament, and she often appears to lack choices. It’s interesting to see how Rue handles what she has to do even though it’s not what she wants to do.
The novella also makes good use of flashbacks to further develop the characters and provide context for the relationships and events that led to the tumultuous present. There is a lot of suspense, intrigue, and action, and the flashbacks heighten the intensity and reveal just how much is at stake for the characters and the kingdom. I also love the magical elements and how the author retells classic stories in such a fresh and unique way.
Another aspect of the story that I loved is the slow-building enemies-to-lovers romance between Viola and Rue. The women have a connection from the start, though they try to fight it, and their chemistry is strong even as they try to resist their growing feelings for each other. The pair can’t trust each other, and many secrets, suspicions, and lies stand in their way. Plus, The Mage King looms over them as an ever-present and increasingly deadly threat. Like the other relationships in the previous novellas, many obstacles make this romance seem impossible. Time is literally running out for Rue, and it’s interesting to see how she and Viola face these high-stakes conflicts while still dealing with their feelings for each other.
I thought this was a great conclusion to The Twin Kingdoms series. It has compelling characters, a unique fantasy world, an intriguing plot, and a lovely romance. I would definitely recommend the novella and the series as a whole to lovers of fairy tale retellings, ya fantasy, or romance, and I’m super thankful to the author for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest review.
halopink's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.25
Another solid addition to wrap up O’Toole’s series.
A quick, fun read. I enjoyed the backstory for Rue and thought the magic with her double was interesting. The romance between her and Viola also had a nice build with their conversations combined with their inability to trust the other.
Again, I think some extra length to add a bit more development to the story & romance would’ve pushed this to the next level.
I received an ARC from book sirens and am leaving this review voluntarily.
A quick, fun read. I enjoyed the backstory for Rue and thought the magic with her double was interesting. The romance between her and Viola also had a nice build with their conversations combined with their inability to trust the other.
Again, I think some extra length to add a bit more development to the story & romance would’ve pushed this to the next level.
I received an ARC from book sirens and am leaving this review voluntarily.
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