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adleekay's review
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
isobelle44's review
2.0
this book was a hot mess
i will admit it was fun to read and the plot was somewhat interesting
however ut felt like a jumble if like 10 different books
i will admit it was fun to read and the plot was somewhat interesting
however ut felt like a jumble if like 10 different books
cecilia24's review
4.0
4.5 ⭐
So many twists and turns! Truly kept me on my toes wondering what was going to happen next.
Already pre-ordered book 2!
So many twists and turns! Truly kept me on my toes wondering what was going to happen next.
Already pre-ordered book 2!
ect625's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The book is divided into two distinct parts due to a change in the plot. The issue I have is that the plot wasn't very strong to begin with. The main character, Gemma, is vapid and self-centered, and her personality completely changes in the second half without any development leading up to it. I struggled to keep sight of the overall plot to the book because it was weak in the beginning and then had a dramatic shift halfway through. It's a decent story but has some holes and weak character development. The conversations are pretty cringey at times, too.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm
guillemette_gagliano's review
1.0
DNF @15%
To be fair I think the french translation I was reading this in is pretty bad, but that doesn't completly excuse the total CRINGE of the "love" story (and I am very forgiving when it comes to silly romance, but this is not silly, it's trying way too hard to be sexy) and the INSUFFERABLENESS of the main character Gemma.
To be fair I think the french translation I was reading this in is pretty bad, but that doesn't completly excuse the total CRINGE of the "love" story (and I am very forgiving when it comes to silly romance, but this is not silly, it's trying way too hard to be sexy) and the INSUFFERABLENESS of the main character Gemma.
rogerdoger13's review
4.0
Gemma Ashborne’s family has been blessed with significant magic in a world where not many have. Unfortunately for Gemma, magic makes her sick. To take her mind off her illness, and her family’s long standing feud with another magical family, the Basks, Gemma throws herself into a life of luxury and privilege and never ending parties.
Gemma’s life takes and interesting turn when Talan D’Astier appears at one of her parties, as a guest of her father. An instant attraction between them, leads them to make a deal: Gemma will help Talan learn the ways of high society if Talan will help Gemma bring the Basks to their knees once and for all.
As the chemistry between Gemma and Talan grows, their situation takes a turn that neither could foresee.
Legrand’s story is amazingly rich in lore and complex characters so well-woven that you absolutely lose yourself. She is a master at a slow build story that keeps you on your toes wondering what will happen next.
Gemma is a struggle to tolerate in the beginning, coming across as a vapid twit but as we learn more about her struggles with pain and panic, we start to slowly understand her ways and what lies below the surface. Alone in her life and struggling with chronic pain leave her turning to the few things that offer any kind of distraction.
Gemma’s character grows with the story. It leads you places you don’t expect. I truly can’t wait to see where the story and characters go with the next book!
Gemma’s life takes and interesting turn when Talan D’Astier appears at one of her parties, as a guest of her father. An instant attraction between them, leads them to make a deal: Gemma will help Talan learn the ways of high society if Talan will help Gemma bring the Basks to their knees once and for all.
As the chemistry between Gemma and Talan grows, their situation takes a turn that neither could foresee.
Legrand’s story is amazingly rich in lore and complex characters so well-woven that you absolutely lose yourself. She is a master at a slow build story that keeps you on your toes wondering what will happen next.
Gemma is a struggle to tolerate in the beginning, coming across as a vapid twit but as we learn more about her struggles with pain and panic, we start to slowly understand her ways and what lies below the surface. Alone in her life and struggling with chronic pain leave her turning to the few things that offer any kind of distraction.
Gemma’s character grows with the story. It leads you places you don’t expect. I truly can’t wait to see where the story and characters go with the next book!
fortunatelylucky's review
Oh my god, I’m 60 pages in and there’s absolutely no redeeming qualities about this that makes me want to make it another 500. Annoying ass FMC that only cares that she’s rich and pretty? Nothing to make you give a single fuck about her disability and is completely unlikeable. Too much description without stating any real detail about the people/setting/world (it’s all just filler???). Terrible run on sentences that force the pacing to be awkward and difficult to get through. No. Absolutely not. Avoid.
coffeequeen862's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5