Rating: 4,5, rounded up.
TW: physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault, r*pe on page, verbal abuse, mentions of slavery, systemic oppression of and violence toward a group of people, kidnapping, imprisonment
This book absolutely BLEW ME AWAY. It started kind of slow but absolutely took off later on. This book is so twisty that most of what I could say would be some kind of spoiler. Which was amazing because it really kept me engaged.
I can say that I think that the book shows an amazing portrayal of abusive relationships and why and how especially vulnerable groups get into them without romanticising that. I also liked the way the influence of that experience on future relationships of the effected person was shown, from completely disliking any and all touches at first, violent mistrust and lashing out, the way that can change with positive experiences, to the way it influences decisions much later. I also thought the influence of the oppression and discrimination the main character experiences as a child and as a „spectacle“ as an adult on her thought process and actions were written well.
I really liked the way a lot of the familiar elements of modern romantasy (fated mates, Fae, shifters) were woven together in a new way without overcomplicating anything (it was a little like Blood and Ash but with Fae instead of Vampires and without all of the confusing ass worldbuilding). I liked the world the book was set in and I definitely enjoyed the concept of magic in it. There were a lot of scenes that literally made me gasp (that arrow in the battle scene anyone??) or tear up (the whole concept of a sternenblume omggg).
Riven and Sage are absolute GOALS and I LIVE for when he asks for consent. „I need to hear your voice, little flower.“ I -
Excuse me, I’m dying.
It’s so important for her and it absolutely makes me melt.