Only Lan can see the enigmatic mark, which is an untranslatable Hin character. Before a guy saves her life by showing up at her teahouse that night.

One of the storied wizards of the Last Kingdom, Zen is a practitioner. They were said to have taken their magic from the demons they interacted with. It is thought that magic is long gone. The situation now requires total concealment from the Elantians.

When Zen encounters Lan, he immediately knows what she is: a practitioner who has a strong ability concealed in the mark on her arm. He has never seen anything like it, but he is aware that if there are any solutions, they may be found deep within the Last Kingdom's pine forests and misty mountains, where a group of master practitioners are plotting to topple the Elantian government.

Both Lan and Zen possess hidden mysteries that they must keep from others and that they have not yet discovered for themselves. Though fate has brought them together, their future is still up in the air. Both have the ability to free their country. And both have the ability to end the planet.

The conflict for the Last Kingdom has now started.

My Review

It was extremely difficult to write this review. Unfortunately, I didn't feel the same connection to this book as I did to Chinese mythology and folklore. It's incredibly boring, and there's nothing obviously wrong with it, but I can still appreciate that it doesn't exactly follow the same forced East Asian YA fantasy plot. I suppose it comes down to personal preference.

I liked the description of tropes and other related concepts in the introduction, but she went into far too much detail. The primary plot of this book could have been predicted with absolute certainty. Being predictable isn't always a negative thing, but in this case, nothing really piqued my interest. If you've ever followed a xianxia or wuxia drama, you can almost predict what will happen here.

There were many action scenes, a plausible plot, and a decent pace; however, there were times when the push of the first book was very apparent. There was a significant information overload at the beginning that felt rushed to build up the world and cover all the key plot points. This was where the majority of the action took place and where the majority of the information was revealed. It resulted in a somewhat sluggish and muddled beginning.

This was also marketed as a "enemies to lovers" tale, which is completely false. Zen and Lan got along well and were mindful of one another right away. There were no enemies here. I don't believe there was any chemistry between Zen and Lan in terms of telling rather than showing. Despite being praised as a wonderful romantic match, none of their interactions were all that exciting or interesting.

I thought the magic scheme was really well done. The magic system captivated me, and I was anxious to learn more about it. The guard magic and the four evil spirits were my favorites. Although I firmly believe that some people will love this, I am regrettably not one of them.

It's obvious that I won't like this book, and I think that many readers will be as well because of the subpar promotion, but it's not the worst book I've ever read. If you want a fantastic Chinese fantasy that thoughtfully addresses the representation of ethnic minorities, try The Poppy War instead.

My ratings score:

★★★★★ Fantastic! Made me go through a lot of emotions & the entire book is incredibly beautifully done! 

★★★★ Memorable! Despite its shortcomings, this book was incredible and taught us a lot. 

★★★ Good work! Nothing particularly remarkable, but still nice.

★★ Meh... Mediocre with great room for improvement.

★ Extremely Poor.

But defeating the most ferocious fighters from all three vampire families won't be simple. Oraya is compelled to team up with a mysterious foe in order to live.

Every aspect of Raihn is deadly. He is a cunning vampire, a skilled assassin, a threat to her father's throne, and her biggest rival. But the thing that frightens Oraya the most is that she can't help but be attracted to him.

But kindness has no place in the Kejari. Everything Oraya believed she understood about her house is shattered as the War for the House of Night intensifies. And Raihn may comprehend her better than anyone else, but in a realm where love is the most lethal of sins, their growing attraction may prove to be her undoing.

My Review

This book has really taken over my life! After the first page, it was impossible for me to put this down as I had been desiring a perfect fantasy vampire like this for a very long time. This book was truly amazing in every way! I'll say that these fantasy books are some of the finest I've read this week.

Since there are genuinely too many elements of this book that I adored to name them all here without making this review the length of a chapter, lol. I'll just focus on a few.

Oraya, the human adopted daughter of the Vampire King, Vincent, struggles to survive in this book in a world full of antagonistic creatures. She participates in a competition with similarities to the Hunger Games in an attempt to change her fate. In order to win the battle, she must work with Raihn, a vampire from a rival clan. As more and more secrets come to light, she starts to doubt her allegiances and her perspective on the world.

Once more, the author fully engrossed me in the fantastic and fascinating universe she had built from the very first page. Outstanding details added to the uncanny atmosphere. We could see how cruelly people were treated, how little they were valued, and occasionally even how helpless they were. Although the book isn't as gory or bloody, it definitely has a gloomy atmosphere, which I really enjoyed.

The world building was outstanding, and we also learn about the history of the different vampires, the battles between the houses, their gods and goddesses, and everything else. Everything I was looking for in a fantasy romance was present in this book, including the slow burn, the enemies to lovers story, wonderful chemistry, amazing characters, and magic. The pacing was excellent, and the plot was very captivating.

Because of how beautifully the characters are written, you will feel a broad range of conflicting emotions. There wasn't one of them I didn't like, considering that they were all difficult, miserable, fierce, angry, and prone to mistakes. At one point, I hated them all and thought that this was the last act, where they would at least periodically become the enemy of each character. They are more intricate than that, though.

The relationships in this book are incredibly complex and cross. It breaks my heart to see how Vincent and Oraya are bonded. I felt so sorry for her as she struggled with her feelings for him. Vincent clearly loves her as his daughter, but the true nature of his affection is hard to pin down. She also brought up his frequent transitions between Vincent the King and Vincent the Father, which I found to be especially hilarious. This kind of simple enhancement can greatly increase how much you value a book.

Oraya and Raihn, meanwhile, had such great chemistry, and I enjoyed their banter! The push and pull are great, as is the chemistry. There is definitely some spice toward the end, though it isn't overly explicit or drawn out. Although neither of them are close to it yet, there is still a possibility for a great outcome, and I still adore them both!

What an incredible read! It is gritty and vengeful, action-packed with well rounded characters, and for those who are craving vampire lore, it also adds to the canon.

Overall, I'm in awe! I can't wait to read the new book once it is published! I can't praise enough how firmly I recommend. Please pick up this book for yourself!

My ratings score:

★★★★★ Fantastic! Made me go through a lot of emotions & the entire book is incredibly beautifully done! 

★★★★ Memorable! Despite its shortcomings, this book was incredible and taught us a lot. 

★★★ Good work! Nothing particularly remarkable, but still nice.

★★ Meh... Mediocre with great room for improvement.

★ Extremely Poor.

Evangeline makes a bargain with the charming but evil Prince of Hearts out of desperation to avert the wedding and mend her broken heart. He offers his assistance in return for three kisses that will be provided whenever and wherever he chooses.

However, after receiving the first guaranteed kiss, Evangeline realizes that haggling with an immortal is risky business and that the Prince of Hearts requires much more of her than she originally agreed to. Evangeline is the subject of plans he has for her, plans that could result in either the best happily ever after or the most exquisite catastrophe.

My Review

Although I didn't love it, I thought this was okay. I was aware beforehand that the beginning would be very slow. This is a little underwhelming when compared to the Caraval series, but I'm not sure if that's because I'm in a reading slump.

In my opinion, this book raised a lot more questions than it did answers. When books do that, especially the first one where it seems like the only purpose is to build up sequels, I really don't like it. I had some difficulty understanding the storyline and the characters.

The book's plot is disorganized and illogical. The plot is largely uninteresting with only a few truly interesting scenes, despite the meager amount of "action" that occurs. The plot didn't startle me, and some of the turns were a little too foreshadowable.

All of the characters are so dreadfully awful, ugh. The characters, in my opinion, need to develop more. Evangeline is the main character, who is rather uninteresting and naive despite the fact that it is clear that she is surrounded by assholes. Jacks was just eh for me, and I couldn't think of any convincing reasons to like him. In this book, I had a lot of trouble with his character.

The first few chapters are the only parts of this book that truly live up to the premise. Their vivid descriptions pulled me in right away. The rest of the stars were lost due to the tedious narration, the embarrassing conversation, the enigmatic subplots, and a relationship that pretended to be moving but was just flat.

It was genuinely wonderful to be back and to see some beloved, recognizable characters. Sadly, I wanted them to leave the page as soon as possible so that their characters wouldn't be destroyed. It has a great deal of potential to be a successful sequel if done correctly.

I'm convinced that, overall, I'm not the target audience for this book. On the following one, I'll see if I'll give it another go.

My ratings score:

★★★★★ Fantastic! Made me go through a lot of emotions & the entire book is incredibly beautifully done! 

★★★★ Memorable! Despite its shortcomings, this book was incredible and taught us a lot. 

★★★ Good work! Nothing particularly remarkable, but still nice.

★★ Meh... Mediocre with great room for improvement.

★ Extremely Poor.

Elisabeth is held accountable for the deadly grimoire's release from the library. She finds herself caught up in a long-standing plot with no one to turn to but her sworn foe, the sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn. Elisabeth begins to doubt all of the things she has been taught as her relationship with Nathaniel becomes more solidified. Elisabeth possesses a strength that she never would have believed possible.

My Review

Yet another fave! It was really beautiful. I really enjoyed reading this story and found it to be very entertaining. Sorcery of Thorns frequently hits readers right in the feels while also managing to be totally silly, playful, and hilarious.

This book has a very professional appearance, despite the fact that there aren't any in-depth parts that describe every aspect of the world. With the help of the details thrown in here and there, the reader can piece together the world as a crossword, and the outcome is more than gratifying.

I have no idea why, but it seems like I've been looking for a story about a person who lives in a library and has a number of adventures while being protected by enchanted books. The fact that all those amazing, bookworm-like features can coexist with some dark elements like evil spirit conjuring simply adds a refreshing, faint air to the overall ambiance of the book.

This story is perfect for such a remarkable character. The protagonist Elisabeth was such a strong person. I loved how she interacted with Nathaniel and Silas and thought she was an absolute badass. She reads a lot and is bright. possesses such a potent combination of keen sensitivity and worn wit. I also liked Elisabeth's edge; it's a sharpness of rage and determination that paves the way for an incredibly moving journey of identity.

In contrast, Nathanial Thorn is well-off, attractive, and troubled by his dark past. Not to mention that he attracts both men and women, is seductive, and exhibits a variety of social graces that give the impression that he is attractive and enticing. The ultimate fantasy picture for young adults. damn! He is really, really exceptional!

Silas should not be overlooked either! For a demon like Silas, I would die. He is too cute. Although he is truly a savage, mindless, and narcissistic being, he has the appearance of a cute, furry kitten. He was so mysterious, but he also treated Nathaniel and Elisabeth with respect. such a sweet personality. For a friend like Silas, I would give my life.

This tale has the most perfect sense of balance, and I really couldn't have asked for anything more. Even on its own, the gameplay is superb. It moves well, and it's interesting to see how different ideas are put into practice and how they turn out. The plot's fast-paced action is countered by a moving narrative and meaningful scenes. The entrancing enchantment is also made more alluring by the characters' personal growth and development.

Oh, and I can't skip the opportunity to emphasize the romance! not between enemies and friends. It grows in the most exquisite, natural way possible and burns somewhat slowly but not really. I liked seeing Elisabeth and Nathaniel realize they couldn't have endured this adventure alone as their friendship grew as they gained each other's confidence. The only thing I wanted to do was scream as loud as I could!

I'm actually very pleased with this book. It makes me feel so good and takes me back to that time that it almost feels like it's reawakening my childhood fantasy. In essence, the story perfectly conveys what I had in mind.

I would strongly recommend! This story is perfect for readers who enjoy magic and fiction, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

My ratings score:

★★★★★ Fantastic! Made me go through a lot of emotions & the entire book is incredibly beautifully done! 

★★★★ Memorable! Despite its shortcomings, this book was incredible and taught us a lot. 

★★★ Good work! Nothing particularly remarkable, but still nice.

★★ Meh... Mediocre with great room for improvement.

★ Extremely Poor.