The Bridge Kingdom
Ratings130
Average rating3.8
I think I'm going to put this book on pause. I'm not sure if I'm enjoying it or not. I think I knew from about halfway through what the outcome was going to be and instead of enjoying it I just have anxiety. Maybe I'll pick it up in the future and give it another go.
I wasn't drawn in by the characters or story. I put it down and I didn't want to pick it back up again
I liked it, the story/world was interesting, the main characters are likable and I do have a weakness for graceful assassin/warrior people, the looks-innocent-but-secretly-is-dangerous type does have a certain charm.
I liked the relationship for the most part and Lara's personal development was interesting. I liked Aren as well, but I do think he was maybe a bit too soft for the king of a nation depending on keeping secrets from his wife's home country.
I did not love how this book ended, but that might be a personal preference, it caused a situation that seemingly would make it very difficult for the main characters to be together in a satisfying way and I don't like my romance to get too dark.
- High Fantasy
- Enemies to Lovers
- Arranged Marriage
- Policial Tensions
- Princess turned Assassin
- Miscommunication
- Slow Burn
- Spying
- World Building
- Who did this to you?
- Secret Identity
- Cliffhanger
- Dual POV (3rd Person)
Really enjoyed this! Was expecting to, after loving Jensen's latest book. It's hard to find a good fantasy romance that doesn't feel like it was written JUST for the romance. There's an actual plot here, thankfully. The ending has me worried about how the next book will go, but not sure when I'll get around to reading it. The library doesn't have it, and it's not on KU anymore.
Hmmm how do I feel? how do I feel? I hate when books are so good like 5 star feeling and then it takes a turn for the worst and now I'm confused. The turn for the worst happened the last 30% with a significant amount of plot development that should have been spaced out and “I love you” that came out of left field.
I adored the setting and deep plot and political development within this novel. The relationship was so cute for the first 70%. Just when I thought the enemies were slightly becoming lovers, I love you's are being thrown around. I don't know why we had to have full blown love before the plot twist. It felt rushed.
Such an amazing concept. Girl raised to be a killing machine and infiltrate an enemy kingdom through marriage, her new husband shows her a kingdom that wasn't what she was expecting. I am surprised to be saying this but this could have been a little longer or dare I say simply paced better? I don't know if I'll continue this series but I'm really sad because I had extremely high hopes. Please tell me if I should continue!!
This is a captivating blend of slow-burn romance and fantasy, earning a well-deserved 4 stars. It masterfully weaves an enemies-to-lovers narrative set in a richly imagined world, where political intrigue and personal dynamics intertwine seamlessly.
The author skillfully develops the relationship between the protagonists, transforming animosity into affection with believable pacing. This gradual shift is one of the book's strongest suits, allowing the romance to feel earned and authentic. The world-building is another highlight, presenting a unique fantasy realm that is both intricate and immersive.
The banter between characters is a delight, balancing the tension with well-timed wit. This not only adds depth to the characters but also provides levity in a plot brimming with political and emotional stakes.
Overall, it excels in delivering a gripping story that keeps the pages turning. Its blend of fantasy, romance, and humor makes it a standout in its genre.”
3.75
Lots of politics but it was just the same politics being reiterated over and over. Very little complexity or nuance and since I'm not one for politics it was a bit of a slog in some places. But overall I enjoyed it and I know i'll be reading the next one which I rarely do. Did the audiobook and I absolutely love Lauren Fortgang. The male narrator was bad though. Really took me out of the story a few times especially when he did one character in particular. That one character was so bad I often considered stopping the book or skipping the chapter.
So good! I enjoyed the world-building, the political conflict, the characters, and the spy aspect of it.
The plot was solid and I NEEDED to know where this was going.
The only thing less positive about it was that the conflict between Aren and Lara was very predictable. It didn't make sense that Lara, as smart as she was and with as much training as she had, would miss one opportunity and one detail opportunity: come clean to Aren about the letters and immediately destroy them; detail: the mysterious woman's identity which led to that conflict. I get why the author did it, but it didn't make sense for the character to behave that way.
I really enjoyed this one! Can't wait to read the next one.
The plot is not original, but it was well done. Although it was a bit predictable, I still enjoyed reading it and I recommend it to fantasy romance fans looking for some comfort read.
Pros:
- Dialogue between the characters.
- The book has a lot of action, especially in the end.
Cons:
- I would have liked to know more about the other kingdoms.
- The romance felt more like insta love than enemy to lovers and because of that I didn't always believe in it.
A map would have been an interesting addition to the series.
2.5
The premise seemed to be right up my alley. But unfortunately i was bored throughout the entire book.
3/5 stars
Okay so the plot was good and had so much potential, but it missed the mark for me. I never quite got attached to the characters and I felt like the setting could have been fleshed about more.
Yes, yes, I know what you're about to say. Another arrange marriage (Jensen wrote this thing before), another enemies to lovers trope (after my unpopular opinion towards The Folk of The Air series) and what's going on with the cover, anyway?
Just give me a minute because this first installment is really good. Yes, the premise is quite predictable, yet exceeding my expectation. I end up shipping Lara & Aren relationship. This is a new adult fantasy, you can expect smutt scene & steamy romance, but what make me can't put the book down is the sexual tension between the two of them, starting from day 1. Man, more than once I can't help myself to scream “ just do it already, you two”
listened on audible; i think it would've been a hire review if i would've read it myself and not listened to the narrators.
I enjoyed the book. I thought the world was immersing, and well thought out.
However.
I did wish that the characters (especially Aren) were more thought out. A little more depth and wants from them would have made this book stand stronger.
The plot was engaging but at times it dragged. I wanted more character work between the two characters, And the ending felt too forced. More character work and the ending could have felt better.
The characters connection between the two love interest needed more work. The climax before the climax of the book was too easy, and I felt they didn't spend enough time
To actually know each other before the end.
I was in the verge of not continuing this series but the ending had me really interested and engaged to see where the story went so I bought it.
I absolutely LOVED this!! Such a great book and with an amazing writing style. The author knows how to keep you wanting more and to make you turn page after page until you realize you've finished the book.
Lara is amazing and I love her personality, I love the fact that she is strong and she knows it, she believes in herself and does not let anyone and anything bring her down. She fights for herself and for her people.
Aren is said to be a demon, but we discover his true personality throughout this book and, of course, we fall in love with him.
Such an amazing enemies to lovers story, a slow burn romance perfect for anyone who is a fan of these tropes. I am excited to read the next book, because this one has a huge cliffhanger SO PREPARE YOURSELVES!
I love to read. I've been doing it for just about my whole life. And I have absolutely loved and obsessed over many a book. But you'd be surprised as to how few books ( in comparison to how many books you've read) grip you and won't let go until you're done and then you sit there horrified that it is over and you need more you will quite frankly DIE if you don't get more. Was that dramatic enough? Because that's how this amazing book has me at the moment.
This book was a wild ride. From beginning to end. I mean that literally..by page 3 I was WHAT THE WHAT, by page 10 I knew I loved it and by the last sentence I was like AAAAAAHHHH!!
The main character is a princess assassin spy. What more could you possibly want???!! You animals.
I was engaged in the story, however I did have some issues with it. The fist book felt as if it was some kind of a extremely long introduction and all the more interesting things were saved for the second book. However it did work. Now I would very like to read the second book.