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readsbykirby's reviews
612 reviews
Heir of Sin by C. L. Qvam
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Thank you Qvamington Press for providing this book for free, for my review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are 100% my own.
Wow! To start, I must mention that I don’t usually read "Romantasy."
In the past, I’ve picked up some books bursting with complicated lore and intricate plots that left me bewildered before reaching the second chapter. However, C.L. Qvam's Heir of Sin changed everything for someone newer to this genre.
I discovered an escape I had been yearning for, one that wasn’t overwhelming, but rather provided all the magical elements I was eager for without the fear of losing my way. The world-building was exceptional ! The opening instantly captivated me in the way only a good book can: "Thick, soft, violet smoke drifts out of its pipe mouth while I back away... it gathers into a thick cloud... my heart pounding in my ears... the silhouette of a man approaches, his smile feral." - A mixed quote from the prologue of Heir of Sin.
I appreciated the titles of the chapters, as they added meaning to each part of the book.
Initially, I found Keira to be somewhat irritatingly naive, but her character development and arc was impressively executed, in my view. Instead of being abruptly thrown into her drastic transformation, I was able to embody Keira, noticing the subtle elements that infused her journey with action and tension.
Then there's Elijah, the ultimate forever book boyfriend. I can't elaborate too much without giving anything away, but if you're like me and seeking a refreshing change in your reading list because you're stuck in a rut where all the books start to blend together, you definitely need Elijah—he has set the benchmark. GOLD STANDARD LADIES!
The themes and setting were perfectly crafted, pulling me deeply into this enchanting world, complete with enough lore to captivate seasoned fans and warmly welcome newcomers like myself! The dialogue was superb; it was always clear who was speaking, when they spoke, and even when it was inner thoughts. The language used was that of "Romantasy" but not so overly complex I had to conjure up my own version of names and terms. A little funny though, I pronounced The Autumn Court , Oryastes - in my head I kept saying "oysters"....
All the secondary characters felt significant and contributed meaningfully to the story and plot. I can't say I felt any dull moments during this journey. I found myself excited, constantly needing to restrain myself from reading too quickly and flipping pages too fast.
Though this tale doesn’t delve into the "darkness" of the prevalent "open-door spicy" genres, nor does it rely heavily on recurring tropes, which is also another high note for me, as I am a long time reader, before it was cool to read dark DARK romance, I genuinely thought it was a fantastic story!
I admit I'm one of those readers who reads the author's notes at the beginning and end before starting a new book. I was especially thankful to have done that with Heir of Sin. I immediately resonated with C.L. Qvam; her message resonated with me as a woman. It helped me grasp her intentions behind Keira and Elijah's journey.
Additionally, to C.L..... If your Nan purchased the book titled "Prince of Dreams," a marvelous narrative rich in Russian folklore and mysticism, which was gifted to me by my amazing late Gran, it was destiny that guided me to ARC Heir of Sin...
⭐️ Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️ Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
📖 Genre: Romantasy
🗣️ POV: Single
Character Development: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow! To start, I must mention that I don’t usually read "Romantasy."
In the past, I’ve picked up some books bursting with complicated lore and intricate plots that left me bewildered before reaching the second chapter. However, C.L. Qvam's Heir of Sin changed everything for someone newer to this genre.
I discovered an escape I had been yearning for, one that wasn’t overwhelming, but rather provided all the magical elements I was eager for without the fear of losing my way. The world-building was exceptional ! The opening instantly captivated me in the way only a good book can: "Thick, soft, violet smoke drifts out of its pipe mouth while I back away... it gathers into a thick cloud... my heart pounding in my ears... the silhouette of a man approaches, his smile feral." - A mixed quote from the prologue of Heir of Sin.
I appreciated the titles of the chapters, as they added meaning to each part of the book.
Initially, I found Keira to be somewhat irritatingly naive, but her character development and arc was impressively executed, in my view. Instead of being abruptly thrown into her drastic transformation, I was able to embody Keira, noticing the subtle elements that infused her journey with action and tension.
Then there's Elijah, the ultimate forever book boyfriend. I can't elaborate too much without giving anything away, but if you're like me and seeking a refreshing change in your reading list because you're stuck in a rut where all the books start to blend together, you definitely need Elijah—he has set the benchmark. GOLD STANDARD LADIES!
The themes and setting were perfectly crafted, pulling me deeply into this enchanting world, complete with enough lore to captivate seasoned fans and warmly welcome newcomers like myself! The dialogue was superb; it was always clear who was speaking, when they spoke, and even when it was inner thoughts. The language used was that of "Romantasy" but not so overly complex I had to conjure up my own version of names and terms. A little funny though, I pronounced The Autumn Court , Oryastes - in my head I kept saying "oysters"....
All the secondary characters felt significant and contributed meaningfully to the story and plot. I can't say I felt any dull moments during this journey. I found myself excited, constantly needing to restrain myself from reading too quickly and flipping pages too fast.
Though this tale doesn’t delve into the "darkness" of the prevalent "open-door spicy" genres, nor does it rely heavily on recurring tropes, which is also another high note for me, as I am a long time reader, before it was cool to read dark DARK romance, I genuinely thought it was a fantastic story!
I admit I'm one of those readers who reads the author's notes at the beginning and end before starting a new book. I was especially thankful to have done that with Heir of Sin. I immediately resonated with C.L. Qvam; her message resonated with me as a woman. It helped me grasp her intentions behind Keira and Elijah's journey.
Additionally, to C.L..... If your Nan purchased the book titled "Prince of Dreams," a marvelous narrative rich in Russian folklore and mysticism, which was gifted to me by my amazing late Gran, it was destiny that guided me to ARC Heir of Sin...
⭐️ Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️ Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
📖 Genre: Romantasy
🗣️ POV: Single
Character Development: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️