kawthar114's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
emilygaynier's review against another edition
5.0
If you like the competition in Three Dark Crowns, the Chimera from the Daughter of Smoke and Bone, the magic system from Truthwitch, and like monster BFs, you will love this
upgirlcd's review against another edition
2.0
This book just wasn't for me.
I really liked some of the characters. Fantasy isn't my usual genre, but it wasn't even that. The good sister evil sister & big reveal felt so formulated. I saw a booktoker(on TikTok) recommend it, and I decided "why not"?
It gets a 2 star meh from me.
I really liked some of the characters. Fantasy isn't my usual genre, but it wasn't even that. The good sister evil sister & big reveal felt so formulated. I saw a booktoker(on TikTok) recommend it, and I decided "why not"?
It gets a 2 star meh from me.
minniequinnie's review against another edition
3.0
I have been given an arc of this title from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
This story was similar to many of the other stories currently on the YA Market but enjoyable none the less. I have seen multiple titles boasting a harsh system to put a Queen or King in power but this is the first one I have read. The story progressed at a good pace but unfortunately it had an abrupt and unsatisfying ending. It felt as this was part 1 of the book and it was split in half to create a "sequel" of sorts. 3.5 stars rounded down for the terrible cliffhanger.
In Myre there is no shortage of fantastical creatures. Humans gifted with magic, Bloodkin, Fey and Khimaer. Khimaer once ruled Myre but were overturned by Raina the first human queen. Raina started a system in which sororicide determined the rightful Queen. Now Eva must face her sister in a duel to the death in order to become Queen, her only issue? Her form of magic is so old and forgotten that no one could teach her to use it and her duel is growing closer. When someone tries to assassinate her before her name day and her duel with her sister events are set in motion that reveal secrets Eva wasn't meant to find out.
This story was similar to many of the other stories currently on the YA Market but enjoyable none the less. I have seen multiple titles boasting a harsh system to put a Queen or King in power but this is the first one I have read. The story progressed at a good pace but unfortunately it had an abrupt and unsatisfying ending. It felt as this was part 1 of the book and it was split in half to create a "sequel" of sorts. 3.5 stars rounded down for the terrible cliffhanger.
In Myre there is no shortage of fantastical creatures. Humans gifted with magic, Bloodkin, Fey and Khimaer. Khimaer once ruled Myre but were overturned by Raina the first human queen. Raina started a system in which sororicide determined the rightful Queen. Now Eva must face her sister in a duel to the death in order to become Queen, her only issue? Her form of magic is so old and forgotten that no one could teach her to use it and her duel is growing closer. When someone tries to assassinate her before her name day and her duel with her sister events are set in motion that reveal secrets Eva wasn't meant to find out.
raohyrule's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
Wow, ever since I read Three Dark Crowns I’ve been obsessed with the whole sisters-fighting-to-the-death-with-dark-magic-to-ascend-the-throne concept. This did not disappoint. I read this book in one sitting today.
Wow, ever since I read Three Dark Crowns I’ve been obsessed with the whole sisters-fighting-to-the-death-with-dark-magic-to-ascend-the-throne concept. This did not disappoint. I read this book in one sitting today.
zoec24's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I really enjoyed the whole history vs propaganda told in the book. I thought it was interesting how everyone believes one thing but the truth is different.
bumblebree1903's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I will preface with the fact I listened to this as an audio book, which could have shaped my experience of the book and plot.
To start off with what I enjoyed, the world building was fascinating. As things were explained and I learned more about the cultures and magic systems and people I wanted to learn more. I also found the romance endearing most of the time, though a bit quick. The quickness didn’t ruin the romance for me as some other books have, however, which I will put in this book’s favour. There were also a handful of scenes that had me enraptured and really relating to the characters. While they mostly consisted of the flashbacks there were a couple of scenes in the present I enjoyed just as much.
However, I overall found the book just average and will likely not be continuing the series. While I enjoyed Eva at the beginning and her want for life and passion, as the book went on I found her turning into a more obnoxious character. I can’t place what caused the shift, but by the end I felt myself frequently annoyed by her childish behaviour that didn’t feel much like the character I had somewhat liked in the rest of the story. Eva herself also read as much older than 16, though that could have been due to the narrator.
I also found the side characters some what lacking and frequently forgot about anyone but the 3 main men and the 2 opposing women in the story. Which is disappointing because it felt like the two other female characters were so pushed to the back for how much I heard this story was woman-centric.
Finally, a more specific issue I had with the audiobook, the narrator overall did a fine job and I enjoyed her character voices. Her delivery just could come across as a bit stiff at times and her voice didn’t really feel like it fit the character of Eva.
Overall, it’s a fine YA fantasy book with a darker undercurrent. It’s not something I would recommend if asked but it’s a generic fantasy story in a far more interesting setting. If you’re tired of the basic European inspired fantasy world then this is worth checking out!
To start off with what I enjoyed, the world building was fascinating. As things were explained and I learned more about the cultures and magic systems and people I wanted to learn more. I also found the romance endearing most of the time, though a bit quick. The quickness didn’t ruin the romance for me as some other books have, however, which I will put in this book’s favour. There were also a handful of scenes that had me enraptured and really relating to the characters. While they mostly consisted of the flashbacks there were a couple of scenes in the present I enjoyed just as much.
However, I overall found the book just average and will likely not be continuing the series. While I enjoyed Eva at the beginning and her want for life and passion, as the book went on I found her turning into a more obnoxious character. I can’t place what caused the shift, but by the end I felt myself frequently annoyed by her childish behaviour that didn’t feel much like the character I had somewhat liked in the rest of the story. Eva herself also read as much older than 16, though that could have been due to the narrator.
I also found the side characters some what lacking and frequently forgot about anyone but the 3 main men and the 2 opposing women in the story. Which is disappointing because it felt like the two other female characters were so pushed to the back for how much I heard this story was woman-centric.
Finally, a more specific issue I had with the audiobook, the narrator overall did a fine job and I enjoyed her character voices. Her delivery just could come across as a bit stiff at times and her voice didn’t really feel like it fit the character of Eva.
Overall, it’s a fine YA fantasy book with a darker undercurrent. It’s not something I would recommend if asked but it’s a generic fantasy story in a far more interesting setting. If you’re tired of the basic European inspired fantasy world then this is worth checking out!
shelbysfavreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0