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whirlynic's review against another edition
1.0
Literally written by a middle schooler in their wattpad era. The idea/story behind it is -just- good. The development over the series is good, but this first book is so hard to get thru. I read up to the third book, which got better, but was still all over the place. There were things out of left field, and very hard to follow. I wish there would’ve been more brick building, laying down the woodwork. There were random characters and themes just thrown in and never revisited.
I like to reread stories over the years that i’ve read. I’ll literature never touch this series again in my life. I only read as far as I did because I had hope it would get better. It had too many cringe parts, and again the writing was truthfully so hard to get thru.
I like to reread stories over the years that i’ve read. I’ll literature never touch this series again in my life. I only read as far as I did because I had hope it would get better. It had too many cringe parts, and again the writing was truthfully so hard to get thru.
mjturnsthepage's review against another edition
3.0
It was alright. I heard this book is the weakest of the series so I’ll try out the next one to see if the story picks up.
rebeccasreadingrambles's review against another edition
5.0
How oh how to review this book. It was amazing. I couldn't put it down. It was not at all what I thought it was going to be. This is no mere retelling, it is so much more. Too many stories feature a heroine who has been abandoned, orphaned and mistreated; one who meats a handsome powerful stranger who saves her and promises to love and protect her. Ending the story there.Well this stories starts after that; and not everything is as simple or HEA as it seems.
I love Auren and getting into her head. Her past is murky right now, but so intriguing and dark and I need to know more. What a unique The secrets that she is keeping are shocking and story altering and I loved every moment of every little reveal. To see how she was manipulated to being a prisoner of her own choice. To see how she thought she was saved and why she allowed it.
This book is so dark and stressed me out in the best way. The steam was there, but I am waiting for some true romance (because Midas seems shady and I don't trust that he's the hero here).I hope we learn more about this world and the different kingdoms and more about the magic system in the future books because it's fascinating. The descriptions of the fifth kingdom and some of the creatures is so well done and I can't wait to see what happens next.
I love Auren and getting into her head. Her past is murky right now, but so intriguing and dark and I need to know more. What a unique The secrets that she is keeping are shocking and story altering and I loved every moment of every little reveal. To see how she was manipulated to being a prisoner of her own choice. To see how she thought she was saved and why she allowed it.
This book is so dark and stressed me out in the best way. The steam was there, but I am waiting for some true romance (because Midas seems shady and I don't trust that he's the hero here).I hope we learn more about this world and the different kingdoms and more about the magic system in the future books because it's fascinating. The descriptions of the fifth kingdom and some of the creatures is so well done and I can't wait to see what happens next.
sashapasha's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars.
I was expecting going into this book that, similar to the Captive Prince trilogy, I would need to let go of my usual feelings about slavery and sexual assault, etc, to make it through, and hope that it would be worth it. And while I don’t think it’s as well written or complex as the Captive Prince trilogy, it did deliver somewhat. I enjoyed it enough to be interested in reading the sequel.
Very satisfying to watch Auren ever so slowly creep out from under the brainwashing and gaslighting and manipulation and abuse. Ever so slowly. Let’s hope she completes her journey and continues seizing agency.
I was expecting going into this book that, similar to the Captive Prince trilogy, I would need to let go of my usual feelings about slavery and sexual assault, etc, to make it through, and hope that it would be worth it. And while I don’t think it’s as well written or complex as the Captive Prince trilogy, it did deliver somewhat. I enjoyed it enough to be interested in reading the sequel.
Very satisfying to watch Auren ever so slowly creep out from under the brainwashing and gaslighting and manipulation and abuse. Ever so slowly. Let’s hope she completes her journey and continues seizing agency.
trisarahtops_54's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
emmabunny's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
liisa_jean218's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jkwel's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
Enjoyable, writing is not fantastic but it’s a entertaining story and the drama is stepping up a bit. Def reading the next one but very heavy emotional read but loved the lil catch at the end. Main character is like able and i’m enjoying following her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Torture, Rape, Gore, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Violence, Death, Physical abuse, and Sexual violence