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Prince of the Doomed City #5
Enthralled
A BRIGHT NEW FUTURE LIES BEFORE HER . . . EVEN AS ECHOES OF THE PAST HAUNT HER DREAMS
Clara’s memories of the last few years are lost in a haze. The more she tries to remember, the harder it is. And perhaps that’s just as well. Perhaps it’s better for her to focus on the present . . . and the future: a beautiful future with Danny Gale as her husband and her place in good society restored, comfortable and content.
With her wedding less than twenty-four hours away, Clara seeks to reunite with her brother, eager to repair their relationship. But she finds Oscar in a manic state. He raves about other worlds, about magic and curses and people Clara knows nothing about. She fears he’s lost his mind entirely . . . but something he says sparks memory of a haunting voice which sends heat rippling through her veins and steals the breath from her lungs.
Determined to go through with the wedding, Clara dons her gown and arrives at the chapel, only for an unexpected guest to appear. Suddenly all Oscar’s lunatic claims become a terrifying reality. The realms of Eledria are not through with Clara Darlington just yet. She still has a part to play in the deadly schemes of kings and princes.
And doom is poised to fall on the City of Vespre.
The epic conclusion to this terrifying and romantic series. Clara confronts her demons once and for all . . . but will she be in time to save the Doomed City and everyone she loves?
Clara’s memories of the last few years are lost in a haze. The more she tries to remember, the harder it is. And perhaps that’s just as well. Perhaps it’s better for her to focus on the present . . . and the future: a beautiful future with Danny Gale as her husband and her place in good society restored, comfortable and content.
With her wedding less than twenty-four hours away, Clara seeks to reunite with her brother, eager to repair their relationship. But she finds Oscar in a manic state. He raves about other worlds, about magic and curses and people Clara knows nothing about. She fears he’s lost his mind entirely . . . but something he says sparks memory of a haunting voice which sends heat rippling through her veins and steals the breath from her lungs.
Determined to go through with the wedding, Clara dons her gown and arrives at the chapel, only for an unexpected guest to appear. Suddenly all Oscar’s lunatic claims become a terrifying reality. The realms of Eledria are not through with Clara Darlington just yet. She still has a part to play in the deadly schemes of kings and princes.
And doom is poised to fall on the City of Vespre.
The epic conclusion to this terrifying and romantic series. Clara confronts her demons once and for all . . . but will she be in time to save the Doomed City and everyone she loves?
489 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2023
About the author
Sylvia Mercedes
56 books2,441 followersHi, there. I'm Sylvia: cat-lover, tea-drinker, book-addict, and avid fan of the Kickbutt Heroine Fantasy Genre! If you like reading about tough heroines with extraordinary powers facing their demons and saving their loved ones . . . then we ought to be friends!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
January 25, 2024
DNF at 22% pregnancy trope
I personally hate the pregnancy trope or when the last book the FMC gets pregnant all the sudden (SJM did it the right way) but this book gave me the ick which is so sad cause I liked all the others but this one…HELL NO
Can you tell I feel passionately about this? If this type of book/trope is your favorite that is totally fine! But is not and will never be my cup of tea.
☹️
I personally hate the pregnancy trope or when the last book the FMC gets pregnant all the sudden (SJM did it the right way) but this book gave me the ick which is so sad cause I liked all the others but this one…HELL NO
Can you tell I feel passionately about this? If this type of book/trope is your favorite that is totally fine! But is not and will never be my cup of tea.
☹️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2024
I have to say that it was such a struggle for me to get through this whole series but I don’t like DNF’ing so I pushed through. And this book was one of the harder ones to get through. Mainly because Clara somehow managed to make so many bad decisions and kept pushing on with only what she thought was right in mind. And everyone around here somehow didn’t care at all about any of her wrongdoings? She abandoned her “children” and most of Vespre and when she finally came back everyone was just happy to see her? And then people kept sacrificing themselves and it didn’t feel like they were honoured at all. I don’t know maybe this type of book isn’t for me but I didn’t feel much gratification when the main character got all she wanted.
In general I really liked the concept of the book and the world building was pretty cool, too. Also enjoyed how it tied in with Mercedes’ other books!
In general I really liked the concept of the book and the world building was pretty cool, too. Also enjoyed how it tied in with Mercedes’ other books!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2024
Girl this should’ve been a trilogy. Ngl I skimmed most of this last one because I BEEN fed up with Clara’s BS. Not to mention how much I dislike the tripe of girl has sex once and ends up preggers. The writing is decent, and I like the turn the noswraiths took but like … we all saw it coming and I can’t believe it took so long to get here.
December 13, 2023
Man, I love getting ARC copies of this author's books. This wrapped up one of my favorite series I've ever read, and it was amazing.
This series has SO much depth. The characters, the plot, the world, the emotions, the psychology, the growth. I was worried this finale would disappoint, but it broke my heart and put it back together.
Absolutely go read The Scarred Mage of Roseward, then start the Prince of the Doomed City series. DO IT. I'll be rereading it all soon. ❤️
This series has SO much depth. The characters, the plot, the world, the emotions, the psychology, the growth. I was worried this finale would disappoint, but it broke my heart and put it back together.
Absolutely go read The Scarred Mage of Roseward, then start the Prince of the Doomed City series. DO IT. I'll be rereading it all soon. ❤️
December 12, 2023
An absolutely breathtaking conclusion to an amazing series
I have loved the Prince of the Doomed City since the first book, and every time I think it can't get any better and then it does. I had really high expectations for this book and even though I was expecting it to be awesome I was blown away at how much I loved it. The final book is about healing, forgiveness, letting go, growing up and doing better. Quite honestly this book left me speechless. Despite being speechless I am gonna rant about how much I loved and enjoyed this book so get ready...
Clara is forced to face the consequences of her actions in the last book and she comes face to face with demons both physical and emotional. The finale to this series is not about the dangers or the action or even the romance, it is about Clara’s growth and her ability to face her darkest fears and come out the other side healed and whole. She learns to accept her past and begins looking toward her future…speaking of the future let's talk about her and the Prince.
The relationship between Clara and Castien has always been a little frustrating to read about…I mean come on just kiss him already…but this book explores the support Castien gives to Clara and how much that support can do for her when she accepts him and supports him in return. As I already said the book isn’t really about the romance so even though it is more prevalent than in the previous books (given that there is a relationship now) it isn’t a major plot point and while I may have wanted a little more between the two of them what we did get was perfect. Yes there is a HEA and a little epilogue that was absolutely adorable
I don’t want to give anything away so I’ll keep this fairly short and leave you with some of my favorite quotes
“Now let my wife go, you bitch”
“I am the wife of Prince Castien Lodirith of Aurelis bound to him by cords of fate as ordained by the gods themselves”
“I will love Prince Castien until the day I die and when I am dead, I will love him from beyond the grave”
I received an ARC and these are my honest thoughts
I have loved the Prince of the Doomed City since the first book, and every time I think it can't get any better and then it does. I had really high expectations for this book and even though I was expecting it to be awesome I was blown away at how much I loved it. The final book is about healing, forgiveness, letting go, growing up and doing better. Quite honestly this book left me speechless. Despite being speechless I am gonna rant about how much I loved and enjoyed this book so get ready...
Clara is forced to face the consequences of her actions in the last book and she comes face to face with demons both physical and emotional. The finale to this series is not about the dangers or the action or even the romance, it is about Clara’s growth and her ability to face her darkest fears and come out the other side healed and whole. She learns to accept her past and begins looking toward her future…speaking of the future let's talk about her and the Prince.
The relationship between Clara and Castien has always been a little frustrating to read about…I mean come on just kiss him already…but this book explores the support Castien gives to Clara and how much that support can do for her when she accepts him and supports him in return. As I already said the book isn’t really about the romance so even though it is more prevalent than in the previous books (given that there is a relationship now) it isn’t a major plot point and while I may have wanted a little more between the two of them what we did get was perfect. Yes there is a HEA and a little epilogue that was absolutely adorable
I don’t want to give anything away so I’ll keep this fairly short and leave you with some of my favorite quotes
“Now let my wife go, you bitch”
“I am the wife of Prince Castien Lodirith of Aurelis bound to him by cords of fate as ordained by the gods themselves”
“I will love Prince Castien until the day I die and when I am dead, I will love him from beyond the grave”
I received an ARC and these are my honest thoughts
April 12, 2024
This series started off so strong for me. I was so in love with the world and the magic system that I never thought I would end up here, finding this series to be “meh” at best.
Right off the hop in this one, we're thrown right back into the same amnesia trope that we started off with in book one. So. There's nothing new there. Same old, same old. Then, we enter a romantic relationship with Danny. As we saw in book one.. so, nothing new there. But then we get the surprise pregnancy trope! Which threw me off because… why? Her whole pregnancy minus one small plot point could have been an epilogue and not affected my experience with this book at all. We also get a fun time jump! Which is my least favorite thing in books, and I hate when authors do it. We literally jump ahead SEVEN years, but yet pretty much nothing has changed in the world. There's a couple people who have hooked up, and Clara's abandoned orphans grew up, but other than that, everything is basically the same. Even Vervain is still locked in her tower.
This book was predictable, extremely slow, and full of filler. Clara's character is so weak considering all of the power she's supposed to behold. She's whiny, and she makes all of the worst decisions. Every. Single. Time.
It took me ages to get through this book. It took me ages to get through this series. I'm just going to sit over here, broken-hearted. The Venatrix Chronicles were all 5 stars for me, I loved it so much. I'm quite disappointed that I haven't loved anything else from this author.
Right off the hop in this one, we're thrown right back into the same amnesia trope that we started off with in book one. So. There's nothing new there. Same old, same old. Then, we enter a romantic relationship with Danny. As we saw in book one.. so, nothing new there. But then we get the surprise pregnancy trope! Which threw me off because… why? Her whole pregnancy minus one small plot point could have been an epilogue and not affected my experience with this book at all. We also get a fun time jump! Which is my least favorite thing in books, and I hate when authors do it. We literally jump ahead SEVEN years, but yet pretty much nothing has changed in the world. There's a couple people who have hooked up, and Clara's abandoned orphans grew up, but other than that, everything is basically the same. Even Vervain is still locked in her tower.
This book was predictable, extremely slow, and full of filler. Clara's character is so weak considering all of the power she's supposed to behold. She's whiny, and she makes all of the worst decisions. Every. Single. Time.
It took me ages to get through this book. It took me ages to get through this series. I'm just going to sit over here, broken-hearted. The Venatrix Chronicles were all 5 stars for me, I loved it so much. I'm quite disappointed that I haven't loved anything else from this author.
December 26, 2023
Yes yes yes
ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE END TO THE SERIES!!! I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN! If I were to recommend any books in the world if would be these!
ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE END TO THE SERIES!!! I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN! If I were to recommend any books in the world if would be these!
December 20, 2023
NOTE: I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I've never been on an ARC list before and I loved this series so much that when the opportunity presented itself, I jumped at the opportunity.
Have you ever read a book that so deeply touched your heart that you slowed your reading pace down because you didn't want it to end? Have you ever gotten to the end of the book and felt a special kind of grief because it's over? And you feel a kind of loss because the characters have become so dear to your heart?
That was this book for me.
My love for this series only grew with each book. The EMOTIONAL arc and transformation that Clara goes through over the course of the series was so immensely powerful. If you've ever struggled with codependency, parentification, or self-worth--this book is like a love letter to all those pieces of ourselves we like to hide, degrade, and deny. Mercedes asks the reader a powerful question---what would it look like to see those parts of ourselves we are most ashamed of--to see them and say, "I see you, I know you. I love you. I'm not afraid."
This book picks up shortly after where the last book ended. The smallest of quibbles I had with the beginning of the series was that it felt like Clara made a pretty swift 180 midway through the beginning of the book. But I also think, and hopefully I'm not spoiling anything here, the fact that she got to CHOOSE to go back to Eledria and she got to CHOOSE to fight for Vespre, instead of being OBLIGATED, that was a powerful impetus for some of her change of heart.
If you've felt like you're searching for meaning of late or struggling with bonds of the past--if you've ever felt you're the only one who struggles with anxiety, depression, or to grow beyond the trauma life handed you---this book will unequivocally say---You are NOT alone. AND, if you're feeling broken---there's beauty to discover in the broken pieces.
If you're looking for an incredible read that is a wild rollercoaster of excitement, heart, and a glorious tying up of loose ends--read this book.
If you're looking for a book that will touch your heart and bring the best kind of tears---read this book.
I will definitely be re-reading the series many times in years to come; and I'll be recommending it to anyone who will listen.
I feel so thankful to have found this series---to be reminded that there's power in letting go and even more power in saying no. That I, that we all, are worth the struggle to be the healthiest, most whole versions of ourselves. That we can take responsibility for the ways our actions brought others' pain, AND still be loved and grow and change by learning from our mistakes.
I hope you'll give it a try, even if you've written off Clara before or frustrated beyond belief by her actions in previous books--know the emotional pay off in this book is worth it and it's incredible.
And I hope it brings you peace, a deep sense of self-love, forgiveness, and quiet joy---I know it did for me.
Have you ever read a book that so deeply touched your heart that you slowed your reading pace down because you didn't want it to end? Have you ever gotten to the end of the book and felt a special kind of grief because it's over? And you feel a kind of loss because the characters have become so dear to your heart?
That was this book for me.
My love for this series only grew with each book. The EMOTIONAL arc and transformation that Clara goes through over the course of the series was so immensely powerful. If you've ever struggled with codependency, parentification, or self-worth--this book is like a love letter to all those pieces of ourselves we like to hide, degrade, and deny. Mercedes asks the reader a powerful question---what would it look like to see those parts of ourselves we are most ashamed of--to see them and say, "I see you, I know you. I love you. I'm not afraid."
This book picks up shortly after where the last book ended. The smallest of quibbles I had with the beginning of the series was that it felt like Clara made a pretty swift 180 midway through the beginning of the book. But I also think, and hopefully I'm not spoiling anything here, the fact that she got to CHOOSE to go back to Eledria and she got to CHOOSE to fight for Vespre, instead of being OBLIGATED, that was a powerful impetus for some of her change of heart.
If you've felt like you're searching for meaning of late or struggling with bonds of the past--if you've ever felt you're the only one who struggles with anxiety, depression, or to grow beyond the trauma life handed you---this book will unequivocally say---You are NOT alone. AND, if you're feeling broken---there's beauty to discover in the broken pieces.
If you're looking for an incredible read that is a wild rollercoaster of excitement, heart, and a glorious tying up of loose ends--read this book.
If you're looking for a book that will touch your heart and bring the best kind of tears---read this book.
I will definitely be re-reading the series many times in years to come; and I'll be recommending it to anyone who will listen.
I feel so thankful to have found this series---to be reminded that there's power in letting go and even more power in saying no. That I, that we all, are worth the struggle to be the healthiest, most whole versions of ourselves. That we can take responsibility for the ways our actions brought others' pain, AND still be loved and grow and change by learning from our mistakes.
I hope you'll give it a try, even if you've written off Clara before or frustrated beyond belief by her actions in previous books--know the emotional pay off in this book is worth it and it's incredible.
And I hope it brings you peace, a deep sense of self-love, forgiveness, and quiet joy---I know it did for me.
May 21, 2026
3.5 stars rounded down to 3 stars.
This was possibly my least favorite book in the series, but that doesn't mean it was bad. It neatly wrapped up the plot and answered all the questions the series presented. It didn't feel to rushed, but it the pacing was just off enough that it was a little frustrating. I also feel that this book undid a little bit of Clara's character growth. Clara has become such a strong character over the series and while she can be naive and a bit stubborn, she made a lot of dumb decisions in the early half of this book. Dumb decisions that seemed a lot like something she might do in the first or second book that just didn't fit with her character growth.
Also, Castien reviving Ivor from the depths of Hell at the beginning of the book...why does no body get on his case for how big of a mistake that was (even if he did it to save Clara,) but she harps on herself all book for how awful she is when sometimes there was no good choice for her to make (not withstanding other times she made deliberately dumb decisions and she could have made smarter ones.)
BTW, I am not counting Castien reviving Ivor as a spoiler because it literally happens in, like, the first 10-15% of the book, so...yeah...
This was possibly my least favorite book in the series, but that doesn't mean it was bad. It neatly wrapped up the plot and answered all the questions the series presented. It didn't feel to rushed, but it the pacing was just off enough that it was a little frustrating. I also feel that this book undid a little bit of Clara's character growth. Clara has become such a strong character over the series and while she can be naive and a bit stubborn, she made a lot of dumb decisions in the early half of this book. Dumb decisions that seemed a lot like something she might do in the first or second book that just didn't fit with her character growth.
Also, Castien reviving Ivor from the depths of Hell at the beginning of the book...why does no body get on his case for how big of a mistake that was (even if he did it to save Clara,) but she harps on herself all book for how awful she is when sometimes there was no good choice for her to make (not withstanding other times she made deliberately dumb decisions and she could have made smarter ones.)
BTW, I am not counting Castien reviving Ivor as a spoiler because it literally happens in, like, the first 10-15% of the book, so...yeah...
December 22, 2023
This book is nonstop. Poor Clara never gets a chance to catch her breath, and neither did I. There is a lot to process as the stakes climb higher and the sacrifices to stave off the end of everything pile up. The epic-scale of everything cannot be undermined, but in order to help others, Clara first needs to learn how to defeat her own demons once and for all.
The book was heartbreaking, and I will need a while to recover from all that has come to pass. But I absolutely loved not only the theme of how to face trauma in a healthy way, but also of motherhood itself. I love exploring the concept of motherhood in fantasy, and this book celebrates that so much. And, of course, this book features a certain Prince who is one of my favorite fantasy characters, so there's that too.
Note to more sensitive readers: There is one spice scene in the middle of the book that can be easily skipped. There is also horror elements and violence including a tragic number of character deaths, onscreen and off. Also, there are discussions of parental abuse and neglect, alcoholism, drug addiction and attempted infanticide. And a character is taken advantage of by another character (the same one who got him involved with drugs).
I received a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
If you love to read about tricky fae, not-your-average librarians, and learning to overcome your nightmares, this is the series for you!
The book was heartbreaking, and I will need a while to recover from all that has come to pass. But I absolutely loved not only the theme of how to face trauma in a healthy way, but also of motherhood itself. I love exploring the concept of motherhood in fantasy, and this book celebrates that so much. And, of course, this book features a certain Prince who is one of my favorite fantasy characters, so there's that too.
Note to more sensitive readers: There is one spice scene in the middle of the book that can be easily skipped. There is also horror elements and violence including a tragic number of character deaths, onscreen and off. Also, there are discussions of parental abuse and neglect, alcoholism, drug addiction and attempted infanticide. And a character is taken advantage of by another character (the same one who got him involved with drugs).
I received a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
If you love to read about tricky fae, not-your-average librarians, and learning to overcome your nightmares, this is the series for you!
December 14, 2023
I’ve attempted to write this review several times now, but can’t quite seem to articulate my emotions and love for this series. Let me try once more…
Enthralled has quite nearly left me speechless. This stunning conclusion to an already epic series was much anticipated for me, Prince of the Doomed City being one of my all-time favorite series I’ve read thus far. I wasn’t sure how Mercedes would continue this story after the ending of Enslaved, but much like a gubdagoglir, she brought all the loose strings together and wove them into something utterly breathtaking.
In Enthralled, Clara must face the consequences of her own decisions, finally opening her eyes after a lifetime of heartbreak, denial, and not seeing quite rightly. Her journey is gut-wrenching as she works through her trauma after regaining her memories of Eledria. But her growth in this book makes every frustration in the past worth it all.
There are few authors I trust like Sylvia Mercedes to deliver such captivating stories that (ultimately) end in a satisfying conclusion that brings tears to my eyes. And Enthralled did just that.
I began the conclusion to this epic tale last week and was so entranced by the story, I found my eyes glued to the pages until the wee hours of the morning. I remember looking at the clock, determined to read *just one more chapter*, only to once again become enslaved by Mercedes’ gripping words and worlds. Hours had passed when I next checked the time, so entangled was I in the story of Clara and our favorite Prince, and yet it felt like mere moments.
Enthralled kept me on my toes the entire time, my heartbeat racing as we follow Clara and Castien across the worlds in this epic conclusion to, perhaps, one of my favorite series to yet be written. While the romance sprinkled throughout is a delicious treat (along with Castien and his blasted buttons and that infuriating lock of hair that falls over his brow), the focus of this story is Clara’s journey. She must finally face the consequences of her own decisions, and most importantly, open her eyes and really see what is right in front of her. In more ways than one.
I’m not sure I can express how much this series means to me. When I downloaded the Entranced at random sometime last year, I never imagined how enthralled I’d become with Sylvia and her books. Prince of the Doomed City quickly became my favorite series as I continued reading and I have had the immense honor of being a part of the ARC team for the last two books.
Sylvia Mercedes has done it again, folks. I will be recommending the Prince of the Doomed City series for a lifetime. Do yourselves a favor and dive in.
Enthralled has quite nearly left me speechless. This stunning conclusion to an already epic series was much anticipated for me, Prince of the Doomed City being one of my all-time favorite series I’ve read thus far. I wasn’t sure how Mercedes would continue this story after the ending of Enslaved, but much like a gubdagoglir, she brought all the loose strings together and wove them into something utterly breathtaking.
In Enthralled, Clara must face the consequences of her own decisions, finally opening her eyes after a lifetime of heartbreak, denial, and not seeing quite rightly. Her journey is gut-wrenching as she works through her trauma after regaining her memories of Eledria. But her growth in this book makes every frustration in the past worth it all.
There are few authors I trust like Sylvia Mercedes to deliver such captivating stories that (ultimately) end in a satisfying conclusion that brings tears to my eyes. And Enthralled did just that.
I began the conclusion to this epic tale last week and was so entranced by the story, I found my eyes glued to the pages until the wee hours of the morning. I remember looking at the clock, determined to read *just one more chapter*, only to once again become enslaved by Mercedes’ gripping words and worlds. Hours had passed when I next checked the time, so entangled was I in the story of Clara and our favorite Prince, and yet it felt like mere moments.
Enthralled kept me on my toes the entire time, my heartbeat racing as we follow Clara and Castien across the worlds in this epic conclusion to, perhaps, one of my favorite series to yet be written. While the romance sprinkled throughout is a delicious treat (along with Castien and his blasted buttons and that infuriating lock of hair that falls over his brow), the focus of this story is Clara’s journey. She must finally face the consequences of her own decisions, and most importantly, open her eyes and really see what is right in front of her. In more ways than one.
I’m not sure I can express how much this series means to me. When I downloaded the Entranced at random sometime last year, I never imagined how enthralled I’d become with Sylvia and her books. Prince of the Doomed City quickly became my favorite series as I continued reading and I have had the immense honor of being a part of the ARC team for the last two books.
Sylvia Mercedes has done it again, folks. I will be recommending the Prince of the Doomed City series for a lifetime. Do yourselves a favor and dive in.
December 21, 2023
Cursed with perpetual button-slips
Wow. This series is truly a work of the heart, a work of human nature, of the terrible discomfort of change and growth and healing.
For those familiar with the pain of an unflattering mirror into our own soul, the baggage it carries, and the journey it takes to address such things, this series is the ultimate validation that you are not alone. The ultimate validation of the human experience when it comes to generational trauma and the coping mechanisms we pick up to try to address these broken pieces. Set in a beautiful, fantasy fae land of course. 💅
There were times that I was fed up with Clara and her lack of self preservation and ultimately ridiculous desire to put people who don’t deserve it before her own self worth and safety. I was so angry with her character, so tired of the cycle continuing, so exhausted with the pain it wrought. And damn if that isn’t a perfect example of how it feels to face your own trauma. Eventually, you see it all so clearly, and in that clarity are fed up with it all. You are determined to never let it overpower you again, determined to let that story line go, and create something far greater and far more meaningful instead. Determined to practice letting go every day until it truly is gone. Determined to fill the space that trauma once poisoned with love and grace and joy instead.
I could resonate with Clara’s experience, with her journey, with her failures and her growth. I could see my own journey reflected on the page. And for many of us, that is an uncomfortable thing to witness. Perhaps that is why some couldn’t hang on for the whole ride, perhaps that is why this story could be polarizing. But for me, it was beautiful. It was captivating, it was terrible, and it was hopeful. I could imagine the journey it took to write such a story, the heart and experience transformed onto a page. Man, this was real. And I loved every bit of it.
To Sylvia, thank you for writing this, for sharing it with us all. It is impactful, powerful, genuine and meaningful and true. I am grateful to have had the pleasure to read it. I am grateful to see the transformative power of love; genuine and true and selfless love, given and received in equal measure, consciously chosen, deeply committed to each other and self growth, and unimaginably healing when shared between two willing and reflective hearts. The love between Clara and her prince, a reflection of the love of Sylvia and her prince, and of my own love with mine. It could make a girl weep with joy and gratitude. 💜
Wow. This series is truly a work of the heart, a work of human nature, of the terrible discomfort of change and growth and healing.
For those familiar with the pain of an unflattering mirror into our own soul, the baggage it carries, and the journey it takes to address such things, this series is the ultimate validation that you are not alone. The ultimate validation of the human experience when it comes to generational trauma and the coping mechanisms we pick up to try to address these broken pieces. Set in a beautiful, fantasy fae land of course. 💅
There were times that I was fed up with Clara and her lack of self preservation and ultimately ridiculous desire to put people who don’t deserve it before her own self worth and safety. I was so angry with her character, so tired of the cycle continuing, so exhausted with the pain it wrought. And damn if that isn’t a perfect example of how it feels to face your own trauma. Eventually, you see it all so clearly, and in that clarity are fed up with it all. You are determined to never let it overpower you again, determined to let that story line go, and create something far greater and far more meaningful instead. Determined to practice letting go every day until it truly is gone. Determined to fill the space that trauma once poisoned with love and grace and joy instead.
I could resonate with Clara’s experience, with her journey, with her failures and her growth. I could see my own journey reflected on the page. And for many of us, that is an uncomfortable thing to witness. Perhaps that is why some couldn’t hang on for the whole ride, perhaps that is why this story could be polarizing. But for me, it was beautiful. It was captivating, it was terrible, and it was hopeful. I could imagine the journey it took to write such a story, the heart and experience transformed onto a page. Man, this was real. And I loved every bit of it.
To Sylvia, thank you for writing this, for sharing it with us all. It is impactful, powerful, genuine and meaningful and true. I am grateful to have had the pleasure to read it. I am grateful to see the transformative power of love; genuine and true and selfless love, given and received in equal measure, consciously chosen, deeply committed to each other and self growth, and unimaginably healing when shared between two willing and reflective hearts. The love between Clara and her prince, a reflection of the love of Sylvia and her prince, and of my own love with mine. It could make a girl weep with joy and gratitude. 💜
January 4, 2024
I have just finished the fifth and final installment of this series I started over a year ago. I’m trying to write this through the blur of tears, but I just can’t wait to write down my thoughts.
I underestimated Clara Darlington. I have heard of people giving up on this series because of her. In reviews, I’ve read that readers think she is weak, or boring. But I think that is such a painful waste. How would we have intense character progression without incredibly flawed characters? I don’t think I can put it any better than Mercedes says it in her Author’s Note (which truly wrapped this series up, almost better than the final moment):
“…Clara is a different kind of morally gray. Because she believes she’s good. Truly good. She believes wholeheartedly in the ideas of self-sacrifice and love against all odds. Of never giving up on someone you care about. Of fighting for the vulnerable without any regard for personal needs or desires. This kind of unselfishness and loving kindness and forgiveness… they’re all quite virtuous, right?
They’re also the earmarks of a desperately codependent soul.
Clara is me. In a nutshell. Deeply damaged but completely unaware of the fact. Which is a scary place to be.”
This series faced codependencies head-on. It takes a painful, close look at what it means to sacrifice yourself for those who are undeserving— at claiming guilt for things for which you should feel none.
As someone who was once in a painfully codependent relationship, with no regard to their own personal mental or physical health, watching Clara go through this journey brought me closure in a way I’ve never experienced before. In her quest to learn to let go, I think I might’ve learned a little something about letting go in the process.
I went in expecting an adorable romance between a human librarian and a fae prince, and got so SO much more in the end.
So this is a BIG, heartfelt thank you for @sylviamercedes.
I underestimated Clara Darlington. I have heard of people giving up on this series because of her. In reviews, I’ve read that readers think she is weak, or boring. But I think that is such a painful waste. How would we have intense character progression without incredibly flawed characters? I don’t think I can put it any better than Mercedes says it in her Author’s Note (which truly wrapped this series up, almost better than the final moment):
“…Clara is a different kind of morally gray. Because she believes she’s good. Truly good. She believes wholeheartedly in the ideas of self-sacrifice and love against all odds. Of never giving up on someone you care about. Of fighting for the vulnerable without any regard for personal needs or desires. This kind of unselfishness and loving kindness and forgiveness… they’re all quite virtuous, right?
They’re also the earmarks of a desperately codependent soul.
Clara is me. In a nutshell. Deeply damaged but completely unaware of the fact. Which is a scary place to be.”
This series faced codependencies head-on. It takes a painful, close look at what it means to sacrifice yourself for those who are undeserving— at claiming guilt for things for which you should feel none.
As someone who was once in a painfully codependent relationship, with no regard to their own personal mental or physical health, watching Clara go through this journey brought me closure in a way I’ve never experienced before. In her quest to learn to let go, I think I might’ve learned a little something about letting go in the process.
I went in expecting an adorable romance between a human librarian and a fae prince, and got so SO much more in the end.
So this is a BIG, heartfelt thank you for @sylviamercedes.
December 13, 2023
A dynamic, thrilling conclusion to the Prince of the Doomed City series. From the wistful nature of Clara’s mind from losing her memories to the adventures of being thrown back into the worlds in which she left, it’s enough to give you whiplash.
I have loved this series from the moment I first started it. From Clara’s obligation that lead her to become a librarian to Castien’s heroic role in taking on Noswraiths to becoming a mother to troll children to epically learning to wield a pen as a weapon. This rollercoaster was far from over but had a nicely wrapped bow at the end of the series.
When Clara returns to the worlds, seven years had passed. In her world, it was only a few days. Lir, Captain Khas, Mixael, Andreas, and everyone that was in the previous stories had grown not only in age but in character grown.
All of the mysteries that were previously unknown from earlier in the series were all fully discovered and had been explored through this conclusion. There are many different feelings that went about this story with sacrifice, love, death, life, and much more. I was absolutely enthralled through the story, I couldn’t sleep the previous night. The ending was absolutely brilliantly executed and had a wonderful ending!
I received an ARC of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I have loved this series from the moment I first started it. From Clara’s obligation that lead her to become a librarian to Castien’s heroic role in taking on Noswraiths to becoming a mother to troll children to epically learning to wield a pen as a weapon. This rollercoaster was far from over but had a nicely wrapped bow at the end of the series.
When Clara returns to the worlds, seven years had passed. In her world, it was only a few days. Lir, Captain Khas, Mixael, Andreas, and everyone that was in the previous stories had grown not only in age but in character grown.
All of the mysteries that were previously unknown from earlier in the series were all fully discovered and had been explored through this conclusion. There are many different feelings that went about this story with sacrifice, love, death, life, and much more. I was absolutely enthralled through the story, I couldn’t sleep the previous night. The ending was absolutely brilliantly executed and had a wonderful ending!
I received an ARC of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
March 25, 2025
*SPOILERS CLEARLY MARKED AT THE END*
Certainly not what I thought it would be, but that is not actually a bad thing.
It turns out this slow burn series isn’t so much about romantic love winning in the end, but about loving and forgiving yourself instead.
Clara again moves by leaps and bounds, but in this final book it’s more two steps forward o e slip back… or vice versa, depending on the scene.
It’s up to Clara to ultimately save herself (though others step in to assist a lot) but not only does she have to accept and forgive, she also has to learn the hardest lesson of all: when to let go.
Yes, she’s been mercurial and sometimes you want to smack some sense into that girl as she pushes away the people who love and support her while clinging to the toxicity of those she feels she is obligated to love. I get it because in many ways I am just like her. It’s heartbreaking and guilt-riddled fear that has held me to toxic people in my past and letting go and walking away without looking back sucks, but our girl does get there.
However, I still want to smack her (therefore myself) upside the head at times.
Are there flaws in the story, oh heck yeah, and some are pretty big, but by the time the story comes to its conclusion I don’t mind them so much.
Do I think it needed another book to wind itself up? Maybe a novella, but it didn’t need a full-length piece. Too much, however, is whizzing around you and wrapped up in time jumps and great leaps of intuition that I didn’t always feel felt true and more like the character was getting inside information from the author rather than working it out for herself.
But maybe that is just me.
The most important takeaway for me is would I read this again? And I can honestly and quickly say “no.” Not because of the story itself, because I have already gained the lessons I needed to learn. In the end this may be wrapped up as a love story, enemies to lovers, what-have-you but it really isn’t. Even the horror elements are not terrifying in the end (in fact, the Fen just left me wanting to cry every time it pops up rather than scare me).
I can say with surety though that I am now reaching to another one of the author’s stories and look forward to reading more by her, and that’s really all that matters, isn’t it? To find an author whose stories resonate with us as if they really understand who we are beneath the masks we wear.
And thank you for the afterwards speaking about facing our traumas and demons! ❤️ It made for a perfect end, like a chat with a trusted friend.
**THIS PART BELOW CONTAINS SPOILERS**
So many side characters seem to pop up at just the right moment to give Clara a clue that only she apparently can work out. Her insight about the thread snares the trolls make only comes from fighting for the orphan trolls- but those kids had been sidelined for over 2 novels and have time jumped into adults…
I didn’t like the time jump at all, though I understand the mechanics of how/why it came to be. Vervain locked away in her tower since the first book and all but forgotten now has the final piece to solving the noswraiths? Okay. She’s certainly had plenty of time to work that out in her solitude…
The reveal that the noswraiths didn’t have these elaborate secret names that Clara spent several books wasted in memorizing makes sense but was annoying. Yeah, each written from secret hurts and broken hearts is sensible when you learn each is really named for the author themselves, but Castien has been Prince over the Doomed City for centuries and is supposed to be the expert. He doesn’t have the insight from having created a noswraith himself, but the majority of his librarians all have. Are you really asking me to believe that not one of them other than Vervain… lost and essentially insane… is the only one to gain that wisdom over centuries of time?
Castien spends so much of this final piece powerless… good. That part I did enjoy, because it forces Clara to rely upon herself in a way she never had before. Rather than doggedly push Castien away in protection of Oscar, she now has no choice but to see what damage pushing Cas away has done.
He’s never stopped worrying about his responsibilities and trying to get back where he needs to be. He’s already taken that step of having walked away from Clara rather than allow her to pull him down as she doggedly sacrifices herself over and over. Cas always knew the answer, it was Clara who refused to realize she was fighting all the wrong battles.
Did I want more Cas? Oh hell yes- give me more of our arrogant prince with an aversion to buttons. But this really isn’t his story in the end. Cas, beautiful of a character as he is who would have been fun to explore further, is merely one of the many people who come into her orbit for awhile and give her something to react to. Clara drives the plot, not Cas.
Nor do we need to find out what happens to Danny or any other characters we’ve met along the way, because their journeys are their own and do not belong here.
Certainly not what I thought it would be, but that is not actually a bad thing.
It turns out this slow burn series isn’t so much about romantic love winning in the end, but about loving and forgiving yourself instead.
Clara again moves by leaps and bounds, but in this final book it’s more two steps forward o e slip back… or vice versa, depending on the scene.
It’s up to Clara to ultimately save herself (though others step in to assist a lot) but not only does she have to accept and forgive, she also has to learn the hardest lesson of all: when to let go.
Yes, she’s been mercurial and sometimes you want to smack some sense into that girl as she pushes away the people who love and support her while clinging to the toxicity of those she feels she is obligated to love. I get it because in many ways I am just like her. It’s heartbreaking and guilt-riddled fear that has held me to toxic people in my past and letting go and walking away without looking back sucks, but our girl does get there.
However, I still want to smack her (therefore myself) upside the head at times.
Are there flaws in the story, oh heck yeah, and some are pretty big, but by the time the story comes to its conclusion I don’t mind them so much.
Do I think it needed another book to wind itself up? Maybe a novella, but it didn’t need a full-length piece. Too much, however, is whizzing around you and wrapped up in time jumps and great leaps of intuition that I didn’t always feel felt true and more like the character was getting inside information from the author rather than working it out for herself.
But maybe that is just me.
The most important takeaway for me is would I read this again? And I can honestly and quickly say “no.” Not because of the story itself, because I have already gained the lessons I needed to learn. In the end this may be wrapped up as a love story, enemies to lovers, what-have-you but it really isn’t. Even the horror elements are not terrifying in the end (in fact, the Fen just left me wanting to cry every time it pops up rather than scare me).
I can say with surety though that I am now reaching to another one of the author’s stories and look forward to reading more by her, and that’s really all that matters, isn’t it? To find an author whose stories resonate with us as if they really understand who we are beneath the masks we wear.
And thank you for the afterwards speaking about facing our traumas and demons! ❤️ It made for a perfect end, like a chat with a trusted friend.
**THIS PART BELOW CONTAINS SPOILERS**
So many side characters seem to pop up at just the right moment to give Clara a clue that only she apparently can work out. Her insight about the thread snares the trolls make only comes from fighting for the orphan trolls- but those kids had been sidelined for over 2 novels and have time jumped into adults…
I didn’t like the time jump at all, though I understand the mechanics of how/why it came to be. Vervain locked away in her tower since the first book and all but forgotten now has the final piece to solving the noswraiths? Okay. She’s certainly had plenty of time to work that out in her solitude…
The reveal that the noswraiths didn’t have these elaborate secret names that Clara spent several books wasted in memorizing makes sense but was annoying. Yeah, each written from secret hurts and broken hearts is sensible when you learn each is really named for the author themselves, but Castien has been Prince over the Doomed City for centuries and is supposed to be the expert. He doesn’t have the insight from having created a noswraith himself, but the majority of his librarians all have. Are you really asking me to believe that not one of them other than Vervain… lost and essentially insane… is the only one to gain that wisdom over centuries of time?
Castien spends so much of this final piece powerless… good. That part I did enjoy, because it forces Clara to rely upon herself in a way she never had before. Rather than doggedly push Castien away in protection of Oscar, she now has no choice but to see what damage pushing Cas away has done.
He’s never stopped worrying about his responsibilities and trying to get back where he needs to be. He’s already taken that step of having walked away from Clara rather than allow her to pull him down as she doggedly sacrifices herself over and over. Cas always knew the answer, it was Clara who refused to realize she was fighting all the wrong battles.
Did I want more Cas? Oh hell yes- give me more of our arrogant prince with an aversion to buttons. But this really isn’t his story in the end. Cas, beautiful of a character as he is who would have been fun to explore further, is merely one of the many people who come into her orbit for awhile and give her something to react to. Clara drives the plot, not Cas.
Nor do we need to find out what happens to Danny or any other characters we’ve met along the way, because their journeys are their own and do not belong here.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2025
2.75
I adored the themes of this book. Let's get that out of the way. There's a lot of stuff in the series to love. I love that Clara overcame her trauma and there's a happy ending. I love that love triumphs, you know?
Holistically though, I can't give this book more than three stars. Too many loose threads in this story, and the pacing is everywhere, and there's so much thrown in the first act that I had no idea what the story was leading to. The magic system still doesn't make sense to me- how Ivor was randomly resurrected, and then all of the powerful fae we saw in the last book does not appear again either. Castien sending his mate with memory loss when she's queen of fae was not a smart decision- he has too many enemies for that. And even when Clara remembers everything, when she returns she's welcomed back in open arms and she never tells them she was going to abandon them for Oscar. And why didn't Clara tell Oscar that Ivor tried to seduce her too? Does no one get the ick from that? That's some diabolical bisexual behavior.
I also did not feel threatened by Ivor, as Castien had already defeated him. Ivor also did not return stronger either- he only had Oscar, who was the deemed the real threat in my eyes. So...Ivor's downfall didn't do much for me.
And I still don't understand why amnesia Clara still went to Oscar when evil cousin lady tried to stick a dagger up her womb. Just make her drink some poison potion juice?? But like, Clara, your Oscar, who refused to go to your wedding, who has yelled obscenitities at you, cut you, and is with a woman ready to cut you up, is obviously a villain at this point, even if you have amnesia. My flabbers are ghasted folks.
A good thing- the troll children call Lir their mother. Thank you!!! Lir was out there being a single mom who works two jobs and deserves the recognition. Though, I still think the children could have been omitted from the story altogether and Lir be the prodigy thread weilder.
I also thought there would be more Clara/Castien together in this, and more discussion of what all they've been through, because both did some bad things against each other. As in one was willing to walk away after consummating a marriage- that's a big deal!! They do discuss love doesn't work by who does and doesn't deserve it, but...to me it felt like a bandaid solution of stuff they really needed to work out. I also feel as if Clara does not love Castien either. I know she does, because the story says so, but as a reader it never really got there.
Also, who was feeding Vervain for seven years? I'm assuming her room is magical, and supplies food, water, as well as waste disposal services. Or perhaps her noswraith aided her? There's no mention of toilets, and I have no idea what kind of food grows in Vespyr- mushrooms? If there's no sunlight, I don't know how these people are surviving? I mean, trolls can eat rocks, but I know the librarians can't!
I also would like to know where the library gets all of their blank spellbooks. We know this place shouldn't have trees since they can't do photosynthesis, so who's making these books and distributing them? I assume there is a big old room with limitless supply ink and blank books.
The last two paragraphs are me being nitpicky but were frequent questions I thought as I read. I can still forgo those thoughts for suspension of disbelief with those. Just like when poor Castien was super old looking and Clara kissed him to speed up the de-aging process, you know who I pictured? Jafar when he was pretending to be an old beggar in the dungeon.
Overall, enjoyed the premise, but the execution didn't work for me. These books seem to be well received by most readers, so perhaps my literary tastes are different than what I thought. This also happened to me when I first read Elise Kova's Air Awakens series, but later on, I loved her Married to Magic Series.
I think I would have enjoyed the series a lot more if the subplots were contained and the overall story was 2-3 books.
I adored the themes of this book. Let's get that out of the way. There's a lot of stuff in the series to love. I love that Clara overcame her trauma and there's a happy ending. I love that love triumphs, you know?
Holistically though, I can't give this book more than three stars. Too many loose threads in this story, and the pacing is everywhere, and there's so much thrown in the first act that I had no idea what the story was leading to. The magic system still doesn't make sense to me- how Ivor was randomly resurrected, and then all of the powerful fae we saw in the last book does not appear again either. Castien sending his mate with memory loss when she's queen of fae was not a smart decision- he has too many enemies for that. And even when Clara remembers everything, when she returns she's welcomed back in open arms and she never tells them she was going to abandon them for Oscar. And why didn't Clara tell Oscar that Ivor tried to seduce her too? Does no one get the ick from that? That's some diabolical bisexual behavior.
I also did not feel threatened by Ivor, as Castien had already defeated him. Ivor also did not return stronger either- he only had Oscar, who was the deemed the real threat in my eyes. So...Ivor's downfall didn't do much for me.
And I still don't understand why amnesia Clara still went to Oscar when evil cousin lady tried to stick a dagger up her womb. Just make her drink some poison potion juice?? But like, Clara, your Oscar, who refused to go to your wedding, who has yelled obscenitities at you, cut you, and is with a woman ready to cut you up, is obviously a villain at this point, even if you have amnesia. My flabbers are ghasted folks.
A good thing- the troll children call Lir their mother. Thank you!!! Lir was out there being a single mom who works two jobs and deserves the recognition. Though, I still think the children could have been omitted from the story altogether and Lir be the prodigy thread weilder.
I also thought there would be more Clara/Castien together in this, and more discussion of what all they've been through, because both did some bad things against each other. As in one was willing to walk away after consummating a marriage- that's a big deal!! They do discuss love doesn't work by who does and doesn't deserve it, but...to me it felt like a bandaid solution of stuff they really needed to work out. I also feel as if Clara does not love Castien either. I know she does, because the story says so, but as a reader it never really got there.
Also, who was feeding Vervain for seven years? I'm assuming her room is magical, and supplies food, water, as well as waste disposal services. Or perhaps her noswraith aided her? There's no mention of toilets, and I have no idea what kind of food grows in Vespyr- mushrooms? If there's no sunlight, I don't know how these people are surviving? I mean, trolls can eat rocks, but I know the librarians can't!
I also would like to know where the library gets all of their blank spellbooks. We know this place shouldn't have trees since they can't do photosynthesis, so who's making these books and distributing them? I assume there is a big old room with limitless supply ink and blank books.
The last two paragraphs are me being nitpicky but were frequent questions I thought as I read. I can still forgo those thoughts for suspension of disbelief with those. Just like when poor Castien was super old looking and Clara kissed him to speed up the de-aging process, you know who I pictured? Jafar when he was pretending to be an old beggar in the dungeon.
Overall, enjoyed the premise, but the execution didn't work for me. These books seem to be well received by most readers, so perhaps my literary tastes are different than what I thought. This also happened to me when I first read Elise Kova's Air Awakens series, but later on, I loved her Married to Magic Series.
I think I would have enjoyed the series a lot more if the subplots were contained and the overall story was 2-3 books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2024
This is not my typical choice of genre. The series is a quasi-horror, thriller with heavy fantasy overlays. I tend to stay away from horror because books come alive in my mind and I'm in the stories. With that out of the way, onto the review...
We're back with Clara in her world. I have to say, I really like Clara in this book. Most of the growing up I've been screaming at her to do was accomplished in this final rendition. She's still learning! I mean literally, moment to moment, monster to monster, experience to experience. But that's good. Progress, however small, is still progress. I'm a firm believer in baby steps and that's what Clara is doing. She's brave. She's strong. Although neither in the way our world understands bravado or strength. Nonetheless, it's there!
Castein's love is all prevailing in this one. We've known through each book that he loves her. But when his love is tested it shines forth like brilliant gold!
The challenges are hard, the battles brutal, and we see a lot of loss and redemption in this book. It's like the author lays open her own heart on display for all to see. While some may recoil, others see it for the miracle it is. How many authors hide behind their characters? How many write flawless, beautifully, perfect beings? I want to see the raw. The devastation. The realness of a soul filled with strife, with pain, with open wounds and see how, oh, how on earth did they rise from the mire barely hanging on to the shreds of life only to barely emerge. Standing. Barely standing and by the sheer power of a will that refuses to succumb. And that, that is what we see in this finale. I've read other reviews that were so done with Clara. And I'd be lying if I said there weren't times I was screaming at her too. But what does she represent? Humanity. Plain and simple. I could continue to pontificate all the similarities but I wax cold. If you can get through the mild sexual scenes in Books 4 & 5, these books will bring you a closer understanding of yourself. I almost had nightmares last night after pushing through to finish. Worth it? Oh, yes! Definitely! While I've read The Venatrix series a couple of times, I cannot say, I'll revisit Vespre anytime soon. But revisit we must. See the progress we shall! Consider me completely and hopelessly Enthralled.
Disclaimer: sex on the page (oral), necromancy, adult language, crones, nightmares, gore, heavy graphic imagery, wyvern (adorable!), depict, homosexual relationship (hints), sacrifice, love, and loss. So much darkness. So much despair. So much hope. So much light. The worldbuilding was hauntingly beautiful throughout the entire series. The persistent love, the rage, the hurt, the healing. Beautifully written. Intensely felt. Deeply moved.
I'll need a lighthearted read after this. LOL! ;)
We're back with Clara in her world. I have to say, I really like Clara in this book. Most of the growing up I've been screaming at her to do was accomplished in this final rendition. She's still learning! I mean literally, moment to moment, monster to monster, experience to experience. But that's good. Progress, however small, is still progress. I'm a firm believer in baby steps and that's what Clara is doing. She's brave. She's strong. Although neither in the way our world understands bravado or strength. Nonetheless, it's there!
Castein's love is all prevailing in this one. We've known through each book that he loves her. But when his love is tested it shines forth like brilliant gold!
The challenges are hard, the battles brutal, and we see a lot of loss and redemption in this book. It's like the author lays open her own heart on display for all to see. While some may recoil, others see it for the miracle it is. How many authors hide behind their characters? How many write flawless, beautifully, perfect beings? I want to see the raw. The devastation. The realness of a soul filled with strife, with pain, with open wounds and see how, oh, how on earth did they rise from the mire barely hanging on to the shreds of life only to barely emerge. Standing. Barely standing and by the sheer power of a will that refuses to succumb. And that, that is what we see in this finale. I've read other reviews that were so done with Clara. And I'd be lying if I said there weren't times I was screaming at her too. But what does she represent? Humanity. Plain and simple. I could continue to pontificate all the similarities but I wax cold. If you can get through the mild sexual scenes in Books 4 & 5, these books will bring you a closer understanding of yourself. I almost had nightmares last night after pushing through to finish. Worth it? Oh, yes! Definitely! While I've read The Venatrix series a couple of times, I cannot say, I'll revisit Vespre anytime soon. But revisit we must. See the progress we shall! Consider me completely and hopelessly Enthralled.
Disclaimer: sex on the page (oral), necromancy, adult language, crones, nightmares, gore, heavy graphic imagery, wyvern (adorable!), depict, homosexual relationship (hints), sacrifice, love, and loss. So much darkness. So much despair. So much hope. So much light. The worldbuilding was hauntingly beautiful throughout the entire series. The persistent love, the rage, the hurt, the healing. Beautifully written. Intensely felt. Deeply moved.
I'll need a lighthearted read after this. LOL! ;)
May 7, 2024
Worth the time
In a few words:
read with lens of empathy, character development is more real than fiction
I read this entire series over the course of a week. I did read a few reviews and was prepared for the possibility that I would get annoyed by the dragging on of character development. I did and I didn’t… because the way it was written made it more real. If you have no personal experience with similar types of family dynamics and trauma. I can see where you would have an issue. I hope you stick with it and see it from another side.
There was no person, situation or whatever that suddenly allowed the main character to magically heal where all is good and could she make the “smart, healthy” decisions. Trauma doesn’t work like that. Family, love, guilt and the past regardless of how unhealthy it is doesn’t work like that.
The idea of one of the main conflicts being about protagonist coming from an author purging their trauma onto the page. Then having the stories brought to life by readers really caught my attention. There’s something beautiful, raw and incredibly fascinating in that. I would have loved to see more focus on this unique idea as the primary conflict rather than focus being brought back to the “future king” trope.
There is one negative for me. The enemies to lovers romance trope was a fail for me. I don’t have to have spice or even romance in my stories. You know it’s coming, so it’s not a surprise, as a result this one was dragged out so much, it didn’t build and suddenly in the end of the 5th book a switch is flipped. I was hoping the delay was because of a plot twist coming up, but nope.
Overall, it is worth the time. I am going to read the other series she has in this world and I really hope she writes more. I felt like there were many Easter eggs to backstories that I missed from previous books or future ones and I want to know more.
In a few words:
read with lens of empathy, character development is more real than fiction
I read this entire series over the course of a week. I did read a few reviews and was prepared for the possibility that I would get annoyed by the dragging on of character development. I did and I didn’t… because the way it was written made it more real. If you have no personal experience with similar types of family dynamics and trauma. I can see where you would have an issue. I hope you stick with it and see it from another side.
There was no person, situation or whatever that suddenly allowed the main character to magically heal where all is good and could she make the “smart, healthy” decisions. Trauma doesn’t work like that. Family, love, guilt and the past regardless of how unhealthy it is doesn’t work like that.
The idea of one of the main conflicts being about protagonist coming from an author purging their trauma onto the page. Then having the stories brought to life by readers really caught my attention. There’s something beautiful, raw and incredibly fascinating in that. I would have loved to see more focus on this unique idea as the primary conflict rather than focus being brought back to the “future king” trope.
There is one negative for me. The enemies to lovers romance trope was a fail for me. I don’t have to have spice or even romance in my stories. You know it’s coming, so it’s not a surprise, as a result this one was dragged out so much, it didn’t build and suddenly in the end of the 5th book a switch is flipped. I was hoping the delay was because of a plot twist coming up, but nope.
Overall, it is worth the time. I am going to read the other series she has in this world and I really hope she writes more. I felt like there were many Easter eggs to backstories that I missed from previous books or future ones and I want to know more.
December 6, 2023
Book 5 in Prince of the Doomed City series
Sylvia Mercedes has the unique writing ability to quite simply rip me from reality and set me alongside her characters on their journey. I hope my words can honestly portray my thoughts regarding this book. The entire series is one of my all-time favorites.
Enthralled is not a story that's written over a couple years; this is a story written over a lifetime. It's about facing your fears, overcoming guilt, forming healthy relationships, finding family, trusting others. It's about forgiveness and acceptance. It's a love birthed amidst the deepest despair. It's sacrifice for the sake of all others. It's redemption when you think you're not deserving. It's facing loss head on and coming out stronger on the other side. It's healing in the form of a brief escape. It's finding your way out of the darkness and into the light. It's grabbing hold of your inner strength and wrenching it to the forefront of your very being. It's her heart spilled on the pages of a book for all to peruse.
Did I enjoy this book? This series? Whole-heartedly, yes! I already look forward to re-reading. The Prince and Clara have grown so much from book 1 to book 5. They've faced nightmares and conquered. The storytelling gripped me from beginning to ending. The characters are well-developed. The world-building is intricately detailed. As always, a wonderful book by one of my favorite authors.
"From anywhere in all the worlds, I will come. Just call my name."
"Remember, Darling, you are more powerful than you know."
"Let us face what must be faced with courage."
Sylvia Mercedes has the unique writing ability to quite simply rip me from reality and set me alongside her characters on their journey. I hope my words can honestly portray my thoughts regarding this book. The entire series is one of my all-time favorites.
Enthralled is not a story that's written over a couple years; this is a story written over a lifetime. It's about facing your fears, overcoming guilt, forming healthy relationships, finding family, trusting others. It's about forgiveness and acceptance. It's a love birthed amidst the deepest despair. It's sacrifice for the sake of all others. It's redemption when you think you're not deserving. It's facing loss head on and coming out stronger on the other side. It's healing in the form of a brief escape. It's finding your way out of the darkness and into the light. It's grabbing hold of your inner strength and wrenching it to the forefront of your very being. It's her heart spilled on the pages of a book for all to peruse.
Did I enjoy this book? This series? Whole-heartedly, yes! I already look forward to re-reading. The Prince and Clara have grown so much from book 1 to book 5. They've faced nightmares and conquered. The storytelling gripped me from beginning to ending. The characters are well-developed. The world-building is intricately detailed. As always, a wonderful book by one of my favorite authors.
"From anywhere in all the worlds, I will come. Just call my name."
"Remember, Darling, you are more powerful than you know."
"Let us face what must be faced with courage."
December 19, 2023
This series enthralled me (hahaha) when I picked up the very first book. I read through the first 4 probably in a week, not realizing I had to wait for the fifth. I love a slow burn, starts as enemies romance above just about anything else. This was one of the slowest burning I've ever read and it had me chasing for more. The truly unique system of magic was so interesting that it kept the story intense even when romance was on the back burner.
This finale felt more peril and danger than romance, and while I definitely enjoyed it did leave me wanting a little more. The spice level dipped, though it's understandable. There was a lot to deal with in this last book, but I suppose I was hoping the epilogue would touch on it since all the danger was passed.
All in all, I am so satisfied with how Clara's character developed and worked through her trauma. I love that this was more than just a steamy fantasy romance that dealt with series issues. I love that the heroine doesn't end the story with everything tied up in a little bow, things got messy. But she still got her happy ending. I'm so happy for Clara. However I do feel that it felt a bit short, and maybe could have done with a longer epilogue or a couple more pages at least. I wanted to see Clara and Castien really celebrate finding each other again, something akin to the 4th book before they were separated.
This is a beautiful and thought provoking end to the series, it just lacked a little of the spice I had come to expect.
This finale felt more peril and danger than romance, and while I definitely enjoyed it did leave me wanting a little more. The spice level dipped, though it's understandable. There was a lot to deal with in this last book, but I suppose I was hoping the epilogue would touch on it since all the danger was passed.
All in all, I am so satisfied with how Clara's character developed and worked through her trauma. I love that this was more than just a steamy fantasy romance that dealt with series issues. I love that the heroine doesn't end the story with everything tied up in a little bow, things got messy. But she still got her happy ending. I'm so happy for Clara. However I do feel that it felt a bit short, and maybe could have done with a longer epilogue or a couple more pages at least. I wanted to see Clara and Castien really celebrate finding each other again, something akin to the 4th book before they were separated.
This is a beautiful and thought provoking end to the series, it just lacked a little of the spice I had come to expect.
June 12, 2025
For the whole series
Clara Darlington is a complex person. She loves her (abused as a child) brother, who is quite dependent on her. She, however, is currently serving a 15 year sentence of obligation to a cruel fae princess for? Apparently her father accused her of his crime to the king, just before his head was cut off. She returns home once per month to find he is not taking care of himself and not working on writing (his chosen field.) And like so many idle, foolish and selfish people becomes an addict.
Clara wants nothing more than to save him.
Clara suffers with the abusive princess, an evil lord who is the abusive princess's lover and is sold to her brother, the Prince. He takes her to work in the library of the troll island, a gloomy doomed place where the library is filled with nightmares.
Her journey is to save him at all costs. Why doesn't she let him go? We can't save those who don't want to be saved. She doubts herself and feels guilty and responsible for many things that happen. The Prince, actually loves her in spite of the fact the "nightmare" that killed his mother was her idea.
I got frustrated with Clara many times reading this series. I encourage other readers to keep going as her many trials reveal her strength and power.
The love story with the Prince is pretty evident although she knows the rules, don't anger the fae and never fall in love with one.
I congratulate the author for her writing. Very strong and meaningful, at least to me.
Clara Darlington is a complex person. She loves her (abused as a child) brother, who is quite dependent on her. She, however, is currently serving a 15 year sentence of obligation to a cruel fae princess for? Apparently her father accused her of his crime to the king, just before his head was cut off. She returns home once per month to find he is not taking care of himself and not working on writing (his chosen field.) And like so many idle, foolish and selfish people becomes an addict.
Clara wants nothing more than to save him.
Clara suffers with the abusive princess, an evil lord who is the abusive princess's lover and is sold to her brother, the Prince. He takes her to work in the library of the troll island, a gloomy doomed place where the library is filled with nightmares.
Her journey is to save him at all costs. Why doesn't she let him go? We can't save those who don't want to be saved. She doubts herself and feels guilty and responsible for many things that happen. The Prince, actually loves her in spite of the fact the "nightmare" that killed his mother was her idea.
I got frustrated with Clara many times reading this series. I encourage other readers to keep going as her many trials reveal her strength and power.
The love story with the Prince is pretty evident although she knows the rules, don't anger the fae and never fall in love with one.
I congratulate the author for her writing. Very strong and meaningful, at least to me.
December 12, 2023
Clara is on the brink of her wedding day, and she is marrying Danny Gale, her childhood boyfriend and neighbour, however she does not remember how they had come to this arrangement and feels that something is missing. She visits her brother Oscar who is as usual a real mess and tries to kill her. Then she starts to remember who she really is and knows she has to get back to the doomed city of Vespre where she had left her loved ones behind. Her life is under threat from Estrilde, Oscar and Ivor but she is saved by the Prince, her beloved and now husband. Back in Vespre she faces a hell let loose as all the noswraiths from the library had escaped their bindings and they were causing havoc amongst the throlde. Clara is forced to face her demons and she discovers how to go about putting the noswraiths to rest. She has to learn to face her fears, to come to grips with her past and to be able to let it go whilst loving herself and accepting that she is worthy of love. This book took a very surprising turn and became the darkest of the whole series, the noswraiths dominated the scene and I think that Ms Mercedes did a wonderful job giving us not only an enemies to lovers romance but also tackling the issue of child abuse, dysfunctional families and the trauma these cause in children who carry this to their adult life. This book gives us a perfect ending to what has been a very intriguing series right from the start. Well done Ms Mercedes for this very powerful book!
December 22, 2023
Wowza
What can I say? I loved this start to finish. I had some guesses on the end, but when it all wrapped up I was only a quarter of the way correct. I just cannot believe how much I enjoyed reading the series, the character development was spot on. From the push and pull between him and her, too getting characters from other books. Took me a minute to realize who the thorn Maiden was lol. I'm always so excited when I find a book that they author doesn't get bored on the last half of the last book. There was none of that here from start to finish the whole series kept me in, I'm just so glad that I finish the fourth book one week ago, I can't believe if I would have had to wait any longer than a week I was dying for the next part. Finding out the last 40% of the book so I don't spoil anything LOL, really made me look internally and see where I was the blind woman and the hollow man. I just hope everyone gives these books a try, this whole series because you won't be disappointed if you stick it out. Thank you for the series I don't know if I keep going but man I'm just so impressed so thank you for letting me experience this world. I laughed, cried, I was scared of the dark during 1 and 2, I was entranced by how each characters flaws made them so real. The princess of the Dawn, was women I know. And Oscar was so often me. And Clara... Might actually be me. 10/10 and I have recommended to everyone I know
What can I say? I loved this start to finish. I had some guesses on the end, but when it all wrapped up I was only a quarter of the way correct. I just cannot believe how much I enjoyed reading the series, the character development was spot on. From the push and pull between him and her, too getting characters from other books. Took me a minute to realize who the thorn Maiden was lol. I'm always so excited when I find a book that they author doesn't get bored on the last half of the last book. There was none of that here from start to finish the whole series kept me in, I'm just so glad that I finish the fourth book one week ago, I can't believe if I would have had to wait any longer than a week I was dying for the next part. Finding out the last 40% of the book so I don't spoil anything LOL, really made me look internally and see where I was the blind woman and the hollow man. I just hope everyone gives these books a try, this whole series because you won't be disappointed if you stick it out. Thank you for the series I don't know if I keep going but man I'm just so impressed so thank you for letting me experience this world. I laughed, cried, I was scared of the dark during 1 and 2, I was entranced by how each characters flaws made them so real. The princess of the Dawn, was women I know. And Oscar was so often me. And Clara... Might actually be me. 10/10 and I have recommended to everyone I know
January 3, 2024
Excellent finale!
There is nothing I love more than a story that wraps up most of its loose ends and Enthralled does just that for the whole series. I’ll be honest, at the end of book 4 I was almost ready to give up on Clara. She was her own worst enemy the entire time, believing her intentions and motivations came from her abounding love for her brother. She couldn’t see herself or her brother for what they truly were and it caused so much difficulty and heartache. Granted that’s what made the stories so compelling but also so difficult to emotionally keep diving into. This last book finally shows her “opening her eyes” to the truths she had been stubbornly ignoring and thankfully she chooses to adapt and grow. Some of the scenes that show the most growth are almost cathartic in their unfolding. So, if like me you are losing hope in Clara just cling a little longer and read this last book. I promise you will not be disappointed.
Oh! And to Sylvia Mercedes May I just say that you are the queen of the slow burn. There is so many tension filled moments in this series that tease you into thinking something is FINALLY going to happen between Clara and Castien and then the moment breaks causing physical frustration over here. Then BOOM! You unleash it all. Sheesh. It was intense but awesome. Well done.
There is nothing I love more than a story that wraps up most of its loose ends and Enthralled does just that for the whole series. I’ll be honest, at the end of book 4 I was almost ready to give up on Clara. She was her own worst enemy the entire time, believing her intentions and motivations came from her abounding love for her brother. She couldn’t see herself or her brother for what they truly were and it caused so much difficulty and heartache. Granted that’s what made the stories so compelling but also so difficult to emotionally keep diving into. This last book finally shows her “opening her eyes” to the truths she had been stubbornly ignoring and thankfully she chooses to adapt and grow. Some of the scenes that show the most growth are almost cathartic in their unfolding. So, if like me you are losing hope in Clara just cling a little longer and read this last book. I promise you will not be disappointed.
Oh! And to Sylvia Mercedes May I just say that you are the queen of the slow burn. There is so many tension filled moments in this series that tease you into thinking something is FINALLY going to happen between Clara and Castien and then the moment breaks causing physical frustration over here. Then BOOM! You unleash it all. Sheesh. It was intense but awesome. Well done.
July 3, 2024
And the end is nigh, honestly, of all the books, in terms of a romance I was least invested in this one. However, FINALLY, seeing our heroine recognize and overcome her fatal flaw kept me enraptured with this story. By this point, I was no longer just reading for the swoon worthy romance, but also to see how Clara would rise above her own inner blindness. Spoiler: she does, but I think Mercedes does a beautiful job of exploring the themes of abuse and the power of the written word to both harm and heal in this novel. I was taken aback by how much I came to enjoy this series for its themes and not just for the will they won't they romance. Spoiler: they do. As with book 4, I'm not comfortable rating this as Middle School appropriate. Honestly, it doesn't feel New Adult to me either, which is where I'm sure readers and publishers set it. To me, it just read like a well written novel. Also I think I need to work the word limn into my vocabulary. I have to say I have never in my life seen an author use that word and I read voraciously. I should have counted her use of limn and obligate because those words came up a little too often for me, but as a fellow writer, I didn't mind. It made me chuckle and added to the charm of the books, and added to my own vocabulary, so no complaints, just observations.
January 17, 2024
𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧 𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 (4.5)
𝙎𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: 🌶🌶🌶
While the last book broke my heart, this one pieced it back together...eventually.
There was one trope in this book that I generally dislike (can't stand, really), and while it was done well in this book and worked into the story nicely, I did have a slight moment when I cringed. In saying this, I loved the outcome and HEA if this story, and these exact circumstances may not have been possible without said trope.
A major theme of this series, and this book in particular, has been about overcoming a traumatic childhood. Personally, this really resonated with me, and I found myself sobbing quite a few times. But, I loved the healing process and character growth that Clara went through, and I felt she finally redeemed herself by the end of this book.
Highly recommend this series if you love slightly darker fantasy romance with bonds, bargains, secrets, adventure, hate to love, slow burn to steamy, magic, redemption, healing of trauma, and a beautiful HEA.
𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝑰 𝒆𝒏𝒋𝒐𝒚𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕: haters to antagonists to lovers, redemption, dual POV, major character growth, forgiveness and letting go, steamy scenes, HEA
💢 𝙏𝙒𝙨: slavery (servitude, but not), memory loss, violence, gore, nightmare creatures, DV
𝙎𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: 🌶🌶🌶
While the last book broke my heart, this one pieced it back together...eventually.
There was one trope in this book that I generally dislike (can't stand, really), and while it was done well in this book and worked into the story nicely, I did have a slight moment when I cringed. In saying this, I loved the outcome and HEA if this story, and these exact circumstances may not have been possible without said trope.
A major theme of this series, and this book in particular, has been about overcoming a traumatic childhood. Personally, this really resonated with me, and I found myself sobbing quite a few times. But, I loved the healing process and character growth that Clara went through, and I felt she finally redeemed herself by the end of this book.
Highly recommend this series if you love slightly darker fantasy romance with bonds, bargains, secrets, adventure, hate to love, slow burn to steamy, magic, redemption, healing of trauma, and a beautiful HEA.
𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝑰 𝒆𝒏𝒋𝒐𝒚𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕: haters to antagonists to lovers, redemption, dual POV, major character growth, forgiveness and letting go, steamy scenes, HEA
💢 𝙏𝙒𝙨: slavery (servitude, but not), memory loss, violence, gore, nightmare creatures, DV
March 20, 2024
Read it in a little over three hours, so it kept my attention well. It serves as a nice conclusion to the series, working back around to the core of what nightmares are and the importance of letting go.
It wasn't perfect. I personally find like, long stretches of time passing to be a bit too bitter. Like how it was seven years for the trolls but only days for Clara. It just isn't my favorite way to approach a story. I also think that the attempt to work in Danny, Ilusine, Kitty, and Lawrence were kind of throw away quick wrap ups. Like Lawrence vanished from the story ages ago to only now appear when convenient.
All in all, an okay conclusion that should be satisfactory to most. The series overall proved itself to be a fun and well done read. Not my new favorite that I'll find myself daydreaming about or anything, but it was certainly worth the time to engage with. I'm happy it was the first series I've read this year and that trying something new paid off (I've had a long line of unsatisfactory choices for the last year or so, it feels).
Also, I did notice some editing problems, like the author mixing up "cue" and "queue." But overall, nothing to egregious that it would interfere with the reading experience.
It wasn't perfect. I personally find like, long stretches of time passing to be a bit too bitter. Like how it was seven years for the trolls but only days for Clara. It just isn't my favorite way to approach a story. I also think that the attempt to work in Danny, Ilusine, Kitty, and Lawrence were kind of throw away quick wrap ups. Like Lawrence vanished from the story ages ago to only now appear when convenient.
All in all, an okay conclusion that should be satisfactory to most. The series overall proved itself to be a fun and well done read. Not my new favorite that I'll find myself daydreaming about or anything, but it was certainly worth the time to engage with. I'm happy it was the first series I've read this year and that trying something new paid off (I've had a long line of unsatisfactory choices for the last year or so, it feels).
Also, I did notice some editing problems, like the author mixing up "cue" and "queue." But overall, nothing to egregious that it would interfere with the reading experience.
April 14, 2024
An Unflattering Reflection
I started this series reading passionately in every spare moment I could find and ended this series in the same manner.
In the first few books, I looked at Clara with loathing. Her decisions baffled my mind and cut at my heartstrings. I had difficulty understanding The Prince’s love for her and his unwavering support.
I have learned to love Clara as she learned to love herself. The character growth and the terrifyingly relatable introspection shown within these pages is unmatched in any of the author’s other works.
All eventually came full circle in the end that isn’t an end. Sometimes the heroine isn’t who we wish she was but it’s meaningful to find that she is aspiring to be who she was meant to be for us all along. Clara is, as always, an unflatteringly flawed reflection of a woman committed to fixing those she loves with self-flagellation, burning down bridges, and sacrificing herself on the pyre of her own love. We hate her because we are her and in the end, we have to give name to our own demons, letting them go and freeing ourselves in the process.
Beautifully horrifying and heartbreakingly tender. Glad to have stuck it through to the last.
I started this series reading passionately in every spare moment I could find and ended this series in the same manner.
In the first few books, I looked at Clara with loathing. Her decisions baffled my mind and cut at my heartstrings. I had difficulty understanding The Prince’s love for her and his unwavering support.
I have learned to love Clara as she learned to love herself. The character growth and the terrifyingly relatable introspection shown within these pages is unmatched in any of the author’s other works.
All eventually came full circle in the end that isn’t an end. Sometimes the heroine isn’t who we wish she was but it’s meaningful to find that she is aspiring to be who she was meant to be for us all along. Clara is, as always, an unflatteringly flawed reflection of a woman committed to fixing those she loves with self-flagellation, burning down bridges, and sacrificing herself on the pyre of her own love. We hate her because we are her and in the end, we have to give name to our own demons, letting them go and freeing ourselves in the process.
Beautifully horrifying and heartbreakingly tender. Glad to have stuck it through to the last.
May 6, 2025
I feel like frodo laying outside of Mount Doom LOL. it's finally over but I don't have the strength to carry on with other series. I need time to heal with a cozy romantasy!!!
I'll be honest too the amnesia plot really had me mad and don't even get me started about the scene where she's strapped to the table by estrilde. I WAS PHYSICALLY IN PAIN. 1.5/10 for the amnesia plot and it lowkey made me despise Dr. Gale.
anyways, the story ended up redeeming itself in many ways but it also gave me unnecessary hope for a gale/ilusine spin-off??? that was a weird twist for my brain to take honestly.
I also was so sad that the troll children had grown up well Clara was gone. zero ouht of 10 for that too. I did love Lir & Ang (???) becoming a thing but I was sad that there was no background story to it!!
honestly, I would read a in-between book of the seven years that Vespre had to deal with being cut off. I'm ready for that emotional damage.
I have to say I was pleasantly surprised and how the noswraithsnended up being defeated and I loved the tie in with Vervain. although I knew I wouldn't like Clara's brother by the end, I loathed him and I do not mourn him AT ALL. what a cockroach.
I did enjoy this series despite it creeping me out and giving me emotional trauma LOL! it was well-written, I fell in love with a BUNCH of the characters and the world building was fabulous. I'm tempted to read more of this author's work but to be real I'm scared to LOL. I want peace 🤣😭 but 9.68889/10 & will read again when I have the bravado.
I'll be honest too the amnesia plot really had me mad and don't even get me started about the scene where she's strapped to the table by estrilde. I WAS PHYSICALLY IN PAIN. 1.5/10 for the amnesia plot and it lowkey made me despise Dr. Gale.
anyways, the story ended up redeeming itself in many ways but it also gave me unnecessary hope for a gale/ilusine spin-off??? that was a weird twist for my brain to take honestly.
I also was so sad that the troll children had grown up well Clara was gone. zero ouht of 10 for that too. I did love Lir & Ang (???) becoming a thing but I was sad that there was no background story to it!!
honestly, I would read a in-between book of the seven years that Vespre had to deal with being cut off. I'm ready for that emotional damage.
I have to say I was pleasantly surprised and how the noswraithsnended up being defeated and I loved the tie in with Vervain. although I knew I wouldn't like Clara's brother by the end, I loathed him and I do not mourn him AT ALL. what a cockroach.
I did enjoy this series despite it creeping me out and giving me emotional trauma LOL! it was well-written, I fell in love with a BUNCH of the characters and the world building was fabulous. I'm tempted to read more of this author's work but to be real I'm scared to LOL. I want peace 🤣😭 but 9.68889/10 & will read again when I have the bravado.
February 15, 2024
4.75⭐️
This is going to be a review for the whole series but omg what a wild ride!
I honestly enjoyed so much reading this series, I couldn’t put it down. It honestly has everything i need from a good fantasy romance: adventure, a bit of politics and intrigue and most importantly smouldering tension!!!
Let me tell you, it is so much more than a fae hating a human woman and forcing her into his service. This series has so much depth and deals with so many difficult topics i’m honestly so impressed. The journey these characters go through is so much more than their infinite quests. They go through a self discovery journey that makes them face their biggest fears and demons. (quite literally)
Don’t get me wrong, at times i got a bit frustrated with the seemingly never ending quests lead by Clara’s need to care for everyone but herself. However, the slowest of burns and pure heat they emanated, Clara and Castien, it was enough to keep me glued to the pages.
I honestly love every single character and I’ll miss them all.
Definitely recommend if you like: fantasy, enemies to lovers, quests, adventures, schemes and politics, strong eroine, morally grey characters, slow burn.
This is going to be a review for the whole series but omg what a wild ride!
I honestly enjoyed so much reading this series, I couldn’t put it down. It honestly has everything i need from a good fantasy romance: adventure, a bit of politics and intrigue and most importantly smouldering tension!!!
Let me tell you, it is so much more than a fae hating a human woman and forcing her into his service. This series has so much depth and deals with so many difficult topics i’m honestly so impressed. The journey these characters go through is so much more than their infinite quests. They go through a self discovery journey that makes them face their biggest fears and demons. (quite literally)
Don’t get me wrong, at times i got a bit frustrated with the seemingly never ending quests lead by Clara’s need to care for everyone but herself. However, the slowest of burns and pure heat they emanated, Clara and Castien, it was enough to keep me glued to the pages.
I honestly love every single character and I’ll miss them all.
Definitely recommend if you like: fantasy, enemies to lovers, quests, adventures, schemes and politics, strong eroine, morally grey characters, slow burn.
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