The main characters were essentially locked in a relentless ‘game’ of dares, each testing the other’s limits. It wasn’t just about personal survival, but if they could survive each other. In the end, the stakes remained the same throughout, their pride, their kingdoms, their families and the continued denial of their feelings for each other…
The plot revolves around an arranged marriage between a fae and a half-fae/ human, devised to strengthen the fragile alliance between their two kingdoms. The FMC and MMC crossed paths over the years, starting when they were just 10 and 15, and continuing through pivotal moments in their lives until they reached 19 and 24.
I loved watching their relationship develop, and when I say "develop," I don’t mean in a positive way😶. It was a constant power struggle. He’d torment her, and she’d retaliate just as fiercely, determined to beat him at his own game. I.e. He’d cause her to be bitten by a venomous snake, and she’d track down that exact venom just to poison him in return. You know, that kind of playful banter 😅
This one was pretty dark. The MMC was cruel, spiteful and brutally honest. He knew how to cut deep with his words, but there were brief flashes of another side to him. You just have to hold out for those moments.
Now I’m not going to spoil it, but there was an unconventional love triangle in the mix. For a moment, I thought it might turn into an MFM situation, but in this instance, it wasn’t. I was glad for it. If you've read ACOTAR, the MMCs gave off a twisted Cassian and Tamlin vibe. This was the only part I didn’t enjoy as much, probably because I wasn’t expecting it.
There was frequent OW drama, mostly with women sitting on the MMC's lap or vying for his attention, but it never went beyond that once she arrived. It was all part of their twisted game. However, when she received the same kind of attention, his reaction was far from pleasant.
This was a standalone and a long one, but I didn’t really notice until it was over. The story was mostly told from the FMC’s POV, except for the final chapter. This was one of those books that I read (last week) and haven’t stopped thinking about since.
Don’t let the candy-floss cover fool you (though I love it!). This isn’t a light read and some of the characters' actions will definitely make you want to throw your Kindle. They’ll frustrate the sh*t out of you, but trust me, hang in there 😅.
I did feel a weird sense of relief when their ‘game’ finally finished.…