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debster1982's review against another edition
4.0
Looking forward to read the next one. Loved the characters in this book.
mariabookreader's review against another edition
3.0
Me ha gustado! Es un libro entretenido con una trama sencilla, no demasiado rebuscado. Un argumento plano de rápida resolución.
Pero me han gustado los personajes. Alessandra me ha encantado. Sabe lo que quiere y me gustaron sus ambiciones y la evolución de su padre romance con Kallias, que también me ha encantado.
Sospeche de Leandros desde el principio casi...
Me ha hecho reír bastante, la verdd, pero es flojito.
Pero me han gustado los personajes. Alessandra me ha encantado. Sabe lo que quiere y me gustaron sus ambiciones y la evolución de su padre romance con Kallias, que también me ha encantado.
Sospeche de Leandros desde el principio casi...
Me ha hecho reír bastante, la verdd, pero es flojito.
thebookedpath's review
5.0
This was a surprise book for me. It was the first time I read something where the MC was a villain in her own right and yet I was rooting for her. I loved how smart she was and the conversations of banter and playfulness that existed between her and the love interest. A quick read that I recommend for fans of morally gray characters and strong, ruthless heroines.
violet_ivory's review
2.0
I'll be honest, the beginning was not great. Read like it was written as a fourteen year old's self insert fantasy where everyone thought she was amazing for wearing trousers. But it did grow on me closer to the end when the focus became less on how hot every man ever thought Alessandra was. Overall it could certainly have been worse and it wasn't unenjoyable to read.
emmmalibrary's review
4.0
Le début partait vraiment très très mal, j’ai eu envie de frapper la protagoniste à de multiples reprises. La raison ? C’est une grosse pick me, imbue de sa personne, calculatrice et tout ce que tu veux de péjoratif met lui dessus j’accepte
blurrypetals's review
4.0
It's been almost a week since I finished it, so my thoughts are going to be a bit muddled, but I did like this! After the disappointments that were Serpent and Dove and Wicked Saints, I was sort of starting to think I might have to take a break from fantasy, I really was.
This wasn't perfect, but it definitely did a good job of rescuing my slowly dwindling interest in fantasy published in the last 3 years.
I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with Levenseller last year at Salt Lake City FanX convention at a panel she and a few other authors gave about breaking into the publishing industry and I was really taken with her personality and outlook on writing, as she is very clearly someone who like to write things that she would like to read.
My biggest issues with this book are with the main character and the general pacing. Even though this is a fun, light fantasy novel with a lot to bring to the table, our main character, Alessandra is the actual worst. Despite the extremely good time I was having with all the other aspects of the book, I had an incredibly difficult time rooting for Alessandra at any time. She always came off as a spoiled brat and, while that tended to serve the story more often than it didn't, I still rarely found my irritation with her softening.
I also would have liked to see the pacing evened out, as the first 2/3rds of the novel are pretty slow yet steady and then the ending gets kicked into overdrive instantaneously. It wasn't bad, really, just jarring.
That said, this book was a really fun ride and I did really enjoy myself. I'll definitely have to check out more of Levenseller's work in the future!
This wasn't perfect, but it definitely did a good job of rescuing my slowly dwindling interest in fantasy published in the last 3 years.
I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with Levenseller last year at Salt Lake City FanX convention at a panel she and a few other authors gave about breaking into the publishing industry and I was really taken with her personality and outlook on writing, as she is very clearly someone who like to write things that she would like to read.
My biggest issues with this book are with the main character and the general pacing. Even though this is a fun, light fantasy novel with a lot to bring to the table, our main character, Alessandra is the actual worst. Despite the extremely good time I was having with all the other aspects of the book, I had an incredibly difficult time rooting for Alessandra at any time. She always came off as a spoiled brat and, while that tended to serve the story more often than it didn't, I still rarely found my irritation with her softening.
I also would have liked to see the pacing evened out, as the first 2/3rds of the novel are pretty slow yet steady and then the ending gets kicked into overdrive instantaneously. It wasn't bad, really, just jarring.
That said, this book was a really fun ride and I did really enjoy myself. I'll definitely have to check out more of Levenseller's work in the future!
hellobookbird's review against another edition
4.0
I have been entrusted with the name of a king. Now I need him to give me his heart.
Alessandra is tired of being overlooked, but she has a plan to gain power:
1) Woo the Shadow King.
2) Marry him.
3) Kill him and take his kingdom for herself.
No one knows the extent of the freshly crowned Shadow King’s power. Some say he can command the shadows that swirl around him to do his bidding. Others say they speak to him, whispering the thoughts of his enemies. Regardless, Alessandra knows what she deserves, and she’s going to do everything within her power to get it.
But Alessandra’s not the only one trying to kill the king. As attempts on his life are made, she finds herself trying to keep him alive long enough for him to make her his queen—all while struggling not to lose her heart. After all, who better for a Shadow King than a cunning, villainous queen?
The rebel in me loves to throw dirt in the face of decorum.
I was delightfully surprised to find that this novel felt more mature than her original [b:Daughter of the Pirate King|33643994|Daughter of the Pirate King (Daughter of the Pirate King, #1)|Tricia Levenseller|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1483132546l/33643994._SY75_.jpg|46636002], but was tempered with the humorous and arrogant dialogue we all know and love. A great balance.
While I wasn't personally invested with the king himself—I found Alessandra far more interesting—I have to admit there were moments when I melted. The family curse, however, kind of reminds me of [b:Betrothed|36071008|The Betrothed (The Betrothed, #1)|Kiera Cass|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1570482182l/36071008._SY75_.jpg|57654989] where it's interesting in and of itself but doesn't really serve a purpose outside of that.
Regardless, witty banter, strong female leads, and a gradual seduction all lead me to a yes for this. And if you like this, I believe you'll like [b:Betrothed|36071008|The Betrothed (The Betrothed, #1)|Kiera Cass|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1570482182l/36071008._SY75_.jpg|57654989] as well.
Recommended for those that like a bit of femme fatale vibes with their fantasy romance.