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The Wingless King
With no memories of his past, eighteen-year-old Seren awakens in the forbidden Godless City held captive by a scientist. After a daring escape alongside a hired mercenary, Seren finds himself the target of a relentless pursuit by the Novem Council, the rulers of the city.
Forced to flee, Seren sets out for his so-called homeland, Lumina, accompanied by the mercenary and a runaway princess from the sinister Sanguine Sisters. Their path is unexpectedly derailed, entwining Seren in the perilous fate of the princess. Determined to save her, he faces trials that unravel the fragments of his forgotten history.
Meanwhile, as the Veil's barriers weaken, the corrupted realm between the Gods and humanity hangs in the balance. With the demons of the Veil threatening to take over the world, Seren realizes he may play a pivotal role. But first, he will have to confront his past—one that is darker than he could have ever imagined.
Forced to flee, Seren sets out for his so-called homeland, Lumina, accompanied by the mercenary and a runaway princess from the sinister Sanguine Sisters. Their path is unexpectedly derailed, entwining Seren in the perilous fate of the princess. Determined to save her, he faces trials that unravel the fragments of his forgotten history.
Meanwhile, as the Veil's barriers weaken, the corrupted realm between the Gods and humanity hangs in the balance. With the demons of the Veil threatening to take over the world, Seren realizes he may play a pivotal role. But first, he will have to confront his past—one that is darker than he could have ever imagined.
343 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 5, 2024
66 people are currently reading
2100 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
January 24, 2024
I'm going to need everyone to buy this book when it comes out. oh my god.
Wassem's writing is absolutely gorgeous to start off. It was simple but very vivid and luscious. The characters are all so interesting to read about (Seren is genuinely one of my favorite MMCs now.) I'm not a big fan of the amnesia trope but this was done SO GOOD I could talk about it for days.
(thank you to the author for sending me an ARC!)
Wassem's writing is absolutely gorgeous to start off. It was simple but very vivid and luscious. The characters are all so interesting to read about (Seren is genuinely one of my favorite MMCs now.) I'm not a big fan of the amnesia trope but this was done SO GOOD I could talk about it for days.
(thank you to the author for sending me an ARC!)
June 19, 2024
4/5 (arc)
« It is love that has cursed us. It is love that drives us to madness. And it is love that drives us to hate. »
This book was so well written, but I had a bit of a hard time to get through it.
Probably because I was very sick, and I am also not THAT smart, and there were a lot of names of different Gods (obv) and I just got confused many times.
But that’s just bcs I am not smart, and I was sick💀.
« Remember that there is a time to reveal yourself, and there is a time to keep yourself guarded. »
For the rest this book was AMAZING.
I loved how such a badass character Kamilah *cough* princess Ata *cough* was, and I fr felt so bad for her when her ´mother/lilith/eden’ said to kill her brother Kamil… Like broooo. She even promised to show him
the sky again😭.
The dagger she has and fights with is also badass but that’s prob the one she also killed her brother with, which is sad.
« I promise someday I will show you the sky. »
« I will show you a sunset and sunrise. I will show you the stars and the lights of the city. And we will find a way to be free. I swear it. »
Seren, Seren my poor boy☹️. I loved how we got to figure out at the same time with the maincharacter, what exactly happend to him. And boy what do I regret knowing. His fking wings got cut off ☹️. By that scientist he began to trust.
« For all he knew, forgetting his life was the best thing that had happened to him. »
« But instead, Seren felt like a lost child, waiting for an adult to guide him through the muddled uncertainty. And it was closing in on him, almost suffocating. »
And after Seren found out what he did, and remembered some more things, and him tryna wash his face in mirror to remove himself in a way, was such a sad scene
« He washed his face again. And again. And again. Each time he looked in the mirror, the same face stared back at him, and he couldn't bear it any longer. »
Tbh, eventhough I don’t like Lumen, for some reason I know he wanted to do the right thing. But cutting off the wings of a boy is just wrong bro. I’m curious to learn more ab him and HIS BROTHER Aiden?! Like oh my shit, they r fking brothers wth??
Tbh I rlly didn’t trust Aiden in the first chapters that were out of his pov aswell. Like je gives me weird vibes and Idk what to do with that. But he did take Emeryn and Seren in when they needed a place, so that is something. He even made Seren feel human, he made Seren TRUST him, just then to betray him.
« It was as if Seren's soul had split in two, a Veil of darkness bleeding between, with his own personal hell begging to be unleashed. »
Ok you know what let’s talk ab Emeryn rn. I fr felt so bad for her aswell. Like first of all she was running away from a bad man, then she meets a nice one and he left her? The fact she couldn’t bear children so made that deal with that demon is so hurtfull. She did all of that so that Samael would stay. And I did like Samael for the parts we got to see him, but I obv still wanna know a lot more about him, and I think he is also Seren his dad. So that means he is a God?
Also that one person saying, Emeryn is a reborn???
I am so sad Emeryn died, and by Seren himself. Like Idk what exactly happend, but I just know it wasn’t what he wanted to do.
« I wonder if you knew that even the Devil has a purpose, »
« For how could light exist without the dark? »
Jude, is such a fun character, he was actually kinda my favourite. He is like the fun guy we all need sometimes. When he was struggling with his leg, and that girl Anna helped them, that was so nice tbh.
I rlly liked Anna and her dad. What happend to her mother is disgusting.
« Humans always find someone to blame. It is the way of our species. »
This thing what Jude said about the stars, reminded me so much of the song of Conan - Astronomy.
« I once learned that when a star dies, we can still see its light for nearly a hundred years. The stars we're looking at may have died long ago, but we're still admiring them together. Even if you cannot see it, I can see the light in you.
Even if you were to implode into yourself, collapsing into darkness like a star, I would still see it. »
Also I am probably crazy, but I am such a sucker for romance, and Idk who is gonna end up with who. But I kinda wanted Jude and Seren to end up together but then when Kamilah and Seren were pretending to be in love, it was also kinda cute SO IDK😩. And I do know Kamilah likes Jude more then Seren??? So I am even more confused.
I also kinda loved Griml, and him even staying by Lumen his side after saving his life. I think he is a raven?
I fr need to know so much more about Samael and Emeryn their story.
« Being denied you is being denied air to breathe and water to drink. And if I am selfish for doing the one thing that helps me to survive, then so be it. »
« Emeryn, in every life, I try to stay away, to give you peace. It seems I am not strong enough. »
« You do not understand. I have said a thousand goodbyes, and I have spoken a thousand 'I love yous.' I have beheld every star and explored every corner of the universe, yet nothing can com pare to you. I always wait for you, and you always slip away. For you to stay by my side is all I could ever ask for. I would wage a war against the entire world if it meant I could keep you by my side for eternity. »
Some Quotes;
« And it seems men of power always get what they want. »
« Ah, the truth, my feathered friend, is a weapon all on its own. »
"Humans aren't all they're made out to be. We just have the luxury of hiding that we are monsters. I have met beautiful people with wicked hearts, and I have met demons that granted mercy. There is darkness in all of us. »
« I have always believed that one cannot understand the power of light if they have never faced the darkness. »
« We're both lonely people, simply trying to find our place in this world... »
« You told me that the Gods created us in their image. So, why do people go out of their way to kill? You can't simply blame it on the Devil. The Gods granted us free will. You told me that. »
« It is love that has cursed us. It is love that drives us to madness. And it is love that drives us to hate. »
This book was so well written, but I had a bit of a hard time to get through it.
Probably because I was very sick, and I am also not THAT smart, and there were a lot of names of different Gods (obv) and I just got confused many times.
But that’s just bcs I am not smart, and I was sick💀.
« Remember that there is a time to reveal yourself, and there is a time to keep yourself guarded. »
For the rest this book was AMAZING.
I loved how such a badass character Kamilah *cough* princess Ata *cough* was, and I fr felt so bad for her when her ´mother/lilith/eden’ said to kill her brother Kamil… Like broooo. She even promised to show him
the sky again😭.
The dagger she has and fights with is also badass but that’s prob the one she also killed her brother with, which is sad.
« I promise someday I will show you the sky. »
« I will show you a sunset and sunrise. I will show you the stars and the lights of the city. And we will find a way to be free. I swear it. »
Seren, Seren my poor boy☹️. I loved how we got to figure out at the same time with the maincharacter, what exactly happend to him. And boy what do I regret knowing. His fking wings got cut off ☹️. By that scientist he began to trust.
« For all he knew, forgetting his life was the best thing that had happened to him. »
« But instead, Seren felt like a lost child, waiting for an adult to guide him through the muddled uncertainty. And it was closing in on him, almost suffocating. »
And after Seren found out what he did, and remembered some more things, and him tryna wash his face in mirror to remove himself in a way, was such a sad scene
« He washed his face again. And again. And again. Each time he looked in the mirror, the same face stared back at him, and he couldn't bear it any longer. »
Tbh, eventhough I don’t like Lumen, for some reason I know he wanted to do the right thing. But cutting off the wings of a boy is just wrong bro. I’m curious to learn more ab him and HIS BROTHER Aiden?! Like oh my shit, they r fking brothers wth??
Tbh I rlly didn’t trust Aiden in the first chapters that were out of his pov aswell. Like je gives me weird vibes and Idk what to do with that. But he did take Emeryn and Seren in when they needed a place, so that is something. He even made Seren feel human, he made Seren TRUST him, just then to betray him.
« It was as if Seren's soul had split in two, a Veil of darkness bleeding between, with his own personal hell begging to be unleashed. »
Ok you know what let’s talk ab Emeryn rn. I fr felt so bad for her aswell. Like first of all she was running away from a bad man, then she meets a nice one and he left her? The fact she couldn’t bear children so made that deal with that demon is so hurtfull. She did all of that so that Samael would stay. And I did like Samael for the parts we got to see him, but I obv still wanna know a lot more about him, and I think he is also Seren his dad. So that means he is a God?
Also that one person saying, Emeryn is a reborn???
I am so sad Emeryn died, and by Seren himself. Like Idk what exactly happend, but I just know it wasn’t what he wanted to do.
« I wonder if you knew that even the Devil has a purpose, »
« For how could light exist without the dark? »
Jude, is such a fun character, he was actually kinda my favourite. He is like the fun guy we all need sometimes. When he was struggling with his leg, and that girl Anna helped them, that was so nice tbh.
I rlly liked Anna and her dad. What happend to her mother is disgusting.
« Humans always find someone to blame. It is the way of our species. »
This thing what Jude said about the stars, reminded me so much of the song of Conan - Astronomy.
« I once learned that when a star dies, we can still see its light for nearly a hundred years. The stars we're looking at may have died long ago, but we're still admiring them together. Even if you cannot see it, I can see the light in you.
Even if you were to implode into yourself, collapsing into darkness like a star, I would still see it. »
Also I am probably crazy, but I am such a sucker for romance, and Idk who is gonna end up with who. But I kinda wanted Jude and Seren to end up together but then when Kamilah and Seren were pretending to be in love, it was also kinda cute SO IDK😩. And I do know Kamilah likes Jude more then Seren??? So I am even more confused.
I also kinda loved Griml, and him even staying by Lumen his side after saving his life. I think he is a raven?
I fr need to know so much more about Samael and Emeryn their story.
« Being denied you is being denied air to breathe and water to drink. And if I am selfish for doing the one thing that helps me to survive, then so be it. »
« Emeryn, in every life, I try to stay away, to give you peace. It seems I am not strong enough. »
« You do not understand. I have said a thousand goodbyes, and I have spoken a thousand 'I love yous.' I have beheld every star and explored every corner of the universe, yet nothing can com pare to you. I always wait for you, and you always slip away. For you to stay by my side is all I could ever ask for. I would wage a war against the entire world if it meant I could keep you by my side for eternity. »
Some Quotes;
« And it seems men of power always get what they want. »
« Ah, the truth, my feathered friend, is a weapon all on its own. »
"Humans aren't all they're made out to be. We just have the luxury of hiding that we are monsters. I have met beautiful people with wicked hearts, and I have met demons that granted mercy. There is darkness in all of us. »
« I have always believed that one cannot understand the power of light if they have never faced the darkness. »
« We're both lonely people, simply trying to find our place in this world... »
« You told me that the Gods created us in their image. So, why do people go out of their way to kill? You can't simply blame it on the Devil. The Gods granted us free will. You told me that. »
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2024
As the listed editor for this book, I may be a little biased. A perfect mashup of sci-fi and fantasy wrapped in a package of lovable characters.
I hope everyone enjoys getting to know Seren and gang like I have. 💚
I hope everyone enjoys getting to know Seren and gang like I have. 💚
January 4, 2024
I was incredibly lucky to receive The Wingless King as an ARC and I loved every second of it! In fact, I inhaled this in two days! I laughed. I cried. I screamed. I mentally threw the book across the room.
I want to keep this as spoiler-free as possible, so I won't talk too much about the plot, but there are definitely lots of twists and revelations throughout the book to keep you hooked. And a few things that make you utterly desperate for book two so that you can see what happens next! The setting is unique, and there's a cybernetic raven (immediately obsessed). I'm so curious and can't wait to learn more about the world, the Gods, and the magic!
Character wise, I loved how you discovered who Seren was alongside him, and I loved watching his interactions with everyone (even if I wanted to shake him sometimes hahaha). When a story gets heavy or dives into the plot, I sometimes forget that the characters are young adults (in this case, 18) but Seren acts his age and I loved that. It made everything hit that much harder! Each character has their own interesting backstory and storyline, but Jude definitely stole my heart as soon as he was introduced (ultimate golden retriever vibes).
Book one is the perfect foundation for the series, and I cannot wait for book two!
I want to keep this as spoiler-free as possible, so I won't talk too much about the plot, but there are definitely lots of twists and revelations throughout the book to keep you hooked. And a few things that make you utterly desperate for book two so that you can see what happens next! The setting is unique, and there's a cybernetic raven (immediately obsessed). I'm so curious and can't wait to learn more about the world, the Gods, and the magic!
Character wise, I loved how you discovered who Seren was alongside him, and I loved watching his interactions with everyone (even if I wanted to shake him sometimes hahaha). When a story gets heavy or dives into the plot, I sometimes forget that the characters are young adults (in this case, 18) but Seren acts his age and I loved that. It made everything hit that much harder! Each character has their own interesting backstory and storyline, but Jude definitely stole my heart as soon as he was introduced (ultimate golden retriever vibes).
Book one is the perfect foundation for the series, and I cannot wait for book two!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2024
3.5 stars
i have this new thing where i discover books off instagram and end up really liking them, and the wingless king falls into that category
i won't go much into detail. this is a debut book and i really enjoyed the concept behind it. stories surrounding biblical mythology has always been something i gravitate towards (points finger at my obsession with shadowhunters), so, in the similar sense, following that direction was easily intriguing. the book started out slightly slow in my opinion, but picks up its pace pretty quickly.
when it comes to writing, you could sense a bit that this is a debut novel. some of the dialogues don't feel entirely genuine. however, its not a large setback. there was no info dump moments, and the rest of the book came across seamlessly. my favorite aspect was definitely the characters and the journey they had throughout. seren, jude and mila are so beloved, whether its for their personal arcs, friendships or hints of romance. i want more of them.
i would say the reason this is not the entire 4 stars is because i was expecting more from the finale. more reveals and answers to the riddles and questions regarding seren and his history. his loss of memories makes it hard to grasp the entire background of what's going on and i'm growing impatient to know the full truth.
i hope we get more answers in the sequel, looking forward to it.
thank you to the author for giving me an early copy
i have this new thing where i discover books off instagram and end up really liking them, and the wingless king falls into that category
i won't go much into detail. this is a debut book and i really enjoyed the concept behind it. stories surrounding biblical mythology has always been something i gravitate towards (points finger at my obsession with shadowhunters), so, in the similar sense, following that direction was easily intriguing. the book started out slightly slow in my opinion, but picks up its pace pretty quickly.
when it comes to writing, you could sense a bit that this is a debut novel. some of the dialogues don't feel entirely genuine. however, its not a large setback. there was no info dump moments, and the rest of the book came across seamlessly. my favorite aspect was definitely the characters and the journey they had throughout. seren, jude and mila are so beloved, whether its for their personal arcs, friendships or hints of romance. i want more of them.
i would say the reason this is not the entire 4 stars is because i was expecting more from the finale. more reveals and answers to the riddles and questions regarding seren and his history. his loss of memories makes it hard to grasp the entire background of what's going on and i'm growing impatient to know the full truth.
i hope we get more answers in the sequel, looking forward to it.
thank you to the author for giving me an early copy
November 10, 2024
UM. BOOK TWO PLEASE?!
I received this book as an ARC, and oh my, I am shocked at how flawless everything was executed. Like there were no mistakes here, none at all.
The Wingless King is a YA dark fantasy that follows the protagonist Seren, who has lost his memory, but knows he has a dark past. He becomes friends with Jude and Mila, who help save him from the Godless City, under the hold of a scientist, and help start his journey back home.
This book is beautifully written. Like the prose just flows; I had no problem whatsoever reading this, it was like I was drinking water: effortless. But also lyrical, to the right amount. There are little excerpts from texts within the worlds' lore shared before each chapter, and the amount of thought put behind each one was astounding. Furthermore, the way Wassem describes physical surroundings, as well as the characters and demons in her book, it's just... mind blowing. There is a level of skill here that I wasn't expecting, and I am pleasantly delighted.
What I will say, though, is I need more. That's my only complaint haha. It's like the ending came too fast. And I was frantically looking around my room as if I could find the next book there (the author is still writing it at this point haha).
My favourite character is Jude, have to say. Just putting that out there. Just a little golden-retriever boy, a little prince charming tehe. But all the characters were incredibly fleshed out, including a lot of the background characters too. They all had unique character traits, if not voices of their own, that showed Wassem knows what she's doing.
But also THE BIRDS?! This won't be elaborated cause I refuse to spoil. But when it clicked, it clicked. I was so confused for so long, and I am deeply satisfied. BUT I WANT MORE. I NEED MORE.
Read this guys. Just read this.
I received this book as an ARC, and oh my, I am shocked at how flawless everything was executed. Like there were no mistakes here, none at all.
The Wingless King is a YA dark fantasy that follows the protagonist Seren, who has lost his memory, but knows he has a dark past. He becomes friends with Jude and Mila, who help save him from the Godless City, under the hold of a scientist, and help start his journey back home.
This book is beautifully written. Like the prose just flows; I had no problem whatsoever reading this, it was like I was drinking water: effortless. But also lyrical, to the right amount. There are little excerpts from texts within the worlds' lore shared before each chapter, and the amount of thought put behind each one was astounding. Furthermore, the way Wassem describes physical surroundings, as well as the characters and demons in her book, it's just... mind blowing. There is a level of skill here that I wasn't expecting, and I am pleasantly delighted.
What I will say, though, is I need more. That's my only complaint haha. It's like the ending came too fast. And I was frantically looking around my room as if I could find the next book there (the author is still writing it at this point haha).
My favourite character is Jude, have to say. Just putting that out there. Just a little golden-retriever boy, a little prince charming tehe. But all the characters were incredibly fleshed out, including a lot of the background characters too. They all had unique character traits, if not voices of their own, that showed Wassem knows what she's doing.
But also THE BIRDS?! This won't be elaborated cause I refuse to spoil. But when it clicked, it clicked. I was so confused for so long, and I am deeply satisfied. BUT I WANT MORE. I NEED MORE.
Read this guys. Just read this.
January 17, 2024
I had the opportunity to be part of the ARC team for this book! If you are a fan of dark fantasy, gods vs demons with elements of technology sprinkled in this is the book for you. You have hero’s you want to root for but are flawed. You have villains that you hate in an instant. And twists and revelations that will keep you on your toes.
Following the story of Seren you sympathize with him and his struggle to regain memories of who he is and where he is from. His dynamics with Jude and Kamilah are truly what young friendship is like. Jude the ever confident flirt, and Kamilah the secretive and strong. I cannot wait to see the relationship between these characters develop over the next few books.
All the characters in this book are flawed and so incredibly human which is refreshing to see in a fantasy. You want to root for them and see them succeed. This first book opens us to the world where good and bad, light and dark, battle against each other and I cannot wait to see where this story goes.
Following the story of Seren you sympathize with him and his struggle to regain memories of who he is and where he is from. His dynamics with Jude and Kamilah are truly what young friendship is like. Jude the ever confident flirt, and Kamilah the secretive and strong. I cannot wait to see the relationship between these characters develop over the next few books.
All the characters in this book are flawed and so incredibly human which is refreshing to see in a fantasy. You want to root for them and see them succeed. This first book opens us to the world where good and bad, light and dark, battle against each other and I cannot wait to see where this story goes.
February 17, 2025
I finished this book in one day, glued to my couch, having an out of body experience.
To be fair, it has a lot of things that I *love*—real gods, deep lore, religious horror, cryptid-style creatures, grotesque and wonderful. Characters that are flawed, but understandable. A diverse world that is handled with care, especially as it bridges a gap between old-world religious tradition and new-world, autonomy-seeking technology.
And of course, delicious prose where it matters most, in a way that makes me reread my favorite paragraphs a few times over.
I’m generally not a fan of romantasy, to be clear, and I don’t think this book fits under that subcategory. But it did approach relationships in a way that was distinctly human, in the way that even when people care about one another, the edges of them might not fit together fully. Love is often pain, after all.
This is also not a book that will spoon-feed the true nature of the world to you. Wassem gives you pieces of this world, one brush stroke at a time, and details that seem minor often come back into play later. It’s best to pay attention, and don’t discount anything, no matter how minor. I’ve had the pleasure of being a beta reader for her sequel, The Ruined King, and I am just astounded at how many masterful little threads are tugging here and there, things that were laid into the foundation here, in The Wingless King. Whether it’s the legends of the gods, the way a whispered word might not be what it seems, or a question that remains unanswered—Wassem has a plan, I’m sure, and I am fully along for the ride.
I don’t often read indie books due to time constraints in my own life and an ever-growing list of other books that I really want to read, but I am glad that I gave this one a chance. It was a pleasure, and I look forward to anything that Wassem’s mind has planned for the future!
Some list-type comments:
Pros:
-Amazing lore, give me more
-Unique, creative worldbuilding
-Emotionally diverse characters, no ‘cookie cutter’ MCs
-Darkness and Love and Pain and Loss and Joy and Light
-A very nice lack of cliche biases when it comes to religion/non-religion
-Gray morality (who doesn’t love it?)
Things I’m hoping for the future: (My preference, as someone used to high fantasy and thiccccc fantasy series)
-Even more detail with cultures/history
-S*** hitting the fan (I’m ready)
-Continued growth from the characters (It’s so fun to watch them *learning*)
-A small lore book full of more information? Is that too much to ask? ;)
Overall I highly recommend!
To be fair, it has a lot of things that I *love*—real gods, deep lore, religious horror, cryptid-style creatures, grotesque and wonderful. Characters that are flawed, but understandable. A diverse world that is handled with care, especially as it bridges a gap between old-world religious tradition and new-world, autonomy-seeking technology.
And of course, delicious prose where it matters most, in a way that makes me reread my favorite paragraphs a few times over.
I’m generally not a fan of romantasy, to be clear, and I don’t think this book fits under that subcategory. But it did approach relationships in a way that was distinctly human, in the way that even when people care about one another, the edges of them might not fit together fully. Love is often pain, after all.
This is also not a book that will spoon-feed the true nature of the world to you. Wassem gives you pieces of this world, one brush stroke at a time, and details that seem minor often come back into play later. It’s best to pay attention, and don’t discount anything, no matter how minor. I’ve had the pleasure of being a beta reader for her sequel, The Ruined King, and I am just astounded at how many masterful little threads are tugging here and there, things that were laid into the foundation here, in The Wingless King. Whether it’s the legends of the gods, the way a whispered word might not be what it seems, or a question that remains unanswered—Wassem has a plan, I’m sure, and I am fully along for the ride.
I don’t often read indie books due to time constraints in my own life and an ever-growing list of other books that I really want to read, but I am glad that I gave this one a chance. It was a pleasure, and I look forward to anything that Wassem’s mind has planned for the future!
Some list-type comments:
Pros:
-Amazing lore, give me more
-Unique, creative worldbuilding
-Emotionally diverse characters, no ‘cookie cutter’ MCs
-Darkness and Love and Pain and Loss and Joy and Light
-A very nice lack of cliche biases when it comes to religion/non-religion
-Gray morality (who doesn’t love it?)
Things I’m hoping for the future: (My preference, as someone used to high fantasy and thiccccc fantasy series)
-Even more detail with cultures/history
-S*** hitting the fan (I’m ready)
-Continued growth from the characters (It’s so fun to watch them *learning*)
-A small lore book full of more information? Is that too much to ask? ;)
Overall I highly recommend!
August 24, 2024
The Wingless King feels like a classic (almost nostalgic) YA adventure story, but with unique world-building and new character dynamics. I am [impatiently] waiting for the sequel.
I loved the world-building and setting, but the characters 100% stole the show. The beginnings of a queer love triangle, dark backgrounds, teenage angst, regular angst, mommy/daddy issues everywhere you look. And Lumen! He has my full attention. But I can't wait to see how the main trio develops in the next book.
I do wish there was more showing rather telling in the dialogue, and I do wish some scenes were more fleshed out to give the characters a bit more depth and their actions a bit more weight. This is probably 3.5 stars for me, but rounding up because I really love the story.
But most of all: Jude! Who IS he. I love him. I need to know more.
I loved the world-building and setting, but the characters 100% stole the show. The beginnings of a queer love triangle, dark backgrounds, teenage angst, regular angst, mommy/daddy issues everywhere you look. And Lumen! He has my full attention. But I can't wait to see how the main trio develops in the next book.
I do wish there was more showing rather telling in the dialogue, and I do wish some scenes were more fleshed out to give the characters a bit more depth and their actions a bit more weight. This is probably 3.5 stars for me, but rounding up because I really love the story.
But most of all: Jude! Who IS he. I love him. I need to know more.
January 15, 2024
Thank you so much to K C Wassem for providing me with an ARC.
This was beautifully written, richly imagined and superbly plotted. The characters were uniquely complex and their relationships and conflicts deepened their humanity. I loved this and can’t wait to read more from this author!
This was beautifully written, richly imagined and superbly plotted. The characters were uniquely complex and their relationships and conflicts deepened their humanity. I loved this and can’t wait to read more from this author!
January 8, 2025
Holy cow, I LOVED this. And yes, that needed to be capitalized and put in bold.
The Wingless King is the first in a fantasy series where we see the human world slowly turning into a more dystopian world as the Veil (the realm between the Gods and the humans) collides with their realm. Seren wakes as a captive in the Godless City without memory of who he is or what his past holds. A charming boy breaks Seren out, and in their escape mission, a runaway princess of the Sanguine Sisters joins them. Terrors unfold, derailing the three's mission when the princess is captured. Seren is determined to save her, and in doing so, he learns more about himself and his past.
This just kept getting better and BETTER! I was so engulfed in these characters and the plot, untwining the mysteries and learning more about the world. The way religion plays a role in this story is so interesting and unique, and I can't wait to see how it evolves. The character interactions and dialogue were on point at all times. I literally stayed up past my bed time on a work night to finish this, and I rarely do that.
K.C. Wassem's writing is amazing. She knows how to draw a reader in and create vivid illustrations with her words without it becoming too descriptive. The emotional aspect of the book was great, and I'm most certain the sequel will make me cry because I'm also certain Wassem has much in store for our characters that will break me. The science fiction elements blend with the fantasy ones seamlessly, it was truly a perfect combination.
Also, the antagonist POV!!! That was SO GOOD and I need more!
There are so many elements to book one that I cannot wait to see expanded upon/questions answered in book two. I will devour the sequel as soon as it comes out.
Thank you to the author for graciously sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review <3
Tropes:
-amnesia
-gods and demons
-on the run
-multi-pov in 3rd person
-slow burn (not much of it in book one so I'm even more stoked for the sequel)
-religion and politics intwined
-travel
-dark fantasy/sci-fi blend
-found family
-runaway royalty
-potential love triangle
REREAD UPDATE:
It's insane how engrossed i was in this & how un-put-down-able it was despite being a reread. There was a few small things that I had forgotten from my initial read, so I'm so glad I reread this in preparations for book two!
Annotating this book was so much fun. I rarely reread but I'm so glad I did!
The Wingless King is the first in a fantasy series where we see the human world slowly turning into a more dystopian world as the Veil (the realm between the Gods and the humans) collides with their realm. Seren wakes as a captive in the Godless City without memory of who he is or what his past holds. A charming boy breaks Seren out, and in their escape mission, a runaway princess of the Sanguine Sisters joins them. Terrors unfold, derailing the three's mission when the princess is captured. Seren is determined to save her, and in doing so, he learns more about himself and his past.
This just kept getting better and BETTER! I was so engulfed in these characters and the plot, untwining the mysteries and learning more about the world. The way religion plays a role in this story is so interesting and unique, and I can't wait to see how it evolves. The character interactions and dialogue were on point at all times. I literally stayed up past my bed time on a work night to finish this, and I rarely do that.
K.C. Wassem's writing is amazing. She knows how to draw a reader in and create vivid illustrations with her words without it becoming too descriptive. The emotional aspect of the book was great, and I'm most certain the sequel will make me cry because I'm also certain Wassem has much in store for our characters that will break me. The science fiction elements blend with the fantasy ones seamlessly, it was truly a perfect combination.
Also, the antagonist POV!!! That was SO GOOD and I need more!
There are so many elements to book one that I cannot wait to see expanded upon/questions answered in book two. I will devour the sequel as soon as it comes out.
Thank you to the author for graciously sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review <3
Tropes:
-amnesia
-gods and demons
-on the run
-multi-pov in 3rd person
-slow burn (not much of it in book one so I'm even more stoked for the sequel)
-religion and politics intwined
-travel
-dark fantasy/sci-fi blend
-found family
-runaway royalty
-potential love triangle
REREAD UPDATE:
It's insane how engrossed i was in this & how un-put-down-able it was despite being a reread. There was a few small things that I had forgotten from my initial read, so I'm so glad I reread this in preparations for book two!
Annotating this book was so much fun. I rarely reread but I'm so glad I did!
February 24, 2024
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
I absolutely loved this book. The blending of sci-fi and fantasy elements was superb, the setting and world building were interesting and kept me turning pages. The characters are unique and complex and I felt myself cheering for them every step of the way. The blending of POVs and time periods was well executed and really made the book hard to put down, as I’m a sucker for time jumps.
The writing itself was beautiful, the author has an incredible grasp on story telling and the way the words, sentences, and paragraphs come together made it not only easy to understand, but enjoyable to consume.
I am anxiously awaiting the next installment of the story!
Edit: changed to 5 stars because this is an absolute masterpiece and I misjudged how much I loved it (I’m obsessed)
I absolutely loved this book. The blending of sci-fi and fantasy elements was superb, the setting and world building were interesting and kept me turning pages. The characters are unique and complex and I felt myself cheering for them every step of the way. The blending of POVs and time periods was well executed and really made the book hard to put down, as I’m a sucker for time jumps.
The writing itself was beautiful, the author has an incredible grasp on story telling and the way the words, sentences, and paragraphs come together made it not only easy to understand, but enjoyable to consume.
I am anxiously awaiting the next installment of the story!
Edit: changed to 5 stars because this is an absolute masterpiece and I misjudged how much I loved it (I’m obsessed)
January 21, 2024
I’ve had the great fortune of being able to read this book as an ARC reader, and I must say, this book has surpassed my expectations and exceeded my anticipations of excitement for the remainder of the series. I have followed K’s journey on her instagram (@authorkcwassem) and it has been amazing seeing the build-up to this book being released!
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it and I can’t wait to read the next book. It has been wonderful to see multiple different POVs, the different events which kept me engaged and enthralled, as well as the beautiful descriptions laid out by the author.
For readers who wish for a book which delves into a mixture of intricate world-building like A Song of Ice and Fire, beautiful character developments and relationships like the Throne of Glass series and the captivating, science fiction events like the Maze Runner series, this is the right book for you!
5/5 Great read. Will recommend.
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it and I can’t wait to read the next book. It has been wonderful to see multiple different POVs, the different events which kept me engaged and enthralled, as well as the beautiful descriptions laid out by the author.
For readers who wish for a book which delves into a mixture of intricate world-building like A Song of Ice and Fire, beautiful character developments and relationships like the Throne of Glass series and the captivating, science fiction events like the Maze Runner series, this is the right book for you!
5/5 Great read. Will recommend.
January 23, 2024
First of all, thank you so much for this ARC!
And now to the real thing. Wow. This is an amazing and captivating story with magical writing and a touch of madness.
The Author does an incredible job describing things and phrasing the sentences beautifully. The world building, the concept and the execution were great! You get different POVs, timelines and glimpses of the lost memories Seren desperately wants to remember. And when he finally remembered, it hit me hard (I was sobbing for a few minutes straight). I got goosebumps all over my body so many times while reading and couldn't put that book down, it kept getting better and better. The way K.C. Wassem executed certain scenes just blew my mind, it was just so well done.
You'll find many interesting characters along the way and possibly are going to fall for Jude, because come on, who wouldn't fall for him. I loved him from the very first moment, he's such a flirt and too funny. (Also I'm just rooting for my Juren ship, let me dream in peace.)
I'm obsessed with her world and characters. You need to read The Wingless King asap! I can't wait for the sequel.
And now to the real thing. Wow. This is an amazing and captivating story with magical writing and a touch of madness.
The Author does an incredible job describing things and phrasing the sentences beautifully. The world building, the concept and the execution were great! You get different POVs, timelines and glimpses of the lost memories Seren desperately wants to remember. And when he finally remembered, it hit me hard (I was sobbing for a few minutes straight). I got goosebumps all over my body so many times while reading and couldn't put that book down, it kept getting better and better. The way K.C. Wassem executed certain scenes just blew my mind, it was just so well done.
You'll find many interesting characters along the way and possibly are going to fall for Jude, because come on, who wouldn't fall for him. I loved him from the very first moment, he's such a flirt and too funny. (Also I'm just rooting for my Juren ship, let me dream in peace.)
I'm obsessed with her world and characters. You need to read The Wingless King asap! I can't wait for the sequel.
February 12, 2024
I’d first like to thank the author for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I was hooked in the first few pages - the mystery surrounding the MMC had me wanting to know every little detail about him and had me theorizing right from the start. But what makes this book truly beautiful was the writing and depiction of the characters - I found they were deeply flawed, but you loved them even more for it. Their development is so complex, I found myself relating to them because of it.
Just an absolutely perfect blend of sci-fi and fantasy!
I was hooked in the first few pages - the mystery surrounding the MMC had me wanting to know every little detail about him and had me theorizing right from the start. But what makes this book truly beautiful was the writing and depiction of the characters - I found they were deeply flawed, but you loved them even more for it. Their development is so complex, I found myself relating to them because of it.
Just an absolutely perfect blend of sci-fi and fantasy!
January 21, 2024
An incredible read. I managed to snag an early copy of this and oh BOY is it intriguing. The only problem I've managed to find is some words tend to repeat themselves twice within a sentence, or the same word is said in the sentence after (ex. 'bestowed' got said twice within the same short paragraph). This, thankfully, didn't deter my love for this book as it's pretty rare and will likely be fixed before release.
I'm not all the way done, but it's still quite the alluring story as it possesses lovely characters, (like Jude for example), and prose that flows with ease.
There's obvious passion within this book, I loved every moment of it. The author puts a ton of effort into describing each scene, with the rooms the characters enter always easily pictured in my mind. I'd totally recommend purchasing this book once it hits the shelves! The mystery grips onto the reader swiftly, even though the prologue doesn't give much away.
I'm looking forward to reading more of this author's books! Super excited as this is also my first ARC :]
I'm not all the way done, but it's still quite the alluring story as it possesses lovely characters, (like Jude for example), and prose that flows with ease.
There's obvious passion within this book, I loved every moment of it. The author puts a ton of effort into describing each scene, with the rooms the characters enter always easily pictured in my mind. I'd totally recommend purchasing this book once it hits the shelves! The mystery grips onto the reader swiftly, even though the prologue doesn't give much away.
I'm looking forward to reading more of this author's books! Super excited as this is also my first ARC :]
January 21, 2024
✨ARC REVIEW✨
This story had me at the edge of my seat the entire time. I wanted, no needed to finish it. I felt this urgency throughout the book. I couldn’t get enough. The main character, Seren wakes up captive in the Godless City with no memory of himself or his past. With his two friends, a mercenary (Jude) and a princess (Mila), they escape the city and the Novem Council and head for his supposed homeland; Lumina. However, their travels are not easy and throughout Seren starts to unravel his history. I loved how the author gave flashbacks throughout the book that gave us tiny bits of information and made us start guessing how it all played together. The book was beautifully written and the descriptions of the landscape, the demons, and the characters were flawless. The only complaint is that the book ended too soon! I need more. I cannot wait for book 2. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ would highly recommend.
Releases March 5, 2024!
This story had me at the edge of my seat the entire time. I wanted, no needed to finish it. I felt this urgency throughout the book. I couldn’t get enough. The main character, Seren wakes up captive in the Godless City with no memory of himself or his past. With his two friends, a mercenary (Jude) and a princess (Mila), they escape the city and the Novem Council and head for his supposed homeland; Lumina. However, their travels are not easy and throughout Seren starts to unravel his history. I loved how the author gave flashbacks throughout the book that gave us tiny bits of information and made us start guessing how it all played together. The book was beautifully written and the descriptions of the landscape, the demons, and the characters were flawless. The only complaint is that the book ended too soon! I need more. I cannot wait for book 2. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ would highly recommend.
Releases March 5, 2024!
January 24, 2024
I was incredibly lucky to receive The Wingless King as an ARC. I loved every bit of it. I have no words to describe how much I enjoyed reading it. The world building, the characters, the plot everything was incredible. I consumed this book in less than a week, and It had left wanting more. I can’t wait for book two.
The mix between sci-fi and fantasy kept me turning page upon page until I finished the book, and I loved every second of it.
The mix between sci-fi and fantasy kept me turning page upon page until I finished the book, and I loved every second of it.
February 7, 2024
Wassem's writing hooked me from the start, her words weaving a vivid tapestry in my imagination. As a mix of science fiction and fantasy elements, this debut was a smash hit for me. I love it.
Each character has their own battles to overcome, and I love that we experience these events WITH the characters. I felt like I was there, even at those sad times and all the times I wanted to shake Seren. And the BIRDS. I won't say more. Just read this please.
My CAWPILE Rating:
Characters: 9/10
Atmosphere: 9/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Plot: 9/10
Intrigue: 9/10
Logic/Relationships: 8/10
Excitement/Vibes: 10/10
Total: 63/70
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Each character has their own battles to overcome, and I love that we experience these events WITH the characters. I felt like I was there, even at those sad times and all the times I wanted to shake Seren. And the BIRDS. I won't say more. Just read this please.
My CAWPILE Rating:
Characters: 9/10
Atmosphere: 9/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Plot: 9/10
Intrigue: 9/10
Logic/Relationships: 8/10
Excitement/Vibes: 10/10
Total: 63/70
Star Rating: 5 Stars
January 27, 2024
Thankyou to the author for the ARC of The Wingless King. ✨
I really enjoyed this read. The world building was great and really in depth. I enjoyed the writing style too it seemed to be well thought out making it so fluid.
The characters were so loveable (Jude is getting a lot of credit in reviews and for good reason!) I felt like there was a good amount of depth to each character and they had relatable qualities, as well as being flawed which was so refreshing.
There was so much thought around the Lore and the blending of sci-fi and fantasy was executed so perfectly. I loved reading the combo of both it was really easy to read and wasn’t too complex to follow and understand.
I still have a lot of unanswered questions which will make a great basis for book 2!!
I really enjoyed this read. The world building was great and really in depth. I enjoyed the writing style too it seemed to be well thought out making it so fluid.
The characters were so loveable (Jude is getting a lot of credit in reviews and for good reason!) I felt like there was a good amount of depth to each character and they had relatable qualities, as well as being flawed which was so refreshing.
There was so much thought around the Lore and the blending of sci-fi and fantasy was executed so perfectly. I loved reading the combo of both it was really easy to read and wasn’t too complex to follow and understand.
I still have a lot of unanswered questions which will make a great basis for book 2!!
March 5, 2024
We meet Seren, the amnesiac, as he's clearly being tortured by an evil scientist, he makes a miraculous escape with the help of Jude, the lucky dude, and Mila, the Sanguine Princess. Each have their own secret to keep, yet they venture forth in a quest to discover Serena's past and save their world!
The entire time I read this book, I had a dark anime playing in my head! It was strange, unsettling and entirely enjoyable from start to finish.
The slow burn, is going to be so slow.....and who will he pick? Hopefully he won't have to pick 🤞🏻
There are heavy religious elements, which I really enjoyed unpicking along with how each cult functions and treats it's members. And heavy Chines reference such as Kitsune and other creatures inspired by Chinese lore.
What really made this a 5 star for me, was that I couldn't guess the plot twist at the end. I've become quite good at predicting stories, so when an author actually manages to make a big reveal that I didn't see coming, you bet I'm going to be invested!
She also just revealed this is book one of four! 😍😱
It comes out March 15th, and I beg you please go read or at least TBR it, if you like dark/unsettling vibes, anime influences and just a really good original sorry?
The entire time I read this book, I had a dark anime playing in my head! It was strange, unsettling and entirely enjoyable from start to finish.
The slow burn, is going to be so slow.....and who will he pick? Hopefully he won't have to pick 🤞🏻
There are heavy religious elements, which I really enjoyed unpicking along with how each cult functions and treats it's members. And heavy Chines reference such as Kitsune and other creatures inspired by Chinese lore.
What really made this a 5 star for me, was that I couldn't guess the plot twist at the end. I've become quite good at predicting stories, so when an author actually manages to make a big reveal that I didn't see coming, you bet I'm going to be invested!
She also just revealed this is book one of four! 😍😱
It comes out March 15th, and I beg you please go read or at least TBR it, if you like dark/unsettling vibes, anime influences and just a really good original sorry?
March 4, 2024
This book is stunning! It was written beautifully and has complex characters + dark, mysterious vibes.
Many times, I found myself so intrigued by the plot and the twists. I am obsessed with the MMC and want to know everything there is to know about him. The ending literally gave me chills and I cannot wait to see our MCs reunited and see where this story goes!
A special thank you to the author for sending me this ARC; I have no doubt that it will do very well!
Many times, I found myself so intrigued by the plot and the twists. I am obsessed with the MMC and want to know everything there is to know about him. The ending literally gave me chills and I cannot wait to see our MCs reunited and see where this story goes!
A special thank you to the author for sending me this ARC; I have no doubt that it will do very well!
July 7, 2024
Thank you to the author for an e-ARC of this book, which will be released on March 5th.
Read if you like:
-YA dark fantasy
-Sci-fi
-Demons and gods
-slow burn
-Multiple POVs
-Forbidden and occult magic
-Curses
-Amnesia trope
"Ah, the truth, my feathered friend, is a weapon all on its own."
"Demons live among us in human flesh, and humans walk among us with the heart of a demon."
I think these quotes sum up the book well without actually spoiling anything, haha. This book has a unique blend of sci-fi elements with advanced technology and a Middle Ages feel, and it worked well for the story. If you like a lot of lore, mythology, and dark fantasy worlds, you will like this one. The readers are taken on a journey with the main male character, Seren (whom I believe must be protected at all costs), as he tries to solve his mysterious past after waking up in a strange, unfamiliar land without his memories. Seren comes across two other essential characters, Jude and Mila, who help him for their own reasons. These three make a fine trio of well-rounded characters, which includes all the banter and drama. Seren, Jude, and Mila go on their quest, and we also get to see multiple sides to this world they're in as they travel, which I appreciate. Their travels also showcase the themes of the book regarding corruption, hypocrisy, trauma, and good versus evil (at least that's what I got out of it, haha). The book has different flashbacks and timelines, and as someone who is easily confused, I did not find this confusing. I think it definitely accomplished the suspense of all the pieces coming together with the characters. Also, this book is labeled as a DARK fantasy for a reason, as it is quite vicious. These people are traumatized from their past and events that take place in the present. The book also contains one of the scariest forests I've ever read, haha (I have a thing for scary forests). If you like plot twists that you can't see coming, you'll want to read to the end *wink.*
Read if you like:
-YA dark fantasy
-Sci-fi
-Demons and gods
-slow burn
-Multiple POVs
-Forbidden and occult magic
-Curses
-Amnesia trope
"Ah, the truth, my feathered friend, is a weapon all on its own."
"Demons live among us in human flesh, and humans walk among us with the heart of a demon."
I think these quotes sum up the book well without actually spoiling anything, haha. This book has a unique blend of sci-fi elements with advanced technology and a Middle Ages feel, and it worked well for the story. If you like a lot of lore, mythology, and dark fantasy worlds, you will like this one. The readers are taken on a journey with the main male character, Seren (whom I believe must be protected at all costs), as he tries to solve his mysterious past after waking up in a strange, unfamiliar land without his memories. Seren comes across two other essential characters, Jude and Mila, who help him for their own reasons. These three make a fine trio of well-rounded characters, which includes all the banter and drama. Seren, Jude, and Mila go on their quest, and we also get to see multiple sides to this world they're in as they travel, which I appreciate. Their travels also showcase the themes of the book regarding corruption, hypocrisy, trauma, and good versus evil (at least that's what I got out of it, haha). The book has different flashbacks and timelines, and as someone who is easily confused, I did not find this confusing. I think it definitely accomplished the suspense of all the pieces coming together with the characters. Also, this book is labeled as a DARK fantasy for a reason, as it is quite vicious. These people are traumatized from their past and events that take place in the present. The book also contains one of the scariest forests I've ever read, haha (I have a thing for scary forests). If you like plot twists that you can't see coming, you'll want to read to the end *wink.*
March 2, 2024
Everything you want from a fantasy!
This book is epic fantasy mixed with mythology based worldbuilding and beautiful language. The plot is thick with the history of the world and brimming with stories small and big connected to the faith system that the world is built upon. I want a book just filled with all the gods and their significance in this world aswell as the stories the common people are told about them!
The characters are complicated and it’s told from multiple POVs which in the beginning is confusing but after awhile is so enriching. It adds to the mysteries aswell as make the world more real.
I loved this book and I can’t wait to read the next one! I just can’t wait to see Jude, Seren, Mila and Jude again (did I already say Jude? Well he is worth mentioning twice!)
This book is epic fantasy mixed with mythology based worldbuilding and beautiful language. The plot is thick with the history of the world and brimming with stories small and big connected to the faith system that the world is built upon. I want a book just filled with all the gods and their significance in this world aswell as the stories the common people are told about them!
The characters are complicated and it’s told from multiple POVs which in the beginning is confusing but after awhile is so enriching. It adds to the mysteries aswell as make the world more real.
I loved this book and I can’t wait to read the next one! I just can’t wait to see Jude, Seren, Mila and Jude again (did I already say Jude? Well he is worth mentioning twice!)
March 4, 2024
This was a great dark fantasy YA book. The main character has amnesia and wakes up in a lab in the godless city held captive by a scientist. He gains the help of a mercenary to escape and find his home "Lumina". On the journey he starts piecing things together meanwhile the Veil between the Gods and the humans starts to fray.
I loved the friendships in this book a lot. Saren and Jude are just 🤌🏼❤️talk about a ride or 💀 friendship. I loved how the author pieced together the story with Saren gaining some memories back. There were some deep ties to theology like the trinity and the devil. But there were also some ties into mythology as well. I thought that was very unique to have a combination of both.
The imagery was amazing I love that the author used exotic characters like zebras to bring the story some life. I also loved some of the very interesting characters such as Madame Kitsune. This releases March 5, 2024 make sure to add it to your GoodReads if it sounds like your jam!
I loved the friendships in this book a lot. Saren and Jude are just 🤌🏼❤️talk about a ride or 💀 friendship. I loved how the author pieced together the story with Saren gaining some memories back. There were some deep ties to theology like the trinity and the devil. But there were also some ties into mythology as well. I thought that was very unique to have a combination of both.
The imagery was amazing I love that the author used exotic characters like zebras to bring the story some life. I also loved some of the very interesting characters such as Madame Kitsune. This releases March 5, 2024 make sure to add it to your GoodReads if it sounds like your jam!
February 18, 2024
I was so excited when I was chosen to receive an ARC of The Wingless King from this amazing debut author because I just knew this book sounded epic. And I was right!
The Wingless King starts off with adventure and mayhem. I love the trio; Seren, Jude & Mila, each character has an interesting and unique mysterious backstory that is slowly and thoughtfully revealed as the story goes on.
I started having theories about who Seren could be as I continued reading but I wasn’t impatient like I usually am for the reveal, which means my crazy obsessive mind was so absorbed with the books story because the writing was just that damn good.
It was hard to choose a favourite out of the trio but I do have a soft spot for the flirty, cheeky, swashbuckling hero, so Jude soon became my favourite character out of the three.
Forbidden love is my jam, and this book has this beautiful forbidden love plot weaved throughout it along with such an interesting use of biblical mythology.
Now that I’ve read the book, I understand the title more and can say I absolutely love it. It was so refreshing to read an intensively planned and plotted book with fresh new characters and mythology.
As most of y’all know, I’m a die-hard fan of Supernatural (Team Dean all the way) and this book reminded me of some of the biblical elements seen in Supernatural
One of my 2024 reading goals is to support and read more indie authors and I’m so glad I put myself out there and applied for an ARC from Kallie.
The Wingless King comes out 5 March 2024. I highly recommend it if you’re a fan of demons, angels, gods, biblical mythology, technology vs magic & reincarnation
The Wingless King starts off with adventure and mayhem. I love the trio; Seren, Jude & Mila, each character has an interesting and unique mysterious backstory that is slowly and thoughtfully revealed as the story goes on.
I started having theories about who Seren could be as I continued reading but I wasn’t impatient like I usually am for the reveal, which means my crazy obsessive mind was so absorbed with the books story because the writing was just that damn good.
It was hard to choose a favourite out of the trio but I do have a soft spot for the flirty, cheeky, swashbuckling hero, so Jude soon became my favourite character out of the three.
Forbidden love is my jam, and this book has this beautiful forbidden love plot weaved throughout it along with such an interesting use of biblical mythology.
Now that I’ve read the book, I understand the title more and can say I absolutely love it. It was so refreshing to read an intensively planned and plotted book with fresh new characters and mythology.
As most of y’all know, I’m a die-hard fan of Supernatural (Team Dean all the way) and this book reminded me of some of the biblical elements seen in Supernatural
One of my 2024 reading goals is to support and read more indie authors and I’m so glad I put myself out there and applied for an ARC from Kallie.
The Wingless King comes out 5 March 2024. I highly recommend it if you’re a fan of demons, angels, gods, biblical mythology, technology vs magic & reincarnation
March 4, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
From the very beginning of this book, I was captivated by the story. About 30% of the way through my little brain was trying to figure out all the possibilities of why the MC, Seren, finds himself with amnesia in a fantastical lab in the Godless City.
There are so many things I loved about this story. From the MC who I just want to hug as he tries to figure out who he is and where he comes from to the lovable secondary MC, Jude, who has my whole heart. If you love characters you can root for, you’ll love these.
The world building is also effortless. I found myself understanding and being able to keep up with it as it was sprinkled in throughout the novel. It’s not too much that you are overwhelmed or too little that you have no idea what’s going on.
This is definitely an enthralling story!
From the very beginning of this book, I was captivated by the story. About 30% of the way through my little brain was trying to figure out all the possibilities of why the MC, Seren, finds himself with amnesia in a fantastical lab in the Godless City.
There are so many things I loved about this story. From the MC who I just want to hug as he tries to figure out who he is and where he comes from to the lovable secondary MC, Jude, who has my whole heart. If you love characters you can root for, you’ll love these.
The world building is also effortless. I found myself understanding and being able to keep up with it as it was sprinkled in throughout the novel. It’s not too much that you are overwhelmed or too little that you have no idea what’s going on.
This is definitely an enthralling story!
March 5, 2024
First of all, thank you to the author for an ARC of the book.
To start off, I enjoyed the writing. This was a beautifully written novel with a lovely mix of vivid details and poetic wording. I'm unsure if it was a debut novel, but either way, it truly surpassed all my expectations.
The characters were well-crafted, offering unique voices and sets of virtues and flaws. It's so easy to fall within the trap of creating "likable" characters. It's much different to actually make them "compelling." Seren, Kamilah, Jude... even Lumen, they were all so deeply compelling.
The plot and worldbuilding were also impressive. Some aspects overpowered the rest, but it was all well-executed. There were quite a few twists and turns along the way. Though some of the tropes were not my cup of tea, it was a very enjoyable read.
To start off, I enjoyed the writing. This was a beautifully written novel with a lovely mix of vivid details and poetic wording. I'm unsure if it was a debut novel, but either way, it truly surpassed all my expectations.
The characters were well-crafted, offering unique voices and sets of virtues and flaws. It's so easy to fall within the trap of creating "likable" characters. It's much different to actually make them "compelling." Seren, Kamilah, Jude... even Lumen, they were all so deeply compelling.
The plot and worldbuilding were also impressive. Some aspects overpowered the rest, but it was all well-executed. There were quite a few twists and turns along the way. Though some of the tropes were not my cup of tea, it was a very enjoyable read.
January 23, 2024
thank you so much to the author for providing me an arc of this book!
i very much enjoyed the journey these characters go on (and, like most it seems, absolutely adored jude). the worldbuilding and lore leave room for a lot of questions and pathways, which is why i am looking forward to seeing how this story will continue. as a side note, the cover and formatting of the book are absolutely gorgeous.
i did think the story could've been a bit longer and some more development between the characters would've been nice—but that comes down to personal preference, especially as i like slower stories. aside from that i'm very curious to see where this story will go and what comes next!
i very much enjoyed the journey these characters go on (and, like most it seems, absolutely adored jude). the worldbuilding and lore leave room for a lot of questions and pathways, which is why i am looking forward to seeing how this story will continue. as a side note, the cover and formatting of the book are absolutely gorgeous.
i did think the story could've been a bit longer and some more development between the characters would've been nice—but that comes down to personal preference, especially as i like slower stories. aside from that i'm very curious to see where this story will go and what comes next!
February 19, 2024
*ARC review*
This is absolutely possibly the BEST indie book I have ever consumed in my life.
One of the only things I can criticise is that it wasn't longer. This book could have been 200k words and I would have devoured every single word with absolute joy and still be wanting more. It did slightly feel like scenes could have been extended or even a few added just for that more emotional involvement, and though I wish these were there, the book still reads completely fine without them, and, to be honest, it was quite nice how easily the book flew by.
The main things that stand out to me and make me consider absolutely no other rating but a five star is the perfection of the plot and the main characters.
The plot is so thrilling and driven, with clear goals and constant tension. I have honestly never read a fantasy book EVER before that I have felt so engaged and connected with. Something about the storyline and the basis of the world just dug claws into my heart and completely enraptured me from the very first sentence. The worldbuilding is obviously so thoroughly thought out and all these story lines cross over in so intricately connected ways that shows such consideration on the author's behalf and leave so much to be explored and revealed throughout the series.
And then to all of this perfection you add these characters? Oh my god, my heart was indeed captured. I felt completely connected to all three of the main 'good' people leading the story. There is always that one character you just don't vibe with as much, but this book just did not have that problem in the slightest. The characters had such depth and development and such captivating backstories, including even just all the secondary characters, that just contributed so much to my enjoyment of the book. I especially loved the relationships and interactions between the main trio and kind of how their friendship came to establish itself.
I will 100% be getting my hands on a physical copy of this book as soon as I possibly can and I very very rarely (like, I can count the times on one hand) buy physical books if I have the e-book already. I will be going to every single library and bookstore near me and demanding they stock this book. I will be screaming out my recommendation of this book until the day I meet my end.
Cannot wait for the rest of the books to come in this series, and if you could not already tell, I HIGHLY recommend this book to EVERYONE. This book reminds me of every reason why I love the fantasy genre.
This is absolutely possibly the BEST indie book I have ever consumed in my life.
One of the only things I can criticise is that it wasn't longer. This book could have been 200k words and I would have devoured every single word with absolute joy and still be wanting more. It did slightly feel like scenes could have been extended or even a few added just for that more emotional involvement, and though I wish these were there, the book still reads completely fine without them, and, to be honest, it was quite nice how easily the book flew by.
The main things that stand out to me and make me consider absolutely no other rating but a five star is the perfection of the plot and the main characters.
The plot is so thrilling and driven, with clear goals and constant tension. I have honestly never read a fantasy book EVER before that I have felt so engaged and connected with. Something about the storyline and the basis of the world just dug claws into my heart and completely enraptured me from the very first sentence. The worldbuilding is obviously so thoroughly thought out and all these story lines cross over in so intricately connected ways that shows such consideration on the author's behalf and leave so much to be explored and revealed throughout the series.
And then to all of this perfection you add these characters? Oh my god, my heart was indeed captured. I felt completely connected to all three of the main 'good' people leading the story. There is always that one character you just don't vibe with as much, but this book just did not have that problem in the slightest. The characters had such depth and development and such captivating backstories, including even just all the secondary characters, that just contributed so much to my enjoyment of the book. I especially loved the relationships and interactions between the main trio and kind of how their friendship came to establish itself.
I will 100% be getting my hands on a physical copy of this book as soon as I possibly can and I very very rarely (like, I can count the times on one hand) buy physical books if I have the e-book already. I will be going to every single library and bookstore near me and demanding they stock this book. I will be screaming out my recommendation of this book until the day I meet my end.
Cannot wait for the rest of the books to come in this series, and if you could not already tell, I HIGHLY recommend this book to EVERYONE. This book reminds me of every reason why I love the fantasy genre.
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