bamxo
Written on Apr 19, 2024
I have one word to sum up this book and that is - Elandavina.
Anyone who has read the book, will understand.
I loved this story so much, I dragged it out because I was afraid of ending it too quickly. I usually speed read, but this was such a beautiful world that I wanted to get lost in it forever.
The story focuses mainly on a MMC with a sight impairment, I absolutely loved that aspect, it was truly magical. Not all books have to be about perfect people in a perfect world. You portrayed this disability so well, I could almost understand how the character would feel each time his gift was fading, without my glasses on I can't see anything at all. Bumping into things and tripping over my own feet is common without them. We rely so much on our vision that to lose it suddenly, in any situation is very scary and life changing. We make do and adjust. My eyes shoot in different directions thanks to 2 squinty eyes. So I was amazed that the MMCs, being blind were so focused and calm all the time.
The FMC, is a badass hunter. She is strong and brave and not who I expected at all. That plot twist, midway mark, had me scooting back to the beginning to double check details because I thought maybe I had missed something, thinking maybe it was wrong, but nope, I was slack jawed thinking how the hell did I not catch that?
The side characters were absolutely fantastic, most books seem to leave them as footnotes to the story, but these were so bound to the heart of the MC that I loved them all. Especially Lavi.
The magic in this book is interesting, it is delegated only to those perceived by the council as worthy of being granted their wishes. They are bound to another of the council ruling family, soul to soul, to prevent the bondmate from losing control of their inner curse. They receive their wish, often distorted or some trickery afoot to keep them from actual fulfillment (half ass effort granting) and then have to work in servitude for the council for 30 odd years to pay off the debt they owe for receiving said wonky wish. Crooked little jacovans.
I loved the use of a unique language system through the book, solenvian, I thought it sounded beautiful in my head when I read it to myself, had it clearly pictured in the characters voices.
The curse was interesting, I adored the idea of the defend, attack, kill threat that drove the beast into full force, I would have liked to have seen more about the origins of the curse, and perhaps others who are not just the 3 family members transition.
There was a small swift gentle romance- clean, humour, adventure, a few character building journeys that thickened the bonds and changed a lot.
At the end of this book, I saw the screen regarding the sequel.. coming 2025!! That's so far away. Seis so! I will definitely be reading that though, I found this book to be a pure delightful read.
Going to recommend this one for YA and all fantasy adventure readers alike. Along with a swift kick up my sisters behinds to get them to read aswell.
A shimmery scale covered 5* stars from me!
Looking forward to book 2!