I downloaded this book a few auroras ago (if you read this, that will make sense), only rediscovering it recently after seeing it on a shop shelf and thinking, “That cover looks familiar.”
For the most part, it was enjoyable. A fantasy novel, it is set in a world of dragons and seers, kings and conflict. There are also gods called Creators who can be called upon to aid you if you have the skill to do so: those without this are called Nulls and are viewed as lesser beings. Royal rule casts a shadow of brutality, the everyday folk trying not to draw regal attention to themselves and getting on as best they can.
The book starts with the main character, Raeve, a young woman who is part of a sort of terrorist vigilante group. She rescues those in need and is strong, determined, wise-cracking and savvy. She’s likeable for her independence and her outlook. We switch to other characters too in the latter part of the book and I have to say that this was a reprieve for which I was grateful as I found Raeve annoying at times, not necessarily agreeing with her choices or her rationale behind them.
Alongside the action taking place in the here and now, we are also privy to Elluin’s journal, Elluin being a royal whose identity we are not certain of and which is kept a mystery, becoming clearer as the book reaches its end.
What’s good about this book is it is a good story well-told. Parker describes places and events convincingly and there is a clear idea of the world that she has created, helped by a glossary at the end of the book. I liked the moons and what they represented – I thought this was an imaginative touch. Characters are vivid and her dialogue and the way that she presents scenes is involving and entertaining.
But I was still left wanting. Sexy interludes helped, this book being ripe with them, making this reader’s cheeks very warm indeed but I was not helped by the ending, which I was desperate to reach (interpret that comment as you will). It was, in my opinion, a little flat, designed as it is to lead you towards book two, written with a view to creating questions in the reader and having them hover expectantly over the new characters who are introduced.
My feelings? I enjoyed it but I’m not eager to return to the series. I can’t help but feel that I’m not the target audience for this new fantasy I have monikered “Faery Smut”, which sounds derogatory: it’s not meant to be. For me, it sums it up perfectly; it never rankles but it doesn’t fully sate either and it does involve fantasy figures and their ilk and some sauciness. I can imagine for other readers, it would be compelling. Just not me.
I do think it’s better than ACOTAR if that counts for anything so if you enjoyed that, I can’t see why you wouldn’t enjoy this. But, for me, I think this is where I leave it. A briefly enjoyable spell but one I don’t care to revisit.
Scuffed Granny 