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Compelling Fates Saga #1
A Tongue So Sweet and Deadly
Listening Length 13 hours and 57 minutes
Half-Fae Elessia could have had everything. Literally.
Since her magic allows her to compel anyone to do her bidding by merely looking into their eyes, the world was at her feet. But after a tragic accident, she is thrown into the Fae king's dungeons and forced to swear a blood oath to him, binding her to his service.
Five years later, she's living amongst humans in Ellow and has created a life for herself—as much as she can with the king's promise to call in his debt looming over her.
When he finally comes to collect, she is made to infiltrate the human elections to determine whether the current regent is involved in the strange things happening in the land of Fae.
With the promise of freedom from the king's claws, Elessia is determined to see it through. Liberty is within reach as long as she can keep the lethal Fae guard watching over her from eliminating her before she unearths the information the king seeks.
But as she grows closer to the brooding human regent and secrets begin to unravel, Elessia realizes greater forces may be at play. And she might stand before the choice between her own freedom and that of a nation.
Contains mature content. A complete list of content warnings can be found on the author's website.
Half-Fae Elessia could have had everything. Literally.
Since her magic allows her to compel anyone to do her bidding by merely looking into their eyes, the world was at her feet. But after a tragic accident, she is thrown into the Fae king's dungeons and forced to swear a blood oath to him, binding her to his service.
Five years later, she's living amongst humans in Ellow and has created a life for herself—as much as she can with the king's promise to call in his debt looming over her.
When he finally comes to collect, she is made to infiltrate the human elections to determine whether the current regent is involved in the strange things happening in the land of Fae.
With the promise of freedom from the king's claws, Elessia is determined to see it through. Liberty is within reach as long as she can keep the lethal Fae guard watching over her from eliminating her before she unearths the information the king seeks.
But as she grows closer to the brooding human regent and secrets begin to unravel, Elessia realizes greater forces may be at play. And she might stand before the choice between her own freedom and that of a nation.
Contains mature content. A complete list of content warnings can be found on the author's website.
14 pages, Audible Audio
First published December 3, 2024
14856 people are currently reading
124172 people want to read
About the author
Sophia St. Germain
10 books1,040 followersSophia St. Germain has always loved reading fantasy and romance. She writes romantasy and is a big fan of found family, enemies to lovers, strong but flawed FMCs, and morally gray MMCs.
Originally from Sweden, Sophia moved to the US in 2019 but has also lived in France, Norway, and Belgium. She uses influences from her travels and the different cultures she's experienced in her books and characters.
Sophia works in tech by day and writes and reads romantasy by night (and, let's be honest, very early mornings).
Originally from Sweden, Sophia moved to the US in 2019 but has also lived in France, Norway, and Belgium. She uses influences from her travels and the different cultures she's experienced in her books and characters.
Sophia works in tech by day and writes and reads romantasy by night (and, let's be honest, very early mornings).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,710 reviews
December 24, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ spectacular gimme 14 of them rn
August 20, 2025
This book caught me so off guard, I was not expecting to love it so much!!
You get all the classic fantasy romance vibes but with a twist! Throw in a political election trial, a blood oath, really fun plot twists and we had a really unexpected storyline. The ending of the book was incredible and I am IMMEDIATELY binging the series. 5 stars 🌟
You get all the classic fantasy romance vibes but with a twist! Throw in a political election trial, a blood oath, really fun plot twists and we had a really unexpected storyline. The ending of the book was incredible and I am IMMEDIATELY binging the series. 5 stars 🌟
November 17, 2025
This was so fun! It definitely has potential to get better and better. I will say I was slightly confused about the “why” of Lessia’s past, it just didn’t make sense to me but I did love the rest of the story and I will absolutely be continuing! A really good start to a romantasy series!
September 16, 2025
this was so fun and felt very much like a romantasy but certainly not copy paste. the last 10% had so many different things going on i was literally reading it on the edge of my seat!!
i love our FMC, the dynamic between her and the two(?) potential love interests, the trails, the mystery, the plot!! i am super excited to learn more about the world and see where this story goes EASY five stars 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
i love our FMC, the dynamic between her and the two(?) potential love interests, the trails, the mystery, the plot!! i am super excited to learn more about the world and see where this story goes EASY five stars 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
May 27, 2025
a concerning amount of snarling takes place but otherwise not bad
August 26, 2025
ㅤ ᯓ★ full RTC (maybe) ⁀➷
ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ✦ . ⁺ . 3.0 - 3.2 ☆ . ⁺ . ✦
ㅤ I am finding it a bit difficult to fully articulate my feelings toward this book; it was not bad, but it was not particularly good either. The whole experience carried a strange sense of déjà vu, as though I had already read this story before. One of the male characters, who I am fairly certain is meant to become the main love interest, felt very much like Rowan Whitethorn, only far less compelling.
ㅤ At the moment, I do not have enough concrete thoughts to write a full review, though I may do so in the future. For now, I simply want to briefly share a few impressions:
ㅤ ⟡ I did enjoy the book overall, as I read it fairly quickly and found myself compelled to keep going. It had the quality of a bingeable series: easy to consume, entertaining enough, and addictive in that “I need to see just a bit more” kind of way.
ㅤ ⟡ The supposed male lead was not enjoyable for me at all, and I am almost certain he is simply meant to be the first love interest. There is no way you also introduce such an intriguing, tortured, brooding character and then sideline him as anything less than the true MMC. Still, I will wait and see how the series unfolds.
ㅤ ⟡ Originality was not this book’s strongest quality. It borrowed a lot of familiar tropes, plotlines and maybe even characters, yet it still managed to remain enjoyable in its own way. I was never truly bored, though I often found myself wishing for a bit more spark, a bit more something in the narrative.
ㅤ ⟡ I am curious to see where the story goes from here. I liked the ending well enough, but it also lacked any real sense of tension. Several issues that had carried enormous importance throughout the book were suddenly resolved with surprising ease, as though the plot simply decided to sweep them aside.
ㅤ I just got the feeling that this book somehow felt like something I read for the sake of reducing my TBR. However, it worked pretty well in getting me out of a small reading slump and it made me want to keep reading the series, so, I guess, it wasn't bad in any sense.
⊹₊┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ✿ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈₊⊹
ㅤ ᯓ ✿ pre-reading ⪼ ㅤ started ┆23-Aug-2025┆
ㅤ ㅤ ⤿ I am just a girl who likes pretty things, and this book has a very, very pretty looking cover 💅🏻
ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ✦ . ⁺ . 3.0 - 3.2 ☆ . ⁺ . ✦
ㅤ I am finding it a bit difficult to fully articulate my feelings toward this book; it was not bad, but it was not particularly good either. The whole experience carried a strange sense of déjà vu, as though I had already read this story before. One of the male characters, who I am fairly certain is meant to become the main love interest, felt very much like Rowan Whitethorn, only far less compelling.
ㅤ At the moment, I do not have enough concrete thoughts to write a full review, though I may do so in the future. For now, I simply want to briefly share a few impressions:
ㅤ ⟡ I did enjoy the book overall, as I read it fairly quickly and found myself compelled to keep going. It had the quality of a bingeable series: easy to consume, entertaining enough, and addictive in that “I need to see just a bit more” kind of way.
ㅤ ⟡ The supposed male lead was not enjoyable for me at all, and I am almost certain he is simply meant to be the first love interest. There is no way you also introduce such an intriguing, tortured, brooding character and then sideline him as anything less than the true MMC. Still, I will wait and see how the series unfolds.
ㅤ ⟡ Originality was not this book’s strongest quality. It borrowed a lot of familiar tropes, plotlines and maybe even characters, yet it still managed to remain enjoyable in its own way. I was never truly bored, though I often found myself wishing for a bit more spark, a bit more something in the narrative.
ㅤ ⟡ I am curious to see where the story goes from here. I liked the ending well enough, but it also lacked any real sense of tension. Several issues that had carried enormous importance throughout the book were suddenly resolved with surprising ease, as though the plot simply decided to sweep them aside.
ㅤ I just got the feeling that this book somehow felt like something I read for the sake of reducing my TBR. However, it worked pretty well in getting me out of a small reading slump and it made me want to keep reading the series, so, I guess, it wasn't bad in any sense.
⊹₊┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ✿ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈₊⊹
ㅤ ᯓ ✿ pre-reading ⪼ ㅤ started ┆23-Aug-2025┆
ㅤ ㅤ ⤿ I am just a girl who likes pretty things, and this book has a very, very pretty looking cover 💅🏻
August 23, 2025
DNF @ 47%. I’m so disappointed! I was initially liking it but then the issues kept popping up and I couldn’t do it anymore.
The writing isn’t good. It’s overly dramatic to the point it’s impossible to take it seriously 😅
They were growling and snarling so much. I wish I would’ve counted. It was over 50 times for sure. If you make a drinking game out of this, you’ll be drunk by page 20-30 I’m pretty sure.
As stated above, the writing was extremely dramatic but it was also stilted and characters kept changing behaviours out of no where or taking decisions that felt extremely out of place. Extremely poorly written romance.
I’m slumping right now so take my review with a grain of salt!
The writing isn’t good. It’s overly dramatic to the point it’s impossible to take it seriously 😅
They were growling and snarling so much. I wish I would’ve counted. It was over 50 times for sure. If you make a drinking game out of this, you’ll be drunk by page 20-30 I’m pretty sure.
As stated above, the writing was extremely dramatic but it was also stilted and characters kept changing behaviours out of no where or taking decisions that felt extremely out of place. Extremely poorly written romance.
I’m slumping right now so take my review with a grain of salt!
October 21, 2025
Peoples eyes need to stop slamming into each other.
May 30, 2025
i ate this up but like… the writing wasn’t great lol
November 9, 2025
“𝙄’𝙢 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙜𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙮𝙥𝙚, 𝙇𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙖. 𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤, 𝙄’𝙡𝙡 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙤𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙨. 𝙄’𝙢 𝙖𝙡𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝙄 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙮 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙨 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡.” ★★★★★
💜 🐍 🪵 🔥 🗡️ 💖
this was such a vibe and i could not put it down! *chef’s kiss*
lessia girl, you are so strong ily🫶🏻
i loved lessia’s relationship with both loche and merrick hehe
i may be team merrick🤭😜 something about a broody bodyguard and their tension is just🤩 and i was getting more than friends vibes from him??
“𝘏𝘪,” 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥
“𝘏𝘪,” 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘥 🥺💕
but also i do sort of like loche a lot won’t lie🫣
ughhhh im so torn. to be determined!!!
i ate this world and these characters up. the elemental and mind magic is so good
the plot kept me on the edge of the seat
the last 10% 🤯 … 😲 … 💔 (was shitting my pants and screaming at my book)
💜 🐍 🪵 🔥 🗡️ 💖
this was such a vibe and i could not put it down! *chef’s kiss*
lessia girl, you are so strong ily🫶🏻
i loved lessia’s relationship with both loche and merrick hehe
i may be team merrick🤭😜 something about a broody bodyguard and their tension is just🤩 and i was getting more than friends vibes from him??
“𝘏𝘪,” 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥
“𝘏𝘪,” 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘥 🥺💕
but also i do sort of like loche a lot won’t lie🫣
ughhhh im so torn. to be determined!!!
i ate this world and these characters up. the elemental and mind magic is so good
the plot kept me on the edge of the seat
the last 10% 🤯 … 😲 … 💔 (was shitting my pants and screaming at my book)
November 4, 2025
Ok but I was pleasantly surprised toward the end of this! It started off a tad slow but once I got about half way through I couldn't stop.
I will say I have VERY STRONG feelings regarding who I think Lessia should end up with. 🤣 I swear if Lessia doesn't end up with Merrick, I will riot. I didn't feel much with Loche sadly. The love felt very forced and quick but I absolutely loved the grumpy guard so much. And all the little acts of kindness he showed Lessia throughout the way. Absolute perfection.
Lastly, when Merrick and Lessia finally locked eyes and said hi. That was the most romantic part of the entire book.
Moving onto book 2!
I will say I have VERY STRONG feelings regarding who I think Lessia should end up with. 🤣 I swear if Lessia doesn't end up with Merrick, I will riot. I didn't feel much with Loche sadly. The love felt very forced and quick but I absolutely loved the grumpy guard so much. And all the little acts of kindness he showed Lessia throughout the way. Absolute perfection.
Lastly, when Merrick and Lessia finally locked eyes and said hi. That was the most romantic part of the entire book.
Moving onto book 2!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2024
Let’s start with the full disclosure:
I am Sophia’s real life friend/PA/Alpha Reader.
I don’t want it to seem as if I’m trying to hide that and sneak in a biased review. Sophia more than anyone knows I’m nothing if not honest. So any review I give is my own genuine thoughts and feelings, relationship aside.
Now that that’s settled…
I’m genuinely, hand to God obsessed with this book, these characters and this world.
Fantasy and plot forward books are my happy place.
There are plenty of relationship side bits to make the Romantasy lovers happy (and maybe frustrated), but the story here stands entirely on its own outside of that.
I love that Lessia is a strong and feisty FMC, but not in the typical fighting way of most fantasy FMCs.
She’s cunning, determined, and resourceful.
This book had me texting Sophia at all hours during my first read-through, bugging her with 50 million theories of where the plot and characters might be going.
Let me say - typically I am very good at figuring out twists and plot well ahead of time.
It takes a lot of hard work and a twisty mind to surprise me.
I was wrong at least 90% of the time with my guesses here.
Some of the twists had me SHOOK (do the kids still say that?).
I did not see them coming AT ALL.
Genuinely, I’m impressed as hell.
When I tell y’all I’m drooling for book 2 just as much as the rest of you are, I’m not kidding.
This series is already infinity-tier for me.
♾️⭐️
🌶️.5 (Side note: do y’all know how awkward it is to read spice that your friend wrote?? 🫣🤣)
PS. Team Merrick. All the way. 🫠
I am Sophia’s real life friend/PA/Alpha Reader.
I don’t want it to seem as if I’m trying to hide that and sneak in a biased review. Sophia more than anyone knows I’m nothing if not honest. So any review I give is my own genuine thoughts and feelings, relationship aside.
Now that that’s settled…
I’m genuinely, hand to God obsessed with this book, these characters and this world.
Fantasy and plot forward books are my happy place.
There are plenty of relationship side bits to make the Romantasy lovers happy (and maybe frustrated), but the story here stands entirely on its own outside of that.
I love that Lessia is a strong and feisty FMC, but not in the typical fighting way of most fantasy FMCs.
She’s cunning, determined, and resourceful.
This book had me texting Sophia at all hours during my first read-through, bugging her with 50 million theories of where the plot and characters might be going.
Let me say - typically I am very good at figuring out twists and plot well ahead of time.
It takes a lot of hard work and a twisty mind to surprise me.
I was wrong at least 90% of the time with my guesses here.
Some of the twists had me SHOOK (do the kids still say that?).
I did not see them coming AT ALL.
Genuinely, I’m impressed as hell.
When I tell y’all I’m drooling for book 2 just as much as the rest of you are, I’m not kidding.
This series is already infinity-tier for me.
♾️⭐️
🌶️.5 (Side note: do y’all know how awkward it is to read spice that your friend wrote?? 🫣🤣)
PS. Team Merrick. All the way. 🫠
December 4, 2024
Holy moly. The last few chapters pack a hell of a punch. There is so much going on. I enjoyed this story and trying to figure out who was on which side. It’s fast paced and the world building is well done and smooth.
Lessia, Loche, Merrick…the histories they all carry. The depth in each of them is wonderful. I love their character development throughout the book!
🌶️
Lessia, Loche, Merrick…the histories they all carry. The depth in each of them is wonderful. I love their character development throughout the book!
🌶️
October 15, 2024
✨ ARC REVIEW ✨
🐍 A Tongue so Sweet and Deadly ❄️
By @sophiastgermain_author
Release date: 3 December 2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ♾️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
This ARC has been my most anticipated read for this year and I’ve been completely lost for words… to the point I’ve actually read it twice.
Sophia has created an incredible world that’s still healing from a previous conflict. A community with ongoing power struggles and suspicion which inhibits any change of peace between humans and the fae. Elessia is an incredible FMC, she is building a life for herself, a successful business and making friends within a community that ostracises her because of her Half-Fae heritage. Even with a blood oath to the Fae King that when called upon, basically takes away her autonomy, she still fights for what is right.
The Half-Fae FMC often demonstrating more humanity than the humans.
We are blessed with two MMCs - her assigned fae guard, Merrick, who is dark and mysterious, the definition of morally grey in every sense, employed by the Fae king to hold Elessia to her oath. We then have Loche, the current Regent of the human community who is broody, curious and a slick talker 😏.
This book takes you on a journey, not just for freedom but healing and acceptance. There are so many twists and turns, you will be completely invested nursing a book hangover.
It’s honestly, a devastatingly beautiful read❤️
I’m desperate for book 2.
Tropes:
- strong FMC
- hidden identities
- fae/human conflict
- broody MMC
- morally grey companion
- political intrigue
- trials and tests
- trauma and healing
- slow burn
- enemies to lovers to…
A very warm thank you to Sophia for the opportunity to read this incredible ARC.
🐍 A Tongue so Sweet and Deadly ❄️
By @sophiastgermain_author
Release date: 3 December 2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ♾️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
This ARC has been my most anticipated read for this year and I’ve been completely lost for words… to the point I’ve actually read it twice.
Sophia has created an incredible world that’s still healing from a previous conflict. A community with ongoing power struggles and suspicion which inhibits any change of peace between humans and the fae. Elessia is an incredible FMC, she is building a life for herself, a successful business and making friends within a community that ostracises her because of her Half-Fae heritage. Even with a blood oath to the Fae King that when called upon, basically takes away her autonomy, she still fights for what is right.
The Half-Fae FMC often demonstrating more humanity than the humans.
We are blessed with two MMCs - her assigned fae guard, Merrick, who is dark and mysterious, the definition of morally grey in every sense, employed by the Fae king to hold Elessia to her oath. We then have Loche, the current Regent of the human community who is broody, curious and a slick talker 😏.
This book takes you on a journey, not just for freedom but healing and acceptance. There are so many twists and turns, you will be completely invested nursing a book hangover.
It’s honestly, a devastatingly beautiful read❤️
I’m desperate for book 2.
Tropes:
- strong FMC
- hidden identities
- fae/human conflict
- broody MMC
- morally grey companion
- political intrigue
- trials and tests
- trauma and healing
- slow burn
- enemies to lovers to…
A very warm thank you to Sophia for the opportunity to read this incredible ARC.
October 24, 2024
A Tongue so Sweet and Deadly started out promising but sadly enough it ended up being just okay for me. It might be that at this point I've read too many similar stories, especially when it involves a fae main character (or in this case half-fae). So it's hard to be impressed or surprised that has a lot of the same elements as other books I've read, if that makes any sense? I know it's also very much a personal opinion because I've seen lots of other readers and reviewers enjoying it. I also didn't end up being very curious about the sequel even though the end had some unexpected twists. It was just not my cup of tea for this book but others might end up enjoying it more than I did.
June 24, 2025
Idk 2+ ish star range, not really sure what to rate it
I wanted to like this more than I did because it was a different concept but good lord was it slow
She uses an extreme amount of exclamation points and repetitive phrases or words
I wanted to like this more than I did because it was a different concept but good lord was it slow
She uses an extreme amount of exclamation points and repetitive phrases or words
January 11, 2026
I’m unwell after that ending 😭
I will be jumping into book two asap! That ending 😭💔
While I wish the worldbuilding was more in depth, I was entertained throughout the whole book!
“Tell me. Tell me you burn for me like I burn for you. Tell me your heart stops when I walk into a room like mine does for you. Tell me you can’t stop thinking about me like I can’t go a waking second without thinking about you. Tell me you don’t want me to stay away.”
I will be jumping into book two asap! That ending 😭💔
While I wish the worldbuilding was more in depth, I was entertained throughout the whole book!
“Tell me. Tell me you burn for me like I burn for you. Tell me your heart stops when I walk into a room like mine does for you. Tell me you can’t stop thinking about me like I can’t go a waking second without thinking about you. Tell me you don’t want me to stay away.”
February 26, 2025
2.5 🌟
I honestly don’t know how to rate this book. I really disliked it, and then found I couldn’t put it down. Maybe because I was in a blizzard after -40° weather, by a fire. I’m so confused. The beginning was so slow, SOO SLOW! The sentences were one, big, long paragraph. Girl, get a better editor. I had to re-read sentences twice to figure out what she was saying. Also, had young SJM flaws, with sentences ending in ….. and —- and starting one sentence paragraphs with But.
But then…..😉
It got interesting.
But then…
Wait what happened? They are suddenly riding off and having sexy time in an ice sculpture moon cave? After no real connection?
It all needed more development and less wordy words.
I don’t know. Maybe I’m over the Fae craze. Like the vampire craze of the early aughts. Maybe too much SJM too fast.
It felt so plagiarized. Girl locked in dungeon. Has to do Kings bidding. Blood oath. I can scent this on you. Obscene gesture. WYVERNS?! Tests to get through. Bad guy contestants. Angry guard teaching her to fight. Midnight in his eyes. Death whisperer. Merrick is obviously Rysand here. Of course she’s the lost heir (or next in lines kid. I see where this is going).
However, she is not a strong female lead. She a whiny shit show and quite boring. I don’t even care if she helps kids, she’s not a strong leader. She’s a “help me big man” kinda girl. Also a female that is 5’9” described as extra tall, is silly. I’m 5’8 and I’m not half fae. (Or maybe I am and haven’t discovered my power yet)
Loche calling her darling straight away is just ick. Lessia is so blah 🙄The trials were so basic and under developed. Start a fire and starve for 2 weeks. Break her finger, break her rib, make a choice.
Very predictable. I was hoping his big secret was that he was actually a shifter.
But no…. 😒
He just knows a shifter and he’s a manipulative asshole.
So basically, slow slow slow, good, interesting, Team Merrick, off the rales, back on the rales for a minute and then so disappointed with the whole blood oath thing. First of all, how are you able to be in a rebellion with an unbreakable blood oath, that.. wait, oh you can break it by getting a nose bleed, looking into her eyes and she compels you to live. Please please please don’t use other people’s work.
I wouldn’t really recommend it as a “hey you should read this” kind of book, but I’ll probably read the sequel to see if she can work out some kinks, plus I like Merrick.
I honestly don’t know how to rate this book. I really disliked it, and then found I couldn’t put it down. Maybe because I was in a blizzard after -40° weather, by a fire. I’m so confused. The beginning was so slow, SOO SLOW! The sentences were one, big, long paragraph. Girl, get a better editor. I had to re-read sentences twice to figure out what she was saying. Also, had young SJM flaws, with sentences ending in ….. and —- and starting one sentence paragraphs with But.
But then…..😉
It got interesting.
But then…
Wait what happened? They are suddenly riding off and having sexy time in an ice sculpture moon cave? After no real connection?
It all needed more development and less wordy words.
I don’t know. Maybe I’m over the Fae craze. Like the vampire craze of the early aughts. Maybe too much SJM too fast.
It felt so plagiarized. Girl locked in dungeon. Has to do Kings bidding. Blood oath. I can scent this on you. Obscene gesture. WYVERNS?! Tests to get through. Bad guy contestants. Angry guard teaching her to fight. Midnight in his eyes. Death whisperer. Merrick is obviously Rysand here. Of course she’s the lost heir (or next in lines kid. I see where this is going).
However, she is not a strong female lead. She a whiny shit show and quite boring. I don’t even care if she helps kids, she’s not a strong leader. She’s a “help me big man” kinda girl. Also a female that is 5’9” described as extra tall, is silly. I’m 5’8 and I’m not half fae. (Or maybe I am and haven’t discovered my power yet)
Loche calling her darling straight away is just ick. Lessia is so blah 🙄The trials were so basic and under developed. Start a fire and starve for 2 weeks. Break her finger, break her rib, make a choice.
Very predictable. I was hoping his big secret was that he was actually a shifter.
But no…. 😒
He just knows a shifter and he’s a manipulative asshole.
So basically, slow slow slow, good, interesting, Team Merrick, off the rales, back on the rales for a minute and then so disappointed with the whole blood oath thing. First of all, how are you able to be in a rebellion with an unbreakable blood oath, that.. wait, oh you can break it by getting a nose bleed, looking into her eyes and she compels you to live. Please please please don’t use other people’s work.
I wouldn’t really recommend it as a “hey you should read this” kind of book, but I’ll probably read the sequel to see if she can work out some kinks, plus I like Merrick.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2025
Vėl pataikiau. 😏 Dar vienas įtraukiantis, lengvas romantasy su puikiu siužeto ir romance linijos balansu. 2 morally grey MMC? 😏🫢😮💨🫠🫠 Pirmą kart niekaip nepavyko išsirinkti favorito, nors pabaigoj…
4,5⭐️ ir iškart imu kitą!
4,5⭐️ ir iškart imu kitą!
September 16, 2025
I just found this very mediocre. It was an easy read, but nothing that really hooked me. The romance was so flat in my opinion and I just kept looking for more
dnf
January 5, 2026Dude, no
I'm done
DNF at 38%
-------
Wait, is this a siren book???
I'm done
DNF at 38%
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Wait, is this a siren book???
October 16, 2025
Really loved it! Enjoyed breezing towards it. I notice some quirks about the author? She likes to specify the steps each character is taking up the stairs…? Idk if it’s a writing detailed quirk or it means something.. but I enjoyed it overall. Not a huge fan of the writing tbh… and I see that the spice level was not up there for me.. felt rushed. I should’ve seen the first twist coming because I knew the character was… weird towards the middle. The other twists.. I’m still processing, was a bit confused about the love story but now I see it’s kinda a love triangle but more leaning towards one but now after the rollercoaster of events in the end, idk tbh.
December 29, 2025
It actually pains me to rate this three stars after I’ve seen so many fantastic reviews for this. I will say the last hundred pages or so really caught my interest and made up all three of the stars. I did like this and the ending made me want to continue the series, however, the beginning and middle of this book really dragged for me. I really enjoy politics on my books but the whole first 75% was all politics with very little flirting or banter. I think this book did a good job setting up for the rest of the series but I do think it suffered from over explaining and that’s what made it a lower rating for me.
Lessia is a complex fmc and I did really like her. She has been through a lot in her past with her family and once she embarked out on her own. I did not see the twist coming in this story and for that, I commend the author. There was a lot that really took me by surprise here and that made the ending of this book really well done. Lessia is strong-willed, complex, empathetic, but tortured. She’s already been through so much and the ending of this book with Loche broke me. I can’t wait to see what her character arc is in the next book.
Loche was meh for me. I liked his banter and wit in the beginning and I found him to be a fun first love interest. However, he fell kind of flat for me. I really thought he was going to end up being fae or a shifter and have some shocking reveal but it turns out he’s just human with secrets in his past. I did like him, he just didn’t scream end game to me. And the end with what he did to Lessia, for me that’s unforgivable.
Merrick on the other hand! *swoon* that silver haired Death Whisperer could get it any day. I love his character! He’s brooding, intense, morally grey, and he absolutely hates her. There’s obviously more to the story here with him that I won’t spoil but let’s just say he has a very interesting back story and I’m completely obsessed with him. He’s about to have uninterrupted time with Lessia this book and I’m so here for their relationship growing and to learn more about him.
Overall, I liked it and the ending feels promising for the remainder of the series. I’m really hopeful book two will be a five star read for me! ✨
Lessia is a complex fmc and I did really like her. She has been through a lot in her past with her family and once she embarked out on her own. I did not see the twist coming in this story and for that, I commend the author. There was a lot that really took me by surprise here and that made the ending of this book really well done. Lessia is strong-willed, complex, empathetic, but tortured. She’s already been through so much and the ending of this book with Loche broke me. I can’t wait to see what her character arc is in the next book.
Loche was meh for me. I liked his banter and wit in the beginning and I found him to be a fun first love interest. However, he fell kind of flat for me. I really thought he was going to end up being fae or a shifter and have some shocking reveal but it turns out he’s just human with secrets in his past. I did like him, he just didn’t scream end game to me. And the end with what he did to Lessia, for me that’s unforgivable.
Merrick on the other hand! *swoon* that silver haired Death Whisperer could get it any day. I love his character! He’s brooding, intense, morally grey, and he absolutely hates her. There’s obviously more to the story here with him that I won’t spoil but let’s just say he has a very interesting back story and I’m completely obsessed with him. He’s about to have uninterrupted time with Lessia this book and I’m so here for their relationship growing and to learn more about him.
Overall, I liked it and the ending feels promising for the remainder of the series. I’m really hopeful book two will be a five star read for me! ✨
August 13, 2025
I gotta DNF, so beyond slow and basic, boring political fae vs human plot, don't like the writing style, no angst, no banter, just eh, I'm on chapter 40 and barely anything has happened, redundant inner dialogue, ok ok we get it..... let's move on. Not invested in any characters. Annoyed I spent money on it.
December 10, 2025
Okay this was so fun and such a good start to the series!! I was absolutely hooked and I ate this up!! This is a fae romantasy with super simple worldbuilding so far. It’s fun and addictive with so many of the romantasy elements we know and love with some twists to make it fresh.
I’m definitely sensing a love triangle brewing and although it’s not my favorite trope, I’m invested enough to keep going. Lessia was a good FMC, and I’m looking forward to getting to know her in future books.
On my way to start book 2!!
I’m definitely sensing a love triangle brewing and although it’s not my favorite trope, I’m invested enough to keep going. Lessia was a good FMC, and I’m looking forward to getting to know her in future books.
On my way to start book 2!!
July 20, 2025
Genre: Romantacy
⭐️4/5
🌶1.5/5
🧠4/10 (Easy to digest world building)
Noteworthy: Book 1 of an incomplete series. Mildly dark themes at times. The next book is available on KU. Mild cliffhanger. Lots of unanswered questions.
Final thoughts: This was super unique with its politics. The trials were a very cool aspect. I tried to imagine what our world would be like if we elected people to political offices like this. I venture to say it would be better. The world as a whole feels icky, and it's supposed to. The prejudices in this world are a lot at times, and that also feels intentional. My heart broke for so many of these characters. That's a sign of good storytelling. My only complaint was the verbiage. So much snarling! Also, the pacing got lost a little at times but popped back on track quickly enough.
The FMC Lessia was the only POV we got. The world through her eyes is not a pretty place. But her strength of character shined through easily on the page. I loved that she wasn't particularly great at anything. Didn't know how to fight, wasn't overly brave out of nowhere, and wore her fears on her sleeve at times. Such a relatable character. I have a feeling she will continue to grow and develop a lot along the way.
The MMC Loche was okay. Admittedly, he fell a little flat for me. I liked how he stood up for Lessia and the causes he believed in. However, it just never felt like he was right for her. Maybe I've been Tamlined too many times. 😂 It's my hope that we get another potential MMC in book 2. Honestly, our girl deserves better. Someone who will choose her above anything and everything.
I recommend this book for anyone who likes a heavier political setting, a world full of wrongs that need righted, rivals to lovers, a slower burn, and plot twists.
⭐️4/5
🌶1.5/5
🧠4/10 (Easy to digest world building)
Noteworthy: Book 1 of an incomplete series. Mildly dark themes at times. The next book is available on KU. Mild cliffhanger. Lots of unanswered questions.
Final thoughts: This was super unique with its politics. The trials were a very cool aspect. I tried to imagine what our world would be like if we elected people to political offices like this. I venture to say it would be better. The world as a whole feels icky, and it's supposed to. The prejudices in this world are a lot at times, and that also feels intentional. My heart broke for so many of these characters. That's a sign of good storytelling. My only complaint was the verbiage. So much snarling! Also, the pacing got lost a little at times but popped back on track quickly enough.
The FMC Lessia was the only POV we got. The world through her eyes is not a pretty place. But her strength of character shined through easily on the page. I loved that she wasn't particularly great at anything. Didn't know how to fight, wasn't overly brave out of nowhere, and wore her fears on her sleeve at times. Such a relatable character. I have a feeling she will continue to grow and develop a lot along the way.
The MMC Loche was okay. Admittedly, he fell a little flat for me. I liked how he stood up for Lessia and the causes he believed in. However, it just never felt like he was right for her. Maybe I've been Tamlined too many times. 😂 It's my hope that we get another potential MMC in book 2. Honestly, our girl deserves better. Someone who will choose her above anything and everything.
I recommend this book for anyone who likes a heavier political setting, a world full of wrongs that need righted, rivals to lovers, a slower burn, and plot twists.
September 23, 2025
2.5⭐️ Ehh. This was very one dimensional. The relationships weren’t well executed. The trials were highkey a joke. I couldn’t care about Loche if I tried. This whole book was all “Loche Loche Loche Loche” Jesus Christ.
*Merrick* is literally the only character I liked. I was waiting for his moment to shine and it didn’t come. This book has decent page length but the chapters are extremely short you might as well take a third of the pages out, just very underdeveloped. Also her healing Merrick that easily was a joke too.
*Merrick* is literally the only character I liked. I was waiting for his moment to shine and it didn’t come. This book has decent page length but the chapters are extremely short you might as well take a third of the pages out, just very underdeveloped. Also her healing Merrick that easily was a joke too.
September 17, 2025
why is everyone growling, snarling and glaring all the time??? this felt like the most boring combination of fantasy tropes and I didn't care about the characters or plot once (verdict: flop).
also "their lips remained locked even as sleep took them.' can we be fr?
also "their lips remained locked even as sleep took them.' can we be fr?
September 1, 2025
Assez mal écrit pour que ce soit noticeable même par quelqu’un dont c’est pas la langue natale….MAIS : MERRICK !!!!! Amour de ma vie !!!!
January 7, 2026
Meh, this was kind of underwhelming. The world-building was weak. The FMC was pretty weak. It was hard to get into the romance with Loche when he seemed sketchy from the start. I was team Merrick for most of the book, but it also was hard to get into him when he kept being ordered to beat her up. Surprisingly, I don't like love interests who repeatedly punch the FMC (even though he's being forced by a blood oath). The ending was pretty rushed and came together a bit too conveniently. I thought this book was a bit silly, but I guess mildly entertaining at times. The trials in this political election were all pretty dumb and didn't make sense. Definitely could have been cut down.
I don't think I'll continue this series, but it was fine while it lasted.
I don't think I'll continue this series, but it was fine while it lasted.
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