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June 23, 2025
Read my full review: https://mayasbookshelves.com/proofrea...
Sun Blessed by Daisy Florence is my most recent proofread for my author services business – Mystic Books Marketing. I had such a fun time editing and proofing this book while immersing myself in such an intricately woven world of fantasy and romance.
The story
Following Elody, the Queen of Larrakiel, we find ourselves in the middle of a story of revenge. When Elody was younger, her kingdom was attacked, a mass genocide conducted by Carceval, another kingdom in their world. As Elody endures the trauma of the attack, her parents are brutally murdered and she is one of the lone survivors of her beloved kingdom. She must overcome her unending grief of losing her parents while fighting for the kingdom that she loves so dearly.
Larrakiel, a kingdom of soft people with hearts of gold, works to rebuild from the mass genocide by Carceval.
Meanwhile, the young king of Carceval, Christopher, has no idea of his kingdom’s history. With his past interwoven with Elody’s, a chance encounter has them falling into each other without even knowing it. The two spend rotations – years – thinking of that one night together, until Elody realizes who Christopher truly is – the king of Carceval, and her mortal enemy.
Sun Blessed is a story of revenge. Full of grief, learning to live with losing loved ones, and powerful magic, it’s a romantasy story that will keep you on the edge of your seat until book 2!
The characters
From the prologue of the book, I immediately adored Elody and her entire character. She was strong willed and determined which was clear from the get-go, but as the story continued, she managed to show me how truly human she could be. Despite her hard exterior, she deals with so much on the inside. The grief of losing her parents – losing so much of her kingdom – is unimaginable and I adore Elody for the way she handled every part of her story. She’s such a strong female lead that I loved following.
I don’t even know where to begin when it comes to Chris. There were parts of the story that I felt pity for Chris. He was so in the dark about everything that happened outside of his kingdom. But at the same time, he was dealing with so much grief and loss. Losing his dad first and then his mother was obviously not easy, plus inheriting a massive kingdom in which he suddenly had the responsibility of caring for. Despite all of that, I found myself falling pretty hard for Chris in the times that he was truly himself. Maybe it was his irresistible charm or maybe it was just Chris and his playful energy, but I loved being with him. He made the story so exciting and the tension sooooo strong!
The writing
For a debut romantasy, it can’t really get better than this. I found myself giggling to myself throughout parts of the story, truly immersed in such an intricate world. The entire world that Daisy has created is so creative and unique. I loved her use of the sun and moon being such opposites and how Elody and Chris almost align in that aspect. It was such an interesting story with so many different elements that somehow combined so perfectly together.
Final thoughts
Daisy, I’m so proud and so so happy for you. You’ve written an incredible story that I truly can’t get enough of. Elody and Chris will stick with me for a truly long time. I desperately need book 2!
Rating: 4.5/5⭐️
Sun Blessed by Daisy Florence is my most recent proofread for my author services business – Mystic Books Marketing. I had such a fun time editing and proofing this book while immersing myself in such an intricately woven world of fantasy and romance.
The story
Following Elody, the Queen of Larrakiel, we find ourselves in the middle of a story of revenge. When Elody was younger, her kingdom was attacked, a mass genocide conducted by Carceval, another kingdom in their world. As Elody endures the trauma of the attack, her parents are brutally murdered and she is one of the lone survivors of her beloved kingdom. She must overcome her unending grief of losing her parents while fighting for the kingdom that she loves so dearly.
Larrakiel, a kingdom of soft people with hearts of gold, works to rebuild from the mass genocide by Carceval.
Meanwhile, the young king of Carceval, Christopher, has no idea of his kingdom’s history. With his past interwoven with Elody’s, a chance encounter has them falling into each other without even knowing it. The two spend rotations – years – thinking of that one night together, until Elody realizes who Christopher truly is – the king of Carceval, and her mortal enemy.
Sun Blessed is a story of revenge. Full of grief, learning to live with losing loved ones, and powerful magic, it’s a romantasy story that will keep you on the edge of your seat until book 2!
The characters
From the prologue of the book, I immediately adored Elody and her entire character. She was strong willed and determined which was clear from the get-go, but as the story continued, she managed to show me how truly human she could be. Despite her hard exterior, she deals with so much on the inside. The grief of losing her parents – losing so much of her kingdom – is unimaginable and I adore Elody for the way she handled every part of her story. She’s such a strong female lead that I loved following.
I don’t even know where to begin when it comes to Chris. There were parts of the story that I felt pity for Chris. He was so in the dark about everything that happened outside of his kingdom. But at the same time, he was dealing with so much grief and loss. Losing his dad first and then his mother was obviously not easy, plus inheriting a massive kingdom in which he suddenly had the responsibility of caring for. Despite all of that, I found myself falling pretty hard for Chris in the times that he was truly himself. Maybe it was his irresistible charm or maybe it was just Chris and his playful energy, but I loved being with him. He made the story so exciting and the tension sooooo strong!
The writing
For a debut romantasy, it can’t really get better than this. I found myself giggling to myself throughout parts of the story, truly immersed in such an intricate world. The entire world that Daisy has created is so creative and unique. I loved her use of the sun and moon being such opposites and how Elody and Chris almost align in that aspect. It was such an interesting story with so many different elements that somehow combined so perfectly together.
Final thoughts
Daisy, I’m so proud and so so happy for you. You’ve written an incredible story that I truly can’t get enough of. Elody and Chris will stick with me for a truly long time. I desperately need book 2!
Rating: 4.5/5⭐️
July 3, 2025
Spice: 🌶️/5
ARC Review.
A very fantastical romantasy. I really like the idea of this book. There was obviously thought put into the world building and a lot of intricacy that still hasn’t been revealed to the reader.
Elody is the bisexual FMC Queen who is literally just the most powerful being in existence and is the older, immortal being. Christopher is the somewhat unwilling King of the enemy kingdom and is also just ridiculously powerful. Both of our MC’s have experienced great loss early in life and their struggles with grief, guilt and placing blame for their loss is really well represented in the story.
We follow Elody who is trying to get revenge for her kingdom Larrakiel, her people and family. We also follow Chris as he tries to successfully rule his kingdom after the passing of his parents. Their worlds collide and it’s violent and intense.
Now a few small criticisms that are entirely my own personal opinion.
1. I don’t think slow-burn and enemies to lovers are accurate trope descriptors for this book. There’s a well established situationship with Morgan and a one night stand with Chris followed by pretty intense hatred and that’s sort of where we end on the cliffhanger of book one. It felt a little like the author was trying to convince the reader to ship the straight relationship but honestly I was much more convinced by the relationship Elody and Morgan had. It seemed more fluid, real and natural. I’m usually very easy to sway with a fated mates/ love at first sight plot but this one wasn’t very convincing for me unfortunately.
2. At times the story was very text heavy and I did find myself skipping paragraphs because it really slowed down the flow of the story.
3. There was a very quick new character introduction dump. All of a sudden there were about 20 people involved in an intricate revenge plot and it was hard to keep track of who was who and what their powers were.
4. The magic system needs a bit more fleshing out. I’m sure this will happen over the next three books but it was just a little unbelievable at times, particularly Elody’s powers and ability to re-create a certain life sustaining thing (no spoilers).
All that said, if you’re a fantasy fan you will probably enjoy this book. It has a lot of potential as a series and props to the author for all the thought she’s put into the story and creating this world! It really is very unique!
ARC Review.
A very fantastical romantasy. I really like the idea of this book. There was obviously thought put into the world building and a lot of intricacy that still hasn’t been revealed to the reader.
Elody is the bisexual FMC Queen who is literally just the most powerful being in existence and is the older, immortal being. Christopher is the somewhat unwilling King of the enemy kingdom and is also just ridiculously powerful. Both of our MC’s have experienced great loss early in life and their struggles with grief, guilt and placing blame for their loss is really well represented in the story.
We follow Elody who is trying to get revenge for her kingdom Larrakiel, her people and family. We also follow Chris as he tries to successfully rule his kingdom after the passing of his parents. Their worlds collide and it’s violent and intense.
Now a few small criticisms that are entirely my own personal opinion.
1. I don’t think slow-burn and enemies to lovers are accurate trope descriptors for this book. There’s a well established situationship with Morgan and a one night stand with Chris followed by pretty intense hatred and that’s sort of where we end on the cliffhanger of book one. It felt a little like the author was trying to convince the reader to ship the straight relationship but honestly I was much more convinced by the relationship Elody and Morgan had. It seemed more fluid, real and natural. I’m usually very easy to sway with a fated mates/ love at first sight plot but this one wasn’t very convincing for me unfortunately.
2. At times the story was very text heavy and I did find myself skipping paragraphs because it really slowed down the flow of the story.
3. There was a very quick new character introduction dump. All of a sudden there were about 20 people involved in an intricate revenge plot and it was hard to keep track of who was who and what their powers were.
4. The magic system needs a bit more fleshing out. I’m sure this will happen over the next three books but it was just a little unbelievable at times, particularly Elody’s powers and ability to re-create a certain life sustaining thing (no spoilers).
All that said, if you’re a fantasy fan you will probably enjoy this book. It has a lot of potential as a series and props to the author for all the thought she’s put into the story and creating this world! It really is very unique!
July 9, 2025
The overall plot and blurb for the story were great. I do feel like so much was pushed at one time and then I was left kinda confused. I loved the main character she was fierce. But the MMC eh. He was getting on my nerves a lot. There was a point that so much was happening at one time I couldn’t keep up with what was going on and I felt like it needed to be spread out cause I still can’t remember all the characters from it. I feel like this is super promising of a few touches were made with the flow of things and it’s really promising. There was a lot of things I loved and some things that left me wanting. I will still read book 2 and hoping the MMC gets better! -Kerin Ray
June 30, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for Sun Blessed by Daisy Florence.
Wow. I felt the last word in this book to my BONES when I had finished it 🤣
Firstly thank you for letting me ARC read your incredible sorry! And secondly as always I will say this review is my personal opinion and i appreciate yours may differ.
But WOW! We have to give bonus points too because it’s not just any book that can make me physically spill tears.. but I was crying by the end of the prologue and first chapter 😅
We all know I’m a sucker for a powerful FMC, who is stubborn but brave, and strong in so many ways. And I fell totally in love with Elody! Being able to understand where her generational and feminine rage came from was another level of being able to understand her as a character. And her character development arc is just perfection!
I’m in awe of the story writing, of the unique magic narrative, the feelings it provoked! The world building was amazing, I loved it all! It was brutal and unforgiving, but in the best way! I genuinely don’t have a bad word to say about this book!
I would say to check for trigger warnings, there are explicit scenes of detailed blood and gore. And a bit more. But my god it’s so worth the read!! What a journey you’ve taken us on Daisy! I can’t wait for more!
So if you love to dive into a new magical world, with magic and new kingdoms. If you like the bloodshed of battle and revenge. A dash of spice, and the true relationships between friends and family. And seeing what it is to be truly broken, to claw yourself back together and move forward.. then this book is for you! 🤍
Wow. I felt the last word in this book to my BONES when I had finished it 🤣
Firstly thank you for letting me ARC read your incredible sorry! And secondly as always I will say this review is my personal opinion and i appreciate yours may differ.
But WOW! We have to give bonus points too because it’s not just any book that can make me physically spill tears.. but I was crying by the end of the prologue and first chapter 😅
We all know I’m a sucker for a powerful FMC, who is stubborn but brave, and strong in so many ways. And I fell totally in love with Elody! Being able to understand where her generational and feminine rage came from was another level of being able to understand her as a character. And her character development arc is just perfection!
I’m in awe of the story writing, of the unique magic narrative, the feelings it provoked! The world building was amazing, I loved it all! It was brutal and unforgiving, but in the best way! I genuinely don’t have a bad word to say about this book!
I would say to check for trigger warnings, there are explicit scenes of detailed blood and gore. And a bit more. But my god it’s so worth the read!! What a journey you’ve taken us on Daisy! I can’t wait for more!
So if you love to dive into a new magical world, with magic and new kingdoms. If you like the bloodshed of battle and revenge. A dash of spice, and the true relationships between friends and family. And seeing what it is to be truly broken, to claw yourself back together and move forward.. then this book is for you! 🤍
June 28, 2025
I love the magic and the world-building in this story. So much detail went into this, and it shows. I was hooked and on the edge of my seat until the last pages. Everything from the world, to the magic system, and the characters are just so interesting. I can’t wait to see more of Elody and Chris in the next books. Especially after that cliffhanger. This a perfect mix of a darker romance and fantasy. I highly recommend this book. I’m so glad I received an ARC.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Out of 5 Stars ⭐️
Genre/Tropes ✨Fantasy, magic system, Bi FMC, Tattoos, grumpy x sunshine, dark romance, romance, enemies to lovers, one night stand, fated mates
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Out of 5 Stars ⭐️
Genre/Tropes ✨Fantasy, magic system, Bi FMC, Tattoos, grumpy x sunshine, dark romance, romance, enemies to lovers, one night stand, fated mates
July 4, 2025
I am giving Sun Blessed by Daisy Florence 4.5 stars. And seriously, someone check on me because I am still screaming over that ending. I NEED book two like, yesterday.
First things first, huge thanks to Daisy Florence for the ARC. This is Daisy’s debut, and book one to the Sincere Shadows series, and let me tell you…I absolutely ATE this book up. It’s hands down the best ARC l’ve read so far. I was hooked from the start and fully feral by the end.
Let’s talk about Elody. Our badass Queen of Larrakiel who’s out here trying to hold her entire kingdom together while quietly nursing a vendetta after her world was basically obliterated. She’s fierce, stubborn, and yet vulnerable that I couldn’t help but love her.
She’s the kind of heroine who could absolutely stab you and then apologize with tears in her eyes, and honestly? I’d let her.
Then there’s Chris. SIGH. The King of Carceval (aka enemy territory), who has me in a full chokehold. He’s charming, a little lost, carrying a ton of grief, and just...so swoony. I am obsessed with him an unhealthy amount, not even sorry about it. I only wish he’d been on the page MORE because I could read about that
man all day.
Their chemistry?? ELECTRIC. The way they have one incredible night together before realizing they’re mortal enemies? Absolute perfection. And the spicy scene? I was blushing, giggling, and 100% kicking my feet. The tension between them was delicious. Enemies-to-lovers, fated mates, grumpy x sunshine. I am a sucker for it all, and Daisy delivered.
The world-building was another win for me. The whole sun and moon symbolism, the kingdoms, the magic, it was all so creative and vivid.
If I had any tiny complaints, it’d be that there were a couple of pacing bumps, and I was dying for even more page time between Chris and Elody. But honestly? Those are small things compared to how much fun I had. Book two can’t come fast enough!
Quote:
“He would live long, into forever, with me. I wouldn’t be alone anymore because he would be with me forever. Until the end of time.”
First things first, huge thanks to Daisy Florence for the ARC. This is Daisy’s debut, and book one to the Sincere Shadows series, and let me tell you…I absolutely ATE this book up. It’s hands down the best ARC l’ve read so far. I was hooked from the start and fully feral by the end.
Let’s talk about Elody. Our badass Queen of Larrakiel who’s out here trying to hold her entire kingdom together while quietly nursing a vendetta after her world was basically obliterated. She’s fierce, stubborn, and yet vulnerable that I couldn’t help but love her.
She’s the kind of heroine who could absolutely stab you and then apologize with tears in her eyes, and honestly? I’d let her.
Then there’s Chris. SIGH. The King of Carceval (aka enemy territory), who has me in a full chokehold. He’s charming, a little lost, carrying a ton of grief, and just...so swoony. I am obsessed with him an unhealthy amount, not even sorry about it. I only wish he’d been on the page MORE because I could read about that
man all day.
Their chemistry?? ELECTRIC. The way they have one incredible night together before realizing they’re mortal enemies? Absolute perfection. And the spicy scene? I was blushing, giggling, and 100% kicking my feet. The tension between them was delicious. Enemies-to-lovers, fated mates, grumpy x sunshine. I am a sucker for it all, and Daisy delivered.
The world-building was another win for me. The whole sun and moon symbolism, the kingdoms, the magic, it was all so creative and vivid.
If I had any tiny complaints, it’d be that there were a couple of pacing bumps, and I was dying for even more page time between Chris and Elody. But honestly? Those are small things compared to how much fun I had. Book two can’t come fast enough!
Quote:
“He would live long, into forever, with me. I wouldn’t be alone anymore because he would be with me forever. Until the end of time.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2025
I hoped I would love this book after reading the synopsis of it when I applied for the ARC. I was so excited when I was chosen, and my instincts were on point. 😆
This has been one of my favourite worlds to imagine and become lost in. The different kingdoms and cultures and magic drew me in and kept me hostage. From the prologue, I was hooked 😍
It took me a few chapters to get used to the vocabulary (there is a Glossary), but once I was fully immersed, I was in that world, understanding it all. The way it is written is absolutely beautiful. Perfect mix of world building and story driven plot 💜
The whole magical system excites me, it's so different to anything I have read before. It is very plot driven and very fast paced, for me there were no parts that slowed down it was so story driven I found it hard to put down.
There are some very dark themes throughout, so check the Content Warnings ⚠️ These helped intensify the world and were relevant to the story.
I absolutely LOVED Elody the FMC. She is one of the most complex, strong and delicate characters I have come across. The pain and suffering she has had to live through broke my heart over and over.
My thoughts of the MMC, Chris, gave me whiplash. One minute I loved him, then I disliked him, then I felt sorry for him, then I was rooting for him and then I was disliking him again at the same time as wanting him to make a move on Elody !!!
The tension between the two had me kicking my feet !! I literally cannot wait for book 2 ! 💜👀🙈💜
This has been one of my favourite worlds to imagine and become lost in. The different kingdoms and cultures and magic drew me in and kept me hostage. From the prologue, I was hooked 😍
It took me a few chapters to get used to the vocabulary (there is a Glossary), but once I was fully immersed, I was in that world, understanding it all. The way it is written is absolutely beautiful. Perfect mix of world building and story driven plot 💜
The whole magical system excites me, it's so different to anything I have read before. It is very plot driven and very fast paced, for me there were no parts that slowed down it was so story driven I found it hard to put down.
There are some very dark themes throughout, so check the Content Warnings ⚠️ These helped intensify the world and were relevant to the story.
I absolutely LOVED Elody the FMC. She is one of the most complex, strong and delicate characters I have come across. The pain and suffering she has had to live through broke my heart over and over.
My thoughts of the MMC, Chris, gave me whiplash. One minute I loved him, then I disliked him, then I felt sorry for him, then I was rooting for him and then I was disliking him again at the same time as wanting him to make a move on Elody !!!
The tension between the two had me kicking my feet !! I literally cannot wait for book 2 ! 💜👀🙈💜
July 6, 2025
I’ll try to keep this as spoiler free as possible for those looking at the reviews for some kind of sign to read this book.
I was lucky enough to be picked as an ARC reader for this book as I followed Daisy’s author journey on her socials and honestly? You know when you can tell you’re early for something that’s going to be huge? Her books are going to blow up. I’m calling it now, she has sooo much potential and I wish her all the best in the world.
Now for the book, i had so much fun reading this book! The back and forth between Chris and Elody throughout gave real enemies to lovers vibes or should i say lovers to enemies?
I was DYING for Chris to find out throughout the entire book and was left reeling at the ending! But it was great, it made me want to read the next one ASAP only to find out in the authors note that um… excuse me, THEY’RE ALREADY WRITTEN AND READY TO PUBLISH. Girl, you’ve been busy and I’m here for it.
Can’t wait for book two!
I’ll be following along.
I was lucky enough to be picked as an ARC reader for this book as I followed Daisy’s author journey on her socials and honestly? You know when you can tell you’re early for something that’s going to be huge? Her books are going to blow up. I’m calling it now, she has sooo much potential and I wish her all the best in the world.
Now for the book, i had so much fun reading this book! The back and forth between Chris and Elody throughout gave real enemies to lovers vibes or should i say lovers to enemies?
I was DYING for Chris to find out throughout the entire book and was left reeling at the ending! But it was great, it made me want to read the next one ASAP only to find out in the authors note that um… excuse me, THEY’RE ALREADY WRITTEN AND READY TO PUBLISH. Girl, you’ve been busy and I’m here for it.
Can’t wait for book two!
I’ll be following along.
November 25, 2025
“Me. Little Me. I wished with all my heart I could look in on myself, take little me for a walk, keep her away from those nightmares...”
Love:
The prologue and the end of this book were absolutely phenomenal. The writing and the depth of character, all of it.
Elody is complex and rich and a strong FMC. Her character and her relationships feel real.
The one night stand was great (IYKYK)
Don’t Love:
The middle 50% of the book. I wanted to love it but compared to the Prologue and the end, the writing and story were just flat.
There is a pronunciation guide at the front and it’s only relevant to the Prologue...? Like, the MMC is named...Chris!?
I received an advance review copy for free, and
I am leaving this review voluntarily.
great debut - hoping the sequel picks up a notch
Love:
The prologue and the end of this book were absolutely phenomenal. The writing and the depth of character, all of it.
Elody is complex and rich and a strong FMC. Her character and her relationships feel real.
The one night stand was great (IYKYK)
Don’t Love:
The middle 50% of the book. I wanted to love it but compared to the Prologue and the end, the writing and story were just flat.
There is a pronunciation guide at the front and it’s only relevant to the Prologue...? Like, the MMC is named...Chris!?
I received an advance review copy for free, and
I am leaving this review voluntarily.
great debut - hoping the sequel picks up a notch
June 30, 2025
:::ARC REVIEW:::
From the very first sentence, you are thrust into the world and the action. Daisy does such a good job of painting the world she’s created and you are immediately immersed.
When you think you get a reprieve from the fast-paced action at the beginning, you do not, it keeps coming back in such a good way.
Elody is a bisexual FMC badass Queen who is trying to avenge the destruction of her kingdom. Along the way, she meets Chris, King to her enemies kingdom, in a bar and they have a night together.
Since their night together, they have not been able to forget one another (he is OBSESSED with her until he realises who she is…)
Chris is in over his head, trying so desperately to be the King his parents trained him to be. At times, he can be frustrating and pompous but he’s real, just like Elody.
Being the first in the series, the book naturally ends on a cliffhanger. My mouth was agape the whole last part of the book.
For a debut fantasy novel, this is amazing, storytelling weaving through and keeps you engaged and I can’t wait for the second book!
From the very first sentence, you are thrust into the world and the action. Daisy does such a good job of painting the world she’s created and you are immediately immersed.
When you think you get a reprieve from the fast-paced action at the beginning, you do not, it keeps coming back in such a good way.
Elody is a bisexual FMC badass Queen who is trying to avenge the destruction of her kingdom. Along the way, she meets Chris, King to her enemies kingdom, in a bar and they have a night together.
Since their night together, they have not been able to forget one another (he is OBSESSED with her until he realises who she is…)
Chris is in over his head, trying so desperately to be the King his parents trained him to be. At times, he can be frustrating and pompous but he’s real, just like Elody.
Being the first in the series, the book naturally ends on a cliffhanger. My mouth was agape the whole last part of the book.
For a debut fantasy novel, this is amazing, storytelling weaving through and keeps you engaged and I can’t wait for the second book!
July 1, 2025
This is a story for those who enjoy, plot, large world building and political strategy.
This is fantasy romance, enemy to lovers story. Very slow burn...or is it?!
The pacing of the book and timelines took a little bit of getting used to and remembering who is who. I got there.
Great debut book. Thank you to Daisy Florence for the eARC.
I look forward to the next in the series.
This is fantasy romance, enemy to lovers story. Very slow burn...or is it?!
The pacing of the book and timelines took a little bit of getting used to and remembering who is who. I got there.
Great debut book. Thank you to Daisy Florence for the eARC.
I look forward to the next in the series.
July 24, 2025
Loved the book! It was a bit slow to start with and I found the chapters too long for me personally but I did enjoy it, I hated the cliffhanger but I'm excited to read the next book!
Read this book as an arc!
Read this book as an arc!
June 29, 2025
I started reading it. I got about 10% in and had to stop reading it. I couldn't get into it and really struggled to find any through line of the plot.
July 27, 2025
Rating: ★★½ (2.5 stars)
The beginning really drew me in and showed a lot of promise. However, I found the chapters to be quite long, which made it harder to stay engaged. One of the main drawbacks for me was the dialogue — the conversations between the characters often felt flat, and the emotions came across as forced. As a result, the story didn’t fully connect with me. Around the 70% mark, I struggled to keep going, and by then I wasn’t particularly curious about how it would end. While there were definitely some good moments, overall the book just didn’t work for me.
The beginning really drew me in and showed a lot of promise. However, I found the chapters to be quite long, which made it harder to stay engaged. One of the main drawbacks for me was the dialogue — the conversations between the characters often felt flat, and the emotions came across as forced. As a result, the story didn’t fully connect with me. Around the 70% mark, I struggled to keep going, and by then I wasn’t particularly curious about how it would end. While there were definitely some good moments, overall the book just didn’t work for me.
Read
July 14, 2025I'm stopping at 27% in. I intend to pick this up again sometime but it's as far as I can go for now. The pacing and structure of this book is a barrier for me. Over 100 pages in and we're not yet in present day, have no idea what's happening in present day because the book starts deep in the past and then bounces along the timeline. But with no reference for what is going on in the present I don't feel any urgency or investment in the story.
April 18, 2025
AMAZING!! I couldn’t stop reading ✨✨✨
July 26, 2025
I received and read Sun Blessed as my first ever ARC and I do not regret it!
Synopsis:
Sun Blessed is a story of revenge, grief, magic, fate and fierce determination. This dark romantasy had me captivated in a world like no other. Elody (FMC) is determined to avenge the century old slaughter of her family, friends and kingdom Larrakiel. Meanwhile the king of Carceval Christopher (MMC) grieves and tries to serve his kingdom through his suffering without realising the impact his choices are having on his kingdom and people. In this dual POV novel Elody and Christopher's worlds collide in more ways than one with enigmatic ferocity. As secrets unravel and loyalties blur, the stakes rise—and the magic between them might just bring salvation or destruction.
My Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
Sun Blessed opens with a heart-wrenching prologue that offers a powerful glimpse into the history of Larrakiel and the roots of Elody’s generational trauma. This trauma simmers beneath the surface as a quiet, burning feminine rage—an emotional thread that is explored with depth and nuance throughout her journey. Elody emerges as a complex and compelling figure: openly vulnerable with her people, yet fiercely courageous and resolute when leadership demands it. Her story is a rich exploration of growth, strength, and transformation.
Then we shift to Christopher’s point of view—young, arrogant, and burdened by grief, still reeling from the loss of his parents as he tries to rule a fractured kingdom. Beneath his polished exterior lies a naïveté that blinds him to the political decay festering within his legacy. As his timeline unfolds, readers gain a deeper understanding of the betrayals and secrets that have haunted his bloodline for generations.
Struggling to control his own dormant magic, Christopher is woefully unprepared for what lies ahead. The consequences of his ancestors’ choices are creeping ever closer, threatening to tear apart his kingdom. At the centre of it all is the woman he’s unknowingly destined to fight— the very force he can’t stop thinking about, even as she rises against everything he’s meant to protect.
The world building in truly exquisite, from the prologue to the final chapter. The descriptions are vivid and immersive with beautiful picturesque depictions of the kingdoms and the characters and agonizingly brutal descriptions of battles and decimations across the realm.
The magical system is so unique it is unlike any other that I have read before. Daisy has utilised the sun, moon and shadows to define magical types that are intricately woven into the characters entire being and define whether they have immortality or not.
Although I found this novel truly immersive and was emotionally hooked before I even finished the prologue, I did at times find the timeline difficult to follow, however Daisy has added a chronological order list at the beginning to make following along a lot easier for readers. The only other thing that frustrated me was halfway through there was a collection of around 20 characters introduced in quick succession all with varying magical abilities and I feel we didn’t really get much time to know them, their talents or stories. This however is only books one and is not to say they may not be explored and developed further in the next three books as the release. Potentially adding to the glossary, a list of names and their powers could help with this as I was constantly flipping back and forth to check who could do what, although it was mentioned sometimes if there was extended dialogue with that character.
I truly love that there is a map, playlist, glossary and pronunciation guide provided at the beginning to help the reader set the tone of the book and be prepared for the language used regularly and not be continually trying to remember what each new or repetitious word meant.
Sun Blessed is Daisy Florence’s debut novel in a four-book series called Sincere Shadows. It is a dark romantasy with complex worldbuilding, and enemies-to-lovers heat. If you love unique magic, plot twists that keep you guessing, cliff hanger endings, spice and a gut-wrenching, eat your heart out emotional ride Sun Blessed will absolutely deliver.
Synopsis:
Sun Blessed is a story of revenge, grief, magic, fate and fierce determination. This dark romantasy had me captivated in a world like no other. Elody (FMC) is determined to avenge the century old slaughter of her family, friends and kingdom Larrakiel. Meanwhile the king of Carceval Christopher (MMC) grieves and tries to serve his kingdom through his suffering without realising the impact his choices are having on his kingdom and people. In this dual POV novel Elody and Christopher's worlds collide in more ways than one with enigmatic ferocity. As secrets unravel and loyalties blur, the stakes rise—and the magic between them might just bring salvation or destruction.
My Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
Sun Blessed opens with a heart-wrenching prologue that offers a powerful glimpse into the history of Larrakiel and the roots of Elody’s generational trauma. This trauma simmers beneath the surface as a quiet, burning feminine rage—an emotional thread that is explored with depth and nuance throughout her journey. Elody emerges as a complex and compelling figure: openly vulnerable with her people, yet fiercely courageous and resolute when leadership demands it. Her story is a rich exploration of growth, strength, and transformation.
Then we shift to Christopher’s point of view—young, arrogant, and burdened by grief, still reeling from the loss of his parents as he tries to rule a fractured kingdom. Beneath his polished exterior lies a naïveté that blinds him to the political decay festering within his legacy. As his timeline unfolds, readers gain a deeper understanding of the betrayals and secrets that have haunted his bloodline for generations.
Struggling to control his own dormant magic, Christopher is woefully unprepared for what lies ahead. The consequences of his ancestors’ choices are creeping ever closer, threatening to tear apart his kingdom. At the centre of it all is the woman he’s unknowingly destined to fight— the very force he can’t stop thinking about, even as she rises against everything he’s meant to protect.
The world building in truly exquisite, from the prologue to the final chapter. The descriptions are vivid and immersive with beautiful picturesque depictions of the kingdoms and the characters and agonizingly brutal descriptions of battles and decimations across the realm.
The magical system is so unique it is unlike any other that I have read before. Daisy has utilised the sun, moon and shadows to define magical types that are intricately woven into the characters entire being and define whether they have immortality or not.
Although I found this novel truly immersive and was emotionally hooked before I even finished the prologue, I did at times find the timeline difficult to follow, however Daisy has added a chronological order list at the beginning to make following along a lot easier for readers. The only other thing that frustrated me was halfway through there was a collection of around 20 characters introduced in quick succession all with varying magical abilities and I feel we didn’t really get much time to know them, their talents or stories. This however is only books one and is not to say they may not be explored and developed further in the next three books as the release. Potentially adding to the glossary, a list of names and their powers could help with this as I was constantly flipping back and forth to check who could do what, although it was mentioned sometimes if there was extended dialogue with that character.
I truly love that there is a map, playlist, glossary and pronunciation guide provided at the beginning to help the reader set the tone of the book and be prepared for the language used regularly and not be continually trying to remember what each new or repetitious word meant.
Sun Blessed is Daisy Florence’s debut novel in a four-book series called Sincere Shadows. It is a dark romantasy with complex worldbuilding, and enemies-to-lovers heat. If you love unique magic, plot twists that keep you guessing, cliff hanger endings, spice and a gut-wrenching, eat your heart out emotional ride Sun Blessed will absolutely deliver.
July 14, 2025
Thank you Daisy for letting me read an ARC copy of your book in exchange for an honest review! 🙏🏻🥰
I loved this book and can’t wait for the second one of the series!!
I think the magic element in the story is very interesting, and I like that I still have some questions on it, left for the following books to explore and answer: it keeps me invested and curious, without being at the same time totally confusing in this first book, as key elements are indeed explained.
I liked the storyline and the FMC quite a lot, even if I definitely do not understand and/or do not agree on some of her beliefs and behaviors. Nevertheless, I still found myself to be quite fond of her, which I guess means the author did a good job, especially thanks to the decision of hitting me straight from the prologue with the trauma that will completely reform the FMC’s personality. That was a move I particularly appreciated!
I didn’t mind the MMC, but I didn’t love him either, not because he has something wrong, but simply because at this point I am not sure I actually root for him and the FMC to end up together 😬 There are 3 other books in the series though, so maybe I’ll change my mind!
There’s a chapter at a certain point in which something like 30 new side characters get introduced all at once and I honestly got extremely scared for a moment, because I thought the story was about to become messed up and completely ruined by this. I mean, yes, it was a little tiny bit like an info dump, and I had to stop every new character to write a list of them and their powers (a list that, if I’m not mistaken, the author now added to the book, and that’s extremely helpful!), BUT - even if I still think there must have been a better way to introduce them - in the end it kinda worked, as in the next chapters the reader is still reminded of who we are talking about, so it’s not like I was drowning in a sea of names I couldn’t associate.
I also need to praise the author for something that not everyone can do AND my favorite thing of the book: despite the fact that it is kind of clear to me that this is her first book and there’s definitely room to grow in the future, her writing style - although very simple most of the times - just has that something that traps you in the pages and never lets you go. I actually needed to aggressively force myself to close the book every single time I had something else to do, my eyes practically glued to the pages. I ADORED this.
Looking forward to the next book! 😍😍
I loved this book and can’t wait for the second one of the series!!
I think the magic element in the story is very interesting, and I like that I still have some questions on it, left for the following books to explore and answer: it keeps me invested and curious, without being at the same time totally confusing in this first book, as key elements are indeed explained.
I liked the storyline and the FMC quite a lot, even if I definitely do not understand and/or do not agree on some of her beliefs and behaviors. Nevertheless, I still found myself to be quite fond of her, which I guess means the author did a good job, especially thanks to the decision of hitting me straight from the prologue with the trauma that will completely reform the FMC’s personality. That was a move I particularly appreciated!
I didn’t mind the MMC, but I didn’t love him either, not because he has something wrong, but simply because at this point I am not sure I actually root for him and the FMC to end up together 😬 There are 3 other books in the series though, so maybe I’ll change my mind!
There’s a chapter at a certain point in which something like 30 new side characters get introduced all at once and I honestly got extremely scared for a moment, because I thought the story was about to become messed up and completely ruined by this. I mean, yes, it was a little tiny bit like an info dump, and I had to stop every new character to write a list of them and their powers (a list that, if I’m not mistaken, the author now added to the book, and that’s extremely helpful!), BUT - even if I still think there must have been a better way to introduce them - in the end it kinda worked, as in the next chapters the reader is still reminded of who we are talking about, so it’s not like I was drowning in a sea of names I couldn’t associate.
I also need to praise the author for something that not everyone can do AND my favorite thing of the book: despite the fact that it is kind of clear to me that this is her first book and there’s definitely room to grow in the future, her writing style - although very simple most of the times - just has that something that traps you in the pages and never lets you go. I actually needed to aggressively force myself to close the book every single time I had something else to do, my eyes practically glued to the pages. I ADORED this.
Looking forward to the next book! 😍😍
July 11, 2025
🌞 4 Stars – A Dark, Magical Ride I Didn't Want to End
Sun Blessed is an unforgettable dive into a vividly imagined world where magic crackles through every page. Daisy Florence delivers a rich fantasy full of tension, passion, and raw emotion, with a magic system and world-building that absolutely shine. You can feel the sheer effort and love poured into this story—and it pays off.
From the very beginning, this book had me emotionally invested. The opening chapters alone pulled no punches, delivering an emotional gut-punch that had me tearing up before I even knew the characters' names. It only escalates from there, blending brutal battles, layered kingdoms, and slow-burning, high-stakes relationships.
Elody is a standout protagonist—fierce, flawed, and so incredibly powerful in more ways than one. Her inner fire, rooted in deep emotional wounds and generational rage, makes her journey all the more compelling. Watching her evolve, make hard choices, and fight for herself and others was one of the highlights of the novel. And her dynamic with Chris? Deliciously tense and complicated in all the best ways. The grumpy/sunshine tension and enemies-to-lovers chemistry is intense, and the emotional payoff is worth it.
While the plot is gripping and the stakes are high, the writing also knows when to slow down and explore relationships—both romantic and platonic. There’s a real emotional core here, and Florence doesn’t shy away from showing what it means to be broken and to rise again.
The only reason I’m not giving this a full five stars is that it felt like it held so much—sometimes I wished I had just a bit more space to breathe between the intensity. But that said, I devoured this story and am still thinking about that cliffhanger. I need more of Elody and Chris.
Content warnings: definitely check these before diving in. There’s graphic violence, blood, and dark emotional content. But if you’re into darker fantasy with heart, passion, magic, and vengeance—this is absolutely one to pick up.
Sun Blessed is an unforgettable dive into a vividly imagined world where magic crackles through every page. Daisy Florence delivers a rich fantasy full of tension, passion, and raw emotion, with a magic system and world-building that absolutely shine. You can feel the sheer effort and love poured into this story—and it pays off.
From the very beginning, this book had me emotionally invested. The opening chapters alone pulled no punches, delivering an emotional gut-punch that had me tearing up before I even knew the characters' names. It only escalates from there, blending brutal battles, layered kingdoms, and slow-burning, high-stakes relationships.
Elody is a standout protagonist—fierce, flawed, and so incredibly powerful in more ways than one. Her inner fire, rooted in deep emotional wounds and generational rage, makes her journey all the more compelling. Watching her evolve, make hard choices, and fight for herself and others was one of the highlights of the novel. And her dynamic with Chris? Deliciously tense and complicated in all the best ways. The grumpy/sunshine tension and enemies-to-lovers chemistry is intense, and the emotional payoff is worth it.
While the plot is gripping and the stakes are high, the writing also knows when to slow down and explore relationships—both romantic and platonic. There’s a real emotional core here, and Florence doesn’t shy away from showing what it means to be broken and to rise again.
The only reason I’m not giving this a full five stars is that it felt like it held so much—sometimes I wished I had just a bit more space to breathe between the intensity. But that said, I devoured this story and am still thinking about that cliffhanger. I need more of Elody and Chris.
Content warnings: definitely check these before diving in. There’s graphic violence, blood, and dark emotional content. But if you’re into darker fantasy with heart, passion, magic, and vengeance—this is absolutely one to pick up.
July 6, 2025
Daisy Florence's debut novel definitely caught me by surprise in the best way! To be completely honest, I wasn't entirely sure about it when I first started reading. The beginning felt a bit unconventional, but as I delved deeper into the story, it became clear why the author chose to open it that way. It's a testament to the brilliant foundation she lays for the narrative.
The world-building here is truly exceptional—it's incredibly immersive and painted with such vivid detail that you can't help but get lost in it.
Let's talk about the characters, because they're a huge highlight. Elody is a captivating force, driven by revenge but with so much potential for growth. Her journey is definitely one to watch. Then there's Chris, our MMC, who starts off a bit clueless. I interpreted this as a direct result of his grief; where Elody's grief fuels her quest for vengeance, Chris's makes him more complacent. This contrast between their reactions to loss is really well done.
Their first meeting is absolutely everything a meet-cute isn't, and it made me laugh out loud! Despite the unconventional introduction, their chemistry is undeniable and kept me hooked.
Another standout element is the magic system. It's genuinely different from anything I've encountered in a long time, which was incredibly refreshing. It felt well-developed and unique, adding another layer of intrigue to the story.
The ending delivered a cliffhanger that, while perhaps a little expected, was executed perfectly and left me excited for the next book. I'm genuinely excited to see how these characters continue to evolve and what challenges they'll face in the rest of the series.
If you're looking for a debut that offers immersive world-building, compelling characters, unique magic, and a plot that keeps you engaged, definitely pick this one up!
The world-building here is truly exceptional—it's incredibly immersive and painted with such vivid detail that you can't help but get lost in it.
Let's talk about the characters, because they're a huge highlight. Elody is a captivating force, driven by revenge but with so much potential for growth. Her journey is definitely one to watch. Then there's Chris, our MMC, who starts off a bit clueless. I interpreted this as a direct result of his grief; where Elody's grief fuels her quest for vengeance, Chris's makes him more complacent. This contrast between their reactions to loss is really well done.
Their first meeting is absolutely everything a meet-cute isn't, and it made me laugh out loud! Despite the unconventional introduction, their chemistry is undeniable and kept me hooked.
Another standout element is the magic system. It's genuinely different from anything I've encountered in a long time, which was incredibly refreshing. It felt well-developed and unique, adding another layer of intrigue to the story.
The ending delivered a cliffhanger that, while perhaps a little expected, was executed perfectly and left me excited for the next book. I'm genuinely excited to see how these characters continue to evolve and what challenges they'll face in the rest of the series.
If you're looking for a debut that offers immersive world-building, compelling characters, unique magic, and a plot that keeps you engaged, definitely pick this one up!
August 19, 2025
First off, thank you so much for letting me be an ARC reader for Sun Blessed. I enjoyed reading about Elody & Chris.
I loved this book but I do have to say it was a bit slow paced for my liking, it did take me a while to actually get into it with all the back and forth going on. The final about 6 chapters were the ones where I just couldn't put the book down.
Elody is such a strong badass female lead. My heart broke for her and how she lost all her people, especially the way she lost her mom. Her resilience to survive and push forward for the rest of her kingdom and her loved ones was amazing.
I might get some hate for this but, I didn't love Chris, our male lead and inexperienced young king. Yes, I felt for him and the loss of his parents but I didn't feel strongly attached to him, at all. He was too arrogant for me and unwilling to learn the past & how his family destroyed Elody and her kingdom. Did I enjoy the banter between him and Elody? Yes I did. But if we were to talk chemistry and relationships I would hands down pick Morgan & Elody. The unspoken love between them just flowed so beautifully & effortlessly with the two. I giggled & kicked my feet with them and couldn't wait to read more about them.
That's not to say I don't look forward to seeing how all the characters grow in the rest of the books. Especially with how book one ended.
There was definitely a lot to take in with book one, at times I did get a little overwhelmed with the big knowledge dump we would get at times and all the new characters and their respective powers. it was a bit too much to try & remember, I found myself going back to reread some pages to make sure I wasn't missing out on anything.
overall, I would read this book again & recommend it to friends. I really do look forward to book 2
I loved this book but I do have to say it was a bit slow paced for my liking, it did take me a while to actually get into it with all the back and forth going on. The final about 6 chapters were the ones where I just couldn't put the book down.
Elody is such a strong badass female lead. My heart broke for her and how she lost all her people, especially the way she lost her mom. Her resilience to survive and push forward for the rest of her kingdom and her loved ones was amazing.
I might get some hate for this but, I didn't love Chris, our male lead and inexperienced young king. Yes, I felt for him and the loss of his parents but I didn't feel strongly attached to him, at all. He was too arrogant for me and unwilling to learn the past & how his family destroyed Elody and her kingdom. Did I enjoy the banter between him and Elody? Yes I did. But if we were to talk chemistry and relationships I would hands down pick Morgan & Elody. The unspoken love between them just flowed so beautifully & effortlessly with the two. I giggled & kicked my feet with them and couldn't wait to read more about them.
That's not to say I don't look forward to seeing how all the characters grow in the rest of the books. Especially with how book one ended.
There was definitely a lot to take in with book one, at times I did get a little overwhelmed with the big knowledge dump we would get at times and all the new characters and their respective powers. it was a bit too much to try & remember, I found myself going back to reread some pages to make sure I wasn't missing out on anything.
overall, I would read this book again & recommend it to friends. I really do look forward to book 2
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2025
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5/5) - rounded up
Spice: 🌶🌶 (2/5)
Genre: Fantasy | Romance(ish)
Larrakiel is the perfect kingdom... until they're blindsided by a savage attack that leaves it, and our stubborn, stabby FMC Elody, in ruins.
There's no wonder she is full of feminine rage, stoked by her unending grief, as her need for vengence practically consumes her.
MMC Christopher is a prince in another kingdom, completely naive to the goings on around him and his family's history. He has his own grief, but a very different way of dealing with it.
Sparks fly when these 2 meet but hidden identities leave them pining for each other - something they'll later regret.
I won't say much more because it just needs to read. So briefly, here's what I loved:
🏰 I was immediately pulled in by the writing and very quickly hooked!
🏰 Dual 1st person POV where it actually sounds like different characters!
🏰 Unique magic
🏰 Vivid world building that will no doubt pull together more throughout the series.
🏰 Gory battles
🏰 Complex main characters
🏰 Found family
🏰 A sweet cliffhanger
Other notes:
There's lots of back story and some timeline jumping to get you up to speed before we get to the present day, so you HAVE to pay attention.
Just after the halfway mark, quite a lot of new characters were introduced at once which did throw me a little, but it didn't take anything away from the story, and I hope to get to know them all better as the series continues.
There's a playlist, a small glossary, and a pronunciation guide (which, in my opinion, ALL books should have!). I love little touches like this ❤️ it really enhances the whole experience. Will there be a map next time... we'll just have to wait and see 😉
Incredibly, this is Daisy's debut book 🤯 I can't wait to see what's next in this series!
Spice: 🌶🌶 (2/5)
Genre: Fantasy | Romance(ish)
Larrakiel is the perfect kingdom... until they're blindsided by a savage attack that leaves it, and our stubborn, stabby FMC Elody, in ruins.
There's no wonder she is full of feminine rage, stoked by her unending grief, as her need for vengence practically consumes her.
MMC Christopher is a prince in another kingdom, completely naive to the goings on around him and his family's history. He has his own grief, but a very different way of dealing with it.
Sparks fly when these 2 meet but hidden identities leave them pining for each other - something they'll later regret.
I won't say much more because it just needs to read. So briefly, here's what I loved:
🏰 I was immediately pulled in by the writing and very quickly hooked!
🏰 Dual 1st person POV where it actually sounds like different characters!
🏰 Unique magic
🏰 Vivid world building that will no doubt pull together more throughout the series.
🏰 Gory battles
🏰 Complex main characters
🏰 Found family
🏰 A sweet cliffhanger
Other notes:
There's lots of back story and some timeline jumping to get you up to speed before we get to the present day, so you HAVE to pay attention.
Just after the halfway mark, quite a lot of new characters were introduced at once which did throw me a little, but it didn't take anything away from the story, and I hope to get to know them all better as the series continues.
There's a playlist, a small glossary, and a pronunciation guide (which, in my opinion, ALL books should have!). I love little touches like this ❤️ it really enhances the whole experience. Will there be a map next time... we'll just have to wait and see 😉
Incredibly, this is Daisy's debut book 🤯 I can't wait to see what's next in this series!
July 13, 2025
Sun Blessed is Daisy Florence’s debut novel-and I could not have been more impressed with the quality of her writing. The effortless world-building and detailed descriptions transport you completely into the world and had me feeling so many complicated emotions. I didn’t expect the plot-twists at all and the dooming foreshadowing of the horror that was about to happen to oblivious characters was haunting to read. The only reason why this wasn’t a 5-star review, and it was until the end, wasn’t because of the ending, although I do think it was unnecessarily drawn out (while being rushed at the same time). While the author is immensely talented (and the only way to describe that kind of writing is really just pure god-given talent), unfortunately the dialogue and character interactions were so differently written than the rest of the book. We see this from rushed character introductions halfway in (that we really didn’t need to be introduced to) to unnatural flow of conversations. It was so jarring that I felt like I was getting whiplash nearly every time a character would speak or interact with anyone else. The book is very consistent with using it’s own original vocabulary, which is why using terms like “bestie” seem so out of place and instantly take me out of the story. The amount of times this happened was just too many to forgive, and I really did try to forgive (and forget). I feel like a lot of these issues could have been solved with professional editing and some beta-readers. I really can’t articulate how well-written the rest of the book is though, and I will eagerly be awaiting the next one coming out in January of 2026.
July 28, 2025
I received an ARC of Sun Blessed! Sun Blessed is a fast paced fantasy romance novel. Perfect for readers of true enemies to lovers. I had a lot of fun with this read and really enjoyed it! 🚨Check trigger warnings- the content warnings have multiple pages but I did not find it hard to read even with so many triggers.
The world building in this book is a good portion of it. The book does come with a map which I absolutely loved and found necessary. We have magical kingdoms, magical beings, fairies, ect. This book is plot heavy on political intrigue and court politics. The book is dual POV. The book does also weave in and out of different timelines. You can read the book two ways and the author provided how to do this.
One day, Elody’s kingdom is overtaken during a celebration and left with nearly nothing to rebuild. Years later, she vows to get her vengeance. Chris is Prince to a rival court. One day at court, his kingdom is hijacked in a similar scenario that happened at Elody’s. There is a bit of mystery who is behind these attacks.
Elody is the FMC. She’s an absolute badass! Not only is the book, FM but also FF! I thought the author did phenomenal on showing fluidity with Elody. Chris is a shadow daddy. He’s obsessed with Elody and he hates it. The banter between the two of them was so good!
As much as I loved the book, I sadly had to bump down a star due to a few long chapters. They did have breaks in them but it felt very long at times. At times I could look past the long chapters but occasionally it did slightly bother me.
Perfect for readers who love
Political intrigue & court politics 👑
Morally gray FMC 🖤
Shadow daddy ✨
Enemies to lovers 💔
2.5/5🌶️
The world building in this book is a good portion of it. The book does come with a map which I absolutely loved and found necessary. We have magical kingdoms, magical beings, fairies, ect. This book is plot heavy on political intrigue and court politics. The book is dual POV. The book does also weave in and out of different timelines. You can read the book two ways and the author provided how to do this.
One day, Elody’s kingdom is overtaken during a celebration and left with nearly nothing to rebuild. Years later, she vows to get her vengeance. Chris is Prince to a rival court. One day at court, his kingdom is hijacked in a similar scenario that happened at Elody’s. There is a bit of mystery who is behind these attacks.
Elody is the FMC. She’s an absolute badass! Not only is the book, FM but also FF! I thought the author did phenomenal on showing fluidity with Elody. Chris is a shadow daddy. He’s obsessed with Elody and he hates it. The banter between the two of them was so good!
As much as I loved the book, I sadly had to bump down a star due to a few long chapters. They did have breaks in them but it felt very long at times. At times I could look past the long chapters but occasionally it did slightly bother me.
Perfect for readers who love
Political intrigue & court politics 👑
Morally gray FMC 🖤
Shadow daddy ✨
Enemies to lovers 💔
2.5/5🌶️
August 5, 2025
First of all, why do you have to make me cry in the prologue before I even get into the main story!? 😭
Daisy has a unique writing style for order of reading, which I haven't come across personally before, so make sure to check the pages before starting the book 🙂 and the trigger/content warnings to stay safe with your mental health and also be aware of what you are going into.
I wasn't sure what to expect going into Sun Blessed. It was a little bit of a crazy ride to keep up with the timeline and where we were. I love the magic system and world building.
The descriptions are indepth and highly visual.
Elody, the FMC, is a blast to follow along with and to see what she will get up to next. Getting to see her character growth from where she already was, getting to see small glimpses into her happier moments and not always the complete darkness.
Christopher, the MMC, was an interesting character to follow along with as we watch his character growth throughout, getting to see the world from his POV and the difference in how he and Elody grew up and lived.
He was more intune with his emotions and felt them strongly, even with being unsure of how to move forward with his grief and unsure how to take care of himself and those he was to rule and care for.
We get to meet many other characters in a short amount of time, and I hope that as the story moves forward, we get to lear more about them.
I really enjoyed reading Sun Blessed, I had small amounts of time where I lost focus, that is, me personally. Daisy did an amazing job in her writing and story development and plot.
I am grateful for the chance to have read this as an ARC reader, so thank you, Daisy.
Daisy has a unique writing style for order of reading, which I haven't come across personally before, so make sure to check the pages before starting the book 🙂 and the trigger/content warnings to stay safe with your mental health and also be aware of what you are going into.
I wasn't sure what to expect going into Sun Blessed. It was a little bit of a crazy ride to keep up with the timeline and where we were. I love the magic system and world building.
The descriptions are indepth and highly visual.
Elody, the FMC, is a blast to follow along with and to see what she will get up to next. Getting to see her character growth from where she already was, getting to see small glimpses into her happier moments and not always the complete darkness.
Christopher, the MMC, was an interesting character to follow along with as we watch his character growth throughout, getting to see the world from his POV and the difference in how he and Elody grew up and lived.
He was more intune with his emotions and felt them strongly, even with being unsure of how to move forward with his grief and unsure how to take care of himself and those he was to rule and care for.
We get to meet many other characters in a short amount of time, and I hope that as the story moves forward, we get to lear more about them.
I really enjoyed reading Sun Blessed, I had small amounts of time where I lost focus, that is, me personally. Daisy did an amazing job in her writing and story development and plot.
I am grateful for the chance to have read this as an ARC reader, so thank you, Daisy.
August 10, 2025
Thank you Daisy Florence for providing this ARC of Sun Blessed in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
In a kingdom where the sun’s blessing is both a gift and a burden, Elody’s life is upended by divine secrets, fractured power, and the shadows of a broken past. As long-buried truths rise with the sun, she must navigate political unrest, personal loss, and the weight of prophecy - all while trying to remain true to herself in a world that keeps shifting beneath her feet.
Honest Review + Spoiler warning:
I cannot believe this is a debut. The intricate storytelling - from the immersive world to the vividly drawn characters - is genuinely stunning. You can feel the heat of the sun, the tension in the air, the grief beneath the surface. I’m so grateful to have had an ARC of this book (and even more excited that I get to jump into the second one so soon!).
Elody is the epitome of a badass FMC - stubborn in the best way, brave to a fault, and full of the kind of quiet strength that comes from surviving unimaginable loss. The scene in the cave absolutely broke me. That moment alone solidified her as one of the most memorable main characters I’ve read this year.
Chris... I wanted to hate him. I'm still not sure how I feel about him, but I appreciate how layered and complicated his character is. Living a life shaped by expectation only to have it completely derailed by outsiders? That’s not easy, and it’s written with a surprising amount of nuance.
Definitely heed the trigger warnings - they are there for good reason. But if you’re up for it, this book is well worth diving into. I’ve been gushing about it to anyone who'll listen.
Summary:
In a kingdom where the sun’s blessing is both a gift and a burden, Elody’s life is upended by divine secrets, fractured power, and the shadows of a broken past. As long-buried truths rise with the sun, she must navigate political unrest, personal loss, and the weight of prophecy - all while trying to remain true to herself in a world that keeps shifting beneath her feet.
Honest Review + Spoiler warning:
I cannot believe this is a debut. The intricate storytelling - from the immersive world to the vividly drawn characters - is genuinely stunning. You can feel the heat of the sun, the tension in the air, the grief beneath the surface. I’m so grateful to have had an ARC of this book (and even more excited that I get to jump into the second one so soon!).
Elody is the epitome of a badass FMC - stubborn in the best way, brave to a fault, and full of the kind of quiet strength that comes from surviving unimaginable loss. The scene in the cave absolutely broke me. That moment alone solidified her as one of the most memorable main characters I’ve read this year.
Chris... I wanted to hate him. I'm still not sure how I feel about him, but I appreciate how layered and complicated his character is. Living a life shaped by expectation only to have it completely derailed by outsiders? That’s not easy, and it’s written with a surprising amount of nuance.
Definitely heed the trigger warnings - they are there for good reason. But if you’re up for it, this book is well worth diving into. I’ve been gushing about it to anyone who'll listen.
July 4, 2025
Elody is a strong bisexual main character who’s grieving the loss of her parents, but she’s anything but fragile. She’s out for revenge and turns her grief into feminine rage—the kind that simmers under the surface and drives her forward no matter how impossible things seem. I loved that she wasn’t all softness or all anger, but a mix of vulnerability and sheer fire. She makes bold choices, even when it hurts, and her strength isn’t about being invincible—it’s about surviving with purpose.
Then there’s Chris—our charming, duty-bound king. He’s caught in the dark about his kingdom’s true history, raised on half-truths and royal expectations. He’s powerful, sure, but there’s something almost lonely about him. When he and Elody cross paths again after years of wondering about each other’s true identity, the tension is palpable. You can feel every glance, every unsaid word between them. This is very much a forbidden romance done right.
The fantasy world building is rich and layered without being overwhelming. The politics, history, and magic all feel lived-in, like there’s a whole story underneath the story. You get just enough detail to feel immersed without drowning in exposition. Honestly, between the angsty romance, the strong heroine, and the intriguing world, I was totally hooked. If you’re into tension, secrets, and a heroine who isn’t afraid to burn it all down, this one’s for you.
I received an ARC copy and am leaving a voluntary review. ❤️
Then there’s Chris—our charming, duty-bound king. He’s caught in the dark about his kingdom’s true history, raised on half-truths and royal expectations. He’s powerful, sure, but there’s something almost lonely about him. When he and Elody cross paths again after years of wondering about each other’s true identity, the tension is palpable. You can feel every glance, every unsaid word between them. This is very much a forbidden romance done right.
The fantasy world building is rich and layered without being overwhelming. The politics, history, and magic all feel lived-in, like there’s a whole story underneath the story. You get just enough detail to feel immersed without drowning in exposition. Honestly, between the angsty romance, the strong heroine, and the intriguing world, I was totally hooked. If you’re into tension, secrets, and a heroine who isn’t afraid to burn it all down, this one’s for you.
I received an ARC copy and am leaving a voluntary review. ❤️
July 10, 2025
ARC Read Review: Sunblessed by @daisyxflorence
I was kindly given an advanced reader copy in exchange for a review.
WOW. WOW. WOW. What. A. Read! I loveeeeedd every second of this book and im literally on tenterhooks after that cliffhanger ending. I will now be regularly stalking the authors Instagram to check when book 2 is released as I NEED to know what happens next. 👀👀
The opening chapter = pure genius. It broke me emotionally and I was so not prepared to be In floods of tears 50 pages in. The character development of Elodie from that point is just *chefs kiss*. She is hands down one of most favourite FMCs I think I have ever encountered: bad ass, strong willed and doesn’t take any shit. I loved watching her develop emotionally and grow as a character.
Also the fated mates, enemies to lovers, slow burn romance is delicious 🔥
The world building and magic system were unique and I instantly became immersed in the plight of Larrakiel. You can tell a lot of thought and care went into developing this by the author.
Go and check out this author and their Dark Fantasy Romance. You won’t be disappointed!
Tropes:
* Dark Romance
* Fantasy
* Fated Mates
* One Night Stand
* Revenge
* Enemies to Lovers
* Slowburn
I was kindly given an advanced reader copy in exchange for a review.
WOW. WOW. WOW. What. A. Read! I loveeeeedd every second of this book and im literally on tenterhooks after that cliffhanger ending. I will now be regularly stalking the authors Instagram to check when book 2 is released as I NEED to know what happens next. 👀👀
The opening chapter = pure genius. It broke me emotionally and I was so not prepared to be In floods of tears 50 pages in. The character development of Elodie from that point is just *chefs kiss*. She is hands down one of most favourite FMCs I think I have ever encountered: bad ass, strong willed and doesn’t take any shit. I loved watching her develop emotionally and grow as a character.
Also the fated mates, enemies to lovers, slow burn romance is delicious 🔥
The world building and magic system were unique and I instantly became immersed in the plight of Larrakiel. You can tell a lot of thought and care went into developing this by the author.
Go and check out this author and their Dark Fantasy Romance. You won’t be disappointed!
Tropes:
* Dark Romance
* Fantasy
* Fated Mates
* One Night Stand
* Revenge
* Enemies to Lovers
* Slowburn
July 12, 2025
Sun Blessed was an excellent debut novel and had its claws in me from the very first page, immersing me in a magical world brimming with darkness, light, devastation, and hope.
When I picked up this book I had no idea I was about to be so thoroughly emotionally wrecked by the prologue; it was so visceral and gutwrenching and has taken up permanent residence in my brain.
The story follows Elody and Chris, two lost and broken main characters who are individually trying to navigate their duties and responsibilities in the face of immense trauma. Daisy Florence beautifully explores the deeply personal and varied nature of grief and loss.
Fierce, brave Elody has my heart and I adored getting to know her throughout the story, while I simultaneously wanted to protect her from the world and all its hurt. She is a pillar of strength and resilience, fuelled by a deep love of her people and a healthy dose of feminine rage.
I am beyond eager for the next instalment in the Sincere Shadows series and to further explore the politics, magic system, and all the wonderful characters.
Thanks so much to Daisy Florence for this ARC, it's been an absolute pleasure to read and review Sun Blessed.
When I picked up this book I had no idea I was about to be so thoroughly emotionally wrecked by the prologue; it was so visceral and gutwrenching and has taken up permanent residence in my brain.
The story follows Elody and Chris, two lost and broken main characters who are individually trying to navigate their duties and responsibilities in the face of immense trauma. Daisy Florence beautifully explores the deeply personal and varied nature of grief and loss.
Fierce, brave Elody has my heart and I adored getting to know her throughout the story, while I simultaneously wanted to protect her from the world and all its hurt. She is a pillar of strength and resilience, fuelled by a deep love of her people and a healthy dose of feminine rage.
I am beyond eager for the next instalment in the Sincere Shadows series and to further explore the politics, magic system, and all the wonderful characters.
Thanks so much to Daisy Florence for this ARC, it's been an absolute pleasure to read and review Sun Blessed.
July 13, 2025
Elody, our fierce, ultra-powerful, immortal, Queen FMC faces the destruction of her kingdom, Larrakiel, to the kingdom of Carceval as a child. The result is decades of rebuilding her kingdom and planning her revenge.
Chris, our shadow-wielding, lost puppy of a King MMC is the great grandson of those rulers of Carceval, who destroyed Elody’s kingdom.
An unforgettable one night stand between Elody and Chris (complete strangers at the time) complicates Elody’s plans for revenge as she comes to realize Chris’s true identity.
My only criticisms with this first book:
• The prologue to this story is extremely long and emotionally heavy. While I know this part was important for world-building, I felt like it slowed me down a lot.
• At one point, there was a huge character dump and I had a hard time keeping track of who was who. I’m hoping we’ll get to know all these characters better in the upcoming books.
• I wished there was more interaction between Elody and Chris, but I’m sure that’s coming as we continue the series as well.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story and am really looking forward to reading the next 3 books in the series.
Chris, our shadow-wielding, lost puppy of a King MMC is the great grandson of those rulers of Carceval, who destroyed Elody’s kingdom.
An unforgettable one night stand between Elody and Chris (complete strangers at the time) complicates Elody’s plans for revenge as she comes to realize Chris’s true identity.
My only criticisms with this first book:
• The prologue to this story is extremely long and emotionally heavy. While I know this part was important for world-building, I felt like it slowed me down a lot.
• At one point, there was a huge character dump and I had a hard time keeping track of who was who. I’m hoping we’ll get to know all these characters better in the upcoming books.
• I wished there was more interaction between Elody and Chris, but I’m sure that’s coming as we continue the series as well.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story and am really looking forward to reading the next 3 books in the series.
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