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devynreadsnovels's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Blood, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Murder, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Vomit
britt_reads1's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This is a short and straight-forward novella. I did struggle to get into it for the first 30% as every other chapter is the main plot line where the main character is off to slay a dragon and find the Firebourne sword to reclaim her tarnished honour. The chapters in-between are either excerpts from a dragon book that exists in the story that provides background and side information, or flashbacks to between 3 and 6 months before the main story. The jumping around did initially make it hard to get really into the book as I found it interrupted the flow for me, but I am so glad I pushed through! Things started to pick up after 30% in and then it continues to pick up faster and faster once some horror elements start to become involved. Oh man, the twists and turns with the characters and plot at the end! Nothing is what you think it is and I could never have guessed what was going to happen. I listened to the audiobook version and absolutely couldn't stop from 60% onward. The narrator, Helen McAlpine, did a great job of giving a distinctive voice and feel to each of the characters, conveying tone and emotion (including a great deal of suspense!) effectively.
If you like a bit of horror mixed in with your fantasy, dragons, kick-ass female knights with complicated emotions, a story that gets darker as it goes, and big twists at the end, then this book is for you!
I received an advanced audiobook copy for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley, and MacMillan Audio.
I received an advanced audiobook copy for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley, and MacMillan Audio.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Blood
Moderate: Gore, Fire/Fire injury, Body horror, and Violence
ezwolf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
I’ve been seeing this book hyped up a lot, so I had pretty high expectations. The beginning had me really questioning what I had heard but I had come around by the end.
For a novella, it has a pretty slow start, and I was a bit confused and then off put by our main character, Maddileh. By the 40% mark I had heard enough about her dislike of magic and seriously considered stopping. But once I understood the side stories and flashbacks, I liked it more. I am always a sucker for female/non-male knights being called “sir”, it is just as fun for me as to when they are called “prince”. As well as Saralene’s declaration of reversing the “noblewoman being saved by a knight”.
I didn’t really see the twist at the end coming, though the clues are all certainly there. And even though this wasn’t a hit for me right off, I do look forward to reading the next book.
For a novella, it has a pretty slow start, and I was a bit confused and then off put by our main character, Maddileh. By the 40% mark I had heard enough about her dislike of magic and seriously considered stopping. But once I understood the side stories and flashbacks, I liked it more. I am always a sucker for female/non-male knights being called “sir”, it is just as fun for me as to when they are called “prince”. As well as Saralene’s declaration of reversing the “noblewoman being saved by a knight”.
I didn’t really see the twist at the end coming, though the clues are all certainly there. And even though this wasn’t a hit for me right off, I do look forward to reading the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Misogyny and Murder
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