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The Warrior Midwife #1
The Warrior Midwife
**Pastel Cover Edition**
"The fae are no joke, girl. Be wise. Be smart. Be cunning if you can..."
PRINCESS. MIDWIFE. WARRIOR
Her father made a binding agreement with the fae king to protect his kingdom. Now Crown Princess Saraya must pay the price: marry the crown fae prince, go into the monster's lair and give up her protection of the vulnerable women of her home, Quartz City.
But fate would not have her sent into the fae kingdom, instead, forces far greater than she could have imagined plot the destruction of humanity.
The Order of Temari, an ancient guild of warrior midwives, sworn to protect women in childbirth from the demons who would take their baby's magical abilities are all but dead. But with Saraya's coming of age, the Order has a chance at rebirth. Instead of going to sit the human caged, betrothed, in the fae kingdom, Saraya disguises herself as a fae warrior and sneaks away into the fae mountain academy, where fae males learn to become full blooded warriors.
In order to save the human realm, Saraya must become the best warrior she can be.
She's the Man meets Sarah J. Maas in this whirlwind romantic fantasy trilogy
"The fae are no joke, girl. Be wise. Be smart. Be cunning if you can..."
PRINCESS. MIDWIFE. WARRIOR
Her father made a binding agreement with the fae king to protect his kingdom. Now Crown Princess Saraya must pay the price: marry the crown fae prince, go into the monster's lair and give up her protection of the vulnerable women of her home, Quartz City.
But fate would not have her sent into the fae kingdom, instead, forces far greater than she could have imagined plot the destruction of humanity.
The Order of Temari, an ancient guild of warrior midwives, sworn to protect women in childbirth from the demons who would take their baby's magical abilities are all but dead. But with Saraya's coming of age, the Order has a chance at rebirth. Instead of going to sit the human caged, betrothed, in the fae kingdom, Saraya disguises herself as a fae warrior and sneaks away into the fae mountain academy, where fae males learn to become full blooded warriors.
In order to save the human realm, Saraya must become the best warrior she can be.
She's the Man meets Sarah J. Maas in this whirlwind romantic fantasy trilogy
364 pages, Paperback
First published May 28, 2022
1490 people are currently reading
12512 people want to read
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Want to read
March 17, 2022Okay I just saw the tiktok, came straight here, read the description and Im sold. Cant wait to read this!!!!!
AAAAnd I expect it to be at least a 4 star read, but we'll see
AAAAnd I expect it to be at least a 4 star read, but we'll see
May 28, 2022
I really loved how the book started and the concept of the warrior midwife, the different cultures presented and the character design.
However, I had some issues with Saraya's character development, her relationship with Drake and some other things.
When Saraya is first introduced to the Order of Temaris she makes a point of questioning them for explanations, but doesn't ask for proof. She flees the Fae without batting an eye just because of some spectres ideas. I think this plot twist could have been written with more "oomph" and drama. Instead, when I read it it felt like Saraya wasn't very surprised by the news.
Furthermore, I feel like Saraya's character development was severely neglected in the second half of the book. The three months she spends at the Fae school, she climbs through the ranks quickly. After the spectres told her that she needed to improve because of how unbelievable strong the Fae was, this little effort felt a bit disappointing.
About her relationship to Drake. Did no one else feel like it was flat?
The connection to him was already hinted by his dramatic entrance to the throne room and in fact, I had expected right then and there he would be revealed as being the first born. But his dramatic entrance was completely swept to the side after a few seconds. Plus, right after that chapter we get his POV of that meeting. Then we had those two instances between Saraya and Drake at the Fae school. But it was two times, in which we didn't have a way to build an emotional connection with Drake.
The attention he gave her felt a bit misplaced and so, when Saraya came back to her homeland and he revealed to her that he knew who she was, it felt obvious. The next few chapter seemed to concentrate a lot on Drake's and Saraya's connection, but with no basis. Why is Drake attracted to her? Why is she attracted to him? They are enemies, and he has just just taken her city hostage.
Then, for her negotiations, where she wants to portray herself as a strong woman, she wears a red dress to entice him but instead shows her greatest shame and vulnerability, then proceeds to show him a portrait of her mother. With what goal in mind? This scene could have been used very well to show Saraya as a cunning (or at least intelligent) and desirable woman. Instead we get an impression of her as being a woman who conveniently forgets her back is exposed (oopsie) and sentimental. What interest could she have to show her enemy that she feels sad about her mother's death? In her negotiations, she achieves nothing and I also didn't particularly feel a lot of attraction between Saraya and Drake.
Moreover, Saraya talks with Drake and his soldiers in a very familiar way and I don't understand why. They meet two times at the Fae academy, one time before that and instantly there is this heated connection about them? And why would Lysander and Slade even take orders from her? They are Drake's friends and soldiers.
Things like Saraya's stepmother not being human and Drake being the actual firstborn did not surprise me at all. I was moreover surprised how it was revealed at the end. The author seemed rushed to reveal it all in one page. I feel like this could have been revealed with a bit more care and importance. To be honest, I had thought it would be revealed at the wedding and Daxian would be a ploy and supposed to protect the first born from assassinations or so.
In conclusion, I really liked the introduction but felt disappointed with the character development and the description of their relationship. If the author tried to show a dangerous and romantic pull between them, I didn't feel it. Drake's character design didn't feel consistent with the image of him being an adult and dangerous Fae commander. And Saraya, who I felt had built up a very strong image of a woman deteriorated into a teenager who only cursed the people around her in the last few chapters and seemed to otherwise just slip into an uncontrollable rage when fighting demons. There is potential in the story, but the author should work on the description, the character design and filling the plot holes.
However, I had some issues with Saraya's character development, her relationship with Drake and some other things.
When Saraya is first introduced to the Order of Temaris she makes a point of questioning them for explanations, but doesn't ask for proof. She flees the Fae without batting an eye just because of some spectres ideas. I think this plot twist could have been written with more "oomph" and drama. Instead, when I read it it felt like Saraya wasn't very surprised by the news.
Furthermore, I feel like Saraya's character development was severely neglected in the second half of the book. The three months she spends at the Fae school, she climbs through the ranks quickly. After the spectres told her that she needed to improve because of how unbelievable strong the Fae was, this little effort felt a bit disappointing.
About her relationship to Drake. Did no one else feel like it was flat?
The connection to him was already hinted by his dramatic entrance to the throne room and in fact, I had expected right then and there he would be revealed as being the first born. But his dramatic entrance was completely swept to the side after a few seconds. Plus, right after that chapter we get his POV of that meeting. Then we had those two instances between Saraya and Drake at the Fae school. But it was two times, in which we didn't have a way to build an emotional connection with Drake.
The attention he gave her felt a bit misplaced and so, when Saraya came back to her homeland and he revealed to her that he knew who she was, it felt obvious. The next few chapter seemed to concentrate a lot on Drake's and Saraya's connection, but with no basis. Why is Drake attracted to her? Why is she attracted to him? They are enemies, and he has just just taken her city hostage.
Then, for her negotiations, where she wants to portray herself as a strong woman, she wears a red dress to entice him but instead shows her greatest shame and vulnerability, then proceeds to show him a portrait of her mother. With what goal in mind? This scene could have been used very well to show Saraya as a cunning (or at least intelligent) and desirable woman. Instead we get an impression of her as being a woman who conveniently forgets her back is exposed (oopsie) and sentimental. What interest could she have to show her enemy that she feels sad about her mother's death? In her negotiations, she achieves nothing and I also didn't particularly feel a lot of attraction between Saraya and Drake.
Moreover, Saraya talks with Drake and his soldiers in a very familiar way and I don't understand why. They meet two times at the Fae academy, one time before that and instantly there is this heated connection about them? And why would Lysander and Slade even take orders from her? They are Drake's friends and soldiers.
Things like Saraya's stepmother not being human and Drake being the actual firstborn did not surprise me at all. I was moreover surprised how it was revealed at the end. The author seemed rushed to reveal it all in one page. I feel like this could have been revealed with a bit more care and importance. To be honest, I had thought it would be revealed at the wedding and Daxian would be a ploy and supposed to protect the first born from assassinations or so.
In conclusion, I really liked the introduction but felt disappointed with the character development and the description of their relationship. If the author tried to show a dangerous and romantic pull between them, I didn't feel it. Drake's character design didn't feel consistent with the image of him being an adult and dangerous Fae commander. And Saraya, who I felt had built up a very strong image of a woman deteriorated into a teenager who only cursed the people around her in the last few chapters and seemed to otherwise just slip into an uncontrollable rage when fighting demons. There is potential in the story, but the author should work on the description, the character design and filling the plot holes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2022
My attention span is so short I can't read physical books in one sitting anymore, but that's exactly what I did with this one. The way it was able to hold my attention for so long is magic.
The author is/was a midwife and it was so interesting how she made an mc who viewed the world through the lens of that, because the mc was not just a midwife, she had magic connected to midwifery. And even I, who hate pregnancy and don't like infants was captivated and it softened me a little bit towards this topic.
I liked the world, the cute animal companion and even the plot. The structure of the story is what we can expect from a ya/na fantasy, but the execution, the worldbuilding and the culture was so unique.
I can't wait to also read the next series, because that's about the sister of the mc who is in an academy in a forest I think and she is an archer. And archer girls are my favorite.
The author is/was a midwife and it was so interesting how she made an mc who viewed the world through the lens of that, because the mc was not just a midwife, she had magic connected to midwifery. And even I, who hate pregnancy and don't like infants was captivated and it softened me a little bit towards this topic.
I liked the world, the cute animal companion and even the plot. The structure of the story is what we can expect from a ya/na fantasy, but the execution, the worldbuilding and the culture was so unique.
I can't wait to also read the next series, because that's about the sister of the mc who is in an academy in a forest I think and she is an archer. And archer girls are my favorite.
November 12, 2022
Look. This was definitely a book that I can now say I have read.
June 30, 2025
I don't want to be dramatic… but this might be my favorite romantasy book of all time… and I'm absolutely freaking out about it. I can't keep cool. I literally don't know what to do with myself. Do I reread it immediately? Scream into my pillow? Start a cult over it? I’ve reached maximum capacity here. I LITERALLY don’t know what to do with myself now that I’ve finished this book.
She’s a princess. She’s a badass midwife. She’s a badass warrior.
But unfortunately… her father has made a binding agreement to marry her off to the dark fae prince across the mountains…
This is enemies to lovers, ARRANGED MARRIAGE… bonus points because it’s a bride contract… absolutely delicious… chef’s kiss.
There’s hidden power… some hidden identities…
I’m telling you now. You’ve never read a slow burn until you’ve read this book. Slow burns have not existed until you read this book. And once you do you’ll go…. Ohhhhh so THAT’S what a slow burn is. When I tell you I was gnawing at the bars of my enclosure waiting for even a whisper of acknowledgment between these two….
I say that with my WHOLE CHEST.
The author of this book was actually a midwife herself. And you can absolutely tell. The care in this occupation. The love that shines through for women. The advocacy for these beautiful births is unlike anything I’ve ever read before. There is a deep devotion to females and their power and strength in this story and the goosebumps just lived on my skin permanently the whole time.
“She is the force that creates the hurricane. She is the tempest, the tsunami. She is the darkness of the womb, the strength that brings forth a child. She is feminine rage made manifest.”
There’s a “Who hurt you” moment when he sees the scars on her back and it was so good I literally saw stars while reading it.
“I wanted to hunt down the creature who had done it and taste their blood in my mouth. Tear them into so many pieces, no semblance of a body would be left.
She didn’t want to tell me who had done it to her. She couldn’t keep that from me. Not when I had this boiling, madness-provoking rage at the sight of each scar.
I counted each of her scars and seared them into my memory for later.”
There are twists that were so jaw dropping I felt like my eyes were going to pop out of my head.
There’s the most adorable pet companion… I would lay down my life for this little fluff ball.
Saraya is one of my favorite female main characters of all time. Not once… I’m not kidding… Not once… did I get frustrated with her decisions. She’s honorable, smart, cunning, kind. I can’t stress enough how kind she is. She inspires me to be better, to do better in my life. That is the sign of a true and strong fmc.
“You are the sword that guards the vulnerable. The shield that protects in the night. The guardian of human potential.”
It’s dual POV… it had me swooning… literally left and right. I was actually giggling every time the POV changed. This entire book is a tasty delectable treat.
She literally has to go to an all male academy disguised as a boy and it’s the most hilarious and titillating journey I’ve ever been on. If She’s the Man is one of your favorite movies… you’re in for a TREAT.
There’s demons, monsters, fae, magic prophecy’s, ghosts, hidden powers… Literally everything I want.
There’s a ritual/ceremony of sorts that will have you on your hands and need sobbing in reverence but also screaming. Absolutely screaming at what you are witnessing.
The hints… the crumbs… the bread crumbs… the tiny morsels… that are hinting at you throughout this book are agonizing.
What’s going on is this world and the high stakes are like nothing I’ve read before. I can’t get over this story. It’s so unique. It’s so refreshing. I’m just absolutely blown away. I somehow have no words and also can’t shut up about this book at the same time.
The ending of the book…. I will not know peace until I continue this series. My jaw wasn’t just on the floor it fell through it.
I won’t be shutting up about this book ever. If you take one recommendation from me… let it be this.
Oh and one more thing… the spice… it’s going to hit later on in the series… and it’s… well. Worth. The. Wait....
She’s a princess. She’s a badass midwife. She’s a badass warrior.
But unfortunately… her father has made a binding agreement to marry her off to the dark fae prince across the mountains…
This is enemies to lovers, ARRANGED MARRIAGE… bonus points because it’s a bride contract… absolutely delicious… chef’s kiss.
There’s hidden power… some hidden identities…
I’m telling you now. You’ve never read a slow burn until you’ve read this book. Slow burns have not existed until you read this book. And once you do you’ll go…. Ohhhhh so THAT’S what a slow burn is. When I tell you I was gnawing at the bars of my enclosure waiting for even a whisper of acknowledgment between these two….
I say that with my WHOLE CHEST.
The author of this book was actually a midwife herself. And you can absolutely tell. The care in this occupation. The love that shines through for women. The advocacy for these beautiful births is unlike anything I’ve ever read before. There is a deep devotion to females and their power and strength in this story and the goosebumps just lived on my skin permanently the whole time.
“She is the force that creates the hurricane. She is the tempest, the tsunami. She is the darkness of the womb, the strength that brings forth a child. She is feminine rage made manifest.”
There’s a “Who hurt you” moment when he sees the scars on her back and it was so good I literally saw stars while reading it.
“I wanted to hunt down the creature who had done it and taste their blood in my mouth. Tear them into so many pieces, no semblance of a body would be left.
She didn’t want to tell me who had done it to her. She couldn’t keep that from me. Not when I had this boiling, madness-provoking rage at the sight of each scar.
I counted each of her scars and seared them into my memory for later.”
There are twists that were so jaw dropping I felt like my eyes were going to pop out of my head.
There’s the most adorable pet companion… I would lay down my life for this little fluff ball.
Saraya is one of my favorite female main characters of all time. Not once… I’m not kidding… Not once… did I get frustrated with her decisions. She’s honorable, smart, cunning, kind. I can’t stress enough how kind she is. She inspires me to be better, to do better in my life. That is the sign of a true and strong fmc.
“You are the sword that guards the vulnerable. The shield that protects in the night. The guardian of human potential.”
It’s dual POV… it had me swooning… literally left and right. I was actually giggling every time the POV changed. This entire book is a tasty delectable treat.
She literally has to go to an all male academy disguised as a boy and it’s the most hilarious and titillating journey I’ve ever been on. If She’s the Man is one of your favorite movies… you’re in for a TREAT.
There’s demons, monsters, fae, magic prophecy’s, ghosts, hidden powers… Literally everything I want.
There’s a ritual/ceremony of sorts that will have you on your hands and need sobbing in reverence but also screaming. Absolutely screaming at what you are witnessing.
The hints… the crumbs… the bread crumbs… the tiny morsels… that are hinting at you throughout this book are agonizing.
What’s going on is this world and the high stakes are like nothing I’ve read before. I can’t get over this story. It’s so unique. It’s so refreshing. I’m just absolutely blown away. I somehow have no words and also can’t shut up about this book at the same time.
The ending of the book…. I will not know peace until I continue this series. My jaw wasn’t just on the floor it fell through it.
I won’t be shutting up about this book ever. If you take one recommendation from me… let it be this.
Oh and one more thing… the spice… it’s going to hit later on in the series… and it’s… well. Worth. The. Wait....
December 17, 2023
I want to start by saying that the author definitely pulled from a place that she knew and it felt very knowledgeable which was amazing. The different cultures represented were great and felt new and fresh.
What I had a problem with is the decisions that Saraya made. Even the small ones in the beginning felt... disjointed? For example, she gets whipped by her step mother and doesn't fight back because her sister was threatened to take her place. But only a few pages later, she says that her sister is old enough to defend herself and won't be an easy target. 😐 So why does she keep getting whipped?
Another example is not telling her father or family at the very least that she's a midwife. She's getting shit on and punished for going out at night where she's seen all around town helping women in labor. So its an open secret. Saraya constantly reiterated that she doesn't explain herself because her magic helps her work but how would anyone know? It just didn't really make any sense.
The logic just didn't seem to be logicing in this book.
Also, Saraya only spends like 3 months at this military academy and is elevated so quickly within the ranks that it made me think the school had to be made up of unbelievably weak people.
The final point that I wanted to bring up is... very personal to me. It's my own personal issue but it's so big in America right now that I felt the need to add it. Very early on - only the second chapter - Saraya brings up how a lady in waiting asked her for an abortion. Saraya declined because the baby had a heartbeat and she felt uncomfortable with going through with the procedure.
I want to clarify that I actually didn't have an issue with this. Declining a operation with such polarizing moral questions attached to it, should be up to the doctor and patient. No one wants to be operated on by an unwilling party.
However, Saraya wipes her hands of the issue at that. She doesn't help the woman at all - which was wild to me since the welfare of children is her bread and butter so one being born to a mother that despised them might have been cause for some concern? Maybe a check in? So this refusal results in the woman going and getting a potion that essentially destroys her body and ultimately kills her. You would think that Saraya would offer some help at this point because she's been preaching this whole time about how she was set upon this earth to help women but I guess that just doesn't apply to the hussies asking her things that Saraya didn't agree with.
Which is honestly wild to me since we are introduced to Saraya in a whorehouse. You cannot look me in my eyes and tell me that this operation wasn't asked of Saraya day after day after day.
So Saraya says she can't help her at all again and just watches her suffer 😂 Like... what? Are you an actual doctor or..? Am I missing something? I think I've read too many books with healers who were so indiscriminately good that this just seemed atrocious to me. It was made even more foul because of the fact that Saraya KEPT harping on the fact that she was a girl's girl. She was there for the women-folk. No dick, all pussy - yas, queen.
The author could have gotten away without touching this topic at all and I didn't understand the urge to push it in there.
What I had a problem with is the decisions that Saraya made. Even the small ones in the beginning felt... disjointed? For example, she gets whipped by her step mother and doesn't fight back because her sister was threatened to take her place. But only a few pages later, she says that her sister is old enough to defend herself and won't be an easy target. 😐 So why does she keep getting whipped?
Another example is not telling her father or family at the very least that she's a midwife. She's getting shit on and punished for going out at night where she's seen all around town helping women in labor. So its an open secret. Saraya constantly reiterated that she doesn't explain herself because her magic helps her work but how would anyone know? It just didn't really make any sense.
The logic just didn't seem to be logicing in this book.
Also, Saraya only spends like 3 months at this military academy and is elevated so quickly within the ranks that it made me think the school had to be made up of unbelievably weak people.
The final point that I wanted to bring up is... very personal to me. It's my own personal issue but it's so big in America right now that I felt the need to add it. Very early on - only the second chapter - Saraya brings up how a lady in waiting asked her for an abortion. Saraya declined because the baby had a heartbeat and she felt uncomfortable with going through with the procedure.
I want to clarify that I actually didn't have an issue with this. Declining a operation with such polarizing moral questions attached to it, should be up to the doctor and patient. No one wants to be operated on by an unwilling party.
However, Saraya wipes her hands of the issue at that. She doesn't help the woman at all - which was wild to me since the welfare of children is her bread and butter so one being born to a mother that despised them might have been cause for some concern? Maybe a check in? So this refusal results in the woman going and getting a potion that essentially destroys her body and ultimately kills her. You would think that Saraya would offer some help at this point because she's been preaching this whole time about how she was set upon this earth to help women but I guess that just doesn't apply to the hussies asking her things that Saraya didn't agree with.
Which is honestly wild to me since we are introduced to Saraya in a whorehouse. You cannot look me in my eyes and tell me that this operation wasn't asked of Saraya day after day after day.
So Saraya says she can't help her at all again and just watches her suffer 😂 Like... what? Are you an actual doctor or..? Am I missing something? I think I've read too many books with healers who were so indiscriminately good that this just seemed atrocious to me. It was made even more foul because of the fact that Saraya KEPT harping on the fact that she was a girl's girl. She was there for the women-folk. No dick, all pussy - yas, queen.
The author could have gotten away without touching this topic at all and I didn't understand the urge to push it in there.
November 14, 2022
2
Confused about all the rave reviews for this book. Everything was predictable and convenient. It all just worked out as needed. Saraya is just so full of magic it has no bounds. The plot is questionable at best. Reading this book felt like I was pushed into a washing machine and couldn't get out. Never heard a FMC talk about how great her tits are so much either. Anyway. I won't be finishing this series.
Confused about all the rave reviews for this book. Everything was predictable and convenient. It all just worked out as needed. Saraya is just so full of magic it has no bounds. The plot is questionable at best. Reading this book felt like I was pushed into a washing machine and couldn't get out. Never heard a FMC talk about how great her tits are so much either. Anyway. I won't be finishing this series.
August 19, 2022
This book is so hard for me to review…
Did it have every single one of my favorite fantasy tropes/plot points?
Yes, it did. Forced/Political Marraige, wicked stepmother, lady boss needs to save the human realm, Alanna-esque training while disguised, midwifery, fated mates, animal sidekick, goddess blessed, learning magic, ‘who did this to you?’, fall for the fae baddy, enemies to lovers (maybe), and more I can’t think of right now
Was having every one of my favorite fantasy tropes/plot points trying to do to much?
Yes, most definitely - at points I didn’t know what I was reading. Was this political drama? School/ training story? Chosen one needs to Save the world?
Did I stay up until 3am reading it?
I can neither confirm nor deny this because people I know see these reviews and I swore to them I was not tired this morning, I just needed coffee, and it had nothing to do with reading. (read: Could not put it down)
Did I download the next book as soon as I finished this one?
Yes, I did - must find out what happens next
Would I say the book was ‘good’?
I legitimately do not know, but I did enjoy it.
Did it have every single one of my favorite fantasy tropes/plot points?
Yes, it did. Forced/Political Marraige, wicked stepmother, lady boss needs to save the human realm, Alanna-esque training while disguised, midwifery, fated mates, animal sidekick, goddess blessed, learning magic, ‘who did this to you?’, fall for the fae baddy, enemies to lovers (maybe), and more I can’t think of right now
Was having every one of my favorite fantasy tropes/plot points trying to do to much?
Yes, most definitely - at points I didn’t know what I was reading. Was this political drama? School/ training story? Chosen one needs to Save the world?
Did I stay up until 3am reading it?
I can neither confirm nor deny this because people I know see these reviews and I swore to them I was not tired this morning, I just needed coffee, and it had nothing to do with reading. (read: Could not put it down)
Did I download the next book as soon as I finished this one?
Yes, I did - must find out what happens next
Would I say the book was ‘good’?
I legitimately do not know, but I did enjoy it.
June 4, 2022
3.5 stars
It's funny how the part that I was most excited about is the not the most exciting one (i.e. part where she went to the academy). Because the rest of the book was actually good except when they were at the academy.
Anyway, talking about the academy part, it's not a huge part of the book. So if you're going into this book just because to see how it holds up to She's the Man (like I did), don't set your expectation that high. I would say that academy part only took 35% ish of the book, and it's an okay part.
The part where I was most unexpected to like was the end part. The whole palace on siege stuff? That's more to my liking. The book was progressing slowly imo up until our heroine came back home, then it was all hands on deck.
Overall, I think it's a solid first book on this trilogy. I haven't read anything by this author before, so I don't know how steamy her book can be (this one has no steam) but we'll see. Still excited though to continue on the series, especially after that cliffhanger. Thank God the wait isn't too long.
It's funny how the part that I was most excited about is the not the most exciting one (i.e. part where she went to the academy). Because the rest of the book was actually good except when they were at the academy.
Anyway, talking about the academy part, it's not a huge part of the book. So if you're going into this book just because to see how it holds up to She's the Man (like I did), don't set your expectation that high. I would say that academy part only took 35% ish of the book, and it's an okay part.
The part where I was most unexpected to like was the end part. The whole palace on siege stuff? That's more to my liking. The book was progressing slowly imo up until our heroine came back home, then it was all hands on deck.
Overall, I think it's a solid first book on this trilogy. I haven't read anything by this author before, so I don't know how steamy her book can be (this one has no steam) but we'll see. Still excited though to continue on the series, especially after that cliffhanger. Thank God the wait isn't too long.
November 30, 2025
This romantasy just had too much going on in it. It felt a bit like the author had a lot of ideas for the FMC's magic and the magic system in general, but it didn't really all work together. I feel like the demon storyline came out of no where. It also feels like Saraya's ability to control the internal human body could have been used better during the final fight sequence.
The male main character, Drake, was more of a background character. They didn't really have any chemistry, but at the end
Anyways, it's a really quick read, but it was just kind of "meh," and I don't think I will continue this series.
The male main character, Drake, was more of a background character. They didn't really have any chemistry, but at the end
Anyways, it's a really quick read, but it was just kind of "meh," and I don't think I will continue this series.
May 16, 2022
When I first read the title I was intrigued because typically in fantasy books, the main character is either a warrior or a healer and rarely both.
My expectations weren’t incredibly high because it did seem that this book was throwing in a lot of popular tropes: arranged marriage, academy, bully romance, MC with special powers, MC with fighting skills, enemies to lovers, girl pretending to be a boy, Etc.
But this book DELIVERED.
Princess Saraya uses her powers as a midwife to help the women in her Kingdom. When her betrothal to the fae Prince is announced, she is devastated that she will not be able to continue helping her kingdom. Yet when tasked to fight an even greater battle, Saraya disguised herself and joins an academy where male fae become warriors.
I absolutely love an academy trope where the female MC has to disguise herself as a male to attend and get training. Now surprisingly, this isn’t an academy series so the academy aspect of the book was just a small portion. I would have liked to see a little bit more of the MC being in the academy because there’s just so much potential for good content there. But the book does move past that and continues the plot which is still good as books tend to get stuck on the academy track for whole series.
This is a slow burn romance so there isn’t too much spice as the author focuses more on world building and setting up the character’s back stories. I’m excited to see if that changes in the next book. By the end of the book I felt confident that I knew the direction of the romance and it’s going to be soooo good.
Overall this was such a good fantasy read! Definitely has hit the spot in terms of tropes and world building while also providing a new and exciting perspective. I want to see more of these characters and their back story so I will be picking up the next book asap!
*provided an ARC for honest review*
My expectations weren’t incredibly high because it did seem that this book was throwing in a lot of popular tropes: arranged marriage, academy, bully romance, MC with special powers, MC with fighting skills, enemies to lovers, girl pretending to be a boy, Etc.
But this book DELIVERED.
Princess Saraya uses her powers as a midwife to help the women in her Kingdom. When her betrothal to the fae Prince is announced, she is devastated that she will not be able to continue helping her kingdom. Yet when tasked to fight an even greater battle, Saraya disguised herself and joins an academy where male fae become warriors.
I absolutely love an academy trope where the female MC has to disguise herself as a male to attend and get training. Now surprisingly, this isn’t an academy series so the academy aspect of the book was just a small portion. I would have liked to see a little bit more of the MC being in the academy because there’s just so much potential for good content there. But the book does move past that and continues the plot which is still good as books tend to get stuck on the academy track for whole series.
This is a slow burn romance so there isn’t too much spice as the author focuses more on world building and setting up the character’s back stories. I’m excited to see if that changes in the next book. By the end of the book I felt confident that I knew the direction of the romance and it’s going to be soooo good.
Overall this was such a good fantasy read! Definitely has hit the spot in terms of tropes and world building while also providing a new and exciting perspective. I want to see more of these characters and their back story so I will be picking up the next book asap!
*provided an ARC for honest review*
October 13, 2022
I dint have much expectation when going into this one blind.
It took me buy suprise how much I enjoyed the story.
The moon goddess felt very much like goddess Kaali which I loved! Loved the tropes as well in this !
It ends on a cliffhanger, but thankfully all the books in the series are out !!
It took me buy suprise how much I enjoyed the story.
The moon goddess felt very much like goddess Kaali which I loved! Loved the tropes as well in this !
It ends on a cliffhanger, but thankfully all the books in the series are out !!
May 26, 2023
2? 2.5?
Saraya has powers like none other who has endless inner monologues about her tits?
Saraya has powers like none other who has endless inner monologues about her tits?
July 20, 2023
This was a really good story, and I liked the whole magic system.
November 15, 2022
I skimmed most of this, otherwise I never would have finished it. It's a shame because I think it had promise but was executed very poorly. The MC's endless inner monologues were boring to the point I skipped most of them, and it was very frustrating the way everything just conveniently worked out for her. Also, I don't think I've met a MC more obsessed with her own boobs. Probably needless to say, I won't be reading the other books in the series.
February 4, 2023
“Who did this to you?” never gets old.
dnf
August 14, 2023i think i’ll come back to this book later but rn the fact that everyone has cool fantasy names and the guy’s name is just Drake has me in bits
July 6, 2023
3.5
Not gonna lie, I’m kinda digging it! Sure it could use some ironing out but she’s fun and unique. Definitely an interesting premise littered with some tried and true tropes.
Not gonna lie, I’m kinda digging it! Sure it could use some ironing out but she’s fun and unique. Definitely an interesting premise littered with some tried and true tropes.
May 13, 2022
"I had been sold to the enemy. The creatures who fuelled the nightmares of human children. The beings we were taught to hate, to fear. The monsters beyond the mountains."
Warning: This book will take away your day and you will be happy about it.
I am fairly certain this is my book of the year. I loved every second of the read.
This book had everything you might need. It had a kick-ass female lead who knew her strength. Shared such healthy relationships with her female counterparts. Arranged marriage and an evil step-monster and it took a wonderful page turn with the midwifery knowledge, I was be very okay with Saraya guarding all of my babes. I can absolutely get behind the ancient Goddesses and a whole new view on the world of magic. Sometimes it really isn't necessary to have spice or even romance in a book, and this read proved that. This reads like a YA - but doesn't have the young feel to it at all.
I cannot wait to read the next books (and sister series) - I'll be waiting by the keyboard for the drop!
If you love strong female leads and dark and mysterious Fae, this one is for you. I also recommend for fans of ACOTAR. I highly recommend this to everyone - I even told hubby he should read it!
*Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review*
Warning: This book will take away your day and you will be happy about it.
I am fairly certain this is my book of the year. I loved every second of the read.
This book had everything you might need. It had a kick-ass female lead who knew her strength. Shared such healthy relationships with her female counterparts. Arranged marriage and an evil step-monster and it took a wonderful page turn with the midwifery knowledge, I was be very okay with Saraya guarding all of my babes. I can absolutely get behind the ancient Goddesses and a whole new view on the world of magic. Sometimes it really isn't necessary to have spice or even romance in a book, and this read proved that. This reads like a YA - but doesn't have the young feel to it at all.
I cannot wait to read the next books (and sister series) - I'll be waiting by the keyboard for the drop!
If you love strong female leads and dark and mysterious Fae, this one is for you. I also recommend for fans of ACOTAR. I highly recommend this to everyone - I even told hubby he should read it!
*Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review*
November 28, 2022
I liked the plot idea, but not so much the execution. I found the character dialogues awkward and lacking, the midwife themes just seemed like a lot of random reproductive-parts talk after the first few chapters, and the main character didn’t seem to have to work for anything at all. Within the space of a few pages she was able to become powerful/capable of overcoming any challenge. Unfortunately won’t be reading the rest of the series. I did like the parts that had the two friends in it/room-mates.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2022
Oh man… DNF at 44%. Life is too short to waste it on books like this. Boring and predictable, which is a shame because the premise sounded promising. Instead it was poorly executed, with characters making nonsensical decisions for the convenience of the plot, and absolutely no world building except for “This town is famous for its “insert whichever rock it was again here”” I have literally already forgotten, it was that dull!
November 14, 2022
4.5 stars. Ooooh. That was fun! I really hope this trilogy holds up.
Now that I’ve read book 2, I wouldn’t recommend this trilogy. It’s too complicated and the world is sooooo mysogonistic. Yes, I know that exists in the real world but it’s wearing on me to have to live in a world where even the evil women must be ruled by men.
Now that I’ve read book 2, I wouldn’t recommend this trilogy. It’s too complicated and the world is sooooo mysogonistic. Yes, I know that exists in the real world but it’s wearing on me to have to live in a world where even the evil women must be ruled by men.
November 14, 2022
50% in and I just can't push through despite it being a quick read. The premise was interesting but I can't get past all the inner monologues and everything being so convenient.
May 6, 2023
Spoilers, beware.
12.0% "There are already things that just don't make sense. How is she so powerless in her role as a princess? It seems like she has had no political interests outside of her midwifery. The backstory seems to be building the late mother as a forward-thinking strong queen but why wouldn't she then prepare her daughter better for the marriage? Come on. Now 19, she sees the fae as monsters?!"
13.0% "And my mother had been preparing me for my marriage to the monsters since the day I was born. -- The lectures on ethics and languages, including what we knew of the runic language of the fae."
Not much on the ethics and intercultural competences apparently since she's so stuck on her monster narrative?"
13.0% ""Altara, the romantic. When I told her, she didn’t speak for a full minute, her mouth opening and closing like a blowfish."
For a book that is so proud of the "women are soooo strong" narrative, so far I've been disappointed in how the female characters are portrayed. The MC's naive sister (seriously, not even grappling lessons yet?), the evil stepmother with limitless rage in her, and the simpering handmaidens..."
13.0% "Her beautiful eyes searched mine as if the answers to the universe lay there. -- I levelled her an even look, and I saw in her eyes that she knew that I was serious.
Uhm, no. How did the Strong Independent MC and the Mother (who, we've established, was secretly preparing her daughters for their roles) allow for the sister to be so codependent on the MC that her Most Dangerous Arsenal is laxatives in a soup bowl?!"
14.0% ""Altara sneezed, and Geravie held a handkerchief to her nose --"
The author is really driving it home that the sister needs to be coddled?"
15.0% ""People knew me in the city and knew me in a way they had never known another royal."
That's a familiar trope."
16.0% "“Do you know what I just realised?” said Altara suddenly. “--we’ve totally missed the fact that we don’t know anything about the fae prince! The person you’re supposed to marry!”
“I don’t even want to think on it, Tara,” I grumbled. “He’s a dark fae, and that means he probably just some brutish, bloodthirsty rake. I just…want to get past this next week.”
Really? This the attitude your mother imparted on you?"
17.0% "“So it is traditional for each son to test her psychic defences. The weakest son starts. When he cannot break her, the next eldest attempts, and so on until one of them breaks through. -- It was likely then that I had no defence, and the six-year-old child would be the one to defeat me."
If the fae are surprised at her psychic abilities, then should they not have expected her to be marrying a 6-year-old? Plothole?"
17.0% "“I swear,” I whispered the words out loud in an oath that I felt in my bones. “You’ll pay for this. And it’ll be by my hand.”
I get that the guards are convenient, immediate targets for her anger but come on, no hard feelings for your Evil Stepmother?"
18.0% ""I was convinced Bluebell was dead, or the babies were dead."
You're very convinced of your own importance, MC. Really, yesterday you checked on them and it was all great. And they do have access to the "ancient" midwife who taught you everything? Darling, I get you feel responsible, but chill."
18.0% "“Thank you, Father,” was all I could murmur. Because despite all that, his new wife still spent five years beating me. He should have protected me from her.
Yes."
20.0% "“Apologies, Your Majesty,” a low, deep drawl.
Ooh, I'm getting Sleeping Beauty vibes, the scene where Maleficent is introduced, being slightly late to the party."
20.0% "The ceremony will cease when one of them wins. In times gone past, that was the male you would wed. Although, of course,” he gestured to Daxian, “we know it will be Daxian regardless.”
Okay, so they wouldn't have made her marry the 6-year-old. Great."
26.0% "Now we get a POV of a man who is not the princeling fiance. Interesting."
27.0% ""I knew my servant’s door would still be blocked, but I knew a dozen different ways to get to my entrance." But you only had one way out the previous night? Coolio."
28.0% ""I sunk into a deep curtsey and, just for a moment, for the very first time, looked into my father’s mind. It was almost as if the crevices of his brain were warped in the most obscene way." How are you so great at healing that you heal your scars for 5 years but at no point check on your father's illness? Also, is it the step mom magicking him ill? Could be"
29.0% "Sage is being more of a responsible adult than any of the monarchs involved in the situation."
30.0% "Ooh, she met a ghost friend!"
32.0% ""How would I look as a male? If I kept my hair long, I could probably hide my ears. But a moustache would be necessary, I think. A beard might even be better."
Given her powers, could she actually go for body-mod? Probably not the direction this is going to take"
32.0% ""I had fine peach fuzz on my face already, so encouraging them to grow thicker and longer seemed natural."
She went for it! Cool."
33.0% "“Sourbottom.”
LOL"
35.0% ""But they’re still princes, so they dine together up there. We dine with the other nobles. And then the lower born take the tables furthest away.”
High schools... also, if the MC is common, he should probably not sit with the nobles?"
39.0% "“No one’s bested him?” I asked, Jerali Jones coming to mind.
It seems the MC has a new goal?"
40.0% ""I had never touched a male intimately before—bar the Quartz blacksmith that had kissed me— let alone fought one."
Wait, I thought you weren't sure if Jerali was a man or a woman, and it didn't matter?"
41.0% "I'm wondering if, since the fae have their own written language that the MC studied and has to brush up on, they also have their own spoken language? Given the no-contact-for-30-years background, they'd at the least have their own slang / dialect going on, even if it was officially the same spoken language? How is the MC good enough with no practice to pass as a native?"
42.0% "Is she the only student with a pet? Bringing a magical pet to a fae school is giving me Hogwarts vibes."
44.0% ""I needed to train with the best if I wanted to be the best, even if I was sure I would get hurt a little.""
44.0% ""just my luck to have both Wyxian’s boys here to watch me"
look at her being casually irreverent with her potential father-in-law's name after meeting him for like five minutes"
48.0% "I guess she would not have considered the advantages of a strategic defeat..."
50.0% "The fact Briar thinks the MC is an eunuch and not a woman after seeing her naked is a funny and a bit sad."
53.0% "Kraasputin?! That started an instant ear worm of the Rasputin song."
55.0% "After finding out from Briar that everyone thinks it's sus that the MC keeps calling “Oh goddess" etc, she still keeps on doing it? dumb"
56.0% "So she escapes the acadamy to do something about the war but then decides to stay for 24+ hours in the village for the baby. Good for the baby (or is it?), but what about the big picture?"
58.0% ""My home was no longer mine. It had been taken over, and I now had to sneak into it like a thief."
Duh, you also had to sneak in like a thief when you actually lived there, remember?"
61.0% "What a confusing confrontation with the Commander. She really had no plan walking in the palace, did she?"
64.0% "“Who did that to you?”
Ooh, fan service for a niche audience."
67.0% "But will she make an alliance with Drake? That'd be a smart move right about now."
68.0% "firstborn son? How's she going to get out of that? Is Drake the illegitimate eldest son or something?"
70.0% "Nice, now we have the Goddess Umali and the pledge happening."
87.0% "“I don’t know if they’ll do it this time, but tradition is for someone to try and kidnap the bride on your way to the moon alter. The groom has to fight the intruders off.”
Ooh, what if there's also a tradition where if the groom doesn't defeat the kidnapper they get to keep the bride? ;) that'd fix the problem with drake being on the sidelines nicely"
95.0% "CALLED IT, it was the secret eldest son trope!"
100.0% "Ok, I'm decently interested in where this is going. Next!"
12.0% "There are already things that just don't make sense. How is she so powerless in her role as a princess? It seems like she has had no political interests outside of her midwifery. The backstory seems to be building the late mother as a forward-thinking strong queen but why wouldn't she then prepare her daughter better for the marriage? Come on. Now 19, she sees the fae as monsters?!"
13.0% "And my mother had been preparing me for my marriage to the monsters since the day I was born. -- The lectures on ethics and languages, including what we knew of the runic language of the fae."
Not much on the ethics and intercultural competences apparently since she's so stuck on her monster narrative?"
13.0% ""Altara, the romantic. When I told her, she didn’t speak for a full minute, her mouth opening and closing like a blowfish."
For a book that is so proud of the "women are soooo strong" narrative, so far I've been disappointed in how the female characters are portrayed. The MC's naive sister (seriously, not even grappling lessons yet?), the evil stepmother with limitless rage in her, and the simpering handmaidens..."
13.0% "Her beautiful eyes searched mine as if the answers to the universe lay there. -- I levelled her an even look, and I saw in her eyes that she knew that I was serious.
Uhm, no. How did the Strong Independent MC and the Mother (who, we've established, was secretly preparing her daughters for their roles) allow for the sister to be so codependent on the MC that her Most Dangerous Arsenal is laxatives in a soup bowl?!"
14.0% ""Altara sneezed, and Geravie held a handkerchief to her nose --"
The author is really driving it home that the sister needs to be coddled?"
15.0% ""People knew me in the city and knew me in a way they had never known another royal."
That's a familiar trope."
16.0% "“Do you know what I just realised?” said Altara suddenly. “--we’ve totally missed the fact that we don’t know anything about the fae prince! The person you’re supposed to marry!”
“I don’t even want to think on it, Tara,” I grumbled. “He’s a dark fae, and that means he probably just some brutish, bloodthirsty rake. I just…want to get past this next week.”
Really? This the attitude your mother imparted on you?"
17.0% "“So it is traditional for each son to test her psychic defences. The weakest son starts. When he cannot break her, the next eldest attempts, and so on until one of them breaks through. -- It was likely then that I had no defence, and the six-year-old child would be the one to defeat me."
If the fae are surprised at her psychic abilities, then should they not have expected her to be marrying a 6-year-old? Plothole?"
17.0% "“I swear,” I whispered the words out loud in an oath that I felt in my bones. “You’ll pay for this. And it’ll be by my hand.”
I get that the guards are convenient, immediate targets for her anger but come on, no hard feelings for your Evil Stepmother?"
18.0% ""I was convinced Bluebell was dead, or the babies were dead."
You're very convinced of your own importance, MC. Really, yesterday you checked on them and it was all great. And they do have access to the "ancient" midwife who taught you everything? Darling, I get you feel responsible, but chill."
18.0% "“Thank you, Father,” was all I could murmur. Because despite all that, his new wife still spent five years beating me. He should have protected me from her.
Yes."
20.0% "“Apologies, Your Majesty,” a low, deep drawl.
Ooh, I'm getting Sleeping Beauty vibes, the scene where Maleficent is introduced, being slightly late to the party."
20.0% "The ceremony will cease when one of them wins. In times gone past, that was the male you would wed. Although, of course,” he gestured to Daxian, “we know it will be Daxian regardless.”
Okay, so they wouldn't have made her marry the 6-year-old. Great."
26.0% "Now we get a POV of a man who is not the princeling fiance. Interesting."
27.0% ""I knew my servant’s door would still be blocked, but I knew a dozen different ways to get to my entrance." But you only had one way out the previous night? Coolio."
28.0% ""I sunk into a deep curtsey and, just for a moment, for the very first time, looked into my father’s mind. It was almost as if the crevices of his brain were warped in the most obscene way." How are you so great at healing that you heal your scars for 5 years but at no point check on your father's illness? Also, is it the step mom magicking him ill? Could be"
29.0% "Sage is being more of a responsible adult than any of the monarchs involved in the situation."
30.0% "Ooh, she met a ghost friend!"
32.0% ""How would I look as a male? If I kept my hair long, I could probably hide my ears. But a moustache would be necessary, I think. A beard might even be better."
Given her powers, could she actually go for body-mod? Probably not the direction this is going to take"
32.0% ""I had fine peach fuzz on my face already, so encouraging them to grow thicker and longer seemed natural."
She went for it! Cool."
33.0% "“Sourbottom.”
LOL"
35.0% ""But they’re still princes, so they dine together up there. We dine with the other nobles. And then the lower born take the tables furthest away.”
High schools... also, if the MC is common, he should probably not sit with the nobles?"
39.0% "“No one’s bested him?” I asked, Jerali Jones coming to mind.
It seems the MC has a new goal?"
40.0% ""I had never touched a male intimately before—bar the Quartz blacksmith that had kissed me— let alone fought one."
Wait, I thought you weren't sure if Jerali was a man or a woman, and it didn't matter?"
41.0% "I'm wondering if, since the fae have their own written language that the MC studied and has to brush up on, they also have their own spoken language? Given the no-contact-for-30-years background, they'd at the least have their own slang / dialect going on, even if it was officially the same spoken language? How is the MC good enough with no practice to pass as a native?"
42.0% "Is she the only student with a pet? Bringing a magical pet to a fae school is giving me Hogwarts vibes."
44.0% ""I needed to train with the best if I wanted to be the best, even if I was sure I would get hurt a little.""
44.0% ""just my luck to have both Wyxian’s boys here to watch me"
look at her being casually irreverent with her potential father-in-law's name after meeting him for like five minutes"
48.0% "I guess she would not have considered the advantages of a strategic defeat..."
50.0% "The fact Briar thinks the MC is an eunuch and not a woman after seeing her naked is a funny and a bit sad."
53.0% "Kraasputin?! That started an instant ear worm of the Rasputin song."
55.0% "After finding out from Briar that everyone thinks it's sus that the MC keeps calling “Oh goddess" etc, she still keeps on doing it? dumb"
56.0% "So she escapes the acadamy to do something about the war but then decides to stay for 24+ hours in the village for the baby. Good for the baby (or is it?), but what about the big picture?"
58.0% ""My home was no longer mine. It had been taken over, and I now had to sneak into it like a thief."
Duh, you also had to sneak in like a thief when you actually lived there, remember?"
61.0% "What a confusing confrontation with the Commander. She really had no plan walking in the palace, did she?"
64.0% "“Who did that to you?”
Ooh, fan service for a niche audience."
67.0% "But will she make an alliance with Drake? That'd be a smart move right about now."
68.0% "firstborn son? How's she going to get out of that? Is Drake the illegitimate eldest son or something?"
70.0% "Nice, now we have the Goddess Umali and the pledge happening."
87.0% "“I don’t know if they’ll do it this time, but tradition is for someone to try and kidnap the bride on your way to the moon alter. The groom has to fight the intruders off.”
Ooh, what if there's also a tradition where if the groom doesn't defeat the kidnapper they get to keep the bride? ;) that'd fix the problem with drake being on the sidelines nicely"
95.0% "CALLED IT, it was the secret eldest son trope!"
100.0% "Ok, I'm decently interested in where this is going. Next!"
October 28, 2022
The storytelling and world building of this book is fantastic, and it leaves you with an edge of your seat cliffhanger that makes you want to immediately dive into book 2.
This book was like ‘She’s the Man’ meets ‘Mulan’ meets Richelle Mead’s ‘Storm Born’ and ‘Georgina Kincaid’
Series.
A definite thumbs up and recommend :)
This book was like ‘She’s the Man’ meets ‘Mulan’ meets Richelle Mead’s ‘Storm Born’ and ‘Georgina Kincaid’
Series.
A definite thumbs up and recommend :)
May 3, 2022
Had the absolute privilege of ARC reading this amazing book and I was not disappointed in the slightest. if you enjoy She’s The Man & Mulan you’ll love Warrior Midwife! Some crazy twists in the story, but also a cliffhanger which left me reeling and needing to read the next book asap!
The MC, Saraya is a total badass babe with plenty of sass while also being absolutely selfless and caring and smart as hell. The relationship between her and her sister is adorable and she is absolutely a princess of the people which I loved!
The story kept me hooked the entire time. There was plenty of world building and character development, but the reading pace didn’t get dragged down by descriptions (which I don’t have the patience to read through 😂).
No spice, but the story didn’t even need it. I am excited for the second book to (hopefully) see further development with our love interest though!
Added bonus that there’s a beautiful multicultural cast with POC and a non-binary character that is an absolute boss and power figure!
The MC, Saraya is a total badass babe with plenty of sass while also being absolutely selfless and caring and smart as hell. The relationship between her and her sister is adorable and she is absolutely a princess of the people which I loved!
The story kept me hooked the entire time. There was plenty of world building and character development, but the reading pace didn’t get dragged down by descriptions (which I don’t have the patience to read through 😂).
No spice, but the story didn’t even need it. I am excited for the second book to (hopefully) see further development with our love interest though!
Added bonus that there’s a beautiful multicultural cast with POC and a non-binary character that is an absolute boss and power figure!
May 16, 2022
I was very fortunate to receive a pre-release of this book via NetGalley.
This book was amazing. I absolutely believe this will be a standout out NA fantasy for 2022 and cannot wait to read the next book!
E.P. Bali has done a fantastic job of creating a MC (Saraya), who is sassy and funny in a way that doesn't come across as anything but..
The relationships between the characters are believable and I loved reading how they evolved as the story progressed.
The addition of (probably) the most adorable animal companion is reason in itself to grab this book and give it a go!
Saraya is a human and the crown princess to Quartz city, but she has a secret. She has magic, and human's are not supposed to have magic. Inherited from her mother, her unique gift allows her to assist both the mother and child during childbirth.
But when she discovers she is to be be wed to a Fae Prince, the world as she knows it will change, just not in the way you'd expect. Approached by the Order of Termari, the ancient guild of warrior midwives, Saraya makes a choice to join their cause and in doing so uncovers some dark truths.
This book was amazing. I absolutely believe this will be a standout out NA fantasy for 2022 and cannot wait to read the next book!
E.P. Bali has done a fantastic job of creating a MC (Saraya), who is sassy and funny in a way that doesn't come across as anything but..
The relationships between the characters are believable and I loved reading how they evolved as the story progressed.
The addition of (probably) the most adorable animal companion is reason in itself to grab this book and give it a go!
Saraya is a human and the crown princess to Quartz city, but she has a secret. She has magic, and human's are not supposed to have magic. Inherited from her mother, her unique gift allows her to assist both the mother and child during childbirth.
But when she discovers she is to be be wed to a Fae Prince, the world as she knows it will change, just not in the way you'd expect. Approached by the Order of Termari, the ancient guild of warrior midwives, Saraya makes a choice to join their cause and in doing so uncovers some dark truths.
January 1, 2023
Saw this on TikTok literally months ago and have just been waiting for this to come out. And let me tell you...sooo worth the wait!! It was fucking fantastic! Would have read it in one sitting if it weren't for the fact that I needed to eat dinner with my family. Cannot wait for the second book to come out😫
______
2nd read:
So after a second read of this book I 100% stand by the fucking fantastic comment and I have now 7 months later started actually finishing the books because I bought the series in hardback and I loved reading and tabbing the first book
______
2nd read:
So after a second read of this book I 100% stand by the fucking fantastic comment and I have now 7 months later started actually finishing the books because I bought the series in hardback and I loved reading and tabbing the first book
June 9, 2024
This book was a pretty random choice for me, but it had the “who did this to you” trope, and naturally I was like, yes PLEASE. But beyond that, this was a brilliant book! It’s a super digestible fantasy (other than some *interesting* name choices) and a storyline that I was immediately hooked into. I loved that Saraya is a midwife, it’s such an important profession that doesn’t get touched on enough by main characters.
**4 stars**
2nd read: I forgot what happened in this book so a reread to continue the series! This still slaps.
**4 stars**
2nd read: I forgot what happened in this book so a reread to continue the series! This still slaps.
May 16, 2023
Yes!
Best series starter I’ve read all year! The plot is so unique while also dabbling in all the tropes I love. Lost princess, warrior bamf heroine, enemies to lovers, glow up montage…. Character chemistry and interaction was great and evoked so much emotion! Really a great read.
Best series starter I’ve read all year! The plot is so unique while also dabbling in all the tropes I love. Lost princess, warrior bamf heroine, enemies to lovers, glow up montage…. Character chemistry and interaction was great and evoked so much emotion! Really a great read.
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