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Monsters of Faery #2
In the Claws of the Raven Prince
He's the man I swore to betray, and everything I could ever dream of having. When the fae save your life, they own it—and you. But when an attack by the deadly half-manticore, half-fae Raven Prince reveals that my Court's greatest enemy is my soulmate, I'm offered a new Spy on my soulmate, and I'll be free at the end of the war. I thought I'd be imprisoned by a horrifying monster, not captivated by a deadly prince. The Raven Prince is possessive and impassioned, with a wildness that intoxicates me. Even though he knows I'm his enemy, he can't stay away from me—and his every touch lights a fire in me I can't bear to resist. The only way out of my sworn word is death, and we can never have a future if I die in his arms. But how can I ever betray the prince who wants to make me his mate? In the Claws of the Raven Prince is a complete story with a guaranteed happily-ever-after. This steamy enemies-to-lovers romance explores the boundary between love and obsession and features a possessive male lead as much beast as he is man. For a full list of content warnings, please see mallorydunlin.com/catalog.
302 pages, Paperback
First published April 13, 2023
326 people are currently reading
1515 people want to read
About the author
Mallory Dunlin
16 books423 followersMallory Dunlin is a certified monster lover who cut her reader eyeteeth on fantasy epics. She combines her reading passions into writing romantasy novels with powerful women and traumatized, dangerous, non-human male leads.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
August 22, 2024
Honestly if i read the word darling or pearl one more time😩😩
August 26, 2024
I will never get over Mallory Dunlin’s amazing world building and stunning navigation of the complex characters she builds. Lilly was such an interesting FMC, with a lot of PTSD and an unbearable mandatory mission to complete that will hurt her soulmate. She was pragmatic and passionate about protecting Ayre from himself and others. She saw deep into the heart of him and was crucial for guiding him to self-acceptance and more stability. Ayre was territorial, possessive, and utterly lost in navigating his new existence. He gave Lilly the acceptance and devotion that she needed. This book was dark and so so difficult at times because Dunlin never shies away from letting the characters fuck up. It was a messy, passionate, and engaging love story and I adored it.
Spice: 5/5
Triggers: violence, gore, war including massacre of city, death of family members, murder, fatal spinal cord injury and flashbacks to painful hospitalization and feelings of suffocation, kidnapping, captivity, familial estrangement, death of children, mentions of bombing, severe injury, hypothermia, beginning stages of starvation, severe dehydration, discussion of cannibalism (by “animal half” of MMC)
Spice: 5/5
Triggers: violence, gore, war including massacre of city, death of family members, murder, fatal spinal cord injury and flashbacks to painful hospitalization and feelings of suffocation, kidnapping, captivity, familial estrangement, death of children, mentions of bombing, severe injury, hypothermia, beginning stages of starvation, severe dehydration, discussion of cannibalism (by “animal half” of MMC)
May 24, 2025
his was one of my least favorite of Mallory Dunlin's. I was hoping there would be more tension and conflict from her spying on him, as in more of a slow burn where she reluctantly falls for him while doing devious things. However it more plays out that they are immediately in love and she makes two weak spy attempts that take up barely any page space, other than a brief thought that he'll probably forgive her if he finds out about the spying.
Beyond just the insta-love aspect, the relationship dynamics in this one were just not for me. The extreme jealousy, where he fights a healer because she touched his soulmate? Yea to like...heal her? He doesn't want her to talk to anyone but him, wants her to smell like his semen all the time as a message to other people. And she just goes along with all of it instead of being like...how about I bathe, actually? The page space that was taken from the spy plotline was used on the semen plotline, because it was simply everywhere, all the time. The dripping, the smearing, it was a lot. The man must have been severely dehydrated. The rest of the page space was needed for the overuse of the pet name darling.
I did like this one just for the background of the different courts and the intros for the characters that come up later in the series. The concept also of being merged with the manticore and balancing their personalities and wants was also interesting. However, if you're only picking and choosing which ones of this series to read as a standalone, I wouldn't go for this one unless you enjoy a very posessive/controlling relationship dynamic.
Beyond just the insta-love aspect, the relationship dynamics in this one were just not for me. The extreme jealousy, where he fights a healer because she touched his soulmate? Yea to like...heal her? He doesn't want her to talk to anyone but him, wants her to smell like his semen all the time as a message to other people. And she just goes along with all of it instead of being like...how about I bathe, actually? The page space that was taken from the spy plotline was used on the semen plotline, because it was simply everywhere, all the time. The dripping, the smearing, it was a lot. The man must have been severely dehydrated. The rest of the page space was needed for the overuse of the pet name darling.
I did like this one just for the background of the different courts and the intros for the characters that come up later in the series. The concept also of being merged with the manticore and balancing their personalities and wants was also interesting. However, if you're only picking and choosing which ones of this series to read as a standalone, I wouldn't go for this one unless you enjoy a very posessive/controlling relationship dynamic.
May 10, 2023
I enjoyed the build up of the romance. The hero is part manticore and part fae after he almost died and used magic to save his life. So he spends a lot of time fighting his manticore instincts.
I was confused at the timeline because this book is book 2 in the series, but it takes place before book 1.
The heroine is the soul mate of a very dangerous soldier in the Raven Court. She is life bound to the Stag Court. They promise her freedom if she spies on the hero. She feels bad about betraying him but she has no choice or she'll die.
The hero is obsessed with her and always wants to be around her. He likes to carry her around and feed her food while she sits on his lap.
Everything works out in the end but it is a high price to pay.
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
S
P
O
I
L
E
R
S
.........The heroine's spying leads to the death of one of the brothers of the hero. Heroine also knew him. Many other soldiers died. He throws her out or he worries his manticore side will kill her.
She returns to the Stag Court and betrays the Stag Court by sending a message to the hero, telling him that a slaughter is coming and to get everyone out of the city. He tries. But his older brother refuses to leave (he is enraged at the death of his little brother) and is killed trying to defend his city from the Stag Court. The Stag Court's prince (the hero in book 1) kills everyone in the city. Everyone.
We find out in book 1 he did it to stop a war. Many deaths now in one city that would be so terrible nobody would continue the war. So in the long run, he planned to save lives.
Anyway, heroine goes to find the hero and he is almost dead. She finds Stag Court and they save their lives. Stag Court's soldiers let them go. There has been enough killing.
She and the hero return home to the tower Eyrie. A god appears and makes her the Queen of the Windswept Court. So she is now a fae queen. The god says fae have forgotten they are intruders and why monsters are created with magic. Heroine doesn't understand. But she takes in everyone who asks to join her court. Refugees from both Stag Court and Raven Court. Her court, Windswept Court, is a place of peace. She won't force anyone to take an oath to the court either.
I was confused at the timeline because this book is book 2 in the series, but it takes place before book 1.
The heroine is the soul mate of a very dangerous soldier in the Raven Court. She is life bound to the Stag Court. They promise her freedom if she spies on the hero. She feels bad about betraying him but she has no choice or she'll die.
The hero is obsessed with her and always wants to be around her. He likes to carry her around and feed her food while she sits on his lap.
Everything works out in the end but it is a high price to pay.
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
S
P
O
I
L
E
R
S
.........The heroine's spying leads to the death of one of the brothers of the hero. Heroine also knew him. Many other soldiers died. He throws her out or he worries his manticore side will kill her.
She returns to the Stag Court and betrays the Stag Court by sending a message to the hero, telling him that a slaughter is coming and to get everyone out of the city. He tries. But his older brother refuses to leave (he is enraged at the death of his little brother) and is killed trying to defend his city from the Stag Court. The Stag Court's prince (the hero in book 1) kills everyone in the city. Everyone.
We find out in book 1 he did it to stop a war. Many deaths now in one city that would be so terrible nobody would continue the war. So in the long run, he planned to save lives.
Anyway, heroine goes to find the hero and he is almost dead. She finds Stag Court and they save their lives. Stag Court's soldiers let them go. There has been enough killing.
She and the hero return home to the tower Eyrie. A god appears and makes her the Queen of the Windswept Court. So she is now a fae queen. The god says fae have forgotten they are intruders and why monsters are created with magic. Heroine doesn't understand. But she takes in everyone who asks to join her court. Refugees from both Stag Court and Raven Court. Her court, Windswept Court, is a place of peace. She won't force anyone to take an oath to the court either.
March 26, 2024
This book hurt me a lot more than I thought it would 😭
October 20, 2024
nooo
This should have been book one because the actual book one has super high spoilers for this book. Also if I have to hear the FMC call her c1it a pearl one more time I swear
This should have been book one because the actual book one has super high spoilers for this book. Also if I have to hear the FMC call her c1it a pearl one more time I swear
September 1, 2025
2 stars
I wasn't a fan of all the darlings and two-faced betrayal in this novel. I didn't like how the deaths of the royal family were treated with such aplomb afterward. I'm hoping it's a one-off since I did like the first one and will continue with the series.
I wasn't a fan of all the darlings and two-faced betrayal in this novel. I didn't like how the deaths of the royal family were treated with such aplomb afterward. I'm hoping it's a one-off since I did like the first one and will continue with the series.
March 4, 2025
3.5/5 rounding down
For me, this book suffered needlessly because of its place in the series. Its a prequel to the previous book and explains/sets up the situation/motivations/conflict/war. In the first two books, we are reading stories on opposing sides of a brutal war. In one book the people are the heroes, in the other the enemy. We had just read a book about the stag court people, grew to know and love them, yet now they're the enemy??? I can't switch my feelings that fast. It left me sort of floundering with whom to be sympathetic. Additionally, we know that the FMC is going to betray everyone and we have that weight hanging over us the whole book. I felt like I couldn't enjoy anything because I was waiting for it all to crumble. And then the ending was super rushed and of course now she's a fae queen? (Where the hell are the gosh darn normies????) Idk, everything felt very heavy handed to me. And unfortunately, nothing very unique, kinda felt like a watered down version of the first book. If this book had been later in the series, or just first, I think it would have been much better. Still going to continue the series, I just hope they move on from this war.
For me, this book suffered needlessly because of its place in the series. Its a prequel to the previous book and explains/sets up the situation/motivations/conflict/war. In the first two books, we are reading stories on opposing sides of a brutal war. In one book the people are the heroes, in the other the enemy. We had just read a book about the stag court people, grew to know and love them, yet now they're the enemy??? I can't switch my feelings that fast. It left me sort of floundering with whom to be sympathetic. Additionally, we know that the FMC is going to betray everyone and we have that weight hanging over us the whole book. I felt like I couldn't enjoy anything because I was waiting for it all to crumble. And then the ending was super rushed and of course now she's a fae queen? (Where the hell are the gosh darn normies????) Idk, everything felt very heavy handed to me. And unfortunately, nothing very unique, kinda felt like a watered down version of the first book. If this book had been later in the series, or just first, I think it would have been much better. Still going to continue the series, I just hope they move on from this war.
September 19, 2024
3.5 ⭐ (rounded up)
I enjoyed this one so much more than the first one!
It didn't drag anywhere near as much. Though, at first I thought the pacing was bizarre, with Ayre being far too immediately affectionate, and Lilly being too understanding and accepting of the situation right off the bat, considering the circumstances. But as their soulmate bond progressed it all started to make more sense and I loved them together.
I liked that this was set before the first book and we got a little glimpse into Dain's past here too.
But the real triumph of the book was Ayre 😭💜 what a gorgeous little manticore man. He was sweet, hot, and my heart bled for him 😩 I actually got choked up a couple of times.
The spice was great, as was the world-building. But I was a tad confused by the ending.
Overall though, I'm so surprised by how much I'm enjoying this series!
I enjoyed this one so much more than the first one!
It didn't drag anywhere near as much. Though, at first I thought the pacing was bizarre, with Ayre being far too immediately affectionate, and Lilly being too understanding and accepting of the situation right off the bat, considering the circumstances. But as their soulmate bond progressed it all started to make more sense and I loved them together.
I liked that this was set before the first book and we got a little glimpse into Dain's past here too.
But the real triumph of the book was Ayre 😭💜 what a gorgeous little manticore man. He was sweet, hot, and my heart bled for him 😩 I actually got choked up a couple of times.
The spice was great, as was the world-building. But I was a tad confused by the ending.
Overall though, I'm so surprised by how much I'm enjoying this series!
January 11, 2025
Plod along
This book was hard to get through, I’m not going to lie… I had to put it down so many times and I’m one of those “finish a book in an afternoon” people… I don’t know how it could be faster paced than the first book yet feel like it’s dragged out more than it should be…
This book was hard to get through, I’m not going to lie… I had to put it down so many times and I’m one of those “finish a book in an afternoon” people… I don’t know how it could be faster paced than the first book yet feel like it’s dragged out more than it should be…
December 1, 2024
DNF at 45%. This one feels a tad confused- both the MCs are obsessed with each other and clearly in love and their reason for not giving in is paper thin. I don’t get it.
April 10, 2025
Love the authors world building and characters
Top 5 Weirdest Wieners 👏👏
Pearl 🥴
Top 5 Weirdest Wieners 👏👏
Pearl 🥴
May 31, 2025
I think the consensus of these books is that the plots kind of suck, the mmcs are amazing and the fmcs are always stupid. Gotcha.
Idk what it is but I’m struggling to read this one after the fmc reconfirmed how stupid she is by lying to her soulmate and thinking he’ll be fine and/or alive once the war is over. Very silly decision from a fmc who portrays herself as self aware and switched on.
I know now… I’m not keen to continue with this book because I have the betrayed soulmate trope… like I can’t stand the fmc is planning on betraying her soulmate.
DNF at 51%
Nono no to this author!! Never again girl!!! I tried to finish it and he literally sends her away. Knows she’ll probably die. 100% will die. She sits by a river outside his castle for hours and almost kills herself and he does nothing. She then leaves and 95% nearly dies and then he nearly dies and crawls into the wood to bleed out. I’m sorry….. pathetic from both of them. If this is the faery version of soulmates and how they treat and care about each other I don’t want it.
Idk what it is but I’m struggling to read this one after the fmc reconfirmed how stupid she is by lying to her soulmate and thinking he’ll be fine and/or alive once the war is over. Very silly decision from a fmc who portrays herself as self aware and switched on.
I know now… I’m not keen to continue with this book because I have the betrayed soulmate trope… like I can’t stand the fmc is planning on betraying her soulmate.
DNF at 51%
Nono no to this author!! Never again girl!!! I tried to finish it and he literally sends her away. Knows she’ll probably die. 100% will die. She sits by a river outside his castle for hours and almost kills herself and he does nothing. She then leaves and 95% nearly dies and then he nearly dies and crawls into the wood to bleed out. I’m sorry….. pathetic from both of them. If this is the faery version of soulmates and how they treat and care about each other I don’t want it.
April 18, 2024
2⭐️ DNF at 57% I just kept finding excuses not to finish. Maybe I’ll go back to it because I enjoyed book one. But this one just seems to drag on a bit. Plus I have a hard time with divided loyalty as a trope.
April 1, 2024
DNF @ 20%
May 31, 2024
DNF at 45% - It started so well… it’s just so fucking long. Absolutely drags. Maybe I’ll pick it up again another time.
December 5, 2024
This had so much promise and a great plot! The end was great! Totally would’ve been 5 stars if it didn’t have to skip a good 25 pages of smut (ick!)
June 6, 2025
This was a great 2nd book in a series. I didn't want it to end, but loved the ending. Such a fun read.
June 13, 2025
How many times does it need to be said that “He is my soulmate and……”
It was way too childish for my liking. I actually skipped to the end about halfway through and even the ending was ridiculous.
It was way too childish for my liking. I actually skipped to the end about halfway through and even the ending was ridiculous.
January 7, 2026
The beginning romance felt a bit rushed but the ending was satisfying.
I kind of wish that the MC kept more.... scars from her betrayal.
I kind of wish that the MC kept more.... scars from her betrayal.
January 27, 2026
I couldn’t finish the book. I was 28% in and it was time to end it.
February 18, 2025
Once again, this author is dragging us on a long journey to nowhere. Romance had its moments and the main characters were more equal in likability than the first book, but I also wasn’t obsessed with them. And once again, the “thing” keeping them apart was paper thin and not strong enough for the amount of time it took for them to embrace it. Also… if I ever read the words Pearl or darling again…
🌶️: 3.5/5
🌶️: 3.5/5
February 25, 2024
Dive into the enchanting world of the "Monsters of Faery" series with its captivating second installment, "In the Claws of the Raven Prince." Set decades before the events of "Captured by the Fae Beast," this book takes readers on a thrilling journey through the realms of Faery.
At the heart of the story is Lilly, a courageous soul who meets an untimely demise in the human world only to be whisked away and bound to serve as a soldier in the majestic Stag Court. However, her fate takes a dramatic turn when the Raven Court launches an attack, leading her to encounter Ayre, her destined soulmate.
Ayre, a Fury fae with monstrous features, grapples with his inner demons as he navigates a world fraught with conflict and uncertainty. Together, Lilly and Ayre embark on a journey of love, self-discovery, and resilience, while facing the looming shadow of betrayal.
This spellbinding tale delves deep into the complexities of love and identity, as both protagonists strive to find balance amidst chaos. As their story unfolds, readers are treated to a rich tapestry of lore and backstory, shedding light on the events that shape the world of Faery.
With its intoxicating blend of romance, intrigue, and suspense, "In the Claws of the Raven Prince" offers a gripping read that will leave you craving more. Prepare to be swept away by its vivid imagery, dynamic characters, and unexpected twists. For fans of the series and newcomers alike, this book promises an unforgettable adventure.
At the heart of the story is Lilly, a courageous soul who meets an untimely demise in the human world only to be whisked away and bound to serve as a soldier in the majestic Stag Court. However, her fate takes a dramatic turn when the Raven Court launches an attack, leading her to encounter Ayre, her destined soulmate.
Ayre, a Fury fae with monstrous features, grapples with his inner demons as he navigates a world fraught with conflict and uncertainty. Together, Lilly and Ayre embark on a journey of love, self-discovery, and resilience, while facing the looming shadow of betrayal.
This spellbinding tale delves deep into the complexities of love and identity, as both protagonists strive to find balance amidst chaos. As their story unfolds, readers are treated to a rich tapestry of lore and backstory, shedding light on the events that shape the world of Faery.
With its intoxicating blend of romance, intrigue, and suspense, "In the Claws of the Raven Prince" offers a gripping read that will leave you craving more. Prepare to be swept away by its vivid imagery, dynamic characters, and unexpected twists. For fans of the series and newcomers alike, this book promises an unforgettable adventure.
March 6, 2024
3.5 stars, rounded down. Well written. Only a couple grammatical errors. I am deducting stars for personal reasons, as betrayal and divided loyalty are among my least favorite tropes. If you don’t mind them, you may enjoy this a lot.
dnf
May 12, 2024dnf @ 41%
January 5, 2026
Lillian Brouwer & Ayre Xirangyl (Prince of the of Raven Court, 4th son).
This was a strange book in the sense of “who am I pulling for?” At the macro level, you have the Stag Court vs the Raven Court. At a personal level, you have not only Ayre & Lillian, but all of Ayre’s Furies, Ayre’s family, the Stag soldiers who were kind to Lillian, as well as Dain Sundamar (Crown Prince of Stag Court), General Alluin Xilsatra, and Commander Zhiolas Ulahana who we met in the first book.
This book is a prequel, so if you read the books in publication order, you know how the war ends. It’s a violent & bloody final show of force intended to end a war that has gone on far too long. It was affective, but not without great personal cost. (And silly me who read the books out of order knows how big a cost that is to Ayre.)
So we have Lillian who is rescued from near death by the Stag Court. She owes them a life-debt, which starts out as simply being a sword baring foot soldier in the war with the Raven Court. But in her first real battle, she faces Ayre, one of the furies, her soulmate.
So knowing that Ayre will be returning for his soulmate, the Stag Court forces Lilly to be an inside source, gathering information to help the Stag Court win the war. They put four charms on her necklace, each with the power to let her summon an animal to carry her message. Four acts of betrayal & then she is free of her life-debt. Only Ayer discovers her betrayal first.
***
Until the point in which Ayer discovers her betrayal, it’s a slow burn courtship. He thinks he only needs to keep her from Stag Court soldiers, not innocent geese out for snacks. After all, the Eyre where the Furies live is only accessible by wing.
On the romance front, Lilly finds herself with not one, but two soulmates. Unlike the later Furies, Ayre came to be bound to the manticore in a last desperate effort to survive the manticore’s poison. The manticore is still alive, a beast half that doesn’t always work in harmony with the Fae.
Lilly starts out with some tough love. She doesn’t let things progress as long as Ayre is of two minds about furthering their relationship. She convinces Ayer to more closely integrate the manticore & the fae. Though, while done with kindness, her pushing back against Ayre is often felt a bit more harshly than she intends. As such, I found myself on Ayre’s side whenever they quarreled.
***
One last point. Lillian was a farm girl from WWII era Earth. As such, there are way too many farm metaphors for my tastes and her first person commentary on their sexual relationship bleeds purple prose.
***
Really enjoyed seeing General Alluin Xilsatra and Commander Zhiolas Ulahana again. We also meet Zhiolas’ sister Captain Kaeden Ulahana. She’s the grumpy to Zhiolas’ sunshine.
This was a strange book in the sense of “who am I pulling for?” At the macro level, you have the Stag Court vs the Raven Court. At a personal level, you have not only Ayre & Lillian, but all of Ayre’s Furies, Ayre’s family, the Stag soldiers who were kind to Lillian, as well as Dain Sundamar (Crown Prince of Stag Court), General Alluin Xilsatra, and Commander Zhiolas Ulahana who we met in the first book.
This book is a prequel, so if you read the books in publication order, you know how the war ends. It’s a violent & bloody final show of force intended to end a war that has gone on far too long. It was affective, but not without great personal cost. (And silly me who read the books out of order knows how big a cost that is to Ayre.)
So we have Lillian who is rescued from near death by the Stag Court. She owes them a life-debt, which starts out as simply being a sword baring foot soldier in the war with the Raven Court. But in her first real battle, she faces Ayre, one of the furies, her soulmate.
So knowing that Ayre will be returning for his soulmate, the Stag Court forces Lilly to be an inside source, gathering information to help the Stag Court win the war. They put four charms on her necklace, each with the power to let her summon an animal to carry her message. Four acts of betrayal & then she is free of her life-debt. Only Ayer discovers her betrayal first.
***
Until the point in which Ayer discovers her betrayal, it’s a slow burn courtship. He thinks he only needs to keep her from Stag Court soldiers, not innocent geese out for snacks. After all, the Eyre where the Furies live is only accessible by wing.
On the romance front, Lilly finds herself with not one, but two soulmates. Unlike the later Furies, Ayre came to be bound to the manticore in a last desperate effort to survive the manticore’s poison. The manticore is still alive, a beast half that doesn’t always work in harmony with the Fae.
Lilly starts out with some tough love. She doesn’t let things progress as long as Ayre is of two minds about furthering their relationship. She convinces Ayer to more closely integrate the manticore & the fae. Though, while done with kindness, her pushing back against Ayre is often felt a bit more harshly than she intends. As such, I found myself on Ayre’s side whenever they quarreled.
***
One last point. Lillian was a farm girl from WWII era Earth. As such, there are way too many farm metaphors for my tastes and her first person commentary on their sexual relationship bleeds purple prose.
***
Really enjoyed seeing General Alluin Xilsatra and Commander Zhiolas Ulahana again. We also meet Zhiolas’ sister Captain Kaeden Ulahana. She’s the grumpy to Zhiolas’ sunshine.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2026
I have no witty or catchy words to put here - I'm so impatient I've already read the next book, and need to review both before I start the fourth. See you on the next one!
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4) | 🌶️🌶️ (2)
Yet another single setting read, and well worth it. I'm not sure why I hadn't continued this series until now, but I'm fixing that.
I expected this to read a lot darker than it did, with more moral dilemma. Compared to my usual fare, this was a delightfully light read! I imagine it would be that much more refreshing after the previous book in the series, which I read some months ago.
The tie ins/cameos were amazing. The world feels connected in a very solid way. Not only that, but we get an active view of the human world, and it is brutal. WWII, the anti-sex and feminist culture, famine, and a huge punch to the face, is the anti-Blackness. I'm white and can't speak for how it was handled, but I was glad to see it wasn't ignored, as if it didn't exist.
Coming from the previous book, it felt like slipping on a comfy sweater. The world and characters make sense, the lore is solid, the writing is great. I had a wonderful time feeling the whiplash of going from Dain to Ayre! They are almost complete opposites.
The relationship's pace in this is a bit faster than I tend to prefer, but I think it was handled well, and I did enjoy it.
Quotes:
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4) | 🌶️🌶️ (2)
Yet another single setting read, and well worth it. I'm not sure why I hadn't continued this series until now, but I'm fixing that.
I expected this to read a lot darker than it did, with more moral dilemma. Compared to my usual fare, this was a delightfully light read! I imagine it would be that much more refreshing after the previous book in the series, which I read some months ago.
The tie ins/cameos were amazing. The world feels connected in a very solid way. Not only that, but we get an active view of the human world, and it is brutal. WWII, the anti-sex and feminist culture, famine, and a huge punch to the face, is the anti-Blackness. I'm white and can't speak for how it was handled, but I was glad to see it wasn't ignored, as if it didn't exist.
Coming from the previous book, it felt like slipping on a comfy sweater. The world and characters make sense, the lore is solid, the writing is great. I had a wonderful time feeling the whiplash of going from Dain to Ayre! They are almost complete opposites.
The relationship's pace in this is a bit faster than I tend to prefer, but I think it was handled well, and I did enjoy it.
Quotes:
"I don't think you're joking," he said slowly. "I think you're planning to jump off the tower."
"It certainly seems like that."
"Bastard!" I said, laughing.
"Technically true!" he replied, circling me slowly.
"You needn't laugh at me, darling," he said, still with that edge of a whine. "I have a great many feelings that I don't know what to do with. I'm trying."
June 1, 2025
BIG SIGH with this one. I'm so confused. How did we go from so much amazing character development and such a cool subplot to...this.
Lily. Wow such little change from this character this entire book. Her beginnings were so rushed and strange I was scratching my head. Why are we spending so much time with spice between Lily and Ayre when she causally mentions that she was in an Iron Lung and sacrificed herself in an explosion, quick to agree to being a spy for her SOULMATE and didnt try to get help to not put her soulmates people in jeopardy. Also, when tasked to spy on her own soulmate I really hoped for more tension, or at least some close calls. I was hoping she would actually have to be sneaky. But no, pretty straight forward with her disloyalty and rarely ever hesitant when needing to carry it out. And Lily was a Christian farm girl, why was there no hesitancy accepting fae world or Ayre at all? The only reason why it took so long (not long at all) to sleep with Arye was because she said "not yet" but continued to flirt very close on the edge! I just didn't really like Lily. 2/10 character.
Arye. Ehhhhh. There were moments where i got excited about how deep he was going to be fleshed out. I love a character who is willing to be aware of their own flaws. LOVE acts of self-acceptance. But it was only Arye going through this. And those moments became few and far in between. 4.8/10 And Arye...why did you accept Lily so quickly afterwards. That woman was apart of the reason your city is gone!
The. Ending.
Lily. Wow such little change from this character this entire book. Her beginnings were so rushed and strange I was scratching my head. Why are we spending so much time with spice between Lily and Ayre when she causally mentions that she was in an Iron Lung and sacrificed herself in an explosion, quick to agree to being a spy for her SOULMATE and didnt try to get help to not put her soulmates people in jeopardy. Also, when tasked to spy on her own soulmate I really hoped for more tension, or at least some close calls. I was hoping she would actually have to be sneaky. But no, pretty straight forward with her disloyalty and rarely ever hesitant when needing to carry it out. And Lily was a Christian farm girl, why was there no hesitancy accepting fae world or Ayre at all? The only reason why it took so long (not long at all) to sleep with Arye was because she said "not yet" but continued to flirt very close on the edge! I just didn't really like Lily. 2/10 character.
Arye. Ehhhhh. There were moments where i got excited about how deep he was going to be fleshed out. I love a character who is willing to be aware of their own flaws. LOVE acts of self-acceptance. But it was only Arye going through this. And those moments became few and far in between. 4.8/10 And Arye...why did you accept Lily so quickly afterwards. That woman was apart of the reason your city is gone!
The. Ending.
September 20, 2024
Since this series is my introduction to monster romance, take what I say with that in mind.
I really liked the first book in this series. I felt this one to be a bit weird. Ayre being part fae/part manticore with dual consciousness threw me off. The fact that he could switch between his own consciousness and an animalistic manticore was…strange.
I couldn’t really tell what was going on at certain parts. Like there were obvious moments where he was in his fae consciousness, and moments where he was only a manticore and not speaking. But there were times where they may have been mixed? I think? I don’t think I really understood it. Like he was still talking but it seemed to be the manticores instincts.
The level of possessiveness was also new to me. It didn’t seem like he was possessive in that alphahole type way, but more like a little boy scared for his mommy kind of way. Which ehhh isn’t my thing. I think I would’ve liked to see more strength and personality in Ayre. He seemed kind of like a sad, scared wet rag😆
It was cool seeing Dain’s backstory with Phazakai, but it also hurt my heart. When we met the viceroy in this book, I was like omg no that’s who Dain EATS🥺it was really hard seeing Phazakai destroyed and Ayre losing 2 of his brothers.
Ayre’s cousin Varistan is a prick, so we’ll see how the next book goes since that’s the next in the series.
I still enjoyed reading this book, probably for the novelty of it. But it did have pretty weird vibes lolol.
I really liked the first book in this series. I felt this one to be a bit weird. Ayre being part fae/part manticore with dual consciousness threw me off. The fact that he could switch between his own consciousness and an animalistic manticore was…strange.
I couldn’t really tell what was going on at certain parts. Like there were obvious moments where he was in his fae consciousness, and moments where he was only a manticore and not speaking. But there were times where they may have been mixed? I think? I don’t think I really understood it. Like he was still talking but it seemed to be the manticores instincts.
The level of possessiveness was also new to me. It didn’t seem like he was possessive in that alphahole type way, but more like a little boy scared for his mommy kind of way. Which ehhh isn’t my thing. I think I would’ve liked to see more strength and personality in Ayre. He seemed kind of like a sad, scared wet rag😆
It was cool seeing Dain’s backstory with Phazakai, but it also hurt my heart. When we met the viceroy in this book, I was like omg no that’s who Dain EATS🥺it was really hard seeing Phazakai destroyed and Ayre losing 2 of his brothers.
Ayre’s cousin Varistan is a prick, so we’ll see how the next book goes since that’s the next in the series.
I still enjoyed reading this book, probably for the novelty of it. But it did have pretty weird vibes lolol.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2024
STOP MAKING ME CRY
I don’t care what anyone says this is one of the best book series I have ever read.
I won’t lie, I was confused that this book takes place before book one. Timelines get confusing for me anyways and I started this with an opinion already set about Dain. But I’m so glad we get to see who he becomes before we get the account of the devastation he caused at Phazikai. Because the chapter where Lilly walks through after the, let’s face it annihilation, was absolutely gut wrenching.
I knew what would happen but Elion’s speech to her still broke my heart, he was so determined on a total wipeout and he got what he wanted.
Ayre and Lilly were a couple I was highly looking forward to. It was a weird situation because it’s framed immediately in a way that you know she is going to betray him. She’s sent to him on a mission and she’s as blunt as she can be without causing herself harm. “Keep me on a leash if you want to keep me.” Of course he doesn’t heed her warning well enough and I cried a lot.
I love these twos devotion to each other though. It makes sense that is the balance they found in each other. And big feelings aside I loved the idea of him flying, absolutely teasing the both of them for hours on end and then losing himself in her the second they land. Amazing.
Also the manticore being as much him as it was not him. The split personality of them was endearing and I loved seeing how each reacted differently to her.
Onto the next!
I don’t care what anyone says this is one of the best book series I have ever read.
I won’t lie, I was confused that this book takes place before book one. Timelines get confusing for me anyways and I started this with an opinion already set about Dain. But I’m so glad we get to see who he becomes before we get the account of the devastation he caused at Phazikai. Because the chapter where Lilly walks through after the, let’s face it annihilation, was absolutely gut wrenching.
I knew what would happen but Elion’s speech to her still broke my heart, he was so determined on a total wipeout and he got what he wanted.
Ayre and Lilly were a couple I was highly looking forward to. It was a weird situation because it’s framed immediately in a way that you know she is going to betray him. She’s sent to him on a mission and she’s as blunt as she can be without causing herself harm. “Keep me on a leash if you want to keep me.” Of course he doesn’t heed her warning well enough and I cried a lot.
I love these twos devotion to each other though. It makes sense that is the balance they found in each other. And big feelings aside I loved the idea of him flying, absolutely teasing the both of them for hours on end and then losing himself in her the second they land. Amazing.
Also the manticore being as much him as it was not him. The split personality of them was endearing and I loved seeing how each reacted differently to her.
Onto the next!
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