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Blade of Two Faces
Not yet published
Expected 17 Nov 26Never send a man to do a woman's job. Mulan meets Gladiator in this explosive why-choose romantasy!
When I fled from the rotting kingdom of Mador, there was only one thought on my mind—revenge.
For too long the king, my brother, has kept me underneath his iron rule, and I’m hellbent on getting justice for the years I’ve spent as his captive. But the outside world is on the brink of a complete upheaval.
The world’s provinces are colliding in the Imperial Trials—offering men a chance to compete for their mate… and the crown.
If there’s any hope for my plans, I’ll need to put myself right in the middle of it.
My greatest threats? Four ruthless heirs, each with a hidden agenda of their own. Not that it matters.
I’ll enjoy being their ruin.
May the most cunning and ruthless candidate win—or die trying.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
When I fled from the rotting kingdom of Mador, there was only one thought on my mind—revenge.
For too long the king, my brother, has kept me underneath his iron rule, and I’m hellbent on getting justice for the years I’ve spent as his captive. But the outside world is on the brink of a complete upheaval.
The world’s provinces are colliding in the Imperial Trials—offering men a chance to compete for their mate… and the crown.
If there’s any hope for my plans, I’ll need to put myself right in the middle of it.
My greatest threats? Four ruthless heirs, each with a hidden agenda of their own. Not that it matters.
I’ll enjoy being their ruin.
May the most cunning and ruthless candidate win—or die trying.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
432 pages, Paperback
Expected publication November 17, 2026
About the author
Blake Blessing
34 books584 followersBlake Blessing is just a working mom that loves art in all forms, and all genres of romance. Although she enjoys writing romance of the steamier variety.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
August 8, 2026
(arc reading) - So I really liked the heavy Disney Mulan vibe (Marin!) and I liked the story as a whole but there were issues. The shift between the start of the book and after Ellis makes her move almost gave me whiplash. It didn’t feel like the same book and we barely even mentioned that first part for the rest of the story?
I also feel like some decisions didn’t make sense and the trials were okayish at best.
Now and this is a spoiler, let’s talk about the romance which is actually my main grief.
I was not AT ALL convinced by the romance. This is an extra slow burn DARK ROMANCE featuring things I hate : cruelty between partners, dub or non consent, violence without any prior discussion. Barely anything happened in the book as it’s setting up the future romance but the few bits we had disgusted me. I didn’t mind that it will be a why choose, I actually like it but I hated every single one of the guys. As individuals they could have been alright but not in ANY romantic setting.
I sadly won’t read book 2, especially because of the very last scene which could be heavily triggering. I hope the book will feature TWs, the very beginning was hard as well.
I also feel like some decisions didn’t make sense and the trials were okayish at best.
Now and this is a spoiler, let’s talk about the romance which is actually my main grief.
I was not AT ALL convinced by the romance. This is an extra slow burn DARK ROMANCE featuring things I hate : cruelty between partners, dub or non consent, violence without any prior discussion. Barely anything happened in the book as it’s setting up the future romance but the few bits we had disgusted me. I didn’t mind that it will be a why choose, I actually like it but I hated every single one of the guys. As individuals they could have been alright but not in ANY romantic setting.
I sadly won’t read book 2, especially because of the very last scene which could be heavily triggering. I hope the book will feature TWs, the very beginning was hard as well.
Want to Read
July 5, 2026⚔️👑 Blade of Two Faces 👑⚔️
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
✨ What to Expect
• Why Choose Romance
• Deadly Trials
• Hidden Identity
• Enemies to Lovers
• Royal Intrigue
• Warrior FMC
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: November 17, 2026
Thank you to Bramble, Tor Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
✨ What to Expect
• Why Choose Romance
• Deadly Trials
• Hidden Identity
• Enemies to Lovers
• Royal Intrigue
• Warrior FMC
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: November 17, 2026
Thank you to Bramble, Tor Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First Thoughts:
Cover is gorgeous
I love a good retelling
Mulan Inspired/ SIGN ME UP
Book Blurb:
Never send a man to do a woman's job. Mulan meets Gladiator in this explosive why-choose romantasy!
When I fled from the rotting kingdom of Mador, there was only one thought on my mind—revenge.
For too long the king, my brother, has kept me underneath his iron rule, and I’m hellbent on getting justice for the years I’ve spent as his captive. But the outside world is on the brink of a complete upheaval.
The world’s provinces are colliding in the Imperial Trials—offering men a chance to compete for their mate… and the crown.
If there’s any hope for my plans, I’ll need to put myself right in the middle of it.
My greatest threats? Four ruthless heirs, each with a hidden agenda of their own. Not that it matters.
I’ll enjoy being their ruin.
May the most cunning and ruthless candidate win—or die trying.
The review:
There is a lot to unpack here. First 10% has some strong sexual assault going on. CHECK YOUR TRIGGER WARNINGS. The rest of the book is mainly bullying but there is SA and sexual themes throughout the book.
I wouldn't say this is very Mulan like or inspired by Mulan really. Similarities include a creature and our main character disguising herself as a man. That's where the similarities end. It is not a retelling!
This book is chaos and I am truly not sure if I loved it or hated it. I think there is a lot going on with the plot. I didn't feel like some of the scenes were fleshed out very well. Some things did not make any sense at all. In the beginning none of what is going on is really explained. The crypt scene did not make sense. The way her brother came into power did not make sense. Her brother is obviously twisted and it leads you to believe something sinister happened so that he became in power. Although there are no clues to what that is. Which I find frustrating. He is obviously going to play some sort of role in the future of the series but right now as a character I don't even feel like he made a compelling bad guy. Like he was twisted and awful but again there wasn't any fear there. Like in the scenes he was in the fmc was just so compliant and there was no emotion. The main SA scene is disturbing don't get me wrong but it was basically just words on paper there was little to know emotion. Since this scene is such a terrifying event I wanted to feel fear and I just felt like the writing was stale.
She runs away and is basically useless at surviving and a familiar creature bonds with her and saves her. I assume here that this creature is supposed to be her Mushu if we are still saying this is inspired by Mulan. The creature saves her and convinces her to go into a kingdom where she disguises herself as a man so that she doesn't have to worry about being used as a female. But unfortunately she finds herself thrown into mandatory trials to find the next ruler and so that men can find their female mates. After that she is basically almost killed in every other chapter. And our familiar creature is no help at all. The trials are I suppose interesting but I feel like they were pretty rushed.
Now this book is a why choose so there is 4 love interest. Because they are in the trials these men are trying to kill her. Every single one of them. But all of them feel some sort of connection or spark or curiosity and they are all trying to figure out why. The men really didn't capture my attention at all. The author gave us enough to make us curious but this first book wasn't about the men it was about our FMC growth. Let me tell you that growth is where this book hits. The whole book we are shown that in these kingdoms females are less then and made to serve and our submissive FMC now has the opportunity as a man to change how males treat women. Truly am not sure I would have liked this book if It had not had not have been for our FMC character growth. She went from shrinking and being submissive to truly fighting for herself and others. I wont spoil it by saying more than that but her story arc is fantastic.
Last 20-25% of the book is why the rating is high. We see all our characters really transform on the page and get a little peak into their minds. We really see how far Ellis has come and the cliff hanger leaves you wanting more.
Because this is the first book of the series I feel like the world building was really good. I found the character development lacking but I think that the characters will flesh out more in the contiuation of the series and I am hopeful for the second book.
Predictions:
I do have a prediction for the storyline of the next book and I hope that I am incorrect because it may ruin it for me. I think Cale will betray her and reveal that she is a woman and she will be forced to compete in the female version of the trials or that he will try to force her as his mate. I hope none of that happens because that would truly suck.
Read if you like:
Enemies-to-lovers
Forced proximity
dark romance
dark fantasy
High Stakes
gladiator style competition
multiple love interests
why choose
hidden powers
There are some triggers in the book including:
Anxiety & anxiety attacks
Blood & gore
Classism
Dead bodies
Death of a parent
Dysphoria
Emotional abuse
Explicit (consensual) sexual content
Explicit (non-consensual) sexual content
Fire
violence
Involuntary confinement
Knife & sword violence
Physical injuries
Physical assault
References familial death
Profanity
Violence
Cover is gorgeous
I love a good retelling
Mulan Inspired/ SIGN ME UP
Book Blurb:
Never send a man to do a woman's job. Mulan meets Gladiator in this explosive why-choose romantasy!
When I fled from the rotting kingdom of Mador, there was only one thought on my mind—revenge.
For too long the king, my brother, has kept me underneath his iron rule, and I’m hellbent on getting justice for the years I’ve spent as his captive. But the outside world is on the brink of a complete upheaval.
The world’s provinces are colliding in the Imperial Trials—offering men a chance to compete for their mate… and the crown.
If there’s any hope for my plans, I’ll need to put myself right in the middle of it.
My greatest threats? Four ruthless heirs, each with a hidden agenda of their own. Not that it matters.
I’ll enjoy being their ruin.
May the most cunning and ruthless candidate win—or die trying.
The review:
There is a lot to unpack here. First 10% has some strong sexual assault going on. CHECK YOUR TRIGGER WARNINGS. The rest of the book is mainly bullying but there is SA and sexual themes throughout the book.
I wouldn't say this is very Mulan like or inspired by Mulan really. Similarities include a creature and our main character disguising herself as a man. That's where the similarities end. It is not a retelling!
This book is chaos and I am truly not sure if I loved it or hated it. I think there is a lot going on with the plot. I didn't feel like some of the scenes were fleshed out very well. Some things did not make any sense at all. In the beginning none of what is going on is really explained. The crypt scene did not make sense. The way her brother came into power did not make sense. Her brother is obviously twisted and it leads you to believe something sinister happened so that he became in power. Although there are no clues to what that is. Which I find frustrating. He is obviously going to play some sort of role in the future of the series but right now as a character I don't even feel like he made a compelling bad guy. Like he was twisted and awful but again there wasn't any fear there. Like in the scenes he was in the fmc was just so compliant and there was no emotion. The main SA scene is disturbing don't get me wrong but it was basically just words on paper there was little to know emotion. Since this scene is such a terrifying event I wanted to feel fear and I just felt like the writing was stale.
She runs away and is basically useless at surviving and a familiar creature bonds with her and saves her. I assume here that this creature is supposed to be her Mushu if we are still saying this is inspired by Mulan. The creature saves her and convinces her to go into a kingdom where she disguises herself as a man so that she doesn't have to worry about being used as a female. But unfortunately she finds herself thrown into mandatory trials to find the next ruler and so that men can find their female mates. After that she is basically almost killed in every other chapter. And our familiar creature is no help at all. The trials are I suppose interesting but I feel like they were pretty rushed.
Now this book is a why choose so there is 4 love interest. Because they are in the trials these men are trying to kill her. Every single one of them. But all of them feel some sort of connection or spark or curiosity and they are all trying to figure out why. The men really didn't capture my attention at all. The author gave us enough to make us curious but this first book wasn't about the men it was about our FMC growth. Let me tell you that growth is where this book hits. The whole book we are shown that in these kingdoms females are less then and made to serve and our submissive FMC now has the opportunity as a man to change how males treat women. Truly am not sure I would have liked this book if It had not had not have been for our FMC character growth. She went from shrinking and being submissive to truly fighting for herself and others. I wont spoil it by saying more than that but her story arc is fantastic.
Last 20-25% of the book is why the rating is high. We see all our characters really transform on the page and get a little peak into their minds. We really see how far Ellis has come and the cliff hanger leaves you wanting more.
Because this is the first book of the series I feel like the world building was really good. I found the character development lacking but I think that the characters will flesh out more in the contiuation of the series and I am hopeful for the second book.
Predictions:
I do have a prediction for the storyline of the next book and I hope that I am incorrect because it may ruin it for me. I think Cale will betray her and reveal that she is a woman and she will be forced to compete in the female version of the trials or that he will try to force her as his mate. I hope none of that happens because that would truly suck.
Read if you like:
Enemies-to-lovers
Forced proximity
dark romance
dark fantasy
High Stakes
gladiator style competition
multiple love interests
why choose
hidden powers
There are some triggers in the book including:
Anxiety & anxiety attacks
Blood & gore
Classism
Dead bodies
Death of a parent
Dysphoria
Emotional abuse
Explicit (consensual) sexual content
Explicit (non-consensual) sexual content
Fire
violence
Involuntary confinement
Knife & sword violence
Physical injuries
Physical assault
References familial death
Profanity
Violence
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Well. Here we are. And I need you to understand something before I say anything else. This book was a traumatic ride from beginning to end and I mean that with every ounce of love and enthusiasm I am capable of generating. The kind of traumatic that has you turning pages so fast your fingers can barely keep up, the kind that makes your heart race and your stomach drop and your jaw land somewhere on the floor while you just keep going because stopping is simply not an option.
This book was everything I love rolled into one gloriously chaotic package and I am not even a little bit sorry about how attached I got to it.
Let me walk you through what is happening in this story because it is a lot and it is wonderful. We have a woman running away from her kingdom and from a brother whose mind has gone to places that are genuinely sick and terrifying. She makes the very logical and very bold decision to disguise herself as a man, which, fair enough, except for the small complication of her lilac hair and lilac eyes, which are not exactly the most common or inconspicuous features in any kingdom. She does it anyway because she is brave and desperate and out of options, and I respect her enormously for it.
She sneaks into what she thinks is going to be a safe haven and instead stumbles directly into a kingdom that is actively holding trials for the military and the crown. And before she can even fully process what she has walked into, she is tossed into those trials herself. Just thrown in. No warning, no preparation, no mercy. And from that moment forward, everywhere she turns, someone is trying to kill her. Every single direction. Constant mortal peril. Absolute chaos. I loved it.
Now let us talk about the love interests because this is where things get genuinely complicated and I am here for every second of the complication. There are four of them. Maybe. I say maybe because calling them love interests feels generous given that for the vast majority of this book they are actively trying to end her life. This is not your typical enemies to lovers situation where there is some tension and some bickering and then a slow thaw into feelings. No. This is enemies to lovers taken to its absolute logical extreme, where the enemies part is so fully committed and so relentlessly sustained that you spend the entire book wondering if anyone is going to make it out of this alive, let alone fall in love. Up until the very last pages these men are trying to kill her. Every single one of them. And yet. And yet there is something there, something crackling underneath all of that violence and hostility that keeps you completely riveted and desperately wanting to know what happens next.
What I loved most about our female main character is that she grew her spine throughout this story in real time and you get to watch every single moment of it. She arrived running and hiding and surviving by the skin of her teeth. And somewhere along the way she stopped shrinking. She started standing up for herself. She started running her mouth, saying exactly what she thought, refusing to be silent or invisible or small, and the absolutely unhinged result of that is that it made these wild and dangerous men want her head even more. She kept talking anyway. I adore her completely.
And that ending. That ending. I am not going to spoil it for you because you deserve to experience the full emotional devastation of it yourself, but I will tell you that it is the kind of ending that has you staring at the last page in disbelief and then banging your head against the wall because you need book two immediately and it is not here yet. The audacity of ending a book like that and making us wait is genuinely criminal behavior and I will be thinking about it until the next installment is in my hands.
I need book two now. That is not a request. That is a desperate and heartfelt plea to the universe. If you love fantasy with a fierce and unapologetic female main character, with chaos and trials and morally complicated men who may or may not be trying to romance you while also trying to murder you, then Blade of Two Faces needs to be your next read. Pick it up. Prepare yourself. And maybe have something nearby to bang your head against when you get to the end. You are going to need it.
This book was everything I love rolled into one gloriously chaotic package and I am not even a little bit sorry about how attached I got to it.
Let me walk you through what is happening in this story because it is a lot and it is wonderful. We have a woman running away from her kingdom and from a brother whose mind has gone to places that are genuinely sick and terrifying. She makes the very logical and very bold decision to disguise herself as a man, which, fair enough, except for the small complication of her lilac hair and lilac eyes, which are not exactly the most common or inconspicuous features in any kingdom. She does it anyway because she is brave and desperate and out of options, and I respect her enormously for it.
She sneaks into what she thinks is going to be a safe haven and instead stumbles directly into a kingdom that is actively holding trials for the military and the crown. And before she can even fully process what she has walked into, she is tossed into those trials herself. Just thrown in. No warning, no preparation, no mercy. And from that moment forward, everywhere she turns, someone is trying to kill her. Every single direction. Constant mortal peril. Absolute chaos. I loved it.
Now let us talk about the love interests because this is where things get genuinely complicated and I am here for every second of the complication. There are four of them. Maybe. I say maybe because calling them love interests feels generous given that for the vast majority of this book they are actively trying to end her life. This is not your typical enemies to lovers situation where there is some tension and some bickering and then a slow thaw into feelings. No. This is enemies to lovers taken to its absolute logical extreme, where the enemies part is so fully committed and so relentlessly sustained that you spend the entire book wondering if anyone is going to make it out of this alive, let alone fall in love. Up until the very last pages these men are trying to kill her. Every single one of them. And yet. And yet there is something there, something crackling underneath all of that violence and hostility that keeps you completely riveted and desperately wanting to know what happens next.
What I loved most about our female main character is that she grew her spine throughout this story in real time and you get to watch every single moment of it. She arrived running and hiding and surviving by the skin of her teeth. And somewhere along the way she stopped shrinking. She started standing up for herself. She started running her mouth, saying exactly what she thought, refusing to be silent or invisible or small, and the absolutely unhinged result of that is that it made these wild and dangerous men want her head even more. She kept talking anyway. I adore her completely.
And that ending. That ending. I am not going to spoil it for you because you deserve to experience the full emotional devastation of it yourself, but I will tell you that it is the kind of ending that has you staring at the last page in disbelief and then banging your head against the wall because you need book two immediately and it is not here yet. The audacity of ending a book like that and making us wait is genuinely criminal behavior and I will be thinking about it until the next installment is in my hands.
I need book two now. That is not a request. That is a desperate and heartfelt plea to the universe. If you love fantasy with a fierce and unapologetic female main character, with chaos and trials and morally complicated men who may or may not be trying to romance you while also trying to murder you, then Blade of Two Faces needs to be your next read. Pick it up. Prepare yourself. And maybe have something nearby to bang your head against when you get to the end. You are going to need it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC Review
A very compelling first book of a fantasy series, that absolutely pulled me in and glued me to the pages!
Having escaped from a cruel kingdom, where even as royalty she was abused, she now needs to survive in a new world that she had no idea existed beyond the walls of her old home. Unfortunately surviving means disguising herself as a man and being dragged into deadly trials for a mate and more importantly the crown. Seeing this as her chance to possibly change the world and exact her revenge on those that wronged her, she will be as cunning and ruthless as possible to gain this power, but those competing will not make it easy for her.
The story starts off feeling a little YA with the dramatic inner thoughts of the FMC, but after a very intense set of events early in the book, it falls into the more adult category. Our FMC feels very real, with her reactions and choices feeling absolutely appropriate to what she endures. She’s also not a perfect character, her flaws are apparent, we don’t shy away from her mistakes and traumas, instead she processes them (or doesn’t) and grows into herself.
The first swap to a different POV was a little jarring as we had been with our FMC for a while, but it quickly found its place in the story. The MMCs are all very different, each with their own semi hidden agendas, that we learn more about with time and the helpful multiple POV. Knowing this is a series, we get to know some backstory of each of the MMCs, their motivations and traumas, but things remain vague, I’m definitely waiting on the deeper heart to hearts with the FMC in the future to tell me more accurately who they are at their core. As this is the first book of the series I think I know who our main MMC are, but I can’t say for certain that things won’t progress in the next books after reading into what seem to be a few subtle hints of wider interest.
At this point our MCs are remaining solidly in the enemies category. We get so many moments of the MMCs almost eliminating the FMC in these trials, but something always seems to get in the way. There is so much wonderful tension with daggers at throats as they antagonize each other, that I can’t wait for this slow burn thread to snap and things to get spicy!
This book did a great job with the pacing, world building, and retention of curiosity that had me glued to the pages. There was political court maneuvering from the start, then the additional layer of trial contestant dynamics, while also building a whole fantasy world with unknown parameters. It was such a smart move to have the reader learn together with the FMC what this new world entails, it kept me curious and engage with an FMC that asked the right questions. Nothing about the world building felt overwhelming, but it did feel a little incomplete in moments, mostly surrounding the names being used, often of some deity or another, I look forward to getting more answers in the next book.
I have a lot of questions about the progression of events at the conclusion of the deadly Imperial Trials. It left me feeling very suspicious of the choices made by those running the trials and I want to know what the results will be or how things could possibly go absolutely sideways, I have my theories. We’re also left with so many tumultuous feelings from all the MCs as they have all only just started processing what they’ve been through in these trials. There were some very intense internal reveals from multiple of the MMCs and a hell of a cliffhanger!
Book 2 is need in my hands ASAP!… Pretty please!!
Thank you so much to the author and to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC!
A very compelling first book of a fantasy series, that absolutely pulled me in and glued me to the pages!
Having escaped from a cruel kingdom, where even as royalty she was abused, she now needs to survive in a new world that she had no idea existed beyond the walls of her old home. Unfortunately surviving means disguising herself as a man and being dragged into deadly trials for a mate and more importantly the crown. Seeing this as her chance to possibly change the world and exact her revenge on those that wronged her, she will be as cunning and ruthless as possible to gain this power, but those competing will not make it easy for her.
The story starts off feeling a little YA with the dramatic inner thoughts of the FMC, but after a very intense set of events early in the book, it falls into the more adult category. Our FMC feels very real, with her reactions and choices feeling absolutely appropriate to what she endures. She’s also not a perfect character, her flaws are apparent, we don’t shy away from her mistakes and traumas, instead she processes them (or doesn’t) and grows into herself.
The first swap to a different POV was a little jarring as we had been with our FMC for a while, but it quickly found its place in the story. The MMCs are all very different, each with their own semi hidden agendas, that we learn more about with time and the helpful multiple POV. Knowing this is a series, we get to know some backstory of each of the MMCs, their motivations and traumas, but things remain vague, I’m definitely waiting on the deeper heart to hearts with the FMC in the future to tell me more accurately who they are at their core. As this is the first book of the series I think I know who our main MMC are, but I can’t say for certain that things won’t progress in the next books after reading into what seem to be a few subtle hints of wider interest.
At this point our MCs are remaining solidly in the enemies category. We get so many moments of the MMCs almost eliminating the FMC in these trials, but something always seems to get in the way. There is so much wonderful tension with daggers at throats as they antagonize each other, that I can’t wait for this slow burn thread to snap and things to get spicy!
This book did a great job with the pacing, world building, and retention of curiosity that had me glued to the pages. There was political court maneuvering from the start, then the additional layer of trial contestant dynamics, while also building a whole fantasy world with unknown parameters. It was such a smart move to have the reader learn together with the FMC what this new world entails, it kept me curious and engage with an FMC that asked the right questions. Nothing about the world building felt overwhelming, but it did feel a little incomplete in moments, mostly surrounding the names being used, often of some deity or another, I look forward to getting more answers in the next book.
I have a lot of questions about the progression of events at the conclusion of the deadly Imperial Trials. It left me feeling very suspicious of the choices made by those running the trials and I want to know what the results will be or how things could possibly go absolutely sideways, I have my theories. We’re also left with so many tumultuous feelings from all the MCs as they have all only just started processing what they’ve been through in these trials. There were some very intense internal reveals from multiple of the MMCs and a hell of a cliffhanger!
Book 2 is need in my hands ASAP!… Pretty please!!
Thank you so much to the author and to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Okay ngl that ending was creepy and disturbing as hell but ignoring that... this was fun! I can't wait to see where this series is heading (especially with the relationships!).
Oh but did this get me hooked!! I had high expectations (I mean come on its a Mulan-inspired why-choose?!) going into this and I'm happy to say that I adored it! The way my heart was beating so fast so many times throughout the book??? GUYS this is what I've been missing from reading lately omg😩
One thing I was not expecting was a SA scene so early on so giving a warning to anyone who plans on reading this book that it happens within the first few chapters! And make sure to check all other TWs!!
Now the characters. Absolutely loved the FMC, Ellis!!!!! Her character and growth were 100% the highlight of this book. It may have been very little but it's something considering how she started. From the moment we meet her I just wanted to give her a hug and wow did she suffer. I loved seeing Ellis gain more confidence and stand up for herself and others even when she was terrified. And yes she made ridiculous decisions but at least she was self-aware lol?? Also I could understand her reasoning most of the time even though I didn't like it but it's just part of her character. This is only the beginning and I cannot wait to see her character develop more.
And the guys... please this is such a slow-burn. And knowing that this is a 4 book series... wow that's going to be such a ride because right now I totally cannot picture them all in love. The romance was definitely not the focus in this book as they all hate each other like it's insane omg. The amount of times three of them tried killing her???😭 Zave pissed me off the most honestly (also wth was that one POV chapter?!) but I do see the potential in his character and I'm so excited for that!! Especially can't wait to see him eventually overcome his self-hatred and be more confident. Xanth sucks. Veric also sucks. BUT KILLIAN HELLO. I love him. He was the only not-awful guy but tbf he had his reasons so it's not like he was being sweet just for the sake of it LOL. Still counts for something though!! I need more interactions between him and Ellis ASAP🙏 But to be honest, all the guys are very much not fleshed out at all, but it leaves room for all that to happen in the next book hopefully!
Also regarding the side characters, I loved Bren so so much!!! She's such a cool character, I adored her friendship with Ellis so much. The female friendship was everything and I need more of it too. But can I just say... why was I lowkey hoping Orryn would be a love interest🆘 LISTEN I know he's a red flag (tbh they all are) and is giving bad vibes but there's something about his cunningness that is calling to me😩 I know it's unlikely to happen but I'm rooting for you Orryn.
The worldbuilding was really interesting!! A small complaint I do have is sometimes things seemed all over the place with explanations?? Some stuff were glossed over a bit but I know this is only book 1, so I definitely can't wait to see how things expand!! I have so many questions oh my gosh. Like the magic in certain people????? I NEED ANSWERS.
Thank you Tor for the arc in exchange for an honest review!
Oh but did this get me hooked!! I had high expectations (I mean come on its a Mulan-inspired why-choose?!) going into this and I'm happy to say that I adored it! The way my heart was beating so fast so many times throughout the book??? GUYS this is what I've been missing from reading lately omg😩
One thing I was not expecting was a SA scene so early on so giving a warning to anyone who plans on reading this book that it happens within the first few chapters! And make sure to check all other TWs!!
Now the characters. Absolutely loved the FMC, Ellis!!!!! Her character and growth were 100% the highlight of this book. It may have been very little but it's something considering how she started. From the moment we meet her I just wanted to give her a hug and wow did she suffer. I loved seeing Ellis gain more confidence and stand up for herself and others even when she was terrified. And yes she made ridiculous decisions but at least she was self-aware lol?? Also I could understand her reasoning most of the time even though I didn't like it but it's just part of her character. This is only the beginning and I cannot wait to see her character develop more.
And the guys... please this is such a slow-burn. And knowing that this is a 4 book series... wow that's going to be such a ride because right now I totally cannot picture them all in love. The romance was definitely not the focus in this book as they all hate each other like it's insane omg. The amount of times three of them tried killing her???😭 Zave pissed me off the most honestly (also wth was that one POV chapter?!) but I do see the potential in his character and I'm so excited for that!! Especially can't wait to see him eventually overcome his self-hatred and be more confident. Xanth sucks. Veric also sucks. BUT KILLIAN HELLO. I love him. He was the only not-awful guy but tbf he had his reasons so it's not like he was being sweet just for the sake of it LOL. Still counts for something though!! I need more interactions between him and Ellis ASAP🙏 But to be honest, all the guys are very much not fleshed out at all, but it leaves room for all that to happen in the next book hopefully!
Also regarding the side characters, I loved Bren so so much!!! She's such a cool character, I adored her friendship with Ellis so much. The female friendship was everything and I need more of it too. But can I just say... why was I lowkey hoping Orryn would be a love interest🆘 LISTEN I know he's a red flag (tbh they all are) and is giving bad vibes but there's something about his cunningness that is calling to me😩 I know it's unlikely to happen but I'm rooting for you Orryn.
The worldbuilding was really interesting!! A small complaint I do have is sometimes things seemed all over the place with explanations?? Some stuff were glossed over a bit but I know this is only book 1, so I definitely can't wait to see how things expand!! I have so many questions oh my gosh. Like the magic in certain people????? I NEED ANSWERS.
Thank you Tor for the arc in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Blade of Two Faces • Blake Blessing
One phrase: murder trials and morally complicated men ⚔️🖤
Well. Here we are.
And I need you to understand that Blade of Two Faces was a traumatic ride from beginning to end, and I mean that with every ounce of love in my body.
This book was chaos. Glorious, addictive, page turning chaos. The kind that has your heart racing, your stomach dropping, your jaw on the floor, and your fingers flying because stopping is simply not an option.
Mulan meets Gladiator in a why choose romantasy?
Say less. I’m seated.
Our FMC flees her rotting kingdom with revenge on her mind and a truly horrifying brother behind her. She disguises herself as a man, which is bold considering the lilac hair and lilac eyes are not exactly low profile, but honestly, desperate times. I respected the commitment.
She thinks she is heading toward safety.
She is not.
Instead, she walks straight into a kingdom holding Imperial Trials for the military and crown, and before she can fully process what is happening, she is thrown into the competition herself.
No warning.
No mercy.
Just immediate mortal peril.
And from that point on? Everyone is trying to kill her. Constantly. In every direction. Every time she turns around, another threat. Another fight. Another impossible choice.
I loved it.
Now let’s talk about the men.
There are four ruthless heirs with hidden agendas, and calling them love interests feels generous because most of this book they are actively attempting to end her life. This is not casual enemies to lovers. This is enemies to lovers with the enemies part turned all the way up and left there until the last possible second.
And yet.
The tension? The violence? The obsession simmering underneath all that hostility?
I was hooked.
What I loved most was watching her grow a spine in real time. She starts the story running, hiding, and surviving by pure desperation. But slowly, she stops shrinking. She starts standing up, talking back, refusing to be silent, and somehow that only makes these dangerous men want her head even more.
Naturally, she keeps talking.
Iconic.
And that ending?
Criminal. Emotionally devastating. Head banging against the wall behavior.
I need book two immediately. That is not a request. That is a plea to the universe.
✨ Tropes and vibes:
⚔️ Mulan meets Gladiator
🖤 why choose romantasy
👑 Imperial Trials
🗡 disguised as a man
🔥 enemies to lovers
💀 “he might kill me” tension
😈 morally complicated heirs
👀 hidden agendas
🌪 constant chaos
💔 revenge driven FMC
🩸 deadly competition
😭 brutal cliffhanger
📚 Read this if you like:
Why choose fantasy, deadly trials, fierce heroines, men who may or may not be trying to romance you while also trying to murder you, revenge plots, disguises, political chaos, and endings that make you question your emotional stability.
This was feral, chaotic, traumatic, addictive, and exactly the kind of romantasy that makes me need the next book in my hands immediately.
#BladeOfTwoFaces #BlakeBlessing #WhyChooseRomance #RomantasyBooks #BookReview @Tor
One phrase: murder trials and morally complicated men ⚔️🖤
Well. Here we are.
And I need you to understand that Blade of Two Faces was a traumatic ride from beginning to end, and I mean that with every ounce of love in my body.
This book was chaos. Glorious, addictive, page turning chaos. The kind that has your heart racing, your stomach dropping, your jaw on the floor, and your fingers flying because stopping is simply not an option.
Mulan meets Gladiator in a why choose romantasy?
Say less. I’m seated.
Our FMC flees her rotting kingdom with revenge on her mind and a truly horrifying brother behind her. She disguises herself as a man, which is bold considering the lilac hair and lilac eyes are not exactly low profile, but honestly, desperate times. I respected the commitment.
She thinks she is heading toward safety.
She is not.
Instead, she walks straight into a kingdom holding Imperial Trials for the military and crown, and before she can fully process what is happening, she is thrown into the competition herself.
No warning.
No mercy.
Just immediate mortal peril.
And from that point on? Everyone is trying to kill her. Constantly. In every direction. Every time she turns around, another threat. Another fight. Another impossible choice.
I loved it.
Now let’s talk about the men.
There are four ruthless heirs with hidden agendas, and calling them love interests feels generous because most of this book they are actively attempting to end her life. This is not casual enemies to lovers. This is enemies to lovers with the enemies part turned all the way up and left there until the last possible second.
And yet.
The tension? The violence? The obsession simmering underneath all that hostility?
I was hooked.
What I loved most was watching her grow a spine in real time. She starts the story running, hiding, and surviving by pure desperation. But slowly, she stops shrinking. She starts standing up, talking back, refusing to be silent, and somehow that only makes these dangerous men want her head even more.
Naturally, she keeps talking.
Iconic.
And that ending?
Criminal. Emotionally devastating. Head banging against the wall behavior.
I need book two immediately. That is not a request. That is a plea to the universe.
✨ Tropes and vibes:
⚔️ Mulan meets Gladiator
🖤 why choose romantasy
👑 Imperial Trials
🗡 disguised as a man
🔥 enemies to lovers
💀 “he might kill me” tension
😈 morally complicated heirs
👀 hidden agendas
🌪 constant chaos
💔 revenge driven FMC
🩸 deadly competition
😭 brutal cliffhanger
📚 Read this if you like:
Why choose fantasy, deadly trials, fierce heroines, men who may or may not be trying to romance you while also trying to murder you, revenge plots, disguises, political chaos, and endings that make you question your emotional stability.
This was feral, chaotic, traumatic, addictive, and exactly the kind of romantasy that makes me need the next book in my hands immediately.
#BladeOfTwoFaces #BlakeBlessing #WhyChooseRomance #RomantasyBooks #BookReview @Tor
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A strong FMC, distinct MMCs (finally!), and a unique world full of mysteries. This one hooked me, and I’m impatiently waiting for more.
Once I saw that this book was being compared to Mulan and Gladiator, I had a feeling I would enjoy it. For some reason, I thought this was going to be a standalone, and I’m glad it’s not. There is still a lot that needs to happen in the story, especially a lot of groveling when it comes to the romance. Actually, there needs to be a start to the romance.
For those with triggers, I would recommend reviewing them before going into the book. I didn’t personally find it dark, but there are some descriptions and actions that could be triggering for some readers.
There are a multitude of different elements in this world, along with mysteries surrounding how things came to be. I’m sure this will be explored more in the next books, and we’ll begin to understand why things are the way they are. Some aspects were a little confusing, but I think that’s because we don’t have all the information just yet.
The FMC is strong and brave, and I liked her. As for the MMCs, I really, really appreciate that we can tell them apart. I know that seems like a small thing, but in many RH novels, they tend to blend together. Here, each character has a distinct personality, so you always know who is who.
The concept of familiars is also included in this book, and I like that they aren’t just there for comic relief. There are some quips, but they serve a purpose. They’re also a bit of a mystery, which makes them even more interesting.
Since this was an advanced copy, there were a few inconsistencies, but I’m sure those will be sorted out by the time it’s released. They didn’t affect my overall enjoyment, although they did pull me out of the story once or twice. Not a big deal, and it didn’t impact my rating. I still very much enjoyed the characters and this world. However, I am very upset that this isn’t being released sooner because now I have to wait even longer for book two.
4.5/5
Thank you Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group | Bramble for the opportunity to read this book. All opinions are my own.
Once I saw that this book was being compared to Mulan and Gladiator, I had a feeling I would enjoy it. For some reason, I thought this was going to be a standalone, and I’m glad it’s not. There is still a lot that needs to happen in the story, especially a lot of groveling when it comes to the romance. Actually, there needs to be a start to the romance.
For those with triggers, I would recommend reviewing them before going into the book. I didn’t personally find it dark, but there are some descriptions and actions that could be triggering for some readers.
There are a multitude of different elements in this world, along with mysteries surrounding how things came to be. I’m sure this will be explored more in the next books, and we’ll begin to understand why things are the way they are. Some aspects were a little confusing, but I think that’s because we don’t have all the information just yet.
The FMC is strong and brave, and I liked her. As for the MMCs, I really, really appreciate that we can tell them apart. I know that seems like a small thing, but in many RH novels, they tend to blend together. Here, each character has a distinct personality, so you always know who is who.
The concept of familiars is also included in this book, and I like that they aren’t just there for comic relief. There are some quips, but they serve a purpose. They’re also a bit of a mystery, which makes them even more interesting.
Since this was an advanced copy, there were a few inconsistencies, but I’m sure those will be sorted out by the time it’s released. They didn’t affect my overall enjoyment, although they did pull me out of the story once or twice. Not a big deal, and it didn’t impact my rating. I still very much enjoyed the characters and this world. However, I am very upset that this isn’t being released sooner because now I have to wait even longer for book two.
4.5/5
Thank you Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group | Bramble for the opportunity to read this book. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely devoured this debut fantasy written by @blakeblessingauthor . From the very first chapter, I was completely drawn into Ellis’s (FMC) harsh reality and the danger she’s forced to elude. I was so angry for her and I could instantly feel how trapped she was and her desperate need to escape. To survive, she hides everything about herself (including the fact that she is female) and steps into a series of brutal games/competitions tied to power and royal succession. In this game nothing and no one can be trusted. The tension is unreal and constantly mounting. Especially with the group of heirs (our MMC’s) constantly coming for Ellis as a primary rival and due to an inexplicable draw they all feel towards each other. Each one of the MMC’s is distinct, layered, and impossible to fully read as alliances shift and suspicion runs high. I loved how individual all the key characters felt, especially in a genre where MMC’s can easily blur. This is something I feel like Blessing truly shines at as an author.
The slow-building attraction layered under all the hostility only made things more intense with each passing chapter. Ellis herself is a standout FMC. She is resilient, sharp, and shaped by everything she’s survived instead of being defeated by it. I would be remiss to write a review without noting her familiar, who absolutely stole every scene with humor, loyalty, and surprising depth. The world is rich with mystery, from its politics to its magic system, and it constantly feels like there’s something bigger just out of reach. By the end, I was left with so many questions and a serious need for the next book. This one definitely hooked me hard.
🥹🩷Soppy side note: This is the first book I’ve ever been mentioned by name in and I felt so unbelievably honored to have read this book from its first few versions to this! @blakeblessingauthor YOU are so unbelievably talented and I LOVE being a part of your team🩷
The slow-building attraction layered under all the hostility only made things more intense with each passing chapter. Ellis herself is a standout FMC. She is resilient, sharp, and shaped by everything she’s survived instead of being defeated by it. I would be remiss to write a review without noting her familiar, who absolutely stole every scene with humor, loyalty, and surprising depth. The world is rich with mystery, from its politics to its magic system, and it constantly feels like there’s something bigger just out of reach. By the end, I was left with so many questions and a serious need for the next book. This one definitely hooked me hard.
🥹🩷Soppy side note: This is the first book I’ve ever been mentioned by name in and I felt so unbelievably honored to have read this book from its first few versions to this! @blakeblessingauthor YOU are so unbelievably talented and I LOVE being a part of your team🩷
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book has a lot of potential and good ideas. Unfortunately, nothing feels fleshed out. It’s why I had a hard time picking what rating to give it. I settled on 3.5 stars.
The fMC decides to stay in the tournament she accidentally gets caught up in, but her motivations aren’t worked out and she could easily not have to be in it and possibly die. So the book would’ve benefitted from her having some very good reasons to try, but those reasons stay away until late in the book where you see a hint of why. The tournament itself feels very random, as if it is solely there to be able to have a plot but does nothing for the worldbuilding. None of the trials are very well thought out and feel pretty rushed. The characters themselves also feel very flaky and so different depending on scene from scene. They don’t feel like they’re a sturdy person but more a collection of moments. Especially how the fMC was portrayed annoyed me (definitely TSTL and a bit of mild body betrayal), plus how some of the most important scenes (like her figuring out her talent and using it successfully for the first time) are in someone else’s POV and we don’t get any more explanation on it, just acting like it’s obvious how it all works to her.
I did love the girl-disguised-as-guy aspect and it was done pretty well, with no one finding out in the first couple chapters of the book. The concept of the world was very interesting too and I’m excited to find out more about the lore. Can’t wait to see the confrontation with king Elliott either!
I think this book could’ve benefitted from more eyes on it (like more betareaders for example) who were willing to point out when things didn’t make sense or weren’t fleshed out. I’m still excited for book 2, but I’m hoping we’ll get some more consistency and more thought out scenes.
The fMC decides to stay in the tournament she accidentally gets caught up in, but her motivations aren’t worked out and she could easily not have to be in it and possibly die. So the book would’ve benefitted from her having some very good reasons to try, but those reasons stay away until late in the book where you see a hint of why. The tournament itself feels very random, as if it is solely there to be able to have a plot but does nothing for the worldbuilding. None of the trials are very well thought out and feel pretty rushed. The characters themselves also feel very flaky and so different depending on scene from scene. They don’t feel like they’re a sturdy person but more a collection of moments. Especially how the fMC was portrayed annoyed me (definitely TSTL and a bit of mild body betrayal), plus how some of the most important scenes (like her figuring out her talent and using it successfully for the first time) are in someone else’s POV and we don’t get any more explanation on it, just acting like it’s obvious how it all works to her.
I did love the girl-disguised-as-guy aspect and it was done pretty well, with no one finding out in the first couple chapters of the book. The concept of the world was very interesting too and I’m excited to find out more about the lore. Can’t wait to see the confrontation with king Elliott either!
I think this book could’ve benefitted from more eyes on it (like more betareaders for example) who were willing to point out when things didn’t make sense or weren’t fleshed out. I’m still excited for book 2, but I’m hoping we’ll get some more consistency and more thought out scenes.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book; this does not influence my review.
This was a tough read for me. This was sold to me as Mulan meets Gladiator with a why-choose romance, but unfortunately, I didn’t get either of those vibes. There was also essentially no romance in this book.
We follow Ellis as she escapes her brother and his ruthless rule, only to land in another brutal world where she must compete in a fight to the death to determine the next ruler of a merciless kingdom.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t much world-building, which made it difficult for me to get invested in the story. Ellis spends the story disguised as a man while competing in a series of brutal trials. Due to eavesdropping and a probable misunderstanding, she decides she must beat the four “heirs,” who she believes are evil. She spends the whole book annoying and provoking them, and there was no romantic tension or buildup between Ellis and the men.
I’m also not really sure how the why-choose romance is supposed to develop from here, considering most of the men seem intent on killing Ellis whenever they get the chance. The exception is Killian, who openly pursues Ellis and is the only one who really expresses any feelings toward her.
The story does have plenty of brutal trials and gory scenes, so if you’re squeamish, I’d definitely steer clear.
Unfortunately, the cliffhanger at the end didn’t leave me eager for more, so I won’t be continuing with the second book.
Best of luck to the author. I hope the next book expands on the world-building and gives the romance more time to develop, because I think both could have made this a much stronger story.
This was a tough read for me. This was sold to me as Mulan meets Gladiator with a why-choose romance, but unfortunately, I didn’t get either of those vibes. There was also essentially no romance in this book.
We follow Ellis as she escapes her brother and his ruthless rule, only to land in another brutal world where she must compete in a fight to the death to determine the next ruler of a merciless kingdom.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t much world-building, which made it difficult for me to get invested in the story. Ellis spends the story disguised as a man while competing in a series of brutal trials. Due to eavesdropping and a probable misunderstanding, she decides she must beat the four “heirs,” who she believes are evil. She spends the whole book annoying and provoking them, and there was no romantic tension or buildup between Ellis and the men.
I’m also not really sure how the why-choose romance is supposed to develop from here, considering most of the men seem intent on killing Ellis whenever they get the chance. The exception is Killian, who openly pursues Ellis and is the only one who really expresses any feelings toward her.
The story does have plenty of brutal trials and gory scenes, so if you’re squeamish, I’d definitely steer clear.
Unfortunately, the cliffhanger at the end didn’t leave me eager for more, so I won’t be continuing with the second book.
Best of luck to the author. I hope the next book expands on the world-building and gives the romance more time to develop, because I think both could have made this a much stronger story.
Did Not Finish
August 14, 2026An ARC was freely provided to me by Tor - thank you!
Though I thoroughly enjoyed the premise, Blade of Two Faces ended up not being for me. I agonized over the decision to DNF at 22%, but after two separate tries, I think it's time.
The writing tech in this is good, aside from stylistic fragment sentences. (But I think that's kinda a style in the genre right now?) My big issue is the author using a ton - I mean, SO MANY - anachronisms that violently pulled me out of reading. “Now we're cooking.” Being ‘extra sloshed,’ as in drunk. Somewhere having a ‘welcoming vibe,’ and so on.
It's just not what I'm looking for in a fantasy story that doesn't take place in current day. If it did, I'd have no issue.
I was FASCINATED by the Mulan comparison; I loved it as a kid and continue to enjoy it well into adulthood (my most quoted bit is ‘king of the rock,’ followed closely by Mushuu's shame speech) but this… Didn't land well for me. At least until I decided to DNF. I have hopes that it'll get better, and would like to revisit this title some day.
The Mushuu-alike and the humorous back and forth between them and the FMC felt like a one-to-one, instead of using the original as inspiration and building off of it. I'm not saying it's a rip, or the awful P word, just that I expected the author to have a more unique twist on it. Instead, it's the same humor I liked as a kid. That's great, but I wanted more. It, and most other things about the book, felt very YA to me. Which, no hate at ALL, but it's not what I expected from an adult romantasy.
This would also REALLY benefit from listing CW/TWs.
Though I thoroughly enjoyed the premise, Blade of Two Faces ended up not being for me. I agonized over the decision to DNF at 22%, but after two separate tries, I think it's time.
The writing tech in this is good, aside from stylistic fragment sentences. (But I think that's kinda a style in the genre right now?) My big issue is the author using a ton - I mean, SO MANY - anachronisms that violently pulled me out of reading. “Now we're cooking.” Being ‘extra sloshed,’ as in drunk. Somewhere having a ‘welcoming vibe,’ and so on.
It's just not what I'm looking for in a fantasy story that doesn't take place in current day. If it did, I'd have no issue.
I was FASCINATED by the Mulan comparison; I loved it as a kid and continue to enjoy it well into adulthood (my most quoted bit is ‘king of the rock,’ followed closely by Mushuu's shame speech) but this… Didn't land well for me. At least until I decided to DNF. I have hopes that it'll get better, and would like to revisit this title some day.
The Mushuu-alike and the humorous back and forth between them and the FMC felt like a one-to-one, instead of using the original as inspiration and building off of it. I'm not saying it's a rip, or the awful P word, just that I expected the author to have a more unique twist on it. Instead, it's the same humor I liked as a kid. That's great, but I wanted more. It, and most other things about the book, felt very YA to me. Which, no hate at ALL, but it's not what I expected from an adult romantasy.
This would also REALLY benefit from listing CW/TWs.
Read
May 25, 2026Blade of Two Faces is a bold and emotionally intense romantasy that masterfully blends revenge, political intrigue, fierce competition, and compelling relationship dynamics into an addictive reading experience. Blake Blessing crafts a story filled with tension, ambition, and high stakes conflict, creating a fantasy world that feels immersive, dangerous, and impossible to look away from.
What makes the novel especially compelling is its fiercely driven protagonist and the constant emotional and political tension surrounding her journey. Her determination for revenge and freedom gives the narrative strong momentum, while the Imperial Trials create a gripping atmosphere of danger, strategy, and survival. The balance between ruthless ambition and emotional vulnerability adds depth to both the character arcs and the evolving relationships throughout the story.
The worldbuilding and pacing also stand out remarkably well. The clash between kingdoms, hidden agendas, deadly competition, and layered character dynamics create a cinematic reading experience filled with suspense and emotional intensity. Blake Blessing balances fantasy action, romance, intrigue, and emotional development with confidence, delivering a story that feels both epic and deeply engaging.
Fast paced, emotionally gripping, and filled with tension, Blade of Two Faces is a standout romantasy that will strongly resonate with readers who enjoy powerful heroines, political fantasy, high stakes competition, and emotionally driven fantasy romance.
What makes the novel especially compelling is its fiercely driven protagonist and the constant emotional and political tension surrounding her journey. Her determination for revenge and freedom gives the narrative strong momentum, while the Imperial Trials create a gripping atmosphere of danger, strategy, and survival. The balance between ruthless ambition and emotional vulnerability adds depth to both the character arcs and the evolving relationships throughout the story.
The worldbuilding and pacing also stand out remarkably well. The clash between kingdoms, hidden agendas, deadly competition, and layered character dynamics create a cinematic reading experience filled with suspense and emotional intensity. Blake Blessing balances fantasy action, romance, intrigue, and emotional development with confidence, delivering a story that feels both epic and deeply engaging.
Fast paced, emotionally gripping, and filled with tension, Blade of Two Faces is a standout romantasy that will strongly resonate with readers who enjoy powerful heroines, political fantasy, high stakes competition, and emotionally driven fantasy romance.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I read this book in a single day, and now I’m desperately waiting for book two!
This book is dark , why choose, Romantasy.
One of my favorite things about Blade of Two Faces was the pacing. There was never a dull moment. Every chapter revealed a new piece of the puzzle, a new challenge, or another layer of intrigue that kept me turning pages long after I planned to stop.
Ellis is an incredibly likable FMC. She’s intelligent, resilient, and willing to take risks when it matters most. Despite everything thrown her way, she never loses her compassion, making her easy to root for from beginning to end.
The multiple MMCs are equally compelling. Each of them brings something different to the story, and the more we learn about them, the more intriguing they become. Their individual personalities, motivations, and secrets add so much depth to the overall story.
The stakes are incredibly high, with deadly trials, fierce competition, and the promise of being crowned and mated awaiting the victors. Add in magic, familiars, and plenty of danger, and there’s always something exciting happening.
This is a true slow-burn romance, so don’t expect instant gratification. The tension builds steadily throughout the story, and it’s that anticipation and chemistry that kept me completely invested.
The ending left me needing answers immediately, and I cannot wait to see where this story goes next.
This book is dark , why choose, Romantasy.
One of my favorite things about Blade of Two Faces was the pacing. There was never a dull moment. Every chapter revealed a new piece of the puzzle, a new challenge, or another layer of intrigue that kept me turning pages long after I planned to stop.
Ellis is an incredibly likable FMC. She’s intelligent, resilient, and willing to take risks when it matters most. Despite everything thrown her way, she never loses her compassion, making her easy to root for from beginning to end.
The multiple MMCs are equally compelling. Each of them brings something different to the story, and the more we learn about them, the more intriguing they become. Their individual personalities, motivations, and secrets add so much depth to the overall story.
The stakes are incredibly high, with deadly trials, fierce competition, and the promise of being crowned and mated awaiting the victors. Add in magic, familiars, and plenty of danger, and there’s always something exciting happening.
This is a true slow-burn romance, so don’t expect instant gratification. The tension builds steadily throughout the story, and it’s that anticipation and chemistry that kept me completely invested.
The ending left me needing answers immediately, and I cannot wait to see where this story goes next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*I was given this book as an eArc but my review is based solely on my own thoughts and opinions*
The beginning was extremely slow. There wasn’t anything really to pull me in. You just get a weak princess who is being abused emotionally and physically (incest as well) from her twin brother. Every man is just cruel but for no reason. I don’t mind a dark romance, I actually like them but there has to be something behind their reasoning, behind their cruelty. I don’t really like books who go over the top with every man being abusive and women suck, it just doesn’t call to me. It’s too much.
The beginning was a bit too much like Mulan. She goes and visits her ancestors. Why is she doing this when the majority of them were d-bags? lol idk.
I did DNF but mainly cause I don’t like these overly dark books for the sake of being dark. If I had known that ahead of time, I would not have read this. So I give a 1-2 however there are people out there that love these types of books, like bloody black by Rhiannon, this made me think of that kind of vibe and people ate that up, however that one also one I don’t care for haha. For those who like those kinds of books then I’d rate it a 3-4.
The beginning was extremely slow. There wasn’t anything really to pull me in. You just get a weak princess who is being abused emotionally and physically (incest as well) from her twin brother. Every man is just cruel but for no reason. I don’t mind a dark romance, I actually like them but there has to be something behind their reasoning, behind their cruelty. I don’t really like books who go over the top with every man being abusive and women suck, it just doesn’t call to me. It’s too much.
The beginning was a bit too much like Mulan. She goes and visits her ancestors. Why is she doing this when the majority of them were d-bags? lol idk.
I did DNF but mainly cause I don’t like these overly dark books for the sake of being dark. If I had known that ahead of time, I would not have read this. So I give a 1-2 however there are people out there that love these types of books, like bloody black by Rhiannon, this made me think of that kind of vibe and people ate that up, however that one also one I don’t care for haha. For those who like those kinds of books then I’d rate it a 3-4.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Blade of Two Faces is an engaging and atmospheric start to a new fantasy series that hooked me right away. The world building is rich without ever feeling overwhelming, and the multi POV structure adds a lot of depth, each perspective brings new layers of tension, secrets, and emotional weight to the story. It’s one of those books where every character feels like they’re carrying their own agenda, and watching those threads slowly collide is half the fun.
One of my favorite elements is the animal familiar, which adds both charm and heart to the darker moments. It gives the story a grounded emotional anchor and makes the bond between characters feel even more meaningful.
The pacing is sharp, the magic intriguing, and the character dynamics are full of conflict and chemistry. And just when everything starts to come together, the book ends on a cliffhanger that guarantees you’ll want the next book immediately.
A strong fantasy with great character work and a world you want to spend more time in. Solid 4 stars.
One of my favorite elements is the animal familiar, which adds both charm and heart to the darker moments. It gives the story a grounded emotional anchor and makes the bond between characters feel even more meaningful.
The pacing is sharp, the magic intriguing, and the character dynamics are full of conflict and chemistry. And just when everything starts to come together, the book ends on a cliffhanger that guarantees you’ll want the next book immediately.
A strong fantasy with great character work and a world you want to spend more time in. Solid 4 stars.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of an advance copy received from NetGalley
The first thing I have to say is that this was a page-turner. I finished it in a single day. I’m a sucker for trials and a good why choose romance, so I couldn’t wait to see what happened next.
One of my favorite aspects was Ellis. Rather than letting her trauma define her, she used it as motivation to keep pushing forward. She never fell into the trap of feeling sorry for herself, which made her easy to root for. The story also blended several fantasy elements I love familiars, magic, deadly trials, and political intrigue.
I especially enjoyed the banter between Ellis and her familiar. Having that companion alongside her in an unfamiliar world added both humor and heart.
That said, I think the story would have benefited from more worldbuilding. I don’t mind mysteries or unanswered questions that are meant to unfold over a series, but many of the foundational details felt glossed over. I often found myself confused rather than intrigued because there wasn’t enough context to fully understand the world, its history, or how everything fit together. I actually wish the book had been longer so those elements could have been explored more deeply.
The multiple POVs at the beginning also caught my attention, but after the first few chapters they largely disappeared. With such a large cast, continuing those perspectives would have helped me connect with the male leads and better understand their motivations.
While this is marketed as a why choose romance, I personally didn’t feel much of the romance yet. There was plenty of tension and lingering glances, but not enough emotional development for me to become invested in the relationships. I think developing one romantic connection earlier, particularly with Killian, who was the most compelling male character to me would have strengthened both the romance and the story. It also could have naturally revealed more about Ellis’s past and the larger conflict through someone she trusted.
Several side characters also felt underdeveloped. Laith’s appearance near the end didn’t have the emotional impact it seemed intended to because I never felt like I knew enough about him. I wanted more insight into the dynamics between the male characters, their families, and the reasons behind their desire for revenge. I was also intrigued by Marin and found myself wishing for more hints about why he was absent for so much of the story.
There were also several pieces of lore that felt like they appeared without enough setup. The twins’ bond, the mating bond, the significance of various locations, and even some of the world’s terminology often felt as though I had missed an earlier explanation. For example, learning the consequences of the twins’ mating bond much earlier would have made the trials feel even more meaningful and increased the emotional stakes.
The darker content also felt somewhat abrupt. Trigger warnings don’t usually bother me, but some of the sexual elements, particularly involving Zave and Ellis, felt like they arrived without enough buildup. More gradual development would have made those moments feel more impactful.
Overall, I genuinely enjoyed this book. The characters, magic system, and overall premise were incredibly interesting, and I never lost the desire to keep turning the pages. I simply wanted more! More worldbuilding, more character depth, more romance, and more time to fully immerse myself in the story.
I’m looking forward to the sequel and hope it expands on the fascinating foundation this first book created. I can’t wait to learn more about the world, the characters, and what happens next.
The first thing I have to say is that this was a page-turner. I finished it in a single day. I’m a sucker for trials and a good why choose romance, so I couldn’t wait to see what happened next.
One of my favorite aspects was Ellis. Rather than letting her trauma define her, she used it as motivation to keep pushing forward. She never fell into the trap of feeling sorry for herself, which made her easy to root for. The story also blended several fantasy elements I love familiars, magic, deadly trials, and political intrigue.
I especially enjoyed the banter between Ellis and her familiar. Having that companion alongside her in an unfamiliar world added both humor and heart.
That said, I think the story would have benefited from more worldbuilding. I don’t mind mysteries or unanswered questions that are meant to unfold over a series, but many of the foundational details felt glossed over. I often found myself confused rather than intrigued because there wasn’t enough context to fully understand the world, its history, or how everything fit together. I actually wish the book had been longer so those elements could have been explored more deeply.
The multiple POVs at the beginning also caught my attention, but after the first few chapters they largely disappeared. With such a large cast, continuing those perspectives would have helped me connect with the male leads and better understand their motivations.
While this is marketed as a why choose romance, I personally didn’t feel much of the romance yet. There was plenty of tension and lingering glances, but not enough emotional development for me to become invested in the relationships. I think developing one romantic connection earlier, particularly with Killian, who was the most compelling male character to me would have strengthened both the romance and the story. It also could have naturally revealed more about Ellis’s past and the larger conflict through someone she trusted.
Several side characters also felt underdeveloped. Laith’s appearance near the end didn’t have the emotional impact it seemed intended to because I never felt like I knew enough about him. I wanted more insight into the dynamics between the male characters, their families, and the reasons behind their desire for revenge. I was also intrigued by Marin and found myself wishing for more hints about why he was absent for so much of the story.
There were also several pieces of lore that felt like they appeared without enough setup. The twins’ bond, the mating bond, the significance of various locations, and even some of the world’s terminology often felt as though I had missed an earlier explanation. For example, learning the consequences of the twins’ mating bond much earlier would have made the trials feel even more meaningful and increased the emotional stakes.
The darker content also felt somewhat abrupt. Trigger warnings don’t usually bother me, but some of the sexual elements, particularly involving Zave and Ellis, felt like they arrived without enough buildup. More gradual development would have made those moments feel more impactful.
Overall, I genuinely enjoyed this book. The characters, magic system, and overall premise were incredibly interesting, and I never lost the desire to keep turning the pages. I simply wanted more! More worldbuilding, more character depth, more romance, and more time to fully immerse myself in the story.
I’m looking forward to the sequel and hope it expands on the fascinating foundation this first book created. I can’t wait to learn more about the world, the characters, and what happens next.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Mulan meets Gladiator is the perfect hook for this book...and to be honest that is the reason I picked it up in the first place.
Ellis is stuck in her role as princess of Mador, a kingdom ruled by a tyrant (who happens to be her twin brother) that is falling apart. Desperate to escape, thanks to the incestous overtures her twin is throwing her way, Ellis is able to flee one night and sets out to find any other civilization. Once she reaches the next kingdom she is thrown into a competition that is for the crown and a mate...simply because she is in disguise as a man.
This book had a fleshed out magic system that was easy to follow....my only complaint was the language....some of the stuff I had a hell of a time figuring out what the words meant...is there a glossary of words in the finished book? That would have been helpful.
The cliffhanger is BRUTAL, why did you have to do us that way Blake Blessing? Will be curled up in my room until I can get my grubby little hands on the next book.
Thanks to Macmillan for the ARC!
Ellis is stuck in her role as princess of Mador, a kingdom ruled by a tyrant (who happens to be her twin brother) that is falling apart. Desperate to escape, thanks to the incestous overtures her twin is throwing her way, Ellis is able to flee one night and sets out to find any other civilization. Once she reaches the next kingdom she is thrown into a competition that is for the crown and a mate...simply because she is in disguise as a man.
This book had a fleshed out magic system that was easy to follow....my only complaint was the language....some of the stuff I had a hell of a time figuring out what the words meant...is there a glossary of words in the finished book? That would have been helpful.
The cliffhanger is BRUTAL, why did you have to do us that way Blake Blessing? Will be curled up in my room until I can get my grubby little hands on the next book.
Thanks to Macmillan for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
More now please. This one had me hooked in from the start. Oh, I knew it was going to be good. I would already be in the second book if I had it.
The first 10%~ had some strong sexual assault going on so check your TW. Then it's mostly just bullying.
We have our princess being abused, escape into the monster riddled woods as her last resort. When she thinks she'll die from her lack of survival skills, she's found and saved by a familiar!! (maybe my fave relationship in the book!), and he helps her get to a town to wash up. Seeing how women aren't treated any better in this new world, she decides she'll try life out as a man til she figures out how to get started in this new land. Of course, this is the same time the kingdom/s are starting a mandatory trial for the crown!! (or get thrown to the mines, or die trying, whatever comes first). Also, then there's going to be Mating Trials, so all the women are around flaunting their wares trying to catch a higher status with their snatch..
Our girl makes it through the trials by her wits and quick thinking, making enemies all along the way. The four (princes) of the regions of this realm have a secret alliance among themselves but she is convinced they're no better than anyone else and shouldn't win either, or catch any feminine suitors. Her new powers help her survive, and her enact her petty antics. She makes some friends, gets stuck under some blackmail, keeps getting cornered and bullied by the men, only to turn around and defend them when they're getting bullied. As the men get more focused on her (to destroy her, of course), they aren't all immune to the magnetic pull when they touch.. OH THE TENSION! Everyone thinks everyone else is evil, they want the other put in their place, no one wants to admit the attraction brewing, her male disguise causes even more hesitation on that front, but not completely!! So good.
Killian, the nutter, is of course my fave man. The crazies always pull me in.
This book one had no spice between our main characters (just tension and murdery vibes). But I ain't even mad cuz that plot was good!!
So glad I went for this ARC, thank you Netgalley! The ARC still had some minor typos/misspellings but not enough to think it wasn't edited or be too distracted. Some Elis vs Ellis, blueishbluish, a blut vs but. Minor things.
The first 10%~ had some strong sexual assault going on so check your TW. Then it's mostly just bullying.
We have our princess being abused, escape into the monster riddled woods as her last resort. When she thinks she'll die from her lack of survival skills, she's found and saved by a familiar!! (maybe my fave relationship in the book!), and he helps her get to a town to wash up. Seeing how women aren't treated any better in this new world, she decides she'll try life out as a man til she figures out how to get started in this new land. Of course, this is the same time the kingdom/s are starting a mandatory trial for the crown!! (or get thrown to the mines, or die trying, whatever comes first). Also, then there's going to be Mating Trials, so all the women are around flaunting their wares trying to catch a higher status with their snatch..
Our girl makes it through the trials by her wits and quick thinking, making enemies all along the way. The four (princes) of the regions of this realm have a secret alliance among themselves but she is convinced they're no better than anyone else and shouldn't win either, or catch any feminine suitors. Her new powers help her survive, and her enact her petty antics. She makes some friends, gets stuck under some blackmail, keeps getting cornered and bullied by the men, only to turn around and defend them when they're getting bullied. As the men get more focused on her (to destroy her, of course), they aren't all immune to the magnetic pull when they touch.. OH THE TENSION! Everyone thinks everyone else is evil, they want the other put in their place, no one wants to admit the attraction brewing, her male disguise causes even more hesitation on that front, but not completely!! So good.
Killian, the nutter, is of course my fave man. The crazies always pull me in.
This book one had no spice between our main characters (just tension and murdery vibes). But I ain't even mad cuz that plot was good!!
So glad I went for this ARC, thank you Netgalley! The ARC still had some minor typos/misspellings but not enough to think it wasn't edited or be too distracted. Some Elis vs Ellis, blueishbluish, a blut vs but. Minor things.
June 5, 2026
Blade of Two Faces by Blake Blessing was an engaging fantasy adventure filled with action, intrigue, and characters that kept me invested from start to finish. The story does a great job balancing fast-paced battles with deeper emotional moments, creating a narrative that feels both exciting and meaningful.
One of the highlights for me was the protagonist’s internal struggle and growth throughout the novel. The themes of identity, loyalty, and self-discovery added depth to the story and made the stakes feel personal. The world-building was intriguing, and I enjoyed uncovering its secrets alongside the characters.
While there were a few moments where I wished certain plot points had been explored further, the strong character dynamics and compelling storyline kept me turning the pages. Overall, Blade of Two Faces is a satisfying fantasy read with plenty of heart, action, and memorable moments. I would happily recommend it to fans of character-driven fantasy adventure.
One of the highlights for me was the protagonist’s internal struggle and growth throughout the novel. The themes of identity, loyalty, and self-discovery added depth to the story and made the stakes feel personal. The world-building was intriguing, and I enjoyed uncovering its secrets alongside the characters.
While there were a few moments where I wished certain plot points had been explored further, the strong character dynamics and compelling storyline kept me turning the pages. Overall, Blade of Two Faces is a satisfying fantasy read with plenty of heart, action, and memorable moments. I would happily recommend it to fans of character-driven fantasy adventure.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Thank you for the Giveaway!
First, let's just address something. The cover is gorgeous. I normally don't like people on the cover even when they are unrealistic (like animated? I don't really know how to explain it), but there is just so much symbolism, and I love it so much.
Next, I literally don't know how I'm supposed to wait for the next book when this one isn't even technically out yet. Like, whyyyyy???? It just was so good. I'm literally crying thinking about it.
I think my favorite character was Marin. He was just so iconic and amazing. I love him. But, I felt Ellis. She never was swayed to her true morals. She gave up on some things but never her true purpose in coming to the kingdom. I admire her so much for that. She gave up on so much but not that, never that.
Definitely a 5 star read, would recommend. It was so good.
First, let's just address something. The cover is gorgeous. I normally don't like people on the cover even when they are unrealistic (like animated? I don't really know how to explain it), but there is just so much symbolism, and I love it so much.
Next, I literally don't know how I'm supposed to wait for the next book when this one isn't even technically out yet. Like, whyyyyy???? It just was so good. I'm literally crying thinking about it.
I think my favorite character was Marin. He was just so iconic and amazing. I love him. But, I felt Ellis. She never was swayed to her true morals. She gave up on some things but never her true purpose in coming to the kingdom. I admire her so much for that. She gave up on so much but not that, never that.
Definitely a 5 star read, would recommend. It was so good.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My Thoughts: First, I'd like to preface that I generally don't read Fantasy or Romantasy genre, but I absolutely fell in love with this book. The writing kept me drawn in throughout the story, and I had a hard time putting it down. I wanted to see how Ellis navigated the trials as she disguised herself as a man in a male-dominated world. One of my favorite characters is her familiar, Marin. He is so mischievous and had me laughing at times. I really enjoyed Ellis's character ARC and development. This is a why choose fantasy, I am intrigued by how these MMC's will develop in the next book. This book ends on a major cliffhanger. I am so excited for the next book and can't wait to continue this series.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Maybe I read the synopsis wrong but this did not read as I expected.
The romance, is it even there? The "spice" was all incest and rape. Can you call it a romantasy in that case? That feels like a misuse of the label.
The action, too much and hard to follow. Characters appear and disappear in scenes without explanation. And motivations were convoluted.
The FMC, not an assassin as I understood from the synopsis and constantly making bad choices. She only survived by luck.
The world building is almost non-existent.
I kept reading hoping I'd get a better understanding but then it ended.
And lots of editing mistakes.
Also, can authors just write and release the whole story? It feels manipulative to draw out a story and end with a cliff hanger.
The romance, is it even there? The "spice" was all incest and rape. Can you call it a romantasy in that case? That feels like a misuse of the label.
The action, too much and hard to follow. Characters appear and disappear in scenes without explanation. And motivations were convoluted.
The FMC, not an assassin as I understood from the synopsis and constantly making bad choices. She only survived by luck.
The world building is almost non-existent.
I kept reading hoping I'd get a better understanding but then it ended.
And lots of editing mistakes.
Also, can authors just write and release the whole story? It feels manipulative to draw out a story and end with a cliff hanger.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ok Blake, I see your game.
2 of my favorite things is Mulan and Gladiator so of course I had to request when I seen this one, the why choose was a bonus.
That being said the build up of book 1 is more fantasy with the massive amount of world building, we have some of the romance but I expect that to be a bigger part in book 2, the yearning? chefs kiss. I loved the trials and I know people are hesitant to pick up trial books lately but this one is super fun and it isn't just the same old copy paste. I highly recommend it!
Please check your trigger warnings though, there is heavy and triggering scenes. protect your mental health
2 of my favorite things is Mulan and Gladiator so of course I had to request when I seen this one, the why choose was a bonus.
That being said the build up of book 1 is more fantasy with the massive amount of world building, we have some of the romance but I expect that to be a bigger part in book 2, the yearning? chefs kiss. I loved the trials and I know people are hesitant to pick up trial books lately but this one is super fun and it isn't just the same old copy paste. I highly recommend it!
Please check your trigger warnings though, there is heavy and triggering scenes. protect your mental health
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I absolutely had the time of my life reading this book. From the very beginning I was enthralled by Ellis and the gritty dark of her life/situation, and I was constantly left on the edge of my seat with never a dull moment! The MMC's were all so diverse and intriguing and I seriously cannot wait for the next book to dive deeper into their personalities and their relationship with Ellis. Oh, and I can't leave out mention of Marin, Ellis's familiar who is absolute perfection. Their banter had me in stitches!
Ugh, seriously, this book was so good and I will be going stir crazy for more!
Ugh, seriously, this book was so good and I will be going stir crazy for more!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
NGL I still don’t know what I read but I ate it right up. This book is straight up chaos in an awesome way. I really didn’t understand the point of the trial which was basically the whole book and the RH angle was a bit false in this book, so I’m guessing that will be more of a factor in the next one. Also, not really Mulan vibez other than Ellis deciding to dress as a man and a Mushu like familiar. Yet still, I couldn’t stop reading. Ellis grew herself a backbone and definitely needs to learn how to fight STAT. But I’ll def be sat for book 2. Thx to NetGalley for the arc!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“You save me, my brothers, you show kindness even to the mad and low.” He looked deep in my eyes. “Be my mate. Man or woman, makes no difference to me.”
I am absolutely obsessed! It starts a little slow but once Ellis got to the Trials, I was hooked. I could have finished it one sitting if life didn't get in the way. There's so much I want to say but I don't want to spoil anything. King Elliot is disgusting. Read any trigger warnings cause 🤮. The men are mean but like, I get it? Ellis is naive but courageous. Marin is about as trustworthy as a Cheshire cat. I cannot wait for book two.
I am absolutely obsessed! It starts a little slow but once Ellis got to the Trials, I was hooked. I could have finished it one sitting if life didn't get in the way. There's so much I want to say but I don't want to spoil anything. King Elliot is disgusting. Read any trigger warnings cause 🤮. The men are mean but like, I get it? Ellis is naive but courageous. Marin is about as trustworthy as a Cheshire cat. I cannot wait for book two.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First things first, there is a sexual assault at the 10% mark that honestly caught me completely off guard, so keep that in mind before diving in. But if you're able to get past that heavy start, it's an enjoyable read.
I love the Mulan movie to the point that I've watched both the animation and live actions more times than I can count, so I was definitely expecting more of that aspect based on the blurb tbh ,But the overall vibes were still there.
Not a bad read at all, I'll definitely be picking up the next installment when it drops.
I love the Mulan movie to the point that I've watched both the animation and live actions more times than I can count, so I was definitely expecting more of that aspect based on the blurb tbh ,But the overall vibes were still there.
Not a bad read at all, I'll definitely be picking up the next installment when it drops.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was terribly fun and propulsive - the introductory chapters were a bit rough thematically (very much reminded me of Perrault's Donkeyskin) and with some of the POV switches and my sense of Ellis' sense of the worldbuilding (if that makes sense - purposefully jarring the reader to mirror the main character), and then the narrative hit the ground running. I cannot say how SEATED I am for the sequel. Like, ridiculously here for it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
✨ ARC Review ✨
A captivating slow-burn romance with a strong, fierce, and vengeful FMC! I loved watching her character grow throughout the story, while the magical world and descriptive characters made the plot immersive and engaging.
The romance had just the right amount of tension, and the world-building kept me invested. But that cliffhanger ending?! 😭 I NEED the next book!
A great read for anyone who loves magic, revenge, slow-burn romance, and strong character development. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A captivating slow-burn romance with a strong, fierce, and vengeful FMC! I loved watching her character grow throughout the story, while the magical world and descriptive characters made the plot immersive and engaging.
The romance had just the right amount of tension, and the world-building kept me invested. But that cliffhanger ending?! 😭 I NEED the next book!
A great read for anyone who loves magic, revenge, slow-burn romance, and strong character development. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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