Beth
I got about halfway through, but any time I would go to reach for a book to read, it wasn't this one.
The story started off pretty strong--funny, raw, honest, and--as someone who has worked in the restaurant industry--well described. I ended up losing interest when it was more of the same drama over and over and over again.
I got about halfway through, but any time I would go to reach for a book to read, it wasn't this one.
The story started off pretty strong--funny, raw, honest, and--as someone who has worked in the restaurant industry--well described. I ended up losing interest when it was more of the same drama over and over and over again.
I figured this novel would be similar to the ACOTAR series, but I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't that close at all. It reminded me more of Harry Potter meets The Hunger Games plus dragons. It reads quick and definitely keeps you entertained. There are a few small shocks here and there, but I feel like it was pretty easy to guess what was going to happen. I wish Rebecca Yarros was a bit more descriptive when it comes to the characters because I couldn't really tell you what anyone looked like, besides Xaden being handsome with dark hair and a scar (not exactly unique when it comes to romantasy) and Violet having silver hair and being frail. It also felt like some of the characters were thrown in haphazardly, like Professor Carr (who has almost no real involvement minus a couple paragraphs at best) and basically all of the staff. As entertaining as it was, a lot of it felt redundant--Dain trying to get Violet to quit for safety, the descriptions for the rebel branding, how everyone is trying to kill the same person the entire novel, how hot Violet thinks Xaden is, how Violet's mom is a cold/heartless mother, etc.
Bonus points for having more inclusive characters (using sign language, being non-binary, LGBTQ friendly).
Ultimately I am excited to start book two, Iron Flame.
I figured this novel would be similar to the ACOTAR series, but I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't that close at all. It reminded me more of Harry Potter meets The Hunger Games plus dragons. It reads quick and definitely keeps you entertained. There are a few small shocks here and there, but I feel like it was pretty easy to guess what was going to happen. I wish Rebecca Yarros was a bit more descriptive when it comes to the characters because I couldn't really tell you what anyone looked like, besides Xaden being handsome with dark hair and a scar (not exactly unique when it comes to romantasy) and Violet having silver hair and being frail. It also felt like some of the characters were thrown in haphazardly, like Professor Carr (who has almost no real involvement minus a couple paragraphs at best) and basically all of the staff. As entertaining as it was, a lot of it felt redundant--Dain trying to get Violet to quit for safety, the descriptions for the rebel branding, how everyone is trying to kill the same person the entire novel, how hot Violet thinks Xaden is, how Violet's mom is a cold/heartless mother, etc.
Bonus points for having more inclusive characters (using sign language, being non-binary, LGBTQ friendly).
Ultimately I am excited to start book two, Iron Flame.
As someone raised in the Mormon religion and who studied the BoM religiously (heh heh), I can attest that this book is a complete work of fiction. The great battles mentioned have zero historical proof anywhere, the author was a known con who also loved to marry multiple young girls. As for the book itself, it's comical to think that people rode tapirs into battle. If you're into mind numbing nonsense, this is the book for you.
As someone raised in the Mormon religion and who studied the BoM religiously (heh heh), I can attest that this book is a complete work of fiction. The great battles mentioned have zero historical proof anywhere, the author was a known con who also loved to marry multiple young girls. As for the book itself, it's comical to think that people rode tapirs into battle. If you're into mind numbing nonsense, this is the book for you.
I dove in head-first into the dark "romance" category, it would seem. I had no clue what kind of story I was getting myself into, but this one was... certainly something. The author seems to prefer shock value to an actual story line. The characters are insufferable and have a very toxic relationship that doesn't make any sense. The filler in between SA scenes is an odd, poorly written ghost story. I ended up not finishing this one after the post glow worm cave shower scene. Would not recommend.
I dove in head-first into the dark "romance" category, it would seem. I had no clue what kind of story I was getting myself into, but this one was... certainly something. The author seems to prefer shock value to an actual story line. The characters are insufferable and have a very toxic relationship that doesn't make any sense. The filler in between SA scenes is an odd, poorly written ghost story. I ended up not finishing this one after the post glow worm cave shower scene. Would not recommend.
