livvy_alipat's reviews
56 reviews

Wanted a quick read, turned to KU, and picked this one out. It wasn't really what I expected.

The writing itself was good. The plot, characters, details, were really lacking. Everyone, even MC, felt like a secondary character with no real depth. 

Super fast paced. I even downloaded 2nd book just to see how it started off, and I didn't get more than 5 pages in. 

It was what I was looking for but I won't be ready further. 

Overall I liked the book. But after coming straight from book one, this one was a disappointment. And I hate that.

In book one I complained that the story went by too quickly, and that there was barely any magic. Those are definitely still complaints here in book two.

The story starts in the exact scene book one ends at, which I appreciated with it being a cliffhanger ending! But then 80% of the book takes place in the same setting. Which, I didn't think about in book one, but it was pretty similar set up. Although the world and palace seemed so much bigger in Vishir than in Tolograd. We see her in her rooms, in the great hall, on the battlements, and then interspersed are random single time used settings within the palace or grounds, minus the climax. I feel like right when the book started picking up, it ended.

Again, no magic almost the entire time. When quite literally, an huge main portion of the plot revolves around magic. That doesn't make sense to write but if you've read the book, you understand. Book one, Askia is starting to be trained to really use her magic by Ozura and she is successful at commanding a ghost, and I kept waiting the whole time for the stupid damn necklace to come off and see her bust out her skills (LITERALLY THE ENTIRE REASON THE VILLAIN WANTA HER AND WHAT MAKES HER IMPORTANT TO THE STORY) and we never see it. I thought for sure at some point she'd get a grasp on it and open up the March lands and command an entire legion to come and squash the enemy, but... No. 

Also, I saw really positive ratings on the ending on Amazon reviews, and I gotta say, it was the biggest let down of all. It didn't complete or wrap up the story whatsoever. It's left somewhat open ended and ambiguous. I read some say that they liked this because it left it open for more sequels, but this is written, advertised and promised as a duology. I had expectations for a complete story by the end of book two. I was bummed.

The author did wonderful work with Askia again, where she's in a role that requires her to make decisions for an entire kingdom and not just emotional ones. She again is strong willed and speaks up and uses wit in complicated conversations, which i loved. I also appreciate how even though she's trained in combat, the author never makes her the best and unbeatable. So much more rounded as a character this way!

I rated book 1 as a 4.25. I really can't rate this one any higher than a 3.25. I'll continue to read more books by Greta Kelly!

This was a SOLID fantasy book! It gives ToG vibes, without being as epic and long and detailed. A stolen throne, warrior queen, court intrigue, politics, lite magic.

My two complaints - I feel like it was short and could have been expanded, and how lite the book actually was on magic.

For the magic component, I just wanted more. I wanted to see more magic, hear and learn more about their magic, etc. 

As far as the depth and length, I just feel like it had started and was over with so fast. This is a duology, and at the time of writing this I have just finished up book two. And I have the same complaint with that one. Book one and two totally could have been one part. I just wanted more, more details and longer scenes. I wanted more world building, more of the lore.

While the prose isn't poetic and it's not the most original plot, Kelly does do a fantastic job of building a world with characters that are believable and real. She creates issues that are not black and white, characters that are not "good" and "bad", and the way the cast makes decisions and behaves is grey and relatable, while still making it clear who you should really be routing for.

The FMC was also a breath of fresh air in a fantasy genre where the market is saturated with smart mouthed sarcastic and petty heroines. I am ALL ABOUT the stand your ground, not a doormat woman who isn't afraid to speak up. But it has to be done right, or else it comes off as petulant and juvenile. That's not the case here. Askia speaks her mind, is strong willed without being hard headed, makes great points, and makes you support everything she does.

There are twists at the end that are so fun. It made me immediately jump into book two. 

There at 5* reviews of this on here and I am utterly dumbfounded.

I was disappointed with book 1, but I thought with the magic system being as interesting as it was and the set up for the next part of the story as it was, that it was worth reading book 2.

Yeah, it's worse.

It's worse because there is literally zero character development, and zero plot. And this book is so freaking slow, because it's literally argument, middle grade dialogue where there is no communication and a lot of insulting, inner monologuing for every POV that fills up the entire chapter and nothing actually happens, Tessa having a mental breakdown, the men talking about lusting after whoever it is they're lusting after, Theon repeating for the millionth time how studied and knowledgeable and clever he is but doesn't actually do anything that relays that, something/ someone attacking Tessa, some sex, and repeat..... Over, and over, and over.... For the entire book.

I see a lot of, "the author warns you that this is dark fantasy! She warns you that the MMC is loathsome and full of red flags! Stop complaining!" There is literally no excuse for zero plot, subpar prose, and no character development other than being a mediocre writer. Just because you give "trigger warnings" does not then make bad writing excused. You can have a twisted and grey character and still root for them. Apparently we're meant to see Theon as an anti-hero, but he does ZERO for the book. He hasn't grown at all from book one, he's still a loudmouth wussy (constantly shit talks and postures but continues to do it in the most idiotic ways knowing his dad is going to retaliate on him and everyone around him), he is still an ego inflated jerk and doesn't understand social cues, he's emotionally stunted, he LITERALLY MENTALLY ACKNOWLEDGES that he recognizes that he is not doing enough for Tessa and asking the worst of her and expecting too much of her, and then just.... Continues to do all of the things.

I'm confused why Luka is the side piece. Are we meant to despise Theon and root for her to truly fall for Luka? If so, it's working. But I unfortunately don't think that's the angle here. Also, if I get another POV of Axel I'm going to puke. His POV does nothing for the story other than showing his relationship with Katya. His storyline doesn't further the plot, not until his very last chapter, and none of the other ones would have been necessary to build into the last one.

Tessa is extremely unlikable. There was a lot of grace given to her by the readers (I'm assuming, because that was my experience) in book one. The way she was treated growing up in the fae homes and then at first as Theon's concubine was horrendous. But this book takes things to a completely aggravating level. She's what you call an, "untrustworthy narrator" or main character, because she hides things and keeps secrets from even you as the reader looking into her mind and reading from her POV. this can be used and done SO BEAUTIFULLY in writing. This author doesn't get it. We get an entire book on mind fucked ramblings and depression and repeats of dreams/ visions and inner monologue of stuttering prophecy, and then at the end of it we're supposed to be impressed with her ability to hide this stuff and make secret plans on her own that we only know about at the end. It just doesn't work here. 

There are approximately 800 new characters that pop in f om other realms and/ or have been here for awhile hidden in plain sight. EVERY. SINGLE. ONE OF THEM. talk in that idiotic argumentative banter and speak in riddles. Every single one of them. There's no diversity in personalities at all. It's beyond exhausting, and not enjoyable to read.

You guys this book is just bad. Junior writing, childish dialogue, no plot. 

Literally flabbergasted that this book rates above 4 stars on here, ya'll 😬

Literally every single character is exhausting and unlikable. Not a single character grows or learns from their mistakes or interactions with others. The female main character is, again, like I've had to review in million other romantasy books, a loud mouth sassy asshole for literally just the reason of being one. She sasses everyone, she has an attitude, and she walks around like she's entitled to treat everyone the way she wants just because she should be able to. And then throws a fit when others react.

The male main character will LITERALLY come to the realization that the FMC is behaving or a reacting a certain way because of his treatment of her, and then it never changes and he moves on and does it all over again. Even when the other male secondary characters, who were raised as royalty in the same realm and same home as he is so they were taught the same things, tell him he's an asshole or oblivious or wrong for it.

This book could have been half of the length without the repetition of inner conflicted monologuing. There's a vague story-backed plot, but the book is mainly driven by the characters and them interacting and speaking to each other. And then how the POV character feels about it all 🙄

I just want more story honestly. Because the idea of the world and the actual plot seem like it could be a 3.5+ star book. But there's no way. And if I hear the, "you were warned this was dark fantasy!!" As an excuse for the writing of the interactions and relationships and character traits as they are, then you haven't had a chance to read good literature yet. Because you TRULY CAN fit in taboo and twisted REALLY WELL even if the writing is *gasp* talented. 

Ugh, I'm gonna read the second one because I wanna know the plot stuff 😒 probably won't find out anyway because the book, again, draaaaags and is filled with 50% POV in their head and then juvenile bickering dialogue between characters. Guess I'll just skip around until I get to story.

Overall I enjoyed this. I'll be reading book two when it drops. Though the FMC admits it's a legit character flaw, again I've run into the hot-headed,  "I'm going to irrationally explode on you emotionally and say the meanest things just so it hurts" immature protagonist. Is this boss bitch?.... Is this, own your truth and be whatever you feel like?.... Is this, "ooooo, she's edgy and spitfire "?.... I don't get it. It's in so many romantasy books. Like it's somehow brave or admirable. Also the, "I know I'm not even the smallest bit trained but I'm going to just not listen to the 1000 year old warrior when he says to stay here" situation. So bothersome.

A super interesting plot and story line. It takes a long time for the characters to spit it out with what's happening, though it's pretty identifiable from the start, but it's a good story line none the less.

I do wish they'd stick with the FMC journalism a little longer. It was part of what I liked the most about her character.

The magic is fun. I want to see more of the protectorate. 

The MMC isn't anything new. Ancient, powerful, broody, sensual, protective, with black hair. Literally copy and paste.