Reviews with content warning for Grief - Reforged

Seth Haddon is going on my author watchlist. this debut was decent — more than decent, the universe and characters were so intriguing and unique. i only wish there was more time to flesh out the world and dive into the politics, the religions, and the magic system more.

i already noted above the lack of depth to the world, but the romance was unevenly paced and at times confused me. i loved the relatuonship between Balen and Zavrius, but i would have preferred more context about their connection (and break up) and a more consistent dynamic throughout the novel.

once they rekindled their love, things made more sense to me. but the first ~200 pages needed some assistance.

for those seeking ~spice~ please note there were only two explicit sex scenes, plenty of flirting, and quite a few raunchy punchlines.

i would recommend this book to queer readers who love DnD and scandalous romances. (the himbo knight + sassy, dark prince element was right up my alley.) anyone looking for really cool magic systems and wanting to dip their toes into political intrigue stories would also enjoy.

overall, i really liked the book, but i can’t deny it was lacking in the ways a first draft might be. it read much like a fanfiction that needed another round of beta reading.

Content Warnings

tinyelfarcanist's review against another edition

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adventurous slow-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

4.0

I'm not gonna lie, this cover won me over. I love the passion in it and I immediately knew I was gonna love it. Sadly, my expectations weren't met. It took me a while to get into it. I didn't like Zavrius at first, although his attitude was probably due to his rocky relationship with Balen.

I've found that my favourite books usually include some of my favourite characters. They can be a make-or-break for me, and I didn't find these memorable enough. As the author's debut novel, I see the potential for future works.

This is about the romance between a king and his bodyguard. I've never read this trope but I was worried about the power dynamics impacting the relationship. This wasn't a problem as Balen constantly disregarded Zavrius's authority.

All older siblings die mysteriously so Zavrius, 5th in line to the throne, is now king. He was never prepared for it, he didn't even want it. I had trouble believing a crown prince over 30 has no heirs or is even married. Seeing Zavrius was the youngest at 22, how is it that none of his siblings had a family?

A twist thrown over there, add betrayal, spicy scenes, and likeable supporting characters, and you get Reforged.

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