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the_wistful_word_witch's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
4.0
I've followed Selene Kallan on FB for a while now and every time I saw one of her posts pop up, I was like, "I really should start reading her books - they've been sitting on my virtual bookshelf for ages". I'm so glad I was finally in the perfect place to start reading them! My week has been super busy and disappointing, plus I just finished a couple of heavyweight books, so Demon Warden was the perfect palate cleanser. I also appreciate that Kallan includes a playlist for the book, as I love to have background music to add the the worlds I visit, provides trigger warnings at the beginning of the book, AND offers a bonus scene at the end if you sign up for the newsletter.
Her characters are interesting, with their own personal flaws and traits, so you don't wind up thinking they're not realistic/too perfect (even though most of them are at least physically perfect and pretty decent beings). Kallan definitely delivers on her promise of "Badass feminist heroines. Spice. NO alphaholes."! I love the world-building in this book and the mix of magic and reality. The entire concept of mythical, magical beings living out there among us, fighting a battle to keep zealotry from winning, making you question who is actually on the right side of this fictitious history - it has me hooked! The short, multiple epilogues were intriguing as well and definitely have me wanting to read the rest of the series asap. I thought the bonus chapter was fun, just to see things from Nox's perspective, but it doesn't give you a whole lot of added info.
The only thing that I'm still a little confused about is where this series is actually set! Because Dinah's from rural Massachusetts, lives in NYC, but talks like she's British, as do a lot of the other characters... 😆
But definitely an entertaining, easy read that makes you want to keep reading.
Her characters are interesting, with their own personal flaws and traits, so you don't wind up thinking they're not realistic/too perfect (even though most of them are at least physically perfect and pretty decent beings). Kallan definitely delivers on her promise of "Badass feminist heroines. Spice. NO alphaholes."! I love the world-building in this book and the mix of magic and reality. The entire concept of mythical, magical beings living out there among us, fighting a battle to keep zealotry from winning, making you question who is actually on the right side of this fictitious history - it has me hooked! The short, multiple epilogues were intriguing as well and definitely have me wanting to read the rest of the series asap. I thought the bonus chapter was fun, just to see things from Nox's perspective, but it doesn't give you a whole lot of added info.
The only thing that I'm still a little confused about is where this series is actually set! Because Dinah's from rural Massachusetts, lives in NYC, but talks like she's British, as do a lot of the other characters... 😆
But definitely an entertaining, easy read that makes you want to keep reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Sexual content, Sexual assault, Torture, and Gore
kesnit's review
emotional
funny
fast-paced
5.0
This book could have been a author-insert nightmare. The female lead is flawed, but instantly, the male lead is falling in love with her. Everyone loves her. She is extremely powerful and masters her abilities quickly and with little effort.
And yet, it all works. The characters are likeable. The romance between Dinah and Nox is rushed, but this is a romance, after all! The story develops well and flows well.
All in all, a great book.
And yet, it all works. The characters are likeable. The romance between Dinah and Nox is rushed, but this is a romance, after all! The story develops well and flows well.
All in all, a great book.
breenanyx's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
5.0
This book was so good. The world building, sexual tension and the emotional connection with the found family was so well done and on par with the greats in romantic fantasy. I read this book in one day because I could not put it down. Also a super diverse cast of characters, very LGBTQ friendly but with a FM main relationship. I can't wait to read the rest.
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