chocolatesalad97's review against another edition
3.0
This book really fell short for me. I had so much anticipation for it to be released and then when I started reading I was kind of like, this is it? I felt like in a way a lot happened, but also nothing happened. I ended up disliking Adrian, and I thought his and Isolde’s relationship was really becoming toxic. I feel like instead of them talking and solving issues they just had sex. I enjoy reading spicy books, but this just felt like there was so much spice added when it wasn’t needed. I struggled to read it, and ended up skimming over the spice just to get back to the story so I could be done with the book.
mayaturlapati's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
2.0
I am so surprised about the rating for this book. It just... wasn't good. The romance was the reason I finished it. I love Adrian, struggled a lot with the MFC. I found myself cringing over the stuff she got mad about. I just feel like it could have done with so much more plot. Things kept happening so quickly and it seemed like big events were just skimmed over. I don't know if I'll read the next one. It took me way too long to finish this one, but it was hard to pick up.
amymprice's review against another edition
1.0
1.5 / 5, rounded down
I really don’t know why I picked up the second book in this series but I definitely won’t be picking up the third.
The writing was relatively weak, and a lot of the plot feels like it went largely nowhere - to the point that I even googled the synopsis after to make sure the ending was as abrupt as it was and I didn’t have a misprint. The worldbuilding didn’t advance much either. I also didn’t enjoy the new characters we gained and other characters we maybe lost in trade; the ones left behind were the ones I could have done without.
I really don’t know why I picked up the second book in this series but I definitely won’t be picking up the third.
The writing was relatively weak, and a lot of the plot feels like it went largely nowhere - to the point that I even googled the synopsis after to make sure the ending was as abrupt as it was and I didn’t have a misprint. The worldbuilding didn’t advance much either. I also didn’t enjoy the new characters we gained and other characters we maybe lost in trade; the ones left behind were the ones I could have done without.
aqualaszun's review against another edition
5.0
I got the Indigo exclusive edition, and oh my goodness.. the bonus scene at the end is just adorable!! I love that Adrian is so attached to fish - something so pure and innocent that the King of Revekka loves.
And Adrian's gifts to Isolde were perfect. The fact that he had her jewelry box repaired is so cute.
And Adrian's gifts to Isolde were perfect. The fact that he had her jewelry box repaired is so cute.
alyabbs's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
moonnpeaches's review against another edition
4.0
You know how ever series just has that book that brings you nothing but pain? Yeah.
This book was a hard read at first. Storyline missing key details as to how we got to certain areas or missing information that you feel is relevant. But the end? I couldn’t put I down. I had to know what happened and it tore my heart out. I felt for these characters and wanted nothing but to give them the happy ending they deserved knowing it may not happen for them all. Can’t wait for book 3
This book was a hard read at first. Storyline missing key details as to how we got to certain areas or missing information that you feel is relevant. But the end? I couldn’t put I down. I had to know what happened and it tore my heart out. I felt for these characters and wanted nothing but to give them the happy ending they deserved knowing it may not happen for them all. Can’t wait for book 3
rberdan's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The spice level is somewhat caliente, and I find that when that’s the case often plot can just get lost as we veer into porn territory (and to each their own), but the story really pulled me in. The love, the betrayals, the community and political dynamics… all of them hit just right for me and I’m eager to read the next book in the series and all of her other work.
hmlt's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Can we stop writing toxic, bratty insufferable FMC’s please? It’s primarily women reading these books, we want to see ourselves as these characters, to relate to them or at the very least somewhat like the FMC. I HATE Isolde with passion. She wants so badly to prove she’s some kind of saviour but all she does is get people killed and act like martyr. She’s a child who throws a tantrum anytime she’s told no and throws herself into danger any chance she can. She gets mad at Adrian, runs to her room and starts throwing stuff everywhere, it was so hard to get through.
Isolde and the narrator absolutely ruined this book/series. If you are going to read these books don’t listen to the audiobook, it will make it even worse. The tone of Isolde’s narrator the entire books was snappy, angry and panicked. It made Isolde even more unbearable.
How on earth is Adrian so madly in love with this woman? She’s toxic as hell. All she does is start fights and acts like c*nt to him then his the one apologising and for what??? Isolde literally says is fighting and fucking all we’re going to do yet she’s the one who causes fights every second paragraph and only speaks to him by snapping at him, it’s insane. She’s emotionally manipulative and physically abusive. He says something you don’t like so you hit and stab him?? Can we not glorify this behaviour just because it’s in a fantasy book. She’s meant to love this man more than anything but she treats Killian better than she treats Adrian. Isolde doesn’t have a single redeeming quality and there is zero reason for Adrian to be in love with her.
I know they’re fictional but for all that Adrian’s done and conquered for this woman she doesn’t deserve a single bit of it.
If you’re going to read this book solely for the spice. Find something else. The scenes are awful. Just plain awful and the same thing over and over. Isolde uses sex as a coping mechanism and it just doesn’t work. It actually makes you feel really uncomfortable for Adrian.
carolinate's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0