"So the twin slid into her midnight voice - a subtle veil of mystery, of sensuality, embracing her words."
I would like to say a big thank you to Viviene Noel for sending me an ARC of this book!
MILD SPOILERS
I feel like I should start this review off by saying that whilst this book didn't hit the mark for me, I know it will for some of you hardcore fantasy lovers out there!
Although I have been a lover of fantasy TV shows and movies for years, I am new to the world of reading fantasy books and I think that is a large reason as to why I found this book a bit difficult. The character names, place names and plot turned my brain into scrambled eggs at times.
The main issue I had was that the book is quite long, but I didn't feel like I found out much information (so lots of effort, with minimal reward) and by the time I got to the ending, I was frustrated at how many questions had been left unanswered. I understand that this is the first book in a series so naturally there will be plot points that are being saved for later books, but the level of mystery surrounding everything from the characters to the plot means that I will be very surprised if I pick the next book up, because I feel a bit exhausted with it all...
HOWEVER
It cannot go unsaid that Viviene is an absolutely brilliant writer, and this book has some of the most beautiful descriptive language I have had the pleasure of reading in a long while. Here are some of my favourite lines:
"She clenched her fist into the fabric over her breast, as though she could grip through skin and bone and hold the pieces together."
"The vile taste of her tone lingered on the tip of her tongue."
"His eyes bore into hers with the strength of a tsunami, destroying all she knew, enclosing her mind solely in the space that existed around them. They were a story, a myth, a promise she wanted, needed, to explore."
When it comes to the characters, there were a few that I did really enjoy getting to know. Nepherym was a wonderfully interesting character that I felt like I didn't get to know as much as I wanted to. She seems like a badass that is keen to break the cycle of those that came before her, and I love this line:
"As opposed to my parents who refused to acknowledge the existence of the outside world, I intend to rid this continent of the plague sweeping through it."
I struggled with Mahena and Emmerentia at times (that name drove me insane after the first few chapters as this book is written in the third person and it's such a long name) but I really loved the Moon Market scene, and I feel like we learnt a lot about them both then.
Overall, I don't see myself picking this book up again and I'm not sure whether I will read the other books in the series, but I know others will give this five stars because after all, we all have different taste! If you read this, let me know what you think! I would love to have a chat.