Excellent and Unique

This story was so different from the usual fantasy/adventure/romance hybrid. First, the protagonist is an anti-hero(ine). At first, she seems more like the villain - and she sort of is. But as she is developed, we come to understand that she is just a girl in a world that has made her, except without any of the conventional glossy edges. I won't say more, because I don't want to spoil the story, but I did love it and it made me want to read others by this author which, up until now, I have not wanted to do. I hope to see more like this one. Oh! And the other thing I really liked about it - the whole story in JUST ONE BOOK. YAY! I get really tired of waiting to read books that look interesting to me until the entire series is finished. I have to do that because I read so much that, if I don't, they all run together and I forget what happened before. Nothing dampens the interest like forgetting what happened a year ago! Anyway, this one is worth the price, folks.

9 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Okay read

I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book. I did like that Alessandra wasn't a good person and had her own agenda. She wanted to kill the king for power, not revenge or anything that could be considered noble. It's nice to have a main character who's kind of the villain. I also enjoyed the sex positive pieces, telling women that they own their bodies and should do what they want.
I felt like Kallias was one dimensional and needed more depth to him. He was kind of just there. The world building also lacked, I have no idea if other people have magic or just Kallias and exactly what time period are we going for?
The ending was okay. Part of it I saw coming but another part I didn't and I think it was a huge suspension of belief.
Fairly predictable but had some good moments. I liked the sub plot with the bandit and Alessandra helping Ruben with his engagement.

3 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Not what I expected

And no, I don’t mean the title in a good way. The overall performance of the book is the only reason I finished it (and because I paid for it). The story was bland, the main character ridiculous, the love connection unrealistic. The ending was excruciatingly obvious, and I’m not going to lie. This is one of those books that I was rooting for the main character and/or love interest to die when facing conflict.


Spoilers:

There is no reason that the Shadow King should even have shadows! Why did it not go into a history of why those powers exist and why, apparently, the patriarchal monarchy are the only ones who possess it—-other than Zanthos, or however you spell his name? Also, why didn’t he have it? There was no explanation! The funniest part is when the protagonist says she doesn’t understand what being humble means, because oh my gosh, I don’t want to hear any more about how perfect everything works for her, or her “sage advice”. Or how she coincidentally “solves all the problems of the kingdom.” Honestly, she’s a terrible woman to admire in any way. She’s bland and flakey, and even though I don’t like the king, he deserves better.

2 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

A fun fantasy romance

I really loved the main character and all her quirkinesses. A Slytherin romance is the perfect way to describe this. The Shadow King doesn’t quite satisfy as much as The Darkling in intrigue, but then again he isn’t a megalomaniac either.

If you’re in the mood for a well preformed romance fantasy — buy this one.

2 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Good escape, bratty heroine

While I loved the authors description of the castle and the clothing and enjoyed the character development, it was hard to get past the selfishness of both the heroine and the king. I found myself rooting for the wanna be Robin Hood character. At least he actually cared for the people

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

Wonderfully romantic and twisted

The best book I have listened to or read in a while. The author somehow makes very morally questionable people seem so likable. It’s a unique romance that I could not get enough of. The protagonist was unapologetically herself and I absolutely loved her for it.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

Unique

I had no idea what this book was about when I grabbed it. I had so many people tell me to read it I just did. I found the story to be just like many, but the female leads REASON for courting the king, fun and unique.

Overall, a fun read!

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

Superficial

Superficial story with no depth at all. Several chapters are Alessandra going on about the kings looks and how she wants to be with him.

If it wasn’t an audible I probably wouldn’t have finished reading it.

Loved It!!!

This was so well written! It had me on the edge of my seat and I couldn't stop smiling at the most intimate places :) I will be 100% recommending this!

Dark and a bit unconventional

An unconventional heroine, a bit of a plot twist, and the slowest of burns.
Now, I'll be honest, I did not like the main character at first. She's conniving and cruel and manipulative. BUT she's also interesting. So I kept going.
There was a plot twist that I (for once) didn't see coming. Partly because I forgot a detail of backstory, but I'll take it.
As for the romance... THE SLOWEST OF BURNS. And I love a good slow burn romance.