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Of Silver and Sin
She kills creatures like him. He eats beautiful people like her. It's a partnership made in hell.
Like every female orphaned by the Queens War, Tenele Raider is a monster hunter—a Maiden of the Red Court. When the border between her home and its volatile neighbor falls, Tenele is tasked with discovering the source of the black runes burned into the bodies left behind.
To help in this, she’s partnered with a Shade—a conniving beast who feeds on pleasure and pain. Being Ranemir Stroud's jailer and reluctant partner is both a help and hindrance, and as their connection morphs from convenience to necessity, Tenele finds herself sharing more than she bargained to keep them both alive.
As their journey to the truth becomes a path to the warring gods who made them, Tenele is forced to choose between the monster in her bed (and heart) and the destiny she was born to die for.
Of Silver & Sin is the first in an adult dark fantasy romance duology featuring spice.
Like every female orphaned by the Queens War, Tenele Raider is a monster hunter—a Maiden of the Red Court. When the border between her home and its volatile neighbor falls, Tenele is tasked with discovering the source of the black runes burned into the bodies left behind.
To help in this, she’s partnered with a Shade—a conniving beast who feeds on pleasure and pain. Being Ranemir Stroud's jailer and reluctant partner is both a help and hindrance, and as their connection morphs from convenience to necessity, Tenele finds herself sharing more than she bargained to keep them both alive.
As their journey to the truth becomes a path to the warring gods who made them, Tenele is forced to choose between the monster in her bed (and heart) and the destiny she was born to die for.
Of Silver & Sin is the first in an adult dark fantasy romance duology featuring spice.
372 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 20, 2024
13 people are currently reading
319 people want to read
About the author
Kaytalin Platt
12 books48 followersKaytalin Platt is the author of the genre-bending fantasy series, The Equitas, which follows a powerful time mage trapped in a recurring war with a creature bent on destroying the universe. She is also the author of the dark fantasy romance novel, Of Silver & Sin. Born in Deer Park, AL, Platt now resides just outside Philadelphia, PA with her husband, child, and rescue dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
July 25, 2024
arc provided in exchange for an honest review
3.5 stars
this book was crazy!! our fmc was so different to the usual romantasy heroine (no hate though because god knows i eat up the traditional heroines too) - she was centuries old, she was queer as hell, and she was kickass af but it made sense because she'd actually been training for 100+ years. i loved her!!
“a broken heart is easier to mend than a destroyed kingdom. if sinead wasn’t prepared to lose me, she would’ve given me an easier job.”
our mmcs were equally unique - i truly didn't know what to think about cas for the first 70%-ish of the book, but he was definitely fascinating. and rane ranged between scary and hot - i cannot wait to see him form an even closer relationship with tenele. and the plot-twist switch up between these three... craziness, and made me adore this book so much more.
“she tasted familiar. it was as if he’d had her a million times before. she tasted like moonlight and madness and… divinity. like holy water without the agonizing burn, and he wanted more.”
the plot was also quite strong - i will admit that there was one section where i didn't really know what was going on, but that was probably on me for reading while exhausted. once the plot really started coming together, it was unique and had so many working parts and sides to the story - i didn't know who to trust or support!! which is just how i like it.
overall, this was such a strong debut, with fascinating and well-written characters, gorgeous queer rep, plot-twists, and crazy shenanigans - so addictive!! thank you so much to the author, publisher, and netgalley for the arc copy.
3.5 stars
this book was crazy!! our fmc was so different to the usual romantasy heroine (no hate though because god knows i eat up the traditional heroines too) - she was centuries old, she was queer as hell, and she was kickass af but it made sense because she'd actually been training for 100+ years. i loved her!!
“a broken heart is easier to mend than a destroyed kingdom. if sinead wasn’t prepared to lose me, she would’ve given me an easier job.”
our mmcs were equally unique - i truly didn't know what to think about cas for the first 70%-ish of the book, but he was definitely fascinating. and rane ranged between scary and hot - i cannot wait to see him form an even closer relationship with tenele. and the plot-twist switch up between these three... craziness, and made me adore this book so much more.
“she tasted familiar. it was as if he’d had her a million times before. she tasted like moonlight and madness and… divinity. like holy water without the agonizing burn, and he wanted more.”
the plot was also quite strong - i will admit that there was one section where i didn't really know what was going on, but that was probably on me for reading while exhausted. once the plot really started coming together, it was unique and had so many working parts and sides to the story - i didn't know who to trust or support!! which is just how i like it.
overall, this was such a strong debut, with fascinating and well-written characters, gorgeous queer rep, plot-twists, and crazy shenanigans - so addictive!! thank you so much to the author, publisher, and netgalley for the arc copy.
June 27, 2024
"Alexa, play Gods and Monsters by Lana Del Rey."
Of Silver and Sin by Kaytalin Platt is a dark fantasy romance — the first in a duology — that is unique, intricate, and so captivating. This was my first read by this author and it honestly exceeded my expectations.
My mind is still spinning over this book! The prologue hooked me and I binged the rest in less than 24 hours. It took me on a ride. There are so many things I could rave about, but in the interest of preventing spoilers I am going to be pretty vague in this review when it comes to the plot and characters. I will say, the story became something so much more than I anticipated along the way. The second half of this book had my eyes bugging out and my mind reeling and I could not get enough.
This story is told in third-person but has multiple character perspectives and spans an enormous timeline. This multifaceted view adds depth and richness to the intricate world and plot that Platt has created. The world-building is easy to digest and understand, which to be frank is something I sometimes struggle with in this subgenre, and yet it didn't feel like I was being spoon-fed all the information. The flow and pacing of the story is perfect and held my interest until the final page.
And the romance!? Absolutely amazing.
Ranemir Stroud. My gods, I love this monster. The tension between him and Tenele is so palpable and I love how their volatile dynamic slowly and organically transforms into something so beautiful. Their intimate scenes are *chefs kiss* ... delicious. Did I mention he feeds on pleasure and pain??
The romance is definitely more complex than the standard "enemies-to-lovers" trope, but again, I don't want to spoil the story. I would encourage anyone diving in blind to keep an open mind and prepare to be surprised.
This does end on a cliffhanger, but it's the type of cliffhanger that I enjoy because it doesn't abruptly end in the middle of the story. It's still a complete story and the end provides some closure for the characters I came to love so much — but with something sinister on the horizon.
I would recommend this to any fantasy romance readers who enjoy intricate plots, bold characters, stories that span millennia, mystery, action and adventure, bisexual and polyamory representation, dark themes, unique monsters, magical bonds and reincarnation.
I am so grateful to the author for generously providing an advanced copy for review. I loved this story and I will be waiting patiently (in agony) for the second and final instalment.
Of Silver and Sin by Kaytalin Platt is a dark fantasy romance — the first in a duology — that is unique, intricate, and so captivating. This was my first read by this author and it honestly exceeded my expectations.
Three hundred years ago, a goddess died, a child was born, and no one knew what became of it.
My mind is still spinning over this book! The prologue hooked me and I binged the rest in less than 24 hours. It took me on a ride. There are so many things I could rave about, but in the interest of preventing spoilers I am going to be pretty vague in this review when it comes to the plot and characters. I will say, the story became something so much more than I anticipated along the way. The second half of this book had my eyes bugging out and my mind reeling and I could not get enough.
This story is told in third-person but has multiple character perspectives and spans an enormous timeline. This multifaceted view adds depth and richness to the intricate world and plot that Platt has created. The world-building is easy to digest and understand, which to be frank is something I sometimes struggle with in this subgenre, and yet it didn't feel like I was being spoon-fed all the information. The flow and pacing of the story is perfect and held my interest until the final page.
And the romance!? Absolutely amazing.
Ranemir Stroud. My gods, I love this monster. The tension between him and Tenele is so palpable and I love how their volatile dynamic slowly and organically transforms into something so beautiful. Their intimate scenes are *chefs kiss* ... delicious. Did I mention he feeds on pleasure and pain??
“I can either torture you or f*ck you. That’s how you can feed me, Maiden.”
The romance is definitely more complex than the standard "enemies-to-lovers" trope, but again, I don't want to spoil the story. I would encourage anyone diving in blind to keep an open mind and prepare to be surprised.
This does end on a cliffhanger, but it's the type of cliffhanger that I enjoy because it doesn't abruptly end in the middle of the story. It's still a complete story and the end provides some closure for the characters I came to love so much — but with something sinister on the horizon.
I would recommend this to any fantasy romance readers who enjoy intricate plots, bold characters, stories that span millennia, mystery, action and adventure, bisexual and polyamory representation, dark themes, unique monsters, magical bonds and reincarnation.
I am so grateful to the author for generously providing an advanced copy for review. I loved this story and I will be waiting patiently (in agony) for the second and final instalment.
June 17, 2024
This is an incredible dark fantasy and I was not okay after reading it. And I mean that in the best way possible because I absolutely loved it and I cannot wait for the second book.
I have so many things I want to say, but they are all spoilers, so I’ll just have to settle for saying this story had me kicking my feet and smiling like a fangirl, but it also made me cry a little bit too. The story immediately draws you in, the world building and lore is amazing, and Kaytalin Platt does not disappoint with Tenele who is a take no sh!t, badass FMC. I loved both the MMCs as well—Casimir, the hot and morally-black priest, and Rane—a demon who feeds on the pain and pleasure of others.
And yes, there are spicy scenes and they are incredibly hawt. 🤭 I also really loved the Bi/Pan representation.
Tropes/Themes:
🗡️ Bi/Pan Characters
🗡️ Forced Proximity
🗡️ Enemies to Lovers
🗡️ Eldritch Gods
🗡️ Magical Bond
🗡️ They can feel each other’s pain… and pleasure
A huge thank you to Kaytalin Platt for the privilege of reading an early copy of this book. I am 100% going to reread it. 🖤
I have so many things I want to say, but they are all spoilers, so I’ll just have to settle for saying this story had me kicking my feet and smiling like a fangirl, but it also made me cry a little bit too. The story immediately draws you in, the world building and lore is amazing, and Kaytalin Platt does not disappoint with Tenele who is a take no sh!t, badass FMC. I loved both the MMCs as well—Casimir, the hot and morally-black priest, and Rane—a demon who feeds on the pain and pleasure of others.
And yes, there are spicy scenes and they are incredibly hawt. 🤭 I also really loved the Bi/Pan representation.
Tropes/Themes:
🗡️ Bi/Pan Characters
🗡️ Forced Proximity
🗡️ Enemies to Lovers
🗡️ Eldritch Gods
🗡️ Magical Bond
🗡️ They can feel each other’s pain… and pleasure
A huge thank you to Kaytalin Platt for the privilege of reading an early copy of this book. I am 100% going to reread it. 🖤
June 17, 2024
is somebody gonna match my freak
June 9, 2025
Over all not a bad story. It felt a little jumbled while reading but made sense in the end. I enjoyed the full circle moment as well.
June 30, 2025
DNF at 54%. Handed the book over to my speed-reading friend to sum up the rest of the chapters for me, so I consider it a wrap.
Of Silver and Sin by Katyalin Platt follows Tenele Raider, a Maiden of the Red Court who hunts monsters alongside her all-female band of holy warriors. With her silver hair and divine-blessed healing gift, Tenele is an outlier among her kind, tasked with a special mission to assist her Queen in investigating a resurgence of monster attacks along the border. After the loss of her squad in a bloody skirmish, Tenele is forced to partner with the one creature who is a Maiden's worst enemy—a Shade. Horned and gray-skinned, Ranemir Stroud feeds on either pleasure or pain for his power like the rest of his kind, and it's this reluctant partnership with him to gain answers that may prove to be Tenele's undoing.
I try to extend indie- and small-publisher books a lot more grace than I do more mainstream books. What I can say attracted me to pick up Of Silver and Sin was the promise of an incubus-esque dark romance and the fact that the cover evokes Ariana Grande's "God is a woman" music video. My, how on-the-nose.
Unfortunately, that's where my compliments end, and believe me, I tried to dredge up more that I liked about this book. The problem is I gave it a longer chance to grab me than I should've before I had to concede that I wasn't enjoying anything about it.
I found the novel lacking and under-developed in all directions—characterization, plot, setting, dialogue, world-building, romance—but the main problem that underpins and contributes to every issue is the lack of a thread of logic running throughout. Yes, that boring ol' logic that's key to making any story feel real, like you could step into it if you wanted.
Without this logic, there's no inherent sense of why characters act a certain way over another, why they say what they say, or why the world even works the way it does. I don't know why this world has the pantheon it does, what a Grela is, or why Queen Sinead has a longer-than-average mortal life and no one feels some type of way about it. Instead, everything behaves in strict accordance to the author's wishes, because that's how she wanted a scene to play out, that's where she wanted her characters to go, that's what she wanted them to think when she wanted them to think it. There's no sense at all of the characters taking the reins and telling their own story or interacting with their world their way.
The author clearly envisioned some grand, cosmic, polyamorous romance between gods spanning reincarnations and mortal lives and worked backwards from that idea. The result is that the versions of these characters I actually met are puppets on strings to playact this idea with little buildup, believability, connection, or genuine passion. You see the author's hand throughout, smashing her Barbies together, and once you know what the wizard behind the curtain looks like, the magic and intrigue—what little there was—evaporates.
The book also constantly and loudly projects what it's about to do and then doesn't waste a bit of time doing it, meaning the reader isn't left with any suspense. A priestess tells a story about a woman spontaneously getting pregnant and giving birth in a few minutes. That same priestess then immediately has the same thing happen to her. Tenele thinks to herself that she knows better continuing to travel in the dark with shadow monsters loose, but the lights from the town are so close. Her squad is promptly attacked and ripped apart a moment later. Ad infinitum. Tension doesn't build in this story, and there are no surprises because the author doesn't trust you're smart enough to get it without her pointing the way straight to it. In Platt's case, I feel this is less about disdaining her readers and more a sign that she is still inexperienced and unsure with her craft. With more practice, she'll get there, I'm sure.
For now, the author's overreaching makes her characters extremely difficult to like or believe. Tenele is a walking contradiction (derogatory). She's a warrior leader who constantly needs saving and who never has the introspection to admit her selfish, shoddy decision got her entire squad killed. She's virginal and pure until sex with a Shade (read: a man) ruins her, but all that lesbian sex in the past never counted because that's not real sex. She's a feminist girlboss who comes to other women's rescue against misogynists, but no other woman in this story matters. She calls other women whores despite the fact that the main action she takes over and over again is to have sex, for the "plot." She's a female Witcher, down to women literally throwing themselves at her for sexual favors, and yet, she is constantly at the sexual and physical mercy of every man around her. She rarely, if ever, instigates sex with any gender, but I'm supposed to believe it's empowering and enjoyable for her to ride her first man dry and bounce sullenly on his dick because she doesn't want to; she just has to so they'll both survive. She's a character we're supposed to admire and find badass and "not like other girls," but her trauma at men's hands is constantly overblown yet trivialized and constantly from the male characters' POVs or pleasure, while her pain is treated as an afterthought, as their sad backstory.
Casimir was eye-roll worthy when I first met him. (He hates to murder people, but it's the quickest way to get what he wants, so what's a poor guy to do? #JusticeforFatherPeeble) He's a horndog for Tenele immediately, despite not knowing why (a sign that the author isn't working to create authentic attraction between her characters but allowing Fate and Her Cool Romance Idea to do the work for her), and that was so boring. Once he spontaneously catches slightly more real "feelings" for Tenele and Ranemir, he unintentionally became very funny to me. Dance, idiot, dance! But damn, for him to wind up in the exact same place he was at the beginning of the book is heinous.
Jyn was, sadly, the only character who I felt was actually carrying out the incubus portion of this dark romance. His sadism was cartoonish, but at least his setups for his fantasies carried a hint of kink to them. A certain titillation, one might say. If only I'd cared about him!
When I first met Ranemir, I instantly got Alucard from Hellsing vibes. It was all the remarks on his glowing eyes and crazed grins, some of his early speech patterns, and the realization that Queen Sinead was supposed to be some version of Integra. (Also, he's being kept in the basement. All that was missing was the coffin.) When I read the Author's Note in the back, verifying that very suspicion, dread consumed me because, yeah, Ranemir almost instantly became sanded-down in the story to be "different." His insanity and purred taunts dried up. His monstrousness all but vanished. He was nearly impotent in all the blurry fight scenes. He has uninspired sex, no drip, no game. He's not even a bratty sub who wants a strong master to put him in his place and earn his respect! What am I here for?
When the entire novel derails to give you an extended flashback in time to explore yet speed-run these characters' past lives, I thought maybe there would be something here that makes it all worth it. If there's no chemistry in any of their present lives, maybe there's some heartbreakingly good stuff going down in the past. Oh, no, just some childish god bet and raging domestic abuse where the victim is continuously silenced and victimized some more? Fiiiiine. [puts on my clown makeup]
Reading Of Silver and Sin felt like reading a foregone conclusion, one the author wanted you to "get" as soon as possible even while she seemed to tire writing the "boring parts" of her story, so she skipped them, logic and all. I've been trying to give indie and upcoming authors a chance, so I'm glad I purchased and attempted this one. I'm also just glad to have my time back.
Of Silver and Sin by Katyalin Platt follows Tenele Raider, a Maiden of the Red Court who hunts monsters alongside her all-female band of holy warriors. With her silver hair and divine-blessed healing gift, Tenele is an outlier among her kind, tasked with a special mission to assist her Queen in investigating a resurgence of monster attacks along the border. After the loss of her squad in a bloody skirmish, Tenele is forced to partner with the one creature who is a Maiden's worst enemy—a Shade. Horned and gray-skinned, Ranemir Stroud feeds on either pleasure or pain for his power like the rest of his kind, and it's this reluctant partnership with him to gain answers that may prove to be Tenele's undoing.
I try to extend indie- and small-publisher books a lot more grace than I do more mainstream books. What I can say attracted me to pick up Of Silver and Sin was the promise of an incubus-esque dark romance and the fact that the cover evokes Ariana Grande's "God is a woman" music video. My, how on-the-nose.
Unfortunately, that's where my compliments end, and believe me, I tried to dredge up more that I liked about this book. The problem is I gave it a longer chance to grab me than I should've before I had to concede that I wasn't enjoying anything about it.
I found the novel lacking and under-developed in all directions—characterization, plot, setting, dialogue, world-building, romance—but the main problem that underpins and contributes to every issue is the lack of a thread of logic running throughout. Yes, that boring ol' logic that's key to making any story feel real, like you could step into it if you wanted.
Without this logic, there's no inherent sense of why characters act a certain way over another, why they say what they say, or why the world even works the way it does. I don't know why this world has the pantheon it does, what a Grela is, or why Queen Sinead has a longer-than-average mortal life and no one feels some type of way about it. Instead, everything behaves in strict accordance to the author's wishes, because that's how she wanted a scene to play out, that's where she wanted her characters to go, that's what she wanted them to think when she wanted them to think it. There's no sense at all of the characters taking the reins and telling their own story or interacting with their world their way.
The author clearly envisioned some grand, cosmic, polyamorous romance between gods spanning reincarnations and mortal lives and worked backwards from that idea. The result is that the versions of these characters I actually met are puppets on strings to playact this idea with little buildup, believability, connection, or genuine passion. You see the author's hand throughout, smashing her Barbies together, and once you know what the wizard behind the curtain looks like, the magic and intrigue—what little there was—evaporates.
The book also constantly and loudly projects what it's about to do and then doesn't waste a bit of time doing it, meaning the reader isn't left with any suspense. A priestess tells a story about a woman spontaneously getting pregnant and giving birth in a few minutes. That same priestess then immediately has the same thing happen to her. Tenele thinks to herself that she knows better continuing to travel in the dark with shadow monsters loose, but the lights from the town are so close. Her squad is promptly attacked and ripped apart a moment later. Ad infinitum. Tension doesn't build in this story, and there are no surprises because the author doesn't trust you're smart enough to get it without her pointing the way straight to it. In Platt's case, I feel this is less about disdaining her readers and more a sign that she is still inexperienced and unsure with her craft. With more practice, she'll get there, I'm sure.
For now, the author's overreaching makes her characters extremely difficult to like or believe. Tenele is a walking contradiction (derogatory). She's a warrior leader who constantly needs saving and who never has the introspection to admit her selfish, shoddy decision got her entire squad killed. She's virginal and pure until sex with a Shade (read: a man) ruins her, but all that lesbian sex in the past never counted because that's not real sex. She's a feminist girlboss who comes to other women's rescue against misogynists, but no other woman in this story matters. She calls other women whores despite the fact that the main action she takes over and over again is to have sex, for the "plot." She's a female Witcher, down to women literally throwing themselves at her for sexual favors, and yet, she is constantly at the sexual and physical mercy of every man around her. She rarely, if ever, instigates sex with any gender, but I'm supposed to believe it's empowering and enjoyable for her to ride her first man dry and bounce sullenly on his dick because she doesn't want to; she just has to so they'll both survive. She's a character we're supposed to admire and find badass and "not like other girls," but her trauma at men's hands is constantly overblown yet trivialized and constantly from the male characters' POVs or pleasure, while her pain is treated as an afterthought, as their sad backstory.
Casimir was eye-roll worthy when I first met him. (He hates to murder people, but it's the quickest way to get what he wants, so what's a poor guy to do? #JusticeforFatherPeeble) He's a horndog for Tenele immediately, despite not knowing why (a sign that the author isn't working to create authentic attraction between her characters but allowing Fate and Her Cool Romance Idea to do the work for her), and that was so boring. Once he spontaneously catches slightly more real "feelings" for Tenele and Ranemir, he unintentionally became very funny to me. Dance, idiot, dance! But damn, for him to wind up in the exact same place he was at the beginning of the book is heinous.
Jyn was, sadly, the only character who I felt was actually carrying out the incubus portion of this dark romance. His sadism was cartoonish, but at least his setups for his fantasies carried a hint of kink to them. A certain titillation, one might say. If only I'd cared about him!
When I first met Ranemir, I instantly got Alucard from Hellsing vibes. It was all the remarks on his glowing eyes and crazed grins, some of his early speech patterns, and the realization that Queen Sinead was supposed to be some version of Integra. (Also, he's being kept in the basement. All that was missing was the coffin.) When I read the Author's Note in the back, verifying that very suspicion, dread consumed me because, yeah, Ranemir almost instantly became sanded-down in the story to be "different." His insanity and purred taunts dried up. His monstrousness all but vanished. He was nearly impotent in all the blurry fight scenes. He has uninspired sex, no drip, no game. He's not even a bratty sub who wants a strong master to put him in his place and earn his respect! What am I here for?
When the entire novel derails to give you an extended flashback in time to explore yet speed-run these characters' past lives, I thought maybe there would be something here that makes it all worth it. If there's no chemistry in any of their present lives, maybe there's some heartbreakingly good stuff going down in the past. Oh, no, just some childish god bet and raging domestic abuse where the victim is continuously silenced and victimized some more? Fiiiiine. [puts on my clown makeup]
Reading Of Silver and Sin felt like reading a foregone conclusion, one the author wanted you to "get" as soon as possible even while she seemed to tire writing the "boring parts" of her story, so she skipped them, logic and all. I've been trying to give indie and upcoming authors a chance, so I'm glad I purchased and attempted this one. I'm also just glad to have my time back.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2024
Tropes:
🌌 God's
😈 Monsters
🌌 Maidens
😈 Game of fate
🌌 Touch her & ☠️
😈 Multiple POV
🌌 Different Timelines
😈 Enemies to Lovers
"I should be dead. I should be dead. I should be dead."
This was an intriguing story of warrior maidens, queens, monsters, and gods. The adventure and obstacles these characters went through was quite a ride, who never had a moments rest battling shadows and monsters.
This is a story of honor and bravery - Tenele our main Maiden of the Red Court was trying to serve her people well and find an end to these shadow creatures destroying their outposts, being the last she went to the queen for guidance. The events turn into a Maiden working with an enslaved Shade - Rane, who is a demon of Shadows her sworn enemy as they try to figure out what is happening to the kingdom. They are bound together by the queen for the greater good.
I loved the banter between these two.They had such a playful connection. Let's just say you can either give Rane pain or pleasure to help feed him 👌.
“It’s been a week since you fed.” She arched a brow at him. “Are you grumpy because you’re hungry?” Rane’s disbelief culminated in a helpless laugh. “Which of us is acting hungry?”
I was baffled once the plot twist unraveled. The way it was woven so beautifully and so subtle here and there was brilliantly done. I truly enjoyed this adventure. It was something new and divine. I am so excited to see where this goes in book two. I feel like I can't give away too much. This is a book to be experienced.
I am looking forward to reading more from the author.
You need to check out her artwork. I am in love with it!
🌌 God's
😈 Monsters
🌌 Maidens
😈 Game of fate
🌌 Touch her & ☠️
😈 Multiple POV
🌌 Different Timelines
😈 Enemies to Lovers
"I should be dead. I should be dead. I should be dead."
This was an intriguing story of warrior maidens, queens, monsters, and gods. The adventure and obstacles these characters went through was quite a ride, who never had a moments rest battling shadows and monsters.
This is a story of honor and bravery - Tenele our main Maiden of the Red Court was trying to serve her people well and find an end to these shadow creatures destroying their outposts, being the last she went to the queen for guidance. The events turn into a Maiden working with an enslaved Shade - Rane, who is a demon of Shadows her sworn enemy as they try to figure out what is happening to the kingdom. They are bound together by the queen for the greater good.
I loved the banter between these two.They had such a playful connection. Let's just say you can either give Rane pain or pleasure to help feed him 👌.
“It’s been a week since you fed.” She arched a brow at him. “Are you grumpy because you’re hungry?” Rane’s disbelief culminated in a helpless laugh. “Which of us is acting hungry?”
I was baffled once the plot twist unraveled. The way it was woven so beautifully and so subtle here and there was brilliantly done. I truly enjoyed this adventure. It was something new and divine. I am so excited to see where this goes in book two. I feel like I can't give away too much. This is a book to be experienced.
I am looking forward to reading more from the author.
You need to check out her artwork. I am in love with it!
July 25, 2024
A plot both super hot and super layered, I seriously didn't expect things to take the direction they did yet it was brought at the right time and with the right speed.
Did I mention how hot-
The gods, goddess, monsters aspect gave the whole thing an atmosphere that grabbed me and pulled me into the book, it felt like listening to a classical soundtrack but on paper 😊
Especially loved the mix of attraction and hatred, the spice and the plot twists, the romance and the actual plotline, just wonderful. It's genuinely really ho-
The end both frustrated and satisfied me, I'm excited to read the next one but also annoyed that things are left the way they are now :( hope I don't miss the sequel when it comes out 🙂↕️
[Arc review, honest opinion]
Did I mention how hot-
The gods, goddess, monsters aspect gave the whole thing an atmosphere that grabbed me and pulled me into the book, it felt like listening to a classical soundtrack but on paper 😊
Especially loved the mix of attraction and hatred, the spice and the plot twists, the romance and the actual plotline, just wonderful. It's genuinely really ho-
The end both frustrated and satisfied me, I'm excited to read the next one but also annoyed that things are left the way they are now :( hope I don't miss the sequel when it comes out 🙂↕️
[Arc review, honest opinion]
June 29, 2024
*review contains spoilers*
Thanks NetGalley and Duskbound Books for this ARC. The cover is gorgeous and the premise sounded interesting!
Quick and easy read - read it all in one sitting. However the book just wasn't my cup of tea. It was well written in the sense that it was fast paced and kept me somewhat engaged to push through but overall, the story just didn't do anything for me. I felt that the story was underdeveloped - the characters, world building and plot all seemed surface level and I didn't have a grasp on what the hell was happening lol. Lots of time jumps and things happening my little brain cannot process probably. For a moment, I was worried there was gonna be some incest happening (it didn't thankfully).
The main female lead is portrayed as weak despite being a monster hunter/warrior - she literally had be rescued all the times she encountered an antagonistic force. Even the main male lead didn't seem that monstrous. There didn't seem to be a genuine connection between the love interests - nothing was really shown - it was just told and basically relied on the relationship which existed eons ago to sustain their connection in the present day story.
This book is basically about a poly relationship spanning millenniums and involving reincarnations and bored gods.
Would not read again.
Overall rating: 1.5/5
Thanks NetGalley and Duskbound Books for this ARC. The cover is gorgeous and the premise sounded interesting!
Quick and easy read - read it all in one sitting. However the book just wasn't my cup of tea. It was well written in the sense that it was fast paced and kept me somewhat engaged to push through but overall, the story just didn't do anything for me. I felt that the story was underdeveloped - the characters, world building and plot all seemed surface level and I didn't have a grasp on what the hell was happening lol. Lots of time jumps and things happening my little brain cannot process probably. For a moment, I was worried there was gonna be some incest happening (it didn't thankfully).
The main female lead is portrayed as weak despite being a monster hunter/warrior - she literally had be rescued all the times she encountered an antagonistic force. Even the main male lead didn't seem that monstrous. There didn't seem to be a genuine connection between the love interests - nothing was really shown - it was just told and basically relied on the relationship which existed eons ago to sustain their connection in the present day story.
This book is basically about a poly relationship spanning millenniums and involving reincarnations and bored gods.
Would not read again.
Overall rating: 1.5/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2024
I'm going to write a full review later, but I'll give my disclaimer first: I beta read and copy edited this book. But trust me, the book was so good that I **wanted** to read it twice!
July 2, 2024
5 STAR ARC READ.
Tenele Raider, a monster hunter, must team up with a creature she pledged her life to kill. Ranemir Stroud, a Shade tethered to a centuries old Queen, craves the pain and pleasure of others— and his freedom, until he meets Tenele Raider, and becomes lost to his own feelings, feelings that tell him he’s known her before.
• I absolutely adored this book. This was 297 pages of pure adrenaline. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I didn’t really know much about it before going in. When I saw the title and that there was a priest mixed in somewhere, I was immediately sold.
• The world building is NOT overwhelming. It’s sprinkled throughout and paced beautifully. The world itself is uniquely structured, and I enjoyed its differences.
• I am fairly certain the majority of characters are not heterosexual. The main characters are bisexual for sure, and THEIR SEXUALITIES AREN’T TREATED LIKE A SECRET OR LIKE THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG OR DIFFERENT ABOUT IT. Man, that was such a breath of fresh air to have characters be openly bisexual and it not be some deeply hidden secret shame.
• If you like twisty reads, you are in for a ride with this one! Something wild happens like every chapter, and it was marvelous. This is incredibly fast paced.
•Ranemir Stroud? Could get it however he wanted.
I do not have any actual critiques. If you like this genre and monster romances, you will enjoy this read. My only partial critique is that I assumed it was a turned priest story, and that’s on me. The book drops 08/20… GET IT.
Tenele Raider, a monster hunter, must team up with a creature she pledged her life to kill. Ranemir Stroud, a Shade tethered to a centuries old Queen, craves the pain and pleasure of others— and his freedom, until he meets Tenele Raider, and becomes lost to his own feelings, feelings that tell him he’s known her before.
• I absolutely adored this book. This was 297 pages of pure adrenaline. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I didn’t really know much about it before going in. When I saw the title and that there was a priest mixed in somewhere, I was immediately sold.
• The world building is NOT overwhelming. It’s sprinkled throughout and paced beautifully. The world itself is uniquely structured, and I enjoyed its differences.
• I am fairly certain the majority of characters are not heterosexual. The main characters are bisexual for sure, and THEIR SEXUALITIES AREN’T TREATED LIKE A SECRET OR LIKE THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG OR DIFFERENT ABOUT IT. Man, that was such a breath of fresh air to have characters be openly bisexual and it not be some deeply hidden secret shame.
• If you like twisty reads, you are in for a ride with this one! Something wild happens like every chapter, and it was marvelous. This is incredibly fast paced.
•Ranemir Stroud? Could get it however he wanted.
I do not have any actual critiques. If you like this genre and monster romances, you will enjoy this read. My only partial critique is that I assumed it was a turned priest story, and that’s on me. The book drops 08/20… GET IT.
July 29, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book was a challenging read that took me 17 days to get through, despite its relatively short length. In comparison, I have read much longer books in a far shorter timeframe. The writing is dense, and it often felt like I was dropped into the middle of a series I hadn't read, even though this was the first book in a duology.
Very little is explained about the core concepts and terminology - what is a Shade, the differences between a Shade and a Shadow, or what exactly a Grela is. These and many other questions are left unanswered, or not satisfactorily addressed until very near the end. While unanswered questions can sometimes pique curiosity, in this case, it made it harder for me to stay engaged. There were insufficient context clues to help me understand the world and its mechanics.
Despite its excellent bombastic opening chapter, the novel moves at a slow pace, with the main characters largely confined to the same village for the majority of the story. It's not until the last 75% that there's a significant tonal shift into a flashback sequence exploring some potentially triggering subject matter, including rape, spousal abuse, misogyny, miscarriages, and assault. This was almost too much, even for an avid reader of dark fantasy like myself. I considered putting it down many times and not picking it back up.
The LGBTQ+ representation, particularly the lesbian relationships, felt unsatisfying. The lesbian encounters were more implied than shown, and lacked the same level of romantic development as the numerous straight and bisexual/polyamorous(M/M/F) sex scenes throughout the novel. I would have preferred the lesbian scenes to be omitted entirely rather than handled the way they were.
Ultimately, this book felt more like a "romantasy" than the fantasy adventure I was hoping for. The main male love interest, Ranimir "Rane" Stroud and main character, Tenele, felt underdeveloped as characters. They had sex often for plot reasons, but I never cared enough about either of them to enjoy it. I stuck with the book to the end, hoping for a payoff and explanation for the promising opening, but in the end, it was only a middling experience for me. I likely won't be continuing with the sequel.
This book was a challenging read that took me 17 days to get through, despite its relatively short length. In comparison, I have read much longer books in a far shorter timeframe. The writing is dense, and it often felt like I was dropped into the middle of a series I hadn't read, even though this was the first book in a duology.
Very little is explained about the core concepts and terminology - what is a Shade, the differences between a Shade and a Shadow, or what exactly a Grela is. These and many other questions are left unanswered, or not satisfactorily addressed until very near the end. While unanswered questions can sometimes pique curiosity, in this case, it made it harder for me to stay engaged. There were insufficient context clues to help me understand the world and its mechanics.
Despite its excellent bombastic opening chapter, the novel moves at a slow pace, with the main characters largely confined to the same village for the majority of the story. It's not until the last 75% that there's a significant tonal shift into a flashback sequence exploring some potentially triggering subject matter, including rape, spousal abuse, misogyny, miscarriages, and assault. This was almost too much, even for an avid reader of dark fantasy like myself. I considered putting it down many times and not picking it back up.
The LGBTQ+ representation, particularly the lesbian relationships, felt unsatisfying. The lesbian encounters were more implied than shown, and lacked the same level of romantic development as the numerous straight and bisexual/polyamorous(M/M/F) sex scenes throughout the novel. I would have preferred the lesbian scenes to be omitted entirely rather than handled the way they were.
Ultimately, this book felt more like a "romantasy" than the fantasy adventure I was hoping for. The main male love interest, Ranimir "Rane" Stroud and main character, Tenele, felt underdeveloped as characters. They had sex often for plot reasons, but I never cared enough about either of them to enjoy it. I stuck with the book to the end, hoping for a payoff and explanation for the promising opening, but in the end, it was only a middling experience for me. I likely won't be continuing with the sequel.
August 20, 2024
Most of my books I discover through Goodreads, Instagram and other social media. Sometimes I stumble upon a book on Netgalley. In this case this book hadn't crossed my path, but I was scrolling through Netgalley and liked both the cover and the title. The summary also promised me a story I was gonna adore, especially since Romantasy is the genre I've been looking for. I was therefore very glad that the author granted my request for a review copy.
There are many elements in this book I liked. The tension between the heroine and the hero is quite clearly there and present. The smut scenes are also very well written and although there are quite a few it never feels like an overload. I also think the general plot is interesting, just like the characters and all the secrets they hide. However, it took me a long time to really get invested and the finale was so chaotic that I felt that investment slipping again.
I think the main issue with this book is that the flashbacks, and the explanation of what is truly going on, are all given at once. At a logical point in the book, the moment our characters are remembering too, we get to see what has happened to cause all this and why it resulted in this situation. Although it was fun to get that entire story at once, I think I would have enjoyed it better if the flashbacks had been mixed in with the rest of the story.
Because it now takes a really long time before the book starts to move somewhere. We understand that these characters are on their way to get information and answers, but it never feels like they're actively searching and questioning people. It feels like a lot of things just happen by chance. And the latter does make sense in the grand scheme of things, but it takes a while before we find that out. I would have loved to get bits of information sooner.
It was absolutely not a bad read, but I'm not sure yet if I will check out the sequel since the true click doesn't seem to be there yet.
There are many elements in this book I liked. The tension between the heroine and the hero is quite clearly there and present. The smut scenes are also very well written and although there are quite a few it never feels like an overload. I also think the general plot is interesting, just like the characters and all the secrets they hide. However, it took me a long time to really get invested and the finale was so chaotic that I felt that investment slipping again.
I think the main issue with this book is that the flashbacks, and the explanation of what is truly going on, are all given at once. At a logical point in the book, the moment our characters are remembering too, we get to see what has happened to cause all this and why it resulted in this situation. Although it was fun to get that entire story at once, I think I would have enjoyed it better if the flashbacks had been mixed in with the rest of the story.
Because it now takes a really long time before the book starts to move somewhere. We understand that these characters are on their way to get information and answers, but it never feels like they're actively searching and questioning people. It feels like a lot of things just happen by chance. And the latter does make sense in the grand scheme of things, but it takes a while before we find that out. I would have loved to get bits of information sooner.
It was absolutely not a bad read, but I'm not sure yet if I will check out the sequel since the true click doesn't seem to be there yet.
June 18, 2024
This dark fantasy romance was so intriguing -- I couldn't put it down! This is not your typical enemies to lovers.
This book is multi-POV and I ended up falling in love with basically all of the characters. and the spice is spicing.
The fantasy world-building is a bit complex in this one but things are revealed throughout the course of the book that helped me understand everything.
In fact, there were so many reveals... I was on the edge of my seat the entire time!
I'm looking forward to the next book in this duology.
Thank you to Netgalley and Kaytalin Platt for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
This book is multi-POV and I ended up falling in love with basically all of the characters. and the spice is spicing.
The fantasy world-building is a bit complex in this one but things are revealed throughout the course of the book that helped me understand everything.
In fact, there were so many reveals... I was on the edge of my seat the entire time!
I'm looking forward to the next book in this duology.
Thank you to Netgalley and Kaytalin Platt for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
June 18, 2024
First, I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Now - wow! It took me a little bit to get into this story, because I was a little confused with the world building and history. I even had a strange war-time dream (nightmare?) after picking this up at first. I’m glad I stuck with it and started figuring things out. I really did enjoy this one!
In reading the thanks - I love the behind the scenes of making this story, haha. Very cool that this started out in a bit of a different way a long while back!
5/5 stars, would recommend. And I’m excited for the next one!
Now - wow! It took me a little bit to get into this story, because I was a little confused with the world building and history. I even had a strange war-time dream (nightmare?) after picking this up at first. I’m glad I stuck with it and started figuring things out. I really did enjoy this one!
In reading the thanks - I love the behind the scenes of making this story, haha. Very cool that this started out in a bit of a different way a long while back!
5/5 stars, would recommend. And I’m excited for the next one!
July 3, 2024
This book was a wild ride!!! The FMC is a warrior and loyal to a fault throughout, the middle twist was kind of predictable but this doesnt take away from the plot.
Rane was a brilliant MMC, he brought the broodiness we needed and banter with our FMC. This book is spicy and has a fav trope of mine show up early in the book. The world building and the villain were great, I loved the ending as well. I’m excited to see this story continue because it looks like its only going to get darker and hopefully spicier!
Rane was a brilliant MMC, he brought the broodiness we needed and banter with our FMC. This book is spicy and has a fav trope of mine show up early in the book. The world building and the villain were great, I loved the ending as well. I’m excited to see this story continue because it looks like its only going to get darker and hopefully spicier!
July 25, 2024
This book just wouldn’t end
September 9, 2024
Actual rating: 3.5 stars!
July 9, 2024
Oh wow. Let me start by saying I didn't think I would finish this book. The beginning went super super slow and I didn't think it would be my kind of book, but tenele and rane are phenomenal together. Heartbreaking, full of pain and a bloody History, this book was great. I was so sad when I realized it was the end and I needed more. There's side characters that entwine with the main ones and villains who I wanted to get their karma. I'll be watching for more from this author and series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 29, 2024
4.75⭐️
First of all let's talk about the cover .Oh my god how beautiful it is and not only in terms of illustration but also what it symbolizes the way Tenele is depicted on the cover (I don't want to go into details because I want to avoid spoilers)!!
I just finished the book and i'm just trying to put into words and without spoilers how i felt.
The author made me feel anxiety, fear, disgust with the violence of the characters (not because she created them that way but because their behaviors were so realistic in relation to the average person. ), love, passion, excitement, disappointment and indignation!! The plot twist didn't leave me speechless as I had carefully picked up all the crumbs the author had left up until that point so I understood exactly what was going on but again when the truth unfolded the emotions were so intense that my stomach clenched ! Fantastic book, with incredible characters, a book in which nothing and no one in it is as it appears, very beautiful cosmology and full of messages and occasions for great discussions!!!
I don't know who to choose as my favorite character (because all of the are amazing ) but I know the most hated one .(Thar 👿)
The ending left me with mixed emotions, anguish, indignation and the words "no, no, no, Why, why?, don't do this to him " and so many questions and pleas that I can't tell you without giving spoilers!!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this Arc for exchange for my honest opinion it was a hell of a ride and Ioved every second of it !!! so many great issues touched by the author that are dying to be discussed above, so many truths written ready for you to notice and make you think!
First of all let's talk about the cover .Oh my god how beautiful it is and not only in terms of illustration but also what it symbolizes the way Tenele is depicted on the cover (I don't want to go into details because I want to avoid spoilers)!!
I just finished the book and i'm just trying to put into words and without spoilers how i felt.
The author made me feel anxiety, fear, disgust with the violence of the characters (not because she created them that way but because their behaviors were so realistic in relation to the average person. ), love, passion, excitement, disappointment and indignation!! The plot twist didn't leave me speechless as I had carefully picked up all the crumbs the author had left up until that point so I understood exactly what was going on but again when the truth unfolded the emotions were so intense that my stomach clenched ! Fantastic book, with incredible characters, a book in which nothing and no one in it is as it appears, very beautiful cosmology and full of messages and occasions for great discussions!!!
I don't know who to choose as my favorite character (because all of the are amazing ) but I know the most hated one .(Thar 👿)
The ending left me with mixed emotions, anguish, indignation and the words "no, no, no, Why, why?, don't do this to him " and so many questions and pleas that I can't tell you without giving spoilers!!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this Arc for exchange for my honest opinion it was a hell of a ride and Ioved every second of it !!! so many great issues touched by the author that are dying to be discussed above, so many truths written ready for you to notice and make you think!
August 27, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
A big thank you to the author Kaytalin Platt and BookSirens for providing the eARC.
Okay, so from the get-go the premise of this book sounded amazingly fresh and new.
I did have a decent time reading until about the 55% mark, after which I was just weirded out, to put it mildly.
The pacing of the first half was ok and easy to get through. The different perspectives and time jumps from the three main characters took a moment to adjust to, but guessing that all of their stories were interwoven, it made sense and didn't distract too much from the plot.
Honestly, Chapter two is one of the best introductions of a character I've seen in a while. I wish it would have continued like that.
That being said, I had some major issues getting through this book.
Tenele is a warrior/monster hunter and her forced companion Ranemir is a monster. We don't get a lot of context about terminology in this world and the world-building is lacking. Sadly, neither Tenele nor Ranemir quite live up to their full potential, when it comes to character development, their skillset and tactical thinking. And their geniune connection and romance leaves much to be desired. There was reluctancy and some snarky banter though and I didn't mind the spice as long as it didn't overtake every aspect of the storyline.
But then Chapter 22 happened.
Which, for me personally, made the whole story turn tacky really quickly. I just got the ick and couldn't shake it for the rest of the book.
All of a sudden, the only role our main girl had, was to play the mistress to a monster, so there is a lot of spice in a really short amount of time and it just feels like we abandoned the plot.
It made me so mad, because I really had high hopes that this book was going to have more nuance. I was really struggling to keep going until about 70% because a lot was happening, but it couldn't keep me engaged (Being mostly told, rather than shown).
And Chapter 32, brought on a twist in form of a multiple chapter flashback sequence, which granted, explained a lot of the key points to the story and was plastered with triggering dark themes, but had me convinced that I had picked up a whole different book altogether.
I believe the original idea was really good, and I'm a sucker for a tragic polyamorous love story that spans over millenia and gods/entities that play games antagonizing one another throughout time. But the book could have really benefitted from a structural do-over and ultimately more time to develop a more well-rounded world and in-depth characters.
However, I would be interested to see where book 2 is taking us and what conclusion awaits, if just to see whether the author throws the readers for another loop or whether the assumptions/ predictions I've made from finishing this one will ring true.
A big thank you to the author Kaytalin Platt and BookSirens for providing the eARC.
Okay, so from the get-go the premise of this book sounded amazingly fresh and new.
I did have a decent time reading until about the 55% mark, after which I was just weirded out, to put it mildly.
The pacing of the first half was ok and easy to get through. The different perspectives and time jumps from the three main characters took a moment to adjust to, but guessing that all of their stories were interwoven, it made sense and didn't distract too much from the plot.
Honestly, Chapter two is one of the best introductions of a character I've seen in a while. I wish it would have continued like that.
That being said, I had some major issues getting through this book.
Tenele is a warrior/monster hunter and her forced companion Ranemir is a monster. We don't get a lot of context about terminology in this world and the world-building is lacking. Sadly, neither Tenele nor Ranemir quite live up to their full potential, when it comes to character development, their skillset and tactical thinking. And their geniune connection and romance leaves much to be desired. There was reluctancy and some snarky banter though and I didn't mind the spice as long as it didn't overtake every aspect of the storyline.
But then Chapter 22 happened.
Which, for me personally, made the whole story turn tacky really quickly. I just got the ick and couldn't shake it for the rest of the book.
All of a sudden, the only role our main girl had, was to play the mistress to a monster, so there is a lot of spice in a really short amount of time and it just feels like we abandoned the plot.
It made me so mad, because I really had high hopes that this book was going to have more nuance. I was really struggling to keep going until about 70% because a lot was happening, but it couldn't keep me engaged (Being mostly told, rather than shown).
And Chapter 32, brought on a twist in form of a multiple chapter flashback sequence, which granted, explained a lot of the key points to the story and was plastered with triggering dark themes, but had me convinced that I had picked up a whole different book altogether.
I believe the original idea was really good, and I'm a sucker for a tragic polyamorous love story that spans over millenia and gods/entities that play games antagonizing one another throughout time. But the book could have really benefitted from a structural do-over and ultimately more time to develop a more well-rounded world and in-depth characters.
However, I would be interested to see where book 2 is taking us and what conclusion awaits, if just to see whether the author throws the readers for another loop or whether the assumptions/ predictions I've made from finishing this one will ring true.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2024
(DNF at 43%)
Thank you to Duskbound Books and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
As you can probably guess by the fact that I didn’t manage to finish it, this book was not it for me – which is really unfortunate, because the premise of the book piqued my interest from the very beginning! And I tried to like this book, I promise, I really tried, but in the end, there were several issues with this book that, collectively, made me decide to finally put it down.
Firstly, the worldbuilding – or rather, the lack of it. If I squint, I can identify a few worldbuilding blocks that could’ve been really interesting, if the author had known what to do with them or how to weave them meaningfully into the story and plot. However, I feel like they remained just that: building blocks haphazardly thrown together to create a generic and frankly clumsy attempt at a unique fantasy world. As a worldbuilding and lore buff, the lack of intentionality really struck me and took me out of the setting.
Secondly, the characters and their relationship. Good God, even almost halfway into the book, they are both so boring. There’s nothing interesting at all about either of them, and if the author can’t make me care about the characters, then why the hell should I care about their relationship, a major focus point of the book, given that it’s a romantasy? And since there’s no substance to either character, there isn’t really any way to create chemistry between them. Also, on a note of personal preference: for a book marketed towards monsterfucker audiences, I’m sorely disappointed by the lack of monstrosity in Ranemir – silver skin, horns, and some magic powers do not a monster make.
And thirdly, the lack of atmosphere. Maybe it’s just me, but I just felt absolutely no sense of mystery, tension, or urgency, which was especially frustrating because it gave me nothing to hook my waning interest on, nothing to make me want to turn the page, and no motivation to even pick up the book for another reading session, which is why it's taken me weeks to make it not even to the halfway point. The structure of the plot just left me, once again, bored out of my mind.
If your book can’t make me care about the characters or their relationship, the plot, or the world in which it takes place, why should I waste my time on it? I think that whoever sent this book to publication without several further rounds of editing has done it a major disservice. There are seeds here to create an awesome story, I have no doubt of that, but as it stands right now, this book reads as clumsy and unpolished, and I regret having spent so much time on it as I have.
Thank you to Duskbound Books and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
As you can probably guess by the fact that I didn’t manage to finish it, this book was not it for me – which is really unfortunate, because the premise of the book piqued my interest from the very beginning! And I tried to like this book, I promise, I really tried, but in the end, there were several issues with this book that, collectively, made me decide to finally put it down.
Firstly, the worldbuilding – or rather, the lack of it. If I squint, I can identify a few worldbuilding blocks that could’ve been really interesting, if the author had known what to do with them or how to weave them meaningfully into the story and plot. However, I feel like they remained just that: building blocks haphazardly thrown together to create a generic and frankly clumsy attempt at a unique fantasy world. As a worldbuilding and lore buff, the lack of intentionality really struck me and took me out of the setting.
Secondly, the characters and their relationship. Good God, even almost halfway into the book, they are both so boring. There’s nothing interesting at all about either of them, and if the author can’t make me care about the characters, then why the hell should I care about their relationship, a major focus point of the book, given that it’s a romantasy? And since there’s no substance to either character, there isn’t really any way to create chemistry between them. Also, on a note of personal preference: for a book marketed towards monsterfucker audiences, I’m sorely disappointed by the lack of monstrosity in Ranemir – silver skin, horns, and some magic powers do not a monster make.
And thirdly, the lack of atmosphere. Maybe it’s just me, but I just felt absolutely no sense of mystery, tension, or urgency, which was especially frustrating because it gave me nothing to hook my waning interest on, nothing to make me want to turn the page, and no motivation to even pick up the book for another reading session, which is why it's taken me weeks to make it not even to the halfway point. The structure of the plot just left me, once again, bored out of my mind.
If your book can’t make me care about the characters or their relationship, the plot, or the world in which it takes place, why should I waste my time on it? I think that whoever sent this book to publication without several further rounds of editing has done it a major disservice. There are seeds here to create an awesome story, I have no doubt of that, but as it stands right now, this book reads as clumsy and unpolished, and I regret having spent so much time on it as I have.
July 19, 2024
"Of Silver and Sin" by Kaytalin Platt is a dark and enthralling entry into the fantasy romance genre, weaving a tale of forbidden partnership and dangerous love. The story follows Tenele Raider, a Maiden of the Red Court tasked with hunting monsters, as she reluctantly teams up with Ranemir Stroud, a Shade who thrives on pleasure and pain. Together, they embark on a perilous journey to uncover the source of the black runes appearing on corpses along their homeland's volatile border.
One of the novel's strongest aspects is its richly developed characters. Tenele is a fierce and determined protagonist, whose inner conflict between duty and desire adds depth to her character. Ranemir, with his dark allure and complex nature, is a perfect foil to Tenele, creating a dynamic and compelling partnership. Their evolving relationship, from wary allies to something more profound, is both captivating and well-paced.
The world-building in "Of Silver and Sin" is exceptional. Platt creates a vivid and immersive setting, filled with intricate lore and warring gods, that pulls readers into the narrative. The dark and gritty atmosphere enhances the tension and stakes of the story, making every twist and turn more impactful.
The plot is full of suspense and intrigue, keeping readers engaged from start to finish. The blend of action, mystery, and romance is well-balanced, ensuring that there is never a dull moment. The spicy elements of the romance add an extra layer of intensity to the already high-stakes narrative.
However, there are moments where the pacing could be tighter, and some transitions between scenes feel a bit abrupt. Additionally, while the dark themes are integral to the story, they might be intense for some readers.
Overall, "Of Silver and Sin" is a compelling start to what promises to be an exciting duology. With its strong characters, detailed world-building, and gripping plot, Kaytalin Platt delivers a dark fantasy romance that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment. If you enjoy tales of forbidden love, dark magic, and high-stakes adventure, this book is a must-read.
One of the novel's strongest aspects is its richly developed characters. Tenele is a fierce and determined protagonist, whose inner conflict between duty and desire adds depth to her character. Ranemir, with his dark allure and complex nature, is a perfect foil to Tenele, creating a dynamic and compelling partnership. Their evolving relationship, from wary allies to something more profound, is both captivating and well-paced.
The world-building in "Of Silver and Sin" is exceptional. Platt creates a vivid and immersive setting, filled with intricate lore and warring gods, that pulls readers into the narrative. The dark and gritty atmosphere enhances the tension and stakes of the story, making every twist and turn more impactful.
The plot is full of suspense and intrigue, keeping readers engaged from start to finish. The blend of action, mystery, and romance is well-balanced, ensuring that there is never a dull moment. The spicy elements of the romance add an extra layer of intensity to the already high-stakes narrative.
However, there are moments where the pacing could be tighter, and some transitions between scenes feel a bit abrupt. Additionally, while the dark themes are integral to the story, they might be intense for some readers.
Overall, "Of Silver and Sin" is a compelling start to what promises to be an exciting duology. With its strong characters, detailed world-building, and gripping plot, Kaytalin Platt delivers a dark fantasy romance that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment. If you enjoy tales of forbidden love, dark magic, and high-stakes adventure, this book is a must-read.
March 8, 2025
I received a copy of the fantasy romance book Of Silver & Sin by Kaytalin Platt from NetGalley. This romantasy book follows Tenele Raider, a Maiden of the Red Court. She is tasked with a mission by her queen to find something for her. Ranemir Stroud, a Shade, has been paired up with her for this quest. Ranemir has been a prisoner for years. These two reluctant companions set on a quest together.
The story of this book begins after the Queen’s war. Tenele Raider like many others has been orphaned after this war that devasted the country. The battle between gods Verin and Thar involved supernatural creatures and magic, leading to many casualties. A maiden of the Red Court has to take oaths and is like a warrior defending the land. Tenele is an accomplished maiden, but she holds a special place for the queen. On a mission, Tenele loses her entire team, but she is left alive with a mark. This attack is part of a series of such events. The Queen tasks Tenele to help her find who is commanding these shades for attacks. Ranemir Stroud is bound by magic and a prisoner to the queen. She forces Tenele and Ranemir on this quest together, passing her tether for Rane to Tenele.
The plot of this book is very difficult to explain. It is not a straightforward adventure fantasy story. Tenele and Ranemir are wary of each other but find common ground. Their draw towards each other is too strong to ignore. They seem to have natural chemistry. The narration shifts from Tenele to Rane and then to Cassius Drowsy throughout. I wasn’t sure who Cassius’s character is or what he meant; it’s a little ambiguous on purpose. He feels protective of Tenele, for some reason he doesn’t understand. When she brings Rane with her, Cassius feels a similar familiarity with him too.
Read my full review here - https://booksandbluess.co.in/2025/01/...
The story of this book begins after the Queen’s war. Tenele Raider like many others has been orphaned after this war that devasted the country. The battle between gods Verin and Thar involved supernatural creatures and magic, leading to many casualties. A maiden of the Red Court has to take oaths and is like a warrior defending the land. Tenele is an accomplished maiden, but she holds a special place for the queen. On a mission, Tenele loses her entire team, but she is left alive with a mark. This attack is part of a series of such events. The Queen tasks Tenele to help her find who is commanding these shades for attacks. Ranemir Stroud is bound by magic and a prisoner to the queen. She forces Tenele and Ranemir on this quest together, passing her tether for Rane to Tenele.
The plot of this book is very difficult to explain. It is not a straightforward adventure fantasy story. Tenele and Ranemir are wary of each other but find common ground. Their draw towards each other is too strong to ignore. They seem to have natural chemistry. The narration shifts from Tenele to Rane and then to Cassius Drowsy throughout. I wasn’t sure who Cassius’s character is or what he meant; it’s a little ambiguous on purpose. He feels protective of Tenele, for some reason he doesn’t understand. When she brings Rane with her, Cassius feels a similar familiarity with him too.
Read my full review here - https://booksandbluess.co.in/2025/01/...
July 5, 2024
The story follows Tenele Raider, a Maiden of the Red Court, tasked with uncovering the source of mysterious black runes plaguing the border between her home and its hostile neighbor. Platt skillfully establishes a world steeped in magic and danger. The presence of the Queens War, a conflict that left a generation of women orphaned and transformed into monster hunters, adds a layer of depth and history to the narrative. Tenele's role as a Maiden, facing the horrors of the world while sacrificing her humanity, is both compelling and heartbreaking. The introduction of Ranemir Stroud, a captivating and enigmatic Shade, elevates the story. The chemistry between the two characters is palpable, their relationship evolving from reluctant partnership to a more profound connection. Their shared journey pushes them to confront their personal demons and the inherent darkness within themselves, creating a complex and engaging dynamic. Platt's writing style is evocative and immersive. Her descriptions of the world, its creatures, and the emotional turmoil of the characters are vivid and compelling. The pacing is well-balanced, expertly weaving together action-packed sequences with moments of introspection and character development. However, the novel's true strength lies in its exploration of themes beyond the surface. The clash between fate and free will is a constant undercurrent, playing out in both Tenele and Ranemir's choices. The question of what it means to be human and the complexities of love and sacrifice are expertly woven into the narrative. I highly recommended this book for fantasy fans seeking a captivating story that balances thrilling action with introspective character development. Platt's unique world-building, intriguing plot, and compelling characters make for an unforgettable journey.
June 24, 2024
Of Silver and Sin by Kaytalin Platt
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: 20 August 2024
Tenele Raider, orphaned by the Queens War, becomes a Maiden of the Red Court, tasked with hunting monsters. When her homeland's border collapses, leaving bodies marked with mysterious black runes, Tenele is assigned to uncover their origin. Reluctantly partnered with Ranemir Stroud, a Shade who feeds on pleasure and pain, their alliance deepens as they navigate perilous paths in search of truth. Their quest leads them to confront ancient, warring gods, forcing Tenele to reconcile her growing bond with Ranemir against the demands of her destined sacrifice.
This dark fantasy left me reeling—in the best possible way. I was utterly captivated and left eagerly anticipating the sequel.
This isn't your typical enemies-to-lovers narrative; it's far more captivating and complex. From multiple perspectives, I developed a deep affection for nearly every character, each adding layers to the rich tapestry of the story. The romantic tension crackles with intensity, drawing me deeper into their relationships and conflicts.
The fantasy world-building is masterfully crafted, unveiling its intricacies piece by piece. As the story progresses, I gained a better understanding of the intricate web of politics, magic, and history that shapes the characters' lives.
Throughout the narrative, unexpected twists and revelations kept me eagerly turning pages. Each reveal heightened the stakes and added depth to the plot, leaving me eagerly turning pages to uncover more.
I eagerly await the next instalment in this captivating duology.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Duskbound Books, and the author, Kaytalin Platt, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: 20 August 2024
Tenele Raider, orphaned by the Queens War, becomes a Maiden of the Red Court, tasked with hunting monsters. When her homeland's border collapses, leaving bodies marked with mysterious black runes, Tenele is assigned to uncover their origin. Reluctantly partnered with Ranemir Stroud, a Shade who feeds on pleasure and pain, their alliance deepens as they navigate perilous paths in search of truth. Their quest leads them to confront ancient, warring gods, forcing Tenele to reconcile her growing bond with Ranemir against the demands of her destined sacrifice.
This dark fantasy left me reeling—in the best possible way. I was utterly captivated and left eagerly anticipating the sequel.
This isn't your typical enemies-to-lovers narrative; it's far more captivating and complex. From multiple perspectives, I developed a deep affection for nearly every character, each adding layers to the rich tapestry of the story. The romantic tension crackles with intensity, drawing me deeper into their relationships and conflicts.
The fantasy world-building is masterfully crafted, unveiling its intricacies piece by piece. As the story progresses, I gained a better understanding of the intricate web of politics, magic, and history that shapes the characters' lives.
Throughout the narrative, unexpected twists and revelations kept me eagerly turning pages. Each reveal heightened the stakes and added depth to the plot, leaving me eagerly turning pages to uncover more.
I eagerly await the next instalment in this captivating duology.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Duskbound Books, and the author, Kaytalin Platt, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.
June 26, 2024
Tenele Raider is a Red Court Maiden trained to hunt and kill the monstrous shadows and shades. When an excess of shades converge on a neighboring village, killing all the other Maidens, Tenele is commanded to investigate what is bringing the shades to the area with the queen's pet shade, Rane. Their search leads them to the town of Whitehall, where a mysterious priest Father Casimir has his own secretive agenda. Can Tenele get to the bottom of the strange happenings around Whitehall? And why does she feel so connected to Rane?
Tenele has deep feelings of loyalty to the queen and her country, but she finds herself struggling to maintain her oaths and her distance from Rane as she works to keep him strong enough to finish the quest. Rane is an alluring creature that feeds on pleasure and pain, and the lines between the two blur as Tenele agrees to keep him fed. As treachery abounds, Tenele soon discovers that the only one she can trust is Rane. Rane can't remember his past, and what little he remembers is tainted by the experiments done to him by the queen. Though he is bound to obedience, he finds Tenele exceedingly alluring and soon finds himself extremely protective of her.
Of Silver and Sin is an extremely layered story placed within a richly developed world with an interesting religion. While the book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger after a major twist, I look forward to see what the second book in the series has in store.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Tenele has deep feelings of loyalty to the queen and her country, but she finds herself struggling to maintain her oaths and her distance from Rane as she works to keep him strong enough to finish the quest. Rane is an alluring creature that feeds on pleasure and pain, and the lines between the two blur as Tenele agrees to keep him fed. As treachery abounds, Tenele soon discovers that the only one she can trust is Rane. Rane can't remember his past, and what little he remembers is tainted by the experiments done to him by the queen. Though he is bound to obedience, he finds Tenele exceedingly alluring and soon finds himself extremely protective of her.
Of Silver and Sin is an extremely layered story placed within a richly developed world with an interesting religion. While the book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger after a major twist, I look forward to see what the second book in the series has in store.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 22, 2024
She hunts beings like him, while he devours the beautiful like her, creating a partnership forged in darkness. Tenele Raider, a monster hunter and Maiden of the Red Court, is one of many female orphans shaped by the Queens War. When the fragile boundary between her homeland and a tumultuous neighbor shatters, she must uncover the origin of the ominous black runes etched into the corpses left behind. To aid her, she is reluctantly paired with a Shade, a cunning creature that thrives on both pleasure and pain. Navigating the complexities of being Ranemir Stroud's captor and companion proves to be both beneficial and burdensome, as their bond evolves from mere convenience to a vital connection. As they delve deeper into the truth, their journey leads them to the warring deities that created them, forcing Tenele to confront a harrowing choice between the monster she has come to love and the fate she was destined to fulfill. Of Silver & Sin marks the beginning of an adult dark fantasy romance duology rich with intrigue and passion.
The book showcases compelling elements; the palpable tension between the leading characters captivates, and the well-crafted intimate scenes enhance the narrative without overwhelming it. The plot intrigues alongside the layered personalities and concealed secrets. However, it took considerable time for me to truly engage, and the chaotic finale led to a sense of detachment.
The book showcases compelling elements; the palpable tension between the leading characters captivates, and the well-crafted intimate scenes enhance the narrative without overwhelming it. The plot intrigues alongside the layered personalities and concealed secrets. However, it took considerable time for me to truly engage, and the chaotic finale led to a sense of detachment.
July 7, 2024
Ohh… the girls are going to loveeee this one.
This review is just going to be feels.
There was SO much to enjoy about this book but going into characters is going into plot and I want you, reader who needs to read this book, to enjoy the discovery on your own.
I have been blessed to have read so many good books this year but this had everything a fantasy romance reader will love. Twists, spice, revelations, creative world building, detailed characters, delicious banter. I had a great time reading this from chapter one and became more obsessed as each page passed. The ending had me itching for more. This author is going to be on my radar from here on out.
“She tasted familiar. It was as if he'd had her a million times before. She tasted like moonlight and madness and... divinity. Like holy water without the agonizing burn, and he wanted more.”
AHHHHH!!
Do yourself a favor and add this one to a must read for this year.
Since I’m not providing much, here are the list of tropes for this book!
🗡️ Bi/Pan Characters
🗡️ Forced Proximity
🗡️ Enemies to Lovers
🗡️ Magical Bond
🗡️Strong FMC
🗡️Shadows/ Shades
🗡️Multi P.O.V
🗡️Touch her and die
🗡️Magic
🗡️War/ Fighting
🗡️Gods
🗡️ONE BED
Thank you so much NetGalley and Kaytalin Platt for early access in exchange for my honest review.
August 21, 2024
Thank you NetGalley & Kaytalin Platt for an eARC of this book. The following is my honest review of Of Silver and Sin.
She is bound to hunt monsters. He is the monster she is sworn to kill. When Shadows rise up and threaten to destroy her kingdom, Tenele Raider must partner with the Shade Ranemir Stroud to find the sorcerer behind the surge of monsters before war breaks out.
*4.75/5
For fans of When the Moon Hatched, Of Silver and Sin will give you all the same feels and heartache. I finished this book in two days, unable to put it down. The mystery and intrigue of the characters had me gripping my Kindle and flying through it. I am a sucker for a forbidden romance and putting a "chaste" Maiden with the very creature she's oathbound to kill was *chef's kiss*. I loved watching the progression of Tenele and Ranemir's relationship and the unraveling of Casimir's character. Tenele is a badass warrior. I loved how strong and yet how human she was. She was not an overpowered FMC and her capabilities were believable throughout. Platt also creates a balance in this world's powers so I was never left questioning and struggling to believe anything in this fantasy world. The way the story came together was so wonderfully written. I love stories like this and I can't wait to see what's to come for our characters, especially with such a cliffhanger of an ending.
She is bound to hunt monsters. He is the monster she is sworn to kill. When Shadows rise up and threaten to destroy her kingdom, Tenele Raider must partner with the Shade Ranemir Stroud to find the sorcerer behind the surge of monsters before war breaks out.
*4.75/5
For fans of When the Moon Hatched, Of Silver and Sin will give you all the same feels and heartache. I finished this book in two days, unable to put it down. The mystery and intrigue of the characters had me gripping my Kindle and flying through it. I am a sucker for a forbidden romance and putting a "chaste" Maiden with the very creature she's oathbound to kill was *chef's kiss*. I loved watching the progression of Tenele and Ranemir's relationship and the unraveling of Casimir's character. Tenele is a badass warrior. I loved how strong and yet how human she was. She was not an overpowered FMC and her capabilities were believable throughout. Platt also creates a balance in this world's powers so I was never left questioning and struggling to believe anything in this fantasy world. The way the story came together was so wonderfully written. I love stories like this and I can't wait to see what's to come for our characters, especially with such a cliffhanger of an ending.
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