This was unexpectedly good! I have been in a KPop Demon Hunters spiral and I kept seeing this book recommended to cure that hangover. It certai4.5 ⭐️
This was unexpectedly good! I have been in a KPop Demon Hunters spiral and I kept seeing this book recommended to cure that hangover. It certainly has similar vibes.
We’ve got Kings of Hell, Reapers, Revenants (they resemble demons), and Exorcists who hunt the Revenants. This story has so many intertwined elements and was so intriguing from start to finish. The magic system was very unique, the idea that some are blessed with a powerful spirit core, where their magic resides, and allows them to join the esteemed Exorcist Academy to be the hero’s of their world.
The romance in this was also incredible! It’s a mashup of soul mates, star crossed lovers, and grumpy sunshine, so basically all of my favorite things. All of the characters were so real and relatable on some level but my favorite was Zizi! He was so unserious and unapologetically strange, yet he owned it! He also didn’t flaunt his powers even though he was an insanely powerful mage. You could tell throughout the entire book that he was completely in love with Rui and it had me so giddy. Not to mention that towards the end of the book he basically tells her he’d let the world burn if it meant she was alive! I’m SCREAMMMMMING!
I had no clue this wasn’t a standalone but I’m so invested and need to know what happens next. ...more
Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an early copy of this book
✨Magic academy ✨Magic based on pleasure and pain ✨Rival guilds ✨4 ⭐️
Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an early copy of this book
✨Magic academy ✨Magic based on pleasure and pain ✨Rival guilds ✨Betrayal ✨Morally gray ✨Magic mafia ✨Secret mission ✨Good vs evil
This book was so deep and detailed and had some of the most unique ideas I’ve ever read. The world building is very rich and vivid, painting a compelling backdrop to this story that completely consumes you. Paired with a magic system that is insanely creative based on the ideas of pleasure and pain. Mages replenish their magic through feeling pleasure of varying kinds (favorite foods, wine, reading their favorite book, physical touch, etc) but can sharpen the potency of their spells through pain. Such a cool idea!!!
Paired with the epic world building and magic system, we learn about the various societal issues. This kingdom is one at war with itself on all fronts. We have rival mage gilds (thieves, mafia and detectives) all fighting it out over the ideals of good and evil, opposing religious groups who follow either Saints or prophets, corrupt nobility and a rare group of mages called TimeWeavers who were all thought to be eradicated from their world long ago who could remake the very fabric of their reality. All of these details were some of my favorite parts of the story.
One of my other favorite parts was THE ROMANCE! I loved Levan because for the longest time I couldn’t puzzle him out. He was a mystery and so complex all the way to the very end. He’s also borderline morally black. With Levan and Saffron, I love how their broken jagged pieces fit perfectly together to make them whole. They understand one another in a way that only someone who’s been through similar trauma could.
I did knock this down a star for a few reasons. I felt the pacing was off. It felt alittle like whiplash at times where the story would progress but then details from prior would constantly be repeated or Saffron would continue to make the same mistakes over and over again. She was a bit insufferable at time. She was undercover behind enemy lines and made a terrible spy in my opinion.
Overall, this book is worth the read and I really enjoyed it. Looking forward to seeing where it goes from here....more
This was such a fun listen and these audiobooks are amazing! Duet narration is where it’s at and I can’t go back.
The couple in this book was eve4 ⭐️
This was such a fun listen and these audiobooks are amazing! Duet narration is where it’s at and I can’t go back.
The couple in this book was everything. Paesha is witty and so badass and Thorne was sexy as hell with his smoky words and sensual promises. There was so much angst and tension between the two of them.
I will say the pacing of this book started to feel a bit off after the 50% mark. There were a lot of things that felt unnecessary. This did not need to be a 21 hour audiobook. However, with that said I still really enjoyed it and the experience was worth it. ...more
I am so sad that this story is over! I had the privilege to at. Read the first book last year and now the honor to arc read the sequel. Thank you5 ⭐️
I am so sad that this story is over! I had the privilege to at. Read the first book last year and now the honor to arc read the sequel. Thank you so much to the publisher and the author for trusting me with your work.
I think this duology is criminally underhyped. The first book in the series was so good but this second book was AMAZING!
This book has everything! Found family, romance, heists, political intrigue, sarcasm and humor. The sprinkling of romance throughout is enough to make you giddy and kick your feet. The fact that Tobias can hardly say a word yet make my heart race speaks for itself.
Enna is one of my favorite side characters. She’s witty and so unserious with a silver tongue. Teia is the best anti hero I’ve ever read with grey morales and a soft spot for those she loves. Very few people get under her thick skin but when they do, she is loyal to a fault. The entire cast of characters is so likeable and relatable that I find myself wanting to be a part of their crew.
This book included another heist, similar to book one which we love to see, and some unexpected magical trials. AND THE PLOT TWIST AT THE END!!!! Truly had my jaw on the floor and was so well done that I didn’t even see it coming. I’m so sad this story is ending but am so glad it exists because it’s an amazing read. I highly recommend!...more
This is my favorite read of the year! There is something about Rachel’s writing and the incredible way her brain works to spin a story that compl5 ⭐️
This is my favorite read of the year! There is something about Rachel’s writing and the incredible way her brain works to spin a story that completely consumes you.
This book was so unique and unlike anything I’ve ever read. It’s also very atmospheric which is something she’s known for from her Shepherd King Duology series. I truly don’t know where she pulls these ideas from for her books but I am in awe of her! This book tackled some very heavy topics such as religious trauma, betrayal, and deep rooted societal lies and beautifully blended them with a story of self discovery, self worth and love. It was a journey of healing and learning that you are worthy of good things in life without having to prove yourself to be so. I experienced so many mixed emotions while reading this story. This book simultaneously broke and healed something within me.
The way Rachel Gillig writes romance is swoon worthy! Rory is a consent king (which we love to see). The yearning and tension and witty banter; all of the things I love most in a romance. I would describe this as a dislike to like relationship on the verge of love. They see and acknowledge both the good and ugly pieces of one another and don’t shy away from them, which had me melting! I’m obsessed with the way she writes side characters who are so memorable. Gargoyle was the much needed comedic relief in this story but then would also say some of the most profound things.
In tour, Rachel said she’s calling this her apology tour and after that ending I find it fitting! The plot twist had me gagged. ...more
✨ forced proximity ✨ grumpy sunshine ✨ reluctant allies ✨ enemies to lovers ✨ forbidden love ✨ fake engagement ✨ good vs. evil
Let me start by saying 4 ⭐️
✨ forced proximity ✨ grumpy sunshine ✨ reluctant allies ✨ enemies to lovers ✨ forbidden love ✨ fake engagement ✨ good vs. evil
Let me start by saying that this book has the coolest concept! It gripped me from the very start. Exorcists versus demons in a centuries long war against one another… SIGN ME UP! This idea was so unique and executed so well.
The magic system in this book was so unique and the means in which people obtain this magic is dark and twisted. There are certainly some darker themes in this book along with the idea of corrupt religion and the effects of such a thing on the world. The world building was easy to grasp since it feels familiar yet wholly different. With dark secrets, twisted beliefs, and questionable morales.
Surprisingly this book had me cackling at times! There were so many funny one liners with a cast of characters that are instantly likeable. Jules, our MMC, is so smooth and charming and impossible not to fall head over heels for. Selene is such a well written and flawed character who is so set in her ways and deeply devoted to her convictions. She is my favorite type of FMC. She’s ruthless, determined, resourceful and all around badass!
I loved the romance in this story. So many small but intimate moments happen between Selene and Jules as they try to fight this undeniable attraction between them. It had me so giddy! There’s a construct pull and give between Selene and Jules throughout the book. They want to let their guards down but also know how dangerous it can be and revert back to the natural instinct of protecting themselves.
Overall this book was really strong, but there were a few moments in the book that felt alittle clunky or not fully explained or fleshed out. I also feel like the ending got away from the author a bit. It felt chaotic and clunky and didn’t make a ton of sense to me. I wanted it to feel more epic if that makes sense? Even despite that, I really enjoyed this book and would absolutely recommend it to a friend. ...more