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Dark Court: The Fire Fae #1
Throne of Winter: The Dark Court
She's the Fire Fae of Legend.
He's the Warlock Heir to the Throne of Winter.
Maybrie Hawkins is the badass who dominates the Dark Court’s fight pits where fae and shifters battle for powers. The royals chant her name, like she's a goddess instead of a lowly entertainer.
Like all Casters, Kai needs the shared powers of a fae to do more than basic magic on his own. The strongest bonds are forged via love, and it's time for him to find a match.
His sights are set on her.
She's not impressed.
Maybrie doesn't have time to be courted by the Prince of Winter. A rebellion is brewing, an uprising against the Casters. The dome of the Dark Court is the only thing protecting them from the frozen wasteland beyond, but the fae are done pandering to the Magicals in exchange for safety.
And Brie doesn’t pander to anyone.
Can Kai keep up?
Scroll up to One-Click!
He's the Warlock Heir to the Throne of Winter.
Maybrie Hawkins is the badass who dominates the Dark Court’s fight pits where fae and shifters battle for powers. The royals chant her name, like she's a goddess instead of a lowly entertainer.
Like all Casters, Kai needs the shared powers of a fae to do more than basic magic on his own. The strongest bonds are forged via love, and it's time for him to find a match.
His sights are set on her.
She's not impressed.
Maybrie doesn't have time to be courted by the Prince of Winter. A rebellion is brewing, an uprising against the Casters. The dome of the Dark Court is the only thing protecting them from the frozen wasteland beyond, but the fae are done pandering to the Magicals in exchange for safety.
And Brie doesn’t pander to anyone.
Can Kai keep up?
Scroll up to One-Click!
Audible Audio
First published March 22, 2019
348 people are currently reading
923 people want to read
About the author
Sophie Davis
52 books926 followersAuthor of twenty-six books in six series, Sophie Davis is a pseudonym for best friends turned co-authors. The pair met in law school and instantly bonded over their love of great books and bad horror movies. When one longed for the ability to read minds so she wouldn't have to study for the bar exam, they created a dystopian world with superpowers that spans nine books.
While writing in genres of paranormal romance, time travel, urban fantasy, and mystery, their works have been optioned for film and translated for an international audience. You can find them teaching their dogs to enter wormholes in the desert of Southern California.
For more information, visit www.SophieDavisBooks.com
While writing in genres of paranormal romance, time travel, urban fantasy, and mystery, their works have been optioned for film and translated for an international audience. You can find them teaching their dogs to enter wormholes in the desert of Southern California.
For more information, visit www.SophieDavisBooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
March 24, 2019
I have never read a fantasy book set in Hawaii before, and if there are others out there, I have been definitely missing out.
This book was a delightful mashup of fantasy and dystopia, romance and drama. With a present day vernacular that somehow worked coming from the fantasy inhabitants of this creative setting.
So many elements of this story were used in such a creative fashion, while still being familiar and comforting. Definitely looking forward to the next book.
This book was a delightful mashup of fantasy and dystopia, romance and drama. With a present day vernacular that somehow worked coming from the fantasy inhabitants of this creative setting.
So many elements of this story were used in such a creative fashion, while still being familiar and comforting. Definitely looking forward to the next book.
June 4, 2019
This was actually a really good premise to the series, the problem came in ironing out the details to carry that premise from start to finish. There really was no backstory to tell how we had ended up in this post apocalyptic world full of supernatural beings. Its set in a present/futuristic like time but the world is ruled by Castor's. I just wanted to scream "How did we get here?!!." We do eventually get some answers as the story progresses but none concerning the backstory or world building to get us to where we start. I'm still a little confused on how the world has gotten to the point of this book, I mean I really feel like we were dropped into an already established supernatural world which makes me have anxiety when I think I haven't started at the beginning. I went to research but can't find a previous series that this could be a spinoff of.
That all being said I still thought what story was there was pretty good. The blurb kind of confused me with this first line
"She was the fire fae of legend."
I'm wondering if the legend part got edited out somehow? The story states that fire fae are rare but it never talked about a "legend" and there was no prophecy or anything so I'm a little thrown there. I kept going back to see if I had missed the "legend" part. The FMC Mabrie was a really strong heroine in some aspects but really weak in others. Her vulnerable personality didn't quite mesh up with her bad A physical persona. I didn't like how she kind of let herself be lead around and played like a pawn throughout the story. Also, she learned information as the reader did which was weird because she has been living in this society for at least 5 years.. you would think she would know a little bit more about whats going on around her. There are alot of underlying hints and whispers about things that haven't been revealed yet. I'm not really sure where this is headed. I wish there was a tad more chemistry between Mabrie and Kai, maybe its just really slow burn?
Mabrie, a fire fae, was captured in her frozen wasteland canyon at the age of 15 and brought to the dome basically to live in slavery to the castor's who use fae for their magic. Having hardly any rights as a fae, Mabrie has made a name for herself as a fighter in the ring. Drawing the attention of the winter court's prince Kai, who seems to have a crush. Tasked with getting close to Kai by the secret rebellion Mabrie against her better judgement takes the job but soon finds out nothing is as she thought, Kai least of all and the rebellion she has been working for may actually be the enemy after all.
I definitely want to see where the story goes, I just feel like this is one of those cases where the book just doesn't quite grasp its full potential. Maybe in book 2 we can get some answers.
That all being said I still thought what story was there was pretty good. The blurb kind of confused me with this first line
"She was the fire fae of legend."
I'm wondering if the legend part got edited out somehow? The story states that fire fae are rare but it never talked about a "legend" and there was no prophecy or anything so I'm a little thrown there. I kept going back to see if I had missed the "legend" part. The FMC Mabrie was a really strong heroine in some aspects but really weak in others. Her vulnerable personality didn't quite mesh up with her bad A physical persona. I didn't like how she kind of let herself be lead around and played like a pawn throughout the story. Also, she learned information as the reader did which was weird because she has been living in this society for at least 5 years.. you would think she would know a little bit more about whats going on around her. There are alot of underlying hints and whispers about things that haven't been revealed yet. I'm not really sure where this is headed. I wish there was a tad more chemistry between Mabrie and Kai, maybe its just really slow burn?
Mabrie, a fire fae, was captured in her frozen wasteland canyon at the age of 15 and brought to the dome basically to live in slavery to the castor's who use fae for their magic. Having hardly any rights as a fae, Mabrie has made a name for herself as a fighter in the ring. Drawing the attention of the winter court's prince Kai, who seems to have a crush. Tasked with getting close to Kai by the secret rebellion Mabrie against her better judgement takes the job but soon finds out nothing is as she thought, Kai least of all and the rebellion she has been working for may actually be the enemy after all.
I definitely want to see where the story goes, I just feel like this is one of those cases where the book just doesn't quite grasp its full potential. Maybe in book 2 we can get some answers.
May 21, 2019
DNF - quit at 32% (finished chapter 5)
I hated giving up on this book, since it was recommended highly on Facebook, but it just wasn’t holding my attention. I gladly put it down to go do laundry & dishes, I even watched tv for a bit, & all of that’s unheard of for me. I’d rather sit immobile on the couch reading all day. First, the world building wasn’t really there. How did this dystopian society (& with no humans) even happen? There’s shifters, fae, castors, warlocks/mages, & vampires, but what happened to the humans? Or is this maybe a parallel universe to earth? It starts off in icy/frozen California & ends up under a dome in Hawaii. I need more background to be able to immerse myself into this world while reading. The questions popping up in my mind totally distracted me from what was written. The stuff I was interested in, the world building, the fighting, the why’s of society, that would help me “feel” this world, weren’t explained, but descriptions of mounds of clothes on a bed before a frantic shopping spree & salon treatment- for an unwanted first date by a second class citizen that’s going out with a prince, are explained in detail. Brie’s sudden actual interest in Prince Kai as a date (not for the original intent for spying originally intended) also seemed weird, as did the mutual first date kiss. Her struggles with being a second class citizen under the dome just didn’t seem extreme enough with all the ooh’s & ah’s over her fighting wins by all classes of paranormal she talked to & then a prince interested in dating her. She comes across as a celebrity. The book tells us he’s a playboy, but I saw no evidence of it to believe it. I need a book to show me, not just an aside that someone says something so it “is”. So my mind isn’t wrapping around this story.
At my age, life is to short & my time to important to force myself to read a book I'm not enjoying, especially when there are so many other books out there waiting to be read.
I hated giving up on this book, since it was recommended highly on Facebook, but it just wasn’t holding my attention. I gladly put it down to go do laundry & dishes, I even watched tv for a bit, & all of that’s unheard of for me. I’d rather sit immobile on the couch reading all day. First, the world building wasn’t really there. How did this dystopian society (& with no humans) even happen? There’s shifters, fae, castors, warlocks/mages, & vampires, but what happened to the humans? Or is this maybe a parallel universe to earth? It starts off in icy/frozen California & ends up under a dome in Hawaii. I need more background to be able to immerse myself into this world while reading. The questions popping up in my mind totally distracted me from what was written. The stuff I was interested in, the world building, the fighting, the why’s of society, that would help me “feel” this world, weren’t explained, but descriptions of mounds of clothes on a bed before a frantic shopping spree & salon treatment- for an unwanted first date by a second class citizen that’s going out with a prince, are explained in detail. Brie’s sudden actual interest in Prince Kai as a date (not for the original intent for spying originally intended) also seemed weird, as did the mutual first date kiss. Her struggles with being a second class citizen under the dome just didn’t seem extreme enough with all the ooh’s & ah’s over her fighting wins by all classes of paranormal she talked to & then a prince interested in dating her. She comes across as a celebrity. The book tells us he’s a playboy, but I saw no evidence of it to believe it. I need a book to show me, not just an aside that someone says something so it “is”. So my mind isn’t wrapping around this story.
At my age, life is to short & my time to important to force myself to read a book I'm not enjoying, especially when there are so many other books out there waiting to be read.
April 8, 2019
I was more interested in what happened to the world before the dome. I wanted to know how the frozen lands and the free lands came about. What led up to that? There wasn't any mention of it. That would have been a better story than the dome story IMO.
December 4, 2019
I think I just wasn't the right reader for this book. It's mechanically fine and the narrator did a good job and I even liked the characters a lot (even Kai). However, I never could get over the fact that Maybrie and her people are enslaved by Kai and his people. Sure, Kai was hoping to give the fae more rights when he became king, but they didn't have them yet and 'more rights' isn't free. So, no matter how the author dressed it up (and she did), this is a romance between a woman who has been stolen from her people and enslaved by another and a member of the race who is enslaving her (the Prince of those people even). That's a big FAT nope for me.
Also, the book is very Earth-like, with characters driving cars, wearing jeans, talking on cell phones, humans are even mentioned at one point. However, it's either not Earth or a post-apocalyptic Earth, but none of the how or why of this is addressed. I felt that was a big detraction. I wondered about it the whole book. Similarly, we were introduced to Maybrie's two best friends in the first chapter, but they never reemerge. I wondered what happened to them. It felt like another loose end.
All in all, not a bad New Adult book. But one that strayed into my personal No-Go Territory.
Also, the book is very Earth-like, with characters driving cars, wearing jeans, talking on cell phones, humans are even mentioned at one point. However, it's either not Earth or a post-apocalyptic Earth, but none of the how or why of this is addressed. I felt that was a big detraction. I wondered about it the whole book. Similarly, we were introduced to Maybrie's two best friends in the first chapter, but they never reemerge. I wondered what happened to them. It felt like another loose end.
All in all, not a bad New Adult book. But one that strayed into my personal No-Go Territory.
May 3, 2019
Overall, I like the concept and think the series can be really, really good. However, I do have to agree with another reader, I'm missing the backstory. How did the planet become a cold land? Where are the "humans"? The whole history leading up to where they are today with the various kingdoms, living under domes with casters needing to feed from fae, etc. Brie's story with Prince Kai is a good one, but there needs to be some kind of world building so we can better connect with the characters and understand how they came to be where they are.
I totally understood where Brie came from. Snatched from her family and "sold" into service at the dome. Expected to either entertain the masses or feed the casters. The prince was surprising, but not. A bit of a contradiction in that he was a product of his upbringing but also knowing that things were not fair and wanting to change that. His attraction for Brie and wanting to get to know her whereas she just thought to use him and almost indifferent was a little painful. I liked both Prince Kai and Brie, but wow, the ending was unexpected and leaves Brie in a really uncomfortable, if not nearly impossible situation.
So yes, the story itself is interesting and I cannot wait to see what happens next, but I still want some of the history leading up to this point.
I totally understood where Brie came from. Snatched from her family and "sold" into service at the dome. Expected to either entertain the masses or feed the casters. The prince was surprising, but not. A bit of a contradiction in that he was a product of his upbringing but also knowing that things were not fair and wanting to change that. His attraction for Brie and wanting to get to know her whereas she just thought to use him and almost indifferent was a little painful. I liked both Prince Kai and Brie, but wow, the ending was unexpected and leaves Brie in a really uncomfortable, if not nearly impossible situation.
So yes, the story itself is interesting and I cannot wait to see what happens next, but I still want some of the history leading up to this point.
March 25, 2019
I really wanted to love this book, I really did. And I liked that it had vampires, weres, faes, and wizards set in a dystopian modern Hawaii, but the story was really slow. I almost quit a couple of times, but I’m glad I continued as the story got more interesting as it continued.
Brie is a strong female and I like her even tho she can waver quite a bit. Prince Kai fell flat for me. He’s supposed to be this ladykiller badass prince, but he never really is. He’s more like a puppy: always happy to see you, not much depth, and just a really nice person.
This book needs some serious editing. So many grammatical errors and spelling mistakes, it drove me crazy. I won’t be reading the second installment.
Brie is a strong female and I like her even tho she can waver quite a bit. Prince Kai fell flat for me. He’s supposed to be this ladykiller badass prince, but he never really is. He’s more like a puppy: always happy to see you, not much depth, and just a really nice person.
This book needs some serious editing. So many grammatical errors and spelling mistakes, it drove me crazy. I won’t be reading the second installment.
September 5, 2019
Fun story!
Somehow I didnt expect the ending... I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick, easy read for me. I love books about fae and elemental magic. This one was no exception! Brie is part of the rebellion and supposed to be spying on Prince Kai, not falling for him! As her time with Kai progresses she becomes increasingly confused as to where her loyalties should lie. The story is enjoyable and it didnt drag anywhere. I would like to get more in depth with some of the other characters and even Brie herself. I felt like the relationship between Kai and Brie was talked about as if it were serious, but the actions didnt really match all the talk. I hope to get more in depth in the next book. Good start though!
Somehow I didnt expect the ending... I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick, easy read for me. I love books about fae and elemental magic. This one was no exception! Brie is part of the rebellion and supposed to be spying on Prince Kai, not falling for him! As her time with Kai progresses she becomes increasingly confused as to where her loyalties should lie. The story is enjoyable and it didnt drag anywhere. I would like to get more in depth with some of the other characters and even Brie herself. I felt like the relationship between Kai and Brie was talked about as if it were serious, but the actions didnt really match all the talk. I hope to get more in depth in the next book. Good start though!
June 27, 2019
If this is earth, why are there four moons?
Overall, I loved this book! Brie is likeable, and I had no trouble rooting for her! I enjoyed the tension, and I’m just waiting for you-know-what to hit the fan when Kai discovers the truth. Will he understand, or will it drive them apart?
Looking forward to the next one!
Overall, I loved this book! Brie is likeable, and I had no trouble rooting for her! I enjoyed the tension, and I’m just waiting for you-know-what to hit the fan when Kai discovers the truth. Will he understand, or will it drive them apart?
Looking forward to the next one!
December 24, 2022
[27/77]
⤷ this is book 27 of 77 books i have downloaded for free on amazon kindle, so it may be time to finally go through them all. oh god, wish me luck.
it was actually somewhat of a fun read. i think the characters had real consequences to their actions, and i also thought they were relatable! the only thing i didn't quite like so much was the quickness with which kai and brie got closer to each other, albeit it definitely felt more natural than other stuff i've read recently.
a 3.5 for enjoyment! it was okay! most likely gonna continue this series :3
⤷ this is book 27 of 77 books i have downloaded for free on amazon kindle, so it may be time to finally go through them all. oh god, wish me luck.
it was actually somewhat of a fun read. i think the characters had real consequences to their actions, and i also thought they were relatable! the only thing i didn't quite like so much was the quickness with which kai and brie got closer to each other, albeit it definitely felt more natural than other stuff i've read recently.
a 3.5 for enjoyment! it was okay! most likely gonna continue this series :3
March 20, 2020
Great intro to an ongoing story
I had never known this author or her works before this novel. I came across it with my prime reading and it sounded interesting, and I am so glad I did. The prologue dragged a little for me, so it took me longer to get through than it should have, but once it got started, I was hooked! I thought this was a NA novel, but at times, it did feel a bit more YA. I really enjoyed reading this book and am looking forward to starting book 2!
I had never known this author or her works before this novel. I came across it with my prime reading and it sounded interesting, and I am so glad I did. The prologue dragged a little for me, so it took me longer to get through than it should have, but once it got started, I was hooked! I thought this was a NA novel, but at times, it did feel a bit more YA. I really enjoyed reading this book and am looking forward to starting book 2!
April 2, 2023
The beginning started interesting but it went downhill at about 40%
September 2, 2019
I LOVE Books with Fae!! This is my first time reading one of Sophie Davis’ books. I will be reading many more!! Loved the female lead Brie she is a strong independent woman. Love her Romance with Prince Kai. If you love Fae, strong females, a bit of mystery and romance. This book is for you.
August 29, 2019
I loved this book so much. Brie had to go through so much to be able to decide where her loyalties lied but in the end it's just a matter of listening to our gut, our instincts. She was so amazing. I couldn't help but relate to her. Feelings are always complicated.
August 5, 2021
This book made me slightly sick, not because of the story but because of the premise.
We're in some sort of future Earth were everything is frozen and there is magic.
There are no humans unless you count the Casters as humans with magic and the world is populated by fae, shifters, vampires and casters.
Since the casters use a piece of themselves to use their magic, they need the fae to recharge them or they will die.
There are domes erected all over the world that are kingdoms in their own right, with kings, queens etc.
The casters live there because they cannot survive outside.
Where is the part that made me sick? That the casters use the vampires to venture into the world, kidnap all the fae and shifters they can find (that live outside the domes) and then they imprison them inside the dome. Since the sharing of magic must be consensual, the captured fae are given these choices: either join a school that prepares them to marry a caster (and basically break them in the process) or they join the arena to fight, or they become servants to the casters, house fae that do chores.
When a fae arrives at the dome he's closely scrutinized until it's certain he won't try to flee and only then he's allowed some privacy and relative freedom, like an apartment and a job.
And nobody call this with its name. Nobody calls it slavery or kidnapping. No, it's called "arriving at the dome" or "share their magic".
Nobody mentions that the fae that are brought there are often young, kidnapped from their families and they will never see their parents or siblings again. And they're supposed to just forget their life and devote themselves to the casters!
Our protagonist shares something of her past with the prince and not a word of regret is spoken. No "it's so wrong to tear you from your families like that, terrorize you and imprison you."
Nope. We just get a "when I'm king some laws are going to change and shifters and fae are going to get more rights." More rights. Not the freedom to live where they want, not the freedom to choose the dome or the outside. No, just more rights... But still in their life sentence.
There is a passage where an application to leave the dome temporarily is denied because the applicant suffered the loss of a loved one and so it's deemed "a high flight risk because of wanting to start a new life".
Really? :eyeroll:
It twisted my gut.
The story is otherwise wonderful and I can't wait to know how it continues but even the relationship between Kai and Brie left me with a little sour taste in my mouth because it's imbalanced. Kai is really careful to never act on his authority over Brie but just knowing he could is unsettling.
Anyway, I realize this might seem a very negative review but it really isn't because I loved the book. I just have strong feelings about it and I compliment the author that made this world so real that I feel like this!
We're in some sort of future Earth were everything is frozen and there is magic.
There are no humans unless you count the Casters as humans with magic and the world is populated by fae, shifters, vampires and casters.
Since the casters use a piece of themselves to use their magic, they need the fae to recharge them or they will die.
There are domes erected all over the world that are kingdoms in their own right, with kings, queens etc.
The casters live there because they cannot survive outside.
Where is the part that made me sick? That the casters use the vampires to venture into the world, kidnap all the fae and shifters they can find (that live outside the domes) and then they imprison them inside the dome. Since the sharing of magic must be consensual, the captured fae are given these choices: either join a school that prepares them to marry a caster (and basically break them in the process) or they join the arena to fight, or they become servants to the casters, house fae that do chores.
When a fae arrives at the dome he's closely scrutinized until it's certain he won't try to flee and only then he's allowed some privacy and relative freedom, like an apartment and a job.
And nobody call this with its name. Nobody calls it slavery or kidnapping. No, it's called "arriving at the dome" or "share their magic".
Nobody mentions that the fae that are brought there are often young, kidnapped from their families and they will never see their parents or siblings again. And they're supposed to just forget their life and devote themselves to the casters!
Our protagonist shares something of her past with the prince and not a word of regret is spoken. No "it's so wrong to tear you from your families like that, terrorize you and imprison you."
Nope. We just get a "when I'm king some laws are going to change and shifters and fae are going to get more rights." More rights. Not the freedom to live where they want, not the freedom to choose the dome or the outside. No, just more rights... But still in their life sentence.
There is a passage where an application to leave the dome temporarily is denied because the applicant suffered the loss of a loved one and so it's deemed "a high flight risk because of wanting to start a new life".
Really? :eyeroll:
It twisted my gut.
The story is otherwise wonderful and I can't wait to know how it continues but even the relationship between Kai and Brie left me with a little sour taste in my mouth because it's imbalanced. Kai is really careful to never act on his authority over Brie but just knowing he could is unsettling.
Anyway, I realize this might seem a very negative review but it really isn't because I loved the book. I just have strong feelings about it and I compliment the author that made this world so real that I feel like this!
March 28, 2019
Decent
A good premise - I definitely like the complexity of the magical world. Technically speaking, the book is well written. I noticed only a few typos. I would say this book feels more YA than NA despite the age of the characters.
Some of the plot points were very obvious; I connected some dots in the first couple chapters so it made the story less intriguing than if I had been surprised. I felt the romance moved too fast for a couple dealing with the societal issues that these two are. There wasn't enough angst or generally being torn up about the fact she was into a castor, IMO. Yeah she periodically admits to confusion or guilt but then she kisses him in date 1? Shouldn't she have been way less willing to let him in her physical space due to her hatred of his kind? It all felt a little too forced. Plus where they are at in their relationship at the end of the book doesn't make sense. They've been dating only 2 or 3 weeks he's dropping hints of making her his queen and she's thought about marriage to him. Way too fast for me to accept, even without their issues. This sense of blind puppy love makes this book feel unexpectedly young and I often forgot that the characters aren't teenagers.
I also don't get why she's so traumatized by Mat and his one bite (I do get it was truly traumatic because she didn't choose it) when she's got more traumatic experiences in her five years as a slave/second class citizen under her belt. Maybe there's more to the story than we know right now, but my guess is not so that all fell a bit flat for me.
And why doesn't this chick want to go home? Shouldn't she be obsessed with that? I get helping people but she should have some personal goals. Right now she feels too complacent. And I want to know more about her fights. That's more interesting than a shopping trip to find the right date outfit. Seriously. Also, people who make their livelihood fighting don't go out to get drunk or eat bad food. It's a personal pet peeve of mine when people depict fighters and other athletes getting drunk or eating bad carbs constantly. Their bodies need to be in peak condition; the requirements for that should be obvious.
While this book has flaws, and I may not read the rest of the series (still undecided), I do think it will appeal to a lot of readers who have a taste for a Cinderella story where Cinderella isn't languishing in an attic. If you also like YA and a bit of magic, all the better.
A good premise - I definitely like the complexity of the magical world. Technically speaking, the book is well written. I noticed only a few typos. I would say this book feels more YA than NA despite the age of the characters.
Some of the plot points were very obvious; I connected some dots in the first couple chapters so it made the story less intriguing than if I had been surprised. I felt the romance moved too fast for a couple dealing with the societal issues that these two are. There wasn't enough angst or generally being torn up about the fact she was into a castor, IMO. Yeah she periodically admits to confusion or guilt but then she kisses him in date 1? Shouldn't she have been way less willing to let him in her physical space due to her hatred of his kind? It all felt a little too forced. Plus where they are at in their relationship at the end of the book doesn't make sense. They've been dating only 2 or 3 weeks he's dropping hints of making her his queen and she's thought about marriage to him. Way too fast for me to accept, even without their issues. This sense of blind puppy love makes this book feel unexpectedly young and I often forgot that the characters aren't teenagers.
I also don't get why she's so traumatized by Mat and his one bite (I do get it was truly traumatic because she didn't choose it) when she's got more traumatic experiences in her five years as a slave/second class citizen under her belt. Maybe there's more to the story than we know right now, but my guess is not so that all fell a bit flat for me.
And why doesn't this chick want to go home? Shouldn't she be obsessed with that? I get helping people but she should have some personal goals. Right now she feels too complacent. And I want to know more about her fights. That's more interesting than a shopping trip to find the right date outfit. Seriously. Also, people who make their livelihood fighting don't go out to get drunk or eat bad food. It's a personal pet peeve of mine when people depict fighters and other athletes getting drunk or eating bad carbs constantly. Their bodies need to be in peak condition; the requirements for that should be obvious.
While this book has flaws, and I may not read the rest of the series (still undecided), I do think it will appeal to a lot of readers who have a taste for a Cinderella story where Cinderella isn't languishing in an attic. If you also like YA and a bit of magic, all the better.
June 16, 2021
Recieved the audiobook from the author in exchange for review
The whole book just had me pulled in beginning to end!! I admit I was confused at the beginning, but I see, by the end why Davis started the story the way she did, and I think any reader will too.
Davis weaves a tail of royalty-romance, class-feuds, and espionage. Oh and there's fae. take those factors along with the good writing, and mean I don't really know what else any YA lover could possibly want in a story.
Is it cliche? Yes. Do we know where the ending is going with Bree's decision to tell a certain someone about her certain activities? Also, yes. But that doesn't stop me from wanting book 2 RIGHT. NOW. I'm telling you, this series is addicting, and the narrator has such a pleasant. voice! While her range could have been wider for differentiating different characters, she still managed to give each line, each thought the appropriate emotion. Her voice is a pleasant and low rasp that doesn't grate on the ears. you can easily listen for multiple hours! Those traits go a long way in my book! (yes, pun).
The whole book just had me pulled in beginning to end!! I admit I was confused at the beginning, but I see, by the end why Davis started the story the way she did, and I think any reader will too.
Davis weaves a tail of royalty-romance, class-feuds, and espionage. Oh and there's fae. take those factors along with the good writing, and mean I don't really know what else any YA lover could possibly want in a story.
Is it cliche? Yes. Do we know where the ending is going with Bree's decision to tell a certain someone about her certain activities? Also, yes. But that doesn't stop me from wanting book 2 RIGHT. NOW. I'm telling you, this series is addicting, and the narrator has such a pleasant. voice! While her range could have been wider for differentiating different characters, she still managed to give each line, each thought the appropriate emotion. Her voice is a pleasant and low rasp that doesn't grate on the ears. you can easily listen for multiple hours! Those traits go a long way in my book! (yes, pun).
September 8, 2019
I am giving this 4 stars only because there were numerous typos, and it was fairly predictable. However, it was very enjoyable! Less action packed than I had anticipated, but the characters and they way they were developed were compelling, and the last couple chapters moved at a very quick pace. I can’t wait to read the next one! I think there will be more action there, and plenty of drama as Brie tries to hold her relationships together.
If you enjoyed Aveyard’s Red Queen series, I think you’ll find this in the same vein of tension and intrigue. You can’t help but love these characters, even those that don’t get a lot of page time. The world that the author has created is unique and fascinating. I hope to find out more about how things became the way they are throughout the rest of the series.
If you enjoyed Aveyard’s Red Queen series, I think you’ll find this in the same vein of tension and intrigue. You can’t help but love these characters, even those that don’t get a lot of page time. The world that the author has created is unique and fascinating. I hope to find out more about how things became the way they are throughout the rest of the series.
April 29, 2019
A good book that starts with a gripping beginning, but then it dragged for me towards the middle. To be honest, I put it down and went to another book for a while because it was losing my interest. But I saw how many reviewers were talking about the story and so I picked it back up again to finish it and I am glad I did. I am interested if Maybrie's past characters will show in book 2 but I am more interested to see what Kai will do when he discovers the whole story of what happened at the end of book 1.
May 4, 2019
Can’t wait for the next book!
An engaging story! I also thought she had a unique take on the supernatural world having the casters on top and the frozen freelands outside the domes. One thing that I love about Sophie Davis books is she always has great female character leads that are strong and independent. Kai and Maybrie’s relationship is great but my favorite in the series is Kenoa and Kai’s friendship. Can’t wait to see what happens next in the series!
An engaging story! I also thought she had a unique take on the supernatural world having the casters on top and the frozen freelands outside the domes. One thing that I love about Sophie Davis books is she always has great female character leads that are strong and independent. Kai and Maybrie’s relationship is great but my favorite in the series is Kenoa and Kai’s friendship. Can’t wait to see what happens next in the series!
October 24, 2019
Such a great story!!
In a world that has been frozen over for decades (or centuries?), Fae, Shifters and Vampires can survive outside in the freezing cold but the humans can’t. It is simply too cold for them, without having any magic of their own to battle that cold. So those people live in these domes where they have artifical normal weather and day and night simulations with sun, moon and stars and all, just as it appaers outside that dome. Although they have none of their own, these humans can use magic, if taken from the magical beings and so the Fae are hunted to be sold into slavery to these humans, called Casters. Fae are given a few options that practically all come down to the same thing: they need to lend/give away magic to the Casters. Since it’s imbued in every cell of their being, they replentish and can keep giving away magic. And that’s why they are enlisted as slaves in a so-called job as a house Fae to lend magic to a whole household or as a well trained sophisticating bride-to-be (after attending the special school to “prepare Fae for marriage”) so they can become a bride/wife for a rich Caster to be his constant powersource, or even some other options that are even less appealing but always with the same outcome: letting the Casters have their magic so they can keep casting whatever they want to cast.
The story begins with a prologue where Brie, a Fire Fae (Fire Fae’s apparently aren’t common) is being captured by “Cowboys”, which are these renegate bounty hunter-like vampires and then she’s sold to a kingdom far away.
The story then jumps 5 years into the future and Brie has gained a lot of fans and fame by being one of the most succesful fighters in the fighting pits.
Since she was too headstrong to consider any of the magic-lending options after arriving in this kingdom, she was given (and jumped at) the chance to fight in the fighting pits to earn her freedom that way. At least that way she wouldn’t need to give away her magic.
But with a rebellion brewing in one direction and a stubborn Caster Prince fishing for Brie’s attention and some missing Fae and Casters, this book is filled with captivating moments that keep you wondering.
There are some amazing things in this book. Some details are written down so perfectly, others leave you to you own imagination but most of all, it’s a story about friendship. It is a beauty to see how close the fighters are outside the pits. They really are a loyal bunch.
It’s also about morals and choosing the right thing within the not so righteous options. And about surviving the best way possible... about who to trust when you suddenly begin to question every believe you ever had. In short: it’s captivating!!
In a world that has been frozen over for decades (or centuries?), Fae, Shifters and Vampires can survive outside in the freezing cold but the humans can’t. It is simply too cold for them, without having any magic of their own to battle that cold. So those people live in these domes where they have artifical normal weather and day and night simulations with sun, moon and stars and all, just as it appaers outside that dome. Although they have none of their own, these humans can use magic, if taken from the magical beings and so the Fae are hunted to be sold into slavery to these humans, called Casters. Fae are given a few options that practically all come down to the same thing: they need to lend/give away magic to the Casters. Since it’s imbued in every cell of their being, they replentish and can keep giving away magic. And that’s why they are enlisted as slaves in a so-called job as a house Fae to lend magic to a whole household or as a well trained sophisticating bride-to-be (after attending the special school to “prepare Fae for marriage”) so they can become a bride/wife for a rich Caster to be his constant powersource, or even some other options that are even less appealing but always with the same outcome: letting the Casters have their magic so they can keep casting whatever they want to cast.
The story begins with a prologue where Brie, a Fire Fae (Fire Fae’s apparently aren’t common) is being captured by “Cowboys”, which are these renegate bounty hunter-like vampires and then she’s sold to a kingdom far away.
The story then jumps 5 years into the future and Brie has gained a lot of fans and fame by being one of the most succesful fighters in the fighting pits.
Since she was too headstrong to consider any of the magic-lending options after arriving in this kingdom, she was given (and jumped at) the chance to fight in the fighting pits to earn her freedom that way. At least that way she wouldn’t need to give away her magic.
But with a rebellion brewing in one direction and a stubborn Caster Prince fishing for Brie’s attention and some missing Fae and Casters, this book is filled with captivating moments that keep you wondering.
There are some amazing things in this book. Some details are written down so perfectly, others leave you to you own imagination but most of all, it’s a story about friendship. It is a beauty to see how close the fighters are outside the pits. They really are a loyal bunch.
It’s also about morals and choosing the right thing within the not so righteous options. And about surviving the best way possible... about who to trust when you suddenly begin to question every believe you ever had. In short: it’s captivating!!
December 2, 2020
Throne of Winter (Dark Court: The Fire Fae, Book 1) by Sophie Davis and narrated by Sarah Puckett is an enjoyable YA story with tons of potential. Recommend if you’re looking for a YA story with magical elements. 4 stars for story, 3 for narration.
What’s it about? Maybrie (Brie), who is of Fae blood, was captured when she was younger and has been fighting in the pits in order to gain her freedom. She has become a well-known fighter over the years but despite this, she is still considered to be of the lowest caste (Casters, Shifters, Fae, and Vampires). She moonlights as a waitress to give money to the resistance. She meets Prince Kai one night who asks her on a date. Brie is asked to spy on him by the rebellion, however, her feelings soon get in the way and she is torn on what to do and who to trust. The world is set as a dystopian with tech and magical elements. There are things I absolutely love about this book, then there are parts lacking details (hopefully in future installments?) or too much detail on unimportant things that would keep the story moving. If you find yourself saying meh to the beginning, please stick with it as once it picks up, it gets better.
The narrator, Sarah Puckett, was not my cup of tea in the beginning, but she did grow on me and improved as the story progressed. I turned the book off several times before making it to a point where I wanted to listen and not put it down. The beginning is rough (story too), but as it goes on, she gets better (not so monotone, not so meh). With this being said, I would listen to the second book in the series and hope it’s in production.
*I was given a free review copy of the audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. Thank you for allowing me to listen and review the book!
What’s it about? Maybrie (Brie), who is of Fae blood, was captured when she was younger and has been fighting in the pits in order to gain her freedom. She has become a well-known fighter over the years but despite this, she is still considered to be of the lowest caste (Casters, Shifters, Fae, and Vampires). She moonlights as a waitress to give money to the resistance. She meets Prince Kai one night who asks her on a date. Brie is asked to spy on him by the rebellion, however, her feelings soon get in the way and she is torn on what to do and who to trust. The world is set as a dystopian with tech and magical elements. There are things I absolutely love about this book, then there are parts lacking details (hopefully in future installments?) or too much detail on unimportant things that would keep the story moving. If you find yourself saying meh to the beginning, please stick with it as once it picks up, it gets better.
The narrator, Sarah Puckett, was not my cup of tea in the beginning, but she did grow on me and improved as the story progressed. I turned the book off several times before making it to a point where I wanted to listen and not put it down. The beginning is rough (story too), but as it goes on, she gets better (not so monotone, not so meh). With this being said, I would listen to the second book in the series and hope it’s in production.
*I was given a free review copy of the audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. Thank you for allowing me to listen and review the book!
July 18, 2021
I've never read a futuristic fantasy before, so when I saw this book, I wanted to give it a try. While I was annoyed with the female protagonist on multiple occasions, I can still say it was a great read. I enjoyed it thoroughly and finished it in 2 days.
The concept was unique for me. People belonged to different hierarchies like casters who were considered upper-class people, then shifters, vampires, and fae. Their abilities and magic also differed which I found interesting.
Brie, the female MC was great for the most part, except she did nothing when another character kept pushing her around and commanding her to do things. She didn't owe this person anything. Instead, she kept taking out her frustrations on the one person who was making efforts to truly understand her.
I get that she had to be manipulated for the plot to move forward, but it could have been done in a better way without making her look like a complete pushover.
In terms of romance, I think it was a bit rushed. Brie hated the guy at first, then he asks her out on a date and she immediately starts thinking he is a good guy because he is charming and handsome. I wish the book had shown how she truly got to know him before she made that decision.
I liked everything else apart from that. The supporting characters were amazing, especially Kenoa. The world-building was great and I loved the detailed descriptions. The twist in the ending was unexpected and the book concluded with a cliffhanger which makes me eager to know what comes next. I definitely recommend this to people who enjoy fantasy novels.
The concept was unique for me. People belonged to different hierarchies like casters who were considered upper-class people, then shifters, vampires, and fae. Their abilities and magic also differed which I found interesting.
Brie, the female MC was great for the most part, except she did nothing when another character kept pushing her around and commanding her to do things. She didn't owe this person anything. Instead, she kept taking out her frustrations on the one person who was making efforts to truly understand her.
I get that she had to be manipulated for the plot to move forward, but it could have been done in a better way without making her look like a complete pushover.
In terms of romance, I think it was a bit rushed. Brie hated the guy at first, then he asks her out on a date and she immediately starts thinking he is a good guy because he is charming and handsome. I wish the book had shown how she truly got to know him before she made that decision.
I liked everything else apart from that. The supporting characters were amazing, especially Kenoa. The world-building was great and I loved the detailed descriptions. The twist in the ending was unexpected and the book concluded with a cliffhanger which makes me eager to know what comes next. I definitely recommend this to people who enjoy fantasy novels.
March 26, 2020
Maybrie Hawkins was kidnapped on the night of four fire moons by a vampire to... (not entire sure why, I'm assuming it's for her magic). She rises in the fighting pits as a female star fighter, and we... get day to day goings of what she eats and her text messages.
DNF 78% I picked this up in Prime library. I thought they screened books to weed out the stuff like this.
Okay, here's what I didn't like: * clunky phrases / descriptions
* weak world building
* play-by-play of her day—seriously, we got her food, how she felt about her food, how she worked on waiting tables, but never went into much detail of her training and how to use magic. Just that she wasn't good at it, and she preferred not to use it.
* messed up sentences! Instead of love life, we get life love. ect ect
* missing quotes
* stilted dialogue and heavy burly detective syndrome
* The forced romance was forced, as well as the whole, I really like him though, was forced.
* the rebellion, which could have provided tension and intrigue, was handled through text messages and a couple phone calls.
Here's what I liked: I've never seen an urban fantasy take place in Hawaii before, and it looked like there could be a great concept going on behind the scenes.
Overall, this was boring, and while it might have had a great premise, it wasn't fleshed out or even well written. This was like a hasty 2nd draft read. I'm glad I only borrowed this. Don't recommend
DNF 78% I picked this up in Prime library. I thought they screened books to weed out the stuff like this.
Okay, here's what I didn't like: * clunky phrases / descriptions
* weak world building
* play-by-play of her day—seriously, we got her food, how she felt about her food, how she worked on waiting tables, but never went into much detail of her training and how to use magic. Just that she wasn't good at it, and she preferred not to use it.
* messed up sentences! Instead of love life, we get life love. ect ect
* missing quotes
* stilted dialogue and heavy burly detective syndrome
* The forced romance was forced, as well as the whole, I really like him though, was forced.
* the rebellion, which could have provided tension and intrigue, was handled through text messages and a couple phone calls.
Here's what I liked: I've never seen an urban fantasy take place in Hawaii before, and it looked like there could be a great concept going on behind the scenes.
Overall, this was boring, and while it might have had a great premise, it wasn't fleshed out or even well written. This was like a hasty 2nd draft read. I'm glad I only borrowed this. Don't recommend
May 15, 2021
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - 5 stars
Now normally I'm not a fan of dystopian books but reading the plot summary really intrigued me and is what made me want to start this book and with its mix of fantasy, dystopia and romance it made for an action filled read. It has characters such as Fae, vampires, shifters and the ruling class
being castors (kinda like witches) who live in either the wastelands or within the dome. The plot follows Maybrie a fire fae who is abducted and brought into the dome at 15, we have a time skip to 5 years later when she is participating in a fight pit against a shifter. We see Kai take an interest in Maybrie but with Kai being a castor Prince this goes against all Maybrie stands for. With a lot of drama, lies and Action this book grabbed my attention and I couldn't put it down. I listened to this book via audible and the narrator did a great job at creating an immersive and emotive audio. I'm immediately starting the next book in the series as I can't wait to find out what happens next.
I received a gifted copy of this audiobook from the writer but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Now normally I'm not a fan of dystopian books but reading the plot summary really intrigued me and is what made me want to start this book and with its mix of fantasy, dystopia and romance it made for an action filled read. It has characters such as Fae, vampires, shifters and the ruling class
being castors (kinda like witches) who live in either the wastelands or within the dome. The plot follows Maybrie a fire fae who is abducted and brought into the dome at 15, we have a time skip to 5 years later when she is participating in a fight pit against a shifter. We see Kai take an interest in Maybrie but with Kai being a castor Prince this goes against all Maybrie stands for. With a lot of drama, lies and Action this book grabbed my attention and I couldn't put it down. I listened to this book via audible and the narrator did a great job at creating an immersive and emotive audio. I'm immediately starting the next book in the series as I can't wait to find out what happens next.
I received a gifted copy of this audiobook from the writer but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 2, 2021
Good premise and intriguing
After our world freezes over, most magical casters hide in protective domes. Free fae are able to live in the icy landscape, but they power the magic of the casters, and are taken by vampires and applied unethically. Hence how the heroine, a Fae named Brie ended up as a fighter for entertainment for the casters. Fighting were-creatures, and other fae, Brie makes money -- mostly to help others, often to fund a rebellion against the trafficking and use of fae. Enter the handsome prince. Kai is as charming as you'd expect and unexpectedly compassionate toward others, including fae, with forward thinking and an open mind. How will Brie balance her hatred of the abuses of her kind vs her growing curiosity in the prince??
This fast pace book is intriguing, full of tension, my favorite tropes but with some surprising turns. I love Hawaii and so the references made me ache to go back to the islands. It's a real mash up of fantasy characters but mostly focuses on justice, equality, attraction, honesty and saving the world bc your enemy isn't always who you think it is.
After our world freezes over, most magical casters hide in protective domes. Free fae are able to live in the icy landscape, but they power the magic of the casters, and are taken by vampires and applied unethically. Hence how the heroine, a Fae named Brie ended up as a fighter for entertainment for the casters. Fighting were-creatures, and other fae, Brie makes money -- mostly to help others, often to fund a rebellion against the trafficking and use of fae. Enter the handsome prince. Kai is as charming as you'd expect and unexpectedly compassionate toward others, including fae, with forward thinking and an open mind. How will Brie balance her hatred of the abuses of her kind vs her growing curiosity in the prince??
This fast pace book is intriguing, full of tension, my favorite tropes but with some surprising turns. I love Hawaii and so the references made me ache to go back to the islands. It's a real mash up of fantasy characters but mostly focuses on justice, equality, attraction, honesty and saving the world bc your enemy isn't always who you think it is.
September 21, 2021
I listened to the audiobook of this story and I really enjoyed it! The narrator does a very good job! The story is also really good. It wasn’t what I expected, but I guess that’s what I get for not reading the blurb first. But that was a good thing. It’s set in a dystopian earth that is a frozen wasteland other than magical domes that are climate controlled. Fae, shifters, and vampires and second class citizens in a society ruled by human casters. But casters don’t have their own magic and have to get their magic from the Fae which creates further disparity between them. Brie is a fire Fae who was captured and taken to a domed city to fight in an arena to entertain the casters. When Prince Kai takes an interest in her, she will have to choose between the hate she’s always had for the royals and the feelings she’s starting to have for him. I found the story engrossing and the relationship between Brie and Kai seemed natural. I suspected a bit of what was going on, but the overall ending I didn’t see coming. I liked the ending since it wrapped things up enough to feel like a complete story while leaving things open for a series.
April 2, 2021
Dystopian mixed with epic fantasy species; what an interesting idea for a story. Normally the fae are high tier beings in the hierarchy, but in this story they are lowest on the tier despite being the most powerful. I like that it includes some of our normal technology from today (cellphones, laptops), but still has the end of the world component with the Freelands vs the Domes. Even some random references to humans are thrown in.
I really like the development of the romance and I appreciate, for once, that the main character recognizes that she does have feelings, even though she shouldn’t, rather than be untruthful with herself. The twist at the end is not what I expected, but I liked the flashback character and I’m excited to see how they all come into play again.
I wish we would have received a little more background as to why the fighting pits evolved in the first place when (I assume) they did not exist before the freeze. A little more back story and development of the Tanner relationship may have been helpful to give more credence to her situation and choices.
I really like the development of the romance and I appreciate, for once, that the main character recognizes that she does have feelings, even though she shouldn’t, rather than be untruthful with herself. The twist at the end is not what I expected, but I liked the flashback character and I’m excited to see how they all come into play again.
I wish we would have received a little more background as to why the fighting pits evolved in the first place when (I assume) they did not exist before the freeze. A little more back story and development of the Tanner relationship may have been helpful to give more credence to her situation and choices.
June 29, 2022
This tale sets up very quickly and kept me thoroughly immersed. In this post apocalyptic world, castors are the ruling class and Fae are used as their power source. The setting takes place in Hawaii, which felt disjointed for me only because I am native from there so menehunes should have been in this tale. Anyway, all the other token references were there up to and including ukuleles and the last monarchs picture in iolani palace.
Now the tale itself was good. Love that Maybrie, the MC, found her own slice of independence even though it’s limited, and still found ways to secretly help others. The Prince however, felt almost too good. References were made inferring him to be a typical, spoiled elite, yet with the MC ( and majority of this tale) he was at his best behavior.
The flow of this storyline truly allowed me to feel the buildup of the rebellion. Without divulging a spoiler, the crescendo of this tale was eye opening! Very much peaked my curiosity as to what’s next.!
All my reviews are always voluntarily written.
Now the tale itself was good. Love that Maybrie, the MC, found her own slice of independence even though it’s limited, and still found ways to secretly help others. The Prince however, felt almost too good. References were made inferring him to be a typical, spoiled elite, yet with the MC ( and majority of this tale) he was at his best behavior.
The flow of this storyline truly allowed me to feel the buildup of the rebellion. Without divulging a spoiler, the crescendo of this tale was eye opening! Very much peaked my curiosity as to what’s next.!
All my reviews are always voluntarily written.
August 24, 2019
I love when a book takes you by surprise. Not unlike Kai does to Brie. I went into this book with a committal interest, and walked away a zealous fan. I finished it in one sitting , unable to put it down. The world that Davis has created is fascinating. I know other reviewers said not knowing the premise and beginnings was a fault of the story, but I completely disagree. I can not even compare the beginning of this series to anything, because it is the most unique encounter I have had in a while, and that speaks volumes of Sophie Davis' talent, creativity and genius. This easily fits into my list of "written on the calender count down to next book "series and authors. That is a list that holds the likes Leigh Bardugo, Jim Butcher, and Emily Duncan ...so it is safe to say you need to read this book.
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