Natalie Benkowski

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https://www.goodreads.com/natreadsfantasy

Natalie’s Bookshelves

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currently-reading‎ (4)

read‎ (239)
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Natalie is Currently Reading

Natalie Benkowski is currently reading

Trad Wife

by Saratoga Schaefer (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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— 14 hours, 20 min ago

16 hours, 36 min ago

Natalie Benkowski is currently reading

Glow of the Everflame (Kindred's Curse, #2)

by Penn Cole (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

Reading for the 2nd time

read in August 2024

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Natalie Benkowski said:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

" this book was 500x better than the first book which i never thought could be possible. i was audibly gasping throughout the entirety of this book cuz the BANTER WAS BANTERING YET AGAIN, and the plot was just absolutely to die for. if you like high fa this book was 500x better than the first book which i never thought could be possible. i was audibly gasping throughout the entirety of this book cuz the BANTER WAS BANTERING YET AGAIN, and the plot was just absolutely to die for. if you like high fantasy centralizing around politics and court dynamics, this is the book for you. as she navigates life as the most powerful person in Lumnos with seemingly no one in her side, diem single-handedly puts every person who ever doubted or questioned her abilities in their place. everything (okay, most of what) i said about diem’s character in the first book, i take it back. she was fighting a uphill battle this entire book with thousands and thousands of recognized and powerful descended against her, including those in the house that she claimed. she proved herself time and time again, and the scene in the end where her powers finally manifest…i was so happy to see them all cower in fear.

we learn soooo much about luther in this book, and the romance finally comes to life. it was semi-believable in the first book, but the sexual tension and inability for them to stay away from each other in this book makes the slow burn in this book that much more excruciating (in the best way). finding out all the details of his real parentage was an absolute shock, and now makes a lot of sense why the goddess lumnos is continually showing them visions of their relationship ties. alsooooo some of the things he was SAYING TO HER!!!! i was melting. absolutley swooning. i think he may beat out rhys for book boyfriends cause phew. no, they still haven’t banged unfortunately but damn am i waiting for that in high anticipation.

i also love the whole found family trope in this. diem truly has no one outside of her brother from her past. henri is still being awful and continually betraying her trust, so after losing her father she needs someone. eleanor is such a sweetheart and always knows the right thing to say. alixe kind of gives nesryn vibes in a more reserved way. taran is a himbo, but is also super sweet and loving. they’re all just so lovely and different from one another, that they remind me almost of what i wish the inner circle felt like.

10/10 recommend, absolutely incredible. will think about this book/series for some time once im done, and i’m thinking the book hangover won’t be all that fun. ...more "

progress:

(69%)
— 3 hours, 35 min ago

Aug 27, 2026 06:58PM · see review