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chr1st1e's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
ensembledesetoiles's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
jadedmirror's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
I was on the fence on whether or not I should give this book a 4 or 3.75. Ultimately I chose 3.75. I thought it could have done with more world building and info on the history of the Faes in general. I don't usually read romance novels anymore so maybe this a normal thing with books like this. I'm not normally one for graphic sex scenes but these were sprinkled in throughout the book so it was tolerable for someone like myself. I also thought the ending was too abrupt.
Overall I enjoyed the book, I would also read the next book in the series even though this isn't normally my genre. Hopefully in the next novel the author will go into more detail about the different types of magic users and more detail in the history of the world around the characters.
Overall I enjoyed the book, I would also read the next book in the series even though this isn't normally my genre. Hopefully in the next novel the author will go into more detail about the different types of magic users and more detail in the history of the world around the characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
wolffe's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
annaszell's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
sadly, only 2⭐️ for this one
oh boy, where do I even start?
this should have been at least a 3, possibly a 4-star read for me. marriage of convenience? high fantasy? spice? sign me the f up.
however, it was a big, fat letdown. I almost dnf'd it a couple of times, but I was just so hopeful it would get better that I ended up finishing it. see my problems below:
this whole book reads young. like should-have-been-categorized-ya-young. now, don't get me wrong, I like reading YA. but this wasn't supposed to be that. especially since the FMC is 29, and the MMC is around 200(?), they should have adult voices. they don't. they just cannot, FFS, communicate as adults. their emotional maturity, their behavior, everything screams teenagers. which again, would not be a problem if they were, in fact, teenagers.
another big issue I had was the whole arranged marriage trope. I expected a slow burn. I expected some tension. what did I get? very insta-love vibes and some "conflict", which was 100% miscommunication and teenage sulking. 😭
also, some parts were complete SJM rip-offs. the Autmnland Lord's son? Lucien. EVEN HAD THE SCAR THROUGH HIS EYE. I can't make this up. Strella's power was basically the shein-version of Bryce's starlight. the 4 "kingdoms" are Winter, Autumn, Summer, and Spring. this was the least problematic, but combined with everything, it just left a sour taste in my mouth.
not surprisingly, I won't continue this series.
thank you to the author and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
oh boy, where do I even start?
this should have been at least a 3, possibly a 4-star read for me. marriage of convenience? high fantasy? spice? sign me the f up.
however, it was a big, fat letdown. I almost dnf'd it a couple of times, but I was just so hopeful it would get better that I ended up finishing it. see my problems below:
this whole book reads young. like should-have-been-categorized-ya-young. now, don't get me wrong, I like reading YA. but this wasn't supposed to be that. especially since the FMC is 29, and the MMC is around 200(?), they should have adult voices. they don't. they just cannot, FFS, communicate as adults. their emotional maturity, their behavior, everything screams teenagers. which again, would not be a problem if they were, in fact, teenagers.
another big issue I had was the whole arranged marriage trope. I expected a slow burn. I expected some tension. what did I get? very insta-love vibes and some "conflict", which was 100% miscommunication and teenage sulking. 😭
also, some parts were complete SJM rip-offs. the Autmnland Lord's son? Lucien. EVEN HAD THE SCAR THROUGH HIS EYE. I can't make this up. Strella's power was basically the shein-version of Bryce's starlight. the 4 "kingdoms" are Winter, Autumn, Summer, and Spring. this was the least problematic, but combined with everything, it just left a sour taste in my mouth.
not surprisingly, I won't continue this series.
thank you to the author and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
emm_enchanted's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
One of my favourite tropes in the fantasy romance genre is the arranged marriage/marriage of convenience trope. I love the idea of two strangers being pushed together, trying to make the relationship work for the sake of others but finding true love in the process. So when I came across the ARC of this book, I had to request it. And I'm glad that I did, because I enjoyed it so much.
The best thing about the book was the way the female characters were portrayed. They were headstrong, determined and independent and supported each other. Queen Alene was fierce but also gentle, Lady Piris was the friend anyone would be lucky to have and the FMC Strella was kind-hearted and intelligent. Every scene where these qualities were highlighted throughout the book were my favourite.
Certain secrets about the characters were revealed over the course of the book, and I liked how the author had spread them out to keep things interesting. However, there was one instance where I did not like a character's reaction to what another person shared. I found that a bit hypocritical given that they also had kept some secrets. I'm just relieved that they saw the error of their ways eventually.
The world-building was good, and I also liked the various magical abilities of the characters. The conflict among the clans and the Winterlands was explored well. But once again, I wasn't satisfied with the reason given for a character's betrayal. It didn't go well with what was described about their personality.
In terms of romance, the relationship between Ghel and Strella was developed well. There is a good amount of spice in the book with detailed scenes.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, but I'm even more excited for the next one because it is about Lady Piris and Prince Jarok. I already loved the brief interactions they had in this book, and enemies-to-lovers is another one of my favourite tropes. I recommend this book to all fantasy romance readers who enjoy spice, secrets and strong heroines.
The best thing about the book was the way the female characters were portrayed. They were headstrong, determined and independent and supported each other. Queen Alene was fierce but also gentle, Lady Piris was the friend anyone would be lucky to have and the FMC Strella was kind-hearted and intelligent. Every scene where these qualities were highlighted throughout the book were my favourite.
Certain secrets about the characters were revealed over the course of the book, and I liked how the author had spread them out to keep things interesting. However, there was one instance where I did not like a character's reaction to what another person shared. I found that a bit hypocritical given that they also had kept some secrets. I'm just relieved that they saw the error of their ways eventually.
The world-building was good, and I also liked the various magical abilities of the characters. The conflict among the clans and the Winterlands was explored well. But once again, I wasn't satisfied with the reason given for a character's betrayal. It didn't go well with what was described about their personality.
In terms of romance, the relationship between Ghel and Strella was developed well. There is a good amount of spice in the book with detailed scenes.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, but I'm even more excited for the next one because it is about Lady Piris and Prince Jarok. I already loved the brief interactions they had in this book, and enemies-to-lovers is another one of my favourite tropes. I recommend this book to all fantasy romance readers who enjoy spice, secrets and strong heroines.
mettelarsen's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Received as an ARC.
Cute story and very easy to read.
I loved the characters and the male character parents!
Strong female characters. Loved it!
The love between the main character were extremely fast. Maybe to fast ?
All in all, I liked the book and will definitely read the next one!
Cute story and very easy to read.
I loved the characters and the male character parents!
Strong female characters. Loved it!
The love between the main character were extremely fast. Maybe to fast ?
All in all, I liked the book and will definitely read the next one!
hilma's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Land of Snow and Secrets by Sonya Lawson is the story of the arranged marriage between Strella and Prince Ghel of the Winterland Fae. When they meet, sparks fly, but there are also secrets between them, and a rebellion is brewing.
Right from the start I loved this story. The writing style is flowing and the building relationship and romance was lovely to read, although a bit too spicy. I first thought Strella to be a bit meek as she does what she is told (to marry a stranger), but later on she got more self assured. She is intelligent and kind hearted. And I just loved the Queen. The worldbuilding is also great and well developed.
This book has surprised me, in a good way, and I am looking foward to the sequel.
victorias_library's review
3.0
Thank you to the author for the ARC.
This book was okay. It wasn’t my favorite and it wasn’t my least favorite. I think the story was rushed and the romance was very rushed too. I do enjoy a marriage of convenience, but this marriage of convenience jumped to insta-lovey very fast and that’s just not really for me. I really enjoyed the relationships the main characters had with the side characters like Jarok and Piris. I would be interested to see how she takes the enemies to lovers between Jarok and Piris 👀
Also… I kind of got the ick with the amount of times I read Ghel “growled”
This book was okay. It wasn’t my favorite and it wasn’t my least favorite. I think the story was rushed and the romance was very rushed too. I do enjoy a marriage of convenience, but this marriage of convenience jumped to insta-lovey very fast and that’s just not really for me. I really enjoyed the relationships the main characters had with the side characters like Jarok and Piris. I would be interested to see how she takes the enemies to lovers between Jarok and Piris 👀
Also… I kind of got the ick with the amount of times I read Ghel “growled”
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