Please don't hate me, but I'd struggled through this book. Like, enormously. Like, I've almost dropped it twice for good and this is an ARC. I've nevePlease don't hate me, but I'd struggled through this book. Like, enormously. Like, I've almost dropped it twice for good and this is an ARC. I've never dnfed an ARC.
To be frank, it's even hard for me to pinpoint things that I enjoyed. Maybe some of the choices made by the MCs were pretty good. But other than that, it kinda went downhill for me. And this is from a girl who picked The Shadow between Us as my favourite book of the year. So... Yeah. Me is very disappointed.
In this case, I think the thing that bothered me the most is the formulaic and inorganic some of the scenes in this book. The lack of chemistry. The unbearable, non-understandable MCs. It just felt empty for me. There were no one to root for in this book, either a villain or the good guys. It feels very monotone in colour.
However, that could only be my case. You could possibly enjoy this more than I did. Heck, even I have some questionable taste in the past. All in all, this is a dud for me. But I'm still going to pick up the next book from this author. I'm feeling something better from her in the future. Maybe something in a different fantasy world from this one?
P.s. I was given a free ARC copy of this book through Netgalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Arthurian legend, bodice-ripping, and capybaras: welcome to Thule!
Oh yeahhh. This might be one of the most refreshing books I've read this year yet. IArthurian legend, bodice-ripping, and capybaras: welcome to Thule!
Oh yeahhh. This might be one of the most refreshing books I've read this year yet. I mean can we get some round of applause on this one?
[image]
You have given me a new life, Ms Monk.
I came into this one with low expectations, as I usually do with new-to-me authors. Plus, it promised us an Arthurian legend (something I'm kinda in the mood for lately idk why), and, it features my newest animal obsession:
[image] (the capybara, not the cat)
So, with that in mind, this book surprises me. The level of detail in the worldbuilding and backstory, I am impressed. I'm a whore for an excellent worldbuilding and this book delivered. I feel like I was transported right into the story the moment the book starts. It's not a generic sort of worldbuilding, you know, the one that you usually get with some other books. This one got a great magic system, interesting mechanics to them and even technology surrounded them. I mean, have I mentioned how impressed I am? The last time I was impressed by a magic system, it was the Hidden Legacy series.
And the characters? Oooohh, we got no asshole alpha hero in this one guys. WE HAVE A GENTLEMAN!
"Will you forgive me this one sin?"
[image]
I know, I'm regressing to a teen a bit here but bear with me for a while. It has been a hot minute since I read a genuinely good hero that doesn't overpower our girl with his alpha-ness. And our girl, River, what a fantastic protagonist. She's smart, something that I don't think the author portrayed that well, and drama free from what I can tell. You don't get that airhead attitude from her, the one that creates complicated situations wherever she goes. Well, she did create one huge complicated situation, not on her own will of course.
And the plot? I think I'll end it here since I want you to read it on your own. All I can say is that it's original and darker than I expected (not something I usually found in a fantasy romance but definitely in horror and those dark romances).
All in all, I have a massive fun with this book. A slower pace fantasy romance with great worldbuilding, interesting characters, an excellent magic system, and an original plot. Definitely an easily recommended book to those who love plot-driven fantasy romance with vibrant worldbuilding.
*I received an ARC copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange of my honest review. *...more
I missed this world terribly and so glad that the author decided to do a spinoff book (and hopefully another seWe're back to the Defenders world baby!
I missed this world terribly and so glad that the author decided to do a spinoff book (and hopefully another series?)
In this one, we have a new setting, a different kingdom aside from the Kingdom of the Walls. Introducing 4 new defenders and this time, they were assigned to the troubled Hereford earldom where one of our defenders fell for the future countess.
As for the trope goes, there are the bodyguards trope, closed proximity, perhaps a little forbidden relationship going on there. It was a fade-to-black fantasy romance first of all if that is something you want to know. For me, the absence of graphic sexy times didn't matter much since the plot and the characters always won me over.
With that said, I didn't quite enjoy this one like I did with the original series. Kingdom of Chains wasn't as dark and bleak as Chadora descriptively. I wanted more of the settings actually, the conflicts, the rebellions and the worldbuilding. Next, the characters also didn't shine out that much for me. They were not dull per say, but reading about them, it felt as if they were always on the periphery of the story rather than the sole focus of them, although there were moments where they shone. Aside from that, the romance was also left a lot to be desired. Our hero was a little too skittish for my liking while the girl did most of the chasing here.
I still like this spinoff though, despite the weaknesses it possessed. It read so easily and the world of the Defenders is as stellar as ever. I'm just excited to see what story she'll write down next!...more
Hmm... it wasn't as good as Lady Ludmilla but darn it, there is something about Ms Laporte's writing that really made it so easy for me to read. SomehHmm... it wasn't as good as Lady Ludmilla but darn it, there is something about Ms Laporte's writing that really made it so easy for me to read. Somehow, her stories rarely fell into those tropey HR books while still maintaining the lightheartedness feeling about them.
Note that this rating, in this special case, does not convey my feelings about this graphic novel.
The story behind this novel, cannot even be quantifiNote that this rating, in this special case, does not convey my feelings about this graphic novel.
The story behind this novel, cannot even be quantified or qualified. Julia Quinn's late sister illustrated this book and some of the plot. She died in a tragic car accident alongside JQ's father and later the sister's husband due to complications. That's incredibly devastating and I'm suck at handling these feelings.
Won't say anything though about the book other than it's weird. VERY weird....more
My second blind duchess book this week. Have no idea why this is even a thing.
Anyway, this one works. With no smut, no less. It started just okay but My second blind duchess book this week. Have no idea why this is even a thing.
Anyway, this one works. With no smut, no less. It started just okay but as you spend more times with these characters, the more I fell in love with them. Also, I have a thing for a healthy communication in a relationship and our heroine in this one delivered it. The scarred hero was a little skittish but our girl complimented him very much.
All in all, didn't expect much from this book but I'm so glad that I started it. It was pretty great....more
If you love epistolary romance, then this is for you.
I went into this with zero expectation, mainly because I've never read anything from this author If you love epistolary romance, then this is for you.
I went into this with zero expectation, mainly because I've never read anything from this author before and none of my friends have yet to pick this one up.
Let's just say I'm blown away by this book. Although having zero smut in here, I have never feel so satisfied by a first time author book. It really delivered what it promised in the blurb. I have no contention point whatsoever as this book is perfect as it is.
I love Ludmilla and I freaking love Adrian. That last chapter made my jaw dropped and sure I could use an epilogue or two but fuck, go read this one if you like the penpal trope thing. I stamped this one with a huge approval....more
This book depicted alcoholism quite realistically, I think.
Anyway, the widowed Earl of Laughton was supposed to marry his betrothed the next 3.5 stars
This book depicted alcoholism quite realistically, I think.
Anyway, the widowed Earl of Laughton was supposed to marry his betrothed the next day when he decided to drink himself out and rashly got married to his mistress instead. Our heroine, Livinia, the mistress in this situation tried to persuade the man but in the end decided to become his wife willingly because she longed to be accepted by the members of the peers.
First of all, I really love these two main characters. They are flawed, damaged and in need of fixing. Especially our hero. I think the main focus of this book is his inability to function without the aid of alcohol. You can see his struggles, his method of coping for his feeling of inadequacy and grief over the death of his first wife.
It was, overall, a very satisfying read. However, because of the way the story unraveled in the end, I dislike his reactions to what happened. I need him to grovel so much for what he did to Lavinia. Hell, Lavinia was the bigger man in that situation and the fact that she apologized to him for what she puts him through just didn't ring well with me.
But other than that, it's a very good story and I'll be watching more of this author upcoming releases....more
It definitely got some potential here. The premise is what sold me of this book. Heist fantasy & Hades/Persephone retelling? It got me super excited aIt definitely got some potential here. The premise is what sold me of this book. Heist fantasy & Hades/Persephone retelling? It got me super excited and I had such a high expectation.
Maybe that's what sink this book for me. It wasn't that exciting really, despite the so-called heist and planning happened in the background.
It was very much a meh reading all over. But I can definitely see the potential for this author in the future. She just needs a little extra help on the writing and plotting. ...more
Another perhaps excellent and exhausting entry from Bertrice Small.
I have to admit again, this author, either you love her or detest her. I love the hAnother perhaps excellent and exhausting entry from Bertrice Small.
I have to admit again, this author, either you love her or detest her. I love the history lessons entwined in this story. I also didn't realize this book was published later in the series. No wonder, it was more 'meandering' than usual....more
I don't know if I've been generous on my ratings lately or I've been hitting some pretty good books, because I'm all for Teresa Medeiros did it again.
I don't know if I've been generous on my ratings lately or I've been hitting some pretty good books, because I'm all for it!
What I love about this book (and also because I didn't expect it) is the New Zealand setting. It's quite refreshing compared to the normal ballroom/London-esque/English countryside settings.
Nevertheless, we can never have too much of good thing, as in the halfway mark, we're back to London. So, that was 'fun'. In this part, angst and my favourite trope came in play which is ✨forbidden relationship✨. Well, as forbidden as you can get in Victorian time because see, she's his ward and he's her guardian. And that's a big no-no for those genteel people.
All in all, I have a massive blast while reading this book. And for once, I was filled with excitement whenever I picked this book up during these two days. Hence, yes, definitely recommended....more
This book actually took me months to get through. Not because it's bad, nay, but because this book actually delved into Henry VIII life too much for mThis book actually took me months to get through. Not because it's bad, nay, but because this book actually delved into Henry VIII life too much for my liking. Hell, I'm here for the main couple but suddenly we're in deep with the king and his fifth wife, Catherine Howard.
So, not a fan of that. A little bit of court drama is fine but not half of it.
Anyway, the couple in this one belongs to the okay couple/less problematic ones in the world of Bertrice Small's heroes and heroines. The plot was also not as crazy as I thought it would be. It was just an okay book with okay plot that I still enjoyed reading.
Despite my little slumpy mood nowadays, I have to admit this book really grabbed my attention.
The question whether iSo... That was an unexpected read.
Despite my little slumpy mood nowadays, I have to admit this book really grabbed my attention.
The question whether if he really a vampire was really fun to guess. The talk that our heroine had with her sister after she found out about them was also nice to have.
All in all, definitely great read. If you love a historical romance with a twist, this is definitely for you, complete with the mutual pining!...more
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