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What a disappointment.
Mild spoilers because fuck the message this book sends.
I was loving this book until there was about 40% left. Basically, just before Wyn told her why he dumped her.
I got bored. I got annoyed at Harriet and Wyn. I got annoyed by the fact that we're supposed to feel bad for Harry even though she's stuck her head so far in the sand that she's too blind to see anything, and if she does notice something, oh, no, think of your happy place.
The place where you were dependent on Wyn so much that when he wasn't in the same room as you, you missed him, where you could see he was hurting and instead of helping him, you just ignored it. What the fuck was that co-dependent relationship?
Miscommunication and suppressed feelings should be the heading of each chapter. I get that Harry assumes things when they're not spoken, I do the same thing. But she doesn't speak about it either, so she's doing the same thing right back to Wyn. Again, what the fuck?
Why is she even a doctor?? She doesn't seem to like it. Was it a plot point, have a smart character in a rom-com, cuz I hate that. STEM is already so looked down on for women, don't make your character a STEM character and have her hate her job and leave it in the end to make fucking pottery. Don't make her leave her job to move to the middle of nowhere because of a man.
That plot point - where the FMC upends her life for the MMC - that shit needs to go.
The borderline obsession with friendship bothered me so much. Maybe it's just because I've never had friends like that, but it was too much for me.
Like I said, I was loving this until I wasn't. The first 60% was hilarious and fun, and I'm so mad that all of the sudden I just couldn't stand it. Minus the last ~40%, I would have given this a 5 star, because I was loving it, and maybe I'll add some parts that I did like to the review, because right now it's pretty negative and harsh, but I'm just mad.
Mild spoilers because fuck the message this book sends.
I was loving this book until there was about 40% left. Basically, just before Wyn told her why he dumped her.
I got bored. I got annoyed at Harriet and Wyn. I got annoyed by the fact that we're supposed to feel bad for Harry even though she's stuck her head so far in the sand that she's too blind to see anything, and if she does notice something, oh, no, think of your happy place.
The place where you were dependent on Wyn so much that when he wasn't in the same room as you, you missed him, where you could see he was hurting and instead of helping him, you just ignored it. What the fuck was that co-dependent relationship?
Miscommunication and suppressed feelings should be the heading of each chapter. I get that Harry assumes things when they're not spoken, I do the same thing. But she doesn't speak about it either, so she's doing the same thing right back to Wyn. Again, what the fuck?
Why is she even a doctor?? She doesn't seem to like it. Was it a plot point, have a smart character in a rom-com, cuz I hate that. STEM is already so looked down on for women, don't make your character a STEM character and have her hate her job and leave it in the end to make fucking pottery. Don't make her leave her job to move to the middle of nowhere because of a man.
That plot point - where the FMC upends her life for the MMC - that shit needs to go.
The borderline obsession with friendship bothered me so much. Maybe it's just because I've never had friends like that, but it was too much for me.
Like I said, I was loving this until I wasn't. The first 60% was hilarious and fun, and I'm so mad that all of the sudden I just couldn't stand it. Minus the last ~40%, I would have given this a 5 star, because I was loving it, and maybe I'll add some parts that I did like to the review, because right now it's pretty negative and harsh, but I'm just mad.
“War had not even begun and the kingdom had already taken enough to haunt me well after my body was in the ground."
Whenever I love book 1 of a series, I'm always a little hesitant about book 2 because I'm worried about being let down. THIS WAS NOT THE CASE!
“Don’t let a moment of fear and grief convince you that’s all your life is made for."
This book was just as magical, just as driven, just as emotional as book 1. We start off right where book 1 ended, with the secret everyone had been keeping from Keera -
“Nikolai was too preoccupied waving at the group to notice what my rage had set into motion. I pulled my bow free in one smooth movement, my arm already reaching back for an arrow…I nocked an arrow and aimed it at Riven’s head. His violet gaze locked on me with magnetic focus. I took a deep breath, ignoring the scent of birchwood and dew that filled the air, and let my arrow fly."
Poor Keera can’t catch a break from heartbreak and betrayal. I think I was more upset at that than she was, considering she, in the end, understood why everyone kept the secret from her.
"I sat along the edge of the island—my feet dangling off the cliff— as I stared into the abyss below, willing myself to jump into the sharp shards of rock that pierced through the violent sea."
There’s not much I can actually say without spoiling a bunch, and my love for this book can mostly be described as “vibes” - and I may have taken too long to write this *oops*
“My fears do not outweigh the needs of war, Riven. Nor your pain. We will be asked to endure both in the days to come.”
The twists and reveals that come along, most I didn’t see coming, and some heartbreaking ones I did.
Did I mention this book was emotional and heartbreaking and amazing?? I don’t think I did.
“It’s easier for those of us who lived in the kingdom to see the difference between the true monsters and those who must wear the mask of one.”
If you like:
🗡️ Enemies to Lovers
🗡️Some spicy spice
🗡️Bound Hands and Neck Grasping
🗡️ Emotional Damage to your heart
🗡️Character growth
🗡️Found Family
🗡️ Morally grey-ness
"She understood sometimes the pain was so bad that chasing an escape was worth everything, even our life."
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Union Square & Co, and the author for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
_________________________
I HAVE SO MANY THOUGHTS 😭😭😭
Amazing.
Absolutely amazing.
Full review to come since this was an ARC (but after I write my review for book one 😅)
“I’m not as free as you think,” I said, too tired to add any fight behind the words. “And the freedoms I do have come at the cost most never pay.”
This book blew past all expectations and it (and book 2) are now part of my all-time favourite books. I got ACOTAR vibes from this book - not really plot-related, but how I felt reading ACOTAR - which is the highest compliment I can give! I also thought it was YA but I'd classify it as NA to Adult (especially book 2 👀) which was a great surprise!
The book starts off with Keera "The Blade", our main character, on a mission for the King. Keera is an assassin, and she is one of those amazing morally grey assassins. She kills who she needs to, to ensure the job is done. She doesn't do it willingly though. She is owned by the King, as are all Halflings.
If a Halfling isn't in the King's possession, they are hunted down and either killed or trained to become Shades - a group of assassins Keera is responsible for. Whoever holds the title of Blade is in charge of the King's Arsenal, his slave group of Halflings that do his bidding.
Anyway, this book is about rebellion and destroying the crown. It's about enemies to lovers and finding a family in an unlikely place. It’s about unending guilt and pain for the things Keera has done, guilt she carries with her every second of the day. Keera meets Riven, Srrya, and Nikolai when during her search for The Shadow, a thief who is hell-bent on taking down the crown.
The dynamic of these characters, their banter, and loyalty are shown in all of their interactions. The plot, character development, emotion...everything spoke to me, everything was so beautifully done. The side character development and depth were great! Each character had a personality and a tone.
“I was desperate,” she said with a heavy breath. She gazed at me with glossy eyes. “If I was going to die at least it would be on my terms. At least I’d be…”
“Free,” I finished for her.
Things I loved:
1. Keera wasn't perfect. She was an alcoholic, trying to numb the pain of being The Blade for 30 years. She works to get sober and put her demons to rest throughout the book, but it is a struggle and it was so real.
“I do not pretend to know the details of your pain, but I know the weight of it. I will not judge you for how you lighten the load.”
“What if the pain is too much? What if it crushes me?” I whispered. They were questions I’d only ever asked myself.
“It won’t,” she said simply. "If the pain was too much, you would have ended it by now.”
Her words pricked me eyes until they stung. I blinked back the truth. “I don’t deserve that kind of relief.”
2. That this book is actually NA, not YA. Now, I still do like YA, but assassins working for the king? I would prefer them to be older, not random 16-year-olds. Keera is 60ish years old, an immortal like some of the other Halflings and the Fae and Elves. She actually has experience, decades of experience, of pain, loss, and hardship, and all of that shines through beautifully. The emotion…I’ll talk about that below.
“I’ve never taken a life I didn’t need to take. If the Crown falls and you want to put me on trial for the lives I did end, I won’t stop you. Every life I couldn’t spare, I carry with me. You don’t need to tell me I’ll asnwer for them one day. I already know.”
3. One of the things that stuck out for me was that Keera was more ruthless than Riven. It was a great change from "MMC must push the FMC to be harder". She forced Riven to confront his mistakes - and she forced him to do so by killing.
4. Okay, the emotion. I teared up at multiple parts during this book, which is not a thing I do easily. Keera’s inner struggles, Riven, Nickolas, and Syrra’s struggles. This book didn't tell you how to feel, it showed you through the character's actions and thoughts, and that is something I love - when you feel what the characters are feeling.
“Riven. I’m tired.” I was pleading with him. Begging him to let me fall asleep. Leave me on the side of the road in peace.
“No!” Riven shouted, shaking me until my eyes opened again. “You can’t sleep, Keera. Stay awake. I’m taking us to someone who can help you.”
“I don’t need help,” I argued.
“Now is not the time for your pigheaded independence.”
“That’s not what I mean,” I slurred. “Just let me die. Please.” I was tired of fighting. Tired of killing. My body was searing from my wounds, but it was nothing like the decades I’d spent trying to forget the faces of people, of children. The innocents whose names I took, as if that was true penance. I didn’t want to do it anymore.
“I’m tired,” I said again, hot tears rolled down my face.
5. Her scars. The fact that she hides them from everyone, even though it would prove she has a heart when so many think that she doesn’t.
“I think you overestimate the amount of kindness I do.” There was no amount of good that could wash away the sea of blood I had filled.
6. ONE ROOM. ONE BED. Enough said.
There was a cliffhanger, so you need to grab book 2 right away!! Some spoiler thoughts on the cliffhanger:
I did not see that twist coming!! I knew Killian was hiding something, but I didn’t think that he was leading the rebellion! I also think he has a thing for Keera, but I am 100% team Riven. I can’t believe they all hid that from her. I know that they couldn’t fully trust her at the beginning but after she almost died blowing up the dam, DAMN, they should have told her then.
TLDR: Read this book. It’s amazing.
“Keera,” Riven whispered against my jaw, lifting my head to face him. “You are as beautiful as you are strong.” He pressed a kiss against my ear. “And you are the strongest person I know.”
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Initial thoughts: This was absolutely amazing. I need a minute to write a review but wow, so good!! It ended on a slight cliffhanger so I’m glad I have the ARC of book 2 😅
I…don’t have 7th Circle…I NEED ANSWERS 😭
Okay.
There were some things I didn’t see coming - who the stalker ACTUALLY was - that shit was messed up! Man. Ew.
The smexy times were top notch 👏 and I was so happy about Samuel and the closure that MK got from that 😂 obviously, somethings wrong with me 😂
Not really related to the story but Tate’s note in the back, she wrote this entire series in 5 MONTHS. Woman, I can’t even imagine. Also, the note about her mom passing 😭😭
Okay.
There were some things I didn’t see coming - who the stalker ACTUALLY was - that shit was messed up! Man. Ew.
The smexy times were top notch 👏 and I was so happy about Samuel and the closure that MK got from that 😂 obviously, somethings wrong with me 😂
Not really related to the story but Tate’s note in the back, she wrote this entire series in 5 MONTHS. Woman, I can’t even imagine. Also, the note about her mom passing 😭😭
A summary of the book:
• She's not like other girls
• Shes so gorgeous and every guy wants her but she doesn't know it
• She's a pushover and forgives with no apologies
• She feels bad when she insults Jarod once yet he's done it for years to her
Did I miss anything?
Sigh
• She's not like other girls
• Shes so gorgeous and every guy wants her but she doesn't know it
• She's a pushover and forgives with no apologies
• She feels bad when she insults Jarod once yet he's done it for years to her
Did I miss anything?
Sigh
“I know I'll find myself in hell the next time I awaken, but I won't have to wait long for him to chase after me. I know I'll awaken to find him right there with me, prepared to suffer our damnation in tandem, and we'll burn together eternally.”
This book almost killed me.
In a good way.
I couldn’t put it down, my heart was racing, and my brain was misfiring.
“It’s like a rising tide washing away my strength in this moment, in this terror, in this living, waking nightmare.”
Embers of Mercy sees the conclusion in the Ember Glen series and, in my opinion, is the best of the trilogy. I’ll start off by saying read the trigger warnings, this book has them all. It’s dark, unforgiving, gritty, and sinful. It’s everything I want in a dark romance. As Arlo says in book 2:
"But what if I don't want to be saved? What if I want to be a sinner?"
Mild spoilers for book 1 and 2 below, they’re hard to avoid since this is book 3.
“Not a single man in this forest—in the entirety of Ember Glen—could withstand the impossible trial I just passed.”
There is no break for our main character, Mercy Madness, and we start the book off with her being buried alive and the death of another character, all within the first few chapters. But that’s the hook; after that, I couldn’t put it down and read it in less than 24 hours.
“We are all broken from this madness.”
This book had some twists and turns I didn’t see coming and when they arrived? I felt a little sick. The explanation we’ve all been waiting for was heartbreaking, sadistic, and cruel. And it was real.
“We know that whatever rules we were made to follow were arbitrary, made up by the original founders, who were doing nothing more than playing a game with money and power.”
It was so real that I 100% believe that men in power have this inside them. I 100% believe that the people who run this world are capable of atrocities that would give us nightmares. I 100% believe that some people have evil in them, and this book portrays that beautifully.
I had many thoughts about how this would end. How it began. I thought Ember Glen was created for a mostly harmless reason and their views got skewed (understatement) along the way. GOOD LORD was I wrong. It was fucked from the start and these poor women never stood a chance.
"This won't be the last time, Warden Rainn. They could end us both right this moment, and I'd only find you again in hell."
Mercy was strength. She was courage in the face of horror. She was their ruination. And boy did she burn beautifully.
“Sweet Mercy…what have we done to you?”
Arlo. I don’t even know what to say about him. His character growth was epic. I hated him in the first book, if you read this series (and you should) you’ll probably hate him too. But he grew on me, like a fungus. And now I love him.
"You're the sinner we all needed, starlight." Another step. "And you're the only one who can lead us out of hell."
And of course, there was the spice! It was spicy. Like a hot pepper. On fire. On the sun.
"I haven't spent nearly enough time with my face between your legs, and I won't be able to rectify that if you get yourself killed."
But their love for each other, their devotion, was the real winner of this story. This story of about girl who wouldn’t give in and a boy who learned from his mistakes.
"The simple answer is that I fell in love with a woman who refused to be silenced. She demanded to be heard, and somewhere along the line, I chose to listen. I should have listened long ago, and I've failed her in that way, but I won't fail her now. Hear me when I say she has my heart; I am in love with her."
And a random note, because fuck this man.
"Malo mori quam foedari." Death before dishonor.”
Thank you to the queen herself, Brynn, for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I would like one Christian, please. Served with a side of morally-grey hotness and sociopathic tendencies. Thank you.