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dbguide2's Reviews (863)
I had the slightest thought at the first 10/20% of reading the book that I wouldn’t like it and I’m so glad I was proven wrong! This was fun and I’m now invested (for the rest of the series). I’ve already checked out the sequel and I’m excited, even though it follows another couple. This book was fun and I liked how it explored the characters’ relationship before getting to the actual relationship part.
I’m a fan of boarding school settings and while this focused more on the forbidden romance, it still had a bit of that magic of a school setting. I liked that Alina had good female friendships and they weren’t upset because she’s pretty/a princess/has a hot guy after her. I hope to see those friendships bloom over the series (quartet so four books). I did feel that the supporting characters weren’t as well fleshed out as the main characters – but seeing as they will pop up in the next books – I think it’s fine.
Alina Ravenscroft took a bit to warm up to me. Not because of any real reason, just because I wasn’t the biggest fan of her until later. I liked that she was a fierce character and knew what she wanted – but also wanted what she couldn’t have. I liked that Wyndham made her a strong princess type – we’ve definitely been seeing more of those these few years – which I’m always happy about. Alina’s relationship with her familiar, Yuki, was fun but I was sad because Wyndham didn’t feature the fox more.
I’m always a sucker for dual pov in a book. I love getting into the mind of Character B (in this instance, Raelan) and finding out they’re just as or even more down bad for the other character. There’s just something about it, I can’t say – but I’m glad that it was well done in this book. I always like these types of relationships more – princess x bodyguard or similar – where one needs to protect and the other be protected. The one who needs protection nearly always wants to not be protected and there’s that tug of rebellion which, of course, this being a romance, results in a tryst.
I liked Raelan Ashvale more than Alina. Even more when he really got into that “I want her but I can’t have her” vibes. He tried his absolute best in that aspect – but her being his fated mate (which isn’t a spoiler, as it’s in the synopsis) won out in the end. I’m definitely a fan of soulmates and it was really good here. There’s just something about a character knowing they’re destined for the other character but not allowing themself that love. I think it’s that mutual pining – it’s just so good.
The action actually didn’t play second fiddle to the romance – I find that sometimes with romantasies it’s romance first, but this was a happy medium. The author managed that well – even in the midst of a heavy action scene Alina and Raelan still found the time to be romantic – with each other or just thinking about the other. I assume that the other books will all have their own plots so I hope that they’ll be as good as this. The romance was a part of the plot, which it isn’t so much in other books. Everything works together in a mixture of “what happens next?” “oh no! This thing!” and like I said – it surprisingly worked well. Definitely will keep your toes.
I’m a fan of boarding school settings and while this focused more on the forbidden romance, it still had a bit of that magic of a school setting. I liked that Alina had good female friendships and they weren’t upset because she’s pretty/a princess/has a hot guy after her. I hope to see those friendships bloom over the series (quartet so four books). I did feel that the supporting characters weren’t as well fleshed out as the main characters – but seeing as they will pop up in the next books – I think it’s fine.
Alina Ravenscroft took a bit to warm up to me. Not because of any real reason, just because I wasn’t the biggest fan of her until later. I liked that she was a fierce character and knew what she wanted – but also wanted what she couldn’t have. I liked that Wyndham made her a strong princess type – we’ve definitely been seeing more of those these few years – which I’m always happy about. Alina’s relationship with her familiar, Yuki, was fun but I was sad because Wyndham didn’t feature the fox more.
I’m always a sucker for dual pov in a book. I love getting into the mind of Character B (in this instance, Raelan) and finding out they’re just as or even more down bad for the other character. There’s just something about it, I can’t say – but I’m glad that it was well done in this book. I always like these types of relationships more – princess x bodyguard or similar – where one needs to protect and the other be protected. The one who needs protection nearly always wants to not be protected and there’s that tug of rebellion which, of course, this being a romance, results in a tryst.
I liked Raelan Ashvale more than Alina. Even more when he really got into that “I want her but I can’t have her” vibes. He tried his absolute best in that aspect – but her being his fated mate (which isn’t a spoiler, as it’s in the synopsis) won out in the end. I’m definitely a fan of soulmates and it was really good here. There’s just something about a character knowing they’re destined for the other character but not allowing themself that love. I think it’s that mutual pining – it’s just so good.
The action actually didn’t play second fiddle to the romance – I find that sometimes with romantasies it’s romance first, but this was a happy medium. The author managed that well – even in the midst of a heavy action scene Alina and Raelan still found the time to be romantic – with each other or just thinking about the other. I assume that the other books will all have their own plots so I hope that they’ll be as good as this. The romance was a part of the plot, which it isn’t so much in other books. Everything works together in a mixture of “what happens next?” “oh no! This thing!” and like I said – it surprisingly worked well. Definitely will keep your toes.
slow and then the pacing was faster. Don't read it if you want your typical "there's something in the woods" horror book.
