Octover’s Reviews > A Monsoon Rising > Status Update

The plot moving forwards for the first time, only in the final 70 pages is abysmal.

‘There was a time when he might have deemed it enough and been content, but he’d seen how Elagbi treated Talasyn and couldn’t shake the feeling that was what a father was supposed to be.’

‘imagining how the words would sound in her voice, even as her horrid penmanship strained his eyes.’

…

‘no one in this new life understood her as much as her sworn enemy did’

Talasyn and Alaric are such compelling characters both individually and collectively that I really dislike how many side characters there are. It doesn’t make sense for so many others to be mentioned by name and appearance, only to not matter to the plot one bit.

It’s so interesting that their relationship is viewed publicly as fake, and privately as potential for something more. Like the exact opposite of a fake relationship trope.

Tal and Alaric are actually the best straight couple in romantic fantasy.
In my opinion, of course.

“A bodyguard’s work is never done,” Sevraim agreed. “His Majesty ought to grant me a title.”
“On top of all the other names I already call you?”


😭😭