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The Cerise
I had a plan. Find the soldier who killed my family and make him pay. It should have been an easy feat. I’d done it over a dozen times, taking out each member of that regiment one by one, but the mission went sideways. It all started with the man in the woods. The one my webs of magic couldn’t sense even when he stood before me. Then my partner made a mistake, and now he’s lying in one of the Crown’s dungeons fighting for his life. I couldn’t leave him to die, but I couldn’t just walk into the castle either.
Or maybe I could.
With the help of some unexpected allies, I entered the Culling—a one-in-a-lifetime chance to become queen. I have no interest in winning the prince’s heart or the crown. My only goal is to get into the castle, find my friend, and get out before someone realizes I’m a Cerise.
But when the welcome ball turns from a grand event into a nightmarish dance of death, all eyes are on me. As if that’s not bad enough, the soldier, the one who took my family, he’s here.
If you loved "The Selection" by Kiera Cass and "From Blood and Ash" by Jennifer L. Armentrout, get ready to fall in love with this enchanting fantasy romance!
Or maybe I could.
With the help of some unexpected allies, I entered the Culling—a one-in-a-lifetime chance to become queen. I have no interest in winning the prince’s heart or the crown. My only goal is to get into the castle, find my friend, and get out before someone realizes I’m a Cerise.
But when the welcome ball turns from a grand event into a nightmarish dance of death, all eyes are on me. As if that’s not bad enough, the soldier, the one who took my family, he’s here.
If you loved "The Selection" by Kiera Cass and "From Blood and Ash" by Jennifer L. Armentrout, get ready to fall in love with this enchanting fantasy romance!
246 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2024
10 people are currently reading
355 people want to read
About the author
Bailey Black
39 books64 followersLover of all things Fantasy and Romance.
Also publishes under Bailey B.
Also publishes under Bailey B.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
March 18, 2024
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷
⊹ ࣪ ˖ 3.5 stars
: ̗̀➛ ”blood was the key to it all. it cursed, it cured, but not without cost.”
THE CLIFFHANGER?? the romance in this book was perfect oh my goodness. i loved this book! thank you to net-galley for giving me a copy to read and review.
: ̗̀➛ ”you, little bird, are quite the creature.”
₊ ⊹.𖥔 ݁ ˖ my thoughts. i enjoyed this way more than i expected i would! the only thing i’d say is it was quite slow to begin with but after that it’s super fast paced. the romance in this book is a love triangle, and to be honest i’m not the biggest fan of love triangles but i think this was done very well. this book does touch on some dark subjects so i’d definitely look up the TWS if you’re thinking of reading this. some parts could be quite triggering to some. the ending of this book was shocking, i cannot wait for the next book to see what happens! i also loved how unique this magic system was and it was a very nice read.
: ̗̀➛ ”stars above, you’re beautiful.”
₊ ⊹.𖥔 ݁ ˖ characters.
.˚₊khiara
: ̗̀➛ khiara was such a badass. i loved her. she’s such a strong character despite everything she’s been through and i admire it. she doesn’t let anyone disrespect her and i love it. khiara is honestly one of my favorite fmc’s i’ve read about.
.˚₊bash
: ̗̀➛ i’m not quite sure how i feel about the name bash personally, it feels like a bit of a random name but maybe the author had her reasons. i liked him at the beginning, and i mean i guess i still kinda like him now but he just didn’t really do it for me. i love how he saved khiara and i did find him very charming and likeable throughout the book. the one thing that threw me off a bit was how he allowed the other girls to say such rude things to khiara.
.˚₊riot
: ̗̀➛ again with the names, i have never heard anyone in real life called riot but i guess it is a fantasy book. i LOVED riot, at first i wasn’t so sure on him but he definitely grew on me. the way he cooked for khiara and was by her side 80% of the book was so cute. i hope him and khiara are endgame. at the start of the book i didn’t even think he’d be a love interest, let alone my fav!!
⊹ ࣪ ˖ 3.5 stars
: ̗̀➛ ”blood was the key to it all. it cursed, it cured, but not without cost.”
THE CLIFFHANGER?? the romance in this book was perfect oh my goodness. i loved this book! thank you to net-galley for giving me a copy to read and review.
: ̗̀➛ ”you, little bird, are quite the creature.”
₊ ⊹.𖥔 ݁ ˖ my thoughts. i enjoyed this way more than i expected i would! the only thing i’d say is it was quite slow to begin with but after that it’s super fast paced. the romance in this book is a love triangle, and to be honest i’m not the biggest fan of love triangles but i think this was done very well. this book does touch on some dark subjects so i’d definitely look up the TWS if you’re thinking of reading this. some parts could be quite triggering to some. the ending of this book was shocking, i cannot wait for the next book to see what happens! i also loved how unique this magic system was and it was a very nice read.
: ̗̀➛ ”stars above, you’re beautiful.”
₊ ⊹.𖥔 ݁ ˖ characters.
.˚₊khiara
: ̗̀➛ khiara was such a badass. i loved her. she’s such a strong character despite everything she’s been through and i admire it. she doesn’t let anyone disrespect her and i love it. khiara is honestly one of my favorite fmc’s i’ve read about.
.˚₊bash
: ̗̀➛ i’m not quite sure how i feel about the name bash personally, it feels like a bit of a random name but maybe the author had her reasons. i liked him at the beginning, and i mean i guess i still kinda like him now but he just didn’t really do it for me. i love how he saved khiara and i did find him very charming and likeable throughout the book. the one thing that threw me off a bit was how he allowed the other girls to say such rude things to khiara.
.˚₊riot
: ̗̀➛ again with the names, i have never heard anyone in real life called riot but i guess it is a fantasy book. i LOVED riot, at first i wasn’t so sure on him but he definitely grew on me. the way he cooked for khiara and was by her side 80% of the book was so cute. i hope him and khiara are endgame. at the start of the book i didn’t even think he’d be a love interest, let alone my fav!!
April 7, 2024
*Arc received from Netgalley. All opinions are my own*
TLDR: I can’t recommend The Cerise at all. There are very few positives about the book and a whole host of issues and questions. You can find similar plots and tropes in different books but executed far better. Also has one of the worst sex scenes I’ve read so it’s not even worth reading for the romance.
**Potential spoilers**
My issues with The Cerise started in the opening chapters and found myself struggling through the entire story. It has been one of the worst reads of 2024 to date for me.
My issues with The Cerise started right from the beginning and unfortunately didn't improve. There is a massive emphasis on Khiara, our FMC, and her red hair which often signals someone as being a Cerise (a kind of elemental witch). Despite the importance of her hair colour being highlighted, her (disguised) red hair was uncovered very quickly with very few people actually being concerned by it and she is praised for her hair colour throughout the book. Even in the palace, despite the monarchy having gone on a genocidal spree to kill those with red hair to ensure all the Cerise were killed.
Our FMC has experienced SA and it was handled poorly and it often seems like the author has forgotten this bit of her character's history until it ties into the story somewhere. An example of how poorly this is handled, Khiara meets her abuser years later and he sends into what seems to be a sort of dissociative panic attack. The character with her (who out of the blue becomes a love interest) decides that the only way to “snap her out of it” is to kiss her and then says he would never lay hands on a lady. You just kissed her without her permission when she was clearly extremely vulnerable but okay??? There are a lot of inconsistencies with how Khiara acts in regards to her SA but it’s a common issue throughout.
You also have no reason to care about Khiara’s “mission” throughout this book, which is to save her best friend, as he drugged her so she would be with him. He pursues her despite her telling him no and that she doesn’t have those feelings for her and one of our first scenes with him is him leering at her in a way that makes her remember the man that assaulted her. So I really didn’t feel invested in having to go through all this effort for someone I really don’t find very redeemable and Kiara doesn’t give us many memories or reasons to like this friend either.
THE SEX SCENE. I have read some pretty poorly written sex scenes but this was by far the worst I’d ever read and made me visibly curl up and cringe while reading it. Also the plot just before and after wasn’t handled well and it was just terrible.
There’s a very weak love triangle, but again, I really didn’t fancy anyone in the triangle as a good love interest so, once more, there was just no incentive to keep reading or be invested in the story. Had this book not been for review, I would have DNF’d it multiple times. Definitely recommend looking for something else to read.
TLDR: I can’t recommend The Cerise at all. There are very few positives about the book and a whole host of issues and questions. You can find similar plots and tropes in different books but executed far better. Also has one of the worst sex scenes I’ve read so it’s not even worth reading for the romance.
**Potential spoilers**
My issues with The Cerise started in the opening chapters and found myself struggling through the entire story. It has been one of the worst reads of 2024 to date for me.
My issues with The Cerise started right from the beginning and unfortunately didn't improve. There is a massive emphasis on Khiara, our FMC, and her red hair which often signals someone as being a Cerise (a kind of elemental witch). Despite the importance of her hair colour being highlighted, her (disguised) red hair was uncovered very quickly with very few people actually being concerned by it and she is praised for her hair colour throughout the book. Even in the palace, despite the monarchy having gone on a genocidal spree to kill those with red hair to ensure all the Cerise were killed.
Our FMC has experienced SA and it was handled poorly and it often seems like the author has forgotten this bit of her character's history until it ties into the story somewhere. An example of how poorly this is handled, Khiara meets her abuser years later and he sends into what seems to be a sort of dissociative panic attack. The character with her (who out of the blue becomes a love interest) decides that the only way to “snap her out of it” is to kiss her and then says he would never lay hands on a lady. You just kissed her without her permission when she was clearly extremely vulnerable but okay??? There are a lot of inconsistencies with how Khiara acts in regards to her SA but it’s a common issue throughout.
You also have no reason to care about Khiara’s “mission” throughout this book, which is to save her best friend, as he drugged her so she would be with him. He pursues her despite her telling him no and that she doesn’t have those feelings for her and one of our first scenes with him is him leering at her in a way that makes her remember the man that assaulted her. So I really didn’t feel invested in having to go through all this effort for someone I really don’t find very redeemable and Kiara doesn’t give us many memories or reasons to like this friend either.
THE SEX SCENE. I have read some pretty poorly written sex scenes but this was by far the worst I’d ever read and made me visibly curl up and cringe while reading it. Also the plot just before and after wasn’t handled well and it was just terrible.
There’s a very weak love triangle, but again, I really didn’t fancy anyone in the triangle as a good love interest so, once more, there was just no incentive to keep reading or be invested in the story. Had this book not been for review, I would have DNF’d it multiple times. Definitely recommend looking for something else to read.
March 29, 2024
— 5 stars !! ★
𓍢 ִ ໋ “blood was the key to it all. it cursed, and it cured, but not without cost.”
—
HELLO, bailey black, that cliffhanger?! seriously criminal! gonna be stressing about my babies till november. but, like, i can't wait! 🤭
and, guys, EVERYONE needs to read this book RN! it's seriously awesome, loved it so much. just a tiny issue, but it's almost close to perfection. the world-building, the plot, and OML, THE CHARACTERS 🥹. such a ride, and getting that ARC approval made my week. bailey, you rocked my world with this book, even though you also shattered it with that cliffhanger!
i. tropes.
⤷ a witch in a world where magic is illegal
⤷ a rescue mission
⤷ a touch of enemies to lovers
⤷ a revenge mission
⤷ he falls first she falls harder
⤷ 2 love interests (neither reverse harem nor love triangle)
— genre’s: fantasy and romance
ii. plot summary.
so, there's this girl khiara, right? she's on a mission to save her friend, ezra, who's stuck in the kingdom dungeons fighting for his life. she can't just let him die, but walking into the castle? risky move. but, guess what? with some unexpected allies, she dives into the culling - this one-time shot at becoming queen. khiara's not into winning the prince heart or the crown; she just wants to storm the castle, find her friend, and bounce before they figure out she's a cerise.
sounds cool on paper, huh? but when the welcome ball on the first night turns into a messed-up dance of death, everyone's eyes are on khiara. and as if that's not wild enough, the soldier who killed her whole family back then is also there. yeah, khiara's in for a crazy ride.
iii. the writing.
okay, so that little issue i mentioned? yeah, the start of this book was a bit of a drag. seriously, it felt like forever to get into it, and i almost gave up, but thank the stars i didn't because i would've missed out on this masterpiece. for me, things started getting good around 37%, and from there, it was just up, up, up 😍. loved every second, it became a total page-turner. i was hooked, couldn't do anything else but read to find out what happens.
around 60%, i was loving this book so much that i didn't want it to end 😣. had to force myself to drop it for like 8 hours before i was back to clinging desperately to it. yeah, i'm seriously attached. the writing is cool – it's a fantasy, but not all fancy and complicated. easy to read, kinda contemporary vibe, and i'm all about it. plus, the second half's pacing was spot-on, had me on edge till the end. super awesome!
iv. main characters.
꒰⋆𐙚 ⌗ khiara.
⤷ little bird / princess
SPITFIRE! i'm telling you, i'm lowkey obsessed with this girl. i'm all about those strong, badass female main characters, and khiara is owning that title. her no-nonsense attitude is off the charts, seriously remarkable. even with her whole family death, she's standing strong, doing her thing. she's independent as heck, fights her battles solo, but hey, if someone decent comes along, she won’t say no.
and her sass? legendary. khiara's comebacks to the mean girls in the culling? priceless 😂. she demands respect, and you better believe she gets it. overall, she's on a mission for revenge and justice for her family and all the cerise’s. if you're into fierce female leads, khiara's your girl. i'm legit in love with her, and bonus, she kinda reminds me of alizeh from this woven kingdom. anyway, did i mention i love her? like, a lot <3<3
꒰⋆𐙚 ⌗ bash.
he's legit charming, like giving off major jacks vibes from once upon a broken heart. so witty, it's hilarious, feisty, and sweet all rolled into one. i'm loving how he instantly clicked with khiara and has been glued to her side ever since 🥹. she's got him wrapped around her finger, and it's just adorable how into her he is. he's like a super welcome highlight to the story, seriously awesome, no lie. can't wait to see what he's up to in the next book, especially after that ending.
꒰⋆𐙚 ⌗ riot.
let's finally talk about riot because HOLY MOLY, #teamriot all the way! 😍 this guy is a whole mood. he's like hazan from this woven kingdom, but cranked up to a hundred in the sexiness department. riot is the bomb, seriously. he's this perfect mix of sweet and hot, protective, witty, and sassy – just like khiara. and get this, he COOKS for her. like, cook for me, and i'm head over heels! plus, he'd probably kill anyone who even glances at khiara. total gentleman move – he gives her his coat so she won't freeze, like, all the time! i'm just in love, major swoon vibes! <3<3
oh, and did i mention jealous riot? hell yeah! he's like a sulking baby when he's jealous, and it's freaking adorable. like, let me kiss that frown off your face! 🤭 and his mouth? unreal. ifykyk. when he talks, i'm on the floor every time. the things he says about khiara, to her – it's all too much. i just NEED riot to be endgame, you feel me?
꒰⋆𐙚 ⌗ khiara and bash.
so, these two haven't hit the relationship gas pedal like khiara and riot, but they're chill and comfy together. their interactions? super cute. right now, though (early days, you know?), they seem more like tight pals than anything romantic. but hey, who knows? things might spice up in the next book. for now, it's all cozy and platonic vibes.
꒰⋆𐙚 ⌗ khiara and riot.
if these two ain't endgame, i swear i’m gonna riot (pun intended), 'cause OML, they're just perfect for each other, and i'm dying to see more of them 😭. the chemistry is off the charts, and the tension? i can't even! and that spicy scene? hold up, i did not see that coming – jaw on the floor moment, for real. these two might just be the death of me, but i want them together, crazy in love, forever and ever. they're adorable, perfect, match made in heaven – i'm all heart eyes for them. yeah, my review might be a bit biased, but can you blame me? these two are the real deal, and i can't help but gush about it <3<3
v. in conclusion.
"the cerise" is a magical, mind-blowing adventure. the twists, the characters, the plot – it grabs you and won't let go. it's out everywhere, so seriously, grab it.if you loved “the selection” and “from blood and ash,” this is your jam. also, if you vibed with “once upon a broken heart” and “this woven kingdom,” trust me, you'll be screaming about this one too!
P.S. november 5th, come faster! 😫
————————————-
”thank you netgalley, booksgosocial, and the author for sending me a copy of this e-arc. opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.”
𓍢 ִ ໋ “blood was the key to it all. it cursed, and it cured, but not without cost.”
forget it, i've been totally obsessed with this book ALL day, so it's getting bumped up to 5 stars now!(01/03/24)
—
HELLO, bailey black, that cliffhanger?! seriously criminal! gonna be stressing about my babies till november. but, like, i can't wait! 🤭
and, guys, EVERYONE needs to read this book RN! it's seriously awesome, loved it so much. just a tiny issue, but it's almost close to perfection. the world-building, the plot, and OML, THE CHARACTERS 🥹. such a ride, and getting that ARC approval made my week. bailey, you rocked my world with this book, even though you also shattered it with that cliffhanger!
i. tropes.
⤷ a witch in a world where magic is illegal
⤷ a rescue mission
⤷ a touch of enemies to lovers
⤷ a revenge mission
⤷ he falls first she falls harder
⤷ 2 love interests (neither reverse harem nor love triangle)
— genre’s: fantasy and romance
ii. plot summary.
so, there's this girl khiara, right? she's on a mission to save her friend, ezra, who's stuck in the kingdom dungeons fighting for his life. she can't just let him die, but walking into the castle? risky move. but, guess what? with some unexpected allies, she dives into the culling - this one-time shot at becoming queen. khiara's not into winning the prince heart or the crown; she just wants to storm the castle, find her friend, and bounce before they figure out she's a cerise.
sounds cool on paper, huh? but when the welcome ball on the first night turns into a messed-up dance of death, everyone's eyes are on khiara. and as if that's not wild enough, the soldier who killed her whole family back then is also there. yeah, khiara's in for a crazy ride.
iii. the writing.
okay, so that little issue i mentioned? yeah, the start of this book was a bit of a drag. seriously, it felt like forever to get into it, and i almost gave up, but thank the stars i didn't because i would've missed out on this masterpiece. for me, things started getting good around 37%, and from there, it was just up, up, up 😍. loved every second, it became a total page-turner. i was hooked, couldn't do anything else but read to find out what happens.
around 60%, i was loving this book so much that i didn't want it to end 😣. had to force myself to drop it for like 8 hours before i was back to clinging desperately to it. yeah, i'm seriously attached. the writing is cool – it's a fantasy, but not all fancy and complicated. easy to read, kinda contemporary vibe, and i'm all about it. plus, the second half's pacing was spot-on, had me on edge till the end. super awesome!
𓍢 ִ ໋ “if you’re in sorrow or great doubt, listen to your heart; don't muck about.”
iv. main characters.
꒰⋆𐙚 ⌗ khiara.
⤷ little bird / princess
SPITFIRE! i'm telling you, i'm lowkey obsessed with this girl. i'm all about those strong, badass female main characters, and khiara is owning that title. her no-nonsense attitude is off the charts, seriously remarkable. even with her whole family death, she's standing strong, doing her thing. she's independent as heck, fights her battles solo, but hey, if someone decent comes along, she won’t say no.
and her sass? legendary. khiara's comebacks to the mean girls in the culling? priceless 😂. she demands respect, and you better believe she gets it. overall, she's on a mission for revenge and justice for her family and all the cerise’s. if you're into fierce female leads, khiara's your girl. i'm legit in love with her, and bonus, she kinda reminds me of alizeh from this woven kingdom. anyway, did i mention i love her? like, a lot <3<3
𓍢 ִ ໋ “i might be what the world calls a cerise, but i am not evil. at least, i don’t think i am. i mean… sure, i kill people, but only those who deserve it.”
𓍢 ִ ໋ “we are born with our gifts and blessed to be chosen.”
𓍢 ִ ໋ “well, if i’m a cerise because my hair is red, then you must be dumb because you’re blonde.”
꒰⋆𐙚 ⌗ bash.
he's legit charming, like giving off major jacks vibes from once upon a broken heart. so witty, it's hilarious, feisty, and sweet all rolled into one. i'm loving how he instantly clicked with khiara and has been glued to her side ever since 🥹. she's got him wrapped around her finger, and it's just adorable how into her he is. he's like a super welcome highlight to the story, seriously awesome, no lie. can't wait to see what he's up to in the next book, especially after that ending.
𓍢 ִ ໋ “don’t fly too far, little bird. losing you would be a great tragedy for our kingdom.”
𓍢 ִ ໋ “i need you at my side, little bird, but i won’t make you stay.”
𓍢 ִ ໋ “as my future bride, no man can touch you without my permission and i promise i will never grant it.”
꒰⋆𐙚 ⌗ riot.
let's finally talk about riot because HOLY MOLY, #teamriot all the way! 😍 this guy is a whole mood. he's like hazan from this woven kingdom, but cranked up to a hundred in the sexiness department. riot is the bomb, seriously. he's this perfect mix of sweet and hot, protective, witty, and sassy – just like khiara. and get this, he COOKS for her. like, cook for me, and i'm head over heels! plus, he'd probably kill anyone who even glances at khiara. total gentleman move – he gives her his coat so she won't freeze, like, all the time! i'm just in love, major swoon vibes! <3<3
oh, and did i mention jealous riot? hell yeah! he's like a sulking baby when he's jealous, and it's freaking adorable. like, let me kiss that frown off your face! 🤭 and his mouth? unreal. ifykyk. when he talks, i'm on the floor every time. the things he says about khiara, to her – it's all too much. i just NEED riot to be endgame, you feel me?
𓍢 ִ ໋ “i can’t stop thinking about you,” riot whispers, his teeth nipping at my ear. “why can’t i get you out of my head, princess?”
𓍢 ִ ໋ “because my scent on you will drive the prince mad.”
𓍢 ִ ໋ “stars above, you're beautiful,”
𓍢 ִ ໋ “careful what you wish for, princess.”
꒰⋆𐙚 ⌗ khiara and bash.
so, these two haven't hit the relationship gas pedal like khiara and riot, but they're chill and comfy together. their interactions? super cute. right now, though (early days, you know?), they seem more like tight pals than anything romantic. but hey, who knows? things might spice up in the next book. for now, it's all cozy and platonic vibes.
𓍢 ִ ໋ “being with bash feels like i’ve finally found my home.”
꒰⋆𐙚 ⌗ khiara and riot.
if these two ain't endgame, i swear i’m gonna riot (pun intended), 'cause OML, they're just perfect for each other, and i'm dying to see more of them 😭. the chemistry is off the charts, and the tension? i can't even! and that spicy scene? hold up, i did not see that coming – jaw on the floor moment, for real. these two might just be the death of me, but i want them together, crazy in love, forever and ever. they're adorable, perfect, match made in heaven – i'm all heart eyes for them. yeah, my review might be a bit biased, but can you blame me? these two are the real deal, and i can't help but gush about it <3<3
𓍢 ִ ໋ “with riot, i feel safe. beautiful.”
𓍢 ִ ໋ “riot’s touch is worshiping.”
v. in conclusion.
"the cerise" is a magical, mind-blowing adventure. the twists, the characters, the plot – it grabs you and won't let go. it's out everywhere, so seriously, grab it.if you loved “the selection” and “from blood and ash,” this is your jam. also, if you vibed with “once upon a broken heart” and “this woven kingdom,” trust me, you'll be screaming about this one too!
P.S. november 5th, come faster! 😫
————————————-
”thank you netgalley, booksgosocial, and the author for sending me a copy of this e-arc. opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.”
April 18, 2024
Firstly, thank you, Netgalley, for giving me this opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book was such a surprise. The blurb had me dying to read it, and the beginning had me so hooked. Then it gets a bit slow and, at times, a bit confusing. But the second half, well, that was great! Bash at first is so charming and alluring, but at the end I got a bit suspicious about him. Khiara was a very good character, and it was amazing to see how bad ass she is, but also, how broken she was inside.
Now, that cliffhanger at the end, it was criminal! I definitely will read the next book, I really want to know what happens and where all the lies come from!
This book was such a surprise. The blurb had me dying to read it, and the beginning had me so hooked. Then it gets a bit slow and, at times, a bit confusing. But the second half, well, that was great! Bash at first is so charming and alluring, but at the end I got a bit suspicious about him. Khiara was a very good character, and it was amazing to see how bad ass she is, but also, how broken she was inside.
Now, that cliffhanger at the end, it was criminal! I definitely will read the next book, I really want to know what happens and where all the lies come from!
Read
March 22, 2024Thank you to NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review
I was unimpressed with this first as a fantasy novel, and then as a structured novel over all. I made notes as I read specifically to not forget to bring up any here.
My first complaint is the way the plot unfolds. We are introduced to our protagonist as she moves in to make a kill. She's portrayed as some kind of assassin/revenge killer, this would be a great opening except that's all it is: an opening. This is never returned to, are there really no consequences to these actions? And from there, various plot point jumps are made with no explanation. For instance, discovering Tarrish in one night - only to be across the country (?) in the capital to enter some sort of royal selection process which apparently is a huge deal and not even alluded to until over 30% through. Some plot points clearly needed to happen to move the story along, but using "a strange pull" that has no follow up explanation is not a particularly strong device.
Continuing from my previous point, there is no explanation to the geography of this world - the Forbidden Forest receives a lot of page time towards the start, only to have no significance whatsoever. Her uncle's estate is described as being from the far westerly lands, but at no point is there any extended travel.
Then some of my complaints get more specific: I personally don't know how to feel about seeing the words "hype" or "landfill" in my fantasy books, but perhaps that's me relying on a more specific register. I did feel that it took away a little from the reading experience though.
Was not impressed with the (minimal) spicy scenes in this. With all the love in the world, I have read better fanfiction - it was not in keeping with the style of the rest of the novel, our protagonist's character, and I don't feel it added to the novel. Linked to this is the cursed description of her assaulter's penis (!) right at the start of the novel, and the repeated descriptions or references to the protagonist's breasts. Was not at all convinced.
Lastly, the set-up of our love triangle-ish plotline was also not convincing. The prince kisses her after she has just been throwing her guts up, and then the guard kisses her to shock her out of a panic attack that she's having because of how she's been touched by another man - I refuse to believe that is what we want to be reading. I also feel that at that point in the story, I hadn't even realised we were portraying the guard as a love interest, so that was quite a jump!
I feel I've been really critical of this novel but I was raising my eyebrows in disbelief at every page. Clearly there is a spark of an idea here, which is lovely, but this was not a well-executed story.
I was unimpressed with this first as a fantasy novel, and then as a structured novel over all. I made notes as I read specifically to not forget to bring up any here.
My first complaint is the way the plot unfolds. We are introduced to our protagonist as she moves in to make a kill. She's portrayed as some kind of assassin/revenge killer, this would be a great opening except that's all it is: an opening. This is never returned to, are there really no consequences to these actions? And from there, various plot point jumps are made with no explanation. For instance, discovering Tarrish in one night - only to be across the country (?) in the capital to enter some sort of royal selection process which apparently is a huge deal and not even alluded to until over 30% through. Some plot points clearly needed to happen to move the story along, but using "a strange pull" that has no follow up explanation is not a particularly strong device.
Continuing from my previous point, there is no explanation to the geography of this world - the Forbidden Forest receives a lot of page time towards the start, only to have no significance whatsoever. Her uncle's estate is described as being from the far westerly lands, but at no point is there any extended travel.
Then some of my complaints get more specific: I personally don't know how to feel about seeing the words "hype" or "landfill" in my fantasy books, but perhaps that's me relying on a more specific register. I did feel that it took away a little from the reading experience though.
Was not impressed with the (minimal) spicy scenes in this. With all the love in the world, I have read better fanfiction - it was not in keeping with the style of the rest of the novel, our protagonist's character, and I don't feel it added to the novel. Linked to this is the cursed description of her assaulter's penis (!) right at the start of the novel, and the repeated descriptions or references to the protagonist's breasts. Was not at all convinced.
Lastly, the set-up of our love triangle-ish plotline was also not convincing. The prince kisses her after she has just been throwing her guts up, and then the guard kisses her to shock her out of a panic attack that she's having because of how she's been touched by another man - I refuse to believe that is what we want to be reading. I also feel that at that point in the story, I hadn't even realised we were portraying the guard as a love interest, so that was quite a jump!
I feel I've been really critical of this novel but I was raising my eyebrows in disbelief at every page. Clearly there is a spark of an idea here, which is lovely, but this was not a well-executed story.
June 2, 2024
Well I have a lot of things to say about this, and unfortunately most of them are not positive.
To point out a few of the major things that really, sincerely annoyed me while reading this:
- The main story only really starts to pick up halfway through the book
- There are so many interesting things brought up that kind of felt like they were forgotten about and plotpoints that could've been exploited more to drive the story home
- The other characters genuinely just felt like they were there to drive the plot with 0 personality of their own
- The main character gives me whiplash
I really didn't want to rip into this too much, and if you do plan to read this book after my review, do know I'm not world's biggest fan of romantasy.
The main character is also definitely something. I felt like she oscillated between extremes very often, as in she would be feeling one thing one minute, and then the next moment, not even a few sentences later, she would feel the complete opposite thing, giving me as a reader whiplash and also wondering just how old she was, because I really was wondering if she was 16 or a 30 year old at this point.
So many plotholes too that you start wondering "oh, could this be X thing?" only for it to never be mentioned again, while it could have been a very interesting way to introduce more of the world of Arcane into the story. The set up also took extremely long before the real "story" took off, and honestly that is when I started to find it interesting, but then again, a lot of it felt very stagnant, like the story wasn't driven, and like there wasn't some sort of big outline or big thing planned over the books, but more of a "we will see where we end up" kind of situation. Which, if that is your thing, love that for you, but it definitely is not mine.
One of the main things that bothered me the most about this was which just really had me go like "What?!" because that really felt not okay. Like genuinely it had me upset while reading.
One thing I will say is I ended up liking
Another general complaint I had with this book was that the main character tends to tell us a lot. Like she tells us "I care about x or y thing. I am anxious about x or y thing" and then it doesn't really read as strong attachment at all. Like,
Overall, I would say the first 1/2 of the book will genuinely make you wonder what is going on at every page, and maybe in a way that could be a good thing if it was a pleasant surprise that followed, but unfortunately I found that it really wasn't for me.
TLDR; This is a fun book if you start midway through the book and don't mind a main character that really makes you wonder if you're reading a different book at every page you turn. I'd give it 1,5 stars rounded up because the second half redeems it a little bit, but otherwise I really would not read this again. Like genuinely.
To point out a few of the major things that really, sincerely annoyed me while reading this:
- The main story only really starts to pick up halfway through the book
- There are so many interesting things brought up that kind of felt like they were forgotten about and plotpoints that could've been exploited more to drive the story home
- The other characters genuinely just felt like they were there to drive the plot with 0 personality of their own
- The main character gives me whiplash
I really didn't want to rip into this too much, and if you do plan to read this book after my review, do know I'm not world's biggest fan of romantasy.
The main character is also definitely something. I felt like she oscillated between extremes very often, as in she would be feeling one thing one minute, and then the next moment, not even a few sentences later, she would feel the complete opposite thing, giving me as a reader whiplash and also wondering just how old she was, because I really was wondering if she was 16 or a 30 year old at this point.
So many plotholes too that you start wondering "oh, could this be X thing?" only for it to never be mentioned again, while it could have been a very interesting way to introduce more of the world of Arcane into the story. The set up also took extremely long before the real "story" took off, and honestly that is when I started to find it interesting, but then again, a lot of it felt very stagnant, like the story wasn't driven, and like there wasn't some sort of big outline or big thing planned over the books, but more of a "we will see where we end up" kind of situation. Which, if that is your thing, love that for you, but it definitely is not mine.
One of the main things that bothered me the most about this was which just really had me go like "What?!" because that really felt not okay. Like genuinely it had me upset while reading.
One thing I will say is I ended up liking
Another general complaint I had with this book was that the main character tends to tell us a lot. Like she tells us "I care about x or y thing. I am anxious about x or y thing" and then it doesn't really read as strong attachment at all. Like,
Overall, I would say the first 1/2 of the book will genuinely make you wonder what is going on at every page, and maybe in a way that could be a good thing if it was a pleasant surprise that followed, but unfortunately I found that it really wasn't for me.
TLDR; This is a fun book if you start midway through the book and don't mind a main character that really makes you wonder if you're reading a different book at every page you turn. I'd give it 1,5 stars rounded up because the second half redeems it a little bit, but otherwise I really would not read this again. Like genuinely.
March 21, 2024
I got this as an arc on Netgalley and I’m rating this 4 stars!
It was fast paced, gripping and a wonderful read!
The characters and this world are amazing, I just fell in love with it all.
The premise sounded so unique and interesting to me, and I was not let down, especially in the second half of this book, the pace really picks up.
And the ending left me needing the next book immediately!!
It was fast paced, gripping and a wonderful read!
The characters and this world are amazing, I just fell in love with it all.
The premise sounded so unique and interesting to me, and I was not let down, especially in the second half of this book, the pace really picks up.
And the ending left me needing the next book immediately!!
July 6, 2024
apologies for the whole bunch of yapping that follows
(TW mention of sexual assault in the review as it's a plot element)
it started off so well, so promising, and it all fell apart in front of my eyes 😵💫
Bash was so cute and would have been a great love interest if not for the forced love triangle and forced romance with the other guy. he was nice, funny, sarcastic, protective, respectful.... I feel robbed (again. I was also rooting for the prince in Throne of Glass)
I kinda lost all interest after the other guy became a love interest tbh we had a good thing going with the prince but he was made to be irrelevant and boring while the reader's encouraged to find the other guy hot and broody but really he's just rude and.... there. he's just there a lot and doesn't do anything out of the ordinary yet she's all flustered constantly
Kiara was really cool at first, her personality, her past, her morals, her powers and her actions all together made her loveable. that was until she suddenly changes all of her principles and personality and goes from "Men made me suffer too much I'm traumatized and will never let a man touch me romantically" to "Oh he's cute I feel all warm inside, I want him to touch me" in the span of 3 days. two different guys kiss her without her consent on separate occasions and she doesn't even bat an eye???? even without her trauma it warrants a reaction like come on!
(she falls. a LOT. and there's always an attractive man around to conveniently catch her and gaze into her eyes)
the TIMING was ridiculous especially with the romance aspect. miss girl has known the two guys for a grand total of 4 days before being so horny she jumps both, and not 10 minutes after facing the man who traumatized her SEVERELY years ago she's fantasizing about kissing the love interest. it felt a lot like forced romance, just throwing that in there when really she needed more time to develop feelings and process her trauma. another example, she meets the other girls and thinks "I won't be friends with any of them I can't trust them" right before immediately befriending one of the girls. she makes no sense whatsoever
+ don't know if that qualifies as a timing issue but I'll include it nonetheless, on two separate occasions she's having tension with the guy like sexy insinuations and BOOM it's broken by her hungry stomach making noise and him making her dinner. it felt like the author didn't know how to get out of the scene, what dialogue to add after the sexy comment so she panicked and redirected them to the kitchen
the plot itself was nice, especially with the guy who traumatized her, I wish that was more central to the story, but felt a bit reused and all over the place. to sum it up (it won't be summarized at all) she's trying to find a cure to save her cursed friend so she enrolls in a competition to become the prince's wife but she hates the royal family bc they killed her family and she wants to kill the man responsible but he's here in the castle threatening her and she's crushing on two guys but she has powers, more than she's supposed to have, what's up with that so she reads books to figure it out and one of the guys is supposed to hunt her kind, but also the king may have committed mass murder for some reason and she wants to find out why
as I said it's a lot. let me sum it up again in tropes and plot elements I found in this book to be similar to other books
The Selection : girls competing to marry the prince, with him going on dates with each of them etc
Throne of Glass : love triangle with the prince and his best friend who's also his guard
I can't think of any other really but I felt both of their influence heavily throughout the book
overall the story needed more TIME I can't stress this enough, the first 50% of the book is all happening in 24 hours!!!! and by the end I'm not sure even a week has passed. it's a good thing to give a character emotional baggage and trauma especially when relevant to the plot BUT it needs to be taken into account, you can't put her through the same tropes characters with less baggage go through, it's not plausible. someone was assaulted (and based all of her life on getting revenge for it) won't be at the center of a love triangle in 3 days and begging a man to take her right here and there. bring back her hatred for men pls
[late arc review, honest opinion]
(TW mention of sexual assault in the review as it's a plot element)
it started off so well, so promising, and it all fell apart in front of my eyes 😵💫
Bash was so cute and would have been a great love interest if not for the forced love triangle and forced romance with the other guy. he was nice, funny, sarcastic, protective, respectful.... I feel robbed (again. I was also rooting for the prince in Throne of Glass)
I kinda lost all interest after the other guy became a love interest tbh we had a good thing going with the prince but he was made to be irrelevant and boring while the reader's encouraged to find the other guy hot and broody but really he's just rude and.... there. he's just there a lot and doesn't do anything out of the ordinary yet she's all flustered constantly
Kiara was really cool at first, her personality, her past, her morals, her powers and her actions all together made her loveable. that was until she suddenly changes all of her principles and personality and goes from "Men made me suffer too much I'm traumatized and will never let a man touch me romantically" to "Oh he's cute I feel all warm inside, I want him to touch me" in the span of 3 days. two different guys kiss her without her consent on separate occasions and she doesn't even bat an eye???? even without her trauma it warrants a reaction like come on!
(she falls. a LOT. and there's always an attractive man around to conveniently catch her and gaze into her eyes)
the TIMING was ridiculous especially with the romance aspect. miss girl has known the two guys for a grand total of 4 days before being so horny she jumps both, and not 10 minutes after facing the man who traumatized her SEVERELY years ago she's fantasizing about kissing the love interest. it felt a lot like forced romance, just throwing that in there when really she needed more time to develop feelings and process her trauma. another example, she meets the other girls and thinks "I won't be friends with any of them I can't trust them" right before immediately befriending one of the girls. she makes no sense whatsoever
+ don't know if that qualifies as a timing issue but I'll include it nonetheless, on two separate occasions she's having tension with the guy like sexy insinuations and BOOM it's broken by her hungry stomach making noise and him making her dinner. it felt like the author didn't know how to get out of the scene, what dialogue to add after the sexy comment so she panicked and redirected them to the kitchen
the plot itself was nice, especially with the guy who traumatized her, I wish that was more central to the story, but felt a bit reused and all over the place. to sum it up (it won't be summarized at all) she's trying to find a cure to save her cursed friend so she enrolls in a competition to become the prince's wife but she hates the royal family bc they killed her family and she wants to kill the man responsible but he's here in the castle threatening her and she's crushing on two guys but she has powers, more than she's supposed to have, what's up with that so she reads books to figure it out and one of the guys is supposed to hunt her kind, but also the king may have committed mass murder for some reason and she wants to find out why
as I said it's a lot. let me sum it up again in tropes and plot elements I found in this book to be similar to other books
The Selection : girls competing to marry the prince, with him going on dates with each of them etc
Throne of Glass : love triangle with the prince and his best friend who's also his guard
I can't think of any other really but I felt both of their influence heavily throughout the book
overall the story needed more TIME I can't stress this enough, the first 50% of the book is all happening in 24 hours!!!! and by the end I'm not sure even a week has passed. it's a good thing to give a character emotional baggage and trauma especially when relevant to the plot BUT it needs to be taken into account, you can't put her through the same tropes characters with less baggage go through, it's not plausible. someone was assaulted (and based all of her life on getting revenge for it) won't be at the center of a love triangle in 3 days and begging a man to take her right here and there. bring back her hatred for men pls
[late arc review, honest opinion]
March 16, 2024
I devoured this book in less than 24 hours. I really enjoyed it. A completely unexpected love interest, a unique and interesting magic concept, and political intrigue. There was a lot of tension between several characters. A sort of love triangle situation as well. There wasn’t a lot of spice, but it was well-written and enjoyable. this was a super fast-paced and very short read. A lot of questions were left unanswered. I can’t wait for the next one.
March 8, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the arc of this book!
To say this book confused me but had me gripped is an understatement. This book moved in such a fast pace for only taking place in a week. At times I felt it hard to keep up with what was happening and if anything I feel I am left with more questions than I started with.
However, will I be reading the second book? Absolutely
To say this book confused me but had me gripped is an understatement. This book moved in such a fast pace for only taking place in a week. At times I felt it hard to keep up with what was happening and if anything I feel I am left with more questions than I started with.
However, will I be reading the second book? Absolutely
March 18, 2024
I really liked the premise of the story in The Cerise, but I felt like that’s where things ended for me. The FMC seemed to be very contradictory in the choices she made, and I never really felt invested in her character. I also felt the world and magic building left a lot to be desired.
The story lags until about halfway through the book. Things then start to get interesting, but nothing in the book ever really gets resolved. All of these different story lines are happening simultaneously, and they are all left open ended. I love a good cliffhanger, but I don’t feel like every story line in a book needs to go unresolved, just to finish them in the second book.
I did like Riot’s character. He was the one I felt the most connected to in the story. I thought he was written really well. He reminded me of Ryatt from the Plated Prisoner series, because of his relationship with Bastian.
The story lags until about halfway through the book. Things then start to get interesting, but nothing in the book ever really gets resolved. All of these different story lines are happening simultaneously, and they are all left open ended. I love a good cliffhanger, but I don’t feel like every story line in a book needs to go unresolved, just to finish them in the second book.
I did like Riot’s character. He was the one I felt the most connected to in the story. I thought he was written really well. He reminded me of Ryatt from the Plated Prisoner series, because of his relationship with Bastian.
March 26, 2024
I struggled, I mean seriously struggled to finish this book. I thought I was going to love it based on the plot/synopsis. It seemed to start off great, was a disjointed, tried to get back on track and then got lost in the "culling". I lost focus so many times, I found myself having to go back and read parts, which made enjoying the book almost impossible.
May 5, 2024
The CLIFFHANGER!! I am unwell 😭
Plot- Khiara is on a mission to avenge her family as well as save her friend. Her friend (Ezra) is currently stuck in the Crown’s dungeons fighting for his life. Unfortunately she can’t just storm the castle, so she enters herself in the Culling (a competition to win the prince’s heart) in order to gain access. Her main goal is to get in and get out before someone realizes she’s a Cerise and has her killed.
My Thoughts-This book took me on a wild ride! I had a little trouble getting into it at first, but I usually do with a fantasy and especially with world building in the first book. After all the characters and storyline was nailed down, it took off! I was obsessed, and could not put it down. I’m pretty sure The Crown is up to no good, and is harming their own people. They are shady AF! I loved Khiara and Riot. Bash is a little blind, but he’s not bad so far. The build up at the end was fantastic, and I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for book 2!!
Thank you Netgalley and Bailey for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review.
TW: SA is mentioned a few times throughout the book
Tropes
-Rescue mission
-He falls first
-A witch in a world where magic is illegal
-Enemies to lovers (slightly)
-Two love interests (not a love triangle or why choose)
Plot- Khiara is on a mission to avenge her family as well as save her friend. Her friend (Ezra) is currently stuck in the Crown’s dungeons fighting for his life. Unfortunately she can’t just storm the castle, so she enters herself in the Culling (a competition to win the prince’s heart) in order to gain access. Her main goal is to get in and get out before someone realizes she’s a Cerise and has her killed.
My Thoughts-This book took me on a wild ride! I had a little trouble getting into it at first, but I usually do with a fantasy and especially with world building in the first book. After all the characters and storyline was nailed down, it took off! I was obsessed, and could not put it down. I’m pretty sure The Crown is up to no good, and is harming their own people. They are shady AF! I loved Khiara and Riot. Bash is a little blind, but he’s not bad so far. The build up at the end was fantastic, and I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for book 2!!
Thank you Netgalley and Bailey for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review.
TW: SA is mentioned a few times throughout the book
Tropes
-Rescue mission
-He falls first
-A witch in a world where magic is illegal
-Enemies to lovers (slightly)
-Two love interests (not a love triangle or why choose)
July 10, 2024
i really thought i'd like this book because the synopsis sounded interesting and right up my alley, but unfortunately this story fell flat for me. i was confused throughout the entirety of the book and wished some things were explained more clearly. khiara, the main character, went back and forth with her thoughts and actions so much that they were often contradictory. i liked the cliffhanger the book ended on and i am curious to see how the next book will continue, but this one was a bit disappointing.
thank you netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
thank you netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
August 15, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book!
This was an interesting read. It felt very developed and very undeveloped at the same time. I really liked the premise and the characters were good, but I’m so confused as to the main conflict. I don’t understand what is going on with Ezra, or even what his relationship is to Khiara. Also, the ending was so incredibly abrupt, it just ended.
I would continue with the series, but it wouldn’t be the first on my list
This was an interesting read. It felt very developed and very undeveloped at the same time. I really liked the premise and the characters were good, but I’m so confused as to the main conflict. I don’t understand what is going on with Ezra, or even what his relationship is to Khiara. Also, the ending was so incredibly abrupt, it just ended.
I would continue with the series, but it wouldn’t be the first on my list
March 26, 2024
The Cerise
Thank you NetGalley and Bailey B for the e-ARC of this book for a review, this is a 100% honest review! There will be spoilers below so please do not continue if you do not want the book spoiled.
The Plot
Overall this book had a great concept, but was executed with too little detail. Part of what makes romantasy so gripping is the backstory, how an author pulls readers in to care deeply about their characters and their relationships and this fell flat for me.
I loved how noble, independent and perceptive Khiara was, she, at every point, seemed to be half a step ahead and I appreciated that we weren’t dealing with a damsel. However, her storyline of being an assassin was mentioned a couple of times but never really drawn into, it would have been interesting and pulled depth into the character if we had a bit more information into her past actions.
The culling is an interesting concept and I enjoyed the drama of the day of but give me more information on it! Why was it happening this year? How were each of the girls picked? Has it ever been done before? Loved that Bash was the prince, it definitely surprised me in a good way!
The Relationships
I understood her wanting to save a friend, (Ezra) but I didn’t care about him at all, we had two interactions with him, one where he was pining after her and she wasn’t letting him down gently and the other where he was under a spell. I didn’t particularly care about their relationship or if he was saved.
I liked how complicated her relationship was with her Uncle, I felt like it was a good representation of how complicated family can be. She very clearly was upset with him but still wanted to do what she could to protect him and their family home.
The Romance
I loved Riot, I loved that she ‘picked’ him, however they jumped into bed SO unexpectedly that it made my head spin, I would have loved more angst, more pining, but I’m a massive fan of slow burn so that’s just preference. 🙂
The immediate puppy dog love from the prince was confusing too, I never really understood where that came from right away. However, I feel like that might be explained in the next book and that he might be using her for some nefarious plot and wanted to gain her favor quickly with flattery.
Overall, I really liked the book and I’m excited for the second one, the cliffhanger, amazing! I would have just loved to have more detail written on the relationships Khiara had!
Also loved the line “They say a lot of things to keep the women in this kingdom obedient. All of it is bullshit”. You tell ‘em.
3.5 stars :)
Thank you NetGalley and Bailey B for the e-ARC of this book for a review, this is a 100% honest review! There will be spoilers below so please do not continue if you do not want the book spoiled.
The Plot
Overall this book had a great concept, but was executed with too little detail. Part of what makes romantasy so gripping is the backstory, how an author pulls readers in to care deeply about their characters and their relationships and this fell flat for me.
I loved how noble, independent and perceptive Khiara was, she, at every point, seemed to be half a step ahead and I appreciated that we weren’t dealing with a damsel. However, her storyline of being an assassin was mentioned a couple of times but never really drawn into, it would have been interesting and pulled depth into the character if we had a bit more information into her past actions.
The culling is an interesting concept and I enjoyed the drama of the day of but give me more information on it! Why was it happening this year? How were each of the girls picked? Has it ever been done before? Loved that Bash was the prince, it definitely surprised me in a good way!
The Relationships
I understood her wanting to save a friend, (Ezra) but I didn’t care about him at all, we had two interactions with him, one where he was pining after her and she wasn’t letting him down gently and the other where he was under a spell. I didn’t particularly care about their relationship or if he was saved.
I liked how complicated her relationship was with her Uncle, I felt like it was a good representation of how complicated family can be. She very clearly was upset with him but still wanted to do what she could to protect him and their family home.
The Romance
I loved Riot, I loved that she ‘picked’ him, however they jumped into bed SO unexpectedly that it made my head spin, I would have loved more angst, more pining, but I’m a massive fan of slow burn so that’s just preference. 🙂
The immediate puppy dog love from the prince was confusing too, I never really understood where that came from right away. However, I feel like that might be explained in the next book and that he might be using her for some nefarious plot and wanted to gain her favor quickly with flattery.
Overall, I really liked the book and I’m excited for the second one, the cliffhanger, amazing! I would have just loved to have more detail written on the relationships Khiara had!
Also loved the line “They say a lot of things to keep the women in this kingdom obedient. All of it is bullshit”. You tell ‘em.
3.5 stars :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2024
2.5 stars rounded up.
Khiara Hargrove has almost completed seeking revenge against the soldiers who killed her family. Using her powers as a magical, but highly treasonous, red haired Cerise (witch), she has tracked down Graves, the last soldier she has yet to kill.
My hair makes me something unholy.
A daughter of legend.
A monster to be feared.
And killed.
But when things don’t go according to plan and her childhood friend becomes cursed and subsequently taken to the castle dungeon, Khiara is forced to enter the Culling. This competition for the handsome prince’s proposal will get her into the castle to save her friend, but at what cost? Khiara must hide her identity as Cerise as she becomes entangled in unexpected love affairs and dangerous politics, all with her greatest enemy lurking in her midst.
I’d rather see the teeth of my enemy than be stabbed in the back by their knife.”
This was a fun read! Very much a popcorn book, perfect for turning off your brain and just going along for the ride.
I do wish it was given another round of editing to smooth a couple things out. The story was set in a fantastical, fairy tale kingdom, yet there were several anachronisms that ruined the immersion- off hand references to photographs and refrigerators, as well as phrases like “mean-girl vibes” and “let’s be real.”
The pacing was also very strange, with the entire book taking place in about a week. Even worse, the first half of the book is just two days, which gives the story a sort of off balance feeling. While each scene is entertaining, things happen often because the plot says so, with many sequences overly convenient and heavily plot armored.
The romances- because at the end of the day, this is a romance- were actually baffling for me. This book is a love triangle (Love pyramid? Love asterisk?) between the three male leads and Khiara. I had no idea what to expect at any point between them. There is definitely fun banter and tension in this book! And I enjoyed it! But each relationship seemed to swing from enemies-to-lovers to friends to major-red-flags to soulmates, on repeat, at random. Again, this was dictated more because the plot demanded it than actual reason or change between the characters, but I digress.
This is my chance.
My one shot to make people see me as more than a feared Cerise.
I will definitely be keeping an eye out for the sequel, as this book ends with an intense cliffhanger and plenty of loose threads to keep readers guessing. I would recommend this for fans of the burgeoning romantasy genre, and for readers who enjoyed King of Battle and Blood and These Hollow Vows.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Khiara Hargrove has almost completed seeking revenge against the soldiers who killed her family. Using her powers as a magical, but highly treasonous, red haired Cerise (witch), she has tracked down Graves, the last soldier she has yet to kill.
My hair makes me something unholy.
A daughter of legend.
A monster to be feared.
And killed.
But when things don’t go according to plan and her childhood friend becomes cursed and subsequently taken to the castle dungeon, Khiara is forced to enter the Culling. This competition for the handsome prince’s proposal will get her into the castle to save her friend, but at what cost? Khiara must hide her identity as Cerise as she becomes entangled in unexpected love affairs and dangerous politics, all with her greatest enemy lurking in her midst.
I’d rather see the teeth of my enemy than be stabbed in the back by their knife.”
This was a fun read! Very much a popcorn book, perfect for turning off your brain and just going along for the ride.
I do wish it was given another round of editing to smooth a couple things out. The story was set in a fantastical, fairy tale kingdom, yet there were several anachronisms that ruined the immersion- off hand references to photographs and refrigerators, as well as phrases like “mean-girl vibes” and “let’s be real.”
The pacing was also very strange, with the entire book taking place in about a week. Even worse, the first half of the book is just two days, which gives the story a sort of off balance feeling. While each scene is entertaining, things happen often because the plot says so, with many sequences overly convenient and heavily plot armored.
The romances- because at the end of the day, this is a romance- were actually baffling for me. This book is a love triangle (Love pyramid? Love asterisk?) between the three male leads and Khiara. I had no idea what to expect at any point between them. There is definitely fun banter and tension in this book! And I enjoyed it! But each relationship seemed to swing from enemies-to-lovers to friends to major-red-flags to soulmates, on repeat, at random. Again, this was dictated more because the plot demanded it than actual reason or change between the characters, but I digress.
This is my chance.
My one shot to make people see me as more than a feared Cerise.
I will definitely be keeping an eye out for the sequel, as this book ends with an intense cliffhanger and plenty of loose threads to keep readers guessing. I would recommend this for fans of the burgeoning romantasy genre, and for readers who enjoyed King of Battle and Blood and These Hollow Vows.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 16, 2024
The Cerise is the first book in the Daughters of Legends, Kingdom of Lies series. Khiara is a Cerise, a type of witch that has been hunted down and killed, along with anyone else who helps them, including her own family. She finds herself part of a competition called the Culling, a chance to marry Prince Sebastian and become a future Queen. But Khiara is only participating in order to help her friend, who is injured somewhere nearby.
The blurb drew me in, particularly with its focus on vengeance. I think that the story has potential and is likely to get better in future books as the lore and the world is further explored, but I think that the length of the book and the depth of the detail didn't quite work for me.
The book is 221 pages when you exclude the contents, the further book recommendations and the information about the author, and I don't think that 221 pages gives enough space to properly explain a unique fantasy world, establish a detailed plot and explore two separate love interests. Khiara didn't even join the Culling until 45% of the way through the book, which doesn't leave a lot of time for us to form a connection with either the two possible love interests, and everything happens very fast. I do appreciate that the first 45% was trying to introduce readers to the world, but because of the overall number of pages, even that felt rushed. In this section in particular I kept skipping back a few pages or a full chapter because it seemed like I was meant to know something that I didn't, but I couldn't find where it had been explained.
With an extra 100 pages, I think the story could have had more room to breathe, and to get deeper into the characters - all of whom seem interesting but just need more time devoted to them.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from NetGalley, but this is my voluntary and honest review.
The blurb drew me in, particularly with its focus on vengeance. I think that the story has potential and is likely to get better in future books as the lore and the world is further explored, but I think that the length of the book and the depth of the detail didn't quite work for me.
The book is 221 pages when you exclude the contents, the further book recommendations and the information about the author, and I don't think that 221 pages gives enough space to properly explain a unique fantasy world, establish a detailed plot and explore two separate love interests. Khiara didn't even join the Culling until 45% of the way through the book, which doesn't leave a lot of time for us to form a connection with either the two possible love interests, and everything happens very fast. I do appreciate that the first 45% was trying to introduce readers to the world, but because of the overall number of pages, even that felt rushed. In this section in particular I kept skipping back a few pages or a full chapter because it seemed like I was meant to know something that I didn't, but I couldn't find where it had been explained.
With an extra 100 pages, I think the story could have had more room to breathe, and to get deeper into the characters - all of whom seem interesting but just need more time devoted to them.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from NetGalley, but this is my voluntary and honest review.
March 26, 2024
2.5⭐️ *no spoilers*
I was asked to give a detailed review of this ARC. As an ARC reader through NetGalley, I dove into this book with high hopes, being an avid fan of fantasy novels.
However, despite its promising premise, the story felt all too familiar, as if l've seen similar plots numerous times before. One of the main drawbacks was the scattered narrative, with significant jumps that left me grasping for details that were never fully provided.
A glaring issue was the lack of clarity surrounding the main character's powers. It took me far too long to piece together their abilities, which hindered my immersion in the story. A more thorough explanation early on would have greatly enhanced the coherence of the plot.
Moreover, the portrayal of the love triangle felt forced and unconvincing. I was particularly unsettled by the romantic encounters involving the protagonist, especially considering her past trauma. The lack of agency she had in these moments, particularly in the wake of her traumatic experiences, was deeply unsettling.
While the book maintained a PG13 rating for the most part, the sudden shift in tone and content towards the end was jarring. The introduction of explicit scenes felt out of place within the overall narrative, disrupting the established atmosphere and detracting from the story's appeal.
In conclusion, this book offered an easy read but fell short in several crucial aspects. With a more cohesive plot, clearer exposition of supernatural elements, and a more sensitive approach to sensitive topics such as trauma and consent, it could have fulfilled its potential as a captivating fantasy novel.
I was asked to give a detailed review of this ARC. As an ARC reader through NetGalley, I dove into this book with high hopes, being an avid fan of fantasy novels.
However, despite its promising premise, the story felt all too familiar, as if l've seen similar plots numerous times before. One of the main drawbacks was the scattered narrative, with significant jumps that left me grasping for details that were never fully provided.
A glaring issue was the lack of clarity surrounding the main character's powers. It took me far too long to piece together their abilities, which hindered my immersion in the story. A more thorough explanation early on would have greatly enhanced the coherence of the plot.
Moreover, the portrayal of the love triangle felt forced and unconvincing. I was particularly unsettled by the romantic encounters involving the protagonist, especially considering her past trauma. The lack of agency she had in these moments, particularly in the wake of her traumatic experiences, was deeply unsettling.
While the book maintained a PG13 rating for the most part, the sudden shift in tone and content towards the end was jarring. The introduction of explicit scenes felt out of place within the overall narrative, disrupting the established atmosphere and detracting from the story's appeal.
In conclusion, this book offered an easy read but fell short in several crucial aspects. With a more cohesive plot, clearer exposition of supernatural elements, and a more sensitive approach to sensitive topics such as trauma and consent, it could have fulfilled its potential as a captivating fantasy novel.
March 16, 2024
Like other reviewers here, I finished reading this in just one day with the page count coming in at just under 250 pages. It is a very engaging story, and I enjoyed reading it. The plot kept me going with a fast pacing and good writing overall. The weaknesses here include the character development and the length of this novel. It feels unfinished as a story, and the cliffhanger ending only intensifies this feeling that this is only half a book. Our main character, Khiara, is motivated very strongly throughout the novel to help her best friend, Ezra, but I couldn’t tell you why she cares that much about him. The story provides glimpses into their life before the story began, but without Ezra having time on the page to elicit sympathy, I do not care at all what happens to him, especially when it is beyond Khiara’s best interest to continue helping him. Honestly, I disagreed with her entirely and feel like he really deserves what is happening to him, which is also extremely unclear by the end of the novel. While I liked the characters, I did not understand or buy the motivations that were established. I intend and look forward to read the next book in the series, but I wish they hadn’t been split into separate books from the start.
Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this ARC!
TW: Rape is mentioned multiple times. Consent continues to be an issue.
Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this ARC!
TW: Rape is mentioned multiple times. Consent continues to be an issue.
February 28, 2024
3.75 stars!!
If you loved the Selection series, if you love cool powerful witchy magic, if you like the FMC being called nicknames (emphasis on nicknameS!!), if you like your fantasy with a little intrigue of "what on earth is happening here," then the Cerise is for you!
Khiara is at risk of being murdered- because she's a redhead. No, not because the king just really hates gingers, but because red hair in this world typically signals a person with magical powers, and that is something that will not do! Through a wild series of events that involve some light ransom of her best friend, Khiara enters the Culling, a Selection-style event held at the palace where the prince is meant to pick his future bride from 12 (in this case 13! what a good witchy number!) eligible bachelorettes. With some fun twists, and a love triangle that's not quite a love triangle, Khiara finds herself torn between the prince (who she had met before, and feels extra familiar to her for unknown reasons) and the head of his guard (who seemingly hates her, but is it a cover for something?).
This book was a fun addition into the romantasy genre, and that CLIFFHANGER left me waiting excitedly for book 2 so I can check some of my theories when trying to understand what just happened!!
Thank you so much to Bailey Black and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review! The Cerise is out now!
If you loved the Selection series, if you love cool powerful witchy magic, if you like the FMC being called nicknames (emphasis on nicknameS!!), if you like your fantasy with a little intrigue of "what on earth is happening here," then the Cerise is for you!
Khiara is at risk of being murdered- because she's a redhead. No, not because the king just really hates gingers, but because red hair in this world typically signals a person with magical powers, and that is something that will not do! Through a wild series of events that involve some light ransom of her best friend, Khiara enters the Culling, a Selection-style event held at the palace where the prince is meant to pick his future bride from 12 (in this case 13! what a good witchy number!) eligible bachelorettes. With some fun twists, and a love triangle that's not quite a love triangle, Khiara finds herself torn between the prince (who she had met before, and feels extra familiar to her for unknown reasons) and the head of his guard (who seemingly hates her, but is it a cover for something?).
This book was a fun addition into the romantasy genre, and that CLIFFHANGER left me waiting excitedly for book 2 so I can check some of my theories when trying to understand what just happened!!
Thank you so much to Bailey Black and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review! The Cerise is out now!
March 23, 2024
4/5⭐
2/5🌶️
Khiara Hargrove is a Cerise. These people are killed because they are feared. On her quest to seek revenge for what has been done to her family, her friend Ezra ends up in a dungeon. The only way she can help him get out is through participating in the Culling (think the selection).
I flew through this book not only because it was short, but because there was never a dull moment. All the characters were highly likeable and there were 2 love interests. I was rooting for Bash in the beginning but Riot quickly found his way to my heart with his charming ways. Khiara is a badass & I can't wait to see who Khiara ends up with. This book ended on a cliffhanger & there are questions that are left unanswered. I'm eagerly anticipating book #2.
Thank you netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
2/5🌶️
Khiara Hargrove is a Cerise. These people are killed because they are feared. On her quest to seek revenge for what has been done to her family, her friend Ezra ends up in a dungeon. The only way she can help him get out is through participating in the Culling (think the selection).
I flew through this book not only because it was short, but because there was never a dull moment. All the characters were highly likeable and there were 2 love interests. I was rooting for Bash in the beginning but Riot quickly found his way to my heart with his charming ways. Khiara is a badass & I can't wait to see who Khiara ends up with. This book ended on a cliffhanger & there are questions that are left unanswered. I'm eagerly anticipating book #2.
Thank you netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 16, 2024
3.25⭐️
Thank you NetGalley for a copy to review.
Let's start this off by saying that overall it was quite a nice read, albeit a bit cliche at times. However, there were some parts that made me feel a bit uncomfortable.
The entire world is set in some misogynistic culture and seeing as how real life is, I didn't really vibe with it, the relationship progressed really quickly and didn't feel too natural. Some scenes felt repetitive to me as well.
The cliffhanger has got me curious for the next book but I also feel like barely anything happened in this book outside of Khiara's head. It kind of felt like a setup for the next book, which isn't necessarily bad but not what you'd like for the first book in a series. I wish there were more prominent female characters as well, she only interacts with possibly male love interests 😭.
I saw a review say they sometimes don't know if the FMC is 15 or 30 and I truly get where they came from. Sometimes she's very mature and the next she feels like a child.
Thank you NetGalley for a copy to review.
Let's start this off by saying that overall it was quite a nice read, albeit a bit cliche at times. However, there were some parts that made me feel a bit uncomfortable.
The entire world is set in some misogynistic culture and seeing as how real life is, I didn't really vibe with it, the relationship progressed really quickly and didn't feel too natural. Some scenes felt repetitive to me as well.
The cliffhanger has got me curious for the next book but I also feel like barely anything happened in this book outside of Khiara's head. It kind of felt like a setup for the next book, which isn't necessarily bad but not what you'd like for the first book in a series. I wish there were more prominent female characters as well, she only interacts with possibly male love interests 😭.
I saw a review say they sometimes don't know if the FMC is 15 or 30 and I truly get where they came from. Sometimes she's very mature and the next she feels like a child.
April 7, 2024
3.5 stars. This book was very hard for me to get into (this may just be a personal thing since life has been very busy), but once I was about 60% through it, things started progressing and I was more into it. I really like how there are multiple love interests at the beginning and it isn't clear who's - the one - and that keeps coming back. I was disappointed by how much of a cliffhanger the ending was. I feel like the next book and this one should probably just be one since this one wasn't too long or this should have ended more smoothly while still allowing for a cliffhanger. At the same time, this is smart to get the reader to read the next book... which I'm looking forward to.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bailey Black for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bailey Black for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
March 31, 2024
Thank you Netgalley, author, and BooksGoSocial for the ARC of this book.
With a lot of buzz going around in Instagram about this book, I set myself up for a nice, weekend read about how a witch--or how Bailey coined it: Cerise--would inevitably take revenge for her dead family... While also adding in some of the elements from the very famous The Selection series. I now realize it must have been the love triangle and nothing more.
First, my greatest pet peeve in romantasy books that I discovered years ago while reading From Blood And Ash: using modern terms in an otherwise medieval setting. I'm really having a hard time imagining "mindfuck" is a word coined in a time when there is no electricity and people killed women for being witches. That, and "bills" (in the context of paying one's bills like electricity, water, heater, whatever). Did people in the medieval era have a corrupt government and ridiculously high cost of living too? Must have been because of a certain pandemic. Needless to say it took me out SO MUCH when I was reading.
Second, the FMC. I liked her so much until I didn't. Khiara advocated for women and their rights. She's a no-nonsense kinda gal that would stab you if you breathed wrong in her direction.
She also had a traumatic experience (I could only assume the R word, but I won't ever find out now) that made her so aversed to touch and intimacy, particularly a man's penis, and coitus. As quoted from the book:
"I don’t like when men look at me because looking leads to touching and touching leads to sex, and that will never happen. I’ve experienced one penis in my life. One horribly crooked, purple-veined monster that was disgusting enough to make me never want a thing like that near me again."
Understandable. As someone who had experienced SA in her early years of existing, I'm finally finding something we have in common... Until the contradictions happened.
Khiara DOES NOT like being stared or looked at by the opposite sex. Even if it's her self-proclaimed best friend, Ezra. Quoted from the book again:
"Ezra's dark gaze sweeps over my body approvingly and lingers on my exposed legs longer than any of my other assets. His hungry eyes make my skin crawl. I have to resist the urge to hug myself because that look, the one that says I'm a prize no other can have , reminds me of Graves."
There are similar things she has told us as well, such as feeling sick when being touched, shying away from romance and love because she's meant to die (or she assumes there is a risk) during her revenge.
But then she gives us THIS.
"I swivel, purposefully pressing my ass into Ezra’s lap, and shift to where he is the sole object of my attention. I drape one arm around him, mimicking what I saw Sage do with Harrison earlier, and play with the little black curls at his collar."
Whatever happened to feeling sick? Nevermind that she had to pretend to like and pet him, or else he cover is blown, because 2 paragraphs later she becomes "too feisty" from talking back from them and blows her cover anyway. No, she did this because she is "angry":
"I cross my legs at the knees , left over the right, so that my skirt exposes the freckles of my thigh while concealing the dagger and strap I am hiding. I should stop here and not tease Ezra with what he’ll never have, but I’m angry , and I want him to feel my frustration."
I got whiplash. Who are you, Khiara? What do you really stand for?
And did I mention right before this happened, she met a scarred and handsome man in the woods, and didn't even cringe when he touched or flirted with her because, well, according to our FMC, he's "HAWWWWT 🥴":
"I turn too quickly and step on the hem of my cloak. Embarrassment has my cheeks flushing red as I realize I’m going to fall, but before I can kiss the ground, a strong hand steadies me and pulls me close. “Are you alright?”the man asks, his breath a warm whisper on my skin. My heart flutters and an annoying heat paints my face a new shade of red. I don’t know what’s happening or why I feel this way. I want this man to touch me. Anywhere. Everywhere. Which is the opposite of how I usually react to someone being this close. “Yeah, thanks.”"
GOOD GOD. I can't help but feel like she's belittling her experience. Like she's some kind of liar, or the author just put it there for ✨ a dark past ✨ trope.
At this point, I stopped taking the story seriously until around the 50th page? Then I DNF'ed. I just couldn't stand another moment with her. And if she's going to be with me for the next 240 pages, I'd rather stare at the clock for the duration of my read.
With a lot of buzz going around in Instagram about this book, I set myself up for a nice, weekend read about how a witch--or how Bailey coined it: Cerise--would inevitably take revenge for her dead family... While also adding in some of the elements from the very famous The Selection series. I now realize it must have been the love triangle and nothing more.
First, my greatest pet peeve in romantasy books that I discovered years ago while reading From Blood And Ash: using modern terms in an otherwise medieval setting. I'm really having a hard time imagining "mindfuck" is a word coined in a time when there is no electricity and people killed women for being witches. That, and "bills" (in the context of paying one's bills like electricity, water, heater, whatever). Did people in the medieval era have a corrupt government and ridiculously high cost of living too? Must have been because of a certain pandemic. Needless to say it took me out SO MUCH when I was reading.
Second, the FMC. I liked her so much until I didn't. Khiara advocated for women and their rights. She's a no-nonsense kinda gal that would stab you if you breathed wrong in her direction.
She also had a traumatic experience (I could only assume the R word, but I won't ever find out now) that made her so aversed to touch and intimacy, particularly a man's penis, and coitus. As quoted from the book:
"I don’t like when men look at me because looking leads to touching and touching leads to sex, and that will never happen. I’ve experienced one penis in my life. One horribly crooked, purple-veined monster that was disgusting enough to make me never want a thing like that near me again."
Understandable. As someone who had experienced SA in her early years of existing, I'm finally finding something we have in common... Until the contradictions happened.
Khiara DOES NOT like being stared or looked at by the opposite sex. Even if it's her self-proclaimed best friend, Ezra. Quoted from the book again:
"Ezra's dark gaze sweeps over my body approvingly and lingers on my exposed legs longer than any of my other assets. His hungry eyes make my skin crawl. I have to resist the urge to hug myself because that look, the one that says I'm a prize no other can have , reminds me of Graves."
There are similar things she has told us as well, such as feeling sick when being touched, shying away from romance and love because she's meant to die (or she assumes there is a risk) during her revenge.
But then she gives us THIS.
"I swivel, purposefully pressing my ass into Ezra’s lap, and shift to where he is the sole object of my attention. I drape one arm around him, mimicking what I saw Sage do with Harrison earlier, and play with the little black curls at his collar."
Whatever happened to feeling sick? Nevermind that she had to pretend to like and pet him, or else he cover is blown, because 2 paragraphs later she becomes "too feisty" from talking back from them and blows her cover anyway. No, she did this because she is "angry":
"I cross my legs at the knees , left over the right, so that my skirt exposes the freckles of my thigh while concealing the dagger and strap I am hiding. I should stop here and not tease Ezra with what he’ll never have, but I’m angry , and I want him to feel my frustration."
I got whiplash. Who are you, Khiara? What do you really stand for?
And did I mention right before this happened, she met a scarred and handsome man in the woods, and didn't even cringe when he touched or flirted with her because, well, according to our FMC, he's "HAWWWWT 🥴":
"I turn too quickly and step on the hem of my cloak. Embarrassment has my cheeks flushing red as I realize I’m going to fall, but before I can kiss the ground, a strong hand steadies me and pulls me close. “Are you alright?”the man asks, his breath a warm whisper on my skin. My heart flutters and an annoying heat paints my face a new shade of red. I don’t know what’s happening or why I feel this way. I want this man to touch me. Anywhere. Everywhere. Which is the opposite of how I usually react to someone being this close. “Yeah, thanks.”"
GOOD GOD. I can't help but feel like she's belittling her experience. Like she's some kind of liar, or the author just put it there for ✨ a dark past ✨ trope.
At this point, I stopped taking the story seriously until around the 50th page? Then I DNF'ed. I just couldn't stand another moment with her. And if she's going to be with me for the next 240 pages, I'd rather stare at the clock for the duration of my read.
March 29, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and Bailey Black for letting me read the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
If you loved the Crimson Moth then this is the perfect book for you. This book had such fast pacing which hooked me from the start. This book follows Khiara’s journey to save her friend that has been cursed but leads her to be tangled in a competition to be the princes bride. Khiara is a witch/cerise in a world where they have been hunted. It is a single POV and as a FMC she is just so funny and relatable.
It hit so many of the tropes I love:
>Witch + Witch Hunter
>Hidden History
>Multiple Love interests
>Rescue mission
This book ends on a cliffhanger which is usually expected of a series, but this one felt like it came out of the blue. But perhaps I just didn’t want this book to end. I will definitely be looking out for book 2 in this series as I feel Khiara’s journey is only just getting started.
If you loved the Crimson Moth then this is the perfect book for you. This book had such fast pacing which hooked me from the start. This book follows Khiara’s journey to save her friend that has been cursed but leads her to be tangled in a competition to be the princes bride. Khiara is a witch/cerise in a world where they have been hunted. It is a single POV and as a FMC she is just so funny and relatable.
It hit so many of the tropes I love:
>Witch + Witch Hunter
>Hidden History
>Multiple Love interests
>Rescue mission
This book ends on a cliffhanger which is usually expected of a series, but this one felt like it came out of the blue. But perhaps I just didn’t want this book to end. I will definitely be looking out for book 2 in this series as I feel Khiara’s journey is only just getting started.
April 15, 2024
Well, it's not the worst thing I've ever read. I'll give it that, I guess.
Let's start with the story. Witches, called the Cerise, are hunted and killed in this world. They're identifiable by their red hair. Our main character Khiara is a Cerise. We start the story with Khiara on an assassination mission to kill the man who killed her family among other horrible things.
This plot is pretty much done away with quickly, as she realizes that both her and her friend, Ezra, are poisoned by some sort of love spell. Ezra is near death and then she asks a guy who helped her earlier to take her to her Uncle's house.
Then we move into a Cinderella-like setup, where she's one of many women being proffered to the Prince. The story just sort of meanders after that, vaguely returning to Ezra and her assassination target, but doesn't really have a point. Oh, and it ends on a cliffhanger. Of course.
There are so many anachronisms in this book that I was laughing out loud. She pulls a zipper up on her dress. Someone has a clipboard and pen. Fairy lights are hung up. A servant asks her size and she replies "7". There's a lot more but those are the ones that I remember the most.
And then there's the main character, Khiara. She's just obstinate and argumentative and wholly unlikable. The two male leads, Bash and Riot (yes, those are their names) fare little better.
I typically don't like to rate things so low, but I really struggled to get through this and almost DNF'd about 5 times.
P.S. Thank you Netgalley for this ARC :)
Let's start with the story. Witches, called the Cerise, are hunted and killed in this world. They're identifiable by their red hair. Our main character Khiara is a Cerise. We start the story with Khiara on an assassination mission to kill the man who killed her family among other horrible things.
This plot is pretty much done away with quickly, as she realizes that both her and her friend, Ezra, are poisoned by some sort of love spell. Ezra is near death and then she asks a guy who helped her earlier to take her to her Uncle's house.
Then we move into a Cinderella-like setup, where she's one of many women being proffered to the Prince. The story just sort of meanders after that, vaguely returning to Ezra and her assassination target, but doesn't really have a point. Oh, and it ends on a cliffhanger. Of course.
There are so many anachronisms in this book that I was laughing out loud. She pulls a zipper up on her dress. Someone has a clipboard and pen. Fairy lights are hung up. A servant asks her size and she replies "7". There's a lot more but those are the ones that I remember the most.
And then there's the main character, Khiara. She's just obstinate and argumentative and wholly unlikable. The two male leads, Bash and Riot (yes, those are their names) fare little better.
I typically don't like to rate things so low, but I really struggled to get through this and almost DNF'd about 5 times.
P.S. Thank you Netgalley for this ARC :)
May 13, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
TW: rape
This will be a detailed and frustrating review, in which I will explain the reasons for my vote. I want to warn you right away that it will contain spoilers, so if you just want to read the reasons, I suggest you skip straight to the end. I want to point out that I am not a professional reviewer, but simply a reader who wants to share her opinion on the story. That said, I’ll leave you to my thoughts.
The sheer number of questions and doubts that this book has left me with in just 240 pages is beyond normal. When I read the synopsis of the book, I expected to find what it actually promised, too bad that from the first pages, I came across problems with both the plot and the characters.
The main problem of this story lies in its plot: the driving force behind the story is extremely weak and the way the author handled it left me puzzled. The protagonist, a Cerise—a sort of witch whose powers are tied to the four elements—seems to be at odds with the court, so much so that the king had decreed a law saying that those who have red hair are monsters. In addition, the protagonist's family was killed by soldiers, setting the stage for a narrative where the protagonist exists in a hostile world. What I do not understand is why the author wanted to emphasize the protagonist's hair color (red) as a symbol that marks her as Cerise if in the course of the story is completely overlooked. In the first pages of the book, the protagonist takes care to hide the color of her hair, although it seems that no one really cares about this feature. It remains unclear why the king issued a specific law on red hair if this aspect is not then exploited significantly in the plot. It seems more like an added element to create scenes rather than to give weight to the story. It would make sense if when she uses her powers her hair turns red or she uses a potion to hide its color. In short, there are plenty of alternatives that could have been explored further. Another aspect that is underdeveloped is the presence of the arches with torches that turn blue when crossed by a Creature of Legend. There is no clear explanation as to their origin or the powers they possess. The protagonist mentions that crossing that arch can have effects on her because she is a Creature of Legend, but does not know which. If it’s risky, why can’t she find another passage? Or why don’t she look for information? This little in-depth or inconsistent information is repeated throughout the book, making it difficult for the reader to immerse themselves in the story fully. In summary, the narrative is riddled with details that are either insufficiently developed or take unexpected turns, resulting in a lack of coherence and credibility in the plot This leads to a lack of consistency and credibility in the plot, which could benefit from a more thorough review. As a reader, I would have preferred to enjoy reading, but it becomes challenging when faced with situations where the information provided does not align or take inconsistent directions previously presented.
The fantasy element of the book is one of the weaknesses, as it has not been adequately developed. Apart from the main character who uses her powers, you will encounter only two or three Creatures of Legend throughout the story. I expected that the meeting with a Cerise at the service of the king would lead to a deeper dialogue, given the circumstances, but instead, everything is reduced to two lines. I don’t expect every page to overflow with magic, but I would at least like to feel immersed in a coherent fantasy world.
One assumption I made was that the protagonist was aware of her powers and how to use them. However, I later discovered that she lacks even basic knowledge beyond their origin. This seems implausible, considering that during the protagonist’s life experiences. It’s difficult to believe that she never tested her abilities or searched for information about them. This detail undermines the coherence of the character and the fantasy world that the author tries to create.
Although the characters usually manage to compensate for a weak plot, unfortunately, this is not the case in this book. I will focus on the three main characters: Khiara, the protagonist, and her love interests, Riot and Bash.
Khiara is presented as a woman determined to avenge her family and herself, while also avoiding the dangers associated with her Cerise condition. However, despite the promising elements, the protagonist is disappointing: she thoughts too much and seems to lack tactical intelligence. I think it is an exaggeration that the protagonist killed people, considering that throughout the story she used weapons only once and on all occasions, she was helped. It is true that her magical ability may have helped her, but in reality, she has proved capable only of perceiving the people around her. Despite the difficulties she has to face her powers manifest themselves when she is exhausted in front of a Hunter. In the palace without the king saying… nothing. Perhaps in the future, there will be explanations, but the fact that they have been avoided here is serious.
An important aspect of her characterization is her past rape, which is treated marginally and superficially in the narrative. Despite the men treating her as an object, including her best friend, the protagonist doesn’t react. Even during her sex scene with Riot, she says nothing to him or even shows signs of rape trauma. This contrasts with his initial panic attacks and raises questions about the emotional and behavioral coherence of her character. It may seem that maybe in the course of the story, the protagonist has faced this trauma and instead nothing happened.
Furthermore, the death of Sage, a secondary character, is treated in a synthetic and not very emotional manner, despite the close connection with the protagonist. I mean, the protagonist helps Sage escape from an abusive husband who promised her freedom and she dies of poisoning? Without you using your powers to try and save her? This contributes to a fragmented and uninvolving narrative and has left me disappointed by the lack of emotional and narrative insight.
Riot and Bash are the two love interests that honestly didn’t involve me. Although Bash was introduced earlier it is Riot that gets the most space in this volume. Due to the brevity of the story, the relationships of the characters with the protagonist are immediate: Bash meets Khiara already in the first chapter and helps her without asking for anything in return. Although he is the prince the fact that he establishes a relationship with a Cerise should lead to conflicts or thoughts from other people that do not manifest in the story.
Riot, Prince Bash’s guard, initially expresses his displeasure with the protagonist but then becomes her advisor on how to dress. However, the lack of depth in the relationships between the characters did not allow me to distinguish which of the two could have been chosen by Khiara, I was surprised when she refused Bash at the end, but this did not change my disinterest in both characters.
In conclusion, I would like to point out that the inclusion of modern terminologies deviates from the fantasy environment created. I’m sorry to give such a negative rating to a story, but after all the explanations I left (even if they are not all) I decided to be as sincere as possible. I hope that my words have not offended anyone, because my only goal is to explain why certain aspects of the plot have not convinced me. I sincerely hope that the story will improve in the future since the potential for an engaging narrative is present.
In summary, the plot has weak motivations that need revisiting; the fantasy aspect is lacking and would need greater development; the characterization of the protagonist leaves something to be desired and the love triangle does not have the desired effect.
TW: rape
This will be a detailed and frustrating review, in which I will explain the reasons for my vote. I want to warn you right away that it will contain spoilers, so if you just want to read the reasons, I suggest you skip straight to the end. I want to point out that I am not a professional reviewer, but simply a reader who wants to share her opinion on the story. That said, I’ll leave you to my thoughts.
The sheer number of questions and doubts that this book has left me with in just 240 pages is beyond normal. When I read the synopsis of the book, I expected to find what it actually promised, too bad that from the first pages, I came across problems with both the plot and the characters.
The main problem of this story lies in its plot: the driving force behind the story is extremely weak and the way the author handled it left me puzzled. The protagonist, a Cerise—a sort of witch whose powers are tied to the four elements—seems to be at odds with the court, so much so that the king had decreed a law saying that those who have red hair are monsters. In addition, the protagonist's family was killed by soldiers, setting the stage for a narrative where the protagonist exists in a hostile world. What I do not understand is why the author wanted to emphasize the protagonist's hair color (red) as a symbol that marks her as Cerise if in the course of the story is completely overlooked. In the first pages of the book, the protagonist takes care to hide the color of her hair, although it seems that no one really cares about this feature. It remains unclear why the king issued a specific law on red hair if this aspect is not then exploited significantly in the plot. It seems more like an added element to create scenes rather than to give weight to the story. It would make sense if when she uses her powers her hair turns red or she uses a potion to hide its color. In short, there are plenty of alternatives that could have been explored further. Another aspect that is underdeveloped is the presence of the arches with torches that turn blue when crossed by a Creature of Legend. There is no clear explanation as to their origin or the powers they possess. The protagonist mentions that crossing that arch can have effects on her because she is a Creature of Legend, but does not know which. If it’s risky, why can’t she find another passage? Or why don’t she look for information? This little in-depth or inconsistent information is repeated throughout the book, making it difficult for the reader to immerse themselves in the story fully. In summary, the narrative is riddled with details that are either insufficiently developed or take unexpected turns, resulting in a lack of coherence and credibility in the plot This leads to a lack of consistency and credibility in the plot, which could benefit from a more thorough review. As a reader, I would have preferred to enjoy reading, but it becomes challenging when faced with situations where the information provided does not align or take inconsistent directions previously presented.
The fantasy element of the book is one of the weaknesses, as it has not been adequately developed. Apart from the main character who uses her powers, you will encounter only two or three Creatures of Legend throughout the story. I expected that the meeting with a Cerise at the service of the king would lead to a deeper dialogue, given the circumstances, but instead, everything is reduced to two lines. I don’t expect every page to overflow with magic, but I would at least like to feel immersed in a coherent fantasy world.
One assumption I made was that the protagonist was aware of her powers and how to use them. However, I later discovered that she lacks even basic knowledge beyond their origin. This seems implausible, considering that during the protagonist’s life experiences. It’s difficult to believe that she never tested her abilities or searched for information about them. This detail undermines the coherence of the character and the fantasy world that the author tries to create.
Although the characters usually manage to compensate for a weak plot, unfortunately, this is not the case in this book. I will focus on the three main characters: Khiara, the protagonist, and her love interests, Riot and Bash.
Khiara is presented as a woman determined to avenge her family and herself, while also avoiding the dangers associated with her Cerise condition. However, despite the promising elements, the protagonist is disappointing: she thoughts too much and seems to lack tactical intelligence. I think it is an exaggeration that the protagonist killed people, considering that throughout the story she used weapons only once and on all occasions, she was helped. It is true that her magical ability may have helped her, but in reality, she has proved capable only of perceiving the people around her. Despite the difficulties she has to face her powers manifest themselves when she is exhausted in front of a Hunter. In the palace without the king saying… nothing. Perhaps in the future, there will be explanations, but the fact that they have been avoided here is serious.
An important aspect of her characterization is her past rape, which is treated marginally and superficially in the narrative. Despite the men treating her as an object, including her best friend, the protagonist doesn’t react. Even during her sex scene with Riot, she says nothing to him or even shows signs of rape trauma. This contrasts with his initial panic attacks and raises questions about the emotional and behavioral coherence of her character. It may seem that maybe in the course of the story, the protagonist has faced this trauma and instead nothing happened.
Furthermore, the death of Sage, a secondary character, is treated in a synthetic and not very emotional manner, despite the close connection with the protagonist. I mean, the protagonist helps Sage escape from an abusive husband who promised her freedom and she dies of poisoning? Without you using your powers to try and save her? This contributes to a fragmented and uninvolving narrative and has left me disappointed by the lack of emotional and narrative insight.
Riot and Bash are the two love interests that honestly didn’t involve me. Although Bash was introduced earlier it is Riot that gets the most space in this volume. Due to the brevity of the story, the relationships of the characters with the protagonist are immediate: Bash meets Khiara already in the first chapter and helps her without asking for anything in return. Although he is the prince the fact that he establishes a relationship with a Cerise should lead to conflicts or thoughts from other people that do not manifest in the story.
Riot, Prince Bash’s guard, initially expresses his displeasure with the protagonist but then becomes her advisor on how to dress. However, the lack of depth in the relationships between the characters did not allow me to distinguish which of the two could have been chosen by Khiara, I was surprised when she refused Bash at the end, but this did not change my disinterest in both characters.
In conclusion, I would like to point out that the inclusion of modern terminologies deviates from the fantasy environment created. I’m sorry to give such a negative rating to a story, but after all the explanations I left (even if they are not all) I decided to be as sincere as possible. I hope that my words have not offended anyone, because my only goal is to explain why certain aspects of the plot have not convinced me. I sincerely hope that the story will improve in the future since the potential for an engaging narrative is present.
In summary, the plot has weak motivations that need revisiting; the fantasy aspect is lacking and would need greater development; the characterization of the protagonist leaves something to be desired and the love triangle does not have the desired effect.
October 10, 2024
I love being pulled into a story right away, and that's exactly what happened when I started reading The Cerise a few hours ago.
Khiara is what's known as a Cerise, a woman with red hair and strange powers. Since Cerise are being hunted and destroyed throughout the royal territories, Khiara has learned how to hide her hair color and play the role of dutiful niece. However, she's also on a mission to avenge her late mother and brother who were killed by the crown. So far, she's found and dispatched of all but one of the king's guard who carried out the attack to her village. Finally, Khiara has located him and sprung her trap, but her closest friend, Ezra, makes a mistake that forces her to ally with king's soldiers, Bash and Riot. In order to get back to Ezra, she must enter the Culling, which is essentially The Bachelor, and use her forbidden appearance to win the prince's heart.
Things I enjoyed:
- From Blood and Ash (as advertised) + Belladonna vibes
- Hinting at the past with familiar scents and shadows of memories
- Possibility of a "What does it feel like... to lose?" moment in the next book
As a big fan of new adult and adult romantasy, I really enjoyed the author's writing style so I could sense where some of the story was going. I still have questions about Khiara's past and which characters are actually "good" and "bad," but I know the author is being intentional with her reveals. I was surprised by the emergence of a second love interest and I'm not sure who Khiara is going to end up with at this point, which means the love triangle is love triangling!
I'm really excited for the next installment of the Kingdom of Lies series! Thank you to the author and her publisher for an ARC of The Cerise.
Khiara is what's known as a Cerise, a woman with red hair and strange powers. Since Cerise are being hunted and destroyed throughout the royal territories, Khiara has learned how to hide her hair color and play the role of dutiful niece. However, she's also on a mission to avenge her late mother and brother who were killed by the crown. So far, she's found and dispatched of all but one of the king's guard who carried out the attack to her village. Finally, Khiara has located him and sprung her trap, but her closest friend, Ezra, makes a mistake that forces her to ally with king's soldiers, Bash and Riot. In order to get back to Ezra, she must enter the Culling, which is essentially The Bachelor, and use her forbidden appearance to win the prince's heart.
Things I enjoyed:
- From Blood and Ash (as advertised) + Belladonna vibes
- Hinting at the past with familiar scents and shadows of memories
- Possibility of a "What does it feel like... to lose?" moment in the next book
As a big fan of new adult and adult romantasy, I really enjoyed the author's writing style so I could sense where some of the story was going. I still have questions about Khiara's past and which characters are actually "good" and "bad," but I know the author is being intentional with her reveals. I was surprised by the emergence of a second love interest and I'm not sure who Khiara is going to end up with at this point, which means the love triangle is love triangling!
I'm really excited for the next installment of the Kingdom of Lies series! Thank you to the author and her publisher for an ARC of The Cerise.
April 2, 2024
I didn't the like the first half of the book at all. The story didn't make any sense to me and there was almost no worldbuilding in the beginning, then you finally got a few explanations towards the end.
Reading the first words, you immediately got thrown into the story. I really thought at first that it's a sequel and I missed something, but no, suprisingly not.
Most of the book was sadly quite uninteresting and the FMC's emotions and feelings were barely described. The love interests were alright.
2 ☆ stars
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Reading the first words, you immediately got thrown into the story. I really thought at first that it's a sequel and I missed something, but no, suprisingly not.
Most of the book was sadly quite uninteresting and the FMC's emotions and feelings were barely described. The love interests were alright.
2 ☆ stars
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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