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queenoftoomanyfandoms's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kirbyherzog's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
lumelko's review
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
foxyloowho's review
3.0
I want to make it clear that even though I only gave this book 3*, I still enjoyed it and am glad I read it. In general, it was a good book but particularly as a debut. I honestly wouldn’t have guessed that. Things I liked about the book; The whole concept of the affinites. Although maybe a common theme in fantasy in one form or another, I liked that the author was creative with it and came up with her own spin on it as well as description and verbiage. Especially Ana’s affinity in particular; I mean being able to control the blood in people?! That’s pretty freaking cool. I also liked the obvious inspiration from Russia. I haven’t read many Fantasy books with that type of culture so it was nice to see that. My favorite thing about this book was the actual writing. As I said, I honestly would not have guessed this was a debut book. I thought the writing flowed pretty well and was interesting. I also enjoyed the 2 main characters, Ana and Ransom, although I do have issues with them both as well. Which brings me to the things I did not like, and why I didn’t rate this higher. My biggest issue was with Ana and Ransom. Although I loved them both, I got frustrated with Ana for her overwhelming naïveté, even after being repeatedly bitten in the behind due to it. I understand she’s a princess and was very sheltered but she also spent an entire year between fleeing the castle and the book picking up and I just don’t understand how she survived that long, on her own without getting caught. Ransom on the other hand, is supposed to be this cutthroat ruthless crime lord but that’s just not the vibe I got from him at all. He’s also supposed to be really smart yet he gets caught up repeatedly, making him seem naive as well and therefore discrediting any serious claims of being a ruthless crime lord. As I said, I still like the characters I just got frustrated with them at times and felt like they were literal children playing at being grown ups. I do look forward to seeing what will happen in the next book though and hopefully seeing Ana mature and flourish.
clowdywings's review
5.0
4.75 - "She'd spent months searching for this man. She'd pinned all her hopes--and more--on him." (Pg. 61)
This was much better than expected. The prose is gorgeous and the story is actually really dark but super compelling.
Our story starts out with Ana visiting a prison. It is sort of an abrupt start because it seems like you should know stuff before but it catches you up to speed throughout the book, which is an interesting way to do it. The overall story is similar to others that I have read but the characters help make the book unique.
Before I say anything else, I have to say how gory this is. There is blood and/or violence in nearly every chapter. It is fairly graphic (sometimes it describes it, others it just says it's there). There is also mentions of torture and a brief description of torture. And there is a lot of death. Like... a LOT.
The cast is very well done. They are very detailed and quite fleshed out. There is quite a few of people so I'll just talk about the two people whose perspectives we read in.
• Ana, our MC. She's very powerful but she also properly uses her emotions in battles, which is something I don't really see done a lot. (Ex. She's deathly scared of a bandit so she uses her power to save herself.) I read in other reviews that she is a morally grey character, which I agree with. She does kill people. She is selfish. But she is kind and witty.
• Ransom. He is pretty epic. I've seen characters similar to him before but not with all the details that this author has for him. He is a tortured soul which works perfectly with the story and Ana.
There is an element of romance within this book. But it really only emerges later. It seems quite natural and it absolutely is not insta-love. (Thankfully! I'm so glad.) I think it works for the story. I just hope it doesn't ruin the story in the next books.
The prose is so on point. *chef's kiss* It has a perfect balance of showing and telling. Good stuff.
Can't wait until the next book because I have so many questions!
This was much better than expected. The prose is gorgeous and the story is actually really dark but super compelling.
Our story starts out with Ana visiting a prison. It is sort of an abrupt start because it seems like you should know stuff before but it catches you up to speed throughout the book, which is an interesting way to do it. The overall story is similar to others that I have read but the characters help make the book unique.
Before I say anything else, I have to say how gory this is. There is blood and/or violence in nearly every chapter. It is fairly graphic (sometimes it describes it, others it just says it's there). There is also mentions of torture and a brief description of torture. And there is a lot of death. Like... a LOT.
The cast is very well done. They are very detailed and quite fleshed out. There is quite a few of people so I'll just talk about the two people whose perspectives we read in.
• Ana, our MC. She's very powerful but she also properly uses her emotions in battles, which is something I don't really see done a lot. (Ex. She's deathly scared of a bandit so she uses her power to save herself.) I read in other reviews that she is a morally grey character, which I agree with. She does kill people. She is selfish. But she is kind and witty.
• Ransom. He is pretty epic. I've seen characters similar to him before but not with all the details that this author has for him. He is a tortured soul which works perfectly with the story and Ana.
There is an element of romance within this book. But it really only emerges later. It seems quite natural and it absolutely is not insta-love. (Thankfully! I'm so glad.) I think it works for the story. I just hope it doesn't ruin the story in the next books.
The prose is so on point. *chef's kiss* It has a perfect balance of showing and telling. Good stuff.
Can't wait until the next book because I have so many questions!
molly_booklover's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.0
kettyslibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jvbook_reader's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Trafficking
librarianlizreads's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this work. Anna is a strong character who goes on a crazy journey both literally and of self-exploration.
I normally judge books on how believable and lovable the characters are and I felt for each of the characters in this book.
It involves individuals with magic or mutant-like powers, a fight for a kingdom and the rights of the people, and discovering to trust yourself and make the right decisions to become the person you want to be.
I normally judge books on how believable and lovable the characters are and I felt for each of the characters in this book.
It involves individuals with magic or mutant-like powers, a fight for a kingdom and the rights of the people, and discovering to trust yourself and make the right decisions to become the person you want to be.
darbymm85's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5