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natashaleighton_'s review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Fast paced, action packed and so very very swoon worthy, Rina Vasquez’s (dragon-filled) Romantasy debut was soo much fun.
2023 has been big year for Dragon based fantasy (which I’ve been absolutely loving btw) so jumped at the chance to read this. And, I’m glad to report that I really enjoyed it. At over 400 pages I had anticipated it to be a slow start, but was pleasantly surprised by the amount of whirlwind action scenes and plot twists we encounter (which were all fantastically entertaining.)
Our protagonist, Nara’s interactions with The Golden Thief (the mysterious—and Zorro-like—dragon shifter causing havoc across the kingdom) was deliciously good too! Adding just the right amount of humour to the Thief’s charismatically flirty banter to have me rooting for him (in-spite of his criminal tendencies.)
We do explore some of the Thief’s backstory, alongside Nara’s and do find out his true identity (always a plus), but it was the plight of the Kingdom’s magical creatures and his willingness to protect them that really won me over. As did his adorably fluffy side kick/ partner in crime, Tibith, who I’m completely obsessed with.
I would’ve also liked to see a little more depth in some of our supporting characters (such as Rydan and Link) who aren’t as developed as Nara, Lorcan or The Golden Thief. This is the first of a planned trilogy however, so I’m sure we’ll delve into their characters in more detail throughout the rest of the series— or maybe, in the case of Rydan, even a spinoff.
If you love intriguingly vivid world building, an endearing (ragtag) group of characters and a heart melting, swoon-worthy dose of romance with your fantasy then I thoroughly recommend checking this out. Especially if you LOVE DRAGONS!
A huge thank you to Ana over a Wildfire/ Headline for the incredible finished copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gore, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Bullying, Sexual assault, and Death of parent
Minor: Torture and Murder
katarinaa_'s review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Sexual assault, Torture, and Murder
steffandbooks's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? No
4.75
This book was soooooo good. Stunning. Loved it. The characters, the found family, the slow burn, the plot twists, everything!!!
Nara is such a strong FMC, I love her so much. I wouldn’t directly describe her as morally grey, but she has her moments when someone threatens the ones she loves, or she usually resorts to more vulgar actions and languages, but she can also be sweet and forgiving. And she learns so much about herself and grows throughout this book.
The friends she makes during her venator training are everything. We see a lot of Freya and I wish that we will see more of the others as well.
The world building was strong, I love the idea of shifters and others creatures, witches, sorcerer, elves, sea creatures and the likes, how the history has been introduced to us and I always love when they have their own cuss words 😂 it just fits with a high fantasy.
In the beginning, I wasn’t sure whether there are going to be multiple love interests or a love triangle, but I still enjoyed it to some extent. How the author described it as “she falls for the wrong person first” is fitting I guess.
There isn’t really any spice in this book, but I didn’t miss it yet since it was a slow burn. We got some steamy kissing scenes tho 🔥
The book doesn’t end on a cliffhanger and I assume the second one will give us some forced proximity and hopefully some answers to Nara’s weirdness 😁
Not a 5-star read tho because there were a few typos in there that started to bother me, but was still able to look over it since it’s the author’s first ever book and self-published.
Now, can’t wait for the second!
Nara is such a strong FMC, I love her so much. I wouldn’t directly describe her as morally grey, but she has her moments when someone threatens the ones she loves, or she usually resorts to more vulgar actions and languages, but she can also be sweet and forgiving. And she learns so much about herself and grows throughout this book.
The friends she makes during her venator training are everything. We see a lot of Freya and I wish that we will see more of the others as well.
The world building was strong, I love the idea of shifters and others creatures, witches, sorcerer, elves, sea creatures and the likes, how the history has been introduced to us and I always love when they have their own cuss words 😂 it just fits with a high fantasy.
In the beginning, I wasn’t sure whether there are going to be multiple love interests or a love triangle, but I still enjoyed it to some extent. How the author described it as “she falls for the wrong person first” is fitting I guess.
There isn’t really any spice in this book, but I didn’t miss it yet since it was a slow burn. We got some steamy kissing scenes tho 🔥
The book doesn’t end on a cliffhanger and I assume the second one will give us some forced proximity and hopefully some answers to Nara’s weirdness 😁
Not a 5-star read tho because there were a few typos in there that started to bother me, but was still able to look over it since it’s the author’s first ever book and self-published.
Now, can’t wait for the second!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Racial slurs, Blood, and Gore
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexual assault, and Bullying
Minor: Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Torture, and Abandonment
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