meghanreadsmm's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent! My kind of fantasy novel! Focuses more on events, story, pacing, characters and doesn't get bogged down in details about everything in the world. I find that kind of thing boring. Instead this is a fast-paced adventure, horror fantasy with magic and demons and hunters.
There is a distinct first part and second part. Before and after one of the MC is tortured by a demon. It is violent, but the horror component is incorporated into the story well and doesn't feel gratuitous at all. The story is well-told through out. There are a number of loose threads that I believe the authors intend to resolve in the sequel. Despite those, the main plot for this book does have resolution.
There is a distinct first part and second part. Before and after one of the MC is tortured by a demon. It is violent, but the horror component is incorporated into the story well and doesn't feel gratuitous at all. The story is well-told through out. There are a number of loose threads that I believe the authors intend to resolve in the sequel. Despite those, the main plot for this book does have resolution.
enyra's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
becky_the_bookworm's review
5.0
Let me start by saying that I generally avoid fantasy novels as I can never get into them. But I read the description of this book and was intrigued, so I figured I'd give it a try and I am SO glad I did. It took a few chapters to understand the world, but once I grasped what was going on, my biggest struggle was putting this book down. It gripped me. Barrett and Kyran are both extremely deep, complex, and well-developed characters.
This book feels like two separate books in one; and I honestly don't know which one was better. The book as a whole was beautifully written. I have no clue what the authors will write next (either collaboratively or separately), but I am eagerly awaiting it and will be reading it when it's released.
This book feels like two separate books in one; and I honestly don't know which one was better. The book as a whole was beautifully written. I have no clue what the authors will write next (either collaboratively or separately), but I am eagerly awaiting it and will be reading it when it's released.
fellumhistane's review
5.0
My favorite indie read of the year!
An exciting debut into a world I am eager to read more about, featuring deep multi-dimensional characters I really hope we get to see more of.
This was a thrilling read I had trouble putting down, with intriguing plots and at times horrifically shocking moments. It all wrapped together nicely with some very touching moments. The characters' qualities glow like lanterns in their perfectly drawn up dark fantasy world. It's rare I come across characters so relatable and that I want to stand behind. Barrett and Kyran's budding relationship feels genuine, adding just the right dose of attachment to otherwise a story about demons, magic, and prejudice.
Bravo to Thorne and Ivey!
An exciting debut into a world I am eager to read more about, featuring deep multi-dimensional characters I really hope we get to see more of.
This was a thrilling read I had trouble putting down, with intriguing plots and at times horrifically shocking moments. It all wrapped together nicely with some very touching moments. The characters' qualities glow like lanterns in their perfectly drawn up dark fantasy world. It's rare I come across characters so relatable and that I want to stand behind. Barrett and Kyran's budding relationship feels genuine, adding just the right dose of attachment to otherwise a story about demons, magic, and prejudice.
Bravo to Thorne and Ivey!
momto7nc's review
5.0
Wow, just wow!!! This book pulled me right in! The two main characters have such different personalities in the beginning, but as you near the end they truly aren't that much different. It had me going through all kinds of emotions! Angry, sad, happy, and even anxious! The authors are very talented and know how to capture an image into writing!!! Powers and demons and so much more!!! Amazing book all together!!!
bookish_realms's review
5.0
Full disclosure, I am not a dark fantasy person. I’ve never really given it a chance, until Frostfire.
That being said, this book is disgustingly incredible. The world building feels like an MMORPG, and the magic system is unique, and the characters feel like real people. The story is an incredible telling of a world where not all magic is equal, and have both political and interpersonal struggles that stem from it.
I will admit that this book sometimes was so descriptive and detail oriented I almost felt sick to my stomach. I have never had an author write so well to make me have nausea in real life.
That being said, this book is disgustingly incredible. The world building feels like an MMORPG, and the magic system is unique, and the characters feel like real people. The story is an incredible telling of a world where not all magic is equal, and have both political and interpersonal struggles that stem from it.
I will admit that this book sometimes was so descriptive and detail oriented I almost felt sick to my stomach. I have never had an author write so well to make me have nausea in real life.
vampqueen8905's review against another edition
3.0
*TW* Sexual assault
*Received a free copy in exchange for an honest review *
I had a hard time getting into this book, the first few chapters felt quite bland, the dialogue wasn't the greatest and I couldn't really connect with the characters. This did improve as the story went on, the characters became a lot more 'real', the complex wordiness and info dumping started to balance out and the story started to flow more smoothly. I did end up enjoying the story overall, especially the magical elements of this world, the character development throughout and the LGBTQIA representation. My main issues with this book are the lack of trigger warning for sexual assault (I went back and checked, I didn't find any in the digital copy I received) and poor editing in places. I found myself getting distracted from the story often because of a random word in the middle of sentences that didn't correlate to what was being said.
*Received a free copy in exchange for an honest review *
I had a hard time getting into this book, the first few chapters felt quite bland, the dialogue wasn't the greatest and I couldn't really connect with the characters. This did improve as the story went on, the characters became a lot more 'real', the complex wordiness and info dumping started to balance out and the story started to flow more smoothly. I did end up enjoying the story overall, especially the magical elements of this world, the character development throughout and the LGBTQIA representation. My main issues with this book are the lack of trigger warning for sexual assault (I went back and checked, I didn't find any in the digital copy I received) and poor editing in places. I found myself getting distracted from the story often because of a random word in the middle of sentences that didn't correlate to what was being said.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
evensong's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Fascinating magic system and wonderful world-building. This dark fantasy really draws you in. Well written and inventive with LGBTQ+ representation. The fire magic descriptions are enthralling. With many twists and turns, and emotional ups and downs, it puts you through the wringer before the satisfying conclusion. I felt absolutely invested in the characters, and I'm looking forward to Book Two.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Body horror
Minor: Sexual assault
Contains scenes of sexual abuse, graphic violence, and mutilation.
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