Bound by Dark Waters: Wed

Beyond the God Sea #2

by Elora Morgan

Promised to a strange prince
Forced toward an arranged marriage, the chosen braenese has a new enemy and he's not at all like the boy who washed ashore in Elowa. This one hates her before she even sets foot upon his sand.

Bound for a strange land
To survive, Zaria must learn the ways of this new world and fight alongside its people. She’ll need to gather as many assets as she can to help her escape back to Kirwyn. Did he find his boat that fateful night... or did he meet his doom at the bottom of the ocean?

Eluding two powerful brothers
If navigating court politics isn’t tricky enough, outmaneuvering the prince determined to dispose of her, as well as the one set upon marrying her, proves downright deadly. To her surprise, it’s not her betrothed who poses the biggest threat -- it’s his cruel and overprotective brother.

One boy to marry, one boy to battle, and one to steal her back...
...she hopes.

********
Bound by Dark Waters is Book II in the Beyond the God Sea Trilogy.

Please be advised: This is Dark/Mature YA. While there is little-to-no explicit content, the themes and challenges within this story are more appropriate for older teen readers. As Zaria straddles the line between Young Adult and New Adult, so do her experiences. Mild swearing, consumption of alcohol, thoughts of self-harm, and issues surrounding the topics of sex, violence, abuse, and trauma are present.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult, Romantasy, Dystopia, Royalty

646 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2021

About the author

Elora spends her free time pursuing fantasy. Nothing engages her mind like a fantastical new world -- except when that world contains lovers who initially despise one another. She reads and writes these angst-filled pairings from the East Coast of the U.S.

YA/NA ROMANCE | SCI-FI/FANTASY | ENEMIES-TO-LOVERS

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@eloramorgan
Instagram: www.instagram.com/boundandcrowned

Reviews

[S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like to consider myself a patient person, but this book has proven me otherwise and I'm a little bitter about it. It physically pains me that the last book isn't out and I don't have a date to count down to in chaotic anticipation. I was buddy reading this book. Do you think it's okay that I finished it a week early? No? Shh. Our secret.

Have you ever seen a video of food being made and you have never had that food in your damn life but suddenly you know it will be the best thing you've EVER TASTED IN YOUR ENTIRE LIFE but it is in fucking Switzerland?

Yeah. That's how I feel about this book series. I just wanna eat it already.

Sigh. *throws self in floor*

So, even though I loved the first book enough to give it five stars, now I am torn... because if the first book was five stars WHAT THE HELL IS THIS ONE? Cause it's more than five.

I didn't even realize how long this book was until I finished it at 3am and wondered why it took me so long to read when I was literally engrossed in it all day. There was not one point in time reading this book that I was bored or the story lagged. I was totally invested. I was shouting at the book like I was in high school again, yelling at the football game on TV like I had a fucking clue about what was going on. Spoiler alert, I didn't.

I honestly can't say why I was so invested, I feel like I am going through an identity crisis because it has been YEARS since I have been able to read a book that wasn't smut and get into it like I did this one. I blame my sibling, really. It's her fault for making me read it. I cried, I laughed, I worried, I screamed, I dodged fights that were only happening in the book and not in real life like I was making my hubby believe... I just... *goes back to face planting the floor* I scared him at one point when I squealed in excitement. True story. Don't judge me.

You know how sometimes you can read a book and get into it and read it all in one go but then in a week you can't even remember all of the character's names? Yeah, no... that isn't this book. I will have the details and suspense engraved in my mind and physical body responses right next to the Sookie Stackhouse series when she finds out Bill is actually a lying sack of shit and my stomach dropped for her.

My stomach does fish flops for Zaria.

I eagerly and probably very impatiently await the last book. I have high expectations, which I am sure is so much pressure for an author, but with how well the first two books went I have all the faith in the world that the third will be everything.

Just read it. If you don't read it, you're dead to me.

[Tiffany O'Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obsessed!

I don't usually write reviews but I am absolutely enamored with this story and impatiently waiting for the 3rd book! I finished book 1 and 2 in about 3 days and it was well worth the sleep I lost!❤️ I can't wait to see more of zaria and her lover but I'm also curious what is going on between her and Laz!? Ugh i can't wait!

[Gia Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I.am.GRIPPED.

This series now has me in a choke hold and I’m ready - I’m ready for the next book.

Kirwyn - Laz - idk which I like more but I want them both - it’s a sandwich I would like to be the meat of.

This was more of a world building book - you’re kept in our girls POV trying to figure her way out of her new life as the soon-to-be queen. The prince is kind, beautiful and seemingly happy to do his duty. Whereas our girl, she’s ready to fight. What’s new?

It did upset me how beautiful Juls was and how he just got a real raw end of the deal, a queen that never loved him or wanted to be with him. But I’m hopeful that his story will continue on and we’ll figure out what’s going on with him in the next book.

I honestly love a good fantasy book - this series is just ticking all my boxes right now and I’m so very excited for book 3!

[the bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
(I have read all three books now, I am writing the review as if I haven’t read book three yet)
This continues right after book one,
This was actually pretty fast to read, I was hooked from the beginning. I stayed up to finish this,
This is now a all-time favourite series, I finished the book days ago, but the whole story is still stuck in my head, and the ending felt like such a cliffhanger I had started book three the same night
I highly recommend you pick this book up,
Please be advised: In this dystopian series the protagonist grows in a manner similar to characters such as Sansa Stark. She begins as sheltered/naive and does not become a strategist until Book II when the story darkens and matures. There is no spice/adult content until Book III.
Book I is Mid-Range YA.
Book II is Dark/Mature YA better suited to older teen readers.
Book III is New Adult and contains mature content.


“My apologies,” he said stoically, evenly. “I’m a bit taken aback. I was told to expect someone... more...” he struggled to find the right word, “...reserved.”

“Well, I was told to expect a god,”

“I felt desire for my friend: I told my want, my want did end.
I felt desire for my foe: I told it not, my want…
No. No. I cut myself off, refusing to finish the poem in my head.”

Thank you so much Elora for the books!

[Samantha Cooney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little more adventure in this book which was good, and can see the books are slowly maturing along the way. Though it was a little repetitive in some parts, I’m enjoying these books more than I thought

[Shinebrightlovvee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay this has me invested!!! Thank you to Elora for giving me an ARC for an honest review. I absolutely loved it! I have so many questions and now I’ll have to wait for book 3😭 but that’s okay Zaria is more guarded in this story and it’s understandable her turmoil to know if Kirwyn is dead in the beginning of this story Those are her thoughts did he really die? Is he somewhere out there waiting to save her. She meets 2 brothers which things get interesting 👀 sexual tension with one particular character 👀👀.her encounter with one was amusing because she had been through the mud she was dirty tired and probably smelled bad lol but she didn’t care and went up to the prince. I liked that about her. She’s feisty. I don’t want to give anything away but this series is good Elora is a good story teller and I can’t wait to read what happens next!

[Miranda Furstoss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have actually been stalking this author's page since I read the first book, waiting for the next one to come out. The way the first one ended, whew, I needed this next one to see what happened to both Zaria and Kirwyn. I was not disappointed! I was so excited to see Zaria's growth continue in this book as she found out more truths and in turn, found a little more of herself.

There continues to be excitement, and some romance, in here that kept me on the edge of my Kindle app! We find out more truth surrounding her "marriage to the sea god" and what life entails for her at her actual destination. Not only does she need to adjust to learning her life was built upon lie after lie, but she also has to overcome the adversity in the form of the young king's brother as soon as she steps ashore. Throw in some questionable choices and some uncertain danger, then we really get to see what Zaria is made of.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Elora for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

What I loved?
* Enemies to lovers
* World building and fantastical costume envisions
* Villianess and sweet princes’s
* THE SEXUAL TENSION between certain characters ;)
* Strong heroine who actually has realistic growth
* Did I mention SEXUAL TENSION, SEXUAL TENSION, SEXUAL TENSION?

What I need?
* Certain characters with said sexual tension to return in Book III
* Book III ASAP

The story picks up right after the events of Book I and it picks UP! Zaria is torn away from her home and we’re introduced to new characters, new land, new power games and more scheming. Book II goes through a lot world/clan building outside of Elowa, but the plot made me keep turning pages throughout the whole story. As per Elora’s description the book does go a bit darker with characters then the first book however it was done it a much progressive way rather then just doing a 180 on us. As the reader you have to remember Zaria is still quite young in the book and it makes sense as to why she would feel and react to certain scenarios the way she did.

The characters were well developed and realistic, and it was especially easy to root for our heroine. Forced to grow up quickly in order to survive she makes big steps in the game play around her. Zaria definitely matures as a character, she’s more guarded, less naive and more aware of how her actions impact those around her. However she’s proves she is no push over, *to certain characters* and stills holds only one boy in her heart.

One boy to marry, one boy to battle, and one to steal her back...she hopes.

While Zaria questions Kirwyn’s survival she is introduced to 2 brothers, Young King Juls and Lazlian. Without giving spoiling too much, they certainly have the very different views of Zaria when she is involved.

“My apologies,” he said stoically, evenly. “I’m a bit taken aback. I was told to expect someone... more...” he struggled to find the right word, “...reserved.”

“Well, I was told to expect a god,”

We already knew Zaria’s "hate to love" chemistry with Kirwyn was *chefs kiss* in Book I but there are definitely certain characters that can take run for his money!

“I don’t think it would be your first attempt to kill me.”
The accompanying tug to one side of his mouth, pulling his lips into a crooked line, sent chills down my spine.
“There have been countless meals since your arrival, little queen. Don’t you think I could have gotten my hands on one of them by now?”

In all, this was an enjoyable read! I’m so grateful I came across this series and I can't wait to continue on with the story!

[Gloria Bohne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, now Im invested. I got a free copy of this book in exchange for a book review last week. I quickly read the first book and this one right after. The MC matured a bit more, thankfully, but I still wish she was a bit older in age to fit the mature situations occurring around her. I was getting a bit annoyed at how often she pined after Kirwyn almost every day but she's a lovestruck teen, so I get it. I definitely enjoyed reading all the scenes with Laz, he sounded very complex and would be interesting to know more about. Jesi bugged me a bit with being too complacent to rebel and disobey against her loyalty and position in the guard, especially with drugging Juls, the young king, so often! You would think she'd argue, refuse, and hesitate a bit more before giving in so easily to a girl she somewhat can relate to...but I could have misunderstood. The reunion between Kirwyn and Zaria was squeal-worthy, was hoping for more loving reunion type scenes and less bickering. Truth has been spilled, now I wonder what the ending of the story will be for Zaria, Kirwyn, Laz, and Juls. Either way, the overall plot is captivating and I eagerly await the next book!

[Chelsee Damas · Rating 3 out of 5]

…distant-lovers

The second book of Bound by Dark Waters takes the reader to Rythas. The MC goes through a few trials and tribulations. Mostly dealing with the aggressive King that has a sole purpose for her and the cruel twin brother.

I believe I would have enjoyed this book more had it not been sold as an enemies to lovers tale. It’s not. For me, I didn’t catch onto any mixture of Eros and Thanatos between the cruel brother and our heroine. However… them as just straight enemies—absolutely. The author did a fabulous job writing some tense action scenes and I really enjoyed the side characters introduced. Still very much a YA Fantasy read at its core… love the sprinkling of sci-fi. But it’s more of a suggestion rather than a full grasp of the genre. Well… maybe—I definitely was getting steampunk vibes for the world settings.

I am looking forward to the third book. I really want to see the conclusion of the MC’s journey and whether or not she gets her HEA. Cause the ending of book two really does leave it open for anything to happen.

Highly recommend for YA fantasy and “separated from your love” trope fans.

[⋆☆☽ Kriss ☾☆⋆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this installment quite interesting and devoured it quickly despite it being over 600 pages in length. It was layered and well executed enough to keep me invested, flipping through pages eager to find out where things would go from here.

The story hasn't been predictable and although the first portion wasn't as action packed as the later half, it didn't feel slow or boring. I like that the author let the story breathe and didn't rush it needlessly. I'm having fun with what the story is and am invested.

Although... I have a feeling that in book #3 Laz is going to be something of a sudden love interest, based on just one final scene between them in this tale, which makes me worried that all this Kirwyn-Kirwyn-Kirwyn heavy emotional center is going to be discarded and ultimately feel pointless, but we'll see what happens in the next installment.

I hope it's not like that; that the dark broody one doesn't get suddenly become her true love romance out of nowhere. It's happened before, so here's to hoping the author didn't trip at the finish line.

[☾`ACourtOfKindles~☾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bound By Dark Waters
___________________

Rating: FIVEEE FREAKING SEASTARS AGAIN
Romance: 10/10 but I want to give it a 9/10 because I’ve been thrown TWO more men and I’m conflicted. THE AUDACITY. but the romance is still god tier nonetheless
Emotional Breakdown?: HECK FREAKING YES IDK IF I CAN STAY SANE WAITING FOR THE NEXT ONE!!

I’m a little late giving this review but I finished this a few days ago and it was another one of my 6 hour binges. Start at ten before bed and unable to put it down until 4 am. You know a book is good if you think your getting a few chapters before bedtime when in reality it’s an addictive drug that keeps you up until ungodly hours of the morning.

This is just as amazing as the first book! Highly recommend giving this series a try. Can’t wait for book 3!!

[Kirsten Madina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m OBSESSED!

Somehow Elora Morgan was able to create a sequel I loved even more than the first. From start to finish, I was completely intrigued by the plot and the new characters that we meet in this book, Juls and Laz especially. I found every detail help paint a vivid picture of this dystopian world that seems so fantastical at times, especially seeing everything through Zaria’s point of view. We didn’t get to see much of the world outside Elowa in book one, and i think she does a great job of world building and bringing the new world to life in book two.

I especially enjoyed the cat and mouse chase between Zaria and Laz. Their hatred for each other is so intense that there were a few moments where I screamed “JUST KISS ALREADY” at my kindle (because I love a good enemies to lovers plot) but at the same time I loved and admired Zaria’s loyalty to Kirwyn the entire book. She rarely strays, and her internal struggle between staying and fighting and fleeing is so well-written and helps establish and reflect Zaria’s complexities as a truly dynamic protagonist. Her scheming and manipulation and just overall badassery gave me hugeee Jude from the Cruel Prince vibes (I even think at points she does Jude better than Jude) and she’s definitely proving herself to be a FMC queen deserving a seat next to Nesta, Poppy, Jude, Aelin, [insert favorite fantasy ya badass here].

I cannot understate how much I enjoyed this book so definitely, definitely check it out!

I’m keeping my countdown on for book three in the meantime.

[natasha fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was off the charts good! The angst, the trials and tribulations that she has to go through keeps you intrigued and wanting more

[Samii · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I felt desire for my friend: I told my want, my want did end.
I felt desire for my foe: I told it not, my want…
No. No. I cut myself off, refusing to finish the poem in my head.”

In book 2 we are thrust into what feels like a whole new world but this time with knowledge of the way of the world and what it has become. Zaria is promised to a prince, not a sea god and she is not happy about the lies she uncovered from book 1. She works on following these new rules to the best of her abilities to achieve her goals of learning as much as she can, winning the hearts of the people and most importantly getting back to Kirwyn (wherever he may be.)

Even with a completely different setting and so many new characters Bound by Dark Waters feels so well connected to book 1. Zaria is the same smart and stubborn girl just with a new challenge to try and work out. The history you begin to learn about in book 1 is continued and expanded into book 2 and Zaria’s purpose grows as a direct link to events and traumas in the first book. This, again, is an example of the amazing world that Elora is creating and gets me excited about the overarching story and what is to come. The best thing about this book is how long it is, 646 pages! This book itself is longer than some series I’ve read recently! This gives you time to feel like a full story is taking place within a larger series. Even with the length I felt like this book was a relatively quick read, scenes play out quickly and there is enough depth and lore to keep you locked in!

As with book 1, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a new dystopian fantasy series. The countdown to book 3 is already ticking down loud in my head and I can not WAIT to see what happens next with love, war and Zarias next adventure!

[Mila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic sequel😌this is the first time I have ever read a book that was technically dystopia and fantasy at the same time AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT 😊

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zaria is so aggravating, but I love her. It’s been a long time since I yelled at a fictional character.

This story gets its hooks in you and drags you along on this wild ride. So. Much. Intrigue. I ended the book with no idea who the “good guys” are. Maybe there really aren’t any. Isn’t that fun?!

And Laz. The tension between these two is hot enough to burn down a building. That’s all I’m going to say.

[Alejandra Mendoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given an ARC for an honest review. The first book had me in its grasp from the first page because it was so unique. Book 2 was no different. This book is a little bit more mature than the first one. Some of the scenarios that Zaria finds herself in are not ones that she would have found herself in prior to this book. She goes through so much trauma from ending up on a strange boat, not knowing what happened to Kirwyn, and having to navigate the challenges that she's presented with by herself. Her emotional state of mind is way more intense than in the last book as well. I may have read way too many bully romance books, but I completely worship Laz. Elora made him way too sexy to be the villain. He should have had a humpback and a giant mole right on his nose. A giant HAIRY mole! He should not have been so yummy. Please give us more Laz!

[Hayleigh Strothmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. After finishing the first book I was so excited to read the second book and I’m so glad that I did. I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. I’m glad that I started reading Elora Morgan’s books because she really knows what she’s writing.

[Thea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy Elora Morgan's writing style. I found her characters to be deep and entertaining and the story to be moving. This series has been very fun to read.

[Nirvana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a quick note before I get into the review:
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review. I am a high school student who doesn't usually read any sort of fantasy or dystopian books, but there was something that drew me to this series - and I don't regret it for a moment!

Review: Warning! Spoilers if you haven't read book #1
Bound by Dark Waters, the sequel to Beyond the God Sea, is a brilliant book written in the most captivating manner, bound to enchant the reader. Right from the beginning you are thrust into a whirlpool of action, romance and drama - in my opinion, three of the most exciting parts of a story!

I found myself reading voraciously, itching to find out what happened to Kirwyn. With the introduction of so many new characters, all of whom were quite different to what I expected, I could not put the book down.

Elora Morgan tells this rollercoaster of a story with the elegant, refined voice of the young Braenese Zaria, encompassing the emotions, desires and confusion that we experience as teens (except perhaps the stakes are a little higher for Zaria). The eloquent yet reasonably simple language of the book made it a pleasure to read - not to mention the extremely well-constructed, loveable (and hateable) characters!

This book is a wonderful journey of uncertainty, new friendships, love, and so much more, and I cannot wait to read the next installment of the story!

[Elora Morgan]

Please be advised: This book is a maturity jump from Beyond the God Sea.

Though still YA, the content in Book II is darker and more mature, especially surrounding the bully prince and the sexual expectations of Zaria's arranged marriage.

While there are little-to-no explicit scenes, the themes and challenges within this story are more appropriate for older teen readers. As Zaria straddles the line between Young Adult and New Adult, so do her experiences. Mild swearing, consumption of alcohol, thoughts of self-harm, and content touching the topics of sex, violence, abuse, and trauma are present.

This is the last book before the series crosses into the New Adult genre. Book III will contain plenty of spice, and those mature scenes won't always be vanilla. If you continue on to the final book, please expect spicy exploration as these characters come of age, as well as dark & steamy, bodice-ripper vibes. (And, as always, plenty of angst!)

Thank you for reading!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, yes, yes! I was so invested and always left wanting just a little more. A little more detail, insight, etc. left me guessing. So so good. Love a good bad boy.

[Clara Bennet · Rating 5 out of 5]

i wish zaria would make better choices, but who am i to judge

[Abi · Rating 5 out of 5]

"No one in the world could stop the sun from burning. And no one could stop me either."

The way that I'm obsessed with this series.

The court politics.
The angst.
The drama
This book serves.

And there are multiple love interests (which is one of my favorite tropes):
-> her first love, her demon-boy (aka Mr. "Savagely Handsome")

"When I met Kirwyn… I will never be the same, never. I am marked, Jesi. Not with any tattoo or scar, but inside,” I said, beating my breast. “Like – like the rings of a tree. You know how if you cut a tree, you can see where each ring marks a year of its life? And the circle may be thick or thin to record some indication of a drought or some other severe circumstance at a given time? It’s like that, inside me. Wherever time is kept inside our bodies, if you cut me open and looked, I’d bear the mark on my soul from my days and nights with Kirwyn.”

-> the boy she's forced to marry, the young king

"My apologies," he said stoically, evenly. "I'm a bit taken aback. I was told to expect someone...more..." he struggled to find the right word, "...reserved."
"Well, I was told to expect a god," I shot back.

-> the boy she hates to love and loves to hate, the bully prince

I felt desire for my friend: I told my want, my want did end. I felt desire for my foe: I told it not… my want did grow.
...
I finally understood why his cruelty hurt so much. Because I knew Laz was poison, yet a foolish, naïve part of me wished he wasn’t.

Ahhhh it's like a tug-o-war with her heart and I love it.
Side note: I also love that one of the love interests is described as not being conventionally attractive, and yet he's alluring anyway. In Lida's words, he's "ugly-hot".

Speaking of, the friend group is also everything <3

“You save me, I save you"

Overall:
This is one of those rare books that I feel was just made for me and I just want to read it over and over again. It's definitely more plot-heavy than the first book in the series, and it's a darker YA. We get to see Zaria turn into a schemer, even though she's still a hopeless romantic at heart. I felt ALL the emotions. What a rollercoaster.
This series is being slept on. Go read it and let's fangirl together.

[Marie Klaire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was pretty great. I think I enjoyed the first book better, just because I loved watching Zaria and Kirwyn's romance bloom, but this book was also ripe with many twists/turns. I think this book was less enjoyable to read because of how doomed and hopeless Zaria felt throughout about the first 3/4 of the book. I also liked watching Zaria mature. She makes mistake but learns from them. She's feisty in a way that's not overly cheesy/ common of YA female protagonists. A lot of this book felt like Zaria had to play political chess in the castle, which made the story a page turner.

Spoilers!

Meeting Laz, I hated him. I still do. I could see the author subtly writing attraction into his interactions with Zaria which was honestly UNCOMFORTABLE, given how absolutely horrible he was to her. I love a good villian, enemies to lovers kind of story, but to me, Laz was just too mean and I had a hard time believing she could like someone who said/did such horrible things. Don't get me wrong, Laz's character was interesting but I largely found him unforgivable. It will be interesting to see if we learn more about him in book 3. Jul's was nice...but lets agree that nice is a bit boring. Basically, both brothers paled in comparison to Kirwyn.

When Zaria was reunited with Kirwyn it felt like pushing through the first 3/4 of the book was worth it. Elora is so good at making Kirwyn feel like "home" to Zaria, and I love the moments they had together - despite them being few and far between. I was honestly on the verge of tears when Zaria was demanding Kirwyn "couoldn't" save her. All of Zaria's emotion turmoil was really well-captured, and I felt like all of her confusion, anger, longing, and unconditional love came alive in the story.

I'm excited to see what book 3 has to hold! Hopefully Kirwyn and Zaria make it out alive, the Elowan's are saved, Juls finds someone else to fawn over (lol)... and Laz gets eaten by a shark!

[Jessica Yaraschuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immediately started in on the 2nd book after reading the first. I love that it picks up right where we left off.
This book is SO good. I couldn’t put it down! In this book we really start to see a metamorphosis of the young sheltered girl becoming a fierce defender of self. She befriends her bodyguard/lady’s maid fairly early on. This relationship continues throughout the book and I really enjoyed that she has one person who we felt like would be on her side after being thrust into a whole new world of unknown.
Immediately- I was CAPTIVATED by Lazlian…I even LOVE his name. Despite him being an outright ass, despite him being rude/mean/spiteful and downright physically hurtful. I should hate him….but I just couldn’t (as I found out for good reason). Maybe I like a wounded bad boy 😂.
This story was filled with SO much content. You literally see the writing style becoming richer and more content as she stands up for herself by playing the game as much as she can. She tried many times to imagine her life with the prince in love but never lets go of the boy beyond the sea and the hope that they will be reunited. One of my FAVORITE scenes in the entire book is when she risks her life to explode the warships. The giant snub to lazlian who didn’t believe in her.
The way she tossed the engagement ring into the ocean. The love of the citizens for all that she is….you see her become loved, powerful, strong.
THIS is an awesome character. Even if she is still learning and scared. She is a fighter.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the second book in a series coming from a YA novel, I think the aging of the character was very well done. She has learned from her past mistakes and is trying to make more purposeful decisions.

Even though justified based on what she had to go through, I was still slightly annoyed with her inability to see the bigger picture in the world she lived in.

A crucial portion of this book is a young romance with separated lovers, but only from the main characters perspective. I prefer to get both characters actions and perspectives in a romance to better determine if I want to root for them.

It was nice to see the main character have more meaningful and interesting relationships beyond her romantic one.

There were also a few scenarios that seemed a bit far fetched to happen, but give that it doesn’t take place in our present day world, I can forgive them.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zaria's journey gets a little more dangerous from here on out as she tries to find ways around the life of being engaged and eventually married to someone she doesn't love alongside with a brother of the prince who shows her nothing but distain. Some nasty dark twists and turns as she tries to find a way to escape her married life and reunite with Kirwyn, the boy who she really loves. No doubt about it I was feeling dread in each of the chapters until I felt the sweet relief in the end when she eventually does the deed. Book number 3 here I come!

[caity · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an absolute ride and left me with anything and everything wanting the next book. Elora Morgan writes an amazing portrayal of a dystopian romance with a growing female lead. From the first book, the second and the third you grow with Zaria in her world of drama, romance, fantasy and experiences.