Reviews

3.5 stars.

I enjoyed this short, fast-paced book. It had an interesting plot and though the romance progressed really fast, it doesn't seem like it is necessarily insta-love so I didn't mind it. I think that the book could have actually been longer because of all of the world building that was only shallowly explored. The world has so much depth, and so more world building could have been beneficial; however, I do understand the cutting down of the book because world building slows the pace, and I did like the quick pace.

The story did feel a little lost in the middle, with all the running around that Sabine and Elodie did. All of that was mostly to set up the relationship, so I get it but I wouldn't necessarily call it a "slow burn" like the synopsis states, since they only spent a few days together and developed a relationship. I do like the relationship though. Also, the twists were predictable but still good, and it looks like the sequel is going to be exciting!

mikaylaslibrary's review against another edition

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2.75

This was a whirlwind of a book, and not for all the right reasons.

I really liked the premise of this novel, but the execution didn’t follow through for me. I was expecting a little more fantasy, but I felt like the worldbuilding was minimal, the characters were flat, and I knew the plot twist in the first few chapters.

The book takes place in about a week, and in those few days, the entire story seems to crumble as you continue to read it. Elodie and Sabine are such boring characters, and I really didn’t like how Elodie just bulldozed her way around, and Sabine was just… there. While they do compliment each other, they don’t feel like romantic partners, or even friends. They were just shoved together and they had to make it work.

I think that the beginning of the story set it up for a very high fantasy story with a lot of magic and suspense. But it really felt rushed, and I had to put it down multiple times because I just didn’t understand what was happening. The world doesn’t seem real, and I couldn’t picture how it was laid out because of how much jumping around the setting was doing.

The magic/religion part of the plot was what interested me the most, and I had already figured out the plot twist when we started to learn more about Sabine and Brienne. I think that it was a good idea, and it would’ve worked really well, if there was more build up to it. I would’ve liked to know a little bit more about The New Maiden and see a bit more about how it influenced daily life.

The ending of the book does build into a second book, but I think I can kind of tell where the story will end.

Did I like this book? Sure. Do I think it needs to be a series? Absolutely not.

Thank you to NetGalley, Little, Brown Publishing and the author for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

bluemorris129's review against another edition

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emotional tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

they_planet's review

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4.0

Fantastic YA novel, a series to watch.

I’m giving this book four stars because even though I didn’t enjoy it a massive amount, I know so many people who would adore this, and looking at it as a YA novel, it is a really good one. Magic, prophesy, monarch’s and betrayal, LGBTQ+ characters that are normalised, and who can just exist with the same ease heterosexual couples do.

If I had read this two, three years ago I would have devoured this book in one sitting, demanded more, and it’s not the books fault I am not the target audience.

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