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spicycronereads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I love these authors and was really excited to start a new series by them. This is them editing, expanding, and re-releasing their first series. I pre-ordered book 1 and went straight to physical copy. That is how excited I was. Do I have regrets? Yes.
Because now I have to wait for the next release! I forgot just how much Peckham and Valenti delight in leaving their readers on edge. Gah! I was going to wait for the print version of the next book but it releases in digital next week, so I may have to get that one.
This first book takes it’s time really establishing the world and mythology of the series. We get quite a bit of character background for our FMCs, fraternal twins Montana and Callie. They remind me a lot of Tori from the Zodiac Academy series. Both have that biting wit and sometimes delusional, always fearless, outlook, all bound up in fierce love of family. There were moments their sarcastic comments had me laughing out loud.
The MMCs, Magnar and Prince Erik are slightly less developed, though we start to see some nuances shine through. The book is dual POV, from the perspective of the sisters, so we really only see them through their eyes.
There are no strong or well-developed secondary characters at this point, but perhaps in the next book.I had hoped that the other chosen ones with the Royals might become lovable characters but so far they have gone nowhere.
There is plenty of mystery and adventure in the plot although absolutely nothing in the plot is brought close to anything even remotely resembling a resolution- trademark Peckham and Valenti. But it does leave you excited to see where it will go.
The spice? Well, we start to see some tension develop but there is no real seggs to speak of in this one. I give the spice a 🌶️ rating for what is there, but throw in a second one based on how it sets up the potential for the next book. So 🌶️🌶️ overall.
Not much in the way of diversity. A few characters are described as having golden or brown skin, but that is about it.
Overall, it’s ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me, a solid B. It’s well-written. I enjoyed it. I wanted more. It sets up the series nicely and definitely whet my appetite for the next books in the series.
Because now I have to wait for the next release! I forgot just how much Peckham and Valenti delight in leaving their readers on edge. Gah! I was going to wait for the print version of the next book but it releases in digital next week, so I may have to get that one.
This first book takes it’s time really establishing the world and mythology of the series. We get quite a bit of character background for our FMCs, fraternal twins Montana and Callie. They remind me a lot of Tori from the Zodiac Academy series. Both have that biting wit and sometimes delusional, always fearless, outlook, all bound up in fierce love of family. There were moments their sarcastic comments had me laughing out loud.
The MMCs, Magnar and Prince Erik are slightly less developed, though we start to see some nuances shine through. The book is dual POV, from the perspective of the sisters, so we really only see them through their eyes.
There are no strong or well-developed secondary characters at this point, but perhaps in the next book.
There is plenty of mystery and adventure in the plot although absolutely nothing in the plot is brought close to anything even remotely resembling a resolution- trademark Peckham and Valenti. But it does leave you excited to see where it will go.
The spice? Well, we start to see some tension develop but there is no real seggs to speak of in this one. I give the spice a 🌶️ rating for what is there, but throw in a second one based on how it sets up the potential for the next book. So 🌶️🌶️ overall.
Not much in the way of diversity. A few characters are described as having golden or brown skin, but that is about it.
Overall, it’s ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me, a solid B. It’s well-written. I enjoyed it. I wanted more. It sets up the series nicely and definitely whet my appetite for the next books in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Violence
Moderate: Classism and Sexual assault
Minor: Death of parent and Genocide
friskyartifact's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, and Violence
Moderate: Blood and Classism
Minor: Death of parent, War, and Sexual content
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