coffeeandthebibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
This book was brutal. It wasn't a romance...yet. Our FMC, Lavenia, was put through HELL from the very first chapter. Tortured, shunned, and blamed for things FATE set into place for her.
Split between 5 twisted, manipulative Masters and shadowed by Calder, her "protector," I have to admit I cringed quite a bit throughout most of this book. This wasn't an easy read. SO many bad things happen to Ven that I felt depressed reading this book.
But at the same time, the setting, the plot, the world building was so beautifully written I couldn't read this fast enough. I was awed as I watched Ven navigate through 5 completely different, yet similar places. Through TONS of trials and tribulations she forged new friendships and gained a confidence that will allow her to become the fated Tempest. This is SLOW burn. I didn't see any romance but it clung to the background. I'm definitely intrigued about where this series is going. I just hope we get a lighter theme in future books because this one just felt dark and gloomy.
cheekikiki's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
p0laris's review against another edition
2.0
DNF @ 58%. I LIVE for slow burn enemies to lovers stories but there's something about this one I just can't handle. Maybe it's the way the FMC just lies down and takes whatever is given to her, including being tricked into lifelong magically bound bargains multiple times that are never in her favor. Maybe it's the disgusting way the MMCs are irredeemably horrible towards her, including ignoring the fact that she had just been carved up and raped and then proceeding to magically trap her so that she could never be intimate with anyone but one of them because she dared to tell them she wouldn't marry them due to their treatment of her and undisguised disgust towards her. Oh and she's still a minor at this point and these guys are far older and much more powerful than her. And they use that power to continue to bend her to their will. I was frustrated so I read tons of reviews of the rest of the books in the series and it sounds like this doesn't let up until well into book 4 where there's finally something resembling romance, but even by the end of the series people were wondering why she ended up with these guys when they hadn't truly made up for the way they treated her. That's a hard line I can't accept and I don't feel like the suffering will be worth continuing the series.
Aside from that, this was too effing wordy. So much description that it was TOO much. I couldn't even picture the many places they visit which is a hard feat because I literally think in images and moving scenes. Riddle me how you ruin that lol.
Edit: and I'm still MAD mad that they purposely kept her non-speaking curse so she wouldn't annoy or inconvenience them. They silenced her as they took advantage of her age and naivety and refused her the care she needed after being raped while they simultaneously tried to seduce her into their beds while shaming and publicly putting her down. I cannot.
Aside from that, this was too effing wordy. So much description that it was TOO much. I couldn't even picture the many places they visit which is a hard feat because I literally think in images and moving scenes. Riddle me how you ruin that lol.
Edit: and I'm still MAD mad that they purposely kept her non-speaking curse so she wouldn't annoy or inconvenience them. They silenced her as they took advantage of her age and naivety and refused her the care she needed after being raped while they simultaneously tried to seduce her into their beds while shaming and publicly putting her down. I cannot.
youshouldreadthisif's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
shelovestoread81's review against another edition
4.0
This was a well written book. Lots of different things happening at once. All of those guys can't really want her just the power boost. I think that it is going to be an interesting series.
bookishrenee's review against another edition
5.0
A Tempest of Shadows by Jane Washington is the first book in the series.
Lavenia Lihl’s story starts off with a crashing beginning and an accidental fate which will change everything in her world. This is a novel of power and prophecy, fate and heartache, debt and desire.
The five men (Vale – the Weaver, Fjor – the Inquisitor, Helki – the Warmaster, Andel – the Scholar and Vidrol – the King) that control Lavenia’s fate are potentially more wicked then initially thought. Every moment she’s thrown another curve ball, which she either needs to catch or let fall, as she plays their game. But her resilience and strength are growing, and she won’t be as easily manipulated. Luckily she had one person on her side and that’s Calder – the Captain, but he’s been drawn into this game just as much as Lavenia’ has.
This is a level of writing I’ve not experienced before with Jane Washington’s stories. I love the tale woven, and how each chapter unravels more of this fantasy world.
I also really loved how each chapter was named with a single word, which after reading the chapter you realised the connection.
As mentioned in the blurb there are elements of dark scenes, readers should heed this warning as scenes might be triggering.
Favourite quote: “Keep your secrets…..That is how women beat men. They never know what we know until it’s too late.”
Lavenia Lihl’s story starts off with a crashing beginning and an accidental fate which will change everything in her world. This is a novel of power and prophecy, fate and heartache, debt and desire.
The five men (Vale – the Weaver, Fjor – the Inquisitor, Helki – the Warmaster, Andel – the Scholar and Vidrol – the King) that control Lavenia’s fate are potentially more wicked then initially thought. Every moment she’s thrown another curve ball, which she either needs to catch or let fall, as she plays their game. But her resilience and strength are growing, and she won’t be as easily manipulated. Luckily she had one person on her side and that’s Calder – the Captain, but he’s been drawn into this game just as much as Lavenia’ has.
This is a level of writing I’ve not experienced before with Jane Washington’s stories. I love the tale woven, and how each chapter unravels more of this fantasy world.
I also really loved how each chapter was named with a single word, which after reading the chapter you realised the connection.
As mentioned in the blurb there are elements of dark scenes, readers should heed this warning as scenes might be triggering.
Favourite quote: “Keep your secrets…..That is how women beat men. They never know what we know until it’s too late.”
vfullerk's review against another edition
5.0
Complex, fast paced, and enjoyable
I found this book to be very enjoyable. I read it in one sitting. The writing is superb, and there is something in this book for everyone! There is some romance, a lot of action, and tons of twists and turns. The world building is well done. I recommend it for fans of From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L Armentrout.
I found this book to be very enjoyable. I read it in one sitting. The writing is superb, and there is something in this book for everyone! There is some romance, a lot of action, and tons of twists and turns. The world building is well done. I recommend it for fans of From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L Armentrout.
fanficfandom's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
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
5.0
This series is definitely going to be a slow-burn, which I really enjoy! I can’t wait to see the outcome of certain relationships! Personally, I think the names of places, people, and things are difficult to pronounce at times, which can make things confusing. But that’s something I can easily ignore, since that’s pretty common in fantasy, and I can just pronounce them however I want to. I would definitely recommend for anyone who loves mysterious, challenging reads with some romance of course!
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault