Kushmir

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Kushmir is Currently Reading

Kushmir is currently reading

The Traitor's Kiss (The Traitor's Circle, #1)

by Erin Beaty (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

Reading for the 3rd time

read in November 2020

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Kushmir said: "
original review:
The story follows Sage Fowler, an unruly girl who despite her hatred for matched weddings, becomes the apprentice of a matchmaker in charge of the Concordium brides. She is assigned the task of gathering information for future matches
original review:
The story follows Sage Fowler, an unruly girl who despite her hatred for matched weddings, becomes the apprentice of a matchmaker in charge of the Concordium brides. She is assigned the task of gathering information for future matches and it is here she meets Ash Carter, a wagon rider in the army. The story follows Sage as she learns more and more about the matchmaking process, the operation of the army, and the mystery brewing underneath all this.

Sage is unruly protagonist. I loved her quippy and snarky personality, her retorts and especially her defiance to have her actions dictated by her gender. I can understand some of the views surrounding Sage being a girl-hating character, to some extent, especially at the beginning of the novel when we're first introduced to her. However, I believe Sage’s reaction and attitude towards other woman to be a product of the times and the environment she lives in. In Beaty’s fantasy world, Sage is woman who scorns excessive vanity, low-cut dresses and fantasising about a husband- all qualities which other woman are proud of as they are qualities required for a respectable marriage. Beaty's world highlights that the limited power women are able to grasp comes from marriage into a respectable or powerful household. This coupled with Sage's upbringing and lower status in society provides insight as to why Sage is so against the other women in the story, and why they in turn are not fond of Sage.
Sage does however form meaningful friendships with both men and women along the way, which show the change in her character as she grows and develops.

One of my favourite things about this book is the fact that the romance is gorgeous! I don’t really care for the romances in books generally- they’re never to my taste especially in fantasy books where they often feel like insta-love, hence why I am extremely surprised these two managed to take a place in my heart. The relationship starts off bumpy, but as the story develops, you truly feel as though the two characters and their relationship develops with it. I couldn’t help but root for them and their well-developed interest in one another.

The world created by Beaty is gorgeous too, rich with cultures politics and laws. I would’ve liked a little more insight into the world and its leaders though as these were interesting plot points which often felt a skimmed over. The plot twist is so much easier to appreciate now in my third time round reading this book. Beaty must be commended on her ability to lay down the foundation for us as readers, spoon-feeding us little hints about a certain plot-point as the story progresses before revealing the twist. It appeared to be entirely plausible and fit in well with Sage’s characteristics at that point in the novel.

Overall, I’m so glad I can finally move on to the sequel, having finally acquired a copy. ...more "

progress:

(page 150 of 366)
— Nov 21, 2020 11:37PM

Dec 29, 2023 10:16PM · see review