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cranberry10088's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Actually laughed out loud enough times. Very feet-kickingly sweet. I absolutely love these two together. One of the few things I would give anything to be able to wipe my memory of it to experience it for the first time again. Definitely going to read the companion novel, and will probably read both multiple times.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol
jg736388's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Violence
spatterson7's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Child death, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Torture, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
scribesquadrant_sierra's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Alessandra has a plan to woo the Shadow King, but not for love, but for the kingdom, HER kingdom or at least it will be once her plan is complete.
There's just one tiny problem, her past. But she's not about to let her past love interest ruin her shot at being queen.
This is a story of cunning, ambition, betrayals, and love.
Alessandra is one of my favorite female leads. She is Ruthless from the beginning and isn't apologetic about who she truly is. Throughout the book she still goes through a significant transformation, but one that doesn't take away her ambitious nature.
The young adult romance scenes are beautifully written and flow well within the storyline. As I read I found myself unable to stop smiling or stop reading. This book is a must read.
There's just one tiny problem, her past. But she's not about to let her past love interest ruin her shot at being queen.
This is a story of cunning, ambition, betrayals, and love.
Alessandra is one of my favorite female leads. She is Ruthless from the beginning and isn't apologetic about who she truly is. Throughout the book she still goes through a significant transformation, but one that doesn't take away her ambitious nature.
The young adult romance scenes are beautifully written and flow well within the storyline. As I read I found myself unable to stop smiling or stop reading. This book is a must read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Classism
Moderate: Gaslighting
themoodreader's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Confinement, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
madeleinehelena's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The book starts with the reader finding out that the protagonist is a murderer. I was curious to see if I would be able to root for her knowing what she did as well as her selfish personality.
As it turns out, neither of the main characters are good people, nevertheless I find myself cheering for them. They might not be good, but they are good for each other.
A fast-paced read that kept my interest in wanting to know who (apart from Alessandra) was planning the murder of the king.
As it turns out, neither of the main characters are good people, nevertheless I find myself cheering for them. They might not be good, but they are good for each other.
A fast-paced read that kept my interest in wanting to know who (apart from Alessandra) was planning the murder of the king.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
hopefulromanticreads's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this one more than I thought I would! I believe it’s marketed as YA - the main characters are 18 & 19 but act much older. Loved the characters, despite their flaws, but wished there was a little more action in the plot to keep the story moving. There were times in the middle of the book where I wasn’t itching to pick it up again, but it picks up soon after. Definitely recommend!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Violence, Death of parent, and Classism
This takes place in a Victorian/Regency Era setting.kenzie_8119's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
megreads12's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent and Injury/Injury detail
abicaro17's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book starts off so strong. Alessandra is the second daughter of an earl looking to gain power and acknowledgement by marrying the Shadow King, Kallias. The problem? She plans to kill him right after. Alessandra is cunning, vicious, manipulative, and talented in many ways. I think the general plot was so fun! I love a good murderess and mystery. Alessandra is fun to read as well with all her inner monologue and complex feelings about people. My issues with this book stem from development (or lack thereof). To me, Alessandra and the world building feel underdeveloped. Alessandra is supposed to be this devious murderess with this plot, but her idea is quite literally just to poison him and hope the blame gets placed on a neighboring kingdom. Also past the first few chapters she doesn't seem very murder prone. I think her initial characterization was much more interesting than what we were left with. My other issue stems from world building. In terms of kingdoms and the country laws we are never given any explanations. This leaves me at a loss at times for why things are the way they are politically. I think this book could definitely benefit from some elaboration and possibly a different ending?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism