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koistyfishy's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5 My Queen Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level 🌶️🌶️/5
I was really into this book for its Memento-like vibes with the notes, post-its, and overall theme of memory loss. Since Memento is one of my favourite movies because of how clever the plot twist was and how everything has to piece together I was excited to see how this similarity could be brought into this story...and oh boy was it brought because this book was exciting and I voraciously devoured it.
This follows Selene, a witch with a unique condition that feasts on her memories whenever she uses magic. So TOTAL PROBLEM when every little spell might make her forget what she ate for breakfast or how to ride a bike. It is Selene's dream to be accepted into the prestigious Henbane coven, and when her third attempt is denied she loses hope. However one of the admission witches gives her a task, if she can complete an epic magical quest and return with a witch familiar - they will let her join. Selene then embarks on a quest that involves saving a plane from a deadly crash, collecting a panther as a familiar, and mistakenly waking Memnon, a sorcerer who has been asleep for 2000 years and insists Selene is his long-lost wife and queen, the one responsible for his millennial slumber.
I love Selene's sense of humour and her internal dialogue. She had me giggling at her little observations of her environment, whether is was her mentioning cute things or thriving ecosystems in puddles of water. I also liked that at times she was a little vulgar. It was interesting how she didn't let her memory loss be seen as some debilitating condition that made her inferior and her optimism and persistence to succeed were definite drivers in her motivation to achieve what she wanted.
She felt like a person that I could talk to, a person I would love to have as a friend who would be there when needed. However, she is a little too stupid to live. It did bother me a lot that she didn't raise anything to the authorities. And after basically releasing a 2000-year-old sorcerer into the world, and then people start dying, then she is attacked by witches... but calmly goes to class the next morning, just felt a little weird and STUPID. She just pretends nothing happens like it's all normal. There are also numerous times she could have approached them. She should have said something when she went to the crypt, but nope! Let's act like hearing voices in the Witch world is normal... (spoiler if you haven't watched Harry Potter - EVEN IN THE WIZARDING WORLD THAT'S NOT A GOOD THING) I wanted her to research Memnon to see if she could find anything about him or the supposed Roxilana. I wanted the plot to reinforce the fact that he really has been erased from everything and anything and not just believe this taken as fact because he said it.
So it felt like she was just too stubborn in her ways and because of her insistence to prove she could do anything a normal witch could do(without memory loss), she let this be detrimental as she never asks for help. At some point, it felt like we were going in circles, in circles and circles.
The relationship between Selene and Memnon plays a very fine line between insta love and instant lust. But the underlying hate does slowly grow to "love". They have extreme sexual tension and a pull that Selene keeps fighting even though it is destined in fate. She does seem to almost trust him too quickly though and doesn't seem too bothered by his extreme obsession with her and rocking up in her room randomly (I mean stalker much?).
Memnon is a delicious monster. He is dangerous, but riotously sexually appealing and knows how to lay it on thick and lay it on so perfectly. Just imagining him will make your toes curl and your hair tick up on the back of your neck as shivers take over your whole body as you feel him whispering in your ear. He was just amazing power and confidence in sexy human form.
The side characters in this were amazing, especially Nero and Sybil. Sybil was fantastic and is so special. She is totally everything you want in a best friend. Because she was able to push Selene to be brave and didn't hold her memory loss against her. She just embraces who Selene is with all her foibles and eccentricities. Nero is just sass and attitude in a grumpy little big feline butt and I WANNA SQUISH HIS FACE (and hope he doesn't bite it off).
I'm hoping we get a little bit more action in the next book. I also didn't like that so many unknowns were not answered in this book. While I know cliffhangers and unanswered questions entice a person to read the next instalment - I feel like almost everything was left unanswered and hanging.
Trope Summary:
▶ Enemies to Lovers
▶ Ancient Curses
▶ Witches, Werewolves and Sorcerers
▶ Touch her and Die
▶ Sassy Animal familiars
▶ Soul Mates
▶ Love Triangle
▶ Memento Vibes
▶ Mine
▶ Burn the World for You
Overall I had a great time and can’t wait to dive into book 2 (which I may already have started because I got the ARC)
Also I am still giggling thinking about my husband’s alternative name for this cover… 🖤
Spicy Level 🌶️🌶️/5
I was really into this book for its Memento-like vibes with the notes, post-its, and overall theme of memory loss. Since Memento is one of my favourite movies because of how clever the plot twist was and how everything has to piece together I was excited to see how this similarity could be brought into this story...and oh boy was it brought because this book was exciting and I voraciously devoured it.
This follows Selene, a witch with a unique condition that feasts on her memories whenever she uses magic. So TOTAL PROBLEM when every little spell might make her forget what she ate for breakfast or how to ride a bike. It is Selene's dream to be accepted into the prestigious Henbane coven, and when her third attempt is denied she loses hope. However one of the admission witches gives her a task, if she can complete an epic magical quest and return with a witch familiar - they will let her join. Selene then embarks on a quest that involves saving a plane from a deadly crash, collecting a panther as a familiar, and mistakenly waking Memnon, a sorcerer who has been asleep for 2000 years and insists Selene is his long-lost wife and queen, the one responsible for his millennial slumber.
I love Selene's sense of humour and her internal dialogue. She had me giggling at her little observations of her environment, whether is was her mentioning cute things or thriving ecosystems in puddles of water. I also liked that at times she was a little vulgar. It was interesting how she didn't let her memory loss be seen as some debilitating condition that made her inferior and her optimism and persistence to succeed were definite drivers in her motivation to achieve what she wanted.
She felt like a person that I could talk to, a person I would love to have as a friend who would be there when needed. However, she is a little too stupid to live. It did bother me a lot that she didn't raise anything to the authorities.
So it felt like she was just too stubborn in her ways and because of her insistence to prove she could do anything a normal witch could do(without memory loss), she let this be detrimental as she never asks for help. At some point, it felt like we were going in circles, in circles and circles.
The relationship between Selene and Memnon plays a very fine line between insta love and instant lust. But the underlying hate does slowly grow to "love". They have extreme sexual tension and a pull that Selene keeps fighting even though it is destined in fate. She does seem to almost trust him too quickly though and doesn't seem too bothered by his extreme obsession with her and rocking up in her room randomly (I mean stalker much?).
Memnon is a delicious monster. He is dangerous, but riotously sexually appealing and knows how to lay it on thick and lay it on so perfectly. Just imagining him will make your toes curl and your hair tick up on the back of your neck as shivers take over your whole body as you feel him whispering in your ear. He was just amazing power and confidence in sexy human form.
The side characters in this were amazing, especially Nero and Sybil. Sybil was fantastic and is so special. She is totally everything you want in a best friend. Because she was able to push Selene to be brave and didn't hold her memory loss against her. She just embraces who Selene is with all her foibles and eccentricities. Nero is just sass and attitude in a grumpy little big feline butt and I WANNA SQUISH HIS FACE (and hope he doesn't bite it off).
I'm hoping we get a little bit more action in the next book. I also didn't like that so many unknowns were not answered in this book. While I know cliffhangers and unanswered questions entice a person to read the next instalment - I feel like almost everything was left unanswered and hanging.
Trope Summary:
▶ Enemies to Lovers
▶ Ancient Curses
▶ Witches, Werewolves and Sorcerers
▶ Touch her and Die
▶ Sassy Animal familiars
▶ Soul Mates
▶ Love Triangle
▶ Memento Vibes
▶ Mine
▶ Burn the World for You
Overall I had a great time and can’t wait to dive into book 2 (which I may already have started because I got the ARC)
Also I am still giggling thinking about my husband’s alternative name for this cover… 🖤
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Murder, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Violence, Emotional abuse, and Stalking
Minor: Alcohol
dear_reader_stephani's review
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Stalking
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Kidnapping
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