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The Blood Of Doves
411 pages, Paperback
Published December 30, 2023
178 people are currently reading
4241 people want to read
About the author
Melissa McSherry
18 books667 followersWhen Melissa isn't writing about delulu men, she is chasing kids, cleaning, or downing her fifth coffee of the day. She loves dark romance, especially dark fantasy romance, with possessive men, lots of gore, and the right balance of 'WTF' moments and spice!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 251 reviews
May 6, 2025
4.25 ✧
The Blood of Doves by Melissa McSherry is a standalone high fantasy romance novella, rich with magic and adventure, following Kasia, an orphan who has spent her life fighting to survive in a harsh and unforgiving world. Despite her incredible skill, wit, and strength, her luck eventually runs out, and she finds herself facing a grim fate. Just when all hope seems lost, she is saved by a mysterious, powerful stranger who claims she is the heir to a long-lost royal line. As Kasia is thrust into a world of secrets and ancient magic, her journey begins with one life-changing question: could she truly be the lost heir?
───♡─────────────
♡ What I loved most:
• The storyline was captivating from the start, and the mid-book reveal? So satisfying — it added depth and recontextualized so much 🗡️
• Even though it leaned into insta-love and insta-lust, it worked here. I adored the “man-obsessed” trope in this case — it felt intense, but in the best, most romantic way 💘
• The magic system was intriguing and beautifully integrated into the world ✨
• The banter was charming, and the found-family vibe gave the story warmth and heart 🫶
• The worldbuilding was stunning — I loved picturing the forests, the water, the flowers… it all felt lush and immersive 🌿
✘ What didn’t quite work for me:
• The beginning was quite dark and intense — a bit harsher than I usually prefer. While I understand its purpose plot-wise, it might have been just as effective with slightly less weight or fewer pages
• The prose occasionally felt a little awkward — not grammatically incorrect, just in need of a bit more refinement or lyrical polish
❀ Overall:
This book was such an intriguing surprise — a romantic fairytale adventure filled with magic, emotion, and vivid, cinematic scenes. It had everything: danger, desire, enchantment, and a deep sense of longing.
A dreamy, fast-paced, magic-laced tale that reads like a fairytale with teeth. Romantic, emotional, and full of movement.
The Blood of Doves by Melissa McSherry is a standalone high fantasy romance novella, rich with magic and adventure, following Kasia, an orphan who has spent her life fighting to survive in a harsh and unforgiving world. Despite her incredible skill, wit, and strength, her luck eventually runs out, and she finds herself facing a grim fate. Just when all hope seems lost, she is saved by a mysterious, powerful stranger who claims she is the heir to a long-lost royal line. As Kasia is thrust into a world of secrets and ancient magic, her journey begins with one life-changing question: could she truly be the lost heir?
───♡─────────────
♡ What I loved most:
• The storyline was captivating from the start, and the mid-book reveal? So satisfying — it added depth and recontextualized so much 🗡️
• Even though it leaned into insta-love and insta-lust, it worked here. I adored the “man-obsessed” trope in this case — it felt intense, but in the best, most romantic way 💘
• The magic system was intriguing and beautifully integrated into the world ✨
• The banter was charming, and the found-family vibe gave the story warmth and heart 🫶
• The worldbuilding was stunning — I loved picturing the forests, the water, the flowers… it all felt lush and immersive 🌿
✘ What didn’t quite work for me:
• The beginning was quite dark and intense — a bit harsher than I usually prefer. While I understand its purpose plot-wise, it might have been just as effective with slightly less weight or fewer pages
• The prose occasionally felt a little awkward — not grammatically incorrect, just in need of a bit more refinement or lyrical polish
❀ Overall:
This book was such an intriguing surprise — a romantic fairytale adventure filled with magic, emotion, and vivid, cinematic scenes. It had everything: danger, desire, enchantment, and a deep sense of longing.
A dreamy, fast-paced, magic-laced tale that reads like a fairytale with teeth. Romantic, emotional, and full of movement.
December 29, 2023
This standalone romantasy novel by Melissa McSherry had such potential to be a great book but it failed my expectations at every turn. It was very difficult for me to watch the author squash it’s chances of being a great book with each page as I read on. The book was too short. I have no idea what Melissa was rushing towards but she was certainly rushing towards something, perhaps the end, maybe? because everything felt hurried and unexplained leaving me dissatisfied at the end.
The world building was terrible. Nothing was explained properly. I didn’t understand why the author couldn’t spare a few paragraphs or at least a few sentences to set a good foundation for the story. Character building and development was worse. We were ‘told’ a lot of things but were never ‘shown’. It almost felt lazy on author’s part. I am not sure whether an editing team was involved because there were weird tense changes and sudden pov jumps for few a minutes even when that chapter was someone else’s pov. There were so many unnecessary chapters, for example, like the one where an entire chapter was dedicated to Kasia taking a bath.
Kasia as a main female character was dreadful. She was very unlikable, reckless, stubborn beyond reason and had a habit of making self deprecating comments about herself. I mean, this was a girl who had gone through so much hardship growing up, faced countless traumas, even with what we were shown in the first few chapters, and I should have been yearning to root for her. But because of the author’s poor writing and character building all I did was roll my eyes whenever Kasia opened her mouth. And, I am getting sick and tired of romantasy authors using ‘heroine or hero stealing from rich to feed the poor’ trope. Also what’s with this nickname kink? So far in romantasy novels I have experienced (from what I can remember), little mouse, song bird, butterfly, bird, little viper, starlight, and in this case little dove. Is this a thing that turns people on? I am genuinely asking.
Xerxes or Sir Sex (that’s what I called him) was his name sake. He didn’t know about space. He was so horny from the moment he laid eyes on Kasia and couldn’t wait to get into her pants. Each conversation he had with her, he had to somehow make it sexual. Let’s just blame it on the ‘bond’ ok? And I had no idea why the author included that one scene with Nymaria at the beginning where she ran her mouth about Kasia when she didn’t even know her. All it did was inadvertently giving us a glimpse of how Sir Sex treated women if they were not his ‘bonded’. And he only went into bloodlust when someone hurt Kasia. Even when he knew his sister had been sexually assaulted, she was given a ‘promise’ to seek vengeance.
I don’t even want to go into their chemistry and physical intimacy scenes. They just felt unnatural and out of place.
I am sorely disappointed in this book. Such potential. WASTED!
The world building was terrible. Nothing was explained properly. I didn’t understand why the author couldn’t spare a few paragraphs or at least a few sentences to set a good foundation for the story. Character building and development was worse. We were ‘told’ a lot of things but were never ‘shown’. It almost felt lazy on author’s part. I am not sure whether an editing team was involved because there were weird tense changes and sudden pov jumps for few a minutes even when that chapter was someone else’s pov. There were so many unnecessary chapters, for example, like the one where an entire chapter was dedicated to Kasia taking a bath.
Kasia as a main female character was dreadful. She was very unlikable, reckless, stubborn beyond reason and had a habit of making self deprecating comments about herself. I mean, this was a girl who had gone through so much hardship growing up, faced countless traumas, even with what we were shown in the first few chapters, and I should have been yearning to root for her. But because of the author’s poor writing and character building all I did was roll my eyes whenever Kasia opened her mouth. And, I am getting sick and tired of romantasy authors using ‘heroine or hero stealing from rich to feed the poor’ trope. Also what’s with this nickname kink? So far in romantasy novels I have experienced (from what I can remember), little mouse, song bird, butterfly, bird, little viper, starlight, and in this case little dove. Is this a thing that turns people on? I am genuinely asking.
Xerxes or Sir Sex (that’s what I called him) was his name sake. He didn’t know about space. He was so horny from the moment he laid eyes on Kasia and couldn’t wait to get into her pants. Each conversation he had with her, he had to somehow make it sexual. Let’s just blame it on the ‘bond’ ok? And I had no idea why the author included that one scene with Nymaria at the beginning where she ran her mouth about Kasia when she didn’t even know her. All it did was inadvertently giving us a glimpse of how Sir Sex treated women if they were not his ‘bonded’. And he only went into bloodlust when someone hurt Kasia. Even when he knew his sister had been sexually assaulted, she was given a ‘promise’ to seek vengeance.
I don’t even want to go into their chemistry and physical intimacy scenes. They just felt unnatural and out of place.
I am sorely disappointed in this book. Such potential. WASTED!
December 16, 2023
Kasia is a bad bitch
January 6, 2024
Absolutely loved this.
I couldn't put this one down, it was marvelous. A bloody Romantasy full of banter that will melt your heart as the two bonded get closer. I enjoyed everything about this story, from the world to the characters. It will have you biting your nails at the second half of the book, I was at the edge of my seat but the ending made everything worth it. I loved my time in these pages.
I couldn't put this one down, it was marvelous. A bloody Romantasy full of banter that will melt your heart as the two bonded get closer. I enjoyed everything about this story, from the world to the characters. It will have you biting your nails at the second half of the book, I was at the edge of my seat but the ending made everything worth it. I loved my time in these pages.
April 22, 2024
Truly one of the worst books I've ever had the displeasure of reading. The entire plot constantly contradicted itself, the story was told in a way that reminded of the scrolling text used to set up the Star Wars films, and it read as if not a single editor bothered to read past the first page. Zero character development, sex scenes awkwardly placed and interfering with important plot development points, which were crap anyway, and practically no world building at all. Typos, punctuation errors, and the author seemingly forgetting the plot are all just cherries on top.
The main character sucked, relationships were built from hate to lovers within the span of a couple paragraphs, and anything you could possibly learn about any character development was wrapped up in some weird paragraph-long quote by another character.
This was TERRIBLE and I'm incredibly salty I wasted my time reading it. I wanted to quit, but I kept hoping it would get better.
Spoiler: it did not get better.
The main character sucked, relationships were built from hate to lovers within the span of a couple paragraphs, and anything you could possibly learn about any character development was wrapped up in some weird paragraph-long quote by another character.
This was TERRIBLE and I'm incredibly salty I wasted my time reading it. I wanted to quit, but I kept hoping it would get better.
Spoiler: it did not get better.
December 16, 2023
Kasia and Xerses will forever hold a special place in my heart. This book has it all. Fae. Strength. Action. Adventure. Romance.
I. Loved. It.
LOVED IT.
I. Loved. It.
LOVED IT.
December 17, 2023
Omg wow just wow I received this as an arc and I loved every single bit of this book it was magical intense, spicy the spice was giving and I eat it up.
Kasia is a bad bitch I absolutely lover her. Her chemistry with Xerxes was amazing.
Without spoiling it if you love winged fae high Lords, enemies to lovers, slow burn, touch her and 💀, then this is the book for you.
I would 100% recommend this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars.
Kasia is a bad bitch I absolutely lover her. Her chemistry with Xerxes was amazing.
Without spoiling it if you love winged fae high Lords, enemies to lovers, slow burn, touch her and 💀, then this is the book for you.
I would 100% recommend this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars.
December 22, 2023
ARC review:
The first 50% of this book was not it for me. There was a LOT of telling instead of showing, which made it difficult to follow. There are a lot of different mythical characters, which hurt the world building. Sticking to just fae and maybe one other would have been better as this is a fairly short book at under 300 pages, but we had too much going on at once to get immersed in that world.
It definitely picked up in the second half. I loved the magic and the difference in it between realms. That was my favorite part. It did grow throughout the book too where you'll see a little more of it.
I do wish there would have been more time spent on plot and character development. There was a lot of detail on very mundane things, such as the entire chapter where Kasia takes a bath. The character development did not get the same attention for most of the characters, leaving them feeling shallow.
I honestly could not stand Kasia throughout this book and spent most of it wondering what everyone saw in her? I get she had a hard life, but no way everyone is laughing off the way she speaks to them. I found her pretty insufferable, although she did go through some character development and improved a bit throughout.
I did like Xerxes, even though he is every bit a stereotypically fae male. You just come to expect him in romantasy at this point. His sister was another solid character for me and I did enjoy the way they interacted with each other.
I do feel like everything was rushed with the "villains". I think with this book being so short, there could have been more time spent on that vs. rushing to the end, as I for sure have some questions.
Overall I'm giving this 3 stars. The story was intriguing, but descriptors over dialogue would have helped expand on that. I struggle with reads where I don't like the main character so Kasia definitely knocked it down a star for me. I will say I read this in about 2 days though! It's a fast read and will hold your interest if you can make it past the halfway mark!
I read this as an ARC so I do understand final edits may still be taking place. With that being said, the writing in this book felt almost like a first draft. We had tense changes mid paragraph on more than one occasion, typos, dialogue that felt unnatural. I am not taking these things into account with my star rating, but still wanted to call them out as feedback to help the author revise it before full release.
The first 50% of this book was not it for me. There was a LOT of telling instead of showing, which made it difficult to follow. There are a lot of different mythical characters, which hurt the world building. Sticking to just fae and maybe one other would have been better as this is a fairly short book at under 300 pages, but we had too much going on at once to get immersed in that world.
It definitely picked up in the second half. I loved the magic and the difference in it between realms. That was my favorite part. It did grow throughout the book too where you'll see a little more of it.
I do wish there would have been more time spent on plot and character development. There was a lot of detail on very mundane things, such as the entire chapter where Kasia takes a bath. The character development did not get the same attention for most of the characters, leaving them feeling shallow.
I honestly could not stand Kasia throughout this book and spent most of it wondering what everyone saw in her? I get she had a hard life, but no way everyone is laughing off the way she speaks to them. I found her pretty insufferable, although she did go through some character development and improved a bit throughout.
I did like Xerxes, even though he is every bit a stereotypically fae male. You just come to expect him in romantasy at this point. His sister was another solid character for me and I did enjoy the way they interacted with each other.
I do feel like everything was rushed with the "villains". I think with this book being so short, there could have been more time spent on that vs. rushing to the end, as I for sure have some questions.
Overall I'm giving this 3 stars. The story was intriguing, but descriptors over dialogue would have helped expand on that. I struggle with reads where I don't like the main character so Kasia definitely knocked it down a star for me. I will say I read this in about 2 days though! It's a fast read and will hold your interest if you can make it past the halfway mark!
I read this as an ARC so I do understand final edits may still be taking place. With that being said, the writing in this book felt almost like a first draft. We had tense changes mid paragraph on more than one occasion, typos, dialogue that felt unnatural. I am not taking these things into account with my star rating, but still wanted to call them out as feedback to help the author revise it before full release.
August 5, 2024
1.5/10. I’ve read fanfiction that was written better than this book, and honestly I should have DNF’d this but decided to trudge through it.
So to start. The formatting was terrible. Why did every paragraph have a hard break between it? And why did every paragraph drone on? If a new topic is being introduced, make it a new paragraph.
The writing itself was also so bad. This book was what I would call a shower, not a grower. I feel like I was being hand fed all the information, with nothing being a surprise or even having a lead up to a big reveal. And so much of the writing was cringe. “I just wanted to be held in his strong arms.” Gag me. And I’m someone who likes cheesy writing.
One might think that’s it. But wait, there’s more! At one point a pivotal character learns that his sister is in love with his best friend and confronts them about it. In the next chapter, the sister learns that her brother already knew she loved his bestie, and was shocked by it???? Like we didn’t all collectively just read her learning about it mere pages before?? Did not one single person read this book before it was published?
And all of that doesn’t even cover the terrible plot pacing, personality-less side characters, and complete disregard of what “character development” means.
The cherry on top of all of this though, is the main characters lose their immortality to be together. The worst trope in the entire world.
The only good thing to come out of this book was I feel like I’m back to my regularly scheduled book reviewing. So besides never getting the hours of my life wasted on this book, at least there’s that.
So to start. The formatting was terrible. Why did every paragraph have a hard break between it? And why did every paragraph drone on? If a new topic is being introduced, make it a new paragraph.
The writing itself was also so bad. This book was what I would call a shower, not a grower. I feel like I was being hand fed all the information, with nothing being a surprise or even having a lead up to a big reveal. And so much of the writing was cringe. “I just wanted to be held in his strong arms.” Gag me. And I’m someone who likes cheesy writing.
One might think that’s it. But wait, there’s more! At one point a pivotal character learns that his sister is in love with his best friend and confronts them about it. In the next chapter, the sister learns that her brother already knew she loved his bestie, and was shocked by it???? Like we didn’t all collectively just read her learning about it mere pages before?? Did not one single person read this book before it was published?
And all of that doesn’t even cover the terrible plot pacing, personality-less side characters, and complete disregard of what “character development” means.
The cherry on top of all of this though, is the main characters lose their immortality to be together. The worst trope in the entire world.
The only good thing to come out of this book was I feel like I’m back to my regularly scheduled book reviewing. So besides never getting the hours of my life wasted on this book, at least there’s that.
December 18, 2023
Where do I even begin!
Gives me bat boy vibes!!
This book was phenomenal! I absolutely fell in love with this book from the very beginning. This is definitely a book that will take you on a roller coaster ride over and over again but it also warm your heart at the same time! Melissa did an outstanding job with the details in this book from describing the characters to the description of the worlds. She also made sure to give us the full fantasy feel. This book took me into the story. As I was reading I could envision what the characters was seeing and I absolutely love a book I can escape into.
This was that book.
Melissa I absolutely love your work!
Gives me bat boy vibes!!
This book was phenomenal! I absolutely fell in love with this book from the very beginning. This is definitely a book that will take you on a roller coaster ride over and over again but it also warm your heart at the same time! Melissa did an outstanding job with the details in this book from describing the characters to the description of the worlds. She also made sure to give us the full fantasy feel. This book took me into the story. As I was reading I could envision what the characters was seeing and I absolutely love a book I can escape into.
This was that book.
Melissa I absolutely love your work!
December 18, 2023
Wow! Melissa will do it for me every time! Kasia and Xerxes will forever hold a special place in my heart, I fell in love with them within the first few chapters! If you’re looking for a story with an amazing magic system, winged fae, romance, action, suspense, and lots of spice, this story is for you! I could not put this book down. I’m absolutely stunned everytime i pick up a book by Melissa. Highly highly recommend reading this one!🖤
December 19, 2023
I enjoyed the story. I love the ideas that the kingdoms are split up in portals. The lost princess is a classic. I love the dove, the backstory and the nickname. I also like Orion and Senna and would like a story just for them. The inclusion of sirens and Naga were also enjoyable.
Things I didn't care for but aren't deal breakers 🤣 just my personal preference
1. This one is kind of a double blade sword: I felt like things were rushed, but also I enjoyed that it was a quick read. Sometimes I get tired of reading books that are SO LONG, like I need a quick lil book to get my story fix. This is that quick fix 🤣
2. I don't like the accents? Maybe it's just because I have not read a lot of fantasy books that use it. To me it just didn't flow.
3. I know everyone loved Kasias attitude and I do love her, but dang girl. You too sassy 🤣
Anyways, I can't wait until the next book because I need to know a LOT of things🤣
1. What about the kids?
2. Well I can't say much more without spoiling this ending, but I'm gonna need book 2 soon 🤣
Things I didn't care for but aren't deal breakers 🤣 just my personal preference
1. This one is kind of a double blade sword: I felt like things were rushed, but also I enjoyed that it was a quick read. Sometimes I get tired of reading books that are SO LONG, like I need a quick lil book to get my story fix. This is that quick fix 🤣
2. I don't like the accents? Maybe it's just because I have not read a lot of fantasy books that use it. To me it just didn't flow.
3. I know everyone loved Kasias attitude and I do love her, but dang girl. You too sassy 🤣
Anyways, I can't wait until the next book because I need to know a LOT of things🤣
1. What about the kids?
2. Well I can't say much more without spoiling this ending, but I'm gonna need book 2 soon 🤣
December 16, 2023
I was amazed by how well this was! I loved it. The FMC memories was wiped she is the last loyal of her blood. She is the rightful heir to the throne. Her parents wiped her memories so that she could hide and live under the killer (king) nose the whole time. She loved her own people without evening knowing it was her duty. She must break the curse but how she did it did come with a cost. The emotional care of the characters the author did was amazing! I felt every emotion and heartbreak! I can’t wait for book two and I’ll be waiting for it to be in my kindle.
Questions: Did she get all her memories? Did her people get better? Did they accept her as Queen? What about the children that was taken to MC realm? Was their bond completed and she could feel him all the way?
Questions: Did she get all her memories? Did her people get better? Did they accept her as Queen? What about the children that was taken to MC realm? Was their bond completed and she could feel him all the way?
January 1, 2024
I haven't read Fantasy in a while, but I'm glad I started back up with this book!
I absolutely loved the storyline. Kasia is one of the baddest FMCs ever. Between her struggles and the tenacity in her, she's amazing. Xerxes, the MMC, is so devoted to Kasia even from the start, it was so endearing. The chemistry between these two characters had me on the edge of my seat. The banter had me laughing. It is beautifully written and such an amazing storyline.
Tropes ~
Fae
Stolen Thrown
He Falls First
Slow Burn
Enemies to Lovers
Touch her and
I highly recommend this read!
I absolutely loved the storyline. Kasia is one of the baddest FMCs ever. Between her struggles and the tenacity in her, she's amazing. Xerxes, the MMC, is so devoted to Kasia even from the start, it was so endearing. The chemistry between these two characters had me on the edge of my seat. The banter had me laughing. It is beautifully written and such an amazing storyline.
Tropes ~
Fae
Stolen Thrown
He Falls First
Slow Burn
Enemies to Lovers
Touch her and
I highly recommend this read!
December 19, 2023
First, thank you to Melissa McSherry for the ARC. I was given an ARC in return for an honest review.
The Blood of Doves is a story with potential, however, if you have read enough romantasy, especially in the Maas and Armentrout realms, this will feel very derivative.
The story follows Kasia, a feisty FMC who is a BAMF. She’s trying to help orphan children in her country of Lethe that has been placed in a permanent winter. Early on in the story she is saved by Xerxes who brings her, kicking and screaming to his country Calanthe. What follows is a story of forgotten pasts and immense power with banter and spice.
Personally I rated this as a 2.5-3. While I appreciate the potential, I felt this story was too derivative and also poorly paced. I’m a romantasy girlie through and through so I’m a sucker for certain tropes (cough enemies to lovers, touch her and die), and while this book had most of those, they were employed poorly or too early. This book read like a fanfiction, extreme detail in certain scenes (how Kasia dries herself after a bath for instance), but then covers swathes of plot development in a few pages. The world building left a lot to be desired, where the world felt like it was built for plot armor and not with any real compass or point. The characters were shallow and hard to understand and the book was very predictable.
If you’re looking for a book to scratch the itch of romantasy, this could be that book. It’s easy to read and quick, under 300 pages. However, I felt this could have been a much stronger book had it been lengthened and more focus placed on plot and character building and less on the will they/won’t they dubious consent. (Authors: getting real sick of MMC saying their come ons are okay because they can read the FMCs mind and know better than them. If a character says no, it means no, biological responses are not enough to make that okay.)
The Blood of Doves is a story with potential, however, if you have read enough romantasy, especially in the Maas and Armentrout realms, this will feel very derivative.
The story follows Kasia, a feisty FMC who is a BAMF. She’s trying to help orphan children in her country of Lethe that has been placed in a permanent winter. Early on in the story she is saved by Xerxes who brings her, kicking and screaming to his country Calanthe. What follows is a story of forgotten pasts and immense power with banter and spice.
Personally I rated this as a 2.5-3. While I appreciate the potential, I felt this story was too derivative and also poorly paced. I’m a romantasy girlie through and through so I’m a sucker for certain tropes (cough enemies to lovers, touch her and die), and while this book had most of those, they were employed poorly or too early. This book read like a fanfiction, extreme detail in certain scenes (how Kasia dries herself after a bath for instance), but then covers swathes of plot development in a few pages. The world building left a lot to be desired, where the world felt like it was built for plot armor and not with any real compass or point. The characters were shallow and hard to understand and the book was very predictable.
If you’re looking for a book to scratch the itch of romantasy, this could be that book. It’s easy to read and quick, under 300 pages. However, I felt this could have been a much stronger book had it been lengthened and more focus placed on plot and character building and less on the will they/won’t they dubious consent. (Authors: getting real sick of MMC saying their come ons are okay because they can read the FMCs mind and know better than them. If a character says no, it means no, biological responses are not enough to make that okay.)
January 1, 2024
Melissa McSherry is by far one of my favorite authors. The Blood of Doves is an amazing tale with the fiesty, tough and never backing down Kasia and the struggle that was her life. Until she was rescued at her lowest moment by Xerxes. It’s in that moment that everything changes. This book was amazing loved every moment the ups, the downs and all the twist in between.
December 19, 2023
If you love fantasy and for you mfc to be sassy af then this book if for you!! Once I started reading It, I couldn’t put it down. Loved the world building and the way the mfc and mmc kept bickering with each other❤️
May 25, 2024
2 ⭐️
Started reading this because I saw someone said it was a standalone (although the ending hints at possibly more) after finishing a 5 star read that ended on a bit of a cliffhanger I just needed something…..
So to put it simply this book took all the best parts of every fantasy book you have ever read and crammed them into one story and made it worse.
Spoilers below 👇🏼
.
.
.
Honestly at times it was pretty cringe, it’s like name dropping details if that makes sense 😂. Nothing would be previously mentioned and then boom they have fangs (which was mentioned one time), then wings, oh and the guy can mind read, and of course and summon weapons out of thin air with his powers. When you list all of these things (and there were more) it sounds stupid but when written properly with background information and a general build up… it works as we all know, but this made me almost second hand embarrassed. ALSO tell me HOW she spent what like a day with that drake character and he goes and dies for her…. HE DIES FOR HER…. LMAO WHAT?!?!? Against his own father I might add 😂.
Started reading this because I saw someone said it was a standalone (although the ending hints at possibly more) after finishing a 5 star read that ended on a bit of a cliffhanger I just needed something…..
So to put it simply this book took all the best parts of every fantasy book you have ever read and crammed them into one story and made it worse.
Spoilers below 👇🏼
.
.
.
Honestly at times it was pretty cringe, it’s like name dropping details if that makes sense 😂. Nothing would be previously mentioned and then boom they have fangs (which was mentioned one time), then wings, oh and the guy can mind read, and of course and summon weapons out of thin air with his powers. When you list all of these things (and there were more) it sounds stupid but when written properly with background information and a general build up… it works as we all know, but this made me almost second hand embarrassed. ALSO tell me HOW she spent what like a day with that drake character and he goes and dies for her…. HE DIES FOR HER…. LMAO WHAT?!?!? Against his own father I might add 😂.
April 25, 2024
zero editing - careless writing
I was hooked by the promise of a smuttier acotar type vibes but I was instantly horrified by the poor writing and clear lack of editing. Within the first couple of chapters, despite chapters being allocated a characters POV, perspectives were being switched within paragraphs which made no sense. Kasia after passing out starts coming around, and notes that Xerxes eyes are locked on her face - yet she doesn’t open her eyes officially for another page or so. She notes his hair is messy ‘today’, yet in the same paragraph states she’d never seen him before and didn’t know who he was. It might all seem really petty but it’s hard to submerse myself in a book written so poorly and frankly it’s offensive to expect people to purchase a novel when it seems like the author headbutted a keyboard and submitted it as is.
I was hooked by the promise of a smuttier acotar type vibes but I was instantly horrified by the poor writing and clear lack of editing. Within the first couple of chapters, despite chapters being allocated a characters POV, perspectives were being switched within paragraphs which made no sense. Kasia after passing out starts coming around, and notes that Xerxes eyes are locked on her face - yet she doesn’t open her eyes officially for another page or so. She notes his hair is messy ‘today’, yet in the same paragraph states she’d never seen him before and didn’t know who he was. It might all seem really petty but it’s hard to submerse myself in a book written so poorly and frankly it’s offensive to expect people to purchase a novel when it seems like the author headbutted a keyboard and submitted it as is.
June 7, 2024
I try to at least find something to enjoy in a book no matter how bad I feel it was, but this one was really bad.
It read like it was written by chatGPT. I have a hard time believing an editor or beta readers went through this when there are so many typos and scenes that directly contradict each other. Somebody lied to this author and did her a disservice.
Other than the writing quality, none of the world building made any logical sense. It might seem like a small thing but if you have a realm that's always night time how do you produce food to eat? Out of three "realms" only one would be actually capable of food production for the whole world. I also dont really understand if these realms are suppoed to exist on the same world or have three seperate universes that somehow coexist and you can cross between planes really easily.
I can't even start on the really poorly written accents for only two characters without explaining why they speak differently than people from the same region. The male MC has a best friend who seems like he's supposed to sound British, and another character who comes across as inexplicably Jamaican? I could be way off base but reading it that's what it seemed like the accents were trying to portray.
None of the characters had a developed motivation, background, or characterization and even the main couples romance was paper thin. It's also simply really creepy that parents could put two children into a bonding ceremony without their real consent and essentially force them to be in a relationship when they grow up. Huge ick on that one.
Lastly if you want to make a book "dark and edgy" by including mentions of rape on page then it shouldn't be something taken so lightly and passed off with little other mention. SPOILER WARNING - if your sister was raped at a party and the accused never tried to deny it but years later says "bro that wasn't me" everybody just says "oh sick, thanks for telling us" you would just believe him??
It read like it was written by chatGPT. I have a hard time believing an editor or beta readers went through this when there are so many typos and scenes that directly contradict each other. Somebody lied to this author and did her a disservice.
Other than the writing quality, none of the world building made any logical sense. It might seem like a small thing but if you have a realm that's always night time how do you produce food to eat? Out of three "realms" only one would be actually capable of food production for the whole world. I also dont really understand if these realms are suppoed to exist on the same world or have three seperate universes that somehow coexist and you can cross between planes really easily.
I can't even start on the really poorly written accents for only two characters without explaining why they speak differently than people from the same region. The male MC has a best friend who seems like he's supposed to sound British, and another character who comes across as inexplicably Jamaican? I could be way off base but reading it that's what it seemed like the accents were trying to portray.
None of the characters had a developed motivation, background, or characterization and even the main couples romance was paper thin. It's also simply really creepy that parents could put two children into a bonding ceremony without their real consent and essentially force them to be in a relationship when they grow up. Huge ick on that one.
Lastly if you want to make a book "dark and edgy" by including mentions of rape on page then it shouldn't be something taken so lightly and passed off with little other mention. SPOILER WARNING - if your sister was raped at a party and the accused never tried to deny it but years later says "bro that wasn't me" everybody just says "oh sick, thanks for telling us" you would just believe him??
January 25, 2024
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️.75
I fell in love with Xerxes and Kasia's story in the beginning ...
As the story evolved into 50% of the book, they lost me.
Miscommunication is my least liked trope, but I could get behind if the author writes it smoothly. And it honestly took me out of the feeling I had when reading it.
Kasia really annoyed me with her impulsive decisions based on her wanting to believe something that did not happen.
Xerxes was truly a God who wanted to throw it all away for the one he loved most.
There were also parts of repetitiveness, and I wish it would have left room for more or left empty to flow better.
I did fall in love, and remained in love, with the worldbuilding. The portals and realms were mesmerizing to read.
I am curious to see if this story continues because I would love to see where the characters go from here after that ending.
I fell in love with Xerxes and Kasia's story in the beginning ...
As the story evolved into 50% of the book, they lost me.
Miscommunication is my least liked trope, but I could get behind if the author writes it smoothly. And it honestly took me out of the feeling I had when reading it.
Kasia really annoyed me with her impulsive decisions based on her wanting to believe something that did not happen.
Xerxes was truly a God who wanted to throw it all away for the one he loved most.
There were also parts of repetitiveness, and I wish it would have left room for more or left empty to flow better.
I did fall in love, and remained in love, with the worldbuilding. The portals and realms were mesmerizing to read.
I am curious to see if this story continues because I would love to see where the characters go from here after that ending.
February 19, 2024
Honestly, nothing crazy. I liked the FMC but the plot was meh, the romance meh, but spice was decent. I didn’t care for the MMC as a character, but the flirty banter was indeed gold.
However, the MMC was boring otherwise and felt two dimensional. Drake (supposedly a villain) was actually more intriguing and I found myself voting for him in the end. Their relationship seemed to have almost more depth and intrigue than the relationship between the FMC and MMC, and it was only a few chapters. Who knows, I’m a sucker for a real enemy and the MMC was not it. Note: this is NOT a love triangle.
The ending was also rushed beyond belief. It felt the whole book was rushed, but I did finish it, so it was entertaining enough to read the whole book.
However, the MMC was boring otherwise and felt two dimensional. Drake (supposedly a villain) was actually more intriguing and I found myself voting for him in the end. Their relationship seemed to have almost more depth and intrigue than the relationship between the FMC and MMC, and it was only a few chapters. Who knows, I’m a sucker for a real enemy and the MMC was not it. Note: this is NOT a love triangle.
The ending was also rushed beyond belief. It felt the whole book was rushed, but I did finish it, so it was entertaining enough to read the whole book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2023
I was enthralled in this story from the start. Kasia is a badass who is selfless and is always willing to give everything for the people she cares about. Xerxes and his devotion to Kasia from the start was so endearing. I love him so much. I connected with all the support characters as well. The banter was soo goood!
While this isn’t in my usual realm of reading, it was easy to follow & made the slide into my ✨fantasy era✨seamless.
I was ON EDGE for the second half of this book but it was sooo worth it. I genuinely loved every second of the ride & can’t wait to see what else is to come.
April 7, 2024
The story and characters get a solid 4 stars from me! The spelling and grammatical errors really bothered me, but I won't let that reflect in my review. Just be aware when going in. This definitely gives ACOTAR vibes and was one of the reasons I read it. I loved all the main characters and found them all interesting and easily likable. Kasia is a bad ass and she had me hooked from chapter 1. I am hoping there will be a second book because I have to know more about Lethe and the orphanage and townspeople after the battle ended. I also want more from the Senna and Orion love story 😍
December 23, 2023
3.5 Goodreads doesn’t allow .5 reviews so I gave it 3 stars. This book did take me a bit to read through. The wording was repetitive and there was so much descriptive language at the beginning that I just felt lost.
The FMC was a bit annoying and really made me angry for most of the book. She’s supposed to be a badass but she kinda just acted like a brat. It wasn’t until towards the end of the book that I grew to like her. MMC was just okay.
There was some contradictory language throughout the book and chapter 18 was extremely confusing to me.
Minimal spice probably about a 🌶️🌶️ on that scale.
Overall I did enjoy the book once I got further into it and things started to pick up. The pacing was pretty quick, if you can get through the fluff. Normally a book this length would have taken me a day to read through but like I said I had a hard time with the repetitive wording and overpacked description paragraphs.
I received this book as a free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The FMC was a bit annoying and really made me angry for most of the book. She’s supposed to be a badass but she kinda just acted like a brat. It wasn’t until towards the end of the book that I grew to like her. MMC was just okay.
There was some contradictory language throughout the book and chapter 18 was extremely confusing to me.
Minimal spice probably about a 🌶️🌶️ on that scale.
Overall I did enjoy the book once I got further into it and things started to pick up. The pacing was pretty quick, if you can get through the fluff. Normally a book this length would have taken me a day to read through but like I said I had a hard time with the repetitive wording and overpacked description paragraphs.
I received this book as a free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
January 6, 2024
Melissa is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors, she somehow always manages to capture my undivided attention from the start and The blood of doves wasn't any exception.
The blood of doves is a high fantasy romance standalone novel. Kasia, our FMC, is a badass, strong, stubborn, independent woman that I absolutely loved and Xerxes, the MMC would simply do anything for his bonded mate.
I definitely recommend this read. It was a great novel to start the new years with!!
The blood of doves is a high fantasy romance standalone novel. Kasia, our FMC, is a badass, strong, stubborn, independent woman that I absolutely loved and Xerxes, the MMC would simply do anything for his bonded mate.
I definitely recommend this read. It was a great novel to start the new years with!!
September 19, 2024
One star for potential & one for Xerxes and Xerxes only.
The story itself had a lot of promise and could have been wonderful had it had a few more rounds of editing. Unfortunately there were just too many typos, plot holes and general errors for me to be able to rate it higher.
Despite each chapter being from a set POV, we still had POV changes mid-paragraph, a blatant lack of world building including magic systems that aren’t explained and the whole thing felt too rushed.
The story itself had a lot of promise and could have been wonderful had it had a few more rounds of editing. Unfortunately there were just too many typos, plot holes and general errors for me to be able to rate it higher.
Despite each chapter being from a set POV, we still had POV changes mid-paragraph, a blatant lack of world building including magic systems that aren’t explained and the whole thing felt too rushed.
January 1, 2024
Omgoodness absolutely loved this book Fae's, winged handsome high lord's, Sassy FMC, amazing MMC this book had me hooked from the beginning. If u love fantasy, ur definitely gonna love this book. It was so well written.
April 14, 2024
SPOILERS
what a waste of my time. Honestly.
The FMC is insufferable, whiny and just generally a bitch. So she's a complete arsehole to her bonded but is all fine with Drake locking her up?! honestly Xerxes deserves better hun and you should go back to the orphanage!
Honestly don't think I've ever read a book where the FMC is this annoying and rude and everyone just forgives her. Like she stabbed him whilst doing the deed. Couldn't have just snuck out in the night?!
what a waste of my time. Honestly.
The FMC is insufferable, whiny and just generally a bitch. So she's a complete arsehole to her bonded but is all fine with Drake locking her up?! honestly Xerxes deserves better hun and you should go back to the orphanage!
Honestly don't think I've ever read a book where the FMC is this annoying and rude and everyone just forgives her. Like she stabbed him whilst doing the deed. Couldn't have just snuck out in the night?!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 24, 2023
Such a good book!! The spicy 👌 I read this arc and I have to another amazing book!!
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