★★★★★ 5
Outstanding Indie Fantasy! You NEED to read this!
I have started and deleted my intro to my review multiple times at this point. My mind is sufficiently BLOWN. This book has landed itself into my top favorite romantasies right alongside ACOTAR and FBAA. ITS SO DANG GOOD. I literally woke up, popped it open on my kindle app (Thanks author and R&R Book Tours for the arc!) and got to reading and just didn’t stop. I couldn’t stop. From the first dang page, Menard dragged my butt in and tied me down. I. Was. HOOKED.
Writing Style: I absolutely love the writer’s style! Told from mainly Milla’s POV, with the occasional glance into Nico’s POV when its important. Her world building is rich and immersive, sticking firmly into the steampunk/gas lamp fantasy atmosphere. Her magic system—while feeling familiar—still feels unique and blends beautifully with the world she’s created.
Characters: I can’t begin to describe how much I love the characters Menard has created for this story. Milla is a firestorm. She’s passionate, fiesty, loyal, and self confident. She doesn’t back down, no matter the odds. For me, personally, she’s ranking right up there with Feyre (ACOTAR), Poppy (FBAA), and Sera (FBAA prequel) as one of my favorite female leads. Despite her fierceness, she’s not invincible and she’s still vulnerable—which unveils itself more as the story goes on.
Nico, mmmmmmmm, Nico. He’s cocky, and strong. His heart is for his blood and family. There’s nothing he won’t do for those he cares for. He’s incredibly insightful which leads to a lot of me squeeing and highlighting his quotes. Pairing him up with Milla is a riot I will watch again and again.
The side characters are all phenomenal, ranging wide in personalities and giving the world a richer vibrancy. They compliment both main characters, bringing out the best and worst in them, helping to bring secrets to light and keep the plot going. Not a single character felt out of place, or ever out of character.
Relationship: Y’all know I love a good slow burn and this burns so good. The push and pull of their hate/love relationship is a thrill to witness. Watching them fall for each other is a joy and the spice (when we get there) is HAWT.
Plot: This story had me hooked, and that’s largely in thanks to how well planned out the story’s plot is. Menard did an excellent job, masterfully balancing her foreshadowing and reveals. While I halfway guessed the big reveal, i definitely did not expect the big reveal. (Read the book, then you’ll understand lmao). The pacing is fantastic. Nothing about the story felt rushed, not the relationship, not the reveals, not the over arching plot line. Just absolutely phenomenal.
Enjoyment: 100/10 will read again. I need a physical copy in my life. I HIGHLY recommend this book.
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Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2023
