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Desperate Disguise #2
Stand Against the Rising Storm
A terrifying vision of a deadly future…
I’ve risked everything to save my brother and taken his place in the Black Guard, and now my vision of his death has changed. I’m the one who’ll be murdered.
I don’t know when it will happen, but I’m magically bound to the Black Tower and can’t leave. I also can’t turn myself in until my brother escapes the kingdom or my sacrifice will be for nothing… because once everyone knows I’m a woman, I’ll be punished and imprisoned.
My only hope is to survive the Guard’s grueling training and pray I’m strong enough to change my future.
But that isn’t easy. The other guardsmen are bigger and stronger than me and are determined to put me in my place, I have a growing attraction to the beautiful fae leaders of the Black the enigmatic Lord Commander Rider, the charming Lord Quill, and the alluring Talon.
To complicate matters further, I find myself inexplicably drawn to the fae garden each night, where a mysterious Fantasy Man awakens a passion I never knew existed.
Time is running out, and the stakes have never been higher. I must keep my identity a secret and become a warrior… because I’ve seen what happens if I fail.
*Stand Against the Rising Storm is the second book in a fantasy romance series with a determined heroine and hot dangerous men. This romantasy is a slow burn, steamy, girl disguised as a man story that takes place in a magical world of kingdoms and shadowy monsters and is filled with fast-paced action.*
I’ve risked everything to save my brother and taken his place in the Black Guard, and now my vision of his death has changed. I’m the one who’ll be murdered.
I don’t know when it will happen, but I’m magically bound to the Black Tower and can’t leave. I also can’t turn myself in until my brother escapes the kingdom or my sacrifice will be for nothing… because once everyone knows I’m a woman, I’ll be punished and imprisoned.
My only hope is to survive the Guard’s grueling training and pray I’m strong enough to change my future.
But that isn’t easy. The other guardsmen are bigger and stronger than me and are determined to put me in my place, I have a growing attraction to the beautiful fae leaders of the Black the enigmatic Lord Commander Rider, the charming Lord Quill, and the alluring Talon.
To complicate matters further, I find myself inexplicably drawn to the fae garden each night, where a mysterious Fantasy Man awakens a passion I never knew existed.
Time is running out, and the stakes have never been higher. I must keep my identity a secret and become a warrior… because I’ve seen what happens if I fail.
*Stand Against the Rising Storm is the second book in a fantasy romance series with a determined heroine and hot dangerous men. This romantasy is a slow burn, steamy, girl disguised as a man story that takes place in a magical world of kingdoms and shadowy monsters and is filled with fast-paced action.*
328 pages, Paperback
Published December 4, 2024
421 people are currently reading
493 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
February 3, 2025
4.5 stars, rounded up. It's definitely not perfect, but rating this just on vibes because I am eating this series up. This has some pretty heavy triggers in it, but I still could not put it down. The series is just a bit too slow right now. I need it to move forward a bit. It's crazy that none of these characters know anything about any of each other yet in both the Garden and in the Black Tower. There wasn't enough interaction between the characters. It's a super slow-burn, which I like, but also...it's been 2 books. Let's move the story along a bit so we can move on to the next part of the story. Anyways, loved it. Can't wait for book 3.
November 16, 2024
Fml why why why did I have to read this arc early…. It's too good. And that ending… Just Fml. Like this is amazing. The 1 complaint is the same as the first book, it is really annoying that the same information is repeated again and again. Besides that it's absolutely wonderfully written, characters are f-ing amazing and the story is chefs kiss. I'm so intrigued where this is heading because some things were pointed out that I didn't even think about! But dear lord I cannot wait until the next one comes out already!!
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 22, 2024
After the cliffhanger in the previous book, I was desperate to continue and pick this one up. I really love the authors way of writing, it felt easy to imagine the world and the characters created. Even though it is very much a slow burn, there is still enough character chemistry that it has kept me interested and I love that there isn't just a focus on the FMC with the MMCs and that there are friendships and relationships amongst the MMCs.
The frustrating thing is that each book feels like it is too short, and I am just not ready for them to end yet. So again, I will be desperately waiting on the next to come out so that I can continue being sucked into this world (that I am so disappointed doesn't exist in real life!)
The frustrating thing is that each book feels like it is too short, and I am just not ready for them to end yet. So again, I will be desperately waiting on the next to come out so that I can continue being sucked into this world (that I am so disappointed doesn't exist in real life!)
January 20, 2025
The same issues I had with the first book are the same issues I have with this one. Again the repition. We don't need 100 pages saying the same thoughts over and over again. We get it. Seriously. Stop beating us over the head with it. Though without the repitition of the same issue being repeated over and over again this book would probably only be 2-3 chapters long tops. Literally very little actually happened in this story. Very little progress, and very little plot. Just the same things happening in the first happening in the second only slightly more scaled.
At least the author finally stopped using the phrase "my essence" to describe things. And instead of her body or mind stuttering every five minutes she either used stuttering or stalled. Her favorite words to describe the emotions of every character. Even the males threats stuttered, again making it feel like the same voice for every character pov. The books and the chapters are all laid out so weird. They literally end and pick up again in the middle of scenes, like there's no actual break. Like the author threw darts at the manuscript and was like yup end chapter here and here and here.
This really feels like a bad watpad story that wasn't edited. Don't get me wrong I love wattpad and have found some hidden gems on there, but this is not it.
It's so terribly unrealistic I don't understand how it's gotten so many 5 star reviews. This is coming from a female Marine. This isn't even a realistic portrayal of how "recruits" or soldiers would even act, or bond, or how they would go about hazing each other. Or how a command/leadership would handle things. It honestly feels like all the drama is forced and over the top and everything bad absolutely has to happen to the main fmc, so we feel sorry for her, but honestly it's just cringe. Seriously no one has that much bad luck. And I'm getting tired of all the male fae utterly obsessed but fighting it for the same reasons stated over and over and over and over again.
It's the ending huh? Throw in 100 pages of trash with no character development and no plot then theow a cliff hanger at the end. That seems to be trend with popular books right now. No substance but a gripping last line. This book didn't even expand on the cliff hanger of the previous book.
At least the author finally stopped using the phrase "my essence" to describe things. And instead of her body or mind stuttering every five minutes she either used stuttering or stalled. Her favorite words to describe the emotions of every character. Even the males threats stuttered, again making it feel like the same voice for every character pov. The books and the chapters are all laid out so weird. They literally end and pick up again in the middle of scenes, like there's no actual break. Like the author threw darts at the manuscript and was like yup end chapter here and here and here.
This really feels like a bad watpad story that wasn't edited. Don't get me wrong I love wattpad and have found some hidden gems on there, but this is not it.
It's so terribly unrealistic I don't understand how it's gotten so many 5 star reviews. This is coming from a female Marine. This isn't even a realistic portrayal of how "recruits" or soldiers would even act, or bond, or how they would go about hazing each other. Or how a command/leadership would handle things. It honestly feels like all the drama is forced and over the top and everything bad absolutely has to happen to the main fmc, so we feel sorry for her, but honestly it's just cringe. Seriously no one has that much bad luck. And I'm getting tired of all the male fae utterly obsessed but fighting it for the same reasons stated over and over and over and over again.
It's the ending huh? Throw in 100 pages of trash with no character development and no plot then theow a cliff hanger at the end. That seems to be trend with popular books right now. No substance but a gripping last line. This book didn't even expand on the cliff hanger of the previous book.
February 7, 2025
Horrible cliffy ahead- but man if the dudes end up back in the castle with a human “boy”, it will all be worth it.
At least that is my hope as an alternate ending to what seems to be happening!!
Ok story, lots of questions at the beginning but I guess it is needed if you haven’t read the first book.
The story didn’t have much forward movement, lots of questions with doubt and loneliness and there is an attack so trigger warnings. Not successful but potentially triggering.
Which leads me to stupid decisions that may have caused the attack.
Anyway the best character in my opinion is Talons Shadow - looking forward to the reveal!!
At least that is my hope as an alternate ending to what seems to be happening!!
Ok story, lots of questions at the beginning but I guess it is needed if you haven’t read the first book.
The story didn’t have much forward movement, lots of questions with doubt and loneliness and there is an attack so trigger warnings. Not successful but potentially triggering.
Which leads me to stupid decisions that may have caused the attack.
Anyway the best character in my opinion is Talons Shadow - looking forward to the reveal!!
February 23, 2025
3.5 Stars
I didn’t think the plot or characters could get any messier after the first book but they did and I’m so here for it! Ok so overall the writing and story is kinda trash but I’m eating it up! It’s so messily fun! Also now I have to suffer after that cliffhanger until the next book comes out. 😭
I didn’t think the plot or characters could get any messier after the first book but they did and I’m so here for it! Ok so overall the writing and story is kinda trash but I’m eating it up! It’s so messily fun! Also now I have to suffer after that cliffhanger until the next book comes out. 😭
November 18, 2024
“Stand Against the Rising Storm,” by Tessa Cole
I loved loved loved this book and was so excited to get it!! After the first one I was excited to see what would happen or if they found out she’s a girl in this one. There was so much more content with her in girl form in the dream world than the first one and I loved the duality of seeing her in both sides of her world. I loved getting to know the guys a lot more in this one as well. I loved most of all the buildup of their relationships in both places! I wouldn’t change a single thing about these books and can’t wait to read book 3! 5 out of 5 stars.
-Reverse Harem
-Strong Woman
-Slow Burn
-Multi POV
-Fae, Shifters
-Fated Mates
-Military School
-M/M and M/F content
Thank you for the ARC, Booksirens.
I loved loved loved this book and was so excited to get it!! After the first one I was excited to see what would happen or if they found out she’s a girl in this one. There was so much more content with her in girl form in the dream world than the first one and I loved the duality of seeing her in both sides of her world. I loved getting to know the guys a lot more in this one as well. I loved most of all the buildup of their relationships in both places! I wouldn’t change a single thing about these books and can’t wait to read book 3! 5 out of 5 stars.
-Reverse Harem
-Strong Woman
-Slow Burn
-Multi POV
-Fae, Shifters
-Fated Mates
-Military School
-M/M and M/F content
Thank you for the ARC, Booksirens.
December 17, 2024
4 ⭐️ / 2.5 🌶️ — Like the author’s other works I’ve read, I enjoy the characterization of both the FMC and MMCs. One of my favorite tropes is also girls pretending to be boys, so this was particularly enjoyable.
January 2, 2025
Like the previous book, this could've easily been a 5 star read, closer to a 4.5 but rating it as a 4.
The summary again makes it seem like *a lot* had happened between the first and this book. We literally start up in the same scene as the ending of the first one. Also?
As I mentioned in my previous review, this feels like a manuscript that was split into three parts, and wasn't edited to make it fit that way. We do get a very brief hint and retelling of what happened in the previous book, but in a very roundabout, character is spiraling kind of way.
I read this even faster than the first book I think. It's easy to get engulfed and continue on, and I love that. Again, I wouldn't want to personally edit anything out, I loved each chapter we got, and especially of the male pov's. I think we could've done with less summarizing of things that went on in the previous chapters but it also made sense. I really love these men, and I love how their possessiveness comes out with confusion, and how they've really believed they're not worthy of a mate, or of love, whether that comes from a fae woman or the men they've fallen for.
The bullying that happens in this is very intense, coming from the other human recruits because our MC, Sage, is a stubborn girl who truly doesn't believe she can get help from anyone, all because she's trying to give her brother time to get to safety before she's exposed. I almost wish we had at least one chapter from her brother, that he's doing okay, that he's also struggling but also determined to save his sister as soon as possible.
The cliffhanger ending was expected, and extremely frustrating. But of course, not enough for me to drop the series. I just wished more happened. We get very tiny hints of something happening in the overworld, but really not enough. I wish there was some discovery going on. Normally, I hate when in books/series where the main theme is 'hiding as a boy', the girl gets caught (usually by her love interest) within a day or two, and then the rest of the series is he's her ally, or he pretends for her sake to not know.
In this series, since we've had 600 pages of story across two books, I wish at least one was MUCH more closer to figuring it out, but none really are. I love hurt/comfort, I love angst, but there needs to be a balance of that with the actual comfort part, and other positive things going on. The only positive we got was with the sex scenes which were fantastic and emotional, but wasn't enough for me. And knowing (believing/hoping?) that this series will end with an HEA, doesn't really help atm.
I'm sure by the third book, we'll get everything we needed and want, and the polycule will be whole and happy soon!
The cover is gorgeous, even though there's randomly a shield. Random objects are again, better than AI generated art, so I appreciate this. The title of this second part at least makes a little more sense, towards the end, but still both don't quite work for me considering what we actually read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The summary again makes it seem like *a lot* had happened between the first and this book. We literally start up in the same scene as the ending of the first one. Also?
As I mentioned in my previous review, this feels like a manuscript that was split into three parts, and wasn't edited to make it fit that way. We do get a very brief hint and retelling of what happened in the previous book, but in a very roundabout, character is spiraling kind of way.
I read this even faster than the first book I think. It's easy to get engulfed and continue on, and I love that. Again, I wouldn't want to personally edit anything out, I loved each chapter we got, and especially of the male pov's. I think we could've done with less summarizing of things that went on in the previous chapters but it also made sense. I really love these men, and I love how their possessiveness comes out with confusion, and how they've really believed they're not worthy of a mate, or of love, whether that comes from a fae woman or the men they've fallen for.
The bullying that happens in this is very intense, coming from the other human recruits because our MC, Sage, is a stubborn girl who truly doesn't believe she can get help from anyone, all because she's trying to give her brother time to get to safety before she's exposed. I almost wish we had at least one chapter from her brother, that he's doing okay, that he's also struggling but also determined to save his sister as soon as possible.
The cliffhanger ending was expected, and extremely frustrating. But of course, not enough for me to drop the series. I just wished more happened. We get very tiny hints of something happening in the overworld, but really not enough. I wish there was some discovery going on. Normally, I hate when in books/series where the main theme is 'hiding as a boy', the girl gets caught (usually by her love interest) within a day or two, and then the rest of the series is he's her ally, or he pretends for her sake to not know.
In this series, since we've had 600 pages of story across two books, I wish at least one was MUCH more closer to figuring it out, but none really are. I love hurt/comfort, I love angst, but there needs to be a balance of that with the actual comfort part, and other positive things going on. The only positive we got was with the sex scenes which were fantastic and emotional, but wasn't enough for me. And knowing (believing/hoping?) that this series will end with an HEA, doesn't really help atm.
I'm sure by the third book, we'll get everything we needed and want, and the polycule will be whole and happy soon!
The cover is gorgeous, even though there's randomly a shield. Random objects are again, better than AI generated art, so I appreciate this. The title of this second part at least makes a little more sense, towards the end, but still both don't quite work for me considering what we actually read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 22, 2024
I don't know where to start.
Sage - she is so freaking brave and strong. I am obsessed with her and I just want to protect her and keep her safe. She is going through it in this book and my heart is so sore for her. I know she is reaching there end of her tether and I can't wait to see her glow up.
The MMCs need to grow up lol (Just kidding, but not really). She is going to rock their world when she eventually knocks heads with them.
Excellent story.
Cannot wait for the next book in the series.
Sage - she is so freaking brave and strong. I am obsessed with her and I just want to protect her and keep her safe. She is going through it in this book and my heart is so sore for her. I know she is reaching there end of her tether and I can't wait to see her glow up.
The MMCs need to grow up lol (Just kidding, but not really). She is going to rock their world when she eventually knocks heads with them.
Excellent story.
Cannot wait for the next book in the series.
November 14, 2024
I have loved learning and watching these characters grow! The spice is 🔥🔥! The slow-burn and thrill is what I’m here for. The cliffhanger at the end will have you reeling for the next book! I would recommend this to all my book club friends!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 4, 2025
This is an amazing series!! The character building and the plot development is very well executed. I absolutely love this series, I love how hard Sage is fighting for her brothers safety and her safety at the same time. I can’t wait for her to find out that all these tragically beautiful men are her mates!!!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 4, 2025
Not the greatest piece of literature but it’s keeping me interested.
Hope she catches a break soon though like god damn
Hope she catches a break soon though like god damn
February 21, 2025
I kept waiting for something to happen. I finished the book. Nothing happened. No more for me.
August 25, 2025
It was a terrifying vision of the most deadly of a future....
Sage's brother is trapped in the Black Guard and she has done everything and risked everything to save him and now her vision of his death has suddenly changed. Now, it's Sage who is the one who is going to be murdered.
Sage doesn't know when it is going to happen, but she is magically bound to the Black Tower and she can't leave. Sage also can't turn herself in until her brother escapes the kingdom or Sage's sacrifice is going to be for nothing... because once everyone knows that she is a woman, she's going to be punished, and more than that she's going to be imprisoned.
Sage's only hope right now is to survive the Guard's gruelling training and she has to pray that she is strong enough to change her entire future.
She knows that it isn't going to be easy. The other guardsmen are going to be bigger and stronger than she is and they are all determined to put her in her place. Sage has an ever-growing attraction to the beautiful fae leaders of the Black the Lord Commander Rider, the charming Lord Quill, and the alluring Talon.
And what's complicating matters further, Sage finds herself inexplicably drawn to the fae garden every night, and there a mysterious Fantasy Man is awakening this passion in Sage that she never knew existed.
Sage knows that time is running out, and the stakes have never been higher. Sage knows that she has to keep her identity a secret and continue to become a warrior... because she has always seen what happens if she fails and she can't let that happen.
*Stand Against the Rising Storm is the second book in a fantasy romance series with a determined heroine and hot dangerous men. This romantasy is a slow burn, steamy, girl disguised as a man story that takes place in a magical world of kingdoms and shadowy monsters and is filled with fast-paced action.*
Tropes: Reverse Harem, Strong FMC, Slow Burn, Multi POV, Fae, Shifters, Fated Mates, Military School, and M/M and M/F Content.
Stand Against The Rising Storm is the 2nd book in The Storm Desperate Disguise series by Tessa Cole. We find this book starting with the same scene that the first book ended on. We also get the impression that this book spans the next seven to ten days of Sage's life in the Black Tower. Tessa pretty much tells us a day-by-day story for the entire book.
This book is so easy to get enthralled in, even if it does feel like Sage is spiralling in a way. I can say that I loved each and every chapter in this book and I really loved the POVs that were told from the male perspective. These men, they are so perfectly written and I just love them, they are so possessive and I love how it came out with a bit of confusion. And I loved the twist of having them feel like they were not worthy of a mate or love rather than the FMC not being worthy of a mate.
The intensity of the bullying that goes on in this book that comes from all the other human recruits because our FMC Sage, is just too stubborn as a girl who doesn't think or believe that she will ever get any help or assistance from anyone, and she's doing all of this because she wants to give her brother the chance to get to safety before her cover is blown and she ends up being exposed.
In so many ways I wish that we could have gotten one or two chapters from Sage's brother. It would have been nice to know what he was doing and that he was OK. We also know that he was struggling with his own emotions but he was also determined to do whatever he had to in order to save his sister as soon as he could.
I just love hurt/comfort, angst, but it has to be balanced with comfort. And I loved the s*x scenes they were full of emotion. That all gets me hoping that in the end we will actually get a HEA.
I am sure that the next book will get us the poly full-blown out and out and we will see it come to fruition.
I expected the ending, of course, it's a cliffhanger ending, that was predictable. I can say that I wish more had happened and yet what we got kept me enthralled and reading till the very end. We get hints that something is happening in the overworld, but it was never enough for me. I just wish that there had been more going on and that there had been more discovery going on.
I recommend this series and you do have to read it in order to understand what has happened and what is happening in this book.
Sage's brother is trapped in the Black Guard and she has done everything and risked everything to save him and now her vision of his death has suddenly changed. Now, it's Sage who is the one who is going to be murdered.
Sage doesn't know when it is going to happen, but she is magically bound to the Black Tower and she can't leave. Sage also can't turn herself in until her brother escapes the kingdom or Sage's sacrifice is going to be for nothing... because once everyone knows that she is a woman, she's going to be punished, and more than that she's going to be imprisoned.
Sage's only hope right now is to survive the Guard's gruelling training and she has to pray that she is strong enough to change her entire future.
She knows that it isn't going to be easy. The other guardsmen are going to be bigger and stronger than she is and they are all determined to put her in her place. Sage has an ever-growing attraction to the beautiful fae leaders of the Black the Lord Commander Rider, the charming Lord Quill, and the alluring Talon.
And what's complicating matters further, Sage finds herself inexplicably drawn to the fae garden every night, and there a mysterious Fantasy Man is awakening this passion in Sage that she never knew existed.
Sage knows that time is running out, and the stakes have never been higher. Sage knows that she has to keep her identity a secret and continue to become a warrior... because she has always seen what happens if she fails and she can't let that happen.
*Stand Against the Rising Storm is the second book in a fantasy romance series with a determined heroine and hot dangerous men. This romantasy is a slow burn, steamy, girl disguised as a man story that takes place in a magical world of kingdoms and shadowy monsters and is filled with fast-paced action.*
Tropes: Reverse Harem, Strong FMC, Slow Burn, Multi POV, Fae, Shifters, Fated Mates, Military School, and M/M and M/F Content.
Stand Against The Rising Storm is the 2nd book in The Storm Desperate Disguise series by Tessa Cole. We find this book starting with the same scene that the first book ended on. We also get the impression that this book spans the next seven to ten days of Sage's life in the Black Tower. Tessa pretty much tells us a day-by-day story for the entire book.
This book is so easy to get enthralled in, even if it does feel like Sage is spiralling in a way. I can say that I loved each and every chapter in this book and I really loved the POVs that were told from the male perspective. These men, they are so perfectly written and I just love them, they are so possessive and I love how it came out with a bit of confusion. And I loved the twist of having them feel like they were not worthy of a mate or love rather than the FMC not being worthy of a mate.
The intensity of the bullying that goes on in this book that comes from all the other human recruits because our FMC Sage, is just too stubborn as a girl who doesn't think or believe that she will ever get any help or assistance from anyone, and she's doing all of this because she wants to give her brother the chance to get to safety before her cover is blown and she ends up being exposed.
In so many ways I wish that we could have gotten one or two chapters from Sage's brother. It would have been nice to know what he was doing and that he was OK. We also know that he was struggling with his own emotions but he was also determined to do whatever he had to in order to save his sister as soon as he could.
I just love hurt/comfort, angst, but it has to be balanced with comfort. And I loved the s*x scenes they were full of emotion. That all gets me hoping that in the end we will actually get a HEA.
I am sure that the next book will get us the poly full-blown out and out and we will see it come to fruition.
I expected the ending, of course, it's a cliffhanger ending, that was predictable. I can say that I wish more had happened and yet what we got kept me enthralled and reading till the very end. We get hints that something is happening in the overworld, but it was never enough for me. I just wish that there had been more going on and that there had been more discovery going on.
I recommend this series and you do have to read it in order to understand what has happened and what is happening in this book.
August 13, 2025
Whoa
Serena, has been put through the ringer… I’m so freakin glad I got to see the fire she hides while she broke Ambrose/Ashes nose with a direct and thought out punch while threatening them if they were to ever come after Sawyer/Serena again. She almost got raped… and since she’s pretending to be a male as a novice to Guardsman of the shadow gate, she got punished like one. She did after all threaten the lives of the guys who bully and try to kill her, only stopping at the last moment. I’m so disgusted with Ashe. He lets them do this, eggs them on even just so he can be underecover to root out any bad guys they don’t want protecting their backs. But honestly, when is it enough? When does he spill the beans about how bad Mikel and his buddies are. Or is it that they need any able body to help defend the gate no matter how rotten to the core they are? No matter their offenses against fellow recruits? Fuck, I try really hard not to swear in a review, but fuck I can’t fucking wait to read when Ashe realizes, all these bullying moments, the drowning, the near rape, wasn’t done on a young 16 year old, but a female. A FAE Female to boot. He’s the one that’s been flirting and showing Serena what real passionate sex is all about in the “Fae Garden”. His beautiful Red. Fuck I’m so mad. This isn’t even mentioning Quill, Talon or Riders interactions with him. All these bullying moments, to make Serena/Sawyer last makes her do even more physical labor. Serena/Sawyer is not healed, and the bruises keep adding…. They don’t make it any better. Talon and his shadow tendril attacking Sawyer/Serena, Quill can’t stop thinking of Sawyers sister he met when he came to deliver the news of her brother being entered and chosen to sacrifice his life to work as a guardsman at the shadow gate. Rider, has to be hard on Sawyer/Serena, because everyone already thinks Sawywr/Serena gets special attention… when it’s the exact opposite. They all know about the bullying, do nothing to stop it. When they find out she’s The Serena from the fae garden, a female fae… well, all I can say is that I hope to freaken god that there’s an entire book in this series, dedicated to them feeling like the lowest dogs of the low… and then somehow doing something to earn back her forgiveness. I mean, her being a Female Fae, and showing up at the garden. She hasn’t suspected yet that her mother maybe gave that emerald necklace to her to keep her fae side down, and her mother died to soon to tell her the truth. It all started the first night after she left her necklace with her brother. So the reader knows, but she doesn’t. Still I want a glorious full sized novel full of redemption for all of them. I suspect they are all her mates after all.
Serena, has been put through the ringer… I’m so freakin glad I got to see the fire she hides while she broke Ambrose/Ashes nose with a direct and thought out punch while threatening them if they were to ever come after Sawyer/Serena again. She almost got raped… and since she’s pretending to be a male as a novice to Guardsman of the shadow gate, she got punished like one. She did after all threaten the lives of the guys who bully and try to kill her, only stopping at the last moment. I’m so disgusted with Ashe. He lets them do this, eggs them on even just so he can be underecover to root out any bad guys they don’t want protecting their backs. But honestly, when is it enough? When does he spill the beans about how bad Mikel and his buddies are. Or is it that they need any able body to help defend the gate no matter how rotten to the core they are? No matter their offenses against fellow recruits? Fuck, I try really hard not to swear in a review, but fuck I can’t fucking wait to read when Ashe realizes, all these bullying moments, the drowning, the near rape, wasn’t done on a young 16 year old, but a female. A FAE Female to boot. He’s the one that’s been flirting and showing Serena what real passionate sex is all about in the “Fae Garden”. His beautiful Red. Fuck I’m so mad. This isn’t even mentioning Quill, Talon or Riders interactions with him. All these bullying moments, to make Serena/Sawyer last makes her do even more physical labor. Serena/Sawyer is not healed, and the bruises keep adding…. They don’t make it any better. Talon and his shadow tendril attacking Sawyer/Serena, Quill can’t stop thinking of Sawyers sister he met when he came to deliver the news of her brother being entered and chosen to sacrifice his life to work as a guardsman at the shadow gate. Rider, has to be hard on Sawyer/Serena, because everyone already thinks Sawywr/Serena gets special attention… when it’s the exact opposite. They all know about the bullying, do nothing to stop it. When they find out she’s The Serena from the fae garden, a female fae… well, all I can say is that I hope to freaken god that there’s an entire book in this series, dedicated to them feeling like the lowest dogs of the low… and then somehow doing something to earn back her forgiveness. I mean, her being a Female Fae, and showing up at the garden. She hasn’t suspected yet that her mother maybe gave that emerald necklace to her to keep her fae side down, and her mother died to soon to tell her the truth. It all started the first night after she left her necklace with her brother. So the reader knows, but she doesn’t. Still I want a glorious full sized novel full of redemption for all of them. I suspect they are all her mates after all.
December 10, 2024
This book deserves less than three stars because the plot didn’t go anywhere. The story itself is excellent and is worth four stars, so I’m meeting in the middle.
So I enjoyed this book, honestly, but it went absolutely nowhere. All of this stuff should’ve been included in a moving plot. While I like all the characters and I’m dying to know what’s going to happen, I’m left with the exact same frustrations at the end as the last book.
So many off the RH series should be duets. The first book is fantastic, then the author takes bits and pieces of the story and writes a whole book for each. It’s obnoxious. Just save it all and put it together for a second book and be done with it. These ‘filler’ books make me want to pull my hair out.
Because this really is an excellent story. My hopes were too high I guess. The same thing happened with book #2 of the Blackened Blade. I’ll be eagerly awaiting book 3 for both of these series though.
This book also needed some editing, and I’m unusually tolerant of bad writing habits. The conversations in this book get confusing because each character ruminates internally about every conceivable idea between sentences. So while the characters might have only said “hello how are you?” to one another, we’ve got 10 pages of text to read. After a while you forget they’re having a conversation at all. Each of these ruminations is over explaining the points repetitively and it’s just exhausting.
So I enjoyed this book, honestly, but it went absolutely nowhere. All of this stuff should’ve been included in a moving plot. While I like all the characters and I’m dying to know what’s going to happen, I’m left with the exact same frustrations at the end as the last book.
So many off the RH series should be duets. The first book is fantastic, then the author takes bits and pieces of the story and writes a whole book for each. It’s obnoxious. Just save it all and put it together for a second book and be done with it. These ‘filler’ books make me want to pull my hair out.
Because this really is an excellent story. My hopes were too high I guess. The same thing happened with book #2 of the Blackened Blade. I’ll be eagerly awaiting book 3 for both of these series though.
This book also needed some editing, and I’m unusually tolerant of bad writing habits. The conversations in this book get confusing because each character ruminates internally about every conceivable idea between sentences. So while the characters might have only said “hello how are you?” to one another, we’ve got 10 pages of text to read. After a while you forget they’re having a conversation at all. Each of these ruminations is over explaining the points repetitively and it’s just exhausting.
December 19, 2024
That.Ending.
That.Cliffhanger.
Brutal.
Savage.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
This book continues, where book 1 left off. Sage is still pretending to be her younger brother Sawyer.
At the black Tower, Sage, as Sawyer, still can’t make friends and gets harassed by a group of novices that torment her. Lord/Captain Talon can feel something in Sawyer/Sage that makes his darkness want to come out and play. Lord Commander Rider dislikes these rotations and has a feeling that Sawyer will be more trouble than help. Lord Quill sees Sage in Sawyer and wants to know that she’s safe. Lord Ash tries to keep an eye on the novices and goes undercover as one of the bullies.
In the Fae Garden, as Sage, she likes a polite Rider a lot more than as the Lord Commander at the Black Tower. Ash meets her in the Garden a couple of times for smexy time, but thinks that he doesn’t deserve her. Rider wants to stop having feelings for Sage, as he keeps glancing to the spot she always shows up at. Quill and Talon don’t really notice Sage in the Garden.
I’m trying to grasp the fact that the third book isn’t out until April 2025, but here we are…🫣🫠🥴
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
That.Cliffhanger.
Brutal.
Savage.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
This book continues, where book 1 left off. Sage is still pretending to be her younger brother Sawyer.
At the black Tower, Sage, as Sawyer, still can’t make friends and gets harassed by a group of novices that torment her. Lord/Captain Talon can feel something in Sawyer/Sage that makes his darkness want to come out and play. Lord Commander Rider dislikes these rotations and has a feeling that Sawyer will be more trouble than help. Lord Quill sees Sage in Sawyer and wants to know that she’s safe. Lord Ash tries to keep an eye on the novices and goes undercover as one of the bullies.
In the Fae Garden, as Sage, she likes a polite Rider a lot more than as the Lord Commander at the Black Tower. Ash meets her in the Garden a couple of times for smexy time, but thinks that he doesn’t deserve her. Rider wants to stop having feelings for Sage, as he keeps glancing to the spot she always shows up at. Quill and Talon don’t really notice Sage in the Garden.
I’m trying to grasp the fact that the third book isn’t out until April 2025, but here we are…🫣🫠🥴
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 25, 2025
The Desperate Disguises series features a very interesting dual reality, where most of the key characters exist in the real world and in a second world, accessible only by the Fae, known as the Garden. This concept was new to me and is a major element of the series. The first book was steamy, and with more time in the Garden, the second book is spicy!
Our FMC, known as Sage, Sawyer, or Red, is constantly getting herself into trouble. In the real world, it’s because she’s in over her head trying to pretend to be her brother to save his life – at real risk to her own. In the Garden, she’s over her head because she doesn’t know what’s going on.
While I enjoyed this book, I was really hoping Sage would make more progress in figuring things out, but as she’s essentially living two full lives each day and night, time passes slower. And while she has romantic interactions, none of it coalesces into a real relationship. It’s kind of wild how this author has combined the ultimate slow burn with intense spice! As I’m more interested in the relationships (reminder: it is RH, after all), than the spice, I’m hoping the next book answers more questions and stabilizes at least one of Sage’s turbulent situations.
Also, warning: it ends on a vicious cliffhanger. Thankfully book #3 is already out!
Our FMC, known as Sage, Sawyer, or Red, is constantly getting herself into trouble. In the real world, it’s because she’s in over her head trying to pretend to be her brother to save his life – at real risk to her own. In the Garden, she’s over her head because she doesn’t know what’s going on.
While I enjoyed this book, I was really hoping Sage would make more progress in figuring things out, but as she’s essentially living two full lives each day and night, time passes slower. And while she has romantic interactions, none of it coalesces into a real relationship. It’s kind of wild how this author has combined the ultimate slow burn with intense spice! As I’m more interested in the relationships (reminder: it is RH, after all), than the spice, I’m hoping the next book answers more questions and stabilizes at least one of Sage’s turbulent situations.
Also, warning: it ends on a vicious cliffhanger. Thankfully book #3 is already out!
July 16, 2025
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Well, I kept going and yikes! Games within the garden have become dangerous, and Sage’s training is kicked up even higher in preparation for testing into the Elite.
Sage’s bullying treatment from her fellow trainees keeps getting worse and there is little Captains Rider, Talon and Quill do to help as it only fuels the abusive treatment.
Sage no longer fights her attractions now that she’s dreaming her spirit into the garden every night- she still has no idea that her mystery man is Ash and that he is a spy masking as a recruit at the Black Tower to keep an eye on what happens when the trainees are left alone. She has spoken to Captain Rider at the garden a few times now, where he shows a kinder side, but has trouble recognizing the cold leader that fills her days with the man he is in the garden.
Can she figure out why a human girl keeps dreaming herself into a strictly fae world as well as keep her wits about her at the tower long enough for her brother, Sawyer to escape the realm and discover how to remove the binding she has to the Black Tower or will her secret finally come out?
Warning- this book contains scenes of a spiritual sexual attack and an attempted rape.
The cliffhanger ending will leave you grabbing for book three!
Well, I kept going and yikes! Games within the garden have become dangerous, and Sage’s training is kicked up even higher in preparation for testing into the Elite.
Sage’s bullying treatment from her fellow trainees keeps getting worse and there is little Captains Rider, Talon and Quill do to help as it only fuels the abusive treatment.
Sage no longer fights her attractions now that she’s dreaming her spirit into the garden every night- she still has no idea that her mystery man is Ash and that he is a spy masking as a recruit at the Black Tower to keep an eye on what happens when the trainees are left alone. She has spoken to Captain Rider at the garden a few times now, where he shows a kinder side, but has trouble recognizing the cold leader that fills her days with the man he is in the garden.
Can she figure out why a human girl keeps dreaming herself into a strictly fae world as well as keep her wits about her at the tower long enough for her brother, Sawyer to escape the realm and discover how to remove the binding she has to the Black Tower or will her secret finally come out?
Warning- this book contains scenes of a spiritual sexual attack and an attempted rape.
The cliffhanger ending will leave you grabbing for book three!
November 11, 2024
4.5 stars
I loved this second installment of the Desperate Disguise series. Our FMC, Sage, really starts to come into her own and is showing her strength.
We also see more of the male leads and get to understand their distinct personalities and motivations. Quill is probably the least developed (or maybe just the least interesting) but the other three are great.
The steamy scenes with Fantasy Man were done so well and I enjoyed the frequency of the nighttime visits to the garden to learn more about Fae culture.
Where the author falls short is on pacing. The characters all have repetitive inner monologues that really slow down the action and could have been cut out with stronger editing.
If I were feeling cynical I'd say the story was drawn out in this way to beef up the word count because it definitely speeds up towards the end.
That said, the story is so engaging I can easily overlook the flaws. I would easily recommend this read to others and I'm eagerly waiting for book 3 next year.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I loved this second installment of the Desperate Disguise series. Our FMC, Sage, really starts to come into her own and is showing her strength.
We also see more of the male leads and get to understand their distinct personalities and motivations. Quill is probably the least developed (or maybe just the least interesting) but the other three are great.
The steamy scenes with Fantasy Man were done so well and I enjoyed the frequency of the nighttime visits to the garden to learn more about Fae culture.
Where the author falls short is on pacing. The characters all have repetitive inner monologues that really slow down the action and could have been cut out with stronger editing.
If I were feeling cynical I'd say the story was drawn out in this way to beef up the word count because it definitely speeds up towards the end.
That said, the story is so engaging I can easily overlook the flaws. I would easily recommend this read to others and I'm eagerly waiting for book 3 next year.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 22, 2024
Definitely lives up to the promise of the first book
This series is shaping up to be a real winner.
The first book ("Lies Within the Darkest Tower") established the situation, brought you into the life of the main female character (Sage), and set out the basis of the main supporting characters (Rider, Quill, Talon). This volume really fleshes out those surrounding characters and adds a few more (especially Ash - only mentioned briefly in the first one - and other fae & humans in the Guard).
The developments in this book convey Sage's predicament, her desires/dreams/nightmares, and the mental & emotional underpinning for her actions (or inactions) very well indeed.
The only negative point I can raise against this book is the cliffhanger ending: The link between book 1 & book 2 kept a little tension alive (to encourage you to find out more) but the one at the end of book 3 is driving me mad - and I only finished the book earlier this afternoon!
Very well written but AARRGGHH!!
(Yes, this was an ARC; no, the above is my honest, uninfluenced opinion.)
This series is shaping up to be a real winner.
The first book ("Lies Within the Darkest Tower") established the situation, brought you into the life of the main female character (Sage), and set out the basis of the main supporting characters (Rider, Quill, Talon). This volume really fleshes out those surrounding characters and adds a few more (especially Ash - only mentioned briefly in the first one - and other fae & humans in the Guard).
The developments in this book convey Sage's predicament, her desires/dreams/nightmares, and the mental & emotional underpinning for her actions (or inactions) very well indeed.
The only negative point I can raise against this book is the cliffhanger ending: The link between book 1 & book 2 kept a little tension alive (to encourage you to find out more) but the one at the end of book 3 is driving me mad - and I only finished the book earlier this afternoon!
Very well written but AARRGGHH!!
(Yes, this was an ARC; no, the above is my honest, uninfluenced opinion.)
November 23, 2024
I want to scream right now. The way Sage’s story grabs me feels like heaven and hell combined, because I’m excited when I have the time to pick up another chapter and I’m miserable whenever life gets in the way. I already knew reaching the end would be hard because picking up another chapter will take months, but then I got to the cliffhanger… This one hurts. Bad.
The tension between these characters is absolutely out of this world. I love it so much, especially because they all fight it with everything they have and knowing the moment they will ultimately come together will be explosive only adds to the enjoyment. But just like the story in itself, it’s definitely a double edged sword because on the one hand I can’t wait for it, and on the other I feel like I want it to go on forever. Seriously, this series has me in a twist and I can’t wait to reread it at some point in the future to see if I will love it just as much once I know how it will all end.
But before that can happen, I will have to deal with this cliffhanger for the next months… I already can’t wait for book three.
The tension between these characters is absolutely out of this world. I love it so much, especially because they all fight it with everything they have and knowing the moment they will ultimately come together will be explosive only adds to the enjoyment. But just like the story in itself, it’s definitely a double edged sword because on the one hand I can’t wait for it, and on the other I feel like I want it to go on forever. Seriously, this series has me in a twist and I can’t wait to reread it at some point in the future to see if I will love it just as much once I know how it will all end.
But before that can happen, I will have to deal with this cliffhanger for the next months… I already can’t wait for book three.
November 23, 2024
*Why Choose
*Fantasy
*Multi-1st-PoV
*Fae
*Shadow Monsters
*FMC in disguise
*Established Harem (4)
*Slow building
*Mid Burn
*Book 2/?
Well when you think things couldn’t get more complicated for Sage this book really adds to the dilemma! She begins to realise she may not be a normal human being with her visions/premonitions and the dreams she’s been having! You don’t quite get the answers to this, there’s hints. It hopefully this will be addressed in future books 😄
Things are getting worse at the tower for Sage being hazed by the other novices and to the point of risking her identity 😮
There’s certainly a move forward in her relations with her dream fantasy man 🔥 who has his own secrets! She’s definitely developing a connection with Tylon beyond his allure; Quill proves an intriguing figure who maybe the friend needed; and then there’s gruff closer off Rip 😳 can these men show her their worth before things get worse? I really really hope they discover who she is in the next book🙂🙂
*Fantasy
*Multi-1st-PoV
*Fae
*Shadow Monsters
*FMC in disguise
*Established Harem (4)
*Slow building
*Mid Burn
*Book 2/?
Well when you think things couldn’t get more complicated for Sage this book really adds to the dilemma! She begins to realise she may not be a normal human being with her visions/premonitions and the dreams she’s been having! You don’t quite get the answers to this, there’s hints. It hopefully this will be addressed in future books 😄
Things are getting worse at the tower for Sage being hazed by the other novices and to the point of risking her identity 😮
There’s certainly a move forward in her relations with her dream fantasy man 🔥 who has his own secrets! She’s definitely developing a connection with Tylon beyond his allure; Quill proves an intriguing figure who maybe the friend needed; and then there’s gruff closer off Rip 😳 can these men show her their worth before things get worse? I really really hope they discover who she is in the next book🙂🙂
December 5, 2024
Ci sono rimasta malissimo quando sono arrivata alla fine di questo libro, ero talmente concentrata su quello che stava succedendo alla povera protagonista che non mi sono resa conto che ero arrivata all'ultima pagina.
Devo recuperare tutto quello che ha scritto Tessa Cole, perché è veramente brava.
Prendiamo questo libro, è il classico libro in cui la tensione sale di più, ma dove in fondo nessun segreto viene svelato, se ci si pensa bene abbiamo le stesse informazioni che avevamo alla fine del primo libro, eppure la scrittrice è riuscita con grazia e maestria a scrivere un libro che in fondo è solo un riempitivo, ma che è bellissimo.
Sage è fantastica, non ricordo mi sia mai capitato una protagonista con cui sono d'accordo su qualsiasi decisione prenda.
Per quanto riguarda i 4 maschietti mi riservo di giudicarli in futuro, Ash però mi confonde un pò, mi piace molto la sua versione fantasy man, molto meno la sua versione Ambrose.
Odio dover aspettare aprile per il seguito.
Devo recuperare tutto quello che ha scritto Tessa Cole, perché è veramente brava.
Prendiamo questo libro, è il classico libro in cui la tensione sale di più, ma dove in fondo nessun segreto viene svelato, se ci si pensa bene abbiamo le stesse informazioni che avevamo alla fine del primo libro, eppure la scrittrice è riuscita con grazia e maestria a scrivere un libro che in fondo è solo un riempitivo, ma che è bellissimo.
Sage è fantastica, non ricordo mi sia mai capitato una protagonista con cui sono d'accordo su qualsiasi decisione prenda.
Per quanto riguarda i 4 maschietti mi riservo di giudicarli in futuro, Ash però mi confonde un pò, mi piace molto la sua versione fantasy man, molto meno la sua versione Ambrose.
Odio dover aspettare aprile per il seguito.
December 13, 2024
Desperate Disguise, book 2
Oh my. The sweet sensual tension that flows through this book is mesmerizing. Our heroine suffers beautifully as she continue to pretend to be her brother at the all male training center. Spoilers:
What a twist and turn when Sage starts appearing in the all fae "garden" as a rare fae female. All the fae Captains feel a draw towards her in both her personas, despite their own reluctance to finding mates. Sawyer\Sage is bullied mercilessly by other human novices and the instructors try to walk a fine line between protection and independence. It's only been one rotation, (10 days?) and she must hold out for at least 4 to ensure Sawyer gets to safety. The cliff hanger is devastating, but don't despair, you can download a file with two more chapters that help. It says the next book will release in April 2024, but I'm pretty sure that's a typo and it will be 2025. I wish it were sooner!
Oh my. The sweet sensual tension that flows through this book is mesmerizing. Our heroine suffers beautifully as she continue to pretend to be her brother at the all male training center. Spoilers:
What a twist and turn when Sage starts appearing in the all fae "garden" as a rare fae female. All the fae Captains feel a draw towards her in both her personas, despite their own reluctance to finding mates. Sawyer\Sage is bullied mercilessly by other human novices and the instructors try to walk a fine line between protection and independence. It's only been one rotation, (10 days?) and she must hold out for at least 4 to ensure Sawyer gets to safety. The cliff hanger is devastating, but don't despair, you can download a file with two more chapters that help. It says the next book will release in April 2024, but I'm pretty sure that's a typo and it will be 2025. I wish it were sooner!
Read
February 4, 2025i cannot believe that the fae guys STILL don’t know about sage and the whole garden thing!! how is this storyline still being dragged on!! its been two books! can you tell im pissed!! book 2 doesn’t feel any different from book 1 - the same stuff is being repeated, and everything that was left unresolved in book 1 still hasn’t been addressed by the end of book 2. we need plot progression, more interaction between the main characters and just general development please.
that said, if book 3 was out, id pick it up straight away, if only because im desperate to see how things will pan out when/if the action finally picks up… but since the next book isn’t yet released, i don’t think ill realistically still be invested in the future. IMO book 1&2 should have been compressed into one tighter, more thrilling read, with the big reveal as the cliffhanger so that there was actually a tangible promise of plot progression to keep me invested in the next book..
that said, if book 3 was out, id pick it up straight away, if only because im desperate to see how things will pan out when/if the action finally picks up… but since the next book isn’t yet released, i don’t think ill realistically still be invested in the future. IMO book 1&2 should have been compressed into one tighter, more thrilling read, with the big reveal as the cliffhanger so that there was actually a tangible promise of plot progression to keep me invested in the next book..
February 11, 2025
Copied from Book 1 review :
Premise is great. The writing is great.
I love the characters... but
The way the author handles chapter breaks is disorienting, and this issue extends to how she structures the books as well. The "books" don’t feel like complete stories—rather, they read like individual chapters awkwardly split apart. The ending of Book 1, for example, didn’t feel like the conclusion of a book but more like a poorly placed chapter break. Since the author already struggles with knowing when to begin and end chapters, it makes sense that this problem carries over to how she begins and ends entire books. It’s frustrating because the story itself is great, but this structural flaw is so glaring that it takes away from the overall experience.
It’s sad because, I really love the story. It draws me in, and I genuinely want to know more.
Premise is great. The writing is great.
I love the characters... but
The way the author handles chapter breaks is disorienting, and this issue extends to how she structures the books as well. The "books" don’t feel like complete stories—rather, they read like individual chapters awkwardly split apart. The ending of Book 1, for example, didn’t feel like the conclusion of a book but more like a poorly placed chapter break. Since the author already struggles with knowing when to begin and end chapters, it makes sense that this problem carries over to how she begins and ends entire books. It’s frustrating because the story itself is great, but this structural flaw is so glaring that it takes away from the overall experience.
It’s sad because, I really love the story. It draws me in, and I genuinely want to know more.
February 19, 2025
Poor Ivy just can't catch a break in this book. It ends on a cliffhanger but the author was nice enough to link a preview of the 3rd book which immediately picks up from book 2.
As with the first book, this was a day read. It was really short and felt like the story just started to pick up when it ended. I'm not sure if this is going to be a trilogy but if it is, I hope the author makes the 3rd book longer.
The men are developed a bit more in this book and there's more answers to the way their world works. It really didn't feel like much was accomplished story wise except Ivy being hurt over and over again. I would've liked to see more interaction with her and the guys in the Garden or her and anyone honestly that wasn't trying to hurt her.
Overall I'm excited to read the next book and hoping we get more progress in the story.
As with the first book, this was a day read. It was really short and felt like the story just started to pick up when it ended. I'm not sure if this is going to be a trilogy but if it is, I hope the author makes the 3rd book longer.
The men are developed a bit more in this book and there's more answers to the way their world works. It really didn't feel like much was accomplished story wise except Ivy being hurt over and over again. I would've liked to see more interaction with her and the guys in the Garden or her and anyone honestly that wasn't trying to hurt her.
Overall I'm excited to read the next book and hoping we get more progress in the story.
April 5, 2025
My thoughts on this one were pretty similar to the first, though I did love that the angst ramped up in this one. The editing may have been a bit better but it still could have used a lot of work. Also, a couple of things I noticed in the first book but forgot to mention, and continued in this book:
1. The chapter endings were often really abrupt and there were more chapter breaks than were really necessary, in my opinion.
2. The overuse of "swell" was quite annoying, especially when it was coming from multiple characters. You could almost justify it as a kind of catchphrase of Sage's, though it seems like an oddly modern thing to say given the setting, but it doesn't make sense that multiple fae commanders would also say it.
Overall, I'm still hooked on the story and absolutely burning through these books, I'm glad I can jump straight into the next one!
1. The chapter endings were often really abrupt and there were more chapter breaks than were really necessary, in my opinion.
2. The overuse of "swell" was quite annoying, especially when it was coming from multiple characters. You could almost justify it as a kind of catchphrase of Sage's, though it seems like an oddly modern thing to say given the setting, but it doesn't make sense that multiple fae commanders would also say it.
Overall, I'm still hooked on the story and absolutely burning through these books, I'm glad I can jump straight into the next one!
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