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tomeaftertome's Reviews (66)
A few things before I begin:
I would like to thank the author for providing me with this free arc in exchange for an honest review. I truly do admire all the hard work you put into writing this book.
I am extremely selective with the YA books. I choose to read as I’m not an avid, YA reader. This book very much so caters to juvenile YA (preteen). I took this arc on as it was explained to me that it was akin to good omens however, that is not the case. It was not a good comparison to make in my opinion.
I also absolutely hate having to write reviews like this.
So let me begin with what I really loved about this book:
-extremely original storyline
-We get angels, demons, dragons
-tough FMC
-academia setting
-Good versus evil
-Cliffhanger ending (kind of)
What I would have loved to see more of:
-more imagery provided via character descriptions
-more character development didn’t really get an arc from any of the characters throughout the entire story
-better pacing, the whole story was pretty flatline did not get the feeling of a climax
-more tension written between the FMC & MMC (they kind of just exchange a tiny bit of semi witty banter and then they love each other?)
-more imagery provided regarding the energy between the FMC and MMC
-at certain points it kind of seems like maybe Dante and the FMC could be having a thing developed, but it wasn’t really laid out very well
-more development with regard to the voices of each character E.G. FMC seems to have two personalities one where she speaks in one way and then the next when she’s trying to use “young people words“ but they’re not any young people words I’ve ever heard actual young people use so it seems a little bit forced
-A bit of a more explanation as to what happened after they took her wings cause it seems like her friend lost her wings and it was impossible to get them back but then she all of a sudden had wings again? Or maybe I misread that
-noting that this is an ARC There were many grammatical and spacing errors. However, there were a lot of incomplete sentences leaving incomplete ideas so as a reader, it left me having to fill in the blanks.
-overall would really have loved to seen more descriptive imagery laid out for the readers to visualize the world and the characters
All in all, this one was definitely not for me but again this could be enjoyable for juvenile YA readers who aren’t as developed or particular about the things I mentioned above.
I would like to thank the author for providing me with this free arc in exchange for an honest review. I truly do admire all the hard work you put into writing this book.
I am extremely selective with the YA books. I choose to read as I’m not an avid, YA reader. This book very much so caters to juvenile YA (preteen). I took this arc on as it was explained to me that it was akin to good omens however, that is not the case. It was not a good comparison to make in my opinion.
I also absolutely hate having to write reviews like this.
So let me begin with what I really loved about this book:
-extremely original storyline
-We get angels, demons, dragons
-tough FMC
-academia setting
-Good versus evil
-Cliffhanger ending (kind of)
What I would have loved to see more of:
-more imagery provided via character descriptions
-more character development didn’t really get an arc from any of the characters throughout the entire story
-better pacing, the whole story was pretty flatline did not get the feeling of a climax
-more tension written between the FMC & MMC (they kind of just exchange a tiny bit of semi witty banter and then they love each other?)
-more imagery provided regarding the energy between the FMC and MMC
-at certain points it kind of seems like maybe Dante and the FMC could be having a thing developed, but it wasn’t really laid out very well
-more development with regard to the voices of each character E.G. FMC seems to have two personalities one where she speaks in one way and then the next when she’s trying to use “young people words“ but they’re not any young people words I’ve ever heard actual young people use so it seems a little bit forced
-A bit of a more explanation as to what happened after they took her wings cause it seems like her friend lost her wings and it was impossible to get them back but then she all of a sudden had wings again? Or maybe I misread that
-noting that this is an ARC There were many grammatical and spacing errors. However, there were a lot of incomplete sentences leaving incomplete ideas so as a reader, it left me having to fill in the blanks.
-overall would really have loved to seen more descriptive imagery laid out for the readers to visualize the world and the characters
All in all, this one was definitely not for me but again this could be enjoyable for juvenile YA readers who aren’t as developed or particular about the things I mentioned above.
Holy fucking shit.
I was a little bit doubtful just based on all of the hype of this book, but man is it so deserved!
From beginning to end, I was on the edge of my seat and completely immersed. From character arts to the world building this riveting, gripping and unique story had ME enthralled (ifykyk lol).
In this one, we get enemies to lovers, hesitant hero, a unique spin on the typical fae magic casting system, all the spice (this is a book with spice not a spicy book, and that this is plot driven, but there’s plenty of it!), all the romance and so beautifully written. I really appreciated the world building. It was so unique… I guess everything about this book was so unique. It is very similar and yet so different from your typical fae romantasy work. If you have not gone to ride this ride yet… What are you waiting for??
I will literally be counting the days until Brimstone is released
*** ALSO *** If you are post Onyx Storm, this is the perfect hangover cure! Kingfisher to me is like a more savage Xaden… honestly had me saying Xaden who? lol
I was a little bit doubtful just based on all of the hype of this book, but man is it so deserved!
From beginning to end, I was on the edge of my seat and completely immersed. From character arts to the world building this riveting, gripping and unique story had ME enthralled (ifykyk lol).
In this one, we get enemies to lovers, hesitant hero, a unique spin on the typical fae magic casting system, all the spice (this is a book with spice not a spicy book, and that this is plot driven, but there’s plenty of it!), all the romance and so beautifully written. I really appreciated the world building. It was so unique… I guess everything about this book was so unique. It is very similar and yet so different from your typical fae romantasy work. If you have not gone to ride this ride yet… What are you waiting for??
I will literally be counting the days until Brimstone is released
*** ALSO *** If you are post Onyx Storm, this is the perfect hangover cure! Kingfisher to me is like a more savage Xaden… honestly had me saying Xaden who? lol
No review could ever truly capture the magic of this book—but I’ll try.
"My armor may dent, my sword may break, but I will never diminish."
On the surface, this story is everything a fantasy lover could hope for: rich world-building, pulse-pounding adventure, slow-burning tension, a gorgeously yearning romance, and a heroine’s path of self-discovery. Picture a world cloaked in mystery, draped in Gothic elegance, and teeming with magical creatures—wrapped in the kind of atmosphere that feels both ethereal and visceral. There are moments of genuine laughter, suspense that had me holding my breath, and a backdrop that feels like Guillermo Del Toro and Alice in Wonderland had a beautiful dark romance baby.
But beneath the surface? This book changed me.
Following the FMC’s journey of healing and self-reclamation felt deeply personal. It was as if every step she took forward mirrored one of my own. Through the veil of fantasy, the author invites you into a space of quiet introspection and healing, using language so poetic it borders on alchemical. The emotions are raw, the revelations earned, and every line feels like it was written for the reader who needs it most.
If you're craving a dark, emotionally rich fantasy that goes beyond entertainment—this is THE one. Whether you’re simply in it for the gothic beauty and incredible storytelling, or you’re someone who needs to see a mirror held up to your own wounds, you’ll find something unforgettable within these pages.
Personally, having grown up under the shadow of a narcissistic parent, this book spoke directly to pieces of me I thought long buried. It offered not only catharsis but a kind of quiet, unexpected validation I didn’t realize I needed. I laughed, I cried (hard), I healed, and I ached alongside every single character. Each one is fully alive on the page, crafted with so much intention and soul.
This book didn’t just make my favorites list—it became my new comfort read. My go-to when my spooky, aching soul needs something familiar and fierce. And for the full immersive experience? Pair it with the hauntingly perfect playlist the author curated. It’s spellbinding. That playlist + this book = magic.
The ending? Expect a cliffhanger. One that grabs you by the heart and leaves you breathless. You won’t see it coming—and you’ll be desperate for book two the second you turn the final page.
To the author Rachel Gillig: thank you. Truly. This book found me exactly when I needed it most. I didn’t receive this from the author or publisher—I got an ARC by complete chance at an event. But I don’t believe in coincidences. This story was meant for me. And this review is nothing but the deepest, most honest truth I can give.
"My armor may dent, my sword may break, but I will never diminish."
On the surface, this story is everything a fantasy lover could hope for: rich world-building, pulse-pounding adventure, slow-burning tension, a gorgeously yearning romance, and a heroine’s path of self-discovery. Picture a world cloaked in mystery, draped in Gothic elegance, and teeming with magical creatures—wrapped in the kind of atmosphere that feels both ethereal and visceral. There are moments of genuine laughter, suspense that had me holding my breath, and a backdrop that feels like Guillermo Del Toro and Alice in Wonderland had a beautiful dark romance baby.
But beneath the surface? This book changed me.
Following the FMC’s journey of healing and self-reclamation felt deeply personal. It was as if every step she took forward mirrored one of my own. Through the veil of fantasy, the author invites you into a space of quiet introspection and healing, using language so poetic it borders on alchemical. The emotions are raw, the revelations earned, and every line feels like it was written for the reader who needs it most.
If you're craving a dark, emotionally rich fantasy that goes beyond entertainment—this is THE one. Whether you’re simply in it for the gothic beauty and incredible storytelling, or you’re someone who needs to see a mirror held up to your own wounds, you’ll find something unforgettable within these pages.
Personally, having grown up under the shadow of a narcissistic parent, this book spoke directly to pieces of me I thought long buried. It offered not only catharsis but a kind of quiet, unexpected validation I didn’t realize I needed. I laughed, I cried (hard), I healed, and I ached alongside every single character. Each one is fully alive on the page, crafted with so much intention and soul.
This book didn’t just make my favorites list—it became my new comfort read. My go-to when my spooky, aching soul needs something familiar and fierce. And for the full immersive experience? Pair it with the hauntingly perfect playlist the author curated. It’s spellbinding. That playlist + this book = magic.
The ending? Expect a cliffhanger. One that grabs you by the heart and leaves you breathless. You won’t see it coming—and you’ll be desperate for book two the second you turn the final page.
To the author Rachel Gillig: thank you. Truly. This book found me exactly when I needed it most. I didn’t receive this from the author or publisher—I got an ARC by complete chance at an event. But I don’t believe in coincidences. This story was meant for me. And this review is nothing but the deepest, most honest truth I can give.
Oh goodness
So this book was a struggle for me from start to maybe the last 75 pages maybe. I don’t know if I can attribute this to the fact that the last two books were so delicious and amazingly written and I grew so attached to those characters and in this book, we’re also reliving events from the last book or if it just wasn’t that great.
Now that my grievances are out the way, let’s talk about all the things that are good about this book. Although I strongly feel this book could’ve just been added into The Traitor Queen, this book allows us to further delve into Zarah and Keris. Now I will say their character development was great, I did enjoy learning more about them and getting a few minor questions answered from the previous book that we kind of left a little blank. I will say my favorite part about this book’s retelling and POV, were their character arcs. (The last 30% of the book is the continuation of the story, but still in the POV of Zarah & Keris)
I still just strongly feel that because I was dying to find out what happens to Laura and Aren that it really prevented me from feeling like I grew attached or Uber interested in the FMC and MMC for this book. Which also for me anyway took away from all the spice that was added in this book . This book was definitely more spicy than the previous two. And on paper it was written very well, but because of my lack of connection and attachment to the characters, I wasn’t on the edge of my seat and hanging on every line.
That being said, I have a feeling that this book was serving as a little bit more world building, which is usually always the most tedious part in reading a first book in a series, for the books to come. The feedback I’ve gotten from the bookish community is that the fourth book more than makes up for this one so I will push through and hope for the best. I will say, though this book definitely had some really. great quotes that stuck with me. and of course, you will get a cliffhanger ending on this one.
So this book was a struggle for me from start to maybe the last 75 pages maybe. I don’t know if I can attribute this to the fact that the last two books were so delicious and amazingly written and I grew so attached to those characters and in this book, we’re also reliving events from the last book or if it just wasn’t that great.
Now that my grievances are out the way, let’s talk about all the things that are good about this book. Although I strongly feel this book could’ve just been added into The Traitor Queen, this book allows us to further delve into Zarah and Keris. Now I will say their character development was great, I did enjoy learning more about them and getting a few minor questions answered from the previous book that we kind of left a little blank. I will say my favorite part about this book’s retelling and POV, were their character arcs. (The last 30% of the book is the continuation of the story, but still in the POV of Zarah & Keris)
I still just strongly feel that because I was dying to find out what happens to Laura and Aren that it really prevented me from feeling like I grew attached or Uber interested in the FMC and MMC for this book. Which also for me anyway took away from all the spice that was added in this book . This book was definitely more spicy than the previous two. And on paper it was written very well, but because of my lack of connection and attachment to the characters, I wasn’t on the edge of my seat and hanging on every line.
That being said, I have a feeling that this book was serving as a little bit more world building, which is usually always the most tedious part in reading a first book in a series, for the books to come. The feedback I’ve gotten from the bookish community is that the fourth book more than makes up for this one so I will push through and hope for the best. I will say, though this book definitely had some really. great quotes that stuck with me. and of course, you will get a cliffhanger ending on this one.