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A review by cantstopwontstopreading
Blood & Steel by Helen Scheuerer
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Utterly flawless.
I’m a HUGE reader of fantasy and romance novels and have been slowly wading into Romantasy novels. Where so many novels fail to walk the line between the two this book excels.
I have so much to say in praise of this book. I don’t even know where to begin! But let me try to get down to the nitty gritty.
1. The main characters are all ADULTS and BEHAVE AS ADULTS.
2. The romance is so woven into the plot story that every scene advances the plot. The romance doesn’t derail the story and the story doesn’t derail the romance.
3. Unique world building, narrative, and characters. While there are certainly some familiar elements I felt this truly was its own in every way.
4. Believable romance progression which didn’t rely on miscommunication or two grown adults refusing to have an actual conversation. Tension was there and palpable and barriers to romance were believable.
5. Stellar pacing.
6. Somehow made a book where nearly all the characters were men (out of necessity to the plot) feel very empowering to women.
7. The FMC develops her powers without being unbelievably powerful at the start and without being a bumbling idiot either.
8. That plot twist!!!
I’m ordering every book in this series ASAP.
I’m a HUGE reader of fantasy and romance novels and have been slowly wading into Romantasy novels. Where so many novels fail to walk the line between the two this book excels.
I have so much to say in praise of this book. I don’t even know where to begin! But let me try to get down to the nitty gritty.
1. The main characters are all ADULTS and BEHAVE AS ADULTS.
2. The romance is so woven into the plot story that every scene advances the plot. The romance doesn’t derail the story and the story doesn’t derail the romance.
3. Unique world building, narrative, and characters. While there are certainly some familiar elements I felt this truly was its own in every way.
4. Believable romance progression which didn’t rely on miscommunication or two grown adults refusing to have an actual conversation. Tension was there and palpable and barriers to romance were believable.
5. Stellar pacing.
6. Somehow made a book where nearly all the characters were men (out of necessity to the plot) feel very empowering to women.
7. The FMC develops her powers without being unbelievably powerful at the start and without being a bumbling idiot either.
8. That plot twist!!!
I’m ordering every book in this series ASAP.