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retrogirlreads's review
4.0
Jane is the youngest daughter of a weak and spacey king. Her siblings are just as bad, if not worse, as they often mock her for her lack of magic. But Jane is more than just a pretty face, as she spends her days training and going on missions for her mentor, Baltazar. The only problem is that she must do this in secret, as her father and siblings must never find out.
Jane‘s life comes to a screeching halt when she is sold off to the Mad King’s son. Desperate to escape her fate, Jane is willing to do anything to get out of her upcoming marriage. But as secrets are revealed and the stakes are raised, Jane begins to question everything she’s ever known.
Okay, so this book had a bit of a slow start, but when it picked up? Oh my gosh!!! I love that even though Jane is a princess who is used to material luxuries, she isn’t some simpering, damsel in distress. No, Jane can definitely hold her own, as is shown in several instances throughout the novel. I loved the political aspects of this book as well, especially the complex relationships between the kingdoms.
I also really liked watching Jane’s relationship with her ex lover and thorn in her side, Liam (who just happens to be Baltazar’s brother.) I hope that their relationship will be explored further in book two!!! Finally, I do want to mention that this book is a little on the heavy side with the triggers, and even though I personally wasn’t affected, I would definitely read them before starting this novel. But all in all, I would say I enjoyed reading this!
Jane‘s life comes to a screeching halt when she is sold off to the Mad King’s son. Desperate to escape her fate, Jane is willing to do anything to get out of her upcoming marriage. But as secrets are revealed and the stakes are raised, Jane begins to question everything she’s ever known.
Okay, so this book had a bit of a slow start, but when it picked up? Oh my gosh!!! I love that even though Jane is a princess who is used to material luxuries, she isn’t some simpering, damsel in distress. No, Jane can definitely hold her own, as is shown in several instances throughout the novel. I loved the political aspects of this book as well, especially the complex relationships between the kingdoms.
I also really liked watching Jane’s relationship with her ex lover and thorn in her side, Liam (who just happens to be Baltazar’s brother.) I hope that their relationship will be explored further in book two!!! Finally, I do want to mention that this book is a little on the heavy side with the triggers, and even though I personally wasn’t affected, I would definitely read them before starting this novel. But all in all, I would say I enjoyed reading this!
toridawn817's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Through out this entire series they mention a curse but don't ever lay it down exactly what the curse entails and that was extremely frustrating. This series was my first step into reading more smut fantasy and I finished it out of a sense of needing to finish what I started. It was an ok series, nothing to write home about unfortunately. That's just my opinion.
box_box's review
i’m so sorry. i love her as a tiktoker but this book was just a tough read. very wattpad reminiscent.
mochacorgi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
madyslibrary's review
5.0
I started and finished this book in one day, only stopping to take care of my two toddlers and lemme just say this is a MASTERPIECE. So maturely written, which is a big big thing for me. The writing style is immaculate. I’m loving the past lovers to enemies to everyone knows they want to be lovers again. All my favorite tropes are in here. The plot is simmering and building up. The world was easy to dive into and I’m so excited to see more world building to come. I just KNOW that Liam is doing what he thinks is best to keep Jane safe and here’s to praying her mama is actually alive somewhere. Cheers
tinajar666's review
2.0
I definitely see the potential for a story like this but this unfortunately read like a first draft.
simply_shannon's review
4.0
**ARC was given in exchange for an honest review**
Overall Thoughts:
This story was well written and even though it took a minute for me to be hooked, I really enjoyed the book as a whole. (I blame it on all the adulting I had to do which interferes with my reading time). There are so many unanswered questions that I am looking forward to have answered in the second book, I cannot wait to see where the story leads, especially following that cliffhanger. This is Deanna Ortega's first book so I really hope that she gets the love and support she deserves for this book. I am curious to see what other books she comes up with.
And now for my review:
Everyone seems to have an evil side, some more than others, and I couldn't wait to see the true identity of the villain. With each turn of the pages, we got to unravel more and more of the mystery. This was my first fantasy read in a really long time and I was very impressed by it. Not only was this book a fantasy, but it also had adventure and romance along the way.
Deanna does a wonderful job creating a world with magic. The characters were an adventure just in themselves. Just when you think you have an idea on where this story might be heading, she throws in a curve and you heading in a different direction. The further you get into this book, the deeper the hooks, and page after page you realize that you have finished it and begging for more.
This book sends you on a thrill ride through all your emotions. The first stop is adventure and you are loving every minute, then she sends you a man that is just swoon-worthy, after we head towards anger-ville where you just want to rip the heads off of some characters, and finally you have read laughter-land and can't help but have the time of your life laughing at all the banter, jokes and puns. Deanna really gives you the best of all worlds.
Overall Thoughts:
This story was well written and even though it took a minute for me to be hooked, I really enjoyed the book as a whole. (I blame it on all the adulting I had to do which interferes with my reading time). There are so many unanswered questions that I am looking forward to have answered in the second book, I cannot wait to see where the story leads, especially following that cliffhanger. This is Deanna Ortega's first book so I really hope that she gets the love and support she deserves for this book. I am curious to see what other books she comes up with.
And now for my review:
Everyone seems to have an evil side, some more than others, and I couldn't wait to see the true identity of the villain. With each turn of the pages, we got to unravel more and more of the mystery. This was my first fantasy read in a really long time and I was very impressed by it. Not only was this book a fantasy, but it also had adventure and romance along the way.
Deanna does a wonderful job creating a world with magic. The characters were an adventure just in themselves. Just when you think you have an idea on where this story might be heading, she throws in a curve and you heading in a different direction. The further you get into this book, the deeper the hooks, and page after page you realize that you have finished it and begging for more.
This book sends you on a thrill ride through all your emotions. The first stop is adventure and you are loving every minute, then she sends you a man that is just swoon-worthy, after we head towards anger-ville where you just want to rip the heads off of some characters, and finally you have read laughter-land and can't help but have the time of your life laughing at all the banter, jokes and puns. Deanna really gives you the best of all worlds.
beths_enchanted_pages's review
4.0
Wow! I was not ready for what this book was going to do to me!!!! I absolutely loved the characters as the story unfolded. The way Liam had me squealing… So many good and heart breaking moments. The rage is real for my dislike of certain characters (insert eye roll). I was hooked from the very start with a few things thrown at me that I was not expecting in the slightest. I NEED THE NEXT BOOK NOW. I am UNWELL!!! So many questions still lingering, and I am so ready to learn more.
elenalocatelli23's review
5.0
I devoured this book! I usually tend not to get too attached to the MC but Jane is amazing. Deanna pictured her perfectly. I love Liam so much and I have so many fucking questions I can’t wait to start the second one already!
btajer9's review
3.0
The plot was kind of a mess to me. There was a lot of potential but nothing seemed really fleshed out to me and I was left with wanting a lot more in terms of plot and character development.