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Daughter of Ravens #1
The Exile's Curse
To save her new life, she needs the man who destroyed her old one...
Chloe de Montesse never thought she’d return from exile. Now she has a chance to reclaim the life she fled after her husband was executed for treason. But coming home again isn’t as simple as it sounds. Her magic is rusty, her family want her to wrap her in cotton wool, and Illvyan society views her as a scandal waiting to happen. Worse, fate keeps throwing her into the path of the man who ruined her life.
Lucien de Roche’s magic bares the truth for all to see. He’s used it to serve the empire, but there’s one secret he’s always kept hidden. The fact that he fell in love with his best friend’s wife. And that he’s never quite fallen out again. Now Chloe is back and it’s no secret at all that she loathes him for his part in her husband’s death. A sensible man would forget her…but he’s tired of being sensible. And determined to keep her safe.
When a mission from the emperor takes them both into the wildest heart of the empire, to a country where power and loyalties collide, and old plots simmer back to life, Chloe finds herself dragged back into the past she wants to leave behind. And her only way out might be Lucien. The man she thinks she can never trust. The man she wants to hate. Or hates to want…
Chloe de Montesse never thought she’d return from exile. Now she has a chance to reclaim the life she fled after her husband was executed for treason. But coming home again isn’t as simple as it sounds. Her magic is rusty, her family want her to wrap her in cotton wool, and Illvyan society views her as a scandal waiting to happen. Worse, fate keeps throwing her into the path of the man who ruined her life.
Lucien de Roche’s magic bares the truth for all to see. He’s used it to serve the empire, but there’s one secret he’s always kept hidden. The fact that he fell in love with his best friend’s wife. And that he’s never quite fallen out again. Now Chloe is back and it’s no secret at all that she loathes him for his part in her husband’s death. A sensible man would forget her…but he’s tired of being sensible. And determined to keep her safe.
When a mission from the emperor takes them both into the wildest heart of the empire, to a country where power and loyalties collide, and old plots simmer back to life, Chloe finds herself dragged back into the past she wants to leave behind. And her only way out might be Lucien. The man she thinks she can never trust. The man she wants to hate. Or hates to want…
382 pages, ebook
First published November 16, 2021
207 people are currently reading
1448 people want to read
About the author
M.J. Scott
28 books594 followersM.J Scott is a RITA® Award nominated author. She is an unrepentant bookworm. Luckily she grew up in a family that fed her a properly varied diet of books and these days is surrounded by people who are understanding of her story addiction. When not wrestling one of her own stories to the ground, she can generally be found reading someone else’s. Her other distractions include yarn, cat butlering, dark chocolate and fabric. She lives in Melbourne, Australia.
For free reads and all her news and sneak peeks sign up to her newsletter at https://www.mjscott.net!
Follow her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authormjscott
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She has also written contemporary romance as Melanie Scott and Emma Douglas.
For free reads and all her news and sneak peeks sign up to her newsletter at https://www.mjscott.net!
Follow her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authormjscott
Or Instagram: www.instagram.com/melwrites
Or Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/mel_writes
She has also written contemporary romance as Melanie Scott and Emma Douglas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
August 22, 2022
2.5 stars
This was a solid 3/3.5 stars for a slow burn fantasy romance, but then suddenly out of absolutely nowhere the main couple jump into bed together at the 72% mark. There was no build up to this - they still have a lot of shared history to work through and were barely on speaking terms up until that point. Then the book got even more illogical. The book's ending especially irritated me, because a cliffhanger I can deal with but this was more of just the book just stopping without having any major or minor plot or character developments occurring. Nothing gets resolved and nothing changes. I don't care enough about the politics part of the plot to continue on with this series.
Oh and did I mention that apparently this is a spinoff of another series by this author? I was able to read this book without having read that series first (it starts with The Shattered Court) but why do authors do this without at least putting something in the blurb/intro so people can be aware of it going into reading it?
This was a solid 3/3.5 stars for a slow burn fantasy romance, but then suddenly out of absolutely nowhere the main couple jump into bed together at the 72% mark. There was no build up to this - they still have a lot of shared history to work through and were barely on speaking terms up until that point. Then the book got even more illogical. The book's ending especially irritated me, because a cliffhanger I can deal with but this was more of just the book just stopping without having any major or minor plot or character developments occurring. Nothing gets resolved and nothing changes. I don't care enough about the politics part of the plot to continue on with this series.
Oh and did I mention that apparently this is a spinoff of another series by this author? I was able to read this book without having read that series first (it starts with The Shattered Court) but why do authors do this without at least putting something in the blurb/intro so people can be aware of it going into reading it?
November 18, 2021
Back from Exile . . .
Formerly exiled, Chloe de Montesse tries to return to her old life. But that never works as expected. And running into the path of the man who ruined that life to begin with is not making it any easier.
Lucien de Roche’s magic has always served the empire. Chloe hates him and has made that obvious since he played a part in causing her husband’s death. But when the emperor sends them both on a mission that could get her killed, her only safety rests with Lucien. Can she trust him? What does he stand to gain by protecting her?
This was a good story line that draws the reader in from the very beginning and will keep you eagerly reading through to the end. The story moves along at the perfect pace which creates an intriguing and suspenseful read. The characters are easy admire and bring the reader into their turmoil. Grab your copy and find who can be trusted now as this new adventure begins.
Formerly exiled, Chloe de Montesse tries to return to her old life. But that never works as expected. And running into the path of the man who ruined that life to begin with is not making it any easier.
Lucien de Roche’s magic has always served the empire. Chloe hates him and has made that obvious since he played a part in causing her husband’s death. But when the emperor sends them both on a mission that could get her killed, her only safety rests with Lucien. Can she trust him? What does he stand to gain by protecting her?
This was a good story line that draws the reader in from the very beginning and will keep you eagerly reading through to the end. The story moves along at the perfect pace which creates an intriguing and suspenseful read. The characters are easy admire and bring the reader into their turmoil. Grab your copy and find who can be trusted now as this new adventure begins.
November 18, 2021
This book is fabulous. I absolutely loved it. And I need book 2.
May 1, 2024
Huh
Not how I was expecting it to go. It's a little slow for my taste, but once it gets started it a really good read.
Not how I was expecting it to go. It's a little slow for my taste, but once it gets started it a really good read.
November 23, 2021
The first book in the Daughter of Ravens series a suspenseful story that kept me turning pages. The start of Chloe de Montesse and Lucien de Roche’s story of enemies to lovers. There is suspense, drama, danger, villains and a budding romance.I want to read the next book. This is a new Author to me. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 19, 2024
Loved reading Chloe's story and such a cliff-hanger!
December 10, 2021
This is a great start!
This is the first book in a spin-off series and it was soooo gooood! The original series is The Four Arts and introduces a world were magic is part of everyday life for many people. The strength of magic and the type decides much about a persons future.
Chloe was introduced in the original series. She is an exile who has returned home after 10 years and a pardon from the Emperor. Her husband was part of a plot to kill the Emperor and she was forced to flee afterwards, even though she was not involved, to avoid the backlash. Now that she is back she doesn't know what she is going to do with her life. The only thing she knows is that she hates Lucian. He is a truth-seeker who was her husbands best friend before he presented the evidence that lead to the conviction and execution. Her life takes and interesting turn as she explores a career she left behind when she married. Chloe finds that coming home is not as easy as it sounds.
I adored this book and only wish that it was longer! Let me say that it does end in a bit of a cliff hanger so if that really bothers you be aware. I really enjoyed getting to know Chloe as a character and seeing her take on her homeland after 10 years away. I felt like we watched her blossom after a long hibernation into who she could have been if she had made different choices. It is hard to change and let go of things that you have held as true for so long, but it was amazing to see her on that journey. I also enjoyed seeing another part of the empire with a different culture and traditions. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book!
This is the first book in a spin-off series and it was soooo gooood! The original series is The Four Arts and introduces a world were magic is part of everyday life for many people. The strength of magic and the type decides much about a persons future.
Chloe was introduced in the original series. She is an exile who has returned home after 10 years and a pardon from the Emperor. Her husband was part of a plot to kill the Emperor and she was forced to flee afterwards, even though she was not involved, to avoid the backlash. Now that she is back she doesn't know what she is going to do with her life. The only thing she knows is that she hates Lucian. He is a truth-seeker who was her husbands best friend before he presented the evidence that lead to the conviction and execution. Her life takes and interesting turn as she explores a career she left behind when she married. Chloe finds that coming home is not as easy as it sounds.
I adored this book and only wish that it was longer! Let me say that it does end in a bit of a cliff hanger so if that really bothers you be aware. I really enjoyed getting to know Chloe as a character and seeing her take on her homeland after 10 years away. I felt like we watched her blossom after a long hibernation into who she could have been if she had made different choices. It is hard to change and let go of things that you have held as true for so long, but it was amazing to see her on that journey. I also enjoyed seeing another part of the empire with a different culture and traditions. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book!
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December 5, 2024Rating: 4.5
⭐️ This had some really lush, complex world building. It was clear MJ Scott took a lot of time and care in building the world around her characters.
⭐️ The pacing of this felt slower from an action/adventure stand-point at times, but it was deep with political intrigue. That political intrigue built in a really nice way that ended the book with me absolutely putting the next installment in this series on my TBR.
⭐️ I really enjoyed Chloe as a heroine. I loved her being a bit older and having been through some “life” things, it’s not something that’s seen a lot of romantic fantasy and I was here for it.
⭐️ I love, love, loved Lucien. He absolutely made the book for me and I appreciated him being a little bit of an older hero as well. His ending tore my heart out a bit, but it also has me super ready for the next book.
⭐️ Overall this was a really stellar start to the series, I’m super intrigued to see where Chloe and Lucien’s adventures take them night as they unravel the mysteries of their empire and their future.
⭐️ This had some really lush, complex world building. It was clear MJ Scott took a lot of time and care in building the world around her characters.
⭐️ The pacing of this felt slower from an action/adventure stand-point at times, but it was deep with political intrigue. That political intrigue built in a really nice way that ended the book with me absolutely putting the next installment in this series on my TBR.
⭐️ I really enjoyed Chloe as a heroine. I loved her being a bit older and having been through some “life” things, it’s not something that’s seen a lot of romantic fantasy and I was here for it.
⭐️ I love, love, loved Lucien. He absolutely made the book for me and I appreciated him being a little bit of an older hero as well. His ending tore my heart out a bit, but it also has me super ready for the next book.
⭐️ Overall this was a really stellar start to the series, I’m super intrigued to see where Chloe and Lucien’s adventures take them night as they unravel the mysteries of their empire and their future.
December 2, 2021
This new trilogy follows on the previously published Four Arts series. I loved the first series and inhaled this new book as soon as it was published. It is 100% a cliffhanger, which I don't really like, but in this case, I enjoyed it so much that I give it the full 5 stars anyway.
September 14, 2022
This was kind of fun, surprisingly. Been a while since I ready fantasy with “older” characters (those in their 30s). And the hero is absolutely wicked underneath all that honour., which I can’t get enough of.
October 26, 2021
3.5 Stars
Thank you to Booksprout, the writer and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I have to admit, I picked up this book because of the stunning cover and description. But once I started, I found the beginning very annoying. Maybe it is because it was my first book by this author, but I found the French-ish influence in names and places a little bit off-putting. But I persisted; after all, I had promised a review... Glad I did.
The story takes off after about the first quarter, and then it moves fairly fast. Sure, not all of what happens in the story made 100% sense to me, but I find that I can happily suspend my judgement and accept some unlikely sequence of events if I am willing to believe in things like magic. The magic system makes sense, but I guess that I would have had a better understanding of it if I had read the previous series, The Four Arts.
What I liked:
-After a slow start, the action picks up and I just really had to keep on reading!
-Both men and women are viewed as equal when entering a career with the mages or in academics
-Some of the secondary characters (Irina, Katiya, Imogen) are very well developed. I got a fair sense of their personalities and strengths and I hope I get to see some more of them in the following books.
-Not all women in a story have to be back stabbing bitches. In this story, women can be friends, help and support each other. YAY!
-The two main characters knew each other before the story starts.
-A ship that flies? With rooms and beds? As a regular long distance economy class flyer, I hope someone actually makes one of these and puts them in our skies!
What I did not like so much:
-Language and tone: especially at the beginning, the tone feels a bit uneven, the language sounds too formal, as if the book is taking itself too seriously. The vaguely French-ish influence in names contributes to this.
-Even though the two MC knew each other from before, I found the transition from resentment to attraction to love a bit rushed.
-
Will I continue this series? Yes, I am interested in the story and now I really want to know what happens next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Thank you to Booksprout, the writer and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I have to admit, I picked up this book because of the stunning cover and description. But once I started, I found the beginning very annoying. Maybe it is because it was my first book by this author, but I found the French-ish influence in names and places a little bit off-putting. But I persisted; after all, I had promised a review... Glad I did.
The story takes off after about the first quarter, and then it moves fairly fast. Sure, not all of what happens in the story made 100% sense to me, but I find that I can happily suspend my judgement and accept some unlikely sequence of events if I am willing to believe in things like magic. The magic system makes sense, but I guess that I would have had a better understanding of it if I had read the previous series, The Four Arts.
What I liked:
-After a slow start, the action picks up and I just really had to keep on reading!
-Both men and women are viewed as equal when entering a career with the mages or in academics
-Some of the secondary characters (Irina, Katiya, Imogen) are very well developed. I got a fair sense of their personalities and strengths and I hope I get to see some more of them in the following books.
-Not all women in a story have to be back stabbing bitches. In this story, women can be friends, help and support each other. YAY!
-The two main characters knew each other before the story starts.
-A ship that flies? With rooms and beds? As a regular long distance economy class flyer, I hope someone actually makes one of these and puts them in our skies!
What I did not like so much:
-Language and tone: especially at the beginning, the tone feels a bit uneven, the language sounds too formal, as if the book is taking itself too seriously. The vaguely French-ish influence in names contributes to this.
-Even though the two MC knew each other from before, I found the transition from resentment to attraction to love a bit rushed.
-
Will I continue this series? Yes, I am interested in the story and now I really want to know what happens next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 26, 2024
3.75
10 years after fleeing from her home country to avoid the stigma and connection of her former husband treason, Chloe de Montesse, is finally back on the shores of her homeland. She is embraced by her family and close friends, but while she has been pardoned from any connection to the crime, the pallor of the past still rests on Chloe's shoulders.
While her previous husband's plot was caught out before it could be completed- it seems he was just a pawn- and the masterminds were never caught. But the person who had to ferret out these lies was none other than the Truth Seeker Lucien de Roche. A man who was best friends with both Chloe and her late husband Charl, and it seems like she can't escape his presence at any turn. Balls, the magic academy, the streets- this former friend is everywhere and just looking at his face brings up so much anger.
But what are the two suppose to do when they are sent on a diplomatic trip for months to a foreign country together? Apparently learn to co-exist in the same same space and possibly learn to trust one another again as it seems trouble is brewing with international consequences.
x--------------------x------------------x------------------x
So all in all I liked the story and the characters had a lot going on personally, but I will say the magic and background info made me pause a few times because I didn't know what was exactly going on. I could parse it out but looking it up there is definitely another series before this one The Shattered Court I;E the The Four Arts Series. So may have to go back and read that one for some actual info.
However, the romance (for Chloe) was a bit rushed- but I will def read on
"Not this man. Never him."
10 years after fleeing from her home country to avoid the stigma and connection of her former husband treason, Chloe de Montesse, is finally back on the shores of her homeland. She is embraced by her family and close friends, but while she has been pardoned from any connection to the crime, the pallor of the past still rests on Chloe's shoulders.
While her previous husband's plot was caught out before it could be completed- it seems he was just a pawn- and the masterminds were never caught. But the person who had to ferret out these lies was none other than the Truth Seeker Lucien de Roche. A man who was best friends with both Chloe and her late husband Charl, and it seems like she can't escape his presence at any turn. Balls, the magic academy, the streets- this former friend is everywhere and just looking at his face brings up so much anger.
But what are the two suppose to do when they are sent on a diplomatic trip for months to a foreign country together? Apparently learn to co-exist in the same same space and possibly learn to trust one another again as it seems trouble is brewing with international consequences.
x--------------------x------------------x------------------x
So all in all I liked the story and the characters had a lot going on personally, but I will say the magic and background info made me pause a few times because I didn't know what was exactly going on. I could parse it out but looking it up there is definitely another series before this one The Shattered Court I;E the The Four Arts Series. So may have to go back and read that one for some actual info.
However, the romance (for Chloe) was a bit rushed- but I will def read on
May 27, 2024
This and the 2 books after it are focused on Chloe de Montesse, the Illvyan exile who ran the magic shop and had her own portal.
Chloe has now returned to Illvya and is staying woth her parents and getting bored out of her mind. She decides to see about joining the diplomatic corps and her first assignment throws her together with the truth seeker who verified her husband's guilt in a political plot against the Emperor- who excused her from any associated guilt from her husband, but not before she had run to Anglion.
For his part, Lucien the truth seeker fell in love with Chloe at the same time as his best friend but never let anyone know.
Their assigned area has a tradition of balance so that only a very few people know very much about any given branch of magic, or about detecting abnormal magic. After a botched hunt broken up by a bad storm, in which, had the saddle on Chloe's horse not been loose, she would have gone over a cliff with the horse, and since Lucien didn't think to tie his horse it left him without supplies and went back to the stables, they had used each other's magic to survive, along with skin to skin contact. Since their country far more limited women than Anglion ever had, the seers decided they must be married in a sort of shotgun wedding. During the wedding toast with the national drink, Chloe notices red and breaks all the glasses, knowing the drink has no red in it normally. Knowing the depth of healing knowledge they need exists in Illvya alone, Chloe pulls rank to get the navire near enough that they can lift off the next morning. Afterwards they find the princess who went to the navire stowed away, knowing Illyva's healers will need information about the poisons and remedies of their country. She turns out to be a huge help at keeping Chloe going so she can feed her strength to Lucien through the bond they formed on the mountain to survive.
Will Lucien survive? And what will they tell Aristides?
Chloe has now returned to Illvya and is staying woth her parents and getting bored out of her mind. She decides to see about joining the diplomatic corps and her first assignment throws her together with the truth seeker who verified her husband's guilt in a political plot against the Emperor- who excused her from any associated guilt from her husband, but not before she had run to Anglion.
For his part, Lucien the truth seeker fell in love with Chloe at the same time as his best friend but never let anyone know.
Their assigned area has a tradition of balance so that only a very few people know very much about any given branch of magic, or about detecting abnormal magic. After a botched hunt broken up by a bad storm, in which, had the saddle on Chloe's horse not been loose, she would have gone over a cliff with the horse, and since Lucien didn't think to tie his horse it left him without supplies and went back to the stables, they had used each other's magic to survive, along with skin to skin contact. Since their country far more limited women than Anglion ever had, the seers decided they must be married in a sort of shotgun wedding. During the wedding toast with the national drink, Chloe notices red and breaks all the glasses, knowing the drink has no red in it normally. Knowing the depth of healing knowledge they need exists in Illvya alone, Chloe pulls rank to get the navire near enough that they can lift off the next morning. Afterwards they find the princess who went to the navire stowed away, knowing Illyva's healers will need information about the poisons and remedies of their country. She turns out to be a huge help at keeping Chloe going so she can feed her strength to Lucien through the bond they formed on the mountain to survive.
Will Lucien survive? And what will they tell Aristides?
June 24, 2022
Chloe de Montesse returns to her home in Illvya after ten years in exile because her new husband had been a traitor. She hopes for a new start with an exciting career with the Imperial Mages as a diplomat, but fate keeps throwing her in the path of trouble. It doesn't help that she's constantly running into her former husband's best friend and the one who bared the truth of the treason, Lucien de Roche. He had always put his empire and the truth first, but now with Chloe back, his heart won't let him put anything else ahead of her. On a mission in a frozen country together, she must decide if she will let her past dictate her life or move on to a future free of it. If she survives all the secrets whispered around her.
I picked this fantasy romance up randomly, and the Fates were on my side with the choice. It's a wonderfully well-written story with steampunk, fantasy, and regency romance elements. The romance is slow moving, but the tension is taut, and it's a cliffhanger. There is mention of another story, perhaps one written by the author before this. This is my first introduction to her work, and an excellent one at that. I adore Chloe. She fell for the wrong man and was betrayed by his treason, but in her ten years of exile, she made a life she loved for herself starting with nothing but her own smarts and wit. She remained equally as strong when she returned home and decided on a career as a diplomat. Chloe detests Lucien as the one who exposed her former husband's treason, and as her feelings for him grow, the love and hate war with one another. It affects her on a deep level and I love what comes out of it. Great cast of characters and marvelous settings. I was totally lost in this book, and I can't wait for the release of the next one later this year.
I picked this fantasy romance up randomly, and the Fates were on my side with the choice. It's a wonderfully well-written story with steampunk, fantasy, and regency romance elements. The romance is slow moving, but the tension is taut, and it's a cliffhanger. There is mention of another story, perhaps one written by the author before this. This is my first introduction to her work, and an excellent one at that. I adore Chloe. She fell for the wrong man and was betrayed by his treason, but in her ten years of exile, she made a life she loved for herself starting with nothing but her own smarts and wit. She remained equally as strong when she returned home and decided on a career as a diplomat. Chloe detests Lucien as the one who exposed her former husband's treason, and as her feelings for him grow, the love and hate war with one another. It affects her on a deep level and I love what comes out of it. Great cast of characters and marvelous settings. I was totally lost in this book, and I can't wait for the release of the next one later this year.
June 5, 2022
I loved the protagonist, Chloe. She's a richly developed and adult character, who has had a whole life before the book even starts (something I do find can be lacking in the genre). After her husband's treason, she spent a decade in exile before returning to her magical home country of Illvyania.
The worldbuilding is very rich here, with snapshots of multiple different societies, each with their own attitude towards magic. It reminded me somewhat of Leigh Bardugo's Grishaverse. This was definitely the kind of world you could imagine spending a long time in and really get to know. I'd love to learn more about each of the different countries and how they relate to their magical powers. Scott does a wonderful job of depicting the kinds of cultural details that help a reader really feel like a place exists.
I even enjoyed the romance between Chloe and her former friend, then enemy, Lucien. Both characters are well-realized. This is a slower-paced read, more focused on the people and the world than the events, but I personally really enjoyed that. Looking forward to more!
The worldbuilding is very rich here, with snapshots of multiple different societies, each with their own attitude towards magic. It reminded me somewhat of Leigh Bardugo's Grishaverse. This was definitely the kind of world you could imagine spending a long time in and really get to know. I'd love to learn more about each of the different countries and how they relate to their magical powers. Scott does a wonderful job of depicting the kinds of cultural details that help a reader really feel like a place exists.
I even enjoyed the romance between Chloe and her former friend, then enemy, Lucien. Both characters are well-realized. This is a slower-paced read, more focused on the people and the world than the events, but I personally really enjoyed that. Looking forward to more!
January 14, 2025
I really enjoyed the Four Arts series world continuing with Chloe's story. It felt a little bit off that the whole reason she never started her career after school was her mom getting really sick and her choosing to stay home and help her family only to learn she seemingly completely abandoned that as soon as she met her late husband to marry and live with him, and then when she escaped Illyva she spent 10 years worrying about her mom's health and as soon as she came home her mom was just fine. (No one said she was 100% pre-sickness but clearly didn't need a full time caretaker) Just felt like for Chloe's story the author needed a reason why Chloe didn't have a job before she left (because its clear she would have chosen a military/government job where desertion would have come with a lot of consequences on top of having a traitorous husband). I do wish we had had more interactions with the characters at the Academy that we had met in the previous stories but for the larger plot I understand they weren't going to move the story forward in order for the books to end as they did.
October 4, 2023
I am struggling with how to rate and review this book. The first half was so slow. The pacing dragged, and I saw little to no evidence that Chloe had hidden feelings for Lucien. Things finally picked up in the second half, but it was not a believable journey for me to see how quickly Chloe began to have “feelings” for Lucien. I’d rate the spice at 🌶️🌶️ though I would have liked more of that slow burn feeling instead of just slow.
The way the book ended, a very clear and obvious cliffhanger, was also frustrating. No spoilers here but the climax didn’t necessarily feel like it should be the climax of the whole story? Definitely a dramatic event but not what I would expected. And at the same time, it does make me want to read the next book, even though I didn’t love this one, just so I can know what happens next. Gahh! I’ll have to think about it.
The way the book ended, a very clear and obvious cliffhanger, was also frustrating. No spoilers here but the climax didn’t necessarily feel like it should be the climax of the whole story? Definitely a dramatic event but not what I would expected. And at the same time, it does make me want to read the next book, even though I didn’t love this one, just so I can know what happens next. Gahh! I’ll have to think about it.
October 29, 2022
I found this book under the genre on my local library app. The premise seemed promising, however, it is mind numbingly BORING. There are too many levels to the ranks and titles of the characters to where you stop caring. I found myself skipping the babbling descriptive paragraphs due to their extreme repetitious nature. For example- she boards a flying ship and then repeats that she is on a flying ship at least 5x in the same page. Yes. We get it. You are on a flying ship! Very very very rarely do I stop reading books but after 100 pages and zero development or action I had to finally return it. It is a shame considering it had such a promising storyline at the beginning. My recommendation is to pass along on this book unless you are very very patient.
January 15, 2024
Similar to some of the other reviews on here, this book starts incredibly slow, but really does find its stride towards the end. I'm relatively new to this type of fantasy novel and found myself really enjoying the novel. There is an interesting magic system with very complementary world-building. If you're someone who enjoys magic and interesting political discussions embedded into the narrative, consider adding this to your TBR!
Her characters are clever and feel grounded as they try to navigate themselves, their previous relationships, and the diplomatic pressure placed onto them. MJ Scott has given us characters with quick wit and sharp tongues and distinct personalities that compliment (and clash) together well. I believe the characterization of the two main characters helps this loosely enemies-to-maybe-friends- to-maybe-lovers thrive. Plus, who doesn't love some scheming by others to force the hand of any relationship?
I think the world-nuilding is a bit intense, and I am glad that I did find out before reading this book that it is a spin-off from another one of MJ Scott's series: The Shattered Court. Without reading The Shattered Court, I did not feel too lost, and I believe Scott did a more than adequate job introducing her world and characters to those of us now joining her world.
SPOILERS BELOW:
I will say the ending of this book is a major cliffhanger, and it feels almost like MJ Scott split one book in half. I think it works as of now, and I'm hoping it will pay off in the next installment in the series.
Controversially, I think I did love when the two main characters jumped into bed together a bit towards the end. I think it was a natural progression to feelings both characters had bubbling throughout the whole story. I am hoping we get to see more of their dynamic in the following novels.
Her characters are clever and feel grounded as they try to navigate themselves, their previous relationships, and the diplomatic pressure placed onto them. MJ Scott has given us characters with quick wit and sharp tongues and distinct personalities that compliment (and clash) together well. I believe the characterization of the two main characters helps this loosely enemies-to-maybe-friends- to-maybe-lovers thrive. Plus, who doesn't love some scheming by others to force the hand of any relationship?
I think the world-nuilding is a bit intense, and I am glad that I did find out before reading this book that it is a spin-off from another one of MJ Scott's series: The Shattered Court. Without reading The Shattered Court, I did not feel too lost, and I believe Scott did a more than adequate job introducing her world and characters to those of us now joining her world.
SPOILERS BELOW:
I will say the ending of this book is a major cliffhanger, and it feels almost like MJ Scott split one book in half. I think it works as of now, and I'm hoping it will pay off in the next installment in the series.
Controversially, I think I did love when the two main characters jumped into bed together a bit towards the end. I think it was a natural progression to feelings both characters had bubbling throughout the whole story. I am hoping we get to see more of their dynamic in the following novels.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2024
I had never heard of M.J. Scott before reading this book but can proudly say I will be reading any of her books I can get my hands on from on. This book is very special because it is unique, the plot and background ideas for these characters were new and exciting and unlike anything I'd seen before. I love the changed roles in this book, usually the main male character is the hero and the "warrior" but this book was special in that the female main character was more of a hero figure. The characters in this book are adventurous and ambitious and I can't wait to follow the rest of their stories.
August 7, 2024
The author had a tendency to mention new fantasy elements without explaining what they are and what they look like, so it was really lacking in world building and had a lot of undefined words. The worst failure is that despite her husband's treason being a MAJOR piece of backstory, the entirety of Chloe's backstory revolves around his treason, but the author never says exactly what he did. I kept checking that this was the first book in the series because I was missing so much critical information.
The plot was boring and the romance was lackluster; I had a hard time believing that these two characters actually had a relationship building up.
The plot was boring and the romance was lackluster; I had a hard time believing that these two characters actually had a relationship building up.
May 24, 2022
Really well written! So normally when you get a free book the description sounds good then you start reading and sigh you can tell it won’t be that good. Either you read a few chapters and stop or read the whole thing and feel left wanting. However this book was really good! Great world and character building! Excellent descriptions and understandable feelings to circumstance. This is an author I will be spending my book dollars on in the future! So worth the read for sure and worth more books by this author in the future!
June 19, 2023
This book begins in a fantasy world with no world building. I was a bit confused for the first few chapters. I felt like I was missing something. Then I read through some other reviews and found out this is a spin off series. I don’t think it’s necessary to read the previous series but it probably would have been helpful. As it stands for me, I did not really connect with any of the characters. It may be because we are just dropped into the middle of the story, but I find that I don’t care that much about Chloe or Lucien or finding out who the traitors are, so I don’t plan to continue reading. I’m glad that this was free or I would have been more disappointed with the lack of disclosure.
September 27, 2023
Excellent
Fantastic worldbuilding, a unique magic system (to me at least), and political intrigue are all woven together for a fantastic fantasy adventure. I loved how the world felt like it could have been our own at some point, just with heaps of magic and obviously different religions dominating everything. The cultures are clearly inspired and influenced by real life countries, but not so much that they felt insulting. Overall fun read that leaves you wanting the next book, immediately.
Fantastic worldbuilding, a unique magic system (to me at least), and political intrigue are all woven together for a fantastic fantasy adventure. I loved how the world felt like it could have been our own at some point, just with heaps of magic and obviously different religions dominating everything. The cultures are clearly inspired and influenced by real life countries, but not so much that they felt insulting. Overall fun read that leaves you wanting the next book, immediately.
January 13, 2024
Very repetitious, I found myself skipping huge swaths of content to just get to something that was different. Lots of names being thrown around, including calling her mom by her first name which I feel is an odd choice. 128 pages and I got returns home, goes to a ball, enlists in the military for two pages and then boards a ship. Nothing particularly interesting.
It’s got interesting concepts. But delivery wasn’t there for me.
It’s got interesting concepts. But delivery wasn’t there for me.
September 20, 2024
3.5⭐. I found this book quite slow, but maybe I was missing out not reading the others in this universe. I thought this would be enemies-to-lovers set within a tale about scheming against the crown but was wrong. However the final third of the book saw the action pick up and setting up the next book well. A little 🌶️ and lots of good female characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2022
For me this is the sort of book that starts in a descent way but then you get bored of it pretty quickly. I didn't even want to finish it, I just read a few chapters from the end just to see how it ends...
July 21, 2022
lot of ground work
It was long, but the world building is coming to fruition. I’m hoping the next book will flow a little easier. Not very spicy but eludes to acts. I’ve preordered the next book so I’m invested.
It was long, but the world building is coming to fruition. I’m hoping the next book will flow a little easier. Not very spicy but eludes to acts. I’ve preordered the next book so I’m invested.
April 13, 2023
Good world building. I enjoyed the cultural diversity of different kingdoms. Chloe seems fairly impulsive for a woman who lived quietly for 10 years. The characters and plot are pretty straightforward.
January 4, 2024
This continues the Dark Arts Series with the complex triangle of Chloe, Charl and Lucien, building on events and treachery in the past. I enjoyed the second half particularly and it provides a compelling set up for the rest of the series.
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