(Review #394)
I rate this adult fantasy as 4.7/5 stars because it will be memorable compared to others, especially the last 100 pages. I didn’t enjoy how brutal, bloody and violent the whole story was throughout. Like EVERYONE dies a terrible death. But the writer did an amazing job with conflict, enemies to allies to lovers to enemies, and making me care.
Oraya is a human raised by vampires, her father, Vincent, the king of vampires in fact. She doesn’t quite belong in either world of predator or prey. The Kejari competition begins soon and despite the obvious dangers, Oraya will be competing in it. Why?
So if she wins she can ask any one thing from the goddess to grant her. As of now, she’d ask to be bonded to her father and share his powers so she would no longer be in danger and weak compared to the vampires surrounding her daily. But what happens if her father is ever slain? Would all her work to win be pointless?
It feels a little like the hunger games. 5 trials over 4 months: The Full Moon Trial, The Waning Trial, The Halfmoon Trial, The Crescent Trial, and The New Moon Trial.
Enter Raihn… yummy.
So I do love me some demons … but there’s a little more gore than I’m used to. It’s a good thing I don’t visualize details like a movie. Even though Carissa Broadbent would make it easy to do so because her prose are crystal clear.
I’ve reached chapter 19 and just taking note to myself that she’s still not quite likable. Oh wait. The next chapter completely changes my mind about that. Nevermind.
I don’t really understand what happened in the fire attack, but that may be intentional. Also, it’s a bit frustrating that she has some insane power. I’ve been enjoying that she’s the underdog and fights ruthlessly… so what would make her so special to have magic she doesn’t know how to control?
Halfway through I’m rightfully conflicted because Carissa Broadbent has done a great job at writing complex and deep characterization.
There’s a lot of nail biting action, but it’s so gruesome. There’s a lot more violence than I’m used to for romantasy.
“I’ve lived through some injustices in the last couple of centuries. Seen some fucking travesties. But one of the biggest, Oraya, is that someone taught you that you should become anything other than exactly what you are.”
Ooooh her actions in the starving forest scene are perfect for character growth.
In chapter 45 Oraya’s internal thoughts are confusing since she’s going back and forth between “we’re both going to die” to “but I can’t stop fighting” to “I could never hurt him” to “I’m the one who would have to kill him.” Like what is she expecting to happen tomorrow at the Last Trial? It is not clear whether her motive is to win or protect him or keep herself safe or if it’s a lost cause and the goddess will strike her/them down regardless.
In chapter 47 I’m thoroughly struggling with their motives here. If they keep saving each other and hoping the other survives, then why would they still fight against each other? It’s almost as if they should rather want their opponent to defeat the one they love instead of them having to do it themself. It would be much stronger and more believable if at the last minute, when they refused to hurt each other, THEN they’re threatened with making a choice, Raihn choosing between Oraya and Misha and Oraya choosing between Raihn and Vincent. Then the stakes would be raised and make more sense.
Ooooh….! The wish she makes…
DAMN!!! The end of part 6!!!! Now THAT’S how you write conflict!
I’ve never understood warriors who are loyal to “the queen” or “the title” or “the heir” instead of the person behind that title. The fact that they will switch allegiances to anyone sitting in the big chair doesn’t add up to me.
… well I’ll be starting the sequel immediately. I’m glad I already own it. This is why binge reading a series is necessary.
So it’s books likes these that convince me that longer page count is necessary for full character and relationship growth.