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Diamond City #1
Diamond City
Pizza-loving Sage will do anything for a ticket to Prince Louis’ birthday party, whether that’s shooting bad guys at bars, chasing them in hover cars, or dropping one hundred stories from the highest skyscraper in Diamond City. She doesn’t mind attracting a little bit of positive attention from the royal family so long as no one learns her true She hails from an ancient warrior race, and kicking ass in war is her specialty.
Only those days are long over. At least, she thinks they are until her nephew sells her out to the royal family, and they’re nowhere near as air-headed as Prince Louis. Tiaras and dinner parties are far from their minds when they blackmail her into confronting a vicious (and flamboyant) warlord whose forces are invading the city. Choosing sides might have been a no-brainer, but Sage learns the royal family is using their citizens as test subjects in experiments to attain immortality, and the warlord is actually fighting to stop them.
If Sage thought kneading dough was difficult, now she must choose between a tyrannical (and charming) warlord or a bubbly prince to take the throne. If Sage wants any semblance of a normal life again, let alone run a pizza shop, she must pray that her longing for love doesn’t cloud her judgment. Then again, what girl would say no to promises of colorful weddings and spectacular fireworks, even if the guy who’s offering them has a not-so-righteous agenda of his own?
Only those days are long over. At least, she thinks they are until her nephew sells her out to the royal family, and they’re nowhere near as air-headed as Prince Louis. Tiaras and dinner parties are far from their minds when they blackmail her into confronting a vicious (and flamboyant) warlord whose forces are invading the city. Choosing sides might have been a no-brainer, but Sage learns the royal family is using their citizens as test subjects in experiments to attain immortality, and the warlord is actually fighting to stop them.
If Sage thought kneading dough was difficult, now she must choose between a tyrannical (and charming) warlord or a bubbly prince to take the throne. If Sage wants any semblance of a normal life again, let alone run a pizza shop, she must pray that her longing for love doesn’t cloud her judgment. Then again, what girl would say no to promises of colorful weddings and spectacular fireworks, even if the guy who’s offering them has a not-so-righteous agenda of his own?
409 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 30, 2023
21 people are currently reading
578 people want to read
About the author
Astrid Cole
5 books154 followersAstrid Cole has a master’s in English Literature from Florida International University. Although she enjoys all subjects, she started writing fiction in high school and hasn’t stopped since. When she’s not plotting her next novel, she’s teaching students history and hitting the gym. A former bodybuilder, running and exercise are a part of her daily routine…and so are playing video games and watching horror movies. Diamond City is her first published novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 440 reviews
February 16, 2025
It's been so long since I've read a sci-fi bcoz I've always felt that I was too dumb to understand them but now I wanna read more of the genre!!!
Huge thanks to the author for sending me the ebook in exchange for my honest opinion.
What can you expect
🗡️Dystopian sci-fi fantasy romance
🗡️Political intrigue, revolution (rebels)
🗡️Strong, independent & badass FMC
🗡️Charming, seductive & flirty MMC
🗡️Morally grey characters
🗡️Knife to heart (love it more than knife to throat?!🙈)
🗡️Monsters & dangers beyond our imagination
World
The world was incredibly unique and equally enticing. It's a dystopian futuristic society with a lot of technical advancements that were so cool that I was envious of the characters at times🤭 But I don't think I'll survive in the world cuz we have quite a lot of ruthless individuals, even bloodthirsty ones that gave me the shivers at times. The person in control of the Diamond City gives the image of a great person who's working hard to keep the peace in the City and that he's the only one who can protect them all from the rebels but that very act of being too good gives you a sense of unease from the start, and it makes you wonder if he really is working for the better of the people. I'd stop at that and leave you guys to read more and find out about him and his goals for the City & its people.
Characters
Sage Arpine is such a badass and fierce FMC that you can't stop admiring from the very moment you meet her. I fell in love with her as soon as her love for pizza was revealed (I mean, who can hate someone who loves & lives for pizza😌), and to add to that, we also find out within a few chapters that she'd not hesitate to put a guy in his place if he even looks at her or any woman in the wrong way (i became gay for her at that very moment!!!!!)🧎🏻♀️🔥 She cares a lot for her family that she'd so anything for them, and that makes her even more admirable.
Damian is handsome & seductive, and kinda gives off the vibe of being a manipulative MMC at the start and that's because you see everyone acting at his beck & call which comes off as suspicious. But we can see as the plot progresses that he truly cares about his people & has earned their respect by being the genuine leader that he is. But he's a bit of an eccentric too cuz he's very much addicted to flashy clothes, and is so flirty and horny most of the time (atleast around Sage), and I found it to be a bit much at times & also found myself giggling at his advances at other times, so I guess I did fall for him in the end!🤷🏻♀️ And he's such an acts of service guy that I truly couldn't hate him even if I wanted to!!!! He remembers every tiny detail that Sage mentions & then brings it back during their talks or gifts her the thing she loves,..... And I absolutely love when men do that cuz it's the smallest things that matter than the big declarations of love!!!!
Their relationship might've come across as insta love to us but in reality, they've spent months together before finally deciding to date each other, so I do approve of this insta love (even though I absolutely hate that trope!!) And I always am a sucker for "I can change the monster into a human" micro trope, and it was done so well here imo!! I'm truly eager to see how their relationship grows further in the upcoming books.
Samson is just one of those characters you cannot help but absolutely adore & root for!!! He has the well-being of Sage in his heart, and is a true friend to her from the start, and I really loved him for being extremely honest with her at most of the times cuz only a true friend can diss straight to your face🤣 And I really adored their friendship from the start, and I'm kinda eager to see how it goes in the second book👀
Plot
The plot was so interesting that I couldn't put it down after the halfway point. That's because of the countless twists & revelations that are thrown your way from there, and some of them had my jaw dropping to the floor (I kid you not cuz you wouldn't see it coming!!!!). And even though we seemed to get this feeling of satisfaction & content for our characters at the end, we can sense that there's something huge looming in the back, and it makes you want to pick up the sequel immediately!!!
The only thing that grated at me was the constant mention of nipples and breasts cuz it made me uncomfortable at times, and it's the only reason I might've taken down half a star.
Overall, I'd absolutely recommend this book if you're looking for a sci-fi romance with an interesting and unique plot.
Huge thanks to the author for sending me the ebook in exchange for my honest opinion.
What can you expect
🗡️Dystopian sci-fi fantasy romance
🗡️Political intrigue, revolution (rebels)
🗡️Strong, independent & badass FMC
🗡️Charming, seductive & flirty MMC
🗡️Morally grey characters
🗡️Knife to heart (love it more than knife to throat?!🙈)
🗡️Monsters & dangers beyond our imagination
World
The world was incredibly unique and equally enticing. It's a dystopian futuristic society with a lot of technical advancements that were so cool that I was envious of the characters at times🤭 But I don't think I'll survive in the world cuz we have quite a lot of ruthless individuals, even bloodthirsty ones that gave me the shivers at times. The person in control of the Diamond City gives the image of a great person who's working hard to keep the peace in the City and that he's the only one who can protect them all from the rebels but that very act of being too good gives you a sense of unease from the start, and it makes you wonder if he really is working for the better of the people. I'd stop at that and leave you guys to read more and find out about him and his goals for the City & its people.
Characters
Sage Arpine is such a badass and fierce FMC that you can't stop admiring from the very moment you meet her. I fell in love with her as soon as her love for pizza was revealed (I mean, who can hate someone who loves & lives for pizza😌), and to add to that, we also find out within a few chapters that she'd not hesitate to put a guy in his place if he even looks at her or any woman in the wrong way (i became gay for her at that very moment!!!!!)🧎🏻♀️🔥 She cares a lot for her family that she'd so anything for them, and that makes her even more admirable.
Damian is handsome & seductive, and kinda gives off the vibe of being a manipulative MMC at the start and that's because you see everyone acting at his beck & call which comes off as suspicious. But we can see as the plot progresses that he truly cares about his people & has earned their respect by being the genuine leader that he is. But he's a bit of an eccentric too cuz he's very much addicted to flashy clothes, and is so flirty and horny most of the time (atleast around Sage), and I found it to be a bit much at times & also found myself giggling at his advances at other times, so I guess I did fall for him in the end!🤷🏻♀️ And he's such an acts of service guy that I truly couldn't hate him even if I wanted to!!!! He remembers every tiny detail that Sage mentions & then brings it back during their talks or gifts her the thing she loves,..... And I absolutely love when men do that cuz it's the smallest things that matter than the big declarations of love!!!!
Their relationship might've come across as insta love to us but in reality, they've spent months together before finally deciding to date each other, so I do approve of this insta love (even though I absolutely hate that trope!!) And I always am a sucker for "I can change the monster into a human" micro trope, and it was done so well here imo!! I'm truly eager to see how their relationship grows further in the upcoming books.
Samson is just one of those characters you cannot help but absolutely adore & root for!!! He has the well-being of Sage in his heart, and is a true friend to her from the start, and I really loved him for being extremely honest with her at most of the times cuz only a true friend can diss straight to your face🤣 And I really adored their friendship from the start, and I'm kinda eager to see how it goes in the second book👀
Plot
The plot was so interesting that I couldn't put it down after the halfway point. That's because of the countless twists & revelations that are thrown your way from there, and some of them had my jaw dropping to the floor (I kid you not cuz you wouldn't see it coming!!!!). And even though we seemed to get this feeling of satisfaction & content for our characters at the end, we can sense that there's something huge looming in the back, and it makes you want to pick up the sequel immediately!!!
The only thing that grated at me was the constant mention of nipples and breasts cuz it made me uncomfortable at times, and it's the only reason I might've taken down half a star.
Overall, I'd absolutely recommend this book if you're looking for a sci-fi romance with an interesting and unique plot.
May 28, 2023
𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐛
Diamond City follows Sage, an ancient warrior, now settled and running a small pizza shop fangirling over the prince. When the king is killed, she must decide to choose a side and fight again for peace. But the one she had to fight is the one she is falling for..
𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
First off, look at that cover!!! Just 🔥 I was so intrigued after reading the synopsis. An ancient warrior running a pizza-shop fangirling over a prince.. this was so interesting.
𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱-𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻-𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘁.. the conspiracy and scheming around Sage and the palace were incredible. But the most amazing part was how Sage was crushing over Louis😆 It didn’t feel like she was an ancient warrior but a teenager crushing over her idol, which was sweet.
The action sequence at the start was super exciting and I looved how they were fighting in a futuristic dystopian world where cars flew.. super awesome! Moreover, Sage’s relationship with her nieces is to die for, it was so heartwarming🥹
𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱-𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴. And Sage’s actions were so contradictory to her words. This was the most disappointing factor of the book!
After the introduction of Damian, the warlord, there was just Insta-lust. Throughout the book, I couldn’t feel a profound relationship between them.. plus, there were moments when I had to question “What even are you doing warlord?”😒
Around 50-60% of the plot, I lost all the will to read because the plot was chaotic, the protagonists were childish (not 100+ years old at all), and the romance was lusty and DESPERATE..
After skimming a large part of the plot after that, I finished this book but 𝗜 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 and the characters were written. The whole concept of Cells that make you strong was amazing though👏🏼
Plus, the stages Sage went through - fangirling over Louis, losing interest in mini seconds, making him a prisoner willingly, helping him out when she learned he was not that bad… ugh!! The worst female protagonist for me.
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧
Overall, I enjoyed the start of the book but as the plot progresses it loses clarity. With a chaotic story, immature protagonists, and desperate spicy moments, this failed to give the dystopian fantasy that I hoped it will give.
Thanks to NetGalley and Astrid Cole Books for the e-copy in exchange for an honest review. This book will be published on 30th May 2023.
Follow For More: Blog • Bookstagram • Goodreads
Diamond City follows Sage, an ancient warrior, now settled and running a small pizza shop fangirling over the prince. When the king is killed, she must decide to choose a side and fight again for peace. But the one she had to fight is the one she is falling for..
𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
First off, look at that cover!!! Just 🔥 I was so intrigued after reading the synopsis. An ancient warrior running a pizza-shop fangirling over a prince.. this was so interesting.
𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱-𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻-𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘁.. the conspiracy and scheming around Sage and the palace were incredible. But the most amazing part was how Sage was crushing over Louis😆 It didn’t feel like she was an ancient warrior but a teenager crushing over her idol, which was sweet.
The action sequence at the start was super exciting and I looved how they were fighting in a futuristic dystopian world where cars flew.. super awesome! Moreover, Sage’s relationship with her nieces is to die for, it was so heartwarming🥹
𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱-𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴. And Sage’s actions were so contradictory to her words. This was the most disappointing factor of the book!
After the introduction of Damian, the warlord, there was just Insta-lust. Throughout the book, I couldn’t feel a profound relationship between them.. plus, there were moments when I had to question “What even are you doing warlord?”😒
Around 50-60% of the plot, I lost all the will to read because the plot was chaotic, the protagonists were childish (not 100+ years old at all), and the romance was lusty and DESPERATE..
After skimming a large part of the plot after that, I finished this book but 𝗜 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 and the characters were written. The whole concept of Cells that make you strong was amazing though👏🏼
Plus, the stages Sage went through - fangirling over Louis, losing interest in mini seconds, making him a prisoner willingly, helping him out when she learned he was not that bad… ugh!! The worst female protagonist for me.
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧
Overall, I enjoyed the start of the book but as the plot progresses it loses clarity. With a chaotic story, immature protagonists, and desperate spicy moments, this failed to give the dystopian fantasy that I hoped it will give.
Thanks to NetGalley and Astrid Cole Books for the e-copy in exchange for an honest review. This book will be published on 30th May 2023.
Follow For More: Blog • Bookstagram • Goodreads
September 24, 2024
The setting of this book was certainly unlike anything I usually read. It has sci-fi, dystopian vibes with people called the Enhanced who are the main focus of this story.
The plot was solid, and I loved the writing with such diversity in the characters. The world was rich and the story filled with betrayals, secrets and plot twists.
Sage our main character confused me a bit though. Her obsession and fawning with Louis surprised me given she’s supposed to be a 100+ badass warrior but it added sweetness to her character so I didn’t mind.
Same with Damian but I found their relationship and support really cute nevertheless.
I had a really fun time reading it though and was invested in the story. I’ll jump into book 2 as soon as I can!
Thank you so much Astrid Cole for this ARC!
The plot was solid, and I loved the writing with such diversity in the characters. The world was rich and the story filled with betrayals, secrets and plot twists.
Sage our main character confused me a bit though. Her obsession and fawning with Louis surprised me given she’s supposed to be a 100+ badass warrior but it added sweetness to her character so I didn’t mind.
Same with Damian but I found their relationship and support really cute nevertheless.
I had a really fun time reading it though and was invested in the story. I’ll jump into book 2 as soon as I can!
Thank you so much Astrid Cole for this ARC!
April 26, 2024
This book follows Pizza-loving Sage who will do anything for a ticket to Prince Louis’ birthday party, whether that’s shooting bad guys at bars, chasing them in hover cars, or dropping one hundred stories from the highest skyscraper in Diamond City. She doesn’t mind attracting a little bit of positive attention from the royal family so long as no one learns her true secret: She hails from an ancient warrior race, and kicking ass in war is her specialty.
The story was beautifully written I love the character development throughout the story with Sage.
The story was beautifully written I love the character development throughout the story with Sage.
May 15, 2024
When you realise the FMC is a Centenarian, obsessed with Pizza, You immediately know this book will be your dough-main! (Pun INTENDED )
This being the first book of a Sci-fi series had a lot of painstaking world-building on its shoulders and it delivers beautifully!! The Cars in the story made me nostalgic about the JETSONS!!!!
I LOVED Sage, our FMC! She was a total badass and her nieces are the cutest people in this story!
If you’re looking for a good futuristic dystopian series with Enemies-to-Lovers, do give this a read!
Thank you Astrid Cole for this intriguing ARC 💜💜
This being the first book of a Sci-fi series had a lot of painstaking world-building on its shoulders and it delivers beautifully!! The Cars in the story made me nostalgic about the JETSONS!!!!
I LOVED Sage, our FMC! She was a total badass and her nieces are the cutest people in this story!
If you’re looking for a good futuristic dystopian series with Enemies-to-Lovers, do give this a read!
Thank you Astrid Cole for this intriguing ARC 💜💜
May 4, 2024
excellent sci fi read
I Don’t normally read much sci-fi but I absolutely ended up loving this world and these characters. It’s a bit difficult to get into at first, but once you do it is an excellent read.
I Don’t normally read much sci-fi but I absolutely ended up loving this world and these characters. It’s a bit difficult to get into at first, but once you do it is an excellent read.
October 7, 2024
Absolutely freaking amazing!! My first ever sci/fi- dystopian fantasy…. And it was epic!
I loved every character so much… some maybe a little too much 👀😳
Going to immediately start Emerald City over the next couple days!
Astrid honestly doesn’t have one bit of filler in this book it’s immediately off from the gates at the start with no messing around! Every detail of a character is actually meaningful or has some importance later in the story, the world building doesn’t just get thrown at you for a huge chunk at the beginning either she builds it throughout which is a nice change from what I’m used to!
Honestly can’t recommend this book enough! Can’t wait to continue this series 🔥🔥🔥🔥💎
I loved every character so much… some maybe a little too much 👀😳
Going to immediately start Emerald City over the next couple days!
Astrid honestly doesn’t have one bit of filler in this book it’s immediately off from the gates at the start with no messing around! Every detail of a character is actually meaningful or has some importance later in the story, the world building doesn’t just get thrown at you for a huge chunk at the beginning either she builds it throughout which is a nice change from what I’m used to!
Honestly can’t recommend this book enough! Can’t wait to continue this series 🔥🔥🔥🔥💎
November 28, 2024
This book follows Sage, a former elite warrior who just wants an easy life running her unique pizzeria. Unfortunately for her, she finds herself smack bang in the middle of a war she wants no part of! Torn between the rulers of the city she loves and the rebel forces on the outskirts, Sage has a difficult decision about whom to trust.
Sage is exactly what I want in an FMC - she is loud, opinionated, and very stabby! I could never guess what she would do next, which made her highly entertaining.
The other characters in the book are well fleshed out, too. I adore Damien, the sexy, fashion-loving rebel warlord. He is morally grey, dangerous AF, yet he isn't afraid to show his emotions. Other mentions have to go to Samson and Gertrude, whom I love equally and will riot if anything happens to them!
The world Astrid has created is wonderful - it's futuristic and vibrant and is very easy to imagine as you read it.
If you are looking for a sci-fi/dystopian read with a great selection of diverse characters, witty banter, and lots of action, then this book is for you!
Thanks so much to @Astrid Cole for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I'm looking forward to starting the next one.
Sage is exactly what I want in an FMC - she is loud, opinionated, and very stabby! I could never guess what she would do next, which made her highly entertaining.
The other characters in the book are well fleshed out, too. I adore Damien, the sexy, fashion-loving rebel warlord. He is morally grey, dangerous AF, yet he isn't afraid to show his emotions. Other mentions have to go to Samson and Gertrude, whom I love equally and will riot if anything happens to them!
The world Astrid has created is wonderful - it's futuristic and vibrant and is very easy to imagine as you read it.
If you are looking for a sci-fi/dystopian read with a great selection of diverse characters, witty banter, and lots of action, then this book is for you!
Thanks so much to @Astrid Cole for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I'm looking forward to starting the next one.
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January 19, 2025
In order to return to her life, she must strike a deal with the most dangerous man in the city…
🗡️🍕 Diamond City by Astrid Cole🍕🗡️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Sage wasn’t good at a lot of things, but spinning dough and perfecting tomato sauce were in her DNA.”
Hehehe, oh, this one was a good one! Who doesn’t love pizza, badass FMCs and delicious morally grey men? Now that I know that Astrid Cole loved Shadow & Bone as much as I did, and loved and chose The Darkling (like I would have to), that just makes our Warlord, Damian, that much more intriguing. If you were an Aleksander girlie, this one is for you. To the girls that want the yearning, this is for you.
The cast of characters is very diverse, and there is a lot of visibility that will resonate with many people. Sage is the ultimate badass FMC. She is over 100 years old, still gets giddy over her crushes on princes, and doesn’t really buy into the romantic notions and really does not need a man to fulfill her. Yeah, sex is great, but she literally has much more pressing issues to attend to. The love of her life? Her pizza joint. She lives, breathes and dies by the pizza. Damian, our Warlord, is flamboyant, vicious and has an affinity for fashion. Cole flips the gender norms in these two characters and their relationship with such wear, and it’s very refreshing to see. Both are able to exude both masculine and feminine traits, and it’s honestly very beautiful.
The world-building is so well done! We’ve only gotten through one district fully, I believe, and you can see the places building in your mind. While I’d personally love to live somewhere in Heart, the peace and seasons of Winterfeld seem the nicest. It’s giving Mad Max if it was set in the Blade world. Could be on Earth, but the Earth in another part of the multiverse. No part of this book skips a beat, either, and there is no filler—leading to great pacing in the story. The vibe is very dystopian fantasy romance, both playing equal parts in the meat of the story. It’s easy to read, with nothing being overcomplicated.
Thank you, Astrid Cole, for the eARC! I can’t wait to explore this world and Sage’s story more.
“He looked like a god leading his people, and maybe it was him that sleazy preacher should be worshipping instead of some ugly Squids.”
“I’ve been wanting to kiss you ever since you threw that dagger at my chest.”
“I cannot lose you because if I do, it will destroy me. It will shatter what is left of my black soul, the only thing my brother hasn’t been able to take away from me.”
Summary:
Pizza-loving Sage will do anything for a ticket to Prince Louis’ birthday party, whether that’s shooting bad guys at bars, chasing them in hover cars, or dropping one hundred stories from the highest skyscraper in Diamond City. She doesn’t mind attracting a little bit of positive attention from the royal family so long as no one learns her true She hails from an ancient warrior race, and kicking ass in war is her specialty.
Only those days are long over. At least, she thinks they are until her nephew sells her out to the royal family, and they’re nowhere near as air-headed as Prince Louis. Tiaras and dinner parties are far from their minds when they blackmail her into confronting a vicious (and flamboyant) warlord whose forces are invading the city. Choosing sides might have been a no-brainer, but Sage learns the royal family is using their citizens as test subjects in experiments to attain immortality, and the warlord is actually fighting to stop them.
If Sage thought kneading dough was difficult, now she must choose between a tyrannical (and charming) warlord or a bubbly prince to take the throne. If Sage wants any semblance of a normal life again, let alone run a pizza shop, she must pray that her longing for love doesn’t cloud her judgment. Then again, what girl would say no to promises of colorful weddings and spectacular fireworks, even if the guy who’s offering them has a not-so-righteous agenda of his own?
“This is all part of their experiment. They’re not going to barge in and destroy us too quickly. They want to watch us first, then take us down in the swiftest way possible. One to their benefit. The why is irrelevant to us.”
Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Dystopia, Romance
🗡️🍕 Diamond City by Astrid Cole🍕🗡️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Sage wasn’t good at a lot of things, but spinning dough and perfecting tomato sauce were in her DNA.”
Hehehe, oh, this one was a good one! Who doesn’t love pizza, badass FMCs and delicious morally grey men? Now that I know that Astrid Cole loved Shadow & Bone as much as I did, and loved and chose The Darkling (like I would have to), that just makes our Warlord, Damian, that much more intriguing. If you were an Aleksander girlie, this one is for you. To the girls that want the yearning, this is for you.
The cast of characters is very diverse, and there is a lot of visibility that will resonate with many people. Sage is the ultimate badass FMC. She is over 100 years old, still gets giddy over her crushes on princes, and doesn’t really buy into the romantic notions and really does not need a man to fulfill her. Yeah, sex is great, but she literally has much more pressing issues to attend to. The love of her life? Her pizza joint. She lives, breathes and dies by the pizza. Damian, our Warlord, is flamboyant, vicious and has an affinity for fashion. Cole flips the gender norms in these two characters and their relationship with such wear, and it’s very refreshing to see. Both are able to exude both masculine and feminine traits, and it’s honestly very beautiful.
The world-building is so well done! We’ve only gotten through one district fully, I believe, and you can see the places building in your mind. While I’d personally love to live somewhere in Heart, the peace and seasons of Winterfeld seem the nicest. It’s giving Mad Max if it was set in the Blade world. Could be on Earth, but the Earth in another part of the multiverse. No part of this book skips a beat, either, and there is no filler—leading to great pacing in the story. The vibe is very dystopian fantasy romance, both playing equal parts in the meat of the story. It’s easy to read, with nothing being overcomplicated.
Thank you, Astrid Cole, for the eARC! I can’t wait to explore this world and Sage’s story more.
“He looked like a god leading his people, and maybe it was him that sleazy preacher should be worshipping instead of some ugly Squids.”
“I’ve been wanting to kiss you ever since you threw that dagger at my chest.”
“I cannot lose you because if I do, it will destroy me. It will shatter what is left of my black soul, the only thing my brother hasn’t been able to take away from me.”
Summary:
Pizza-loving Sage will do anything for a ticket to Prince Louis’ birthday party, whether that’s shooting bad guys at bars, chasing them in hover cars, or dropping one hundred stories from the highest skyscraper in Diamond City. She doesn’t mind attracting a little bit of positive attention from the royal family so long as no one learns her true She hails from an ancient warrior race, and kicking ass in war is her specialty.
Only those days are long over. At least, she thinks they are until her nephew sells her out to the royal family, and they’re nowhere near as air-headed as Prince Louis. Tiaras and dinner parties are far from their minds when they blackmail her into confronting a vicious (and flamboyant) warlord whose forces are invading the city. Choosing sides might have been a no-brainer, but Sage learns the royal family is using their citizens as test subjects in experiments to attain immortality, and the warlord is actually fighting to stop them.
If Sage thought kneading dough was difficult, now she must choose between a tyrannical (and charming) warlord or a bubbly prince to take the throne. If Sage wants any semblance of a normal life again, let alone run a pizza shop, she must pray that her longing for love doesn’t cloud her judgment. Then again, what girl would say no to promises of colorful weddings and spectacular fireworks, even if the guy who’s offering them has a not-so-righteous agenda of his own?
“This is all part of their experiment. They’re not going to barge in and destroy us too quickly. They want to watch us first, then take us down in the swiftest way possible. One to their benefit. The why is irrelevant to us.”
Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Dystopia, Romance
June 9, 2024
I'm the type of person that likes to go into a book blind. I knew that this one had some good ratings, and I had seen it all over bookstagram, so I wanted to give it a chance. PLUS the cover!!!! It’s gorgeous.
I was immediately intrigued by our main character Sage, who is an elite warrior, enhanced by cells that allow a person to live forever.. essentially. Sounds so cool right?? I love this premise. She had a big part in a war decades before, and just wanted to live her life in peace making pizza in her pizza shop. But the state of Diamond City goes downhill fast, and she needs to step in to help. She ends up meeting Damian along the way who is an exiled Warlord. He isn't your stereotypical male, that's for sure, and I think that bothered me a little bit. I wasn't as invested in his character. I found him a tad insufferable throughout the book actually... but I enjoyed the plot for what it was.
The action didn't stop in this book. I was a bit confused sometimes as it went from one thing to another, but it all made sense as I kept going. I also took into account, that this is Astrids debut, and it is a promising start!
Altogether, it was a good entertaining read, and I am looking forward to seeing what the next novel has in store!
I was immediately intrigued by our main character Sage, who is an elite warrior, enhanced by cells that allow a person to live forever.. essentially. Sounds so cool right?? I love this premise. She had a big part in a war decades before, and just wanted to live her life in peace making pizza in her pizza shop. But the state of Diamond City goes downhill fast, and she needs to step in to help. She ends up meeting Damian along the way who is an exiled Warlord. He isn't your stereotypical male, that's for sure, and I think that bothered me a little bit. I wasn't as invested in his character. I found him a tad insufferable throughout the book actually... but I enjoyed the plot for what it was.
The action didn't stop in this book. I was a bit confused sometimes as it went from one thing to another, but it all made sense as I kept going. I also took into account, that this is Astrids debut, and it is a promising start!
Altogether, it was a good entertaining read, and I am looking forward to seeing what the next novel has in store!
May 20, 2024
Diamond City, the first installment in Astrid Cole's Diamond City Series, is a breath of fresh air.
I have read ALOT of Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Romance over the last 30+ years. This is the first book in quite some time that successfully checked the boxes - at the same time- in all three genres for me!
I mean...
Strong, Warrior FMC? Check.
Enemies to lovers? Check
Future Dystopian world? Check
Aliens???? CHECK!
Futuristic technology? Check.
LGBTQ+ representation? Check
And last but not least.... Pizza?? CHECK!
*Disclaimer* A sense of humor is required to enjoy. There are some downright silly scenes sprinkled in - which again, is right up my alley. :-)
I have read ALOT of Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Romance over the last 30+ years. This is the first book in quite some time that successfully checked the boxes - at the same time- in all three genres for me!
I mean...
Strong, Warrior FMC? Check.
Enemies to lovers? Check
Future Dystopian world? Check
Aliens???? CHECK!
Futuristic technology? Check.
LGBTQ+ representation? Check
And last but not least.... Pizza?? CHECK!
*Disclaimer* A sense of humor is required to enjoy. There are some downright silly scenes sprinkled in - which again, is right up my alley. :-)
March 9, 2025
⤿ 4 ⭑
this is a digital advanced readers copy I received from the author astrid cole, this has no affect on my rating nor review.
sage. isn’t. taking. sh*t. from. anyone. I lost count on how many times she threw a knife at someone (especially at her man, lmao). love love love her!! the more I read, the more I felt sorry for her and the life that she has had. having to go through war at such a young age…they can never make me hate you sage! I had a very love-hate relationship with damian (the warlord) in the beginning. he seemed very manipulative and untrustworthy at first, but I would love to get to know more about his past. he’s a very complicated character with a complicated past. and he’s bisexual?? love the representation, especially since I am bisexual myself, and it makes me love him even more!! he is too horny for my liking, though.
the plot was exciting! it’s like when you’re reading it, there’s a movie playing in our head, and you can’t stop reading (my favorite type of reads!). I don’t read too much sci-fi, but I was really interested in the story. sage having so much power and responsibility made me really nervous as to what was going to happen! there was so much action and I never got bored. it took me a while to finish this because I just didn’t want it to end! the worldbuilding was very easy to understand, considering that it can be very confusing in fantasy or sci-fi books, so that was a bonus!
for the first few chapters, I was kind of confused as to what was going on. it seemed like I was dropped into the middle of something, and not much background information was given. it wasn’t like that for too long, though. after that, I was hooked with the worldbuilding and characters. as for the dialogue, I thoughts that some of the it was kind of childish throughout the story, and I would forget that these are 100+ year old people talking to each other. it didn’t bother me too much, but it did stick out too me.
sage and damian, mwah mwah mwah!!! they have such a great chemistry and I love their dynamic! she’s the badass who protects those she loves and plays hard to get. he’s morally grey and falls for her first (and falls harddd). in the beginning, I didn’t feel like I was going to like them because they were both two very horny people (kind of too horny for me lol), and I thought she was going to give in so easily and they were just going to start f*cking right then and there. I’m more of a slow burn lover, and I wished that they were a littleeeeee slow. but about 50–60% in or so, they grew on me and I just fell in love with them!! although I hated when damian kept trying to force himself onto sage. she was dealing with personal issues, and he was rubbing himself on her, even when she said “no” or “not right now.” he would keep going and going. maybe that’s just their kind of relationship, but it made me very uncomfortable. I know there are going to be more books in this series, and I plan on reading them all, but I think sage and damian’s relationship is a little unhealthy. when you think about it, all they do is talk about war and have sex, and they don’t know too much about each other. I hope their relationship develops well, because I would love for them to be together throughout all the series.
I enjoyed this book very much! although it had its moments, I would recommend!! I’m very excited to start to read emerald city, and I hope damian doesn’t end up betraying sage, ugh that would break my heart! my favorite part was the war and political element, the romantic element was okay to me, hopefully it’ll grow on me in the next book.
this is a digital advanced readers copy I received from the author astrid cole, this has no affect on my rating nor review.
sage. isn’t. taking. sh*t. from. anyone. I lost count on how many times she threw a knife at someone (especially at her man, lmao). love love love her!! the more I read, the more I felt sorry for her and the life that she has had. having to go through war at such a young age…they can never make me hate you sage! I had a very love-hate relationship with damian (the warlord) in the beginning. he seemed very manipulative and untrustworthy at first, but I would love to get to know more about his past. he’s a very complicated character with a complicated past. and he’s bisexual?? love the representation, especially since I am bisexual myself, and it makes me love him even more!! he is too horny for my liking, though.
the plot was exciting! it’s like when you’re reading it, there’s a movie playing in our head, and you can’t stop reading (my favorite type of reads!). I don’t read too much sci-fi, but I was really interested in the story. sage having so much power and responsibility made me really nervous as to what was going to happen! there was so much action and I never got bored. it took me a while to finish this because I just didn’t want it to end! the worldbuilding was very easy to understand, considering that it can be very confusing in fantasy or sci-fi books, so that was a bonus!
for the first few chapters, I was kind of confused as to what was going on. it seemed like I was dropped into the middle of something, and not much background information was given. it wasn’t like that for too long, though. after that, I was hooked with the worldbuilding and characters. as for the dialogue, I thoughts that some of the it was kind of childish throughout the story, and I would forget that these are 100+ year old people talking to each other. it didn’t bother me too much, but it did stick out too me.
sage and damian, mwah mwah mwah!!! they have such a great chemistry and I love their dynamic! she’s the badass who protects those she loves and plays hard to get. he’s morally grey and falls for her first (and falls harddd). in the beginning, I didn’t feel like I was going to like them because they were both two very horny people (kind of too horny for me lol), and I thought she was going to give in so easily and they were just going to start f*cking right then and there. I’m more of a slow burn lover, and I wished that they were a littleeeeee slow. but about 50–60% in or so, they grew on me and I just fell in love with them!! although I hated when damian kept trying to force himself onto sage. she was dealing with personal issues, and he was rubbing himself on her, even when she said “no” or “not right now.” he would keep going and going. maybe that’s just their kind of relationship, but it made me very uncomfortable. I know there are going to be more books in this series, and I plan on reading them all, but I think sage and damian’s relationship is a little unhealthy. when you think about it, all they do is talk about war and have sex, and they don’t know too much about each other. I hope their relationship develops well, because I would love for them to be together throughout all the series.
I enjoyed this book very much! although it had its moments, I would recommend!! I’m very excited to start to read emerald city, and I hope damian doesn’t end up betraying sage, ugh that would break my heart! my favorite part was the war and political element, the romantic element was okay to me, hopefully it’ll grow on me in the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2024
4⭐️ 2.5🌶️
I loved this!
It took me a while to read because I was in a slump due to a previous read but I’m glad I finally managed to complete this so I can start the second book in this series.
The world building in this was brilliant, I was really able to keep track of everything going on which I normally can’t do in a sci-fi book as they’re usually really chaotic.
The main character Sage was such a badass, and I loved how she always tried to do what was right even if she didn’t like it. Her relationship with the Warlord was fantastic, the window breaking made me laugh so much!
The book was so action packed, so there was always something happening so it never got boring, and that plot twist near the end… I’m gobsmacked.
Taz was possibly one of the creepiest characters I’ve ever read about in my life, points for creativity there.
I loved this!
It took me a while to read because I was in a slump due to a previous read but I’m glad I finally managed to complete this so I can start the second book in this series.
The world building in this was brilliant, I was really able to keep track of everything going on which I normally can’t do in a sci-fi book as they’re usually really chaotic.
The main character Sage was such a badass, and I loved how she always tried to do what was right even if she didn’t like it. Her relationship with the Warlord was fantastic, the window breaking made me laugh so much!
The book was so action packed, so there was always something happening so it never got boring, and that plot twist near the end… I’m gobsmacked.
Taz was possibly one of the creepiest characters I’ve ever read about in my life, points for creativity there.
April 29, 2023
ARC from NetGalley
1.5 stars.
Well that was confusing. It felt like I picked something up in the middle of a series. You're thrust into things with no real explanation as to what's going on. Though, before the story starts we do get a list of the different months for some reason, even though they don't really come up often, and it isn't terribly important. If you're going to make a list of shit at the beginning of your novel, make it useful. Explaining the different quadrants of the city, the government, what the fuck a Squid is, etc. would have actually been helpful.
Sage is over 100 years old, though she acts like a teenager. She was a soldier/warrior in a war long ago, and apparently she pretty much single handedly saved everyone. She lives in Diamond City on the down low, trying not to attract attention to herself, just running her pizza place.
In the very beginning, we have a description of how badly Sage wants to marry the prince because he's super hot. She then goes to a bar where she meets her target, some guy who has apparently been killing Enhanced. The name is relatively self-explanatory, but for clarity, Enhanced are humans who have been altered with "Cells" which make them stronger essentially. There is one mention of The Private Guard, and henceforth it is referred to as PG which confused the shit out of me because it's mentioned so briefly and didn't really seem important.
In the next chapter, Sage is pissed to learn that her nephew has allowed the Private Guard to move in to the pizzeria.
In chapter 3, we learn that Sage is a big fan of the Power Rangers, I mean Defenders Unite! which is a children's show from her youth. We're introduced to the idea of fastball, which is a local sport not really explained much, mentioned several times throughout the book, and really not bringing anything important or interesting to the table. We are also introduced to Samson, a Squid. He is described as looking like a humanoid squid. He speaks Squid. In chapter 6 we learn a bit more about what Squids actually are, sort of.
This book is full of plot holes. In chapter 9, The Warlord mentions having seen the Star Raider (Power Ranger) tattoo on the Optimum's wrist. In chapter 12, he mentions having seen the Star Raider tattoo on Sage's wrist. In chapter 19, he discovers that Sage is the Optimum.. and he is surprised.
This book is a meandering clusterfuck, totally confusing, not entertaining, and it doesn't have a satisfying conclusion. Boo crap.
1.5 stars.
Well that was confusing. It felt like I picked something up in the middle of a series. You're thrust into things with no real explanation as to what's going on. Though, before the story starts we do get a list of the different months for some reason, even though they don't really come up often, and it isn't terribly important. If you're going to make a list of shit at the beginning of your novel, make it useful. Explaining the different quadrants of the city, the government, what the fuck a Squid is, etc. would have actually been helpful.
Sage is over 100 years old, though she acts like a teenager. She was a soldier/warrior in a war long ago, and apparently she pretty much single handedly saved everyone. She lives in Diamond City on the down low, trying not to attract attention to herself, just running her pizza place.
In the very beginning, we have a description of how badly Sage wants to marry the prince because he's super hot. She then goes to a bar where she meets her target, some guy who has apparently been killing Enhanced. The name is relatively self-explanatory, but for clarity, Enhanced are humans who have been altered with "Cells" which make them stronger essentially. There is one mention of The Private Guard, and henceforth it is referred to as PG which confused the shit out of me because it's mentioned so briefly and didn't really seem important.
In the next chapter, Sage is pissed to learn that her nephew has allowed the Private Guard to move in to the pizzeria.
In chapter 3, we learn that Sage is a big fan of the Power Rangers, I mean Defenders Unite! which is a children's show from her youth. We're introduced to the idea of fastball, which is a local sport not really explained much, mentioned several times throughout the book, and really not bringing anything important or interesting to the table. We are also introduced to Samson, a Squid. He is described as looking like a humanoid squid. He speaks Squid. In chapter 6 we learn a bit more about what Squids actually are, sort of.
This book is full of plot holes. In chapter 9, The Warlord mentions having seen the Star Raider (Power Ranger) tattoo on the Optimum's wrist. In chapter 12, he mentions having seen the Star Raider tattoo on Sage's wrist. In chapter 19, he discovers that Sage is the Optimum.. and he is surprised.
This book is a meandering clusterfuck, totally confusing, not entertaining, and it doesn't have a satisfying conclusion. Boo crap.
November 9, 2023
Wow! I was not ready for how absolutely insane this book would be (insane in the best way🤩)!! From beginning to end I was literally NOT ready for the twists and turns of this novel! This is a sci-fi/fantasy novel and although those are the genres I often read, I’ve never read a book like this one! The world built by Astrid Cole in this series is truly like no other! From the logistics, to the tech, to the politics & people - this universe is truly so unique and refreshing!
The last couple chapters had me randomly screaming, jumping up and down, biting my nails, and even crying!! But I absolutely loved how it ended. After so much drama and heartache, my heart was so happy reading the last couple pages!🥹
I loved this books as much as (and honestly more than) I thought I would! I definitely recommend giving this book a read! The second edition to this series, Emerald City, will be released in February and preorders are already available - I preordered mine already! Go check out Astrid Cole and her awesome new book Diamond City ASAP!!🤩🙌✨
✨Side note: In some of the reviews of this novel I have seen people complain that the main character, Sage, is 100+ years old but “acts like a teen” but I immediately understood why her character and mannerisms reflect teenage habits when reading the very beginning of the book. At the beginning of this novel Sage explains that she joined the enhanced as a teen which would mean, for her, time moves slower and I would assume that obviously means her brain is still an adolescent brain and her body is still acting as a hormonal teen as well. She is aging slower in every way & her teenage-like mind reflects this. (I don’t want to give any spoilers so I won’t say more but throughout the rest of the book there are further revelations about Sage that completely explain why she is still basically a teen/young adult). So it totally makes sense for her to be this way, it honestly wouldn’t make sense for her to be acting like a full grown adult when she isn’t one! I don’t see why y’all are complaining about something so silly anyways, obviously a sci-fi/fantasy world isn’t going to have the same logistics as we do in real life… that is literally the whole point/fun of these types of genres. A 100 years in Sage’s world/life is different from a 100 years in our real life. Why read sci-fi/fantasy if you can’t use your imagination? I mean come on 🙄
The last couple chapters had me randomly screaming, jumping up and down, biting my nails, and even crying!! But I absolutely loved how it ended. After so much drama and heartache, my heart was so happy reading the last couple pages!🥹
I loved this books as much as (and honestly more than) I thought I would! I definitely recommend giving this book a read! The second edition to this series, Emerald City, will be released in February and preorders are already available - I preordered mine already! Go check out Astrid Cole and her awesome new book Diamond City ASAP!!🤩🙌✨
✨Side note: In some of the reviews of this novel I have seen people complain that the main character, Sage, is 100+ years old but “acts like a teen” but I immediately understood why her character and mannerisms reflect teenage habits when reading the very beginning of the book. At the beginning of this novel Sage explains that she joined the enhanced as a teen which would mean, for her, time moves slower and I would assume that obviously means her brain is still an adolescent brain and her body is still acting as a hormonal teen as well. She is aging slower in every way & her teenage-like mind reflects this. (I don’t want to give any spoilers so I won’t say more but throughout the rest of the book there are further revelations about Sage that completely explain why she is still basically a teen/young adult). So it totally makes sense for her to be this way, it honestly wouldn’t make sense for her to be acting like a full grown adult when she isn’t one! I don’t see why y’all are complaining about something so silly anyways, obviously a sci-fi/fantasy world isn’t going to have the same logistics as we do in real life… that is literally the whole point/fun of these types of genres. A 100 years in Sage’s world/life is different from a 100 years in our real life. Why read sci-fi/fantasy if you can’t use your imagination? I mean come on 🙄
July 5, 2024
There are plenty of reviews on here that provide great summaries, and the synopsis also does a great job, so I'm going to skip past that and just jump into it!
Pros:
-Sampson, like just love Sampson, I wanted to see so much more of him!
-Loved the world building! This was a unique world with a unique sci-fi system, and I genuinely wanted to see what happened next with the corruption and battles!
-Absolutely love Sages relationship with her nieces. It felt so genuine and heart warming, and I simply loved that!
-The entire concept around the Cells was super cool and unique, and I genuinely loved it!
Cons:
-Sage's crush on the prince seemed super out of place and out of character from the start. I feel like I needed more back story! Like we all have crushes, but to use your work connections to get an invitation to his birthday party seemed a bit much and super fangirlie given her character type. I think I just needed more of a build-up!
-Never been a fan of insta-lust. In general, it felt like Sage's actions just didn't line up with her personality. She would have these super fierce moments and then just completely swing in the opposite direction. It made it hard to really follow her intentions. She seemed almost manic in her inability to maintain her character type so dramatically.
-This might seem odd of me and it's probably a personal thing on my side but there were a few instances where it felt like the authors personal views came across in a not so great way through her main character. First, call someone a snowflake and then making reference to God when there had been zero mention of any other kind of diety other than the squids in the whole book. It just felt odd and personally a bit off-putting.
Regardless of all this, I am still looking forward to the second book and seeing how the author develops the story.
Thank you, Astrid Cole, for this e-copy in
exchange for an honest review!
2.5!
Pros:
-Sampson, like just love Sampson, I wanted to see so much more of him!
-Loved the world building! This was a unique world with a unique sci-fi system, and I genuinely wanted to see what happened next with the corruption and battles!
-Absolutely love Sages relationship with her nieces. It felt so genuine and heart warming, and I simply loved that!
-The entire concept around the Cells was super cool and unique, and I genuinely loved it!
Cons:
-Sage's crush on the prince seemed super out of place and out of character from the start. I feel like I needed more back story! Like we all have crushes, but to use your work connections to get an invitation to his birthday party seemed a bit much and super fangirlie given her character type. I think I just needed more of a build-up!
-Never been a fan of insta-lust. In general, it felt like Sage's actions just didn't line up with her personality. She would have these super fierce moments and then just completely swing in the opposite direction. It made it hard to really follow her intentions. She seemed almost manic in her inability to maintain her character type so dramatically.
-This might seem odd of me and it's probably a personal thing on my side but there were a few instances where it felt like the authors personal views came across in a not so great way through her main character. First, call someone a snowflake and then making reference to God when there had been zero mention of any other kind of diety other than the squids in the whole book. It just felt odd and personally a bit off-putting.
Regardless of all this, I am still looking forward to the second book and seeing how the author develops the story.
Thank you, Astrid Cole, for this e-copy in
exchange for an honest review!
2.5!
January 7, 2025
There is a lot of awesome stuff happening here - super interesting world and concept, hilariously hard to love characters that you can't help but love, and lots of mystery and intrigue. The queer normative world and gender reversed roles was sooo refreshing! I found the writing style a bit jarring and confusing at times but I'm somehow still very invested in this story. The relationship between the two MCs felt ackward but in a way I sometimes found funny but sometimes very off putting. I still love sage and her abrasiveness. This book is a wild ride! Thank you to the author for this ARC opportunity
May 17, 2024
"𝘏𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴."
I came into possession of this book entirely by accident. There was no initial plan to acquire it, nor was I aware of the entire plot, yet I felt drawn to it. Reading it, and finding out my intuition has not made a mistake was wild.
World building is very neat and detailed, so much that there is no lack of understanding. Set in a somewhat dystopian world, in a place ravaged by previous wars, citizens od Diamond City dream of better lives, struggling under new, or old, tyranny. Royal intrigues, threats on the outskirts, and whispers of another rebellion rule their everyday lives. In the middle is an ancient warrior wondering how long she can keep up the appearance of neutrality. She fought hard to unite the world amidst a war, and lived to see it all crumble down to dust. Will she be responsible for another healing, or become one of many destroyers?
The story has an ounce of cyberpunk vibe with hints of fantasy. Writing style is light, fluent, offering abundance of diverse characters and their backstories, and just enough information to understand the concept early on.
In Diamond City, things are new, but also very much the same. Technology booms, and still, intrigues and manipulations for the sake of power remain. The lucky ones are enhanced, transformed into higher beings with more power and longer lifespans. They thrive, showered in luxury, at least some of them. Others starve, struggling to pay rent and avoid homelessness. Outside, an exiled group torments and kills all unlucky enough to get in their way... Or so it's said. Enemies emerge from all sides, pushing closer to the innocents, and it's up to Sage to dissect the facts from all angles and come to viable conclusions. For the umpteenth time, the fate of the Diamond City is forcibly placed in her tired hands burdened by consequences of immortality.
I came into possession of this book entirely by accident. There was no initial plan to acquire it, nor was I aware of the entire plot, yet I felt drawn to it. Reading it, and finding out my intuition has not made a mistake was wild.
World building is very neat and detailed, so much that there is no lack of understanding. Set in a somewhat dystopian world, in a place ravaged by previous wars, citizens od Diamond City dream of better lives, struggling under new, or old, tyranny. Royal intrigues, threats on the outskirts, and whispers of another rebellion rule their everyday lives. In the middle is an ancient warrior wondering how long she can keep up the appearance of neutrality. She fought hard to unite the world amidst a war, and lived to see it all crumble down to dust. Will she be responsible for another healing, or become one of many destroyers?
The story has an ounce of cyberpunk vibe with hints of fantasy. Writing style is light, fluent, offering abundance of diverse characters and their backstories, and just enough information to understand the concept early on.
In Diamond City, things are new, but also very much the same. Technology booms, and still, intrigues and manipulations for the sake of power remain. The lucky ones are enhanced, transformed into higher beings with more power and longer lifespans. They thrive, showered in luxury, at least some of them. Others starve, struggling to pay rent and avoid homelessness. Outside, an exiled group torments and kills all unlucky enough to get in their way... Or so it's said. Enemies emerge from all sides, pushing closer to the innocents, and it's up to Sage to dissect the facts from all angles and come to viable conclusions. For the umpteenth time, the fate of the Diamond City is forcibly placed in her tired hands burdened by consequences of immortality.
January 20, 2025
I was immediately captivated by the engaging blurb and the striking cover of "Diamond City," but reading it turned out to be an entirely immersive adventure. Astrid Cole has created a fascinating world where enhanced beings, immortals, and hybrids intersect in a futuristic, post-apocalyptic landscape. The main character, Sage, is a century-old immortal warrior who dreams of a peaceful life running her pizza shop—and that idea is everything I never realized I was missing.
Sage is a beautifully complex character: fierce, empathetic, loyal, and commanding, yet relatable with her teenage crushes and longing for life's simple joys. She is a formidable presence, but someone you can't help but support as she grapples with her conflicting desires for peace, romance, and responsibility. The Warlord serves as the perfect morally ambiguous counterpart—flamboyant, egotistical, and vulnerable all at once. His quick wit and unpredictable nature make him one of the most engaging and dynamic characters I've encountered. The electric tension between Sage and the Warlord comes alive through their banter, power struggles, and emotional openness.
What sets "Diamond City" apart is its seamless fusion of genres. Astrid expertly intertwines sci-fi, dystopian fantasy, action, romance, humour, and even a hint of spice. The world-building is rich and intricate, filled with political intrigue, shifting loyalties, and a diverse cast of characters, each with their own agenda. The plot twists kept me on my toes, and the stakes remained high from beginning to end.
Astrid's storytelling is exceptional. She effortlessly balances explosive action with tender, heartfelt moments. The humour and banter are hilarious, the romance is swoon-worthy, and the spicy scenes have just the right amount of heat.
I have officially entered my Astrid Cole era and have no intention of leaving. I'm eager to explore Sage's world—teetering between peace and chaos, loyalty and betrayal, love and war—again. With "Emerald City" next on my list, I can’t wait to continue this unforgettable journey. "Diamond City" is an absolute must-read for anyone seeking a book that's as unique and layered as one of Sage's gourmet pizzas.
Sage is a beautifully complex character: fierce, empathetic, loyal, and commanding, yet relatable with her teenage crushes and longing for life's simple joys. She is a formidable presence, but someone you can't help but support as she grapples with her conflicting desires for peace, romance, and responsibility. The Warlord serves as the perfect morally ambiguous counterpart—flamboyant, egotistical, and vulnerable all at once. His quick wit and unpredictable nature make him one of the most engaging and dynamic characters I've encountered. The electric tension between Sage and the Warlord comes alive through their banter, power struggles, and emotional openness.
What sets "Diamond City" apart is its seamless fusion of genres. Astrid expertly intertwines sci-fi, dystopian fantasy, action, romance, humour, and even a hint of spice. The world-building is rich and intricate, filled with political intrigue, shifting loyalties, and a diverse cast of characters, each with their own agenda. The plot twists kept me on my toes, and the stakes remained high from beginning to end.
Astrid's storytelling is exceptional. She effortlessly balances explosive action with tender, heartfelt moments. The humour and banter are hilarious, the romance is swoon-worthy, and the spicy scenes have just the right amount of heat.
I have officially entered my Astrid Cole era and have no intention of leaving. I'm eager to explore Sage's world—teetering between peace and chaos, loyalty and betrayal, love and war—again. With "Emerald City" next on my list, I can’t wait to continue this unforgettable journey. "Diamond City" is an absolute must-read for anyone seeking a book that's as unique and layered as one of Sage's gourmet pizzas.
July 17, 2024
Rating: 4.5 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️.5
“I can’t stop thinking about you and If I had a heart, it’d be beating for you.” - Diamond City by @astridcolebooks
If you are looking for strong female leads and morally grey bad boys with a surprising flair for fashion! Look no further than Diamond City by Astrid Cole.
Sage, our protagonist, is an ex-warrior who just wants to live the simple life, running her own pizza 🍕 shop. But fate intervene, thrusting her back into a world of danger and rebellion.
The love interest? A rebel leader with a surprising love of makeup and fashion. This unique dynamic between a strong warrior woman 💪🏼 and a flamboyant 💖, morally gray man creates a fascinating tension that works surprisingly well.
The characters is truly diverse and engaging. Each one adds their own spark to the story, making the world feel vibrant and alive.
While the romance starts with a spark of lust/love, it develops organically throughout the story. The relationship feels genuine and adds another layer of intrigue to Sage’s journey.
If you haven’t dipped your toes into sci-fi 🪐 lately, Diamond City is the perfect re-entry point. It’s a fun, action-packed read with a unique world and a story that will keep you hooked. 🥰
P.S. A huge thank you to Astrid Cole for providing me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 8, 2025
Pizza loving Sage, a former warrior, will do anything for a ticket to Prince Louis’ birthday, even battle bad guys and jump from skyscrapers. But when the royal family blackmails her into stopping an invading warlord, she uncovers their deadly immortality experiments. Torn between the charming prince and the warlord fighting to stop them, Sage must navigate loyalty and love to reclaim her life—and her pizza shop.
I kept seeing rave reviews about this book, and they were spot on! What a fantastic way to kick off 2025. I loved Sage, Samson, the Warlord, and all the other characters—they each fit perfectly into the story. Astrid’s writing kept me hooked, entertained, and eager to keep reading; I seriously didn’t want to put it down.
Sci-fi isn’t usually my go-to genre, but this book was such a great example of it. The characters, especially Sage and the Warlord, really developed throughout the story. Even with the slight cliffhanger, it wrapped up nicely.
Make sure this book is on your TBR!
Rating: 4.5/5
Spice: 2/5
Tropes:
He falls first
Enemies to lovers
The quest
Secret identity
The reluctant hero
Big thanks to Astrid Cole for the gifted ARC—can’t wait to dive into Emerald City!
I kept seeing rave reviews about this book, and they were spot on! What a fantastic way to kick off 2025. I loved Sage, Samson, the Warlord, and all the other characters—they each fit perfectly into the story. Astrid’s writing kept me hooked, entertained, and eager to keep reading; I seriously didn’t want to put it down.
Sci-fi isn’t usually my go-to genre, but this book was such a great example of it. The characters, especially Sage and the Warlord, really developed throughout the story. Even with the slight cliffhanger, it wrapped up nicely.
Make sure this book is on your TBR!
Rating: 4.5/5
Spice: 2/5
Tropes:
He falls first
Enemies to lovers
The quest
Secret identity
The reluctant hero
Big thanks to Astrid Cole for the gifted ARC—can’t wait to dive into Emerald City!
October 25, 2024
This was such a good book and a great start for the series!! The world building was done beautifully. This was one of the most unique books I’ve read so far. The whole concept of enhanced beings was really cool and interesting to read about. I love how much thought and care the author put into creating their world. I’m not usually a big sci-fi reader but the author definitely got me with this one. I immediately had to start reading book 2 once I finished! The FMC is an immortal secret badass warrior that just wants to live a simpler life. She is a pizza enthusiast and I’ve never related more 😂 There is a ton of witty banter and comedic relief throughout the book, which made it that much more enjoyable. I found myself chuckling just a few times! The diversity between characters brings something to the table for everyone. It’s got romance, drama, wit, banter, humor, and a tad bit of spice on top of the plot heavy storyline. Even if you are not normally into sci-fi dystopian romance…this book just might be the one to get you hooked!!
January 14, 2025
Okay so this blew me away! I think I'm becoming a Sci-fi girlie! I just loved the whole premise of the book. One thing I loved was the name of the districts in Diamond City. Cut, Clarity, Colour and Carat. All things that affect the value of a diamond. To be fair, this diamond by Astrid is priceless.
The characters were great. I especially liked Sage, Damian and Gertrude. Damian is the second brand new book boyfriend of 2025. That man was patient as anything. He had a dirty mouth and mind. He was morally grey which is a strong favourite. I love him. Sage was a great and strong FMC. She was a wee bit morally grey but not like Damian! I love that Gertrude is a transgender character. I was happy to see that inclusion and the stigmas she faced.
The story was so well written and it flowers so well. No plot holes or anything that didn't make sense. This is always pleasing having a book that doesn't raise a million plot hole questions. The book is written in third person and is from Sage's point of view. I liked this a lot and it worked well.
I really recommend this book. If you love Sci-fi or you want to try it, I think that this would be a good start!
The characters were great. I especially liked Sage, Damian and Gertrude. Damian is the second brand new book boyfriend of 2025. That man was patient as anything. He had a dirty mouth and mind. He was morally grey which is a strong favourite. I love him. Sage was a great and strong FMC. She was a wee bit morally grey but not like Damian! I love that Gertrude is a transgender character. I was happy to see that inclusion and the stigmas she faced.
The story was so well written and it flowers so well. No plot holes or anything that didn't make sense. This is always pleasing having a book that doesn't raise a million plot hole questions. The book is written in third person and is from Sage's point of view. I liked this a lot and it worked well.
I really recommend this book. If you love Sci-fi or you want to try it, I think that this would be a good start!
June 16, 2024
With reading this book I was going a little out of my comfort zone, normally I don't really touch sci-fi. But when Astrid contacted me about this series and after reading the blurb of this book I wanted to know more! So I hopped into the story, and didn't stop 'till I finished it. And after reading? I can't wait to dive into the next book in this series!
Astrid created a world, took her time with the worldbuilding and describing so much about the world and the characters, and she did this throughout the whole book! And yeah it took me a little bit of time to get used to the sci-fi aspect of the book, but the overall story overwon the genre and I had a great time reading.
Like I said before, I can't wait to read the next book to see where this series will be going to.
Thank you Astrid Cole for this ARC to read and review.
Astrid created a world, took her time with the worldbuilding and describing so much about the world and the characters, and she did this throughout the whole book! And yeah it took me a little bit of time to get used to the sci-fi aspect of the book, but the overall story overwon the genre and I had a great time reading.
Like I said before, I can't wait to read the next book to see where this series will be going to.
Thank you Astrid Cole for this ARC to read and review.
January 18, 2025
✨️✨️thank you to Astrid Cole for this amazing opportunity!!✨️✨️
the cover is so pretty and I really hope i can pick up a physical copy one day.
Sage works at a pizza shop with Bram. she is obsessed with pizza (I think a lot of us can relate). her dream is to marry a prince, live in a castle, and love like she were in a fairytale. her reality is much more complex and messy than she would like.
she's soon thrust into the world of trying to find the AllSeer and the Warlord and things take quite a turn throughout the book. it was refreshing to see and older FMC in a book because a lot of the time you usually read about MCs that are 16-20 and not much older.
the world is definitely apocalyptic and dystopian. the structure of the society reminds me of Divergent a bit which I thought was super cool. there's definitely a lot more technology involved like the book series, Uglies. Manipulation, control, and corruption are prevelant within the government and it's interesting to learn exactly who you as a reader can/should trust.
I'm glad that it's not strictly a romance novel, but instead it's more action packed, and you can see the motivation Sage has as you read on in further into the book. it did take me a bit to get into the book but that's only because it's been YEARS since I read a dystopian novel.
the plot twists!!!
I liked how action packed the book was and he going to find her sister, the fight scenes, and so much more. there was something much packed into this story and there were so many twists and turns.
I was given the opportunity to be a part of Astrid Cole's arc review group. I truly enjoyed this book and i cannot wait to read the others in the series. If you haven't picked this up yet, I recommend you do! 💎
the cover is so pretty and I really hope i can pick up a physical copy one day.
Sage works at a pizza shop with Bram. she is obsessed with pizza (I think a lot of us can relate). her dream is to marry a prince, live in a castle, and love like she were in a fairytale. her reality is much more complex and messy than she would like.
she's soon thrust into the world of trying to find the AllSeer and the Warlord and things take quite a turn throughout the book. it was refreshing to see and older FMC in a book because a lot of the time you usually read about MCs that are 16-20 and not much older.
the world is definitely apocalyptic and dystopian. the structure of the society reminds me of Divergent a bit which I thought was super cool. there's definitely a lot more technology involved like the book series, Uglies. Manipulation, control, and corruption are prevelant within the government and it's interesting to learn exactly who you as a reader can/should trust.
I'm glad that it's not strictly a romance novel, but instead it's more action packed, and you can see the motivation Sage has as you read on in further into the book. it did take me a bit to get into the book but that's only because it's been YEARS since I read a dystopian novel.
the plot twists!!!
I liked how action packed the book was and he going to find her sister, the fight scenes, and so much more. there was something much packed into this story and there were so many twists and turns.
I was given the opportunity to be a part of Astrid Cole's arc review group. I truly enjoyed this book and i cannot wait to read the others in the series. If you haven't picked this up yet, I recommend you do! 💎
June 7, 2025
I did openly have a difficult time with this book, I feel like it was a bit all over the place with little explanation. I was very much confused and that could 100% be my fault! I feel like so much was happening and I was trying so hard to catch up!
— the concept was interesting and I really enjoyed the wholesome moments in this book! Especially with Samson! He was such a grump, but I loved his soft spot! I just eat that shit UP!
I think I just need a crash course on who we like, who we don’t like. What certain things are like Cells, Enhanced, and whatever Sage is?
Also, the fact she is 100+ years old and acts the way she was interesting to me.
—Blackburn said it best, “You are 114 years old, but you are nothing more than a pampered child.”
I was close to DNFing it, but ultimately, I’m glad I didn’t (: it was a fun read and was very interesting.
I loved 🦑
~ I knew I would!
**I am so bad with keeping up with my good reads, I am so sorry!**
— the concept was interesting and I really enjoyed the wholesome moments in this book! Especially with Samson! He was such a grump, but I loved his soft spot! I just eat that shit UP!
I think I just need a crash course on who we like, who we don’t like. What certain things are like Cells, Enhanced, and whatever Sage is?
Also, the fact she is 100+ years old and acts the way she was interesting to me.
—Blackburn said it best, “You are 114 years old, but you are nothing more than a pampered child.”
I was close to DNFing it, but ultimately, I’m glad I didn’t (: it was a fun read and was very interesting.
I loved 🦑
~ I knew I would!
**I am so bad with keeping up with my good reads, I am so sorry!**
June 9, 2025
*Diamond City* is a wild ride packed with action, intrigue, and just the right amount of chaos. Sage is our pizza-slinging, hovercar-chasing heroine, is technically over a century old but totally reads like your favorite impulsive YA lead—and honestly, it works. She is the kind of FMC who keeps you hooked—badass, morally complex, and somehow still dreaming of a quiet life running a pizza shop.
The world building is flashy and full of surprises—hover cars, rebel factions, and a city that feels like a neon-lit video game. Plus, the morally grey characters keep things unpredictable, especially when Sage is forced to choose between a charming warlord and a bubbly prince. Sage's decisions can be questionable, but the energy never dips. And the bond between Sage and her nieces is a sweet emotional anchor amid the chaos.
If you're into fast-paced dystopian adventures with a dash of romance and a quirky lead, this one's worth checking out.
The world building is flashy and full of surprises—hover cars, rebel factions, and a city that feels like a neon-lit video game. Plus, the morally grey characters keep things unpredictable, especially when Sage is forced to choose between a charming warlord and a bubbly prince. Sage's decisions can be questionable, but the energy never dips. And the bond between Sage and her nieces is a sweet emotional anchor amid the chaos.
If you're into fast-paced dystopian adventures with a dash of romance and a quirky lead, this one's worth checking out.
November 18, 2024
What a wild ride. Had fun and def will be getting to the next ones!
February 27, 2025
3.5 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
This is the first book in the Diamond City series, which is a Sci-Fi/dystopian Romantasy and what a ride it is! I was fascinated by the premise of this book, following Sage who is a super strong FMC, pizza-loving, retired warrior with a mysterious secret, who is blackmailed by the Royal Family into bringing down their enemy/ Warlord. However things aren’t as they seem on the surface and we follow Sage on her journey through political intrigue and sparring regions with many twists and turns you don’t expect.
Honestly, it took me a little while to get into properly as I found some of the writing a little confusing and difficult to follow at times. Sometimes there were quick shifts in time or place without much explanation, which had me reverting back to previous pages to see if I missed things or interpreted things incorrectly?
However, for a first novel I think it’s great! Astrid has created a really interesting and unique world to explore. The world building is second to none, with lots of cleverly thought out names and history within each region and character origins/traits. I really felt I was there in this world along with Sage.
Sage is a powerful woman who absolutely kicks as$ and doesn’t take any sh*t from anyone especially when it comes to her unflappable moral integrity, but she also has a big heart and a vulnerability to her too.
Damian, I’m on the fence with. At times he’s likeable, and it’s difficult not to feel empathy for him for his past traumas, but then there’s that dark side to him that give me red flags. He can be quite arrogant, and is very sexually driven to the point of almost being pushy or coercive which at times made me feel a little uncomfortable. However, I have a feeling this is all part of his character development, and how we as readers are meant to feel confused and weary along with Sage? He’s morally grey for sure and I imagine we’ll learn a lot more about him in the rest of the series. I really liked how he wasn’t afraid to show his feminine side, or push gender norms out the window. I also appreciated the LGBTQ+ representation within this book with characters such as Damian, who is an androgynous bisexual man but also Gertrude, who is Trans.
Another stand out character who has to be mentioned is SAMSON! He’s a Lolligo (Humanoid Squid), which is a unique species at the very core of this world and its original lore. Samson, roommate to Sage and mainly in hiding, is such a admirable character you can’t help but love despite his blunt bad temper. He’s protective, strong, and wise and I just know there’s so much more to come from him - which I cannot wait to find out! In fact, his story is what had me hooked towards the end!
Amongst the story there is also a lot of fast paced action, though I did personally think this could have been a little more descriptive in parts. I thought the spice was well written and found the open dialogue between Sage and Damian during these scenes to be a refreshing take on things.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and am invested into continuing with the rest of series.
A special thanks to Astrid for allowing me to be part of the reviewing team process.
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
This is the first book in the Diamond City series, which is a Sci-Fi/dystopian Romantasy and what a ride it is! I was fascinated by the premise of this book, following Sage who is a super strong FMC, pizza-loving, retired warrior with a mysterious secret, who is blackmailed by the Royal Family into bringing down their enemy/ Warlord. However things aren’t as they seem on the surface and we follow Sage on her journey through political intrigue and sparring regions with many twists and turns you don’t expect.
Honestly, it took me a little while to get into properly as I found some of the writing a little confusing and difficult to follow at times. Sometimes there were quick shifts in time or place without much explanation, which had me reverting back to previous pages to see if I missed things or interpreted things incorrectly?
However, for a first novel I think it’s great! Astrid has created a really interesting and unique world to explore. The world building is second to none, with lots of cleverly thought out names and history within each region and character origins/traits. I really felt I was there in this world along with Sage.
Sage is a powerful woman who absolutely kicks as$ and doesn’t take any sh*t from anyone especially when it comes to her unflappable moral integrity, but she also has a big heart and a vulnerability to her too.
Damian, I’m on the fence with. At times he’s likeable, and it’s difficult not to feel empathy for him for his past traumas, but then there’s that dark side to him that give me red flags. He can be quite arrogant, and is very sexually driven to the point of almost being pushy or coercive which at times made me feel a little uncomfortable. However, I have a feeling this is all part of his character development, and how we as readers are meant to feel confused and weary along with Sage? He’s morally grey for sure and I imagine we’ll learn a lot more about him in the rest of the series. I really liked how he wasn’t afraid to show his feminine side, or push gender norms out the window. I also appreciated the LGBTQ+ representation within this book with characters such as Damian, who is an androgynous bisexual man but also Gertrude, who is Trans.
Another stand out character who has to be mentioned is SAMSON! He’s a Lolligo (Humanoid Squid), which is a unique species at the very core of this world and its original lore. Samson, roommate to Sage and mainly in hiding, is such a admirable character you can’t help but love despite his blunt bad temper. He’s protective, strong, and wise and I just know there’s so much more to come from him - which I cannot wait to find out! In fact, his story is what had me hooked towards the end!
Amongst the story there is also a lot of fast paced action, though I did personally think this could have been a little more descriptive in parts. I thought the spice was well written and found the open dialogue between Sage and Damian during these scenes to be a refreshing take on things.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and am invested into continuing with the rest of series.
A special thanks to Astrid for allowing me to be part of the reviewing team process.
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