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Heirs of Esran #1
The Prince of Terrana
Three years ago, the Prince of Terrana managed the impossible—escaping the clutches of the Tyrant King.
Princess Relaina is used to the challenges accompanying her role: an obstinate father, pressure to marry, and concealing her frequent participation in fighting matches. But when rumors begin flying in her kingdom's capital, her world shifts. The elusive Prince of Terrana, heir to the neighboring kingdom ruled by a merciless tyrant, is believed to be somewhere within the city's walls, and many demand he be captured.
As Relaina navigates detestable suitors, family discord, and a growing connection with an infuriating yet kind farmer's apprentice, she discovers forces that seek to topple the continent's precarious peace. Swept into a world of violence and treachery, Relaina must decide for herself where to place her trust—and her heart.
Princess Relaina is used to the challenges accompanying her role: an obstinate father, pressure to marry, and concealing her frequent participation in fighting matches. But when rumors begin flying in her kingdom's capital, her world shifts. The elusive Prince of Terrana, heir to the neighboring kingdom ruled by a merciless tyrant, is believed to be somewhere within the city's walls, and many demand he be captured.
As Relaina navigates detestable suitors, family discord, and a growing connection with an infuriating yet kind farmer's apprentice, she discovers forces that seek to topple the continent's precarious peace. Swept into a world of violence and treachery, Relaina must decide for herself where to place her trust—and her heart.
490 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 25, 2023
35 people are currently reading
855 people want to read
About the author
Hayley Turner
3 books70 followersHayley Turner is a writer and composer from North Carolina. Her favorite stories blend fantasy, magic, romance, and epic adventures for an overall “fairytale for adults” feel, and that’s exactly what she seeks to capture in her own books. When she isn’t writing books or music, she can be found playing videogames, eating good food with even better friends, or cuddling with her dog, Leia, or her void goblin cat, Nyx.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
July 31, 2024
Warning! This will be an honest review that is intended for other readers. Author, read this at your own risk!
I finished this last night and I wish I could say the ending saved it. Alas, this wasn't the book for me.
While it did do a few things that I liked (hence the 2 stars) there was far more that let me down.
The characters:
a common mistake of early writers is trying to juggle too many characters and that was on display here. I couldn't keep track of the side characters and very few were distinct. Because this book was trying to both be a romance and and epic fantasy with war and battling countries etc, we ended up with an odd mismatch of the two and the characters suffered as a result. I think the author would have been better served to keep the overall plot smaller, less world-ending (another common misstep of newer fantasy authors).
The love interest was one of the things that I liked. Granted he was a bit on the bland side. He didn't have a lot going on besides some angst, daddy issues, and really loving the MC a whole lot. He wasn't as bad as the standard LIs we see these days. For starters he hated that his father tried to turn him into a killing machine so he ran away. Most LIs would have done a lot of killing, felt bad about it, and been forgiven because they're hot.
The MC was...white bread. I just didn't care about her. She started out sneaking away to fantasy fight club, which gave her something. But once she left home she seemed to have left all her badassery behind in her other pants because suddenly she was a weak little girl who needed to be saved all the time. She was a constant damsel. Because we can have badass women in our stories, but they certainly cannot be better fighters than the man. He needs to train her.
Part way through the story the author seems to have gotten bored of the main love story and shifted to suddenly caring about two gay men who have an epic romance that we can root for instead. I'm not too mad about it, but I wish it hadn't come along and overshadowed pretty much everything else.
Plot:
The plot was all over the place. I found myself bored at some points, and struggling to understand what was going on at others.
For me the biggest sin of the plot is how often the MC is gotten out of situations by luck. She seldom gets herself out of things, it just so happens there are a bunch of healers who are all on her side and help her escape, or a friend appears to bail her out, or even at the end
We also have the tired plot of light vs dark in a very literal way. If you can't figure out what's going on with the leads then you probably have never read books before.
The pacing was messy and we jerked into action then jarred to a halt over and over. The pacing was pretty disjointed and could have really used some smoothing over.
The world building:
All the 5 star reviews I read that convinced me I would like this book praised the world building. I would love those folks to point out where they found any world building. The magic was utterly shallow. The gods were mentioned, but no examples of who they were, who worshiped them, when and how that worship was done etc etc. There's two types of magic, light and dark. They give people...powers. Who gets magic, why, when, how, and how does the general man feel about it? Doesn't come up. But boy howdy do we have a lot of magical healing around so injuries never matter.
We have the classic warring kingdoms which is because one of them is just evil. Don't ask questions, they're just evil, led by an evil king who is evil. Also he's a bad dad. Once he is defeated his mighty army crumbles like a sand castle.
The writing:
not too bad. Yes there was some word repetition (where our author brains latch on to a word and we use it multiple times in the same sentence or paragraph), but I see that in trad pub all the time, so it wasn't too bad of a sin.
This author's style was very bare bones. LOTS of white room syndrome. We were just left to assume what most places looked like. Some description of people was done, but not a lot. For something that wants to be an epic fantasy as well as a romance I look to be a bit more emersed in the world.
This kind of tell-y writing can lead to better action scenes, which thrive on that style. The one-on-one action was okay. Not amazing but okay, however when it came to the army battle I could feel the author struggling.
I will say that I LOVED the audiobook! The reader did an amazing job and the songs were all sung rather than just spoken! Loved it! You can tell that this author's other talent lies in music!
My final sin for this book, and one I understand is more personal: the horses were just vehicles. They might as well have been cars with fur. The tiniest effort was put into making one horse distinct, but it was just to say how cool that horse in particular was, nothing else.
Overall if you want to support an indie author and don't mind a fairly flawed fantasy without too much spice and a fairly inoffensive romance, then this is for you! Also if you hate complex magic systems and don't like picturing places as you read.
November 25, 2023
ARC review: The Prince of Terrana has a MC love story I want to see continue and magic that is unique and intriguing. Always love a dark, brooding man with a mysterious past and a heart of gold, and I’ll never say no to a badass female MC with a mystery of her own. It took a little while to get used to the shifting third person focus and to understand this world, but by the end I was reading so fast to find out all I could and to see where everything would go! Lovely representation of sexuality and gender across hero and villain roles. I appreciated one side romance in particular, though I won’t spoil it here. Love the ending and hope to find out more about this world and these characters in the next book!
August 20, 2024
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall Review (no spoilers)
I am a little late in the getting this review out (sorry, grad school is crazy), but I could not post a review because this book is amazing.
Despite being an indie author, Haley Turner should be on the NY Times Best Sellers list. She was able to take some of the best tropes out there, second chance lovers, enemies to lovers, prophecy, chosen one, and conspiracy plots, and flip them on the head. Her characters are the perfect blend of annoying and charming, and just overall amazing. I honestly liked each character's POV, which is something I do not do often.
I will say if you are looking for spice, this is not the book for you. However, if you are looking for a fast fall romance, second chance lovers, with an amazing plot, then you are the right space!
Plot Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐(5/5)
Spice Rating:
Overall Review (no spoilers)
I am a little late in the getting this review out (sorry, grad school is crazy), but I could not post a review because this book is amazing.
Despite being an indie author, Haley Turner should be on the NY Times Best Sellers list. She was able to take some of the best tropes out there, second chance lovers, enemies to lovers, prophecy, chosen one, and conspiracy plots, and flip them on the head. Her characters are the perfect blend of annoying and charming, and just overall amazing. I honestly liked each character's POV, which is something I do not do often.
I will say if you are looking for spice, this is not the book for you. However, if you are looking for a fast fall romance, second chance lovers, with an amazing plot, then you are the right space!
Plot Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐(5/5)
Spice Rating:
June 6, 2023
Finally, a sensible book! I have no patience for fake dilemmas that arise from petty miscommunications. There are entire books that exist simply because the characters have an absurd overreaction–but this book is not one of them. The characters in The Prince of Terrana think, act, and react like normal people (aside from the really sick magic) while developing significantly throughout the book. Turner reveals enough about the story to prevent confusion, but also keeps enough hidden to entice the reader to pick up the next book. The magic system in Esran is detailed, well-thought-out, and easy to follow without being overly simple. Overall, a great book, and I can't wait to read the next one in the series!
July 24, 2023
ARC Review: I absolutely LOVED this book! I was in a reading slump after I finished SJMs Throne of Glass series and I was chosen to read this one and it pulled me back into a WONDERFUL fantasy! I absolutely loved this book. I can’t say it enough. I love the main characters, they are realistic, honest, and deal with true dilemmas. I loved the sassiness, banter, ALL OF IT! The action was amazing, world building was beautiful, and it was an overall joyful rise that really touched my heart. I would definitely recommend that you add this to your fantasy bookshelf. It’s not one to miss. Amazing author :)
July 26, 2023
Yet another debut fantasy that knocked me off my feet! From marvelous world building to amazing characters, I loved everything about it!
The politics are interesting and not boring at all, and the court intrigue is fascinating. I loved all of the characters from the very start! Relaina is a badass main character that takes nobody's nonsense. She can fight, knows her politics and relentlessly protects the ones she cares about. The story is action packed from the very beginning and holds your attention all the way through. There's a beautiful map, a list of the Gods of this world and multiple songs -- details I always appreciate in fantasy books. Absolutely nothing bothered me throughout the whole book! The writing flows beautifully and I found myself devouring the story faster than I thought I would. There's a heartwarming romance, betrayal, great friendships, strong side characters, heart wrenching war scenes and so much more!
Highly recommend to every fantasy lover and to everyone who loved ACOTAR, The Cruel Prince and/or Shadow and Bone!
A huge thank you to the author for sending me an ARC of this book!
The politics are interesting and not boring at all, and the court intrigue is fascinating. I loved all of the characters from the very start! Relaina is a badass main character that takes nobody's nonsense. She can fight, knows her politics and relentlessly protects the ones she cares about. The story is action packed from the very beginning and holds your attention all the way through. There's a beautiful map, a list of the Gods of this world and multiple songs -- details I always appreciate in fantasy books. Absolutely nothing bothered me throughout the whole book! The writing flows beautifully and I found myself devouring the story faster than I thought I would. There's a heartwarming romance, betrayal, great friendships, strong side characters, heart wrenching war scenes and so much more!
Highly recommend to every fantasy lover and to everyone who loved ACOTAR, The Cruel Prince and/or Shadow and Bone!
A huge thank you to the author for sending me an ARC of this book!
January 18, 2026
oh my god. that’s the review. oh my god.
no but really, OH MY GOD. HAYLEY. YOU LITERARY GENIUS. here’s to my first five star book of 2026. i’m obsessed with how good of a writer you are because honestlyyyyyyyy. this book broke me out of my book hangover from lightguard. that’s insane. who are you? where have you been all my life? i love you. thank you and goodnight.
no but really, OH MY GOD. HAYLEY. YOU LITERARY GENIUS. here’s to my first five star book of 2026. i’m obsessed with how good of a writer you are because honestlyyyyyyyy. this book broke me out of my book hangover from lightguard. that’s insane. who are you? where have you been all my life? i love you. thank you and goodnight.
August 27, 2024
ARC Review:
If you consider tropes a spoiler, I’d recommend skipping this review because I’m diving deep into the world of Esran!
The Prince of Terrana is a multi-POV, medium-to-fast-paced adult romantasy that offers a thrilling ride through the world of Esran. The main characters are unforgettable: a deadly, former assassin MMC who’s a cinnamon roll with a heart of gold who would let the world burn for his girl, and a clever, badass FMC with just the right amount of brattiness.
This book is packed with some of your favorite tropes: a tasteful one-bed scenario, political upheavals and corruption, forbidden love, betrayal, and unexpected twists, all woven together with elements of both dark and light magic.
For those curious about the “spicy rating,” I’d give it a 0.5—there’s little to no spice, as the focus is primarily on world-building and epic battles.
My overall rating for this book is 4.75 (rounded up to a 5). Hayley Turner has crafted a captivating story that draws you in from the first page, with characters you can’t help but love and root for! I’m eagerly awaiting the next installment in the Heirs of Esran series!
If you consider tropes a spoiler, I’d recommend skipping this review because I’m diving deep into the world of Esran!
The Prince of Terrana is a multi-POV, medium-to-fast-paced adult romantasy that offers a thrilling ride through the world of Esran. The main characters are unforgettable: a deadly, former assassin MMC who’s a cinnamon roll with a heart of gold who would let the world burn for his girl, and a clever, badass FMC with just the right amount of brattiness.
This book is packed with some of your favorite tropes: a tasteful one-bed scenario, political upheavals and corruption, forbidden love, betrayal, and unexpected twists, all woven together with elements of both dark and light magic.
For those curious about the “spicy rating,” I’d give it a 0.5—there’s little to no spice, as the focus is primarily on world-building and epic battles.
My overall rating for this book is 4.75 (rounded up to a 5). Hayley Turner has crafted a captivating story that draws you in from the first page, with characters you can’t help but love and root for! I’m eagerly awaiting the next installment in the Heirs of Esran series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2024
I could not put this book down. I ate it up in one sitting. Ugh I can’t wait to start the next book
September 29, 2023
I was super excited for this book because I had heard that it wasn't sexist or had toxic romances and it didn't but for some reason I really could not get into it. I was never absorbed by the book I felt like some of the ways the characters were described were a bit too obvious. And because I didn't get into the story the love story didn't pull me in either, it was too fast at some point people were saying I love you and I didn't understand why. However it might just be that her writing style just wasn't for me ( I thought everything happened too fast) because other people loved it so 🤗.
July 2, 2023
This is my first ARC book I have received and read. I loved it!
Overall review
Good world building, it didn't feel like the kingdoms were just "Those other places". I could visualize the world the characters were in very clearly. The plot was well paced and given with clarity even with all the political interwovenness of multiple kingdoms and royalty shenanigans. The romances were good. The magic system was interesting.
Personal nitpicks/dislikes/preferences
The main romance felt too rushed for me, but I like a slowburn over a falling hard and fast sort of thing. Still felt natural, just fast. (Loved the big side romance, they had me cooing at my phone)
The plot was predictable ages ahead of the reveals but its more of a 'Aha I put the clues together' sort of way so was still fun to read.
My only true nitpick was that the magic felt a bit convenient and forced in its appearance. But its like that in alot of other books I love so clearly it doesn't ruin anything for me.
All in all it was a great read and I can't wait for the sequel.
Overall review
Good world building, it didn't feel like the kingdoms were just "Those other places". I could visualize the world the characters were in very clearly. The plot was well paced and given with clarity even with all the political interwovenness of multiple kingdoms and royalty shenanigans. The romances were good. The magic system was interesting.
Personal nitpicks/dislikes/preferences
The main romance felt too rushed for me, but I like a slowburn over a falling hard and fast sort of thing. Still felt natural, just fast. (Loved the big side romance, they had me cooing at my phone)
The plot was predictable ages ahead of the reveals but its more of a 'Aha I put the clues together' sort of way so was still fun to read.
My only true nitpick was that the magic felt a bit convenient and forced in its appearance. But its like that in alot of other books I love so clearly it doesn't ruin anything for me.
All in all it was a great read and I can't wait for the sequel.
August 6, 2025
The Prince of Terrana was by far a breath of fresh air! Though the story started out rather slow as it built you a new world full of magic and adventure the more you read the harder it was to put down. The author was both cruel and kind to make me LIVE inside their story only to be crushed when it was over and reality came back, not many are able to do that!
The characters where far more rationale in their thinking, acting and reacting. The main female protagonist had a reason for starting her adventure and it was not because she fell in love at first sight. I won't give away many details but her kingdom was always important to her and saving those she loved so it wasn't just teenage hormones.
The growth of each character was exceptionally written as their secrets and experiences came to surface. The author took their time developing real people with a multitude of feelings, emotions, not just two dimensional beings with one or two qualities. I found myself able to relate to many different aspects of the characters in this novel and that is something I truly look for in a good book.
As I mentioned the book starts out slow only to build the world from the ground up. I do feel it could have rolled forward a little faster but that is a personal preference as I am not as big into the world building as others. Overall I felt there was a good amount of both world and character building.
The magic and storyline felt unique and untold which I know can be difficult in these days but the authors take was fresh and all their own. I highly recommend getting this book. You will not be disappointed!! I hope to see many more works or art coming from this author in the near future!
The characters where far more rationale in their thinking, acting and reacting. The main female protagonist had a reason for starting her adventure and it was not because she fell in love at first sight. I won't give away many details but her kingdom was always important to her and saving those she loved so it wasn't just teenage hormones.
The growth of each character was exceptionally written as their secrets and experiences came to surface. The author took their time developing real people with a multitude of feelings, emotions, not just two dimensional beings with one or two qualities. I found myself able to relate to many different aspects of the characters in this novel and that is something I truly look for in a good book.
As I mentioned the book starts out slow only to build the world from the ground up. I do feel it could have rolled forward a little faster but that is a personal preference as I am not as big into the world building as others. Overall I felt there was a good amount of both world and character building.
The magic and storyline felt unique and untold which I know can be difficult in these days but the authors take was fresh and all their own. I highly recommend getting this book. You will not be disappointed!! I hope to see many more works or art coming from this author in the near future!
July 31, 2023
I've been following the author for some time and was really excited when I received an ARC copy for this book, so thank you for that!
Unfortunately to book wasn't for me for a few reasons:
Cons:
- Lots of 'secrets' or "plot twists" felt very predicatble a few chapters before they were revealed.
- The way it was written confused my in multiple passages and i had to reread sentences a few times to know what the author was trying to describe to me or figure out who was talking.
- I didn't feel the chemistry between the two MC's personally.
- The spice: look, not every book has to be the next acotar softporn and there are some great books without any spicy scene, BUT in this book i felt a little like it was teased, they were getting naked, motions were made ... and then it cuts to the next day. Like I said, no hate for no spice, but I felt a little mislead which made the scenes between the two MC's rather frustrating than page turner exciting.
Pros:
-Worldbuilding was great.
-I LOVED the chemistry between Fabian and Jeremiah! They were my favorite couple in the book and I'll try to get my hands on the short story about them.
- There was one major plot twist that I didn't see coming and i loved that part of the story!! (hint: boat).
Overall, the book isn't for me. That doesn't make it bad and everyone has their different tastes in books. If someone asked me about whether i can recommend it, i'd say give it a read and see for yourself.
Unfortunately to book wasn't for me for a few reasons:
Cons:
- Lots of 'secrets' or "plot twists" felt very predicatble a few chapters before they were revealed.
- The way it was written confused my in multiple passages and i had to reread sentences a few times to know what the author was trying to describe to me or figure out who was talking.
- I didn't feel the chemistry between the two MC's personally.
- The spice: look, not every book has to be the next acotar softporn and there are some great books without any spicy scene, BUT in this book i felt a little like it was teased, they were getting naked, motions were made ... and then it cuts to the next day. Like I said, no hate for no spice, but I felt a little mislead which made the scenes between the two MC's rather frustrating than page turner exciting.
Pros:
-Worldbuilding was great.
-I LOVED the chemistry between Fabian and Jeremiah! They were my favorite couple in the book and I'll try to get my hands on the short story about them.
- There was one major plot twist that I didn't see coming and i loved that part of the story!! (hint: boat).
Overall, the book isn't for me. That doesn't make it bad and everyone has their different tastes in books. If someone asked me about whether i can recommend it, i'd say give it a read and see for yourself.
April 30, 2024
Here’s a few reasons I loved this book:
- Darren (MMC) is a sweet flower boy, but he’s also a hot badass who can own anyone with or without a blade.
- Relaina (FMC) is brilliant. I love that she tells it like it is, and doesn’t take anyone’s crap. She may be heir to the throne but she’s already a Queen.
- Spies, secrets, betrayal: this book is exciting! Definitely hard to put down.
- The characters in this book are all fantastic. I actually have a hard time choosing a favorite. The side characters had me weeping (except That One).
- The ending was very satisfying but left plenty of questions for book two. I love that it didn’t end on a big cliffhanger.
I listened to the audiobook version and I highly recommend it! The author’s original songs are amazing!!!! I wish I could buy the soundtrack and listen to it on repeat. I think it would heal my inner child.
Definitely check out this book! Whether you read or listen to it, the story and characters are fantastic.
- Darren (MMC) is a sweet flower boy, but he’s also a hot badass who can own anyone with or without a blade.
- Relaina (FMC) is brilliant. I love that she tells it like it is, and doesn’t take anyone’s crap. She may be heir to the throne but she’s already a Queen.
- Spies, secrets, betrayal: this book is exciting! Definitely hard to put down.
- The characters in this book are all fantastic. I actually have a hard time choosing a favorite. The side characters had me weeping (except That One).
- The ending was very satisfying but left plenty of questions for book two. I love that it didn’t end on a big cliffhanger.
I listened to the audiobook version and I highly recommend it! The author’s original songs are amazing!!!! I wish I could buy the soundtrack and listen to it on repeat. I think it would heal my inner child.
Definitely check out this book! Whether you read or listen to it, the story and characters are fantastic.
March 1, 2024
SOME SPOILERS!! READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!!
Hayley Turner, the WOMAN that you are… this is one of the best books that I have read in a LONG time!! Let me just start off by saying that it’s very refreshing, especially compared to the repetitive nature of todays fantasy books (no hate to the mega popular ones, but still you get the picture).
Something that I really loved about this book was the constant change of perspective and point of view. Usually, I find that most authors don’t really do it well and it gets jumbled and a bit confusing, but the way that Hayley wrote this was concise and it flowed together very nicely. I also really appreciated how we got MULTIPLE different characters POVs. We flipped back and forth between Relaina and Darren, of course - but we also got POVs from Aronn, Fabian, and Jeremiah. When I read a one/two POV book, I’m usually left wondering about other characters… but with TPOT you get it ALL and it is truly incredible. I feel much more connected and in LOVE with every single character that we have come across.
The storyline is really great and there are constant twists and turns that really leave you wanting more. The world building was very well done, especially for a debut novel. Any book with a MAP in the front of it is going to do incredibly well, just saying!! Everything flowed together really nicely and it was easy to keep track of everything - the lands, the characters, the plot points… very well done in terms of world building. The descriptions are also so beautiful and they’re so fun to visualize. If I could live in Seacastle, I would move there in a heartbeat. Maremer seems like the ideal place for me to live, if I’m going to be honest.
The romance between Darren and Relaina is not for the faint of heart, and definitely not for the impatient. Their relationship is a slow burn, and I do mean SLOW… but it is totally worth it in the end. The way that the two just crash and burn for each other immensely and immediately was everything I’ve ever wanted, and it leaves you feeling so incredibly happy for them. I’m excited to see their relationship grow and I’m also excited to see how their powers change and effect one another.
Overall, and incredible debut novel with the potential to turn into an amazing series. I’m so proud of Hayley Turner and I am so excited for her future works!
Hayley Turner, the WOMAN that you are… this is one of the best books that I have read in a LONG time!! Let me just start off by saying that it’s very refreshing, especially compared to the repetitive nature of todays fantasy books (no hate to the mega popular ones, but still you get the picture).
Something that I really loved about this book was the constant change of perspective and point of view. Usually, I find that most authors don’t really do it well and it gets jumbled and a bit confusing, but the way that Hayley wrote this was concise and it flowed together very nicely. I also really appreciated how we got MULTIPLE different characters POVs. We flipped back and forth between Relaina and Darren, of course - but we also got POVs from Aronn, Fabian, and Jeremiah. When I read a one/two POV book, I’m usually left wondering about other characters… but with TPOT you get it ALL and it is truly incredible. I feel much more connected and in LOVE with every single character that we have come across.
The storyline is really great and there are constant twists and turns that really leave you wanting more. The world building was very well done, especially for a debut novel. Any book with a MAP in the front of it is going to do incredibly well, just saying!! Everything flowed together really nicely and it was easy to keep track of everything - the lands, the characters, the plot points… very well done in terms of world building. The descriptions are also so beautiful and they’re so fun to visualize. If I could live in Seacastle, I would move there in a heartbeat. Maremer seems like the ideal place for me to live, if I’m going to be honest.
The romance between Darren and Relaina is not for the faint of heart, and definitely not for the impatient. Their relationship is a slow burn, and I do mean SLOW… but it is totally worth it in the end. The way that the two just crash and burn for each other immensely and immediately was everything I’ve ever wanted, and it leaves you feeling so incredibly happy for them. I’m excited to see their relationship grow and I’m also excited to see how their powers change and effect one another.
Overall, and incredible debut novel with the potential to turn into an amazing series. I’m so proud of Hayley Turner and I am so excited for her future works!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2024
Thank you to Hayley Turner for the ARC.
Plot 4.5/5
Characters 4.75/5
Ending 4.5/5
Interest 5/5
Overall 4.5/5
-I really enjoyed this book. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who reads fantasy with some romance. The storyline was mostly based off of the characters which I don’t mind because great characters really create a great story. The world was really nice tor ad about and dive into. I really did fall deep into the imaginary world of Esran.
-The characters were so nice. I really liked them and in a short book, there did have some depth and each of their backgrounds were very interesting tor read about, especially Darren’s background. The relationship between Darren and Relaina was so cute and I liked the fact that they had that attraction and feelings towards each other but they didn’t actually get together quite a bit into the book. I love a good slow burn even though the feelings are there earlier on. I didn’t really like Katarina’s storyline. It felt like she was a bit unnecessary and then she suddenly disappeared after the story took the turn it needed because of her.
-I feel like this could be read as a standalone, the ending does seem quite open-ended with a lot to consider and imagine as to what happened next but I love those sorts of endings. They make the book that much more memorable. There twists and turns that I had expected and guessed early on, and some others which I did not expect. A greta standalone but I still can’t wait to dive back into this world with other characters and a different story.
Plot 4.5/5
Characters 4.75/5
Ending 4.5/5
Interest 5/5
Overall 4.5/5
-I really enjoyed this book. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who reads fantasy with some romance. The storyline was mostly based off of the characters which I don’t mind because great characters really create a great story. The world was really nice tor ad about and dive into. I really did fall deep into the imaginary world of Esran.
-The characters were so nice. I really liked them and in a short book, there did have some depth and each of their backgrounds were very interesting tor read about, especially Darren’s background. The relationship between Darren and Relaina was so cute and I liked the fact that they had that attraction and feelings towards each other but they didn’t actually get together quite a bit into the book. I love a good slow burn even though the feelings are there earlier on. I didn’t really like Katarina’s storyline. It felt like she was a bit unnecessary and then she suddenly disappeared after the story took the turn it needed because of her.
-I feel like this could be read as a standalone, the ending does seem quite open-ended with a lot to consider and imagine as to what happened next but I love those sorts of endings. They make the book that much more memorable. There twists and turns that I had expected and guessed early on, and some others which I did not expect. A greta standalone but I still can’t wait to dive back into this world with other characters and a different story.
May 5, 2023
A couple that kicks ass together is just *chef's kiss*
This book was fantastic. Thanks so much to the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I read this entire epic fantasy book in one sitting, and it's easily one of my favourites this year.
The characters are compelling, the plot is action-packed and full of intrigue, and the world is beautifully developed. The romance is heartwarming, with leads that are true partners and supporters for each other, who you can't help but root for.
I loved how much personality Relaina had--she's headstrong in a nuanced, complex way, and lets kindness guide her values. Her relationships with her siblings and Jeremiah all feel authentic and unique, and I also loved that she was allowed to be a hot mess sometimes. Her dialogue and banter were some of my favourite, too!
Darren goes through a really emotional journey that I won't spoil, and he's allowed to feel those things, which is so important (yet so rare for male leads). He's loyal as hell, drinks his respecting-women juice, and shows so much courage. Also, poor Darren--everyone thinks everything is his fault all of the time, but he deals with it well.
There was also a romantic subplot between two other characters that I found super sweet but won't spoil here.
If you love epic fantasy and a healthy romance between two badass characters, The Prince of Terrana is an absolute pleasure to read. I definitely recommend!
This book was fantastic. Thanks so much to the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I read this entire epic fantasy book in one sitting, and it's easily one of my favourites this year.
The characters are compelling, the plot is action-packed and full of intrigue, and the world is beautifully developed. The romance is heartwarming, with leads that are true partners and supporters for each other, who you can't help but root for.
I loved how much personality Relaina had--she's headstrong in a nuanced, complex way, and lets kindness guide her values. Her relationships with her siblings and Jeremiah all feel authentic and unique, and I also loved that she was allowed to be a hot mess sometimes. Her dialogue and banter were some of my favourite, too!
Darren goes through a really emotional journey that I won't spoil, and he's allowed to feel those things, which is so important (yet so rare for male leads). He's loyal as hell, drinks his respecting-women juice, and shows so much courage. Also, poor Darren--everyone thinks everything is his fault all of the time, but he deals with it well.
There was also a romantic subplot between two other characters that I found super sweet but won't spoil here.
If you love epic fantasy and a healthy romance between two badass characters, The Prince of Terrana is an absolute pleasure to read. I definitely recommend!
August 23, 2023
overall:
this book made me so genuinely happy to read. hayley's style is so nostalgic to me. it has that fairytale-fantasy-bedtime-story feel to it that is so comforting to me. plus, i listened to the audiobook as i read, so i got to hear hayley's original music in the audio. it truly enhanced my experience because it was so immersive.
characters:
the characters are fleshed out and their arcs are so satisfying and realistic - i related so much to relaina and darren that i genuinely felt their feelings at certain intense points. ugh i cant say more without spoiling!!!
setting:
hayley's descriptions are so visceral and immersive that i actually saw them so clearly in my mind, it inspired me to paint! i felt like i was THERE. i know that's cheesy but idk how else to say it.
magic system:
this is the first book in a series, so the magic system still has some questions surrounding it, but enough was described to leave me feeling super curious and intrigued! i love anything involving light vs dark and hayley DELIVERED.
romance:
smiling giggling kicking my feet
prose / structure:
i already touched on hayley's style, but she really had me laughing at times and nervously chewing my nails at others. also, the structure is multiple POV with 2 main perspectives but some other side characters mixed in, and i really loved that tv-show vibe. it made a lot of sense and filled out the bigger picture of the main plot really nicely.
READ TPOT!!!! 🫖🫖🫖
this book made me so genuinely happy to read. hayley's style is so nostalgic to me. it has that fairytale-fantasy-bedtime-story feel to it that is so comforting to me. plus, i listened to the audiobook as i read, so i got to hear hayley's original music in the audio. it truly enhanced my experience because it was so immersive.
characters:
the characters are fleshed out and their arcs are so satisfying and realistic - i related so much to relaina and darren that i genuinely felt their feelings at certain intense points. ugh i cant say more without spoiling!!!
setting:
hayley's descriptions are so visceral and immersive that i actually saw them so clearly in my mind, it inspired me to paint! i felt like i was THERE. i know that's cheesy but idk how else to say it.
magic system:
this is the first book in a series, so the magic system still has some questions surrounding it, but enough was described to leave me feeling super curious and intrigued! i love anything involving light vs dark and hayley DELIVERED.
romance:
smiling giggling kicking my feet
prose / structure:
i already touched on hayley's style, but she really had me laughing at times and nervously chewing my nails at others. also, the structure is multiple POV with 2 main perspectives but some other side characters mixed in, and i really loved that tv-show vibe. it made a lot of sense and filled out the bigger picture of the main plot really nicely.
READ TPOT!!!! 🫖🫖🫖
February 20, 2024
I was really excited to read The Prince of Terrana after hearing so much about it from the author and others who have read it. I was not disappointed.
I felt like the world building was pretty well established. I had enough information to try to predict what might happen. I also had enough to understand what was going on and why certain things were done. This also ties to the magic system, which really interested me. It felt consistent throughout the story and I look forward to seeing it expanded on.
Every character felt well established and consistent. Bits of their dialogue, personality, and appearance all contributed well to overt or subtle foreshadowing. It all allowed for compelling dynamics and contributed effectively to the story.
I only really had a couple issues with the book overall. To start, I much prefer slow burns/slower romances. The romances that started in the book felt very rushed. I found myself taken out of the story slightly by how quickly they seemed to move. On top of that, the ending felt very rushed and a little disjointed. I wish it had been given more time and that some elements of it had been given more time before the climax. Finally, but the end I felt like there were too many characters. I had a really hard time keeping track over everyone by the end and I couldn’t remember who was who or how they related to a character.
Overall this was an excellent book. It felt so much like the epic fantasy stories I read/watched growing up, but more grown up.
I felt like the world building was pretty well established. I had enough information to try to predict what might happen. I also had enough to understand what was going on and why certain things were done. This also ties to the magic system, which really interested me. It felt consistent throughout the story and I look forward to seeing it expanded on.
Every character felt well established and consistent. Bits of their dialogue, personality, and appearance all contributed well to overt or subtle foreshadowing. It all allowed for compelling dynamics and contributed effectively to the story.
I only really had a couple issues with the book overall. To start, I much prefer slow burns/slower romances. The romances that started in the book felt very rushed. I found myself taken out of the story slightly by how quickly they seemed to move. On top of that, the ending felt very rushed and a little disjointed. I wish it had been given more time and that some elements of it had been given more time before the climax. Finally, but the end I felt like there were too many characters. I had a really hard time keeping track over everyone by the end and I couldn’t remember who was who or how they related to a character.
Overall this was an excellent book. It felt so much like the epic fantasy stories I read/watched growing up, but more grown up.
April 4, 2024
3.5 stars, rounded down.
For the most part, I enjoyed myself. I liked the world building, not too much to be overwhelming but not so little that it doesn't feel like a fantasy. The fight and battle scenes were written phenomenally, which I feel like even long-time writers can struggle with finding the right balance, so it surprised me that a debut handled it so well.
I did think from the cover that this would be more fantasy and less romance, so I was surprised when the first 75% of the book was fairly low stakes. For something that is like 'fated enemies to lovers', they skipped a lot of the tension I would expect. While I'm not a die-hard slow burn fan, this still felt rushed.
Every so often, the book would cut from one scene to another without explaining how they got there. One moment a character is settling in to bed, and the next they are rooms away in the middle of a conversation. It was a little jarring at times. It was almost like there were certain scenes that were planned and written, it's just that the transition pieces were forgotten making a few scenes choppy.
I'm glad that all of the characters, even auxiliary characters, were fleshed out well. I feel like none of the characters were flat and they all had clear personality. I'll be interested to see where the rest of the series goes, there's a lot of doors open for the author to explore.
For the most part, I enjoyed myself. I liked the world building, not too much to be overwhelming but not so little that it doesn't feel like a fantasy. The fight and battle scenes were written phenomenally, which I feel like even long-time writers can struggle with finding the right balance, so it surprised me that a debut handled it so well.
I did think from the cover that this would be more fantasy and less romance, so I was surprised when the first 75% of the book was fairly low stakes. For something that is like 'fated enemies to lovers', they skipped a lot of the tension I would expect. While I'm not a die-hard slow burn fan, this still felt rushed.
Every so often, the book would cut from one scene to another without explaining how they got there. One moment a character is settling in to bed, and the next they are rooms away in the middle of a conversation. It was a little jarring at times. It was almost like there were certain scenes that were planned and written, it's just that the transition pieces were forgotten making a few scenes choppy.
I'm glad that all of the characters, even auxiliary characters, were fleshed out well. I feel like none of the characters were flat and they all had clear personality. I'll be interested to see where the rest of the series goes, there's a lot of doors open for the author to explore.
September 10, 2024
I received The Prince of Terrana as an audiobook ARC, and I must say, the production quality was fantastic. The narrator truly brought the story to life, and the inclusion of music was a delightful touch—especially since the songs were sung rather than spoken, which gave the whole experience a polished, immersive feel.
However, I found myself struggling to fully engage with the story. While the world-building showed promise, it often felt underdeveloped. There were several intriguing elements introduced, but many weren't explored in enough depth to give the world the richness and complexity that epic fantasy demands.
One of my main issues was the sheer number of characters. Too many side characters were introduced, and very few were distinct enough to stand out. As a result, I had a hard time keeping track of who was who. The story also seemed to juggle multiple genres—romance and epic fantasy—which didn’t blend as seamlessly as I hoped. This led to moments where the characters’ decisions felt inconsistent with the narrative, and key developments, like sudden betrayals or friendships, didn’t have the weight or build-up they needed to feel believable.
While there were some enjoyable moments, I feel the book would have benefited from a tighter focus on character development and more cohesive world-building to truly shine.
However, I found myself struggling to fully engage with the story. While the world-building showed promise, it often felt underdeveloped. There were several intriguing elements introduced, but many weren't explored in enough depth to give the world the richness and complexity that epic fantasy demands.
One of my main issues was the sheer number of characters. Too many side characters were introduced, and very few were distinct enough to stand out. As a result, I had a hard time keeping track of who was who. The story also seemed to juggle multiple genres—romance and epic fantasy—which didn’t blend as seamlessly as I hoped. This led to moments where the characters’ decisions felt inconsistent with the narrative, and key developments, like sudden betrayals or friendships, didn’t have the weight or build-up they needed to feel believable.
While there were some enjoyable moments, I feel the book would have benefited from a tighter focus on character development and more cohesive world-building to truly shine.
July 18, 2023
Are you a fan of:
-untraditional female roles: Princess is heir
-touch her and die
-animal companions
-court intrigue (my favourite!)
-betrayals
-LGBTQ+ representation
-cliffhanger ending
Then you need to buy a copy of The Prince of Terrana. This book has it all; incredible world-building, intriguing character backstories, romance, action (I mean, from the prologue I was drawn in by the fast-paced, high-stakes scene).
I love a book that makes me care about the characters, and The Prince of Terrana definitely falls into that category. I think it’s safe to say we all need to see that Fabian/Jeremiah backstory (which, I’ve heard rumours does exist!) and a happy ending for Bracken. I can confidently say Bracken is my new book best friend and I secretly hold a bit of a grudge against Hayley Turner for doing him so dirty. But this just means I have to read the second book to see if Bracken gets his well-deserved happy ending.
I also need to briefly talk about King Gabriel as a villain. He was such a perfect antagonist, evil to his core, no chance of redemption, yet I loved reading scenes with him in it because he was just so damn interesting. On the topic of backstories - I would love to read more about Gabriel and who he was before he became King of Terrana.
-untraditional female roles: Princess is heir
-touch her and die
-animal companions
-court intrigue (my favourite!)
-betrayals
-LGBTQ+ representation
-cliffhanger ending
Then you need to buy a copy of The Prince of Terrana. This book has it all; incredible world-building, intriguing character backstories, romance, action (I mean, from the prologue I was drawn in by the fast-paced, high-stakes scene).
I love a book that makes me care about the characters, and The Prince of Terrana definitely falls into that category. I think it’s safe to say we all need to see that Fabian/Jeremiah backstory (which, I’ve heard rumours does exist!) and a happy ending for Bracken. I can confidently say Bracken is my new book best friend and I secretly hold a bit of a grudge against Hayley Turner for doing him so dirty. But this just means I have to read the second book to see if Bracken gets his well-deserved happy ending.
I also need to briefly talk about King Gabriel as a villain. He was such a perfect antagonist, evil to his core, no chance of redemption, yet I loved reading scenes with him in it because he was just so damn interesting. On the topic of backstories - I would love to read more about Gabriel and who he was before he became King of Terrana.
December 15, 2023
Are you tired of possessive alphaholes who have zero emotional capacity? Want an FMC who doesn't just kick a** but also has the intelligence and capability to rule a kingdom? Looking for swooning and beautiful romances between LGBTQIA2s+ characters?
Then you're in the right place!
I'll be honest in saying: I'm not against the alphahole vibes in the fantasy romance genre, so this book was a different experience for me. While there were moments I absolutely loved -- tending to wounds, mutual pining, adventurous escapes -- I also realized I really do love a lot of angst in my romance reads, of which there wasn't much here. But let me also be clear: it made sense they didn't harbor that angst towards each other. While their romance was adventurous and exciting, it had very tender and sweet moments that will leave you feeling fuzzy and warm inside. They treated each other with respect and kindness, which is... oddly rare for fantasy romance couples?? ...I might have to sit down and mull that over LOL.
The magic system is fun, especially since our MMC is a shadow daddy (but also a cinnamon roll!? What a combo), the worldbuilding is solid, there's a side romance that had me absolutely swooning whenever they appeared on screen, and plot twists that will leave your jaw dropping.
I'm giving it 3.5 (round to 4) stars only because while the story was solid, I don't think this was the type of fantasy romance book for me. What does that say? Probably that I enjoy the tension of toxic romances -- yikes lol. But if you're looking for something fresh in a genre saturated with over-the-top male aggression and female characters who are stabby for no real good reason, then get a hold of this bad boy and give it a read!! It's refreshing, exciting, and a fun story filled with magic and romance.
**I would like to acknowledge I had originally given a very different review that was far more editorial in nature and not an accurate representation of my experience with this book. It was highly critical as I confused my own opinions for "facts", which is unfair, and frankly, unkind in a space that is subjective. As someone who believes every story is important, I want to make sure my reviews are both honest and cordial. My apologies to the author and potential readers for my previous words.**
Then you're in the right place!
I'll be honest in saying: I'm not against the alphahole vibes in the fantasy romance genre, so this book was a different experience for me. While there were moments I absolutely loved -- tending to wounds, mutual pining, adventurous escapes -- I also realized I really do love a lot of angst in my romance reads, of which there wasn't much here. But let me also be clear: it made sense they didn't harbor that angst towards each other. While their romance was adventurous and exciting, it had very tender and sweet moments that will leave you feeling fuzzy and warm inside. They treated each other with respect and kindness, which is... oddly rare for fantasy romance couples?? ...I might have to sit down and mull that over LOL.
The magic system is fun, especially since our MMC is a shadow daddy (but also a cinnamon roll!? What a combo), the worldbuilding is solid, there's a side romance that had me absolutely swooning whenever they appeared on screen, and plot twists that will leave your jaw dropping.
I'm giving it 3.5 (round to 4) stars only because while the story was solid, I don't think this was the type of fantasy romance book for me. What does that say? Probably that I enjoy the tension of toxic romances -- yikes lol. But if you're looking for something fresh in a genre saturated with over-the-top male aggression and female characters who are stabby for no real good reason, then get a hold of this bad boy and give it a read!! It's refreshing, exciting, and a fun story filled with magic and romance.
**I would like to acknowledge I had originally given a very different review that was far more editorial in nature and not an accurate representation of my experience with this book. It was highly critical as I confused my own opinions for "facts", which is unfair, and frankly, unkind in a space that is subjective. As someone who believes every story is important, I want to make sure my reviews are both honest and cordial. My apologies to the author and potential readers for my previous words.**
August 15, 2024
This book kept me at a bated breath till the end. From the beginning to the end I was captured by its iron claw. This book is indeed amazing!
I loved the map and intro to gods of this world at the beginning itself. The story launches directly and deviations at all. As i was proceeding with the book, my heart-rate increased with every page. Into 25-30% of the book is where i was completely dragged into it and could not put down until the end.
I just adore Princess Relaina and her heart! She is headstrong, courageous and fights with vigor and intensity! The politics of royals is not at all boring and I thoroughly enjoyed every part. Prince of Terrana has officially joined my fav list. He is truly a figure to behold. There are a lot of side who are equally strong and important. This is something I dont see always. Everyone has a role to play and all are good at it. This type of characters building is difficult and at the same amazing!
You cannot waste a single minute by thinking whether to buy or not, Just pick it up if you are into Shadow magic, Fast fall romance, second chances, loyalty, war, deep dark secrets, betrayal and friendship like no other.
I loved the map and intro to gods of this world at the beginning itself. The story launches directly and deviations at all. As i was proceeding with the book, my heart-rate increased with every page. Into 25-30% of the book is where i was completely dragged into it and could not put down until the end.
I just adore Princess Relaina and her heart! She is headstrong, courageous and fights with vigor and intensity! The politics of royals is not at all boring and I thoroughly enjoyed every part. Prince of Terrana has officially joined my fav list. He is truly a figure to behold. There are a lot of side who are equally strong and important. This is something I dont see always. Everyone has a role to play and all are good at it. This type of characters building is difficult and at the same amazing!
You cannot waste a single minute by thinking whether to buy or not, Just pick it up if you are into Shadow magic, Fast fall romance, second chances, loyalty, war, deep dark secrets, betrayal and friendship like no other.
October 28, 2024
Captivating Epic Fantasy Read!
It had been a while since I had read an epic fantasy with a touch of romance. It gave me the vibes of all the things I love in a fantasy read: enemies to lovers, only one bed, forced proximity, kick-a$$ female, fated mates (yet unaware of extent), magical systems (light/dark), star-crossed lovers feel, royal intrigue and fight for power, hidden prince/princess, witty banter, epic battle, gods/goddesses, unexpected pairings I love, and edge of your seat moments with twists and turns.
I loved listening to this book and having the music and sounds added a cool experience to the read. The narrator was great and did a wide variety of voices, and by being the only narrator, took on male voices that were well done and accented to different territories.
I’m excited to see where Book 2 goes and with where it leaves us with more questions as Darren and Relaina navigate their lands post-battle. Their romance got to grow over the course of the book and the touch of spice was a perfect balance for the book. I look forward to where it goes from here. Thank you Hayley for giving me a new world to obsess about!
It had been a while since I had read an epic fantasy with a touch of romance. It gave me the vibes of all the things I love in a fantasy read: enemies to lovers, only one bed, forced proximity, kick-a$$ female, fated mates (yet unaware of extent), magical systems (light/dark), star-crossed lovers feel, royal intrigue and fight for power, hidden prince/princess, witty banter, epic battle, gods/goddesses, unexpected pairings I love, and edge of your seat moments with twists and turns.
I loved listening to this book and having the music and sounds added a cool experience to the read. The narrator was great and did a wide variety of voices, and by being the only narrator, took on male voices that were well done and accented to different territories.
I’m excited to see where Book 2 goes and with where it leaves us with more questions as Darren and Relaina navigate their lands post-battle. Their romance got to grow over the course of the book and the touch of spice was a perfect balance for the book. I look forward to where it goes from here. Thank you Hayley for giving me a new world to obsess about!
May 29, 2023
I went into this not knowing much about it. I was just honored that I got selected to be given an advanced copy. But let me tell you...this book was absolute PERFECTION. I truly could not put it down and spent all day devouring it because I needed to know how it ended while simultaneously never wanting this book to end. And honestly, It may be my favorite of the year?
The writing is beautiful and the story hooks you immediately. It is PERFECTLY paced. I loved the character development and the plot had me on my toes! Also the descriptions are so well done that I really felt that I could picture and see everything.
This book has romance, strong women, magic, redemption arcs, plot twists, fantasy, power of family, the overcoming of family trauma, and more.
I am now emotionally attached to these characters (won't name because I can't spoil who lives and dies) and I hope that there is another book to come 💕
Can't wait for the world to read this so I can force everyone I love to read it and discuss it with me.
The writing is beautiful and the story hooks you immediately. It is PERFECTLY paced. I loved the character development and the plot had me on my toes! Also the descriptions are so well done that I really felt that I could picture and see everything.
This book has romance, strong women, magic, redemption arcs, plot twists, fantasy, power of family, the overcoming of family trauma, and more.
I am now emotionally attached to these characters (won't name because I can't spoil who lives and dies) and I hope that there is another book to come 💕
Can't wait for the world to read this so I can force everyone I love to read it and discuss it with me.
July 19, 2023
"ꜰᴇᴇʟɪɴɢ ꜱᴀᴅ ᴏʀ ᴀɴɢʀʏ ᴏʀ ʜᴜʀᴛ ᴅᴏᴇꜱ ɴᴏᴛ ᴍᴇᴀɴ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ʙʀᴏᴋᴇɴ. ɪᴛ ᴍᴇᴀɴꜱ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ᴀʟɪᴠᴇ."
• I'm so privileged to be able to read it before it is out on 25th July.
The story takes you by surprise and gives you continuous twist & turns and I felt like I was watching GOT minus the dragons.
• The war strategies, the secrets of the different kingdoms and their kings were portrayed inmaculately. The author has brought life into the pages and the read was so smooth, I was transported into a different universe.
• The female & male lead, both were everything that a reader can dream of ~ fierce, compassionate, brave and pining for each other.
• I can't wait for other books in the series to surface so that I can dive into it. This book doesn't end in a cliff hanger, so you are left pretty content after finishing this story.
What to expect ~
→Fierce & Brave FMC, MMC
→Touch her & die
→Political Intrigue
→Found Family
→ Survival strategies, Dangers
→Secret Powers, Secret Identities
• I'm so privileged to be able to read it before it is out on 25th July.
The story takes you by surprise and gives you continuous twist & turns and I felt like I was watching GOT minus the dragons.
• The war strategies, the secrets of the different kingdoms and their kings were portrayed inmaculately. The author has brought life into the pages and the read was so smooth, I was transported into a different universe.
• The female & male lead, both were everything that a reader can dream of ~ fierce, compassionate, brave and pining for each other.
• I can't wait for other books in the series to surface so that I can dive into it. This book doesn't end in a cliff hanger, so you are left pretty content after finishing this story.
What to expect ~
→Fierce & Brave FMC, MMC
→Touch her & die
→Political Intrigue
→Found Family
→ Survival strategies, Dangers
→Secret Powers, Secret Identities
November 12, 2024
Wow wowwww there is sooo much to think about right now... I have no words
This book was so good and had it all. It started already with a blast but not even that could have prepared me for what was to come...
Such intense, so suspenseful, so strong and at the same time so beautiful and delicate in a way.
The story was to cry for and the characters with all their layers and strong backgrounds, was amazing how we could see all develop together.
And for someone that is always with eyes out for siblings relationships, this one was a blast... I loved the complexity of it and the way we can see the weight and pain of some decisions for each of them and at the same time understand what they needed to do and see the way they grab onto it and their siblings to keep fighting, I think it's super strong and so beautiful I just couldn't stop thinking on it.
Thsi book is something special and I would be lying if I told you I didn't opened the next one already...
This book was so good and had it all. It started already with a blast but not even that could have prepared me for what was to come...
Such intense, so suspenseful, so strong and at the same time so beautiful and delicate in a way.
The story was to cry for and the characters with all their layers and strong backgrounds, was amazing how we could see all develop together.
And for someone that is always with eyes out for siblings relationships, this one was a blast... I loved the complexity of it and the way we can see the weight and pain of some decisions for each of them and at the same time understand what they needed to do and see the way they grab onto it and their siblings to keep fighting, I think it's super strong and so beautiful I just couldn't stop thinking on it.
Thsi book is something special and I would be lying if I told you I didn't opened the next one already...
January 4, 2025
This book tried to juggle romance, epic fantasy, and a million side characters—and dropped the ball on all three. The love interest? Bland but tolerable, with daddy issues and an aversion to being a murder machine (progress!). The MC started as a badass fight-clubber but quickly swapped her cool points for a permanent "save me" card. Halfway through, the author ditched their main romance for an epic gay love story, which was awesome—just not for this book.
The plot? A hot mess. The MC survived on sheer dumb luck, villains were evil because...reasons, and the pacing lurched between chaos and nap time. The world-building was equally lazy: vague gods, magical healing everywhere, and kingdoms fighting because one was just evil.
The writing wasn’t awful, but it felt like watching a play on an empty stage. Action scenes were okay in small doses, but larger battles fell flat. Overall, this book bit off more than it could chew—and choked.
The plot? A hot mess. The MC survived on sheer dumb luck, villains were evil because...reasons, and the pacing lurched between chaos and nap time. The world-building was equally lazy: vague gods, magical healing everywhere, and kingdoms fighting because one was just evil.
The writing wasn’t awful, but it felt like watching a play on an empty stage. Action scenes were okay in small doses, but larger battles fell flat. Overall, this book bit off more than it could chew—and choked.
Did not finish
June 18, 2024DNF @ 50%
I wanted to love THE PRINCE OF TERRANA so much and there were certainly parts I did really enjoy but overall I was struggling to pick this back up each time I stopped reading it. I really liked Darren and especially Relaina as characters but their romance and interactions felt very juvenile. And I'm not talking about spice, because this is a slow burn, but they just felt like teenagers when they were interacting with each other and then in other parts of the story they felt like fully grown adults. There was also a fairly heavy hand on making characters either really good people or really bad people, not much in between.
While this didn't work for me I do think it's a very strong debut and the right reader would really enjoy this one.
Content Warning: past parental abuse; imprisonment and torture (not on page)
I wanted to love THE PRINCE OF TERRANA so much and there were certainly parts I did really enjoy but overall I was struggling to pick this back up each time I stopped reading it. I really liked Darren and especially Relaina as characters but their romance and interactions felt very juvenile. And I'm not talking about spice, because this is a slow burn, but they just felt like teenagers when they were interacting with each other and then in other parts of the story they felt like fully grown adults. There was also a fairly heavy hand on making characters either really good people or really bad people, not much in between.
While this didn't work for me I do think it's a very strong debut and the right reader would really enjoy this one.
Content Warning: past parental abuse; imprisonment and torture (not on page)
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