silkears's review
5.0
Amazing story that seamlessly balances a plot line with smutty goodness.
While reading I often forgot this was a debut novel and not that of a well published author. Excellently written with no plot holes I can recount and nothing really stopping me throughout to question why characters are doing what their doing.
Would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys fantasy/sci-fi with a good plot and good smut sprinkled throughout.
I was provided a ARC but my opinions are my own.
While reading I often forgot this was a debut novel and not that of a well published author. Excellently written with no plot holes I can recount and nothing really stopping me throughout to question why characters are doing what their doing.
Would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys fantasy/sci-fi with a good plot and good smut sprinkled throughout.
I was provided a ARC but my opinions are my own.
niki_reads_romance's review
4.0
This book was everything I was not expecting and it was AMAZING! I consumed this book on my day off and I literally just couldn’t stop myself.
Livet Spencer is a non-mage in a world where mages rule supreme. She fights the oppression of those in power along with the help of a friend, Hex. Although, this does not end up working in their favor and both end up in front of the young, and strikingly handsome, Lord Commander Leopold Rahl as their judge and jury.
The relationship between Liv and Leo does not start out on the best foot. Leo is determined to shame her for her actions and put her on display for all to see as part of her punishment. At first, I wasn’t sure what to think of him. But, the more the story went on, the more complex his feelings for Liv became, the more I kinda loved him! Liv is resilient and willing to do whatever it takes to fight for herself, her friend, and eventually Leo when the time comes.
I also liked that the sexy scenes (which were
Livet Spencer is a non-mage in a world where mages rule supreme. She fights the oppression of those in power along with the help of a friend, Hex. Although, this does not end up working in their favor and both end up in front of the young, and strikingly handsome, Lord Commander Leopold Rahl as their judge and jury.
The relationship between Liv and Leo does not start out on the best foot. Leo is determined to shame her for her actions and put her on display for all to see as part of her punishment. At first, I wasn’t sure what to think of him. But, the more the story went on, the more complex his feelings for Liv became, the more I kinda loved him! Liv is resilient and willing to do whatever it takes to fight for herself, her friend, and eventually Leo when the time comes.
I also liked that the sexy scenes (which were
bryckk's review
2.0
This plot had so much promise. What happened?!
This book has an excellent plot. It drew me in and made me want more. Unfortunately, this book fails to deliver due to a few important details that the author neglected to include.
Our heroine, Livet is imprisoned for a crime against society. This crime is not really made clear but she finds herself and her best friend on trial for their crime. Her best friend is given a heavy sentence and Livet is offered the role of person consort to the evil Lord Commander or jail time. She picks the former and must serve six months as his personal concubine. Shenanigans ensue… Yada, Yada, Yada… they’re in love.
“World-Building” is very important when writing paranormal or dystopian stories. You have to prepare the reader of the world they will be thrust into and the author didn’t prepare me for this new world where Mages are considered the elite and non-Mages are the underdogs. We also have no idea if they’re even in planet Earth due to the strange foods and customs introduced throughout the book. I’m guessing it’s in the future as I have never heard of “kanta berries” and they use something known as a “link up” rather than a phone?
This book has an excellent plot. It drew me in and made me want more. Unfortunately, this book fails to deliver due to a few important details that the author neglected to include.
Our heroine, Livet is imprisoned for a crime against society. This crime is not really made clear but she finds herself and her best friend on trial for their crime. Her best friend is given a heavy sentence and Livet is offered the role of person consort to the evil Lord Commander or jail time. She picks the former and must serve six months as his personal concubine. Shenanigans ensue… Yada, Yada, Yada… they’re in love.
“World-Building” is very important when writing paranormal or dystopian stories. You have to prepare the reader of the world they will be thrust into and the author didn’t prepare me for this new world where Mages are considered the elite and non-Mages are the underdogs. We also have no idea if they’re even in planet Earth due to the strange foods and customs introduced throughout the book. I’m guessing it’s in the future as I have never heard of “kanta berries” and they use something known as a “link up” rather than a phone?
kareshab's review
3.0
We meet Liv in prison and she is offered 2 choices: live our her prison sentence of 15 years or become a consort for the lord commander for 6 months. Live choose to be the consort. The lord commander has a vendetta against Liv and punishes her. There are some very dark elements especially during sex.
feliciasreview's review
5.0
This is the authors debut novel and wow this book was amazing. Liv and Leo's story is dark and amazing. Liv had to make a choice 15 years in jail or six month as his consort. This book has a bit of twist and it was done wonderfully. This book was hard to put down. I can't wait for more from Zara.
halffast's review
4.0
In a country run by the corrupt magical elite, a captured anti-government activist reluctantly agrees to become a consort to the Lord Commander, a powerful mage who desires her submission and humiliation. She expects to loathe every second of their degrading arrangement, but she finds herself curiously willing to submit to the Lord Commander's forbidden desires. An unexpected relationship unfolds amidst a backdrop of political unrest and intrigue.
This book successfully weaves together a lot of concepts and themes to create a vivid fantasy world and compelling story. The plot incorporates religious conservatism, the politics of a country where technology and magic coexist (but aren't allowed to mix), the control of sexuality, and the many facets and emotional nuances of kink and BDSM. Leo, the Lord Commander, wants his revenge on Liz, his consort, but his desire for control runs far deeper than he initially lets on. Dexia, the country where most of the story takes place, is so sexually repressed that Liv, the heroine, is essentially thrown into a kink relationship without even knowing what kink is. They eventually realize they're both totally into the dynamics of their power exchange, and it was fascinating to watch their relationship evolve into a much deeper connection than either of them were prepared for.
This book had some darker moments and themes, but the romance itself isn't super dark. The circumstances of Leo taking Liv as his consort were certainly dubious and manipulative, but Liv is always enthusiastic about their sexual encounters, even if she is a little confused and ashamed by the way she feels. The author did a great job of Leo toeing the line of powerful, domineering alpha versus showing his warmer, softer, boyish side. It's clear Liv is enamored with both sides of his personality, and their relationship....
My main critique for this book is the jarring transition to the final narrative arc that occurs about two-thirds of the way through. The story rapidly introduces several new people and places, as well as a big revelation about one character's past. While I liked the unexpected plot twist, everything else seemed to come out of left field. I wish there had been more setup so this part didn't feel so abrupt. I also found it hard to believe that...
I'm excited for the next book in the series, and was shocked when I realized who the male lead character would be. It and book three will no doubt be interesting reads!
This book successfully weaves together a lot of concepts and themes to create a vivid fantasy world and compelling story. The plot incorporates religious conservatism, the politics of a country where technology and magic coexist (but aren't allowed to mix), the control of sexuality, and the many facets and emotional nuances of kink and BDSM. Leo, the Lord Commander, wants his revenge on Liz, his consort, but his desire for control runs far deeper than he initially lets on. Dexia, the country where most of the story takes place, is so sexually repressed that Liv, the heroine, is essentially thrown into a kink relationship without even knowing what kink is. They eventually realize they're both totally into the dynamics of their power exchange, and it was fascinating to watch their relationship evolve into a much deeper connection than either of them were prepared for.
This book had some darker moments and themes, but the romance itself isn't super dark. The circumstances of Leo taking Liv as his consort were certainly dubious and manipulative, but Liv is always enthusiastic about their sexual encounters, even if she is a little confused and ashamed by the way she feels. The author did a great job of Leo toeing the line of powerful, domineering alpha versus showing his warmer, softer, boyish side. It's clear Liv is enamored with both sides of his personality, and their relationship...
Spoiler
actually ends up being consensual and fairly stable by halfway through the book. A major misunderstanding is resolved quickly, and after that point, most of the plot's conflict stems from outside influencesMy main critique for this book is the jarring transition to the final narrative arc that occurs about two-thirds of the way through. The story rapidly introduces several new people and places, as well as a big revelation about one character's past. While I liked the unexpected plot twist, everything else seemed to come out of left field. I wish there had been more setup so this part didn't feel so abrupt. I also found it hard to believe that...
Spoiler
Leo trusted Liv enough to teleport them to Hex when the palace was attacked. Was there really no one else in the palace he trusted to keep him safe?I'm excited for the next book in the series, and was shocked when I realized who the male lead character would be. It and book three will no doubt be interesting reads!
cbabione's review
dark
lighthearted
medium-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
3.25