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The Cursed Queens #1
The Night's Chosen
Chosen of the Moon Goddess. Destined to rule. Fated to marry.
A quest to save her family, kingdom, and heart.
For the past five years Princess Eira has run from her impending wedding. As much as she loves her goddess and kingdom, she’s searched the kingdoms for another way to rule as queen someday while also choosing her own husband.
Yet, Eira’s claim to the crown falls into jeopardy when her father, King Brennus, is poisoned and fated to a sleep of living death and Eira is next on the assassin’s hit list – who happens to be her stepmother, Queen Amelia.
After Eira escapes Queen Amelia’s clutches she journeys to the northern Paravian mountains in search of an enchanted cup to save her father.
Her quest is more than she anticipated with evading Queen Amelia’s guards, traveling with the one man she shouldn’t be with, and having to bargain with the ancient dragon guarding the enchanted cup.
She’ll have to decide how to save her family and kingdom, even if it means sacrificing her heart and all she’s wanted her whole life. If you like Sarah J Maas, Jennifer Estep, and Maxym Martineau, then you’ll love this adult fantastical retelling of the classic Snow White fairy tale.
A quest to save her family, kingdom, and heart.
For the past five years Princess Eira has run from her impending wedding. As much as she loves her goddess and kingdom, she’s searched the kingdoms for another way to rule as queen someday while also choosing her own husband.
Yet, Eira’s claim to the crown falls into jeopardy when her father, King Brennus, is poisoned and fated to a sleep of living death and Eira is next on the assassin’s hit list – who happens to be her stepmother, Queen Amelia.
After Eira escapes Queen Amelia’s clutches she journeys to the northern Paravian mountains in search of an enchanted cup to save her father.
Her quest is more than she anticipated with evading Queen Amelia’s guards, traveling with the one man she shouldn’t be with, and having to bargain with the ancient dragon guarding the enchanted cup.
She’ll have to decide how to save her family and kingdom, even if it means sacrificing her heart and all she’s wanted her whole life. If you like Sarah J Maas, Jennifer Estep, and Maxym Martineau, then you’ll love this adult fantastical retelling of the classic Snow White fairy tale.
- GenresFantasyRetellingsRomance
310 pages, Paperback
First published September 24, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
December 12, 2021
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley (thank you City Owl Press). All thoughts and opinions are my own.
🆗 Magic, faes, and shifters
🆗 World-building
🆗 Overall writing
🆗❌ Romance
🆗❌ Plot
🆗❌ Characters
❌ Dialogues
DNF at 65%, 1.5 stars
Unpopular opinion coming in…
Well, that was disappointing. This book is all telling and no showing… And don’t get me started on the dialogues…
Eira is the Chosen One, the human vessel said to hold a part of Luana’s soul, Goddess of the night, darkness, and winter. Alvis is the other Chosen One, holding a part of Ray’s soul, God of the sun. Being the two Chosen Ones, they were always meant and expected to end up together. Them being heirs to their respective thrones puts even more pressure on them to fulfill their destiny and get married. We Eira’s father is poisoned by his wife, Eira must flee with Alvis’s brother, Caderyn, the one Eira tries to keep in the friendzone, the one she can’t seem to forget, the one she can’t stop loving even though she is betrothed to Alvis (we all know what's going to happen here...).
This is a Snow White retelling, with a mythological twist that reminded me a little of the Red Winter series with the whole human vessel meant to hold a part of a god’s soul. But the similarities end there.
The writing is not bad, but the dialogues were not the best. They felt choppy and simplistic, and they did not help me know the characters better or care for them. Their conversations felt shallow and pointless or awkward most of the time.
The story does not always flow seamlessly. Some parts felt rushed, others felt pointless, and there are also some typos that did not help with the flowing of the story. It’s also a case of telling and not showing. The elements for a great tale are there: magic, mythology, faes, sword fights, and romance, but everything feels like it was quickly put up together without much thought about the depth of the character or the complexity of the plot.
The characters are bland, uni-dimensional, shallow, and boring. While I did not hate or despise them, I did not care about any of them. The romance part was SO predictable, and lacked depths and feelings., I felt no tension or connection between the character whatsoever, I only knew it was there because I was told it was there (all tell, no show).
I like that there are fewer sexual restrictions in this world the author created, which was refreshing, but the world-building as a whole could use improvement. There was no info dump at least, but it took me a while to really get a good idea of the history, the land, and even the different species living together on the land.
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🆗 Magic, faes, and shifters
🆗 World-building
🆗 Overall writing
🆗❌ Romance
🆗❌ Plot
🆗❌ Characters
❌ Dialogues
DNF at 65%, 1.5 stars
Unpopular opinion coming in…
Well, that was disappointing. This book is all telling and no showing… And don’t get me started on the dialogues…
“Before there was the world, there was Luana and Ray. One in the dark, and one in the light. Yet each could see one another from afar. The bright light of the sun in the distance, and the sparkling stars in the darkness.
Each day they watched after one another, and they would send messages across the space between them. The years went on, and the two fell in love. One day, they went out to finally see the face of their beloved.
Yet their time together would be short-lived. The confines of the night and day meant they could never truly be together. As day turned into night, Ray was pulled further away from his love.
Yet as Luana watched him leave and saw the new world they were creating, she vowed to find a way to be together.”
Eira is the Chosen One, the human vessel said to hold a part of Luana’s soul, Goddess of the night, darkness, and winter. Alvis is the other Chosen One, holding a part of Ray’s soul, God of the sun. Being the two Chosen Ones, they were always meant and expected to end up together. Them being heirs to their respective thrones puts even more pressure on them to fulfill their destiny and get married. We Eira’s father is poisoned by his wife, Eira must flee with Alvis’s brother, Caderyn, the one Eira tries to keep in the friendzone, the one she can’t seem to forget, the one she can’t stop loving even though she is betrothed to Alvis (we all know what's going to happen here...).
This is a Snow White retelling, with a mythological twist that reminded me a little of the Red Winter series with the whole human vessel meant to hold a part of a god’s soul. But the similarities end there.
The writing is not bad, but the dialogues were not the best. They felt choppy and simplistic, and they did not help me know the characters better or care for them. Their conversations felt shallow and pointless or awkward most of the time.
The story does not always flow seamlessly. Some parts felt rushed, others felt pointless, and there are also some typos that did not help with the flowing of the story. It’s also a case of telling and not showing. The elements for a great tale are there: magic, mythology, faes, sword fights, and romance, but everything feels like it was quickly put up together without much thought about the depth of the character or the complexity of the plot.
The characters are bland, uni-dimensional, shallow, and boring. While I did not hate or despise them, I did not care about any of them. The romance part was SO predictable, and lacked depths and feelings., I felt no tension or connection between the character whatsoever, I only knew it was there because I was told it was there (all tell, no show).
I like that there are fewer sexual restrictions in this world the author created, which was refreshing, but the world-building as a whole could use improvement. There was no info dump at least, but it took me a while to really get a good idea of the history, the land, and even the different species living together on the land.
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October 7, 2020
THE NIGHT'S CHOSEN honestly caught me off guard. I haven't really written book reviews in two years, but this one charmed me so much that I wanted to try to write a bit.
THE NIGHT'S CHOSEN is about a princess whose father gets poisoned Sleeping Beauty-style and now has to dodge assassination attempts from her wicked stepmother who wants to claim the throne and is accusing her of having killed her father. Adding to that is that Eira is the chosen one of her kingdom, who worships a moon goddess that has chosen her to rule, and needs to marry the heir to the sun kingdom, else risk getting exiled -- but she's in love with his brother.
The romance totally hooked me, it's so heartwrenching, sweet, and dramatic in the most positive way possible. I loved every single character in the book, especially Eira's sister, who has a walking disability and uses a magical mobility aid. Seems like the author knew exactly what she was doing here - I rarely see disability in fantasy executed in a graceful way that doesn't use magic as a cure.
I loved the writing as well, it's accessible, light-hearted and high-tension in an effortless way that makes it easy to just read the whole thing in one sitting. The worldbuilding is inctricate and well-developed -- there are so many little anecdotes about the gods the characters worship that just make everything in this world feel alive. You'd think a book like that would be about religion, but it's sort of more a metaphor about love, how eternal and immortal it can be. Super romantic, in the best way.
It's been a long time since I've stayed up all night to finish a book and have been so invested in a romance, but THE NIGHT'S CHOSEN absolutely achieved that.
Definitely a great pick if you're looking for some fluffy fantasy escapism.
THE NIGHT'S CHOSEN is about a princess whose father gets poisoned Sleeping Beauty-style and now has to dodge assassination attempts from her wicked stepmother who wants to claim the throne and is accusing her of having killed her father. Adding to that is that Eira is the chosen one of her kingdom, who worships a moon goddess that has chosen her to rule, and needs to marry the heir to the sun kingdom, else risk getting exiled -- but she's in love with his brother.
The romance totally hooked me, it's so heartwrenching, sweet, and dramatic in the most positive way possible. I loved every single character in the book, especially Eira's sister, who has a walking disability and uses a magical mobility aid. Seems like the author knew exactly what she was doing here - I rarely see disability in fantasy executed in a graceful way that doesn't use magic as a cure.
I loved the writing as well, it's accessible, light-hearted and high-tension in an effortless way that makes it easy to just read the whole thing in one sitting. The worldbuilding is inctricate and well-developed -- there are so many little anecdotes about the gods the characters worship that just make everything in this world feel alive. You'd think a book like that would be about religion, but it's sort of more a metaphor about love, how eternal and immortal it can be. Super romantic, in the best way.
It's been a long time since I've stayed up all night to finish a book and have been so invested in a romance, but THE NIGHT'S CHOSEN absolutely achieved that.
Definitely a great pick if you're looking for some fluffy fantasy escapism.
April 9, 2022
ARC from NetGalley
DNF @ 25%
This book isn't written very well. It's really disjointed, sometimes awkward, sometimes confusing. I'm 1/4 way through and I don't know much about anyone aside from the fact that Rose has a limp and acts like a spoiled brat and Eira is fucking Alvis but doesn't want to marry him because she is also a spoiled brat. Amelia is evil because plot. It's incredibly juvenile but with random more adult themes peppered throughout.
I wouldn't care if they all died. I found myself becoming progressively more irritated as I went. Oh, and it seems that a good portion of the positive reviews are from other authors who I assume are trading positive reviews or otherwise FOS because come the fuck on. This is not a 5-star read. Have some fucking self-respect. Oh I see, it's City Owl Press. That's why.
Not enough time. Too many books.
DNF @ 25%
This book isn't written very well. It's really disjointed, sometimes awkward, sometimes confusing. I'm 1/4 way through and I don't know much about anyone aside from the fact that Rose has a limp and acts like a spoiled brat and Eira is fucking Alvis but doesn't want to marry him because she is also a spoiled brat. Amelia is evil because plot. It's incredibly juvenile but with random more adult themes peppered throughout.
I wouldn't care if they all died. I found myself becoming progressively more irritated as I went. Oh, and it seems that a good portion of the positive reviews are from other authors who I assume are trading positive reviews or otherwise FOS because come the fuck on. This is not a 5-star read. Have some fucking self-respect. Oh I see, it's City Owl Press. That's why.
Not enough time. Too many books.
December 13, 2021
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my review. I have to say I truest enjoyed this book! It sucked me in and I was oblivious to the world around me! I stayed up way to late reading and am excited for the next book to come out!
December 14, 2020
E. E. Hornburg has invented a world with several charming aspects.
Read full review in the 2020 Holiday issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2020 Holiday issue of InD'tale Magazine.
September 26, 2020
The Night's Chosen is a spellbinding tale filled with action, lush world building, and romance. I read it in one sitting, and what a breathtaking ride it was. The romance was sizzling, and readers will cheer for Eira to forge her own path and follow her heart. Cadeyrn was quite the scene stealer, and I adored his character from the beginning. The supporting characters were also brilliant, with Rose being a quick favorite. Emily's writing is rich and enchanting, easily captivating readers from the first page and leaving them clamoring for more once the book ends. This dazzling debut is perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas. Hands down one of my favorite reads of 2020.
I received an ARC in exchange for providing an honest review.
I received an ARC in exchange for providing an honest review.
September 27, 2020
This book was beautiful! Eira, Chosen of the Goddess of Night, is going to marry the Chosen of the God of Day. As tradition requires. But, even though Eira doesn't seem to want to admit it to herself at first, she has been putting off the marriage, trying to find a way to rule her kingdom without having to marry someone chosen for her.
Unfortunately, some of the court, including her stepmother the queen, have been talking about her while she has been traveling, and the marriage cannot be put off any longer. But at a celebratory feast, the king falls into an enchanted sleep and now Eira must do all she can to save not only her father, but her kingdom, and must learn to be strong enough to make the best decisions for herself as well.
I loved all of the hints at classic fairy tales throughout this story. I will admit I was a bit stuck on the fact that this was billed as a Snow White retelling for the first quarter or so of the book, but I was quickly pulled into the world created here. I am quite looking forward to the continuation of this series.
Unfortunately, some of the court, including her stepmother the queen, have been talking about her while she has been traveling, and the marriage cannot be put off any longer. But at a celebratory feast, the king falls into an enchanted sleep and now Eira must do all she can to save not only her father, but her kingdom, and must learn to be strong enough to make the best decisions for herself as well.
I loved all of the hints at classic fairy tales throughout this story. I will admit I was a bit stuck on the fact that this was billed as a Snow White retelling for the first quarter or so of the book, but I was quickly pulled into the world created here. I am quite looking forward to the continuation of this series.
March 24, 2023
New take on an old story
I liked the fact the book took me back to my childhood of reading the old fairy tales, but in a totally new adult light, it isn't all black and white, good or bad, looking forward to the next book
I liked the fact the book took me back to my childhood of reading the old fairy tales, but in a totally new adult light, it isn't all black and white, good or bad, looking forward to the next book
October 19, 2020
5 CRANKY STARS
Well done love story in a fantasy land with a little magic. There are also shifters, fae and witches. It is fast paced and hard to put down.
Eira is the heir to Heir to the throne and very religious. The kingdom prays and honors Luana, the moon goddess. She has a younger sister training to be a warrior. The only thing wrong, Eira doesn't love the man she is supposed to marry in one week's time. She has been betrothed to Alvis, heir to a neighboring kingdom her whole life and has spent the last five years traveling from temple to temple in her kingdom to postpone the wedding. She can wait no longer. She has returned to discord and discontent at court because of her travels. On the night of the start of the week long celebration before the wedding, things don't quite go as planned. There is an old love attending and her stepmother still shows her disdain for Eira. When the dancing begins, her father falls ill in the middle of the dance floor. They figure out he has been poisoned but by who?
The adventure soon starts and you won't want to miss a second of it. Many new truths are discovered along the way along with an interesting cast of characters. Oh, did I mention the dragon? You'll love this book and I look forward to the rest of the series.
Well done love story in a fantasy land with a little magic. There are also shifters, fae and witches. It is fast paced and hard to put down.
Eira is the heir to Heir to the throne and very religious. The kingdom prays and honors Luana, the moon goddess. She has a younger sister training to be a warrior. The only thing wrong, Eira doesn't love the man she is supposed to marry in one week's time. She has been betrothed to Alvis, heir to a neighboring kingdom her whole life and has spent the last five years traveling from temple to temple in her kingdom to postpone the wedding. She can wait no longer. She has returned to discord and discontent at court because of her travels. On the night of the start of the week long celebration before the wedding, things don't quite go as planned. There is an old love attending and her stepmother still shows her disdain for Eira. When the dancing begins, her father falls ill in the middle of the dance floor. They figure out he has been poisoned but by who?
The adventure soon starts and you won't want to miss a second of it. Many new truths are discovered along the way along with an interesting cast of characters. Oh, did I mention the dragon? You'll love this book and I look forward to the rest of the series.
October 5, 2020
Fantastic debut!
This was a fabulous read! I was hooked right from the beginning. The story takes off and there’s so much going on! Action and adventure. A bit of romance and a whole lot of magic! I loved the twist on a classic. Can we talk about the cover for a second? It’s so beautiful and fits the story perfectly. The author’s storytelling is quite enjoyable. The story is well written. Great world building and wonderful characters. This is easily one of my favorite reads of 2020.
If you enjoy reading fantasy and adventure, this book is for you! Once you start, it’ll be hard to put down. I highly anticipate what’s next from Miss Hornburg. I give this 5 stars.
This was a fabulous read! I was hooked right from the beginning. The story takes off and there’s so much going on! Action and adventure. A bit of romance and a whole lot of magic! I loved the twist on a classic. Can we talk about the cover for a second? It’s so beautiful and fits the story perfectly. The author’s storytelling is quite enjoyable. The story is well written. Great world building and wonderful characters. This is easily one of my favorite reads of 2020.
If you enjoy reading fantasy and adventure, this book is for you! Once you start, it’ll be hard to put down. I highly anticipate what’s next from Miss Hornburg. I give this 5 stars.
December 12, 2021
I really enjoyed this fantasy about magic, sorceresses, shapeshifters, fae and dragons. Not my normal go to read but it was truly fantastical. There are so many more stories to be written about these characters and lands. I received an ARC and leaving my honest review
December 9, 2021
This book was amazing. It enveloped the mind like a warm blanket on a cold night and progressed like fine wine until the very end. I wasn’t expecting this story to develop as it did but I’m sure glad it was created! Cannot wait to read more of the series!
October 19, 2020
This was a beautiful retelling of Snow White packed with adventure, love, and an epic ending. The author gives enough hints to put book two of this series on my auto-buy list. I hope it's about Rose!
October 16, 2020
Received a complimentary copy of this book. It was great. I love fairy tales and this was an original blend of Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast, Snow White and other tales. Add in a dash of very realistic emotion and some heavy romance and you have a great story. Four stars not five because 1. Needs a good bit of proofreading, 2. The steamy romance can be just as effective without the heavy handed language. I would totally consider reading another book by this author.
December 12, 2021
**I recieved a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.**
This book was really good! The characters were easy to connect with. Some of the aspects were unique to me, when though I read tons of books in this genre. I really liked the parts about the grandmother's house in the forest, and Eiras connection to the Fae. The only thing I wanted was some more back story. There were a lot of different gods/goddesses mentioned, and other kingdoms, that could be a little confusing at times, because there wasn't a lot of backstory. However, I know this is the first in a series, so maybe we will get more of that moving forward.
This book was really good! The characters were easy to connect with. Some of the aspects were unique to me, when though I read tons of books in this genre. I really liked the parts about the grandmother's house in the forest, and Eiras connection to the Fae. The only thing I wanted was some more back story. There were a lot of different gods/goddesses mentioned, and other kingdoms, that could be a little confusing at times, because there wasn't a lot of backstory. However, I know this is the first in a series, so maybe we will get more of that moving forward.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2021
4.5 stars
I'm not the target audience for fantasy but this retelling of Snow White was absolutely lovely and I cannot wait to read more books from the Cursed Queens series.
I understand the names are a given in fantasy but sometimes I wonder how writers come up with them. It took me a minute to get used to some of them.
Eira's sister has a disability which doesn't keep her from being a total badass and their father is definitely queer. I really appreciated these inclusions to make this story more diverse.
It loses a half star because there were a lot of mistakes or missing words in the kindle edition. I don't mind a few in a first edition but these were a bit too many if you ask me. But also, that's really my only complain and I was hesitant about reading this book in the first place. I wanted ti support my friend Emily but was also afraid I might not like it. Jokes on me though cause I LOVED it. And Emily is a much better writer than I even thought possible.
I'm not the target audience for fantasy but this retelling of Snow White was absolutely lovely and I cannot wait to read more books from the Cursed Queens series.
I understand the names are a given in fantasy but sometimes I wonder how writers come up with them. It took me a minute to get used to some of them.
Eira's sister has a disability which doesn't keep her from being a total badass and their father is definitely queer. I really appreciated these inclusions to make this story more diverse.
It loses a half star because there were a lot of mistakes or missing words in the kindle edition. I don't mind a few in a first edition but these were a bit too many if you ask me. But also, that's really my only complain and I was hesitant about reading this book in the first place. I wanted ti support my friend Emily but was also afraid I might not like it. Jokes on me though cause I LOVED it. And Emily is a much better writer than I even thought possible.
May 10, 2021
This was a fun fantasy world. I really enjoyed this fairytale-esque story. I think Emily did a great job of building the world and history to give the story a strong foundation. I found the characters interesting and complicated and engaging.
I look forward to more books in this series.
I look forward to more books in this series.
April 27, 2022
Great books are one of my keys to a great life, and let me tell you folks, this a great book! E.E. Hornburg’s The Night’s Chosen was a very fun, magical ride, and I wanna tell you all about it.
But first, can we please admire this cover? Oh my goodness, it’s so beautiful!
A Snow White retelling?!?! I’m here for it! Actually, one thing I learned about myself in the last few years is that I absolutely adore fairytale retellings. They can be so fun and unexpected, and add another dimension to a story I already know and love.
You know what else I love? A debut novel that doesn’t read like one. Hornburg’s writing is masterful, and I realized while reading that she’s one of those writers who can craft a beautiful story so well that she makes the whole process of writing look easy (even though I know firsthand that it isn’t). I was so drawn in by the worldbuilding, the lush and enticing descriptions of settings and attire, and I really liked the characters.
The twist on Snow White (not a spoiler, it’s in the blurb) of the father getting poisoned and entering a deep sleep was favorable; I was glad it didn’t happen to our main character and she was able to go off on a great adventure. There were witches, fae, and other various fantasy characters, which was a welcome surprise. I enjoy a well-formed fantasy world, and especially love one that isn’t limited to only one type of fantastical being.
But one of my favorite aspects of a great book is the romance, and the relationship between Eira and Cade was memorable. It was sweet, it was romantic, it was fiery and sexy and enviable. Their love for each other was always apparent, and the ways in which they would make sacrifices for each other was heartwarming.
Overall, this was a fun read! I felt immersed in the world and story as I read, and felt I could easily connect to the characters and understand their motivations.
After reading this one, I’m so very excited to read the next book in the Cursed Queens series, and fortunately, The Shadow’s Heir will be released on May 17, 2022! Less than a month away, and I can’t wait! :)
But first, can we please admire this cover? Oh my goodness, it’s so beautiful!
A Snow White retelling?!?! I’m here for it! Actually, one thing I learned about myself in the last few years is that I absolutely adore fairytale retellings. They can be so fun and unexpected, and add another dimension to a story I already know and love.
You know what else I love? A debut novel that doesn’t read like one. Hornburg’s writing is masterful, and I realized while reading that she’s one of those writers who can craft a beautiful story so well that she makes the whole process of writing look easy (even though I know firsthand that it isn’t). I was so drawn in by the worldbuilding, the lush and enticing descriptions of settings and attire, and I really liked the characters.
The twist on Snow White (not a spoiler, it’s in the blurb) of the father getting poisoned and entering a deep sleep was favorable; I was glad it didn’t happen to our main character and she was able to go off on a great adventure. There were witches, fae, and other various fantasy characters, which was a welcome surprise. I enjoy a well-formed fantasy world, and especially love one that isn’t limited to only one type of fantastical being.
But one of my favorite aspects of a great book is the romance, and the relationship between Eira and Cade was memorable. It was sweet, it was romantic, it was fiery and sexy and enviable. Their love for each other was always apparent, and the ways in which they would make sacrifices for each other was heartwarming.
Overall, this was a fun read! I felt immersed in the world and story as I read, and felt I could easily connect to the characters and understand their motivations.
After reading this one, I’m so very excited to read the next book in the Cursed Queens series, and fortunately, The Shadow’s Heir will be released on May 17, 2022! Less than a month away, and I can’t wait! :)
December 22, 2021
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would TOTALLY read a sequel!
Pros:
- The characters were interesting and multifaceted. I really liked that each character, “good” or “bad,” had flaws and redeeming qualities.
- The world building was fabulous! The amount of description was perfect - not so much that it was fluffy, but just enough to leave some of it to my imagination. I like when I’m not told every tiny detail about the setting!
- The plot was complex, but not so much that it was hard to follow. It was an easy read, but complicated enough to maintain my attention in every chapter.
- This is my personal preference, but it was a good smut/romance balance. Not too little, not too much… it didn’t dominate the plot, but it was meaningful in the story.
Cons:
- The text itself needs a little proofreading. There were some punctuation errors and spelling errors (ex: vile instead of vial), but it doesn’t make comprehension difficult. It just needs a once-over from a fresh set of editing eyes.
- While the plot was great and the ending was satisfying, it was a bit predictable. I would have appreciated more cliffhangers or drama to leave me speculating at the end.
In all, I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone that loves high fantasy!
Pros:
- The characters were interesting and multifaceted. I really liked that each character, “good” or “bad,” had flaws and redeeming qualities.
- The world building was fabulous! The amount of description was perfect - not so much that it was fluffy, but just enough to leave some of it to my imagination. I like when I’m not told every tiny detail about the setting!
- The plot was complex, but not so much that it was hard to follow. It was an easy read, but complicated enough to maintain my attention in every chapter.
- This is my personal preference, but it was a good smut/romance balance. Not too little, not too much… it didn’t dominate the plot, but it was meaningful in the story.
Cons:
- The text itself needs a little proofreading. There were some punctuation errors and spelling errors (ex: vile instead of vial), but it doesn’t make comprehension difficult. It just needs a once-over from a fresh set of editing eyes.
- While the plot was great and the ending was satisfying, it was a bit predictable. I would have appreciated more cliffhangers or drama to leave me speculating at the end.
In all, I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone that loves high fantasy!
May 2, 2022
This book provided a beautiful fantasy world that I continually wanted to escape into. My favorite type of magic system is one where the magic is divine in origin and I especially loved Eira's powers and Luana the deity she was the Chosen for. The idea of power created out of stardust and galaxies and moons and ice created breathtaking scenes that I wanted to disappear into.
All the fairy tale elements were super fun as well. Between the poison, evil step mother, red cloak, major Elsa vibes, and so much more that I don't want to spoil, this became its own unique fairy tale. Also, who can forget the dragon! Any fantasy story with a dragon is an auto read for me and Aytigin didn't disappoint.
The magic system and fairytale elements built a great story, but the friends to lovers romance was the icing on top. I liked how more and more of their back story was revealed and experiencing the journey of them coming together.
I would have loved more from Alvis's POV and to see what he was going through, but I know we'll be getting much more of him in the second book which I'm super excited for!
Overall, this was a great fantasy romance and I can't wait to read book 2!
✨Rating: 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 ✨
All the fairy tale elements were super fun as well. Between the poison, evil step mother, red cloak, major Elsa vibes, and so much more that I don't want to spoil, this became its own unique fairy tale. Also, who can forget the dragon! Any fantasy story with a dragon is an auto read for me and Aytigin didn't disappoint.
The magic system and fairytale elements built a great story, but the friends to lovers romance was the icing on top. I liked how more and more of their back story was revealed and experiencing the journey of them coming together.
I would have loved more from Alvis's POV and to see what he was going through, but I know we'll be getting much more of him in the second book which I'm super excited for!
Overall, this was a great fantasy romance and I can't wait to read book 2!
✨Rating: 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 ✨
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December 13, 2021Worldbuilding - the writing style of this book is so beautiful and immersive. I can't get enough of how magical the world is and how beautiful the characters are.
Family - Family is a big emphasis in this book which I wasn't ready for for a dark retelling of Snow White. This book is so unique that you cannot even tell that it is a retelling and can standalone as a really good fantasy, romance book.
Fantasy- THE FANTASY ELEMENTS OF THIS BOOK IS SO SUBTLE. It's just dropped on you and you have to accept it to accept the beauty of this book.
Plot - I thoroughly enjoyed this story. You can't help but root for Eira and her journey. She's such an independent girl
Romance - not what I expected? It's the stereotypical I'm in love with the other dude but I'm engaged kinda story but Cadeyrn is SO swoon worthy and so supportive it hurts.
I REALLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK. SUCH A GOOD FIX FOR FANTASY AND ROMANCE. MY HEART IS LEAPING.
Family - Family is a big emphasis in this book which I wasn't ready for for a dark retelling of Snow White. This book is so unique that you cannot even tell that it is a retelling and can standalone as a really good fantasy, romance book.
Fantasy- THE FANTASY ELEMENTS OF THIS BOOK IS SO SUBTLE. It's just dropped on you and you have to accept it to accept the beauty of this book.
Plot - I thoroughly enjoyed this story. You can't help but root for Eira and her journey. She's such an independent girl
Romance - not what I expected? It's the stereotypical I'm in love with the other dude but I'm engaged kinda story but Cadeyrn is SO swoon worthy and so supportive it hurts.
I REALLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK. SUCH A GOOD FIX FOR FANTASY AND ROMANCE. MY HEART IS LEAPING.
December 19, 2021
A retelling of Snow White, The Nights Chosen follows Eira, whos been blessed by the goddess Luana, on her journey to find a chalice that can heal her father who's been poisoned by her step mother. Not only is she after the chalice, but she also has to avoid her step mothers attacks. She discovers more than just the chalice along the way though.
The cover for this is lovely. I give the book 3.5 stars. The story was interesting, I loved that it's a retelling with plenty of it's own twists and adventures. It just felt kind of flat to me.
The magic system and history of the goddess was intriguing and the magic itself seemed beautiful and powerful, I just felt there could've been some improvement in the writing style and some of the characters. I enjoyed the characters though. They all have great potential and I wish that could've been seen more.
I did enjoy the story, just not as much as I thought I would. Still, if you enjoy a good retelling with a decent bit of romance and spice and interesting magic and lore, I'd say try it out!
Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing (as well as City Owl Press) for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.
The cover for this is lovely. I give the book 3.5 stars. The story was interesting, I loved that it's a retelling with plenty of it's own twists and adventures. It just felt kind of flat to me.
The magic system and history of the goddess was intriguing and the magic itself seemed beautiful and powerful, I just felt there could've been some improvement in the writing style and some of the characters. I enjoyed the characters though. They all have great potential and I wish that could've been seen more.
I did enjoy the story, just not as much as I thought I would. Still, if you enjoy a good retelling with a decent bit of romance and spice and interesting magic and lore, I'd say try it out!
Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing (as well as City Owl Press) for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.
October 5, 2020
The Night’s Chosen is a fairytale-like fantasy romance about the burden of duty and following your heart.
Princess Eira has been running away from her wedding for years. But as she finally accepts her fate to marry a man she does not love, tragedy befalls her kingdom when her father is placed in an enchanted sleep by her evil stepmother. Now Eira must find a way to not only save her father, but save her kingdom, and learn how strong she really is.
From the characters to the prose, the fairytale vibes are strong in this book. The world building pulls you in immediately. Without spoiling too much, I loved Eira’s internal conflict. The *event* that haunts her immediately struck a cord with me, and I enjoyed reading how she dealt with it. I look forward to reading the rest of the series!
Princess Eira has been running away from her wedding for years. But as she finally accepts her fate to marry a man she does not love, tragedy befalls her kingdom when her father is placed in an enchanted sleep by her evil stepmother. Now Eira must find a way to not only save her father, but save her kingdom, and learn how strong she really is.
From the characters to the prose, the fairytale vibes are strong in this book. The world building pulls you in immediately. Without spoiling too much, I loved Eira’s internal conflict. The *event* that haunts her immediately struck a cord with me, and I enjoyed reading how she dealt with it. I look forward to reading the rest of the series!
October 8, 2020
This stunning fantasy debut swept me away. The Night's Chosen offers up a delectable blend of intrigue, magic, and romance all wrapped up in fresh takes on fantasy tropes and themes. The author's vivid, lyrical writing is perfect for the story and brings to life a world of wonder in the most divine of ways to create an immersive experience sure to completely transport the reader. Hornburg's story is a total page turner that will keep you guessing through twists and surprises. I loved all of the characters and will be eagerly awaiting future installments in the Cursed Queens (my kingdom for Amelia's story!!!) series!
December 14, 2021
I received a copy and can I just say WOW!!!
From page one I was pulled into the beautiful world created by Emily. She didn't keep us hanging. The Chosen Night started off strong and ended even stronger. The fact that she was able to create so many magical worlds into one story... PHENOMENAL!!!
I fell in love with every character, yes even Queen Amelia. I loved that her backstory was included to give you reasoning behind each decision she made no matter how cruel or vile they were. She's a villian you will love to hate.
And can I have my own personal teddy bear and maybe a dragon please??? Because, Cade & Aytigin 🥵🥵🥵
I cannot wait for more of this series!!!
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐5/5
🌶️🌶️ 2/5
From page one I was pulled into the beautiful world created by Emily. She didn't keep us hanging. The Chosen Night started off strong and ended even stronger. The fact that she was able to create so many magical worlds into one story... PHENOMENAL!!!
I fell in love with every character, yes even Queen Amelia. I loved that her backstory was included to give you reasoning behind each decision she made no matter how cruel or vile they were. She's a villian you will love to hate.
And can I have my own personal teddy bear and maybe a dragon please??? Because, Cade & Aytigin 🥵🥵🥵
I cannot wait for more of this series!!!
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐5/5
🌶️🌶️ 2/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2021
Spoiler Free
The Night’s Chosen had everything I look for in a New Adult fantasy.
Well written? ✔
Excellent world building? ✔
Well-rounded characters with flaws? ✔
Tension and drama? ✔
Steamy romance? ✔✔✔
I know that raving reviews can be less fun to read than ranting ones but guys, I really loved this book. It had the perfect amount of “Snow White” references, like the fair princess and evil stepmother, without being a complete rip off of the original. I would say there was even a tad bit of Frozen in there; mainly the relationship between sisters and some really cool (pun intended) ice magic. It had a romance that I’m now ✨obsessed✨ with and I’m honestly just obsessed with this world in general.
I spoke with E.E. Hornburg over on Instagram and she let me know that the second book, The Shadow’s Heir, will be released in May. That seems like SUCH a long wait, but I will most definitely be reading and reviewing it as soon as possible.
For other reviews, go to https://thebookandbeautyblog.com/
The Night’s Chosen had everything I look for in a New Adult fantasy.
Well written? ✔
Excellent world building? ✔
Well-rounded characters with flaws? ✔
Tension and drama? ✔
Steamy romance? ✔✔✔
I know that raving reviews can be less fun to read than ranting ones but guys, I really loved this book. It had the perfect amount of “Snow White” references, like the fair princess and evil stepmother, without being a complete rip off of the original. I would say there was even a tad bit of Frozen in there; mainly the relationship between sisters and some really cool (pun intended) ice magic. It had a romance that I’m now ✨obsessed✨ with and I’m honestly just obsessed with this world in general.
I spoke with E.E. Hornburg over on Instagram and she let me know that the second book, The Shadow’s Heir, will be released in May. That seems like SUCH a long wait, but I will most definitely be reading and reviewing it as soon as possible.
For other reviews, go to https://thebookandbeautyblog.com/
December 14, 2021
This is the story of Eira and what happens to heron the eve of the beginning of her new life. Instead of getting married after a massive festival, she ends up on a quest full of danger, surprises and learning more about herself. She must make choices and rescue family and friends. I enjoyed the story and figuring out what might happen next. Liked the mix of intrigue, self discovery, and magic.
December 15, 2021
This book really surprised me! Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen something else would happen.
I loved how there were so many aspects that reminded me of fairy tales, like the mirror, evil step mother, trapped daughter with super long hair.
I really felt bad for Alvis the whole time because he was made to seem like such a push over, I understand that this is what he was expected to be his whole life, but with Eira just going through the motions and the way he didn’t realize this wasn’t love, I just felt so much pain for him. But I also felt for Eira, there would be no way for me to be forced into being with someone else after all she went through with Caderyn in their past.
The only thing I wanted more of was the history or the gods and what they all were exactly, there were so many and so many different places it would have been helpful to see where they were supposed to be located and exactly what all those gods were.
Overall I found this book very good!
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review*
I loved how there were so many aspects that reminded me of fairy tales, like the mirror, evil step mother, trapped daughter with super long hair.
I really felt bad for Alvis the whole time because he was made to seem like such a push over, I understand that this is what he was expected to be his whole life, but with Eira just going through the motions and the way he didn’t realize this wasn’t love, I just felt so much pain for him. But I also felt for Eira, there would be no way for me to be forced into being with someone else after all she went through with Caderyn in their past.
The only thing I wanted more of was the history or the gods and what they all were exactly, there were so many and so many different places it would have been helpful to see where they were supposed to be located and exactly what all those gods were.
Overall I found this book very good!
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2021
I don't think there was really anything wrong with this that I could pinpoint, but sadly, I ended up not enjoying it as much as I thought I would. The concept was quite intriguing, but it felt like not enough was explained clearly in the beginning, which got me off-balance in connecting with the writing for the rest of the story. I also never ended up caring for any of the characters.
I received a copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 2, 2020
I absolutely loved this book! I love the spin in the fairy tale of Snow White. I was drawn into the story right away. The characters were so interesting. I especially loved the relationship between the sisters. I highly recommend you pick up a copy!
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