What do you think?
Rate this book
Flame and Thorns #3
Court of Lies and Deceit
A desperate mission takes Selena and her friends to the Unseelie Court. But making deals with the cunning fae of that realm is dangerous. When the Unseelie King forces them into a bargain in exchange for the help they so sorely need, they are pulled into a lethal scheme. To survive it, they must beat the Unseelie King at his own game.
However, their chances of making it out alive are slim when the deck is stacked against them and their own strained relationships are causing turmoil within the group. Winning would mean that they are one step closer to taking down the Iceheart Dynasty. But if they lose, it could mean the end of life as they know it.
Secret agendas, hidden truths, and complicated feelings push Selena and her friends to the breaking point. Can they survive this dangerous scheme, or will their ambition cost them everything?
However, their chances of making it out alive are slim when the deck is stacked against them and their own strained relationships are causing turmoil within the group. Winning would mean that they are one step closer to taking down the Iceheart Dynasty. But if they lose, it could mean the end of life as they know it.
Secret agendas, hidden truths, and complicated feelings push Selena and her friends to the breaking point. Can they survive this dangerous scheme, or will their ambition cost them everything?
398 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 23, 2025
6604 people are currently reading
24712 people want to read
About the author
Marion Blackwood
34 books1,674 followersMarion Blackwood is the author of The Oncoming Storm series, the Court of Elves series, the Ruthless Villains series, the Ruthless Enemy trilogy, and the Flame and Thorns series. She has a Master's Degree in English and History Education, and she worked as a high school teacher before becoming a full-time author. When she's not busy writing fantasy books or traveling the world, she reads, binges shows, and loses at video games. Marion has previously lived in the US and China, but now she once again calls the beautiful country of Sweden home. To find out more, visit: www.marionblackwood.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,629 reviews
August 12, 2025
3.5 stars, rounded up because I love this series, and this one feels like it’s setting the stage for an absolutely epic book 4. It was slow to start, but THE ENDING??? Draven continues to be the moment. This series is just such a good time from start to finish.
June 27, 2025
how am I supposed to survive these 4 long months?
July 4, 2025
THIS FUCKING ENDING??? WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?
how am i supposed to live until october? 😭
how am i supposed to live until october? 😭
January 3, 2026
5 🌟
Idcidc this series has me in a chokehold, I am having so much fun reading this! 🐉🖤
New characters unlocked ✔️
Draven being Draven ✔️
Plot was plotting ✔️
CIFFHANGER?!! ✔️✔️✔️
It was like the avengers assembled in this and I was living for it 👏🏼
I actually love Isera and I’m very interested to see if anything happens between her and Orion?? 👀
So freaking entertaining, the deals and games being played add so many twists and turns. Selena’s character development was something I really enjoyed seeing as well 🙂↕️
·˖✶𓆩 𓆪✶˖· “𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙄 𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙮 𝙗𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙙𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙜𝙤 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙖𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪?”
And I kinda liked Jocasta? Idk but when she inflicted lust on Selena and Draven I was dying laughing 🤣
⁺‧₊˚ ཐི “𝖡𝖾𝖼𝖺𝗎𝗌𝖾 𝖨 𝗐𝗈𝗎𝗅𝖽 𝗁𝖺𝗏𝖾 𝖼𝗁𝗈𝗌𝖾𝗇 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝖺𝗇𝗒𝗐𝖺𝗒. 𝖳𝗁𝖾𝗋𝖾 𝗂𝗌 𝗇𝗈 𝗐𝗈𝗋𝗅𝖽, 𝗇𝗈 𝗎𝗇𝗂𝗏𝖾𝗋𝗌𝖾, 𝗇𝗈 𝗏𝖾𝗋𝗌𝗂𝗈𝗇 𝗈𝖿 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗅𝗂𝗍𝗒 𝗐𝗁𝖾𝗋𝖾 𝖨 𝗐𝗈𝗎𝗅𝖽𝗇’𝗍 𝗁𝖺𝗏𝖾 𝖼𝗁𝗈𝗌𝖾𝗇 𝗒𝗈𝗎. 𝖨 𝗐𝗈𝗎𝗅𝖽 𝖺𝗅𝗐𝖺𝗒𝗌. 𝖢𝗁𝗈𝗈𝗌𝖾. 𝖸𝗈𝗎.” ཋྀ ˚₊‧⁺
Safe to say with that ending, I’m already opening the next book 👌🏼📖
(Decided to wait until book 5 is almost out in Feb to read book 4 🥰)
Idcidc this series has me in a chokehold, I am having so much fun reading this! 🐉🖤
New characters unlocked ✔️
Draven being Draven ✔️
Plot was plotting ✔️
CIFFHANGER?!! ✔️✔️✔️
It was like the avengers assembled in this and I was living for it 👏🏼
I actually love Isera and I’m very interested to see if anything happens between her and Orion?? 👀
So freaking entertaining, the deals and games being played add so many twists and turns. Selena’s character development was something I really enjoyed seeing as well 🙂↕️
·˖✶𓆩 𓆪✶˖· “𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙄 𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙮 𝙗𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙙𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙜𝙤 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙖𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪?”
And I kinda liked Jocasta? Idk but when she inflicted lust on Selena and Draven I was dying laughing 🤣
⁺‧₊˚ ཐི “𝖡𝖾𝖼𝖺𝗎𝗌𝖾 𝖨 𝗐𝗈𝗎𝗅𝖽 𝗁𝖺𝗏𝖾 𝖼𝗁𝗈𝗌𝖾𝗇 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝖺𝗇𝗒𝗐𝖺𝗒. 𝖳𝗁𝖾𝗋𝖾 𝗂𝗌 𝗇𝗈 𝗐𝗈𝗋𝗅𝖽, 𝗇𝗈 𝗎𝗇𝗂𝗏𝖾𝗋𝗌𝖾, 𝗇𝗈 𝗏𝖾𝗋𝗌𝗂𝗈𝗇 𝗈𝖿 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗅𝗂𝗍𝗒 𝗐𝗁𝖾𝗋𝖾 𝖨 𝗐𝗈𝗎𝗅𝖽𝗇’𝗍 𝗁𝖺𝗏𝖾 𝖼𝗁𝗈𝗌𝖾𝗇 𝗒𝗈𝗎. 𝖨 𝗐𝗈𝗎𝗅𝖽 𝖺𝗅𝗐𝖺𝗒𝗌. 𝖢𝗁𝗈𝗈𝗌𝖾. 𝖸𝗈𝗎.” ཋྀ ˚₊‧⁺
Safe to say with that ending, I’m already opening the next book 👌🏼📖
(Decided to wait until book 5 is almost out in Feb to read book 4 🥰)
August 8, 2025
WHAT WAS THAT ENDING MISS MA'AM??? Blackwood really said "I'm going to make both my characters and my readers suffer mhm".
That was so unnecessary!!! We could've had a nice mini cliffhanger ending with but instead we got this. AAAA.
Speaking of, Selena why are you so . And I don't believe for a second that they couldn't have .
On a lighter note, in the first book we had the trials, so I didn't think we'd get something similar in the rest of the series, but lo and behold...here we have fairy games instead.
I wouldn't say it felt repetitive though, but I am mad they had to go through that final game because of everything that happened.
There was some relationship development for the side couples, and we got to learn more about emotion magic, while Selena got better at using hers. The writing improved also, and I enjoyed this one as much as the other two. But did it kinda feel like a filler book? Yeah. Still excited for the fourth one, but unfortunately I can't read it back to back with the rest of these because it's not out yet...
That was so unnecessary!!! We could've had a nice mini cliffhanger ending with but instead we got this. AAAA.
Speaking of, Selena why are you so . And I don't believe for a second that they couldn't have .
On a lighter note, in the first book we had the trials, so I didn't think we'd get something similar in the rest of the series, but lo and behold...here we have fairy games instead.
I wouldn't say it felt repetitive though, but I am mad they had to go through that final game because of everything that happened.
There was some relationship development for the side couples, and we got to learn more about emotion magic, while Selena got better at using hers. The writing improved also, and I enjoyed this one as much as the other two. But did it kinda feel like a filler book? Yeah. Still excited for the fourth one, but unfortunately I can't read it back to back with the rest of these because it's not out yet...
August 30, 2025
The ending broke me heart. That was horrible. I urge everyone to wait to read the third book until the fourth is out. Please I wish someone saved me from this. I’m doing you a favor
June 23, 2025
2.75⭐️
“You’d be surprised how easy it is to rewrite history. If enough people repeat the same thing, spreading it far and wide and for long enough, it eventually becomes fact. Regardless of how blatant the lie was when it began.”
I’m very conflicted with this book. On one hand, I enjoyed reading it and finished it in one sitting. On the other, I had so many issues with it.
For one, the pacing is way too fast, making the book feel messy and chaotic. This made it very binge-able, but also made it very anticlimactic and disappointing when every issue was created and solved in an instant. Too much content was shoved into this book in too little time. The writing is less than mediocre, but in a way that’s why I was able to binge it so fast.
The one thing that really saved it was how much I love the characters—all except Selena. At first I hated Draven, but I’ll admit, he’s really grown on me. The side characters who I once hated are now my favorite characters in the book.
The romance is cliché and cringe most of the time, so all that’s really keeping me here is the plot. Regardless, this series is very easy to read, I’ll give it that.
“You’d be surprised how easy it is to rewrite history. If enough people repeat the same thing, spreading it far and wide and for long enough, it eventually becomes fact. Regardless of how blatant the lie was when it began.”
I’m very conflicted with this book. On one hand, I enjoyed reading it and finished it in one sitting. On the other, I had so many issues with it.
For one, the pacing is way too fast, making the book feel messy and chaotic. This made it very binge-able, but also made it very anticlimactic and disappointing when every issue was created and solved in an instant. Too much content was shoved into this book in too little time. The writing is less than mediocre, but in a way that’s why I was able to binge it so fast.
The one thing that really saved it was how much I love the characters—all except Selena. At first I hated Draven, but I’ll admit, he’s really grown on me. The side characters who I once hated are now my favorite characters in the book.
The romance is cliché and cringe most of the time, so all that’s really keeping me here is the plot. Regardless, this series is very easy to read, I’ll give it that.
January 17, 2026
Boringly repetitive, but I really liked the last chapter.
(SPOILERS)
3 trials in 3 books are too many, also it’s not realistic that they always manage to win. I loved Jocasta, but where was she during the last trial? I don’t like Orion and Isera as a couple. Also, “little rebel” was already cringe, was it necessary to make him call her “little viper”?
The ending tho was so good, I’m super ready for Selena’s villain era!! I’ve also read the bonus chapter (you can find it for free on the author’s website) and it was interesting, useful to understand how Selena’s magic works and how also her parents probably feel about her
(SPOILERS)
3 trials in 3 books are too many, also it’s not realistic that they always manage to win. I loved Jocasta, but where was she during the last trial? I don’t like Orion and Isera as a couple. Also, “little rebel” was already cringe, was it necessary to make him call her “little viper”?
The ending tho was so good, I’m super ready for Selena’s villain era!! I’ve also read the bonus chapter (you can find it for free on the author’s website) and it was interesting, useful to understand how Selena’s magic works and how also her parents probably feel about her
June 24, 2025
The book was not bad but comparing to other two this felt like a filler to me ......just the last chapter where she breaks the mate bond from draven's side with the anger take us back to the story where we started it with....but this whole great games and then extended games just for orion to join them was not even worth it tbh....and in the end they are still waiting for the help from dyrads...so then what was the point here...but again the only thing I liked here was the character development...especially selena's development as a character...even though she's still a people pleaser but she is more stronger now.....other than that I think we should have got some parts back in seelie court about what was going on while the group was here....ummm not disappointed I like the dynamics of the group but still....somewhere I expected more ig😬😬
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2025
Žinojau, kad pabaigoj bus blogai. Buvo.😭😭😭
Selenos augimas per 3 knygas puikus, šiol daly ji parodė daug ryškėjančios asmenybės, kuri buvo daug metų užspausta noro visiems įtikt. Ir ji man labai patiko.
Gal ir nėra super profesonaliai parašyta knyga su puikiu worldbuilding’u ir detalėm, bet visko tikrai užteko. + dalis buvo kinda filleris, bet reikalingas. Ir išdavysčių ir plotwistų ir besiformuojančio inner circle / found family. Kiekvienas side veikėjas įdomus ir iškankintas savaip, dėl ko gali tapatintis.
Man taip sužaidė emociškai, kad gale ir pyktis ir liūdesys aplankė ir … this is how villains are made.
Kai randi prasmę gyventi, svajoti, bet viską prarandi, kad pasiektum pergalę. Ar buvo verta?
Išsiaiškinsim su 4 knyga, kuri laukia spalio gale 😭😭
O kur dar bonus😭….
Selenos augimas per 3 knygas puikus, šiol daly ji parodė daug ryškėjančios asmenybės, kuri buvo daug metų užspausta noro visiems įtikt. Ir ji man labai patiko.
Gal ir nėra super profesonaliai parašyta knyga su puikiu worldbuilding’u ir detalėm, bet visko tikrai užteko. + dalis buvo kinda filleris, bet reikalingas. Ir išdavysčių ir plotwistų ir besiformuojančio inner circle / found family. Kiekvienas side veikėjas įdomus ir iškankintas savaip, dėl ko gali tapatintis.
Man taip sužaidė emociškai, kad gale ir pyktis ir liūdesys aplankė ir … this is how villains are made.
Kai randi prasmę gyventi, svajoti, bet viską prarandi, kad pasiektum pergalę. Ar buvo verta?
Išsiaiškinsim su 4 knyga, kuri laukia spalio gale 😭😭
O kur dar bonus😭….
November 21, 2025
Knygos viduryje būtų buvusios 4 ⭐️ Nu bet pabaiga…. Ta prasme 💥🧨🤯 Tai pakilo iki 4.5 ⭐️
“Only a villain can take down another villain.” ⚔️
“Only a villain can take down another villain.” ⚔️
June 24, 2025
okay. So. Draven will always have my heart but this book actually enraged me so much. Like that was not necessary. First with the Isera incident and then with the ending. Like I just need the instructor to teach her how to undo it so that I don’t have to deal with the whole getting back together shit. I was really excited for this book, and I did like it, but I thought it was going to take a different path instead of more trials and games. I don’t know, I guess a lot of things just got me mad about this book. It was alright. 3/5 I will still be reading the next one for my sanity’s sake.
December 17, 2025
На данний момент це моя найулюбленіша частина циклу, яка отримала від мене заслужені 4 зірочки. Мені сподобалось як було прописано Двір Неблагих, і показано наскільки вони відрізняються (і при цьому багато в чому схожі) на Айсхартів. Король Оріон однозначно став причиною чому ця книжка стала цікавішою за попередню. Кліффенгер хоча і неоригінальний, але гарно прописаний.
Вдвічі цікаво було прочитати додатковий епілог з перспекиви Дрейвена.
Вдвічі цікаво було прочитати додатковий епілог з перспекиви Дрейвена.
September 16, 2025
YALL THIS BOOK! honestly i wasnt expecting games and trials again but I LOVED FOR IT! and the ENDING!!! i was alone at the pool while reading the end of this and ACUTALLY GASPED out loud! Such a good book, I cant wait for the last!!
January 5, 2026
4.25 stars
June 25, 2025
4.5/5 ⭐️ banger of a book but this ending got me FUCKED up because what was that!!!!!!
July 8, 2025
In shock over the ending. Thank god the final book comes out in October I need to know how this is resolved ASAP.
January 3, 2026
Can confirm the ending still hurts as a re-read…I’m glad I did a whole read through of this series again so I can finally read book 4, but I forgot how terrible that cliffhanger really was.
July 22, 2025
Rtc when I’m more mentally and emotionally stable.✌️☺️
June 25, 2025
A BRILLIANT 3rd book. We started off where we stopped last and the action/tension/anxiety was non stop.
I loved the ending, it was horrendously delicious and I can't wait for book 4 in October!
I loved the ending, it was horrendously delicious and I can't wait for book 4 in October!
December 14, 2025
What a bummer, I suddenly find myself completely bored and not interested in continuing the series. Not ideal when you have invested so much time in this, book three of a saga.
When you begin a Romantasy saga, you want the momentum to continue once the two main characters have finally fallen in love/lust. This book has my most hated troupe where they are 'fated mates', yet one of the couple hates the concept of 'fated mates'. Nonsense, how does that even make sense... it's nonsense.
This started the decline for me... I've persisted for the characters (whom I really enjoy) sadly, the momentum has slowed beyond repair.
When you begin a Romantasy saga, you want the momentum to continue once the two main characters have finally fallen in love/lust. This book has my most hated troupe where they are 'fated mates', yet one of the couple hates the concept of 'fated mates'. Nonsense, how does that even make sense... it's nonsense.
This started the decline for me... I've persisted for the characters (whom I really enjoy) sadly, the momentum has slowed beyond repair.
June 3, 2025
Ahhhh my heart! That ending!! Holy mash potatoes and hunger games arena match! yasss!! Marion Blackwood slays again!
July 8, 2025
wowowowowow I genuinely love this series so much. Omg this book had me on the edge of my seat. In my last review of the second book, I mentioned that I wanted to see Selena’s powers grow and boy did we get that. Her powers have so much potential and I’m so glad we were able to see her utilize it. The mind is such a powerful tool to manipulate and I really like that Blackwood created a FMC with such a unique skill.
I liked that they had to do a sort of trials again. I always find that trope super interesting so I was glad to see it again. I liked the fact that they got to play as a team and build the found family connection with each other. The ending got me jaw dropped and everything though. I was shocked. First at the betrayal, then at the final use of Selena’s powers. LIKE NO LET SELENA AND DRAVEN BE HAPPY PLEASE. I fully read this all in one go with the exception of dinner. I genuinely cannot wait for the next book.
I liked that they had to do a sort of trials again. I always find that trope super interesting so I was glad to see it again. I liked the fact that they got to play as a team and build the found family connection with each other. The ending got me jaw dropped and everything though. I was shocked. First at the betrayal, then at the final use of Selena’s powers. LIKE NO LET SELENA AND DRAVEN BE HAPPY PLEASE. I fully read this all in one go with the exception of dinner. I genuinely cannot wait for the next book.
December 25, 2025
That ending??? WHAT! This series is so fast paced, I’m loving it. I love the connections between the characters, I love the world that is still developing, I love Selena finding her power instead of second guessing herself, and I love Draven Ryat. We get more games and trials in this one, some new scenery, and some interesting new information on the past and the future.
I do feel like this book was mainly to set up the next book but I was thoroughly entertained. Is this a masterpiece? Ehhh. Is this a fun time? YES
I do feel like this book was mainly to set up the next book but I was thoroughly entertained. Is this a masterpiece? Ehhh. Is this a fun time? YES
June 23, 2025
“There is no world, no universe, no version of reality where I wouldn’t have chosen you.”
Marion Blackwood…..you never fail to amaze me with your amazing storytelling. Court of Lies and Deceit is INCREDIBLE! If you’re a fan of fae, dragon shifters, romantasy and fae trials, I highly suggest stopping what you are doing and reading this series! *note: this book is the third in the Flame and Thorns series. It can not be read as a standalone!
Draven and Selena are everything to me! I have been waiting anxiously to read what came next in their story and I was not at all disappointed. They’ve been through so much together and to see their love grow is just beautiful. I love how strong and independent both characters are but they aren’t afraid to save each other in times of need.
The side characters in this book had me HOOKED. THE UNSEELIE KING AND ISERA….are you kidding me?!? The tension! The chemistry! Oh, I need them together immediately. I love the way each of the characters worked together to survive and to save their people! I am so excited to see where Marion takes Selena and Draven’s story next, especially after that heart wrenching cliffhanger!!!
Marion Blackwood…..you never fail to amaze me with your amazing storytelling. Court of Lies and Deceit is INCREDIBLE! If you’re a fan of fae, dragon shifters, romantasy and fae trials, I highly suggest stopping what you are doing and reading this series! *note: this book is the third in the Flame and Thorns series. It can not be read as a standalone!
Draven and Selena are everything to me! I have been waiting anxiously to read what came next in their story and I was not at all disappointed. They’ve been through so much together and to see their love grow is just beautiful. I love how strong and independent both characters are but they aren’t afraid to save each other in times of need.
The side characters in this book had me HOOKED. THE UNSEELIE KING AND ISERA….are you kidding me?!? The tension! The chemistry! Oh, I need them together immediately. I love the way each of the characters worked together to survive and to save their people! I am so excited to see where Marion takes Selena and Draven’s story next, especially after that heart wrenching cliffhanger!!!
August 17, 2025
Oh, it's getting good now, it's a shame really that the next book is not out yet. Selena is finally becoming interesting, the side characters make me curious about their point of view, the stakes are getting higher. I am glad I picked the series up. Waiting patiently for the next one. 🦇🔥
June 24, 2025
I was actually pretty excited for this book because the last one was phenomenal. But it just didn’t do it for me. While I love the fact that we got to see the Unseelie court, more trials (yay!), and even with deeper exploration into all the characters and relationships - it all felt very surface level. Definitely, a filler book setting up for the next one. Selena’s journey to overcoming her trauma and coming into her own was pretty anti climactic. The second set of trials was absolutely unnecessary and did nothing but provide barely explained fodder for the third book. I did LOVE all the magical exploration. It was cool to see the extent of everyone’s power especially emotion magic. Isera and Orion - I see it and I can’t wait to get more of them. She deserves every bit to be his queen. Lyra and Alistair are so cute too!! Draven and Selena fell really flat for me, but I’m here for the enemies(not really) to lovers back to actual (enemies lol). It’ll make for an interesting dynamic in the next book. All in all decent set up for the next one but nothing spectacular. Even with so much happening there wasn’t much going on.
October 4, 2025
I’m so invested in this series but the writing has gotten worse with each book. I did enjoy this one but skimmed through a lot of it. Will I read the 4th when it releases this month? Probably
June 22, 2025
Holy Smokes!!! I can't even...I mean, I'm not entirely sure where to start! First off, this book picks up right where book 2's cliffhanger left us. Thankfully, we don't have to wait long to know Selena's fate, but...and I mean it's a huge BUT...this just gets the proverbial ball rolling in this story! Second, I am absolutely feral for Draven! That man is just chef's kiss perfection, top tier book boyfriend material, and no one will be able to convince me otherwise. The way this man was willing to do ANYTHING for Selena was just amazing! Third, I loved, loved, loved the dynamic between Orion and Isera was absolute fire! Fourth, this book had such amazing banter between these characters at times I was laughing out loud. This book just absolutely took this series to another level. There was no dragging, no lagging, no boring sleepy moments. From the first chapter we have action, suspense, angst, drama and just wonderful tension and spice. I loved how this book just added another layer to this overarching plotline of this series. But be warned...the ending of this book will rip you to shreds. But I have faith that Marion will piece us back together again. Overall, do yourself a favor and read this series!
June 25, 2025
Meh
The whole book was one big competition with high stakes, but like we know they’re going to win whatever the stakes are or else there would be no book 4? This felt predictable. Like a filler book. Did the ending shock me? Yes. But did the other 98% of the book shock me? No. The FMC is just so unsure of herself. And I actually prefer the ice wielder Lysera over her. She is so interesting and confident and just has so much rage in her. Where Serena’s rage felt forced? Her magic becoming more unlocked wasn’t even that interesting because it took her almost the whole book to get there? Idk. Again. It gave filler book vibes. I liked book 1, loved book 2, and am feeling let down by book 3.
And as far as the MMC went, again, it felt like a watered down version of himself. Lots of threats he couldn’t back up. The group was outsmarted at every turn by Orion. They were too fallible.
The whole book was one big competition with high stakes, but like we know they’re going to win whatever the stakes are or else there would be no book 4? This felt predictable. Like a filler book. Did the ending shock me? Yes. But did the other 98% of the book shock me? No. The FMC is just so unsure of herself. And I actually prefer the ice wielder Lysera over her. She is so interesting and confident and just has so much rage in her. Where Serena’s rage felt forced? Her magic becoming more unlocked wasn’t even that interesting because it took her almost the whole book to get there? Idk. Again. It gave filler book vibes. I liked book 1, loved book 2, and am feeling let down by book 3.
And as far as the MMC went, again, it felt like a watered down version of himself. Lots of threats he couldn’t back up. The group was outsmarted at every turn by Orion. They were too fallible.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,629 reviews