3.5 ⭐️
Disclaimer: I’m going to review it without spoilers at the top, then create a line and anything below that line will be spoilers. Do with that what you will.
This author is really good at plot twists and the ending of this book gave me absolute chills. I’m really enjoying this series, even though I do have a fair amount of complaints too. These books likely won’t ever get above a 3.5 mainly because the character development does lack compared to other books. There’s not enough interactions with the guys before love confessions happen, and many of the plot points are rushed or anticlimactic.
Here’s what I liked:
- As always, Ellelin doesn’t hold back. She’s in love with these men, but she’s not afraid to yell at them and hold them accountable. I wish they developed the relationships more, but this “I love you but you also suck for this specific reason” thought process is great. I hate when strong FMCs become weak little things. If anything, she’s gotten mouthier vs more timid and I love that for her.
- The dad POV was both insightful and comedic.
- There’s a lot of insignificant but beautiful explanations. Just small details that make this book stand out as a unique world.
- The comedic moments in this book are so great.
- A little development for Arty and Hope both and I wanna see these girls thrive too!
- More backstory on Grayson finally! Also, the man makes some heart-filled confessions and admissions of love. And I love every bit of it!
- I love that the author showcases negative emotions that aren’t just anger. Example, Grayson and his insecurities. He doesn’t have to just be this big macho guy for her to fall in love with him. And him being vulnerable is adorable.
- HOLY FUCKING CHILLS AT THE ENDING!!!!
What I didn’t like:
- Out of all the nicknames, I realllllly don’t like “witch”. It’s not even that it rhymes with bitch, I just can’t get a take on it where it comes off endearing 🤷🏻♂️
- Events are too rushed. I’ll go into further detail, but the tests here just didn’t seem like they were a test for Ellelin. She didn’t really seem like the main character in most of them.
- Emrys STILL hasn’t gotten screen time. I feel like he’s almost a completely irrelevant character in this. All Ellelin can say is that he’s kind. Which we love a kind boy and I feel like I liked Emrys, but they don’t get to know each other more of develop.
SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT
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What I liked:
- The dad’s POV and him saying his parents thought he was insane after waking up from his destined mate dream is hilarious.
- The lanterns in the water court being blue spheres with glowing white fish swimming in them was such a cool and unique little detail.
- Ellelin saying “At least I’m not alone” during the water test when she sees a sea creature in the water with her was comical af. Perfect delivery.
- Ellelin calling out to Lysander how fucked up it was that he brought up her dad “killing” his dad when she pointed out how terrible his father was for making him have to survive in the sea alone at 5-6 years old. I love everything about her holding her men accountable and also that she’s addressing Lysander’s fucked up thoughts head on. There’s no sugar coating.
- Arty’s powers!? Tell me more. Also, her little love brewing is just adorable.
- Grayson seeing where they’re at for the earth test and instantly being filled with fear and screaming was such a visceral response and it literally left me with chills.
- Grayson’s mom whispering to him in the mists at her funeral. Again, just absolute chills.
- Grayson’s and Ellelin’s sex scene and them stopping for a spell because of his insecurities and not feeling like enough. It’s just such a heartwarming moment and I love him growing into the person he should be.
- The convo between Grayson and Lysander about Lysander needing to grow and work through his shit or he’ll lose Ellelin. And how he’s working on that too and sharing his experiences and his vulnerabilities.
- THE ENDING!!! I hate that Emrys is just being here so that he can get taken over by Ares basically, but the concept is insane and I can’t wait to see how the author handles this.
Favorite quotes:
- My relief is soon tempered by anger. “Lysander, wake the fuck up!” // This girl doesn’t give af. She thinks he’s dead and then she’s like bitch wake up now that I know you aren’t. 😂
- “I’ve had to make a deal with Aphrodite for the lives of my entire court and all my magic. Just because you guys wouldn’t speak to me, wouldn’t include me, and chose to be the heroes that no one asked for!” / TELL THEM BABY 👏🏼
What I didn’t like:
- Ellelin’s features always seemed like they were very spirit court coded. So finding out her features are entirely her mother and that she’s a demigod and the father is the spirit court guy is a little confusing?
- These “tests” aren’t really tests for Ellelin, which caused some confusion. This game needed to be setup differently. Water test, it’s all basically Lysander. Fire test, Arden isn’t mad at her but instead Lysander. Which is accurate and how it should be, but it was a test for them vs her. Earth test had SO MUCH potential to be interesting and good, but instead it was anticlimactic, over super quickly, and Grayson basically just killed his mom without struggle. Ellelin just hung there. Air was also anticlimactic. Her bond didn’t sync or anything with Emrys and she just stumbles for a bit and then he’s free. And I love the ending but also in the moment, Emrys killing Ares instead of Elellin was really annoying. Like none of this was really Ellelin and it’s like the author is trying to make her important but she’s really not?
- To elaborate on the non-spoiler one, it feels like Emrys is here only to have Ares take over. Like he’s plot fodder instead of a true destined mate. When tf is his man getting his time?
- She almost got raped and she hasn’t actually processed any of it. I know this’ll likely be delayed when they’re all together again, but I want her shadow powers to go dark or berserk because of her mental state like there was a hint of potential. But there was nothing.