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The Crownkiller Saga #1
Heirs of Destruction
A spymaster forced to train with Adristan’s most secretive order. A war commander disgusted by death. A lord damned to repeat history if he cannot master it.
Asriel Veservus is not ready to inherit power. Though he is heir to the noble house dedicated to documenting history, his High Lord father has left him to his own devices. Regarded as a fool, he stumbles through congresses, coasting on his charm as he attempts to find allies in a very fragile political landscape. Rather than attempt to offer wisdom, his father chooses instead to build up Asriel’s half-sister into a weapon.
Rhaella cannot inherit power. As her father’s bastard, she is relegated to relative obscurity, though she has more potential. Her keen senses combined with her low societal status allows her to go unnoticed as the spymaster. The nobles condescend to her, even as they fear the secrets she keeps. While she is content to keep to the shadows, it is those talents that catch the attention of her house’s ally, the justice-keeping House Midar.
Virgil Midar does not want power. He abhors the necessity of violence as their nation sinks deeper into a bloody conflict. Charged with fighting toward peace, he grasps for humanity amongst ambitious and scheming nobles. When his father’s chief advisor begins pushing for Virgil to marry, his focus narrows on ending the war so he can levy the victory against it. His feelings begin to shift when House Veservus’s spymaster comes to his aid with strategy.
With the threat of battle ever-looming on the horizon, they band together to uncover just how deep traitorous blood runs in their houses. Traitors wish to see a tyrannical monarchy put back into power at the expense of the noble houses. Around them, their peers are just as ill-prepared and vulnerable to the corrosive nature of power. The collective future of the nation lies on an uncertain foundation, and it may only take one whispered secret to dismantle the entire thing.
Heirs of Destruction is the first book in The Crownkiller Saga, a new high-fantasy series by award-winning indie author T.N. Vitus.
Asriel Veservus is not ready to inherit power. Though he is heir to the noble house dedicated to documenting history, his High Lord father has left him to his own devices. Regarded as a fool, he stumbles through congresses, coasting on his charm as he attempts to find allies in a very fragile political landscape. Rather than attempt to offer wisdom, his father chooses instead to build up Asriel’s half-sister into a weapon.
Rhaella cannot inherit power. As her father’s bastard, she is relegated to relative obscurity, though she has more potential. Her keen senses combined with her low societal status allows her to go unnoticed as the spymaster. The nobles condescend to her, even as they fear the secrets she keeps. While she is content to keep to the shadows, it is those talents that catch the attention of her house’s ally, the justice-keeping House Midar.
Virgil Midar does not want power. He abhors the necessity of violence as their nation sinks deeper into a bloody conflict. Charged with fighting toward peace, he grasps for humanity amongst ambitious and scheming nobles. When his father’s chief advisor begins pushing for Virgil to marry, his focus narrows on ending the war so he can levy the victory against it. His feelings begin to shift when House Veservus’s spymaster comes to his aid with strategy.
With the threat of battle ever-looming on the horizon, they band together to uncover just how deep traitorous blood runs in their houses. Traitors wish to see a tyrannical monarchy put back into power at the expense of the noble houses. Around them, their peers are just as ill-prepared and vulnerable to the corrosive nature of power. The collective future of the nation lies on an uncertain foundation, and it may only take one whispered secret to dismantle the entire thing.
Heirs of Destruction is the first book in The Crownkiller Saga, a new high-fantasy series by award-winning indie author T.N. Vitus.
405 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2024
71 people are currently reading
888 people want to read
About the author
T.N. Vitus
2 books59 followersT.N. Vitus is an award-winning author, specializing in the macabre and sacrilegious. They love writing anything under the fantasy umbrella, so long as there is rhythmic prose and complex characters. When not writing (which is rare), she is a voracious reader and consumer of media. If asked, they will gladly info-dump about Lord of the Rings or whichever fantasy they are currently fixated on. She lives in California with her loving husband.
You can find T.N. on most socials as vitusvital_ or evenstarsss. Her debut novel, SACRILEGE is available everywhere.
You can find T.N. on most socials as vitusvital_ or evenstarsss. Her debut novel, SACRILEGE is available everywhere.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 1, 2024
HELLO YES, Heirs of Destruction was such a lovely and creative book, I loved it so much.
From the second you open it, you're greeted with trigger warnings, a cast of characters & their houses, months and days of the week, and at the end of the book there's translations for the two featured languages. Now, I don't know about you, but this made it so much easier for me to get into the world and know when things are happening.
So often in books I feel like authors name their months or days differently and I have no idea when anything is because they just don't explain!! Not T. N. Vitus though, if no one's got us, I know they do.
But that's not all, from the start it was clear how much thought was put into even the tiniest things, with how developed the world, the characters and their relationships are. When Vitus said this is the book of her heart in the acknowledgements, I knew it was true because it definitely came through. All the love they have for this world shows, and there's a reason for every character interaction.
If you're big on politics, you're in luck, Heirs has that in abundance, and it's really well written. But my fav thing, by far, are the characters.
I simply adore Rhaella and Virgil, both individually and together. Any time they couldn't be together because of things we won't be spoiling ahem ahem, I WAS IN PAIN! Like, I needed them to run away together sooo bad.
I wanted to scream at certain lines, they were swoon-worthy, these two have so much chemistry, it leaps off the page. I can't wait to get more of them in future books.
Asriel and Aida were also great characters, but the former got on my bad side because of something he did (he knows what), still though, I liked his PoVs and his interesting dynamics with both Freya and Barrett.
There's this order in the book that gives Bene Gesserit vibes, and as a Dune fan, I approve. I can't speak for the GOT comparison as I have neither read nor watched it, but I feel like it's true? You be the judge.
The storyline was unpredictable (especially that ending!!!) and I loved every second of it. The writing was so compelling and magical, it drew me in like a moth to a flame.
In short, Heirs of Destruction is a brilliant book you should check out RIGHT NOW, don't make me tell you twice!!
*Thank you to the lovely author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
From the second you open it, you're greeted with trigger warnings, a cast of characters & their houses, months and days of the week, and at the end of the book there's translations for the two featured languages. Now, I don't know about you, but this made it so much easier for me to get into the world and know when things are happening.
So often in books I feel like authors name their months or days differently and I have no idea when anything is because they just don't explain!! Not T. N. Vitus though, if no one's got us, I know they do.
But that's not all, from the start it was clear how much thought was put into even the tiniest things, with how developed the world, the characters and their relationships are. When Vitus said this is the book of her heart in the acknowledgements, I knew it was true because it definitely came through. All the love they have for this world shows, and there's a reason for every character interaction.
If you're big on politics, you're in luck, Heirs has that in abundance, and it's really well written. But my fav thing, by far, are the characters.
I simply adore Rhaella and Virgil, both individually and together. Any time they couldn't be together because of things we won't be spoiling ahem ahem, I WAS IN PAIN! Like, I needed them to run away together sooo bad.
I wanted to scream at certain lines, they were swoon-worthy, these two have so much chemistry, it leaps off the page. I can't wait to get more of them in future books.
Asriel and Aida were also great characters, but the former got on my bad side because of something he did (he knows what), still though, I liked his PoVs and his interesting dynamics with both Freya and Barrett.
There's this order in the book that gives Bene Gesserit vibes, and as a Dune fan, I approve. I can't speak for the GOT comparison as I have neither read nor watched it, but I feel like it's true? You be the judge.
The storyline was unpredictable (especially that ending!!!) and I loved every second of it. The writing was so compelling and magical, it drew me in like a moth to a flame.
In short, Heirs of Destruction is a brilliant book you should check out RIGHT NOW, don't make me tell you twice!!
*Thank you to the lovely author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
January 27, 2025
oh that final act had me on the FLOOR
July 24, 2024
first of all, i would like to thank t.n. vitus for giving me the opportunity to read this masterpiece before its release and, while i did get an arc from the author, my thoughts weren’t influenced by that. so my love for this book is exactly that – mine.
“heirs of destruction” is a high-fantasy in the vein of game of thrones, with a dash of castlevania added. it’s got a large cast of characters, an insanely well-crafted world and a plot that’s paced just right. while i do think the story itself is insanely gripping, i think the characters’ are the book’s shining star – each of them were carefully created and they each had their own personality and voice.
the writing was absolutely beautiful – it’s lyrical without being too pretentious. i think i highlighted a third of the book because i loved the quotes. the dialogue between the characters never felt forced or pointless and i think both the description of places and the action sequences were crafted magnificently. there weren’t any inconsistencies throughout the story – the pace was constant, and the tone and style of each character remained the same. i also have to point out that, even if it’s a fantasy story, it’s a very easy book to read because it simply flows.
even before i started reading, i knew rhaella would be my favourite because i always gravitate towards strong female characters that are also insanely smart and hold their own. granted, virgil was a close second, but i still think rhaella’s the star of the show. i loved watching her evolve throughout the book – it’s fascinating to see her mind work, since she’s such an intelligent character. virgil and asriel were both solid protagonists and the trio’s dynamic made for an entertaining read.
i was rooting for virgil and rhaella since the start of the book since i think they fit together well. their relationship was well developed and i absolutely adored the scenes in which they interact. the yearning and the love they share was so obvious – the writing is just that good. the other relationships in the book were also explored enough. i cannot wait to see more scenes with two certain characters in the next book, hopefully.
i didn’t expect the book to go in the direction it went and i’m glad the author wasn’t afraid to take risks because i was completely surprised. i think the ending was perfect for this first novel, as “heirs of destruction” is a good set-up book for the rest of the series. there’s just enough world-building that we can grasp what’s going on without dumping everything on the reader from the start.
overall, i’m really happy i read this book, as it had absolutely everything i’m looking for in a fantasy novel. it’s a wonderful story, with a great cast of characters that you simply cannot help but root for. so, do yourself a favour and give “heirs of destruction” a chance to blow your mind. :)
“heirs of destruction” is a high-fantasy in the vein of game of thrones, with a dash of castlevania added. it’s got a large cast of characters, an insanely well-crafted world and a plot that’s paced just right. while i do think the story itself is insanely gripping, i think the characters’ are the book’s shining star – each of them were carefully created and they each had their own personality and voice.
the writing was absolutely beautiful – it’s lyrical without being too pretentious. i think i highlighted a third of the book because i loved the quotes. the dialogue between the characters never felt forced or pointless and i think both the description of places and the action sequences were crafted magnificently. there weren’t any inconsistencies throughout the story – the pace was constant, and the tone and style of each character remained the same. i also have to point out that, even if it’s a fantasy story, it’s a very easy book to read because it simply flows.
even before i started reading, i knew rhaella would be my favourite because i always gravitate towards strong female characters that are also insanely smart and hold their own. granted, virgil was a close second, but i still think rhaella’s the star of the show. i loved watching her evolve throughout the book – it’s fascinating to see her mind work, since she’s such an intelligent character. virgil and asriel were both solid protagonists and the trio’s dynamic made for an entertaining read.
i was rooting for virgil and rhaella since the start of the book since i think they fit together well. their relationship was well developed and i absolutely adored the scenes in which they interact. the yearning and the love they share was so obvious – the writing is just that good. the other relationships in the book were also explored enough. i cannot wait to see more scenes with two certain characters in the next book, hopefully.
i didn’t expect the book to go in the direction it went and i’m glad the author wasn’t afraid to take risks because i was completely surprised. i think the ending was perfect for this first novel, as “heirs of destruction” is a good set-up book for the rest of the series. there’s just enough world-building that we can grasp what’s going on without dumping everything on the reader from the start.
overall, i’m really happy i read this book, as it had absolutely everything i’m looking for in a fantasy novel. it’s a wonderful story, with a great cast of characters that you simply cannot help but root for. so, do yourself a favour and give “heirs of destruction” a chance to blow your mind. :)
July 15, 2024
✅ Great characters
✅ Intriguing plot
✅ Sus prophecies
✅ Heart-wrenching romance
✅ Queernormative world
✅ Dragons
✅ Complicated families
✅ Bloody politics
I LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS BOOK, don't sleep on it.
✅ Intriguing plot
✅ Sus prophecies
✅ Heart-wrenching romance
✅ Queernormative world
✅ Dragons
✅ Complicated families
✅ Bloody politics
I LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS BOOK, don't sleep on it.
June 21, 2024
Release Date: June 25, 2024
Date Finished and Reviewed: June 21, 2024
Ratings: 4⭐️
◇
It took me a while to finish this because this novel was stressing me– NOT IN A BAD WAY BUT IN A GOOD WAY.
Going forward, the writing is brilliant. It did really well in drawing my attention and curiosity from the very start until the end. I was glad that the writing really did fit the story, I think that's one of the main reasons I enjoyed this book very much.
The world building was intricate. I would say the author did well in introducing it in the novel, I quite enjoy it. The world building did really feel medieval to me and perhaps a little bit of the GoT atmosphere. I would definitely love to see more of it in the 2nd book. Although I'm quite waiting for the Dragon and Vampire concept to be shown more, it wasn't that much here, so I hope the 2nd novel will exercise these more.
The plot was very much politial at the beginning. However, it did waned and went towards the character arc route, in my opinion, in like 60%, which I didn't have a problem considering the characters were really likeable. I was really rooting for them all. Still, it was politically intrigued to me in some ways and more building of the storyline.
I would say I was more attached to the characters, especially Rhella and Virgil. Their dynamics and chemistry are undeniable. They're giving me so much of a strong couple and ride or die couple vibes, and strangely, the Percy and Annabeth, I don't know why, honestly. I'm definitely looking forward to the developments of this pairing.
Asriel, on the other hand, I was rooting for him to be honest, but after that scheme of his, I was upset. I was expecting so much of him, but I would say I'm disappointed with his character.
There are quite a few suspicious characters, in my opinion. I would say let's see how it goes in the next instalment.
The parts towards the ending on the hand— I'm not quite sure how I should feel about it, I'm suspicious? It was abrupt to me and felt anticlimactic. That being said, let's see how it would go after that part in the next instalment.
Overall, this was a solid introduction for the series. I'm really rooting for this and excited for the events, especially Rhaella, Virgil, Asriel, and the rest of the characters' development in the next instalment ♡
If you like these, you'll need to check this novel ♡
◇ political intrigue
◇ world building
◇ well written characters
◇ queer cast
◇ royals
◇ fantasy elements (dragons, prophecy, vampire, and the likes)
◇ strong and potentially ride and die couple
◇
Thank you, author, for the e-arc opportunity, I definitely had fun in this novel. I'm super excited and can not wait for the 2nd instalment ♡
Date Finished and Reviewed: June 21, 2024
Ratings: 4⭐️
◇
It took me a while to finish this because this novel was stressing me– NOT IN A BAD WAY BUT IN A GOOD WAY.
Going forward, the writing is brilliant. It did really well in drawing my attention and curiosity from the very start until the end. I was glad that the writing really did fit the story, I think that's one of the main reasons I enjoyed this book very much.
The world building was intricate. I would say the author did well in introducing it in the novel, I quite enjoy it. The world building did really feel medieval to me and perhaps a little bit of the GoT atmosphere. I would definitely love to see more of it in the 2nd book. Although I'm quite waiting for the Dragon and Vampire concept to be shown more, it wasn't that much here, so I hope the 2nd novel will exercise these more.
The plot was very much politial at the beginning. However, it did waned and went towards the character arc route, in my opinion, in like 60%, which I didn't have a problem considering the characters were really likeable. I was really rooting for them all. Still, it was politically intrigued to me in some ways and more building of the storyline.
I would say I was more attached to the characters, especially Rhella and Virgil. Their dynamics and chemistry are undeniable. They're giving me so much of a strong couple and ride or die couple vibes, and strangely, the Percy and Annabeth, I don't know why, honestly. I'm definitely looking forward to the developments of this pairing.
Asriel, on the other hand, I was rooting for him to be honest, but after that scheme of his, I was upset. I was expecting so much of him, but I would say I'm disappointed with his character.
There are quite a few suspicious characters, in my opinion. I would say let's see how it goes in the next instalment.
The parts towards the ending on the hand— I'm not quite sure how I should feel about it, I'm suspicious? It was abrupt to me and felt anticlimactic. That being said, let's see how it would go after that part in the next instalment.
Overall, this was a solid introduction for the series. I'm really rooting for this and excited for the events, especially Rhaella, Virgil, Asriel, and the rest of the characters' development in the next instalment ♡
If you like these, you'll need to check this novel ♡
◇ political intrigue
◇ world building
◇ well written characters
◇ queer cast
◇ royals
◇ fantasy elements (dragons, prophecy, vampire, and the likes)
◇ strong and potentially ride and die couple
◇
Thank you, author, for the e-arc opportunity, I definitely had fun in this novel. I'm super excited and can not wait for the 2nd instalment ♡
May 13, 2024
*looks at asriel veservus* close enough, welcome back roman roy!
As someone who looks at the Game of Thrones books but a little wary of the sheer vastness of the series, Heirs of Destruction is a perfect delve into political high fantasy with a dash of Big Goth Energy (preparing my Dux Doctrina Halloween costume immediately).
Incredible pacing and worldbuilding that was equally lush and easy to follow, an even better cast of complicated characters, and threads of romance that has me begging for more.
Overall, I loved this introduction to The Crownkiller Saga and need the rest of the series ASAP.
Huge thank you to the author for entrusting me with an ARC!
As someone who looks at the Game of Thrones books but a little wary of the sheer vastness of the series, Heirs of Destruction is a perfect delve into political high fantasy with a dash of Big Goth Energy (preparing my Dux Doctrina Halloween costume immediately).
Incredible pacing and worldbuilding that was equally lush and easy to follow, an even better cast of complicated characters, and threads of romance that has me begging for more.
Overall, I loved this introduction to The Crownkiller Saga and need the rest of the series ASAP.
Huge thank you to the author for entrusting me with an ARC!
February 14, 2024
I was lucky enough to be a beta reader for this novel, so allow me to also be one of the first of many 5 star reviews. In their sophomore novel, T.N Vitus really ups the ante. A political fantasy with dashes of romance and mystery, I found myself really captivated by the world Vitus created this time around.
Heirs of Destruction is a multi-POV story set in a fantasy world that takes my favourite parts of Game of Thrones and Gideon the Ninth and mashes them together into pure goodness. Politics and scheming, with some underlying mysteries and conspiracies, as well as loads of queer characters and representation.
We follow three main PoVs, and I always found myself not being able to wait to get back to each of them. Asriel, Rhaella and Virgil are all complex characters with interesting motivations and histories, and sometimes the story pushes them to make difficult choices as the world and odds are stacked against them. They also have complex relationships, with the one between Asriel and Rhaella as half-siblings stuck in roles unsuited to them especially giving fantastic drama.
Would definitely recommend to any fantasy fans, especially those that like their fantasy with some pining romance on the side.
Heirs of Destruction is a multi-POV story set in a fantasy world that takes my favourite parts of Game of Thrones and Gideon the Ninth and mashes them together into pure goodness. Politics and scheming, with some underlying mysteries and conspiracies, as well as loads of queer characters and representation.
We follow three main PoVs, and I always found myself not being able to wait to get back to each of them. Asriel, Rhaella and Virgil are all complex characters with interesting motivations and histories, and sometimes the story pushes them to make difficult choices as the world and odds are stacked against them. They also have complex relationships, with the one between Asriel and Rhaella as half-siblings stuck in roles unsuited to them especially giving fantastic drama.
Would definitely recommend to any fantasy fans, especially those that like their fantasy with some pining romance on the side.
June 20, 2024
Boasting dynamic characters who play well off each other, deft prose, and political intrigue, HEIRS OF DESTRUCTION is high fantasy with a dash of darkness, as well as a satisfying mix of A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE and CASTLEVANIA.
April 26, 2025
DNF at 26%
Genuinely nothing interesting has happened so far, the plot is built on miscommunication and just no communication at all, the setting and characters are literally just Game of Thrones fanfic in a different coat of paint and the main couple already kissed 15% in which just doesn't work for me. Could have been good but all the vibes were just off. The reading experience was truly just mid.
Genuinely nothing interesting has happened so far, the plot is built on miscommunication and just no communication at all, the setting and characters are literally just Game of Thrones fanfic in a different coat of paint and the main couple already kissed 15% in which just doesn't work for me. Could have been good but all the vibes were just off. The reading experience was truly just mid.
May 27, 2024
**I received an ARC of this novel**
Heirs of Destruction by T.N. Vitus is a political high fantasy set in a world of precariously balanced noble houses, whose rule is threatened by those who wish to reinstate the monarchy. There are three main characters: Rhaella, a bastard daughter and spymaster for her house; Asriel, her incompetent brother who is set to become heir; and Virgil, an heir and warrior tired of bloodshed. Trapped by various duties, each character has to navigate the power plays of the other houses and their own families in an attempt to get what they want.
The shining star of this novel was the characters. The scenes where Rhaella and Virgil were together were always my favorite, but the sibling dynamics of love, rivalry, and insecurities between Asriel and Rhaella were also excellently done. And so many memorable side characters! Aida and Sage <3 <3 <3 It can be difficult to manage a cast this large, but Vitus did a masterful job of making everyone we met distinctive in personality, appearance, and place in the world.
Speaking of the world, wow! A lot of care and attention went into crafting this setting, from the structure and functions of each noble house to their customs and idiosyncrasies. Yet, I was never overwhelmed by the delivery of that information; it always felt relevant and interesting to the characters and was dispersed well throughout the story. If I had one tiny gripe with the world, it was that I wanted to see the fantastical elements have more of an impact. Everything seems normal, then you get a mention of fae, vampires, dragons, pet wolves…but they don’t serve too much function, and you almost forget these aren’t just regular humans doing regular human things.
For something marketed as similar to Game of Thrones, there was very little scheming or political maneuvering. The houses do some grumbling with each other, but not much beyond that. The larger conflict of the royalists working against them disappeared after the first third of the book, only to suddenly and violently return at the end. For this reason, I found the pacing dragging in the middle. Watching our characters go about their daily tasks was fun for a while, but I was craving plot, especially during Asriel’s and Virgil’s solo chapters.
Overall, I had a great time with this book. It’s got a lot of good setup (and a killer ending!) for a series and I definitely want to know what happens next. I’d recommend this to anyone looking for strong characters, romantic tension, and a dip into political fantasy!
Heirs of Destruction by T.N. Vitus is a political high fantasy set in a world of precariously balanced noble houses, whose rule is threatened by those who wish to reinstate the monarchy. There are three main characters: Rhaella, a bastard daughter and spymaster for her house; Asriel, her incompetent brother who is set to become heir; and Virgil, an heir and warrior tired of bloodshed. Trapped by various duties, each character has to navigate the power plays of the other houses and their own families in an attempt to get what they want.
The shining star of this novel was the characters. The scenes where Rhaella and Virgil were together were always my favorite, but the sibling dynamics of love, rivalry, and insecurities between Asriel and Rhaella were also excellently done. And so many memorable side characters! Aida and Sage <3 <3 <3 It can be difficult to manage a cast this large, but Vitus did a masterful job of making everyone we met distinctive in personality, appearance, and place in the world.
Speaking of the world, wow! A lot of care and attention went into crafting this setting, from the structure and functions of each noble house to their customs and idiosyncrasies. Yet, I was never overwhelmed by the delivery of that information; it always felt relevant and interesting to the characters and was dispersed well throughout the story. If I had one tiny gripe with the world, it was that I wanted to see the fantastical elements have more of an impact. Everything seems normal, then you get a mention of fae, vampires, dragons, pet wolves…but they don’t serve too much function, and you almost forget these aren’t just regular humans doing regular human things.
For something marketed as similar to Game of Thrones, there was very little scheming or political maneuvering. The houses do some grumbling with each other, but not much beyond that. The larger conflict of the royalists working against them disappeared after the first third of the book, only to suddenly and violently return at the end. For this reason, I found the pacing dragging in the middle. Watching our characters go about their daily tasks was fun for a while, but I was craving plot, especially during Asriel’s and Virgil’s solo chapters.
Overall, I had a great time with this book. It’s got a lot of good setup (and a killer ending!) for a series and I definitely want to know what happens next. I’d recommend this to anyone looking for strong characters, romantic tension, and a dip into political fantasy!
July 2, 2024
Where to start? HEIRS OF DESTRUCTION is an incredible beginning to an epic fantasy saga, featuring both classic fantasy tropes as well as refreshingly unique elements to the genre. One of my favourite subjects tackled was the concept of bastards in medieval style fantasy—this is a well known trope, Jon Snow and Fitz Farseer come instantly to mind—but before reading HEIRS, I had never seen this concept executed with a female bastard rather than a male one. Rhaella is a wonderfully complex character and I adored her relationships with her father, brother, and of course, Virgil.
The inter-house politics here are reminiscent of the early seasons of GAME OF THRONES, though in a queernorm world filled with a diverse range of characters (love u Ramsey, love u Sage). All of the characters fill their roles in delightful ways, particularly Asriel, who, despite his lack of wits and generally being an idiot, is a character who’s POV I adored and was consistently rooting for.
In short, if you love deliciously complicated familial dynamics, fantasy politics, the Bene Gesserit, and dense, thought-out worldbuilding, I cannot recommend HEIRS OF DESTRUCTION enough, and await the sequel with anticipation!!
The inter-house politics here are reminiscent of the early seasons of GAME OF THRONES, though in a queernorm world filled with a diverse range of characters (love u Ramsey, love u Sage). All of the characters fill their roles in delightful ways, particularly Asriel, who, despite his lack of wits and generally being an idiot, is a character who’s POV I adored and was consistently rooting for.
In short, if you love deliciously complicated familial dynamics, fantasy politics, the Bene Gesserit, and dense, thought-out worldbuilding, I cannot recommend HEIRS OF DESTRUCTION enough, and await the sequel with anticipation!!
June 26, 2024
what a fun riidee omgg i can't wait for book 2!! anyway if you want a medium paced high fantasy with loser men and strong women in royal courts fighting for their lives pick this up rn!!
July 18, 2024
Huge thank you to T.N. Vitus for blessing me with an arc. This book is the bees knees, and I am going to try to sum up all my feelings here despite being high off my ass
First off, THE CHARACTERS. Probably my favorite aspect of this book, and definitely the strongest. They come to life, and are so complex and so easy to love. My personal favorites are Virgil and Rhaella. I love them so much both as individuals and as a pair. If they don’t get a happy ending by the end of this series I’m going to do a backflip off an overpass. Rhaella, I want you to serve cunt and serve death to these antagonists. Let Egorion char these bitches too. Virgil, I want to give you a giant hug, and give you a Gryphon to fly in the skies with. And Rhaella and Virgil’s relationship!!! There’s just something so intimate and tender there. They’re soulmates -I’m calling it. Just the way I’m going feral for these two. Prepare to be fucking sick of me, for this is some Hozier type shit!!! Of course, I also must give a shout out to the absolute mess that is Asriel. He is pathetic and I love him; Barrett too. I must of course also mention Aida; she’s my home girl.
THE WORLD AND ATMOSPHERE! I’m so intrigued by everything that T.N. Vitus has packed into these pages, and I’m very excited for the expanding of it as more books are written. I will say, the only reason this novel isn’t a full 5 stars for me is because I felt that the world building, while still good, wasn’t as intricate and expanded as I’d hoped. I was expecting something on a grander scale like the epic fantasy and sci fi series this book was compared to. That being said, I am optimistic that the world will be expanded in the sequel and in each future installment. I do I smell adventure. I wanna see the sights, smoke the pipe weed, pet the magical beasts, learn about the magic of different races, and eat some lovely food from the different houses. I love it when a book has epigraphs, and the ones in HOD did immerse me. The quotes from Rhaella and Virgil’s correspondence make me yearn. On the topic of Rhaella, don’t even get me started on the order. Dune, but make it gothic and culty. The atmosphere fucks severely. I love the flashes of opulence and rot, decadence and decay, and I WANT MORE
The PLOT and PROSE. God, Vitus’s writing is as smooth as velvet, and the last line? AWED. She knows how to reel you in, and I am but a simple fish. The plot itself is very straightforward but engaging, and there’s many scenes that left me gagging. A certain extended dinner scene at the end, especially. The aftermath also had me reeling. The way I rubbed my hands together and giggled like a villain; just incredible stuff. Absolute cuntserven.
So overall, I lived, laughed, and loved this book. It is so fierce and I am desperate to read more. I am as down bad for more content as Virgil is down bad for Rhaella. Just absolute fierceness by T.N. Vitus, and a fantastic and fun time. ~4.5 stars
First off, THE CHARACTERS. Probably my favorite aspect of this book, and definitely the strongest. They come to life, and are so complex and so easy to love. My personal favorites are Virgil and Rhaella. I love them so much both as individuals and as a pair. If they don’t get a happy ending by the end of this series I’m going to do a backflip off an overpass. Rhaella, I want you to serve cunt and serve death to these antagonists. Let Egorion char these bitches too. Virgil, I want to give you a giant hug, and give you a Gryphon to fly in the skies with. And Rhaella and Virgil’s relationship!!! There’s just something so intimate and tender there. They’re soulmates -I’m calling it. Just the way I’m going feral for these two. Prepare to be fucking sick of me, for this is some Hozier type shit!!! Of course, I also must give a shout out to the absolute mess that is Asriel. He is pathetic and I love him; Barrett too. I must of course also mention Aida; she’s my home girl.
THE WORLD AND ATMOSPHERE! I’m so intrigued by everything that T.N. Vitus has packed into these pages, and I’m very excited for the expanding of it as more books are written. I will say, the only reason this novel isn’t a full 5 stars for me is because I felt that the world building, while still good, wasn’t as intricate and expanded as I’d hoped. I was expecting something on a grander scale like the epic fantasy and sci fi series this book was compared to. That being said, I am optimistic that the world will be expanded in the sequel and in each future installment. I do I smell adventure. I wanna see the sights, smoke the pipe weed, pet the magical beasts, learn about the magic of different races, and eat some lovely food from the different houses. I love it when a book has epigraphs, and the ones in HOD did immerse me. The quotes from Rhaella and Virgil’s correspondence make me yearn. On the topic of Rhaella, don’t even get me started on the order. Dune, but make it gothic and culty. The atmosphere fucks severely. I love the flashes of opulence and rot, decadence and decay, and I WANT MORE
The PLOT and PROSE. God, Vitus’s writing is as smooth as velvet, and the last line? AWED. She knows how to reel you in, and I am but a simple fish. The plot itself is very straightforward but engaging, and there’s many scenes that left me gagging. A certain extended dinner scene at the end, especially. The aftermath also had me reeling. The way I rubbed my hands together and giggled like a villain; just incredible stuff. Absolute cuntserven.
So overall, I lived, laughed, and loved this book. It is so fierce and I am desperate to read more. I am as down bad for more content as Virgil is down bad for Rhaella. Just absolute fierceness by T.N. Vitus, and a fantastic and fun time. ~4.5 stars
December 20, 2024
After having finished GRRM's ASOIAF, I needed to read something in a similar vein. I'd seen the author of HoD posting about their book, and I thought "here's my next read."
I'll start with the good parts. I absolutely loved the plot and the characters. I loved how well-characterized they were, especially in relation to each other. The bird symbolism for Rhaella and Virgil---the Hawk and Shrike---was stellar. The tension between them made me want to eat this book. As for Asriel, I REALLY felt the Hector x Lenore from Castlevania vibes between him and [redacted because I don't want to spoil]. The worldbuilding was so heavy (in a good way) and atmospheric, it was like I landed in the world itself. The Game of Thrones and Dune influences are very strong, and I could see them clearly; especially Rhaella's character arc, it reminded me of Dune: Prophecy with House Harkonnen's fall and Valya's attempts to have them rise again. The islands belonging to different Houses in HoD were also reminiscent of the planets in Dune and the Houses that reside there. The languages in HoD created by the author fit so well into the narrative, and I do appreciate how extensive they were. I was amazed by how it added to the already extensive worldbuilding. Honestly, 10/10 for that. Not to mention, the aesthetics of the book itself were stunning. In addition, the ending literally made me scream. I felt things the way the characters were feeling things which is INSANE, that's how you know how invested I was in the story.
Now for the parts I think could've been maybe improved on. Firstly, the formatting wasn't the same throughout the book for the chapters, specifically the pages introducing the new chapters. Secondly, there were some misprints (???) in a section where an entire block of text was re-printed. Thirdly, the couple of spelling mistakes threw me off; now, I understand that there are bound to be mistakes in such a large book---and I kept that in mind---however it did bug me a little when I started noticing them more and more (it wasn't enough to turn me away from reading, though). Fourthly, and this is simply my opinion, I found there was an emphasis on using the words "that" and "such a thing"; there were many instances where they weren't entirely necessary in a sentence. I believe the book may have benefitted from another round of edits. Still, like I said, it wasn't enough to make me put the book down.
Also, I would have mentioned the "contradictions" in some of the characters (because another review mentioned them), but I believe it was done intentionally to create a contrast between desires and obligation/duty.
Overall, despite the issues of formatting, spelling mistakes, and crutch words, I couldn't put this book down. I read it everywhere; on public transport, in class (whoopsies hehe), walking back home, etc. Seriously I was obsessed, and I cannot wait for the next book.
I'll start with the good parts. I absolutely loved the plot and the characters. I loved how well-characterized they were, especially in relation to each other. The bird symbolism for Rhaella and Virgil---the Hawk and Shrike---was stellar. The tension between them made me want to eat this book. As for Asriel, I REALLY felt the Hector x Lenore from Castlevania vibes between him and [redacted because I don't want to spoil]. The worldbuilding was so heavy (in a good way) and atmospheric, it was like I landed in the world itself. The Game of Thrones and Dune influences are very strong, and I could see them clearly; especially Rhaella's character arc, it reminded me of Dune: Prophecy with House Harkonnen's fall and Valya's attempts to have them rise again. The islands belonging to different Houses in HoD were also reminiscent of the planets in Dune and the Houses that reside there. The languages in HoD created by the author fit so well into the narrative, and I do appreciate how extensive they were. I was amazed by how it added to the already extensive worldbuilding. Honestly, 10/10 for that. Not to mention, the aesthetics of the book itself were stunning. In addition, the ending literally made me scream. I felt things the way the characters were feeling things which is INSANE, that's how you know how invested I was in the story.
Now for the parts I think could've been maybe improved on. Firstly, the formatting wasn't the same throughout the book for the chapters, specifically the pages introducing the new chapters. Secondly, there were some misprints (???) in a section where an entire block of text was re-printed. Thirdly, the couple of spelling mistakes threw me off; now, I understand that there are bound to be mistakes in such a large book---and I kept that in mind---however it did bug me a little when I started noticing them more and more (it wasn't enough to turn me away from reading, though). Fourthly, and this is simply my opinion, I found there was an emphasis on using the words "that" and "such a thing"; there were many instances where they weren't entirely necessary in a sentence. I believe the book may have benefitted from another round of edits. Still, like I said, it wasn't enough to make me put the book down.
Also, I would have mentioned the "contradictions" in some of the characters (because another review mentioned them), but I believe it was done intentionally to create a contrast between desires and obligation/duty.
Overall, despite the issues of formatting, spelling mistakes, and crutch words, I couldn't put this book down. I read it everywhere; on public transport, in class (whoopsies hehe), walking back home, etc. Seriously I was obsessed, and I cannot wait for the next book.
May 26, 2024
**This review was written in exchange for an ARC.**
This is the book you want when you're looking for something that's high-fantasy with a lot of political intrigue and an interesting cast of characters that you can't help but fall in love with. T.N. Vitus' sophomore novel is a literary triumph in the world of fantasy.
The level of thought and depth and detail that went into this story is nothing short of brilliant. It's unlike anything I've ever read within this genre and I am waiting impatiently for book two.
The characters are so brilliantly written. Even the characters that you hate as a reader are given so much depth that you can't help but be intrigued. And the relationships woven between all of them are fascinating and realistically done. Admittedly, Asriel is my favorite, but I am so deeply in love with all of the main cast. Rhaella and Virgil are my babies, individually and together. Their relationship is so important to me. But even the side characters are so fascinating. Every character was so carefully fleshed out, and I think that takes a level of skill that is impressive.
T.N. Vitus' prose is delicious. It hooked me during my read of their first novel, and this second novel did not disappoint. It's difficult for me to describe because I could call it lyrical and beautiful, but I could also call it jarringly blunt and straightforward (that sounds like a bad thing, but I promise you that it's not.) It's such a unique blend of these two styles of writing and I am obsessed with it. The first line of the prologue has been permanently tattooed to my brain since I first read it.
I feel like the idea of a political high-fantasy with a housing system isn't very unique or revolutionary, but Vitus has done it with Heirs of Destruction in a way that feels like a breath of fresh air. It's interesting and it really shows that Vitus put so much thought into the backstory of each house.
The plot itself also constantly kept me on the edge of my seat. I never really knew what way that story was going to go, and I still don't. I don't know what to expect of the rest of the series, and I love that. I cannot wait to get my hands on the rest of the series eventually.
This is the book you want when you're looking for something that's high-fantasy with a lot of political intrigue and an interesting cast of characters that you can't help but fall in love with. T.N. Vitus' sophomore novel is a literary triumph in the world of fantasy.
The level of thought and depth and detail that went into this story is nothing short of brilliant. It's unlike anything I've ever read within this genre and I am waiting impatiently for book two.
The characters are so brilliantly written. Even the characters that you hate as a reader are given so much depth that you can't help but be intrigued. And the relationships woven between all of them are fascinating and realistically done. Admittedly, Asriel is my favorite, but I am so deeply in love with all of the main cast. Rhaella and Virgil are my babies, individually and together. Their relationship is so important to me. But even the side characters are so fascinating. Every character was so carefully fleshed out, and I think that takes a level of skill that is impressive.
T.N. Vitus' prose is delicious. It hooked me during my read of their first novel, and this second novel did not disappoint. It's difficult for me to describe because I could call it lyrical and beautiful, but I could also call it jarringly blunt and straightforward (that sounds like a bad thing, but I promise you that it's not.) It's such a unique blend of these two styles of writing and I am obsessed with it. The first line of the prologue has been permanently tattooed to my brain since I first read it.
I feel like the idea of a political high-fantasy with a housing system isn't very unique or revolutionary, but Vitus has done it with Heirs of Destruction in a way that feels like a breath of fresh air. It's interesting and it really shows that Vitus put so much thought into the backstory of each house.
The plot itself also constantly kept me on the edge of my seat. I never really knew what way that story was going to go, and I still don't. I don't know what to expect of the rest of the series, and I love that. I cannot wait to get my hands on the rest of the series eventually.
June 29, 2024
*deeps breaths* Okay, so.
I love this book. I love these characters. Why have I been sleeping on epic fantasy recently??? (Because she thicc, and I get intimidated.)
This book was 550ish pages and, if anything, I wanted it to be longer. Good news: it's a series. Bad news: this book just released so I'm going to have to wait. There are so many moving parts, so many characters (but in a way where I could actually keep track of the large cast, which is impressive!), and so many things that will be coming back in book 2. For example, I needed more dragon time. I'm sure I will get more time with the wyrms and dragons later on, and I could tell that there were seeds being planted for later books. Given how many small things pay off in this book, I am confident that everything's going to come together in the end.
In sum, I was stressed out, I was engrossed, I was intrigued. I only had two "complaints."
1. There is a Big Epic Moment in this book, and when we find out the logistics of what occurred, I was confused. I think there's a reason for this, namely that the explanation we got in this book is a TREACHEROUS LIE, which will be explored in later installments. However, I wanted a better explanation at the time, because I found it weird that more people weren't asking questions.
2. In general, I had some trouble picturing things, and would have appreciated some more sensory and visual details. I am a very visual reader in that I tend to picture things, but I had trouble with that here. It didn't impact my enjoyment of the characters, and once we were in the thick of the action I was totally into the story and noticed it less, but I would have liked a little more flavor text.
That's right, I read a 550+ page book and wanted it to be LONGER. If anything, that should tell you just how great the characters are and how tightly the story is plotted! Anyway, it's very good and if you like epic fantasy with little spoonfuls of romance doled out here and there, yum yum read this one.
I love this book. I love these characters. Why have I been sleeping on epic fantasy recently??? (Because she thicc, and I get intimidated.)
This book was 550ish pages and, if anything, I wanted it to be longer. Good news: it's a series. Bad news: this book just released so I'm going to have to wait. There are so many moving parts, so many characters (but in a way where I could actually keep track of the large cast, which is impressive!), and so many things that will be coming back in book 2. For example, I needed more dragon time. I'm sure I will get more time with the wyrms and dragons later on, and I could tell that there were seeds being planted for later books. Given how many small things pay off in this book, I am confident that everything's going to come together in the end.
In sum, I was stressed out, I was engrossed, I was intrigued. I only had two "complaints."
1. There is a Big Epic Moment in this book, and when we find out the logistics of what occurred, I was confused. I think there's a reason for this, namely that the explanation we got in this book is a TREACHEROUS LIE, which will be explored in later installments. However, I wanted a better explanation at the time, because I found it weird that more people weren't asking questions.
2. In general, I had some trouble picturing things, and would have appreciated some more sensory and visual details. I am a very visual reader in that I tend to picture things, but I had trouble with that here. It didn't impact my enjoyment of the characters, and once we were in the thick of the action I was totally into the story and noticed it less, but I would have liked a little more flavor text.
That's right, I read a 550+ page book and wanted it to be LONGER. If anything, that should tell you just how great the characters are and how tightly the story is plotted! Anyway, it's very good and if you like epic fantasy with little spoonfuls of romance doled out here and there, yum yum read this one.
June 25, 2024
thank you so much to T.N. Vitus for the opportunity to be a part of the ARC team for this incredible book! I feel so lucky to have been able to read this before its release and I truly cannot wait to see how the rest of this series unfolds.
first of all, I deeply loved T.N. Vitus’s debut novel, Sacrilege, so I’ve been highly anticipating this one. from the general blurb and concepts and aesthetics and comparisons to other media I was totally hooked. high fantasy with a *truly* diverse cast of characters, fascinating world building and political intrigue? succession vibes but make it fantasy somehow? foundations of decay by mcr? like yeah I was on the edge of my seat and it completely hit all the marks for me!!
now for my love letter to Rhaella… my queen… T.N. Vitus, it seems that the way that you can write a ?woman? is simply always going to be everything to me. every new chapter that began from her perspective completely captivated me, she’s so intelligent and strong. I loved seeing the HOD universe through her eyes!!! not to mention her perfect beautiful coworkers to friends to lovers arc with Virgil. and the forbidden love…!!!!!!! and VIRGIL! all of these characters were so well written, I even loved Asriel even though he drove me up the wall at times. even the side characters were enticing, I cannot wait to read more about Barrett, Aida, and Sage!
as expected, Vitus’s prose is fierce and gorgeous. the writing and plot kept me enticed, there were so many memorable and atmospheric scenes. the ending especially (probably the last 20% or so) was just utterly unputdownable.
and the Succession reference in that scene towards the end. T.N. Vitus when I get my hands on you…. /lh
first of all, I deeply loved T.N. Vitus’s debut novel, Sacrilege, so I’ve been highly anticipating this one. from the general blurb and concepts and aesthetics and comparisons to other media I was totally hooked. high fantasy with a *truly* diverse cast of characters, fascinating world building and political intrigue? succession vibes but make it fantasy somehow? foundations of decay by mcr? like yeah I was on the edge of my seat and it completely hit all the marks for me!!
now for my love letter to Rhaella… my queen… T.N. Vitus, it seems that the way that you can write a ?woman? is simply always going to be everything to me. every new chapter that began from her perspective completely captivated me, she’s so intelligent and strong. I loved seeing the HOD universe through her eyes!!! not to mention her perfect beautiful coworkers to friends to lovers arc with Virgil. and the forbidden love…!!!!!!! and VIRGIL! all of these characters were so well written, I even loved Asriel even though he drove me up the wall at times. even the side characters were enticing, I cannot wait to read more about Barrett, Aida, and Sage!
as expected, Vitus’s prose is fierce and gorgeous. the writing and plot kept me enticed, there were so many memorable and atmospheric scenes. the ending especially (probably the last 20% or so) was just utterly unputdownable.
and the Succession reference in that scene towards the end. T.N. Vitus when I get my hands on you…. /lh
June 24, 2024
This review was provided in exchange for an arc of the book.
"Saga" is a truly apt term for the seeds sown in Heirs of Destruction. Lovers of adult fantasy who yearn for thick multi-volume affairs: We are so back.
HOD's worldbuilding is meticulous in the wings and flawless on the stage. There is a care and craft that bleeds into the prose, line by line, and helps enmesh a reader in the hot commodity of a complex and digestible world. If you love dynasty drama and seek the impassioned and the personal in politics, HOD is the "book one" for you.
Thematically, HOD delivers: The "chosen one" is such a tricky thing to be. Vitus tackles the messy potential in throwing our underprepared heirs into the gauntlet headfirst, embracing "heroes with flaws" into a core narrative premise.
Each of the main trio had me yearning for their own special brand of liberation; the main romance embodied it so well to me, and as for Asriel (derogatory) (affectionate)—what can I say? He's a slitherer-outer, and I'm just here to throw tomatoes at him until he gets better.
Eagerly anticipating the next installment! <3
"Saga" is a truly apt term for the seeds sown in Heirs of Destruction. Lovers of adult fantasy who yearn for thick multi-volume affairs: We are so back.
HOD's worldbuilding is meticulous in the wings and flawless on the stage. There is a care and craft that bleeds into the prose, line by line, and helps enmesh a reader in the hot commodity of a complex and digestible world. If you love dynasty drama and seek the impassioned and the personal in politics, HOD is the "book one" for you.
Thematically, HOD delivers: The "chosen one" is such a tricky thing to be. Vitus tackles the messy potential in throwing our underprepared heirs into the gauntlet headfirst, embracing "heroes with flaws" into a core narrative premise.
Each of the main trio had me yearning for their own special brand of liberation; the main romance embodied it so well to me, and as for Asriel (derogatory) (affectionate)—what can I say? He's a slitherer-outer, and I'm just here to throw tomatoes at him until he gets better.
Eagerly anticipating the next installment! <3
June 20, 2024
I was hyped for this book for months. I needed something to give me what Game of Thrones couldn't.
AND IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT!
This book has a lot of setup, in the grand scheme of things. It has a lot of introduce, and it does so beautifully, through the lens of immediately vivid characters that are a delight to follow around. I was gasping and raging and bouncing at the different turns the characters went through, and kept marvelling at how huge the scope of the story felt.
I was at the 75% mark and feeling as though the story was just beginning, not because nothing had happened, but because it was so clear how huge the overall story was going to be. And right when I was waiting for a big drop, for the first TRULY huge event to hit... Vitus delivered.
That fucking ending. Go read this book, right now. I need book two yesterday!!
AND IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT!
This book has a lot of setup, in the grand scheme of things. It has a lot of introduce, and it does so beautifully, through the lens of immediately vivid characters that are a delight to follow around. I was gasping and raging and bouncing at the different turns the characters went through, and kept marvelling at how huge the scope of the story felt.
I was at the 75% mark and feeling as though the story was just beginning, not because nothing had happened, but because it was so clear how huge the overall story was going to be. And right when I was waiting for a big drop, for the first TRULY huge event to hit... Vitus delivered.
That fucking ending. Go read this book, right now. I need book two yesterday!!
August 6, 2024
DNF. I just couldn’t get into this book. My two star rating is related to the 37% that I did read however I recognize that it’s unfair to rate a book I didn’t fully read. I just couldn’t force myself to finish it (sorry) and what I did read I would give 2 stars.
I think maybe the writing style is just not for me personally. It is full of minor but irrelevant details and surface-level inner thinking that distracted me from what could’ve been an interesting concept. I felt that the author made contradicting statements besides all the repetition. I didn’t feel drawn to any character specifically (although Asriel was a bit compelling).
I respect the effort and hope to see more from this author. Maybe when book 2 comes out I will give it another shot. Personally (and I’m not an expert by ANY means) I felt this book could have benefitted from another round of critical edits.
I think maybe the writing style is just not for me personally. It is full of minor but irrelevant details and surface-level inner thinking that distracted me from what could’ve been an interesting concept. I felt that the author made contradicting statements besides all the repetition. I didn’t feel drawn to any character specifically (although Asriel was a bit compelling).
I respect the effort and hope to see more from this author. Maybe when book 2 comes out I will give it another shot. Personally (and I’m not an expert by ANY means) I felt this book could have benefitted from another round of critical edits.
September 5, 2024
This was a really great, immersive fantasy with excellent writing that shows knowledge of the craft. The characters were likable and fully formed. I felt for Rhaella and everything she went through during this book; I felt frustrated and upset on her behalf. I loved Asriel and his relationship with Barrett, and the way it was subtly woven into the text. I do want a bit of a larger focus on them and more romance in the next installment, and I need more dragons! More lore on the dragons and the vampires, which are hardly mentioned but seem like they should be significant. Overall though, the world is solidly built. It’s easy to understand, and the politics and secrecy makes for an engaging plot. And the ending was unexpected but explosive. Really looking forward to the next installment and seeing where this series goes!
July 23, 2024
i absolutely adored this book !!! every scene and setting is written with such talent and care !! i loved the cast of characters ! each of their beliefs, feelings, and ambitions were fleshed out so well !! i guarantee you that i highlighted at least half of this book ! i even bought a physical copy to annotate as well !!!
the world that was built is so beautifully complex and every detail mattered. the houses, the languages, the religion— all of this was integral to the story being told. ever moment was being set up to reveal another moment and THAT ENDING.
i highly recommend giving this book the chance it deserves !! the author is truly soso talented and i cannot wait to read their other work !!!!
the world that was built is so beautifully complex and every detail mattered. the houses, the languages, the religion— all of this was integral to the story being told. ever moment was being set up to reveal another moment and THAT ENDING.
i highly recommend giving this book the chance it deserves !! the author is truly soso talented and i cannot wait to read their other work !!!!
June 25, 2024
5 ⭐️
I did receive an arc from the author and am apart of their street team. However, opinions are my own.
Sooo good! Great world building, including two languages! Loved the different perspectives throughout the book. Really loved Rhaella and Virgil but also related to Asriel more than I wanted to haha. The story had a couple of twists I was not expecting and I am excited to see where the rest of the series goes. Well written side characters as well, just overall a very well rounded story with interesting and lovable characters. Truly love the author’s writing style as well. Such a fun, queer, high-fantasy!
I did receive an arc from the author and am apart of their street team. However, opinions are my own.
Sooo good! Great world building, including two languages! Loved the different perspectives throughout the book. Really loved Rhaella and Virgil but also related to Asriel more than I wanted to haha. The story had a couple of twists I was not expecting and I am excited to see where the rest of the series goes. Well written side characters as well, just overall a very well rounded story with interesting and lovable characters. Truly love the author’s writing style as well. Such a fun, queer, high-fantasy!
April 27, 2025
Such an INTERESTING beginning to a story! I found myself completely immersed from the get go. Rhaella is so my favorite kind of female character, and I'm obsessed with her slowly developing dynamic with Virgil (who is another fantastic character). Asriel is also a fantastic character, if a little frustrating (which is clearly the point, and I do think the author does an amazing job at making the frustrating bits of him very compelling.) I loved the worldbuilding, and I'm so excited to see how the series progresses in the future!
June 18, 2024
Having a book with three vastly different characters’ pov was MAGICAL?? like you truly see how each of them struggle in various ways and the pressures of being put in such high positions under the word of their parents while also coming into their own to prepare themselves for the future? the characters are all so complex and unique and i am in love with our main 3 povs. Asriel baby im coming home to uuuu
March 24, 2025
I absolutely DEVOURED this book! The world was so immersive without being overly descriptive and wordy.
The use of different POVs was so smooth and effortless. I knew exactly who it was but it wasn’t just given lazily before the chapter began.
Speaking of I loved the use of quotes before each chapter, its like little pieces to puzzles that I want to solve.
Truly my only critique is that I wish there was more to consume. I hope we get more in the future!
The use of different POVs was so smooth and effortless. I knew exactly who it was but it wasn’t just given lazily before the chapter began.
Speaking of I loved the use of quotes before each chapter, its like little pieces to puzzles that I want to solve.
Truly my only critique is that I wish there was more to consume. I hope we get more in the future!
Read
June 24, 2024A strong start for what is undoubtedly a slow-unfurling political fantasy in the making. Fans who enjoy forbidden love, subtle yet immersive fantasy worlds and intriguing, original takes on old tropes and staples will definitely want to be along for the ride.
August 29, 2024
i like all the characters in this. wtf.
just wish there was a bit more revealed in the end. feels very prologue-y, which is fine, but i just wanted a bit more
cant wait to read the next one though
just wish there was a bit more revealed in the end. feels very prologue-y, which is fine, but i just wanted a bit more
cant wait to read the next one though
January 23, 2025
holy moly
March 16, 2025
4.75 i wanna give it 5 but i felt like it needed more details but also are the details gonna be in the next book.
either way spectacular!! give me 14 of them right now !!!!!
either way spectacular!! give me 14 of them right now !!!!!
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