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The Carnival's Daughter
The world is different. New. Or at least that is what people who can remember tell me.
Women are coveted, a rare jewel to be treasured.
But also owned.
Collected.
Displayed.
I’m a girl with one green eye and one blue.
A feature that both condemns me and keeps me alive at the same time.
I’m wanted by the most dangerous man in this new Kingdom.
An obsession that threatens my sanity, and also saves my life.
I’m reminded of this every morning and every night…
and sometimes all night long.
In this new, new world that he orchestrated, you dance to his tune, or you don’t dance at all.
Release date will be pulled in. The Carnival’s Daughter is a dark dystopian romance and Book 1 in a duet. Book 2, The Kingdom’s Son, will be released shortly after. The books contain themes and scenes that are NOT suitable for readers with triggers, so please proceed with caution. If you don’t like your heroes villainous, you might want to give this one a swerve.
Women are coveted, a rare jewel to be treasured.
But also owned.
Collected.
Displayed.
I’m a girl with one green eye and one blue.
A feature that both condemns me and keeps me alive at the same time.
I’m wanted by the most dangerous man in this new Kingdom.
An obsession that threatens my sanity, and also saves my life.
I’m reminded of this every morning and every night…
and sometimes all night long.
In this new, new world that he orchestrated, you dance to his tune, or you don’t dance at all.
Release date will be pulled in. The Carnival’s Daughter is a dark dystopian romance and Book 1 in a duet. Book 2, The Kingdom’s Son, will be released shortly after. The books contain themes and scenes that are NOT suitable for readers with triggers, so please proceed with caution. If you don’t like your heroes villainous, you might want to give this one a swerve.
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2020
113 people are currently reading
492 people want to read
About the author
Esme Devlin
26 books329 followersEsme is a Scottish romance author who writes books about demanding and possessive alpha-heros. Or anti-heros, when the mood takes her. They're usually gruff and hard, but that is until they meet the women who bring them to their knees.
In her spare time Esme writes sci-fi romance and sometimes remembers to eat. She's a mum of two very fiesty heroines and a wolf-hybrid, and she lives with her very own highlander-husband who she is trying to convince to do her audiobooks ;-)
You can keep up to date by subscribing to her spam-free mailing list (honestly, she is a tech-phobe). https://www.subscribepage.com/x2k2t8
In her spare time Esme writes sci-fi romance and sometimes remembers to eat. She's a mum of two very fiesty heroines and a wolf-hybrid, and she lives with her very own highlander-husband who she is trying to convince to do her audiobooks ;-)
You can keep up to date by subscribing to her spam-free mailing list (honestly, she is a tech-phobe). https://www.subscribepage.com/x2k2t8
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
June 30, 2020
Update... Okay, so I was really looking forward to reading the next book. It was supposed to be out today. It's not. Looks like the author's books are no longer on zon. Well, damn. I really wanted the next book!
Initial review below...
I struggled with how to rate this. The premise is interesting and I really do want to know what happens next. I even added the next book to my calendar.
Gotta admit, I am mesmerized with the story. It is so good. I need more. Definitely recommend it.
Where the disconnect is for me is with how the FMC is written. I wanted more from her. She not only lies to herself but she almost seems like an unreliable narrator at times. I realize this could be the author's way of showing her character growth over the book. But, in my mind, it doesn't work with my assumed timeline based on information given and context clues. This is probably a me thing, and not the author's fault at all.
Initial review below...
I struggled with how to rate this. The premise is interesting and I really do want to know what happens next. I even added the next book to my calendar.
Gotta admit, I am mesmerized with the story. It is so good. I need more. Definitely recommend it.
Where the disconnect is for me is with how the FMC is written. I wanted more from her. She not only lies to herself but she almost seems like an unreliable narrator at times. I realize this could be the author's way of showing her character growth over the book. But, in my mind, it doesn't work with my assumed timeline based on information given and context clues. This is probably a me thing, and not the author's fault at all.
March 11, 2020
In the beginning it was a bit slow for me to burn. I thought, mmh, should I continue? And yes, yes. I'm glad I did that. When Baron took Sapphire to his own house, I really enjoyed this dark, dystopian romance. Sapphire is a vulnerable, sweet woman with a fire in her. Baron is kind of crazy and so good at words that you think he's not that bad at all. But everyone wears a mask and behind that you find the real person. They both come together in a very different way, but whether that will go well or not? I really want to read the second part and can't wait to discover more of Sapphire and Baron's world.
February 2, 2021
Yes, #ownvoices DOES exist in romance.
It's obviously needed since this author seems willfully unaware of it or what it actually MEANS.
No, it's got nothing to do with Irish authors writing Italian characters, Scottish authors writing German characters or any other nonsense.
Black and PoC romance authors DO exist and are fighting for equity and inclusion as well as respect. The problem is with publishing that gatekeeps BIPoC.
Screenshots are forever.
It's obviously needed since this author seems willfully unaware of it or what it actually MEANS.
No, it's got nothing to do with Irish authors writing Italian characters, Scottish authors writing German characters or any other nonsense.
Black and PoC romance authors DO exist and are fighting for equity and inclusion as well as respect. The problem is with publishing that gatekeeps BIPoC.
Screenshots are forever.
November 5, 2020
Book: The Carnival's Daughter
Author: Esme Devlin
Type: Book 1 in Kingdom Duet
Genre: Dystopian Romance
POV: Dual First Person
Rating: 2 Stars!
I had high expectations for this book. And while it started out great, it went downhill around 30%. The male protagonist was definitely one of the worst. I get that he is mad. But any hero who watches a woman get raped and does nothing to prevent it, is simply irredeemable. And his logic? That he's not the worst out there. His place is actually one of the safe places for women. I couldn't care less about him. And the female MC was so, so naive.
The plot was senseless. The story dragged and dragged. I almost DNF'd it 3 times. I liked the premise of the story but for me the characters and delivery were way off. It was just not for me.
Needless to say, I won't be reading the next book.
Author: Esme Devlin
Type: Book 1 in Kingdom Duet
Genre: Dystopian Romance
POV: Dual First Person
Rating: 2 Stars!
"I guess when the world goes to hell, the only thing left to do is worship the devil."
I had high expectations for this book. And while it started out great, it went downhill around 30%. The male protagonist was definitely one of the worst. I get that he is mad. But any hero who watches a woman get raped and does nothing to prevent it, is simply irredeemable. And his logic? That he's not the worst out there. His place is actually one of the safe places for women. I couldn't care less about him. And the female MC was so, so naive.
“My name is Baron, and I’m about to become your nightmare.”
The plot was senseless. The story dragged and dragged. I almost DNF'd it 3 times. I liked the premise of the story but for me the characters and delivery were way off. It was just not for me.
Needless to say, I won't be reading the next book.
March 10, 2020
WOW! I loved everything about this book! I love a good dark romance and this one was unique enough that I couldn't stop reading until I got to the end. Already looking forward to book 2!
October 10, 2020
WTF
What did I just read? This has me so discombobulated though out the whole book. Inner thoughts that added nothing to plot... Plot what plot? I did not care about these ppl at all. The world building was non existent..So much could have been done with this book but it was like they didn't even try. The characters were one dimensional. It wanted to be dark and it fell flat. Just tried to throw some shocking dark things in there ...Then fails to deliver. You can say you tied a girl to a v seat and had men fighting to death for her and say men are hitting and stabbing each other but unless you describe it to me in a way that make me feel the terror of the girl and the Lust of the men. It's a useless sentences. And the mask? No pearls given as to way it's there..... Why she was so valuable? Hinted at by the carnival owner ..pearls? Never delivered. Not one more mention almost like writer forgot about it. My absolute hated thing was the ,dare I say?, Riddle like thoughts that was supposed to impart some kind of information or clue to the reader that left me rereading the lines and saying : what ?: Like
she's going to the k- hole. She's about to become nothing . Her everything is about to become nothing. She'll be thunder in the clouds,and then a particle twisting through the universe.
Huh? Just no .don't mind having to read between line but don't want to write them myself thanks ! Book had so much promise 😕
What did I just read? This has me so discombobulated though out the whole book. Inner thoughts that added nothing to plot... Plot what plot? I did not care about these ppl at all. The world building was non existent..So much could have been done with this book but it was like they didn't even try. The characters were one dimensional. It wanted to be dark and it fell flat. Just tried to throw some shocking dark things in there ...Then fails to deliver. You can say you tied a girl to a v seat and had men fighting to death for her and say men are hitting and stabbing each other but unless you describe it to me in a way that make me feel the terror of the girl and the Lust of the men. It's a useless sentences. And the mask? No pearls given as to way it's there..... Why she was so valuable? Hinted at by the carnival owner ..pearls? Never delivered. Not one more mention almost like writer forgot about it. My absolute hated thing was the ,dare I say?, Riddle like thoughts that was supposed to impart some kind of information or clue to the reader that left me rereading the lines and saying : what ?: Like
she's going to the k- hole. She's about to become nothing . Her everything is about to become nothing. She'll be thunder in the clouds,and then a particle twisting through the universe.
Huh? Just no .don't mind having to read between line but don't want to write them myself thanks ! Book had so much promise 😕
March 29, 2020
Did you ever read the story that scares you and thrilled you at the same time. I don't know how to even express what this story did to me. It was deliciously dark and tempting romance with gritty, raw and sometimes grusome plot.
I don't know how Esme Devlin author did it but I was totally mesmerized by this story and couldn't stop reading or thinking about it.
Not only this story made me feel this way but mostly very mysterious hero, Baron. Everything about him screams power, danger and dominance. The devil and angel at the same time. His dark aura hoocked me the most to the story. I was wondering who is this man and what's his intentions toward Sapphire. Was he a villian or ally? Was he her rescue from current life or her worst nightmare? Its all was like huge puzzle to me or a riddle, hard to figure out. The most confusing hero I've ever read about. I love to hate him and hate to love him in the most fu*ked up way. Never any other anti-hero made as huge impression on me as Baron.
But heroine was also very intriguing to me. Sapphire was pure hearted young girl, inexperienced but smart and very curious.
She was living her whole life in the bubble but in the world full of evil.
She felt very confused about Baron but there was something really strong what was pulling her toward him all the time or maybe it was only his games and tricks. This book is full of steamy sexy moments and also very intense emotions between main heroes.
If you love dark romance books and like to push your limits or get out of your comfort zone, I highly recommend this book by amazing writer Esme Devlin.
Carnival's Daughter is book one in the Kingdom duet so be aware that author will leave you with so many questions and huge cliffhanger and you will beg for more Baron and Sapphire story.
I don't know how Esme Devlin author did it but I was totally mesmerized by this story and couldn't stop reading or thinking about it.
Not only this story made me feel this way but mostly very mysterious hero, Baron. Everything about him screams power, danger and dominance. The devil and angel at the same time. His dark aura hoocked me the most to the story. I was wondering who is this man and what's his intentions toward Sapphire. Was he a villian or ally? Was he her rescue from current life or her worst nightmare? Its all was like huge puzzle to me or a riddle, hard to figure out. The most confusing hero I've ever read about. I love to hate him and hate to love him in the most fu*ked up way. Never any other anti-hero made as huge impression on me as Baron.
But heroine was also very intriguing to me. Sapphire was pure hearted young girl, inexperienced but smart and very curious.
She was living her whole life in the bubble but in the world full of evil.
She felt very confused about Baron but there was something really strong what was pulling her toward him all the time or maybe it was only his games and tricks. This book is full of steamy sexy moments and also very intense emotions between main heroes.
If you love dark romance books and like to push your limits or get out of your comfort zone, I highly recommend this book by amazing writer Esme Devlin.
Carnival's Daughter is book one in the Kingdom duet so be aware that author will leave you with so many questions and huge cliffhanger and you will beg for more Baron and Sapphire story.
May 8, 2020
3.5 stars. I liked the premise of the story and Baron and Sapphire had major chemistry, but it didn't pull me in quite as much as I was hoping. I need more back story on Baron. Hoping I get that in book 2.
April 3, 2020
Jfc I'm dumber for reading this
I hate everything about this book. Slogging through it, I feel like I desperately need a shot of hard liquor, maybe a bullet to the brain to erase the two days I spent reading this. There's no resolution, no plot, just rape, rape, and even more rape.
I hate everything about this book. Slogging through it, I feel like I desperately need a shot of hard liquor, maybe a bullet to the brain to erase the two days I spent reading this. There's no resolution, no plot, just rape, rape, and even more rape.
March 21, 2020
LOVED IT! The selling point of this story was not just the intrigue and enigma of the main hero Baron. It's the mind games that leaves you wondering and always seated on the edge, ready for something to hit you smack in your face. It's erotica based on sensuality and also intelligence. Nothing is sexier than a cunning, intelligent person.
BARON is a sadistic, almost dysfunctional character but I guess that's what made him so sexy, mysterious and downright intriguing. Of course, in real life if I ever met someone like that I'd run the other way FAST, but this is fiction so we can revel in him. Baron first caught sight of Sapphire, she was performing in the carnival and immediately there's this live-wire chemistry between them that wasn't based solely on lust. It was something more. I do admit the entire world lacked building, or if the author has more to share, she didn't. We just know that the world ended because of high tech birth control, and soon the females who took the pills can't give birth LOL. Frankly I don't really know what's happening in the outside world apart from what's going on between Baron and Sapphire. By hook or crook, Baron basically seized Sapphire from her Carnival master, taking her back home and played mind games with her, all because of his twisted, growing fascination for her. I would be lying if I said I didn't want to see the man behind the metal mask. Oh right, Baron wears a mask throughout the whole story, so we don't even know what he looks like and we don't even know his background story, which I hope will be enlightened in the next book.
SAPPHIRE is like a poor doll celebrating Dia de muertos everyday, since her job at the carnival requires her to paint her face into a skeleton. What's intriguing about her are her mismatched eyes, and also her resilience to mental games as you will know from her interaction with Baron. Yes, she's an innocent and a virgin, but perhaps those are her arsenal for dealing with a sadist like Baron. Sapphire endures his many rounds of mental abuse but he will never lay a single hand on her. She didn't go crazy from it, in fact it makes her more alive and aware, in order to beat Baron at his own games. It's their form of foreplay I guess and I loved the slow burn. There was only one sex scene, but I think it was awesome enough for now, since the sensuality has been building up to that moment. It wasn't SUPERNOVA explosive, but close.
OVERALL there are many unanswered questions to the story, and I can't wait for the next installment to be released. I really want to know more about the man behind Baron.
BARON is a sadistic, almost dysfunctional character but I guess that's what made him so sexy, mysterious and downright intriguing. Of course, in real life if I ever met someone like that I'd run the other way FAST, but this is fiction so we can revel in him. Baron first caught sight of Sapphire, she was performing in the carnival and immediately there's this live-wire chemistry between them that wasn't based solely on lust. It was something more. I do admit the entire world lacked building, or if the author has more to share, she didn't. We just know that the world ended because of high tech birth control, and soon the females who took the pills can't give birth LOL. Frankly I don't really know what's happening in the outside world apart from what's going on between Baron and Sapphire. By hook or crook, Baron basically seized Sapphire from her Carnival master, taking her back home and played mind games with her, all because of his twisted, growing fascination for her. I would be lying if I said I didn't want to see the man behind the metal mask. Oh right, Baron wears a mask throughout the whole story, so we don't even know what he looks like and we don't even know his background story, which I hope will be enlightened in the next book.
SAPPHIRE is like a poor doll celebrating Dia de muertos everyday, since her job at the carnival requires her to paint her face into a skeleton. What's intriguing about her are her mismatched eyes, and also her resilience to mental games as you will know from her interaction with Baron. Yes, she's an innocent and a virgin, but perhaps those are her arsenal for dealing with a sadist like Baron. Sapphire endures his many rounds of mental abuse but he will never lay a single hand on her. She didn't go crazy from it, in fact it makes her more alive and aware, in order to beat Baron at his own games. It's their form of foreplay I guess and I loved the slow burn. There was only one sex scene, but I think it was awesome enough for now, since the sensuality has been building up to that moment. It wasn't SUPERNOVA explosive, but close.
OVERALL there are many unanswered questions to the story, and I can't wait for the next installment to be released. I really want to know more about the man behind Baron.
March 13, 2020
In a world that's not safe, shes a rare commodity with a price on her head.
She thought she was precious and treasured, special even. How wrong was she.
The man with the mask, attracts her attention on the eve of everything changing. Who is he, what does he want?
He sees how special she is from the moment their eyes connect. No price will be too high, no trade too much to make her his.
Is he her saviour, or her worst nightmare, only time will tell...
I fell in love with the cover of this, so much so that I didn't even read the blurb I just knew I wanted it, needed it, HAD to read it.
I don't regret it, it's good, just very different from what I normally read.
Part of me wished it had more chapters based at the carnival, as there's just something magical about it, especially in a world that's been ravaged.
The characters are quite unique, but well suited to the story.
Sapphire is quite naive and innocent, she leads a very sheltered yet basic life.
The fire within her appealed to me greatly and I loved her actions born from fear.
Baron is a complicated character who hides his true identity. Everything is a game carefully worded to give hope when there is none.
I didn't love him, and he wont be making my book boyfriend list anytime soon, but he's not meant to.
He's not the hero of the story, there isnt one, so if you are looking for a happily ever after this might not be for you.
I'm not desperate to know what happens in the next book, but I do want to see where it goes, and I would like to know more about what's left of their world.
She thought she was precious and treasured, special even. How wrong was she.
The man with the mask, attracts her attention on the eve of everything changing. Who is he, what does he want?
He sees how special she is from the moment their eyes connect. No price will be too high, no trade too much to make her his.
Is he her saviour, or her worst nightmare, only time will tell...
I fell in love with the cover of this, so much so that I didn't even read the blurb I just knew I wanted it, needed it, HAD to read it.
I don't regret it, it's good, just very different from what I normally read.
Part of me wished it had more chapters based at the carnival, as there's just something magical about it, especially in a world that's been ravaged.
The characters are quite unique, but well suited to the story.
Sapphire is quite naive and innocent, she leads a very sheltered yet basic life.
The fire within her appealed to me greatly and I loved her actions born from fear.
Baron is a complicated character who hides his true identity. Everything is a game carefully worded to give hope when there is none.
I didn't love him, and he wont be making my book boyfriend list anytime soon, but he's not meant to.
He's not the hero of the story, there isnt one, so if you are looking for a happily ever after this might not be for you.
I'm not desperate to know what happens in the next book, but I do want to see where it goes, and I would like to know more about what's left of their world.
March 9, 2020
The darkness of this book consumed me in the best way possible.
I love everything about Esme’s books. I am amazed at the world that she has created within The Carnival’s Daughter. The way she weaved the storyline had me constantly on my toes desperately trying to see where she was going to take this story and every time I thought I came close to figuring it out, I had my gut punched and my mind blowing up with how far off I was and that is exactly how I love it. The way she writes creates such a vivid imagine that you almost feel like you are watching it happen, rather than reading what happened.
Esme seems to know just how to write the perfect villain. He is dark, evil, depraved and broody- everything you should hate but can’t help but fall in love with. Baron is a mystery. He is powerful and demands fear from everyone but has a soft spot for the heroine- Sapphire. She is Gentle, innocent and curious and therefore the perfect counterpart for Baron. The constant push and pull between them was gripping and you cannot help but love it especially between the games that Baron likes to play with her and how she tries to find a way around them. Sapphire is confused with her feelings towards Baron. One minute he is cruel and the next he is full of affection. The journey with the two of them has you flipping pages so fast because you cannot help but want to know what happens next.
Your mind will be blown and your soul will be crushed, but you can't help but love it. It is a dark romance written to perfection.
I love everything about Esme’s books. I am amazed at the world that she has created within The Carnival’s Daughter. The way she weaved the storyline had me constantly on my toes desperately trying to see where she was going to take this story and every time I thought I came close to figuring it out, I had my gut punched and my mind blowing up with how far off I was and that is exactly how I love it. The way she writes creates such a vivid imagine that you almost feel like you are watching it happen, rather than reading what happened.
Esme seems to know just how to write the perfect villain. He is dark, evil, depraved and broody- everything you should hate but can’t help but fall in love with. Baron is a mystery. He is powerful and demands fear from everyone but has a soft spot for the heroine- Sapphire. She is Gentle, innocent and curious and therefore the perfect counterpart for Baron. The constant push and pull between them was gripping and you cannot help but love it especially between the games that Baron likes to play with her and how she tries to find a way around them. Sapphire is confused with her feelings towards Baron. One minute he is cruel and the next he is full of affection. The journey with the two of them has you flipping pages so fast because you cannot help but want to know what happens next.
Your mind will be blown and your soul will be crushed, but you can't help but love it. It is a dark romance written to perfection.
March 12, 2020
I Give this Book a 3.5/5, Listing as 4.
How dilapidated is the world exactly? That’s one thing is still don’t understand.
I kinda found it a little boring cause Baron & Sapphire were a main focus yet they felt stagnant when they were separated and together.
I found it a little bit all over the place, nothing was a convincing main focus, overall the book was hard to ‘picture’ cause everything is hurried and vague. I felt like I was on a sugar rush, always needed to keep moving to next things.
The book is to me what I call ‘forcibly dark’, dark subject matter is inputed/forced into the book but there is nothing ‘visually’ to see it or the dark scenes may be to ‘weak’, it’s mainly implied.
I have ZERO triggers, I’m an ‘Extremely Dark’ fan so no amount of darkness or triggers is too much, especially if it’s written well.
I strangely had a teeter tottering effect on how I ‘GOT’ the reason why the women are treated the way they are, but it also doesn’t makes sense and then again yet it does. Lol
Then when I found out what the ‘Curse’ was, the fact that the ‘Curse’ could be existing now and we don’t know it that’s where that’s gets terrifying.
The logic behind it is quite creepily accurate almost too accurate if I say so myself.
The concept for this book is quite interesting. I am looking forward to book 2, cause I need to see where it’ll end up.
Heat: 2.5-3 (more towards 2.5)/5
Romance: Not Their Yet, So No Rating.
Dark: (To Me) it’s a 2.5/5, but I will be darker for others.
Drama: 3-3.5/5
Suspense: 3.5-4/5
How dilapidated is the world exactly? That’s one thing is still don’t understand.
I kinda found it a little boring cause Baron & Sapphire were a main focus yet they felt stagnant when they were separated and together.
I found it a little bit all over the place, nothing was a convincing main focus, overall the book was hard to ‘picture’ cause everything is hurried and vague. I felt like I was on a sugar rush, always needed to keep moving to next things.
The book is to me what I call ‘forcibly dark’, dark subject matter is inputed/forced into the book but there is nothing ‘visually’ to see it or the dark scenes may be to ‘weak’, it’s mainly implied.
I have ZERO triggers, I’m an ‘Extremely Dark’ fan so no amount of darkness or triggers is too much, especially if it’s written well.
I strangely had a teeter tottering effect on how I ‘GOT’ the reason why the women are treated the way they are, but it also doesn’t makes sense and then again yet it does. Lol
Then when I found out what the ‘Curse’ was, the fact that the ‘Curse’ could be existing now and we don’t know it that’s where that’s gets terrifying.
The logic behind it is quite creepily accurate almost too accurate if I say so myself.
The concept for this book is quite interesting. I am looking forward to book 2, cause I need to see where it’ll end up.
Heat: 2.5-3 (more towards 2.5)/5
Romance: Not Their Yet, So No Rating.
Dark: (To Me) it’s a 2.5/5, but I will be darker for others.
Drama: 3-3.5/5
Suspense: 3.5-4/5
March 22, 2020
I love Esme's writing style and her unique concepts. Her bullies are not the usual bullies and her stories are as much as possible close to the real life (in other books), but this book surprised me unprepared. How? First, the story.. the story itself is one that I haven't encountered before (at least in such concept), second, Baron - dark, brooding, with a mask and actually pretty likable hero, BUT the issues why I could not give it 5 stars are as follows:
first, I could not grasp the real world - how it looks like, where it happens for real, how is the scenery etc. ;
second, I didn't feel the necessary chemistry between Baron and Sapphire;
third, the book is dark, but due to the aforementioned reasons I could not enjoy it or feel repulsed (it sometimes happens with me and with dark books), and that means no real emotions from my side and it is a bad sign;
third, Sapphire.... she claims being used to the world as it is now in her time, but struggles with it every day.... if she is used to it then why get into disagreements with Baron publicly? It does not sound as real possibility even in a standard romance, not counting dystopian.
I hope that Esme will not rush the story in the second book and we will see the true colors of the book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
first, I could not grasp the real world - how it looks like, where it happens for real, how is the scenery etc. ;
second, I didn't feel the necessary chemistry between Baron and Sapphire;
third, the book is dark, but due to the aforementioned reasons I could not enjoy it or feel repulsed (it sometimes happens with me and with dark books), and that means no real emotions from my side and it is a bad sign;
third, Sapphire.... she claims being used to the world as it is now in her time, but struggles with it every day.... if she is used to it then why get into disagreements with Baron publicly? It does not sound as real possibility even in a standard romance, not counting dystopian.
I hope that Esme will not rush the story in the second book and we will see the true colors of the book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 27, 2022
I admitted, that when I found this I didn’t even remotely think it would have sex in it, and damn, when I read the genres in Goodreads I was like, okay, let’s go for it. This was intriguing but overall, it definitely needs some character development, and maybe a less chauvinistic view of a dystopia, I mean, it was like Dirty The Handmaiden’s Tale without the depth and sort of romanticizing awful situations. It wasn’t terrible, but it’s definitely not something I’m interested in following.
I WAS INTRIGUED.
I was ready to suffer and cry, and enjoy a good smutty tale. I felt intrigued because of the setting and world-building it promised and the one it ended up having. But a point was reached, and it ended up not being so captivating. It became just another dirty story with no romance, or character development. I mean, this is definitely reaching the feminist horror category for me.
TOO MUCH TOXICITY.
Who would have thought I would draw the line in this kind of “romance”? Not me, I thought I would be able to handle it. But I reached 89% of the book, and it was no longer interesting but dense and overly confusing. I was like, this dude is gonna soften to her slowly, and then came the time when it kinda happened, and it was over in no time. He’s just a psycho abusing a child, nothing more than that.
I WAS INTRIGUED.
I was ready to suffer and cry, and enjoy a good smutty tale. I felt intrigued because of the setting and world-building it promised and the one it ended up having. But a point was reached, and it ended up not being so captivating. It became just another dirty story with no romance, or character development. I mean, this is definitely reaching the feminist horror category for me.
TOO MUCH TOXICITY.
Who would have thought I would draw the line in this kind of “romance”? Not me, I thought I would be able to handle it. But I reached 89% of the book, and it was no longer interesting but dense and overly confusing. I was like, this dude is gonna soften to her slowly, and then came the time when it kinda happened, and it was over in no time. He’s just a psycho abusing a child, nothing more than that.
March 16, 2020
Exciting first book in this dark romance duet!!
This is book one in this intensely intriguing dark romance duet. Book two The Kingdom's Son will be the conclusion of Sapphire and Baron's story and I'm looking forward to reading it.
Sapphire knows it's only a matter of time before someone will be able to meet the high price Maxim is asking for her. What she doesn't expect is for it to be the dark man behind the mask, a mask he never takes off in front of anyone. Baron has been called the devil many times, he has multiple women that he owns and uses as entertainment for his guests. He's used to seeing that 100 yard stare they develop and it makes them all the same to him. Until he sees Sapphire, she is full of life, no matter how hard she tries to mask it, Baron sees it and he wants her. This is a truly unique and twisted tale that I highly recommend. This book does end on a cliffhanger and their story will be completed in book two, The Kingdom's Son. Make sure to pay attention to the trigger warnings and give this book a pass it you are not into villainous heroes.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is book one in this intensely intriguing dark romance duet. Book two The Kingdom's Son will be the conclusion of Sapphire and Baron's story and I'm looking forward to reading it.
Sapphire knows it's only a matter of time before someone will be able to meet the high price Maxim is asking for her. What she doesn't expect is for it to be the dark man behind the mask, a mask he never takes off in front of anyone. Baron has been called the devil many times, he has multiple women that he owns and uses as entertainment for his guests. He's used to seeing that 100 yard stare they develop and it makes them all the same to him. Until he sees Sapphire, she is full of life, no matter how hard she tries to mask it, Baron sees it and he wants her. This is a truly unique and twisted tale that I highly recommend. This book does end on a cliffhanger and their story will be completed in book two, The Kingdom's Son. Make sure to pay attention to the trigger warnings and give this book a pass it you are not into villainous heroes.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 13, 2020
From the beginning, Devlin immediately draws us to this dystopian society with the way she paints the FMC. Women are a jewel, coveted and obtained but not really their own person. Sapphire learns this the hard way after living with a certain naivete.
Baron is hard, calculating, and something lurks below the surface. He acts both cruel and kind and leads you to believe it is all simply part of his game but I digress. The whole scenario with his mask and how no one ever sees him, baffles me. Baron plays into that and Sapphire assumes it's because he disfigured or ugly. I think the symbolism behind the mask has nothing to so with actual physical appearance but everything to do with hiding behind the mask to protect himself internally.
The ending had me questioning the true motives of Baron and I am looking forward to reading Kingdom's Son when it releases.
Baron is hard, calculating, and something lurks below the surface. He acts both cruel and kind and leads you to believe it is all simply part of his game but I digress. The whole scenario with his mask and how no one ever sees him, baffles me. Baron plays into that and Sapphire assumes it's because he disfigured or ugly. I think the symbolism behind the mask has nothing to so with actual physical appearance but everything to do with hiding behind the mask to protect himself internally.
The ending had me questioning the true motives of Baron and I am looking forward to reading Kingdom's Son when it releases.
March 13, 2020
The Carnival's Daughter is a book about a dark game of cat and mouse played by sheltered Carnival showgirl Sapphire (FMC) and the mysterious Baron. A man that is so multi-faceted that you never know who the real man is at all in this book & my god does it make for a damn brilliant read though. Baron is in no way a knight in shining armour type and he doesnt claim to be. What he is is good at mind games and using his sexual prowess to manipulate Sapphire. What he doesnt expect though is that Sapphire is more of a worthy opponent than he imagines. Yes theres blood and violence in this book but taking that into account because of the world they live in the twisted relationship between Sapphire and Baron keeps you riveted as you dont have a clue what will happen next? Im still trying to work it out now. Im so counting down the days until the next book comes out
March 15, 2020
Man this dystopian futuristic book took my breathe away. I wasn’t sure how it was going to go and I still have a lot of question about what is truly going on, but Baron and Sapphire are perfection. Sapphire is born into a world that isn’t one like the one we know it is desolate, women are a commodity, the carnival is a luxury only the rich can afford and only come to see people get hurt or die, the world is just plain awful. Baron is mysterious but powerful and once he sets his eyes on Sapphire, he wants her in several different ways but mostly he feels protective of her. He takes her to his house where he watches, protects, but always lets her know he has a dark side. He is a hero that is dark and not a hero at all. I loved this story and want more because there is so much happening you just know something crazy is about to happen. This story is very different but epic all at once.
March 20, 2020
I loved the book but the ending is very lacking.....because there isn’t a true ending. It just stops. The H is screwed up, the h has a desperate need to be cared for, and the entire environment is totally bizarre! I wish I could say I loved this, but the sudden ending is like having a chocolate bar pressed to your mouth, but as soon as you try to take a bite, it gets jerked away and disappears! There is also no explanation for the living conditions, due to the apparent change in the world. It’s like an apocalypse without any warning. You just have to read between the lines. I would have loved to see some sort of resolution between the main characters but it never happened. Left hanging!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 16, 2020
This book was so good, yet weird. I only wanted to sample it for future reference, but ended up finishing the whole thing. The characters are very interesting and intriguing. The story is...well it's a curious tale. It's sort of like a twisted wonderland, but I don't know what the true purpose is. I still really enjoyed and am even more curious about the next book. It is interesting, after all. I think I am the most curious about the fortune teller's fortune for Baron. What will the outcome be in this twisted tale? I wonder who falls in love first...
March 12, 2020
Three things stood out for me while reading this book.
Firstly, it was dark. I would not say it was VERY dark, but about the same level of dark as or slightly darker than Saving Setora series by Raven Dark. I have no particular triggers apart from explicit non-con, so that was fine for me.
Secondly, I could not understand Baron. And that was surprising, given the dual POVs. His mind games were excellent.
Third is the reason why I did not give this five stars, even though plot was unique and writing was superb, I cannot see a HEA here. I mean it's not that it is impossible, but I find it unrealistic. I hope the author will accept my challenge. Lol
Firstly, it was dark. I would not say it was VERY dark, but about the same level of dark as or slightly darker than Saving Setora series by Raven Dark. I have no particular triggers apart from explicit non-con, so that was fine for me.
Secondly, I could not understand Baron. And that was surprising, given the dual POVs. His mind games were excellent.
Third is the reason why I did not give this five stars, even though plot was unique and writing was superb, I cannot see a HEA here. I mean it's not that it is impossible, but I find it unrealistic. I hope the author will accept my challenge. Lol
March 12, 2020
Carnival's Daughter is one of those books that stays with you after you read it. It is Dark and Delicious, Gritty and Provacative. The characters are vivid and in your face. Baron makes you wonder what he is thinking and why he is the way he is. And will Sapphire is naive, she also has a the strength and maturity of an old soul. This is just the first book, so there is a cliffhanger of sorts, but you will definitely want to hang around because I'm sure book 2 is going to be out of this world. Esme Devlin has woven a tale reminiscent of Amo Jones and Natalie Bennett, and now I need to devour everything else she's written. 5 Sparkling Stars!
March 16, 2020
wow, My first book by Esme Devlin and was not disappointed. This dark romance, filled to the brim with emotions darting from all angles! The way Esme writes is truly a work of art in itself, your transported to this dystopian world with well established characters leading the way your gripped from the first page. I cant wait for part 2!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 10, 2020
Esme has done it again with another amazing read! this is a really good dark romance and i couldn't get enough of it. i was completely sucked in from the first page.
i loved the post Apocalyptic world that this book was set in and it made reading it interesting. the twists and turns and the mind games definitely made things better.
this is definitely one of my favorite reads from Esme and i highly recommend this!
i loved the post Apocalyptic world that this book was set in and it made reading it interesting. the twists and turns and the mind games definitely made things better.
this is definitely one of my favorite reads from Esme and i highly recommend this!
May 9, 2020
Waste of time
I thought I would see what it was about after reading the reviews the good and the bad. The story was pointless nothing made sense but I truly think that's what she was going for, it was like we were inside a fantasy of the Mad Hatter. There were several errors which only added to the confusion, and all in all it was a total drag. I'm very sorry but I can't really come up with anything good to say.
I thought I would see what it was about after reading the reviews the good and the bad. The story was pointless nothing made sense but I truly think that's what she was going for, it was like we were inside a fantasy of the Mad Hatter. There were several errors which only added to the confusion, and all in all it was a total drag. I'm very sorry but I can't really come up with anything good to say.
October 12, 2020
This book contains violent, bdsm erotica. Only read if you're okay with non-consensual violent sex. The writing is beautiful, but it's far too violent and fairly disgusting the way the male main character disregards and disrespects the female character throughout, with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. There's virtually no plot. Disappointed, because I love carnival romance, but this was not that at all.
March 12, 2020
4.5
A unique story based in an apocalyptic world. I loved these characters. Baron was intense and Sapphire was sheltered but they had great chemistry. Baron was an enigma that I'm still trying to figure out. I was sucked into this dark world and look forward to the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A unique story based in an apocalyptic world. I loved these characters. Baron was intense and Sapphire was sheltered but they had great chemistry. Baron was an enigma that I'm still trying to figure out. I was sucked into this dark world and look forward to the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 16, 2020
This is a dark dystopian read with loads of drama, suspense and steam. Women are coveted, owned and collected. Esme is a girl with one green eye and one blue which makes her wanted by Baron. This is fast paced read with amazing world building and intriguing characters. I am looking forward to the second part of this duet. A great read.
March 26, 2020
Dark and twisted
I'm really not sure how to explain what I read. This is a dark and twisted, even kind of psychotic, maybe romance lol.
I'm not sure if I like it or not but the author definitely created something that makes you wonder. It's one of those things that is like a trainwreck where you don't want to look but can't help but stare at it.
I'm really not sure how to explain what I read. This is a dark and twisted, even kind of psychotic, maybe romance lol.
I'm not sure if I like it or not but the author definitely created something that makes you wonder. It's one of those things that is like a trainwreck where you don't want to look but can't help but stare at it.
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