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A review by k_cao_xai
Of Wulf and Wynd, Part 1: The Vows of Marriage by Lexa Luthor
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Oh my Lord Commander, where’s my hot she-alpha?
Character Impressions:
Tharon Blakesley
Lord Commander. Goes by Prince instead of Princess because she can. Roswynd’s true mate but goddamn she’s got issues to work through.
She starts the story as a composed and stoic commander, so it was completely satisfying to see Roswynd breaking down her walls. Even though she sees Roswynd’s family as her enemies, she will do anything to be with Roswynd, even if it’s against Roswynd’s wishes. The entire time, she keeps telling herself it’s okay that they’re broken so long as they have each other, but it’s Roswynd who wants to fix things between them.
Every time she pushed Roswynd away or refused to work things out, I wanted to shake her by the shoulders, but I enjoyed how frustrating she was because I knew Roswynd would eventually get through to her.
Despite how imposing Tharon is, it’s so sweet when I got a glimpse of her real self, like how she knows what Roswynd is always thinking, how she lets Roswynd pursue hobbies that she was denied doing as a child, and how she made sure Roswynd had the perfect wedding even if it was under awful circumstances.
Roswynd Arrington
Roswynd is best girl. She deserves the world. She is everything.
Clever, independent, and fiercely loyal to those she cares about. It’s no wonder Tharon had feelings for her when they were younger and still wants her even after all the problems between their families. I can’t believe how patient and persistence she was at trying to get through to Tharon. I loved every single moment with her.
She and Kinsey from “Of Iron and Gold” would be best friends.
Lord Commander. Goes by Prince instead of Princess because she can. Roswynd’s true mate but goddamn she’s got issues to work through.
She starts the story as a composed and stoic commander, so it was completely satisfying to see Roswynd breaking down her walls. Even though she sees Roswynd’s family as her enemies, she will do anything to be with Roswynd, even if it’s against Roswynd’s wishes. The entire time, she keeps telling herself it’s okay that they’re broken so long as they have each other, but it’s Roswynd who wants to fix things between them.
Every time she pushed Roswynd away or refused to work things out, I wanted to shake her by the shoulders, but I enjoyed how frustrating she was because I knew Roswynd would eventually get through to her.
Despite how imposing Tharon is, it’s so sweet when I got a glimpse of her real self, like how she knows what Roswynd is always thinking, how she lets Roswynd pursue hobbies that she was denied doing as a child, and how she made sure Roswynd had the perfect wedding even if it was under awful circumstances.
Roswynd Arrington
Roswynd is best girl. She deserves the world. She is everything.
Clever, independent, and fiercely loyal to those she cares about. It’s no wonder Tharon had feelings for her when they were younger and still wants her even after all the problems between their families. I can’t believe how patient and persistence she was at trying to get through to Tharon. I loved every single moment with her.
She and Kinsey from “Of Iron and Gold” would be best friends.
Minor Characters:
Queen Edeva: Tharon’s mother. The best.
Queen Layla: Roswynd’s mother. Super sweet.
Myla Arrington: Roswynd’s younger sister. Hope to see more of her.
King Garret: Roswyn’s father. Best father ever.
King Eustace: Tharon’s father. Doing his best.
Saxon Blakesley: Tharon’s younger brother. Dickhead.
Queen Layla: Roswynd’s mother. Super sweet.
Myla Arrington: Roswynd’s younger sister. Hope to see more of her.
King Garret: Roswyn’s father. Best father ever.
King Eustace: Tharon’s father. Doing his best.
Saxon Blakesley: Tharon’s younger brother. Dickhead.
Story Impressions:
I came in with no expectations and was blown away. Lexa Luthor is becoming one of my favorite authors, writing amazing stories in a genre I never thought I would be reading.
I’ve never rooted for two characters to reconcile and be together so badly even though they’re married. I love that the political aspect of the story never overshadows the romance between the two heroines, but it’s there enough that you don’t forget about it. I absolutely love the world building and how history is integrated into the narrative with just enough information to understand, but not so much that it feels like exposition dump.
I only have one major gripe with the story and it almost broke me.
The night Tharon and Roswynd get married, Tharon pulls a "prank" on Roswynd which is to pretend she's going to r*pe her. And even though Roswynd wants to sleep with Tharon, but not be forced to, she still gets a little turned on by it. No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
I get it, Roswynd's Omega was itching to be claimed, but when Tharon threw Roswynd on that bed against her will, I gasped and almost quit reading the book. That's not a "prank" Tharon, you bastard. That's trauma inducing. She didn't do anything, thank Gyldr, but holy hell, what a way to make me dislike Tharon for a long time.
What was the point? What was Tharon trying to accomplish? She wanted Roswynd, yeah, but Roswynd was fearful, fought back, and it wasn't consensual at all. Whyyyyyyyyyyy?
Other than that, the story was entertaining, heartbreaking, hopeful, blissful, and sexy. I didn’t even wait to get the next book when I finished this one.
I’ve never rooted for two characters to reconcile and be together so badly even though they’re married. I love that the political aspect of the story never overshadows the romance between the two heroines, but it’s there enough that you don’t forget about it. I absolutely love the world building and how history is integrated into the narrative with just enough information to understand, but not so much that it feels like exposition dump.
I only have one major gripe with the story and it almost broke me.
I get it, Roswynd's Omega was itching to be claimed, but when Tharon threw Roswynd on that bed against her will, I gasped and almost quit reading the book. That's not a "prank" Tharon, you bastard. That's trauma inducing. She didn't do anything, thank Gyldr, but holy hell, what a way to make me dislike Tharon for a long time.
What was the point? What was Tharon trying to accomplish? She wanted Roswynd, yeah, but Roswynd was fearful, fought back, and it wasn't consensual at all. Whyyyyyyyyyyy?
Other than that, the story was entertaining, heartbreaking, hopeful, blissful, and sexy. I didn’t even wait to get the next book when I finished this one.
Highlights:
- Highlight 1: Tharon pining to be with Roswynd but keeping her distance.
- Highlight 2: Roswynd doing anything and everything to reach Tharon emotionally.
- Highlight 3: Oh my fawking heart, that ending!
- Highlight 4: Roswynd. Just Roswynd.
- Highlight 5: Tharon being a cute kid in the past, but growing up to be a badass.
- Highlight 6: I could boil tea from how hot those sex scenes were.
- Highlight 7: Heroines are together for 95% of the story.
- Highlight 8: Cuddling.
- Highlight 9: I wasn’t expecting that handjob scene to be so hot.
- Highlight 10: Beautiful book cover.
My Personal Tags About the Book:
- Omegaverse
- Explicit sex scenes
- Cliffhanger
- She-alpha/omega
- G!P
- Sapphic protagonists
- Competent protagonists
- Emotional turmoil
- Political strife
- Mid-high angst
- Arranged marriage
- Royalty romance
- Rip my heart out but promise me a happy ending