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amyreadsandsails's review
5.0
The world building here is so freaking good. I loved the characters; Nic was brave and knew her own flaws and Gabriel was so careful with her. Can’t wait to read the next one.
damnspiffy's review
adventurous
emotional
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? No
0.5
Great world building, an excellent fantasy setting with a unique magic system. One of my favorite slow burn marriage of convenience love stories.
blodeuedd's review
3.0
This world was rather messed up. It seems that if you have magic you have a 50% chance to either live a great life, or be a slave. I do not like those odds.
And then if you are lucky to be a mage then you need a familiar, and most treat these are crap. Which is horrible, cos that might have been you. And that is probably your mother, back there being treated as crap by your mage dad. That is your sister or brother, so yes harsh world when it comes to magic.
Veronica, ok, so I was not the biggest fan if I am going to be honest. She was meant to be a great wizard, but then it turns out she is to be well a slave instead. She was meant to be the Leader of her house and now she is to be take part in this horrid custom where wizards come to test her out for a night. But what I did not like about her is that she did not really think about others. She runs away, hello, think about your mother! Your family! They will obvi find you and omg Gabriel was the nicest guy ever. Stupid woman.
Gabriel was so nice. He was not brought up on this wizard and slave business. He is nice to her, he does not do things like the ones before her. Sure he needs his familliar, but not to be treated as a slave.
I hope they become really powerful together and bring down this system, cos this system sucks. Show the world a new world where working together actually means working together.
So yes I wonder what will happen. I liked it (even Veronica was stupid for running away ;)
And then if you are lucky to be a mage then you need a familiar, and most treat these are crap. Which is horrible, cos that might have been you. And that is probably your mother, back there being treated as crap by your mage dad. That is your sister or brother, so yes harsh world when it comes to magic.
Veronica, ok, so I was not the biggest fan if I am going to be honest. She was meant to be a great wizard, but then it turns out she is to be well a slave instead. She was meant to be the Leader of her house and now she is to be take part in this horrid custom where wizards come to test her out for a night. But what I did not like about her is that she did not really think about others. She runs away, hello, think about your mother! Your family! They will obvi find you and omg Gabriel was the nicest guy ever. Stupid woman.
Gabriel was so nice. He was not brought up on this wizard and slave business. He is nice to her, he does not do things like the ones before her. Sure he needs his familliar, but not to be treated as a slave.
I hope they become really powerful together and bring down this system, cos this system sucks. Show the world a new world where working together actually means working together.
So yes I wonder what will happen. I liked it (even Veronica was stupid for running away ;)
jennyliu887's review
4.0
❌ cry test
Plot:
- in this world there are wizards and familiars (have magic potential but can't use magic)
- h is a powerful familiar from a powerful family, and has to go through these trials where each month a wizard tries to impregnate her
- H is a from a fallen house, and the first in generations to have a high potential
- he wins, but before he can be back to claim her, she runs away
- H goes after her, but so do hunters from the council
- however, he manages to get to her before they do, and instead of bringing her to the council, he brings her home
- unlike other wizards who treat their familiars like subhumans, H wants to treat h like a partner and wife, not a subordinate
Plot:
- in this world there are wizards and familiars (have magic potential but can't use magic)
- h is a powerful familiar from a powerful family, and has to go through these trials where each month a wizard tries to impregnate her
- H is a from a fallen house, and the first in generations to have a high potential
- he wins, but before he can be back to claim her, she runs away
- H goes after her, but so do hunters from the council
- however, he manages to get to her before they do, and instead of bringing her to the council, he brings her home
- unlike other wizards who treat their familiars like subhumans, H wants to treat h like a partner and wife, not a subordinate
sarahcophagus's review
4.0
This is a really fascinating premise and story that’s effortlessly readable. Sex/pregnancy rituals to bind wizards and familiars together for life?! I was dying to see how it would play out. But I do think some of the world building elements don’t really land for me. The Convocation is a system that doesn’t make any sense that they could even be sustainable without someone questioning their barbaric methods before Gabriel does. Especially since they seem so fine with him participating without thoroughly vetting or explaining the rules to him. I do enjoy (in a dark way) how ruthlessly selfish all of the wizards are (besides Gabriel of course) even if their abusive nature to their familiars is utterly startling. All of the character motivations make sense from Gabriel wanting to restore his family’s home by any means necessary, until he realizes that cost will be that his wife and the mother of his child will basically be his slave for life. And poor Veronica having to constantly reevaluate her changing circumstances to avoid constant fresh & horrible future outcomes pretty much on the fly. I was hoping this would feel like more of a complete story. Instead it feels more like the first third of one story, and I’m unsure if I want to keep reading more.
Spoiler
since we don’t get any comeuppance for the bad wizards by the endtimitra's review
4.0
Rated 4.5 Stars
Dark Wizard was compelling. It was brilliant. It was a bit slow at the beginning but once things to move I was completely engrossed in it. I loved the world building and magical system, so interesting and intriguing. I adored the main characters Gabriel and Nic and their relationship dynamics. I’m most definitely looking forward to reading the rest of their story. I’m eagerly anticipating it. I definitely recommend this book to one and all.
Copy provided by author
Dark Wizard was compelling. It was brilliant. It was a bit slow at the beginning but once things to move I was completely engrossed in it. I loved the world building and magical system, so interesting and intriguing. I adored the main characters Gabriel and Nic and their relationship dynamics. I’m most definitely looking forward to reading the rest of their story. I’m eagerly anticipating it. I definitely recommend this book to one and all.
Copy provided by author
linepumpkin8's review
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Cute fantasy romance, I like the world building
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
zimmerlemon's review
dark
medium-paced
3.5
Pretty trashy tbh and VERY trope-specific but oddly memorable lol
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Pregnancy
Moderate: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Sexual assault
emreadswhatshewants's review
4.0
I am forever looking to fill the hole in my heart that Milla Vane's a heart of blood and ashes left and so far no luck. This book had quite a bit of 'modern speak' for something that was supposed to be high fantasy but I related to the heroine enough and also found the ultimate cinnamon roll hero so I guess I'll continue with the series. 3.5 stars