llmacrae's review against another edition
5.0
A beautifully written book that is fully deserving of its SPFBO win! I don’t think I’ve ever loved a character as much as quickly as Naime - she is absolutely sensational. Clever and quick-witted, with great humour, incredible depths to her personality, strengths and weaknesses. She is absolutely brilliant and carried this story from beginning to end for me.
The other lead, Makram, is great too, though doesn’t quite reach the heights of Naime for me. I’m not a fan of romance, and don’t read it, so I did find my interest waning during those parts of this book, but everything was so well-written and every interaction had meaning and purpose that it was a joy from beginning to end.
This is the first audio I’ve heard with dual narration, which was jarring to begin with but I quickly settled into the rhythm. I think I would prefer a single narrator if given the choice, but it didn’t take anything away from the experience.
Highly recommend!
The other lead, Makram, is great too, though doesn’t quite reach the heights of Naime for me. I’m not a fan of romance, and don’t read it, so I did find my interest waning during those parts of this book, but everything was so well-written and every interaction had meaning and purpose that it was a joy from beginning to end.
This is the first audio I’ve heard with dual narration, which was jarring to begin with but I quickly settled into the rhythm. I think I would prefer a single narrator if given the choice, but it didn’t take anything away from the experience.
Highly recommend!
marissajj's review
4.0
This is now one of my favorite romantasy ‘romances’. As in the romance itself was 10/10. In this case Naime, the FMC, is the Sultana. Her father the Sultan is ill and she struggles to maintain control during his transition of power. As a female, the sole heir in a male dominated empire, she must be one step ahead of the council in order to maintain power to protect the empire she loves. I am SO used to the male being the character of nobility and the female being the distressed helpless damsel. So this was such a breath of fresh air. Naime is level headed, smart, and kind. Don’t get me started on the MMC Makram. He was also unlike the typical men I read about in fantasy romances. Just chefs kiss.
Anyways…
The romance was so sweet, the little bit of spice was written very well, and the plot was also very intriguing.
Would recommend for sure. Cheers
Anyways…
The romance was so sweet, the little bit of spice was written very well, and the plot was also very intriguing.
Would recommend for sure. Cheers
seasaltrose's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
slow-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
butterbrioche's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I honestly have no words other than this is by far the best romance fantasy I have ever read and I genuinely mean that. This author was able to perfectly balance political intrigue and this fantastical world that she created along with making the romance between Makram and Naime believable. Everything fit so neatly together and I feel so excited about the future of romantasy. I cannot wait to read the best of this series. If I was rating this, I would give it a 5/5.
bookscatsandtats's review against another edition
5.0
This was a pure joy to read. Unique magic system written in gorgeous detail. Politics and world building were down quite well. There is a lot of world building throughout the majority of the front half of the book which can feel a little slow but is so worth it. You really fall in love with these characters and I just adore Makram. There was a lovely a moment of spice that adds to this story very well.
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:
coppercrane2's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-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
4.25
tinareadsthings's review against another edition
5.0
Where do I even begin? I am going to try and keep it spoiler free. This is obviously a personal take and not meant to be interpreted as anything but.
I think this book is incredible. And I am almost certain I have a new favorite author...
This author is so talented in a number of ways, the most prevalent being her ability to paint such a vivid scene in your mind with just the right amount of detail in her writing. Chef's kiss.
The prose. Every sentence I read was exactly as I wanted to read it, if that makes any sense at all. Hopefully that doesn't seem like a pretentious idea, because I really do have an appreciation for individual writing styles. Every now and then, I think it is normal that anyone would struggle with visualizing worlds and relating to certain characters where others would not even if that individual enjoyed the story all the same. But for me, this is so effortless to read yet took me longer because I kept highlighting and going back to re-read parts in admiration.
The story itself is refreshing - the world feels different though the idea of this type of magic is nothing new. This idea of the Wheel and the politics unique to this world set it apart, and the lead characters are relatable and well developed. I love them both, though he is more of the same with regards to his personality. We all have a type, and I know mine!
I think this book is incredible. And I am almost certain I have a new favorite author...
This author is so talented in a number of ways, the most prevalent being her ability to paint such a vivid scene in your mind with just the right amount of detail in her writing. Chef's kiss.
The prose. Every sentence I read was exactly as I wanted to read it, if that makes any sense at all. Hopefully that doesn't seem like a pretentious idea, because I really do have an appreciation for individual writing styles. Every now and then, I think it is normal that anyone would struggle with visualizing worlds and relating to certain characters where others would not even if that individual enjoyed the story all the same. But for me, this is so effortless to read yet took me longer because I kept highlighting and going back to re-read parts in admiration.
The story itself is refreshing - the world feels different though the idea of this type of magic is nothing new. This idea of the Wheel and the politics unique to this world set it apart, and the lead characters are relatable and well developed. I love them both, though he is more of the same with regards to his personality. We all have a type, and I know mine!
kysmith's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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? No
4.5
cassumler's review against another edition
4.0
The gorgeous cover art is what drew me In initially. It’s a slow burn in the best way and this man understands and accepts that he comes SECOND to Naime when she rules? Can’t ask for anything better than that.
shelly_reads_books's review against another edition
5.0
5⭐️ I have been thoroughly ruined by this book and loved every single second of it.
This might be a big call—but this book has rocketed to the top of my personal all time favourite fantasy romance standalones. I found it so compelling, it made me feel deeply and was SO beautifully wrought.
The world building is rich and tangible, the prose and dialogue is lyrical yet restrained, the slow burn is a gorgeous smoulder that had me in an absolute chokehold before they even met!
I hope I can do this book justice in this review—I have been at a loss trying to adequately describe why I have been so blown away. At its heart this is a deeply feminist book—the FMC is amazing, a brilliant mind and leader fighting to hold onto her birthright as heir of the Sultan despite being a woman in a patriarchal society. Where it takes off for me is in the way the MMC really SEES her and their shared ideals, and seeks to support her vision rather than try to grasp at her power or control or subjugate her as others have tried to.
I will also add that after a run of reading more NA fantasy romance books lately, this felt very much adult. The themes and preoccupations of this book were thoroughly adult, and I think I have been craving that more and more which is why it stands out to me and got to me so deeply.
Being the first of a series of interconnected standalones, you better believe I will be inhaling the rest very soon! And on that note—shout out to the deft way planting seeds for other books was handled. I’ve noticed this can be a tricky thing for some authors to execute, but here it was done expertly and I felt like it was a natural part of the plot of this book rather than a side stepping disruption to the flow.
I read this via audiobook and I highly recommend that format—duel narration—the female narrator was particularly great, her accent added so much lyricism to the narrative.
I cried three times reading this book—and I am not a crier PLUS it’s not particularly sad—it was just SO MOVING. A narrative so delicately woven that when the feels hit they really resonate.
Gah, I can’t stop raving about this boooook!
I’m sorry to anyone who has to talk to me in real life about this, I’m going to be insufferable I can already tell 😂
This might be a big call—but this book has rocketed to the top of my personal all time favourite fantasy romance standalones. I found it so compelling, it made me feel deeply and was SO beautifully wrought.
The world building is rich and tangible, the prose and dialogue is lyrical yet restrained, the slow burn is a gorgeous smoulder that had me in an absolute chokehold before they even met!
I hope I can do this book justice in this review—I have been at a loss trying to adequately describe why I have been so blown away. At its heart this is a deeply feminist book—the FMC is amazing, a brilliant mind and leader fighting to hold onto her birthright as heir of the Sultan despite being a woman in a patriarchal society. Where it takes off for me is in the way the MMC really SEES her and their shared ideals, and seeks to support her vision rather than try to grasp at her power or control or subjugate her as others have tried to.
I will also add that after a run of reading more NA fantasy romance books lately, this felt very much adult. The themes and preoccupations of this book were thoroughly adult, and I think I have been craving that more and more which is why it stands out to me and got to me so deeply.
Being the first of a series of interconnected standalones, you better believe I will be inhaling the rest very soon! And on that note—shout out to the deft way planting seeds for other books was handled. I’ve noticed this can be a tricky thing for some authors to execute, but here it was done expertly and I felt like it was a natural part of the plot of this book rather than a side stepping disruption to the flow.
I read this via audiobook and I highly recommend that format—duel narration—the female narrator was particularly great, her accent added so much lyricism to the narrative.
I cried three times reading this book—and I am not a crier PLUS it’s not particularly sad—it was just SO MOVING. A narrative so delicately woven that when the feels hit they really resonate.
Gah, I can’t stop raving about this boooook!
I’m sorry to anyone who has to talk to me in real life about this, I’m going to be insufferable I can already tell 😂