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His name was war
In a realm carved by Gods and scarred by love
The crown weighs the heaviest on those who are born to carry curses
A Queen shackled by her own ambition
A prince bound to the legacy not of his own
Brothers scattered across kingdoms , Unknowing tethered by fate.
Beneath the surface something ancient awakens- A hunger once silenced now calls out from the depths. Whispers of betrayal curl through the depths of palace walls, even love becomes a battlefield.
As war brews between sea and and stone one question remains
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN DESTINY DARES TO DEFY THE DIVINE?
Disclaimer from the Author
This edition of His Name Was War has undergone thorough edits, but as with any story born from chaotic 3 a.m. sprints, there may still be a few minor punctuation or formatting hiccups lurking in the shadows.
Thank you for choosing to journey with these characters despite their flaws—and mine
I hope the story still grips you by the heart, bruises your soul just a little, and lingers long after the last page.
Your patience means everything.
The crown weighs the heaviest on those who are born to carry curses
A Queen shackled by her own ambition
A prince bound to the legacy not of his own
Brothers scattered across kingdoms , Unknowing tethered by fate.
Beneath the surface something ancient awakens- A hunger once silenced now calls out from the depths. Whispers of betrayal curl through the depths of palace walls, even love becomes a battlefield.
As war brews between sea and and stone one question remains
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN DESTINY DARES TO DEFY THE DIVINE?
Disclaimer from the Author
This edition of His Name Was War has undergone thorough edits, but as with any story born from chaotic 3 a.m. sprints, there may still be a few minor punctuation or formatting hiccups lurking in the shadows.
Thank you for choosing to journey with these characters despite their flaws—and mine
I hope the story still grips you by the heart, bruises your soul just a little, and lingers long after the last page.
Your patience means everything.
- GenresEnemies To Lovers
612 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 23, 2025
13 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
dnf
August 4, 2025I want to start by thanking the author for the opportunity to read this ARC.
I made it to 24% (the end of Part 1) before deciding to set this one aside. While it wasn’t quite the right fit for me, I think it will still find the right audience.
The tone balances some light humor with heavier themes; just be sure to check the trigger warnings before starting. The family dynamic is intriguing, with a group that shifts between siblings and cousins in a way that feels intentional (though I didn’t get far enough to see why). Some banter between characters is genuinely sweet, and you can feel the bond between them.
Where I struggled was with the flow. Much of the choppiness happens within the same scene—especially in conversations, where exchanges sometimes felt unfinished or jumped abruptly. In places, it read more like a rough draft than a polished novel, which surprised me since it’s releasing at the end of the month. This, along with a few details I couldn’t quite piece together, ultimately made it hard for me to stay engaged.
That said, I’ll be keeping up with its progress and early reviews after release to see how it evolves and connects with other readers.
* I will not be leaving a star review since I did not finish the book.
I made it to 24% (the end of Part 1) before deciding to set this one aside. While it wasn’t quite the right fit for me, I think it will still find the right audience.
The tone balances some light humor with heavier themes; just be sure to check the trigger warnings before starting. The family dynamic is intriguing, with a group that shifts between siblings and cousins in a way that feels intentional (though I didn’t get far enough to see why). Some banter between characters is genuinely sweet, and you can feel the bond between them.
Where I struggled was with the flow. Much of the choppiness happens within the same scene—especially in conversations, where exchanges sometimes felt unfinished or jumped abruptly. In places, it read more like a rough draft than a polished novel, which surprised me since it’s releasing at the end of the month. This, along with a few details I couldn’t quite piece together, ultimately made it hard for me to stay engaged.
That said, I’ll be keeping up with its progress and early reviews after release to see how it evolves and connects with other readers.
* I will not be leaving a star review since I did not finish the book.
July 20, 2025
*ARC REVIEW*
Loved the idea, execution severely lacked.
This book was way too long for what I imagine the author wanted it to be, but with all the continuously added characters, I saw why. Aside from the numerous punctuation and grammatical errors (I tried my hardest to look past), the story itself just fell flat. Banter between characters dragged unnecessarily and scenes repeated themselves throughout the entire book.
I was confused so much of the time- maybe because of the third person POV? One person would be experiencing something then immediately switch to another person- even within the same sentence.
Relationships between characters didn’t feel organic. Most felt rushed/forced. I still do not understand why Azslesia hated Vazirel so friggin much the majority of the story, just for them to ‘fall in love’ by the end. It felt misplaced and then rushed.
Azslesia was a spoiled brat that had a mediocre arc development (think Nesta in ACOSF) and her ending was super confusing. She didn’t try to see her child for 13 years? She wandered looking for Vazirel…forever??
The only saving grace of this book was Vazirel and he had literally everything taken away from him- but for what? Why did his path lead to so much devastation? He deserved better than that.
This book would be better as a series for each brother/kingdom in shorter-paged novels. I also feel there should be a pronunciation page at the beginning as well as notes the author stuck throughout the book.
Don’t get me wrong- this book kept me up at night a few times due to the story’s ability to grip you and hold on tight; though it is fleeting. As I said at the start, the idea of this book is wonderful, the execution just didn’t hit for me.
Loved the idea, execution severely lacked.
This book was way too long for what I imagine the author wanted it to be, but with all the continuously added characters, I saw why. Aside from the numerous punctuation and grammatical errors (I tried my hardest to look past), the story itself just fell flat. Banter between characters dragged unnecessarily and scenes repeated themselves throughout the entire book.
I was confused so much of the time- maybe because of the third person POV? One person would be experiencing something then immediately switch to another person- even within the same sentence.
Relationships between characters didn’t feel organic. Most felt rushed/forced. I still do not understand why Azslesia hated Vazirel so friggin much the majority of the story, just for them to ‘fall in love’ by the end. It felt misplaced and then rushed.
Azslesia was a spoiled brat that had a mediocre arc development (think Nesta in ACOSF) and her ending was super confusing. She didn’t try to see her child for 13 years? She wandered looking for Vazirel…forever??
The only saving grace of this book was Vazirel and he had literally everything taken away from him- but for what? Why did his path lead to so much devastation? He deserved better than that.
This book would be better as a series for each brother/kingdom in shorter-paged novels. I also feel there should be a pronunciation page at the beginning as well as notes the author stuck throughout the book.
Don’t get me wrong- this book kept me up at night a few times due to the story’s ability to grip you and hold on tight; though it is fleeting. As I said at the start, the idea of this book is wonderful, the execution just didn’t hit for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
August 26, 2025This was a DNF for me. I usually try to muscle through a book, especially one that has such an interesting story, but by 50% I still wasn’t invested.
The writing is overly complicated and attempts to make each sentence profound. It leaving the characters feeling one dimensional and gives the reader no time to digest.
In addition, it feels like there was a lack of editing. Punctuation is missing or messed up, sentences are incomplete, and the story has no clear structure. Some of these issues may be resolved since I was reading an ARC copy, but I can’t imagine all of them will.
I wish that this story had been broken up into a series with more attention paid to each couple and more care taken with the overall plot structure. The idea is there, but the execution is not.
The writing is overly complicated and attempts to make each sentence profound. It leaving the characters feeling one dimensional and gives the reader no time to digest.
In addition, it feels like there was a lack of editing. Punctuation is missing or messed up, sentences are incomplete, and the story has no clear structure. Some of these issues may be resolved since I was reading an ARC copy, but I can’t imagine all of them will.
I wish that this story had been broken up into a series with more attention paid to each couple and more care taken with the overall plot structure. The idea is there, but the execution is not.
August 6, 2025
I was given the amazing opportunity to read this as an ARC. It definitely is worth the read. I could not put it down it was that good. The descriptions were on fire 🔥. All I am going to say was Vazriel made me rage hard core.
July 29, 2025
im sorry, but this is a DNF for me.
It gives me the feeling of an unpolished fanfic of a fever dream. I reached 46% and I think I gave it enough time to intrigue me but it just did not happen. 🤷🏻♀️
It gives me the feeling of an unpolished fanfic of a fever dream. I reached 46% and I think I gave it enough time to intrigue me but it just did not happen. 🤷🏻♀️
November 15, 2025
This was the first book from @authorrudryaaa I have come across, and thoroughly enjoyed the read. Thankful for the opportunity to receive an ARC from the author.
If you’re looking for a HEA, this isn’t it. Rudrya delivered an amazingly packaged tragedy. Betrayal, deep secrets, Gods, curses, love, WAR and a cute bunny that bites - this story has it all. Give them a follow and check out His Name Was War. Your heart may shatter, but you won’t have any regrets.
I feel like my emotions just got tossed in a blender and turned on high. The way I sobbed through the last hundred pages, is ridiculous - I was not prepared for this ending.
The interwoven stories and character lines were well done. The MFC starts insufferable, but grows throughout the book. I wouldn’t have minded sequels with more on each smaller plot line, but am content with the way everything wrapped up in one book. Looking forward to more from this author.
August 1, 2025
This was no HEA but a wrapped tragedy. Spoilers ahead! You’ve been warned.
Throughout my read, it teetered between 2 and 4 stars, so I left it at a 3 🌟. Some angst and the feeling between the characters, an example of Vazirels want and Kleodoras want at the beginning—between the brothers and their girls—it was very visible and beautifully done.
However, all the brothers, with their minor differences, felt like carbon copies with their similar banter etc. Vazirel had a different vibe from the beginning (at the riverbank) vs the rest of the story. At first, and halfway through, I wasn’t even sure where the story was going.
At first, it seemed like a love story between Vazirel and Kleodora, but that was not the case. Then, I thought it was more about the brothers, which was half the case—but the direction always seemed to be moving right when something interesting was happening.
Azlesias character was hard to appreciate. I didn’t understand her hatred and her spoiled behavior to the point she’d try to sacrifice her people. She made every wrong choice until the last 10% of the story. I also didn’t see the relationship build up between Kairos and Syrrakah (sorry if I’m butchering her name).
This was a hard read for me—an almost DNF because of the grammar/punctuation. It was one of the worst written but I’m wondering if it’s because it was an ARC read vs published?
My biggest thought was why all the brothers wanted to turn on Azlesia and listen to Veyna who started all of this. Honestly, idk why the princes couldn’t man up enough to execute or imprison her. I understand the Beasts and not being able to necessarily end the war, but like I said—almost every wrong choice was made.
The author did do very well at putting me in the feels with the stillbirth. When Vaz was cursed, I almost saw it coming but having a two year old myself, it got me.
I think it fell flat and could’ve been written a bit better and more believable. I didn’t understand why they all hated Vaz and were hellbent on killing him, under Veynas word nonetheless, yet it wasn’t Vaz who wanted to rule, or wanted war, etc. it was the King previously who made him rule and Kairos never threatened it until Veyna came about and messed everything up. I felt there was no justice in her living with no consequences except her hubby dying. Especially since the princes came after Vaz and yet, not even one Queen could relate or understand Vazs position to do what he did… it just didn’t feel warranted to be cursed. The gods/etc at the end felt anticlimactic and again—fell flat.
Vazs personality was almost nonexistent and he suffered too much I think. I have so many mixed feelings on the ending—idk how I feel. Part of me hates how Azlesia wasn’t “allowed” to see her still birth daughter for 13 years, that Vaz just walked out without so much as a goodbye to Azlesia after they went through everything, etc.
Time was also a weird concept in this story but overall, it had its ups and downs. If you’re not looking for a HEA and can look over the grammatical errors—and there are plenty from two peoples thoughts in the same quotes, repeated words, missing punctuation etc, then give the story a try. The best thing I think the author did was have the desire apparent without the characters voicing it, something I have trouble doing in my own writing.
This is an ARC review.
Throughout my read, it teetered between 2 and 4 stars, so I left it at a 3 🌟. Some angst and the feeling between the characters, an example of Vazirels want and Kleodoras want at the beginning—between the brothers and their girls—it was very visible and beautifully done.
However, all the brothers, with their minor differences, felt like carbon copies with their similar banter etc. Vazirel had a different vibe from the beginning (at the riverbank) vs the rest of the story. At first, and halfway through, I wasn’t even sure where the story was going.
At first, it seemed like a love story between Vazirel and Kleodora, but that was not the case. Then, I thought it was more about the brothers, which was half the case—but the direction always seemed to be moving right when something interesting was happening.
Azlesias character was hard to appreciate. I didn’t understand her hatred and her spoiled behavior to the point she’d try to sacrifice her people. She made every wrong choice until the last 10% of the story. I also didn’t see the relationship build up between Kairos and Syrrakah (sorry if I’m butchering her name).
This was a hard read for me—an almost DNF because of the grammar/punctuation. It was one of the worst written but I’m wondering if it’s because it was an ARC read vs published?
My biggest thought was why all the brothers wanted to turn on Azlesia and listen to Veyna who started all of this. Honestly, idk why the princes couldn’t man up enough to execute or imprison her. I understand the Beasts and not being able to necessarily end the war, but like I said—almost every wrong choice was made.
The author did do very well at putting me in the feels with the stillbirth. When Vaz was cursed, I almost saw it coming but having a two year old myself, it got me.
I think it fell flat and could’ve been written a bit better and more believable. I didn’t understand why they all hated Vaz and were hellbent on killing him, under Veynas word nonetheless, yet it wasn’t Vaz who wanted to rule, or wanted war, etc. it was the King previously who made him rule and Kairos never threatened it until Veyna came about and messed everything up. I felt there was no justice in her living with no consequences except her hubby dying. Especially since the princes came after Vaz and yet, not even one Queen could relate or understand Vazs position to do what he did… it just didn’t feel warranted to be cursed. The gods/etc at the end felt anticlimactic and again—fell flat.
Vazs personality was almost nonexistent and he suffered too much I think. I have so many mixed feelings on the ending—idk how I feel. Part of me hates how Azlesia wasn’t “allowed” to see her still birth daughter for 13 years, that Vaz just walked out without so much as a goodbye to Azlesia after they went through everything, etc.
Time was also a weird concept in this story but overall, it had its ups and downs. If you’re not looking for a HEA and can look over the grammatical errors—and there are plenty from two peoples thoughts in the same quotes, repeated words, missing punctuation etc, then give the story a try. The best thing I think the author did was have the desire apparent without the characters voicing it, something I have trouble doing in my own writing.
This is an ARC review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2025
I was chosen as an early reader for His Name Was War.
Let me start by saying, I did genuinely like this story.
The idea was incredible, but for me the execution was just a bit lacking. I think this would’ve been better served as an interconnected series than a single stand alone, especially once you get to Kairos’ story, it definitely needed more detail to explain how we ended up there, it felt like a dramatic shift. I definitely wanted more of that story, but it drew me in, left me hanging then time skips to his conclusion and marriage. I think genuinely everyone’s storyline felt rushed, they meet their matches and are married in just about the same chapter. I get that giving more detail means making it longer and drag on, but dedicated reader who enjoy the story would absolutely read multiple books to get the whole storyline. On another note I couldn’t stand the fmc for the majority of the book, she’s a spoiled entitled brat, and she’s petty for what appears to be no reason. I get she’s a princess, but it was extreme. She’s meant to be smart and cunning, and lethal in her own right, but gets kidnapped and is not only a helpless damsel in distress, but literally almost gets herself and Vazirel killed while he’s trying to rescue her. She immediately hates Vaz, and the initial interaction in the garden didn’t seem like sufficient reason. In the actual prologue he rescues the bunny, but it later says he had tossed it into the thorns? (There were a lot of grammatical errors and typos, along with inconsistencies. I did point some of them out to the author and she was very kind and receptive so I hope a lot of that will be fixed before official release.) I don’t want to spoil everything, but the ending also threw me for a loop. During the war Azlesia was cunning, fierce and a forced to be reconned with, then yet another time skip, this time it doesn’t give an exact timeframe, but Azlesia is giving birth, it’s stillborn, she doesn’t realize/choose to acknowledge it, okay I’m a mom I know you can definitely be delirious after birth, but then somehow it’s revealed after a 13yr time skip that she somehow believes her daughter is alive and well and has been raised by him in another castle and when she turns 13 she can see her again, then Vaz suddenly just up and disappears never to be seen or heard from again. It does say she’s losing her mind, but unless she lost it directly after giving birth it doesn’t make sense that should wouldn’t know something happened to the baby, and the strong, fierce, independent woman she is supposed to be doesn’t strike me as the type who wouldn’t demand to see her child. I’m not saying I need a HEA, but the ending felt more like extra tragedy just for the sake of trauma, or just so that the “curses” of the princes widows came to fruition. Overall, if your imagination can fill in the blanks that were left between time skips and prince’s storylines, and if the grammar issues get fixed I think it’s worth the read.
Let me start by saying, I did genuinely like this story.
The idea was incredible, but for me the execution was just a bit lacking. I think this would’ve been better served as an interconnected series than a single stand alone, especially once you get to Kairos’ story, it definitely needed more detail to explain how we ended up there, it felt like a dramatic shift. I definitely wanted more of that story, but it drew me in, left me hanging then time skips to his conclusion and marriage. I think genuinely everyone’s storyline felt rushed, they meet their matches and are married in just about the same chapter. I get that giving more detail means making it longer and drag on, but dedicated reader who enjoy the story would absolutely read multiple books to get the whole storyline. On another note I couldn’t stand the fmc for the majority of the book, she’s a spoiled entitled brat, and she’s petty for what appears to be no reason. I get she’s a princess, but it was extreme. She’s meant to be smart and cunning, and lethal in her own right, but gets kidnapped and is not only a helpless damsel in distress, but literally almost gets herself and Vazirel killed while he’s trying to rescue her. She immediately hates Vaz, and the initial interaction in the garden didn’t seem like sufficient reason. In the actual prologue he rescues the bunny, but it later says he had tossed it into the thorns? (There were a lot of grammatical errors and typos, along with inconsistencies. I did point some of them out to the author and she was very kind and receptive so I hope a lot of that will be fixed before official release.) I don’t want to spoil everything, but the ending also threw me for a loop. During the war Azlesia was cunning, fierce and a forced to be reconned with, then yet another time skip, this time it doesn’t give an exact timeframe, but Azlesia is giving birth, it’s stillborn, she doesn’t realize/choose to acknowledge it, okay I’m a mom I know you can definitely be delirious after birth, but then somehow it’s revealed after a 13yr time skip that she somehow believes her daughter is alive and well and has been raised by him in another castle and when she turns 13 she can see her again, then Vaz suddenly just up and disappears never to be seen or heard from again. It does say she’s losing her mind, but unless she lost it directly after giving birth it doesn’t make sense that should wouldn’t know something happened to the baby, and the strong, fierce, independent woman she is supposed to be doesn’t strike me as the type who wouldn’t demand to see her child. I’m not saying I need a HEA, but the ending felt more like extra tragedy just for the sake of trauma, or just so that the “curses” of the princes widows came to fruition. Overall, if your imagination can fill in the blanks that were left between time skips and prince’s storylines, and if the grammar issues get fixed I think it’s worth the read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2025
*this is an ARC review*
This author is no doubt talented. At page 68 (10%) I’m already very interested in the world and characters and I can definitely tell there’s a lot of interwoven things. A lot of effort and thought went into this story and world building - which I know firsthand is NOT easy - but I’m not 100% sure I can push myself to finish this. It may become my first ever complete DNF in its current state. I MAY go back if I decide to stop (if I don’t I’ll edit or re-review) but wanted to get this out before release in case there’s still editing going on before then (as there often is with ARCS) … and there should be in this case.
And it’s not that the writing is bad because it isn’t, but even if this is an ARC copy it needed to be more thoroughly edited before distribution because I feel the reviews aren’t all going to reflect this accurately. Mine included.
I’ve found several spots where things were either changed and not caught in revision or are just confusing. (Ex. MMC seems to know he’s talking to the princess, then five seconds later is confused when the king refers to her as his daughter. Also a woman is mentioned to be some princes mother and so seems it should be the queen or mistress, etc. (especially bc one of the princes refers to kings daughter as his sister) but then later his mother seems to be referred to as the kings sister who had kids “unconventionally” — I’m super confused). There’s also strange punctuation, grammar, and bolding of words (not accusing of using AI but it sort of reads like that so if AI wasn’t used, probably fix those spots to avoid the accusations).
There’s more but rather than list it all, I’ll just say to thoroughly edit this book and then probably have someone else edit it too because it has all the potential to be amazing and it would be a shame if that wasn’t captured bc of lack of editing & fine tuning.
Page structure also has limited spacing and looks/reads like a weirdly rendered PDF of a Word document so structural editing would be good too.
This author is no doubt talented. At page 68 (10%) I’m already very interested in the world and characters and I can definitely tell there’s a lot of interwoven things. A lot of effort and thought went into this story and world building - which I know firsthand is NOT easy - but I’m not 100% sure I can push myself to finish this. It may become my first ever complete DNF in its current state. I MAY go back if I decide to stop (if I don’t I’ll edit or re-review) but wanted to get this out before release in case there’s still editing going on before then (as there often is with ARCS) … and there should be in this case.
And it’s not that the writing is bad because it isn’t, but even if this is an ARC copy it needed to be more thoroughly edited before distribution because I feel the reviews aren’t all going to reflect this accurately. Mine included.
I’ve found several spots where things were either changed and not caught in revision or are just confusing. (Ex. MMC seems to know he’s talking to the princess, then five seconds later is confused when the king refers to her as his daughter. Also a woman is mentioned to be some princes mother and so seems it should be the queen or mistress, etc. (especially bc one of the princes refers to kings daughter as his sister) but then later his mother seems to be referred to as the kings sister who had kids “unconventionally” — I’m super confused). There’s also strange punctuation, grammar, and bolding of words (not accusing of using AI but it sort of reads like that so if AI wasn’t used, probably fix those spots to avoid the accusations).
There’s more but rather than list it all, I’ll just say to thoroughly edit this book and then probably have someone else edit it too because it has all the potential to be amazing and it would be a shame if that wasn’t captured bc of lack of editing & fine tuning.
Page structure also has limited spacing and looks/reads like a weirdly rendered PDF of a Word document so structural editing would be good too.
August 23, 2025
i am grateful that that the author provided an ARC for me to read, but unfortunately this wasn't for me.
I made it to 50% (end of the 2nd act) before finally losing patience. The writing progressively gets worse and worse until it almost feels like an unedited book with unfinished half sentences and missing punctuation. The author tries to make almost every sentence sound epic but often times, it doesnt even make sense and just falls flat. like what do you mean by "smelled a song"??? numerous examples of this abound in this book and i just couldn't take it anymore. half the time, it sounds like an incoherent teenager is narrating the events in the book. plus, it almost seems like if the character is not only. the page, they don't exist and have done nothing of note. which makes them feel flat and uninteresting.
not only that, Azlesia is infuriating. she is hating on Vazirel for absolutely no reason and has the common sense of an infant. why on earth would you scream for help in an enemy territory when someone is trying to rescue you?? not to mention her move in the second act was just... mind boggling. I dont see what that was supposed to achieve.
that said, the story is there. I wanted to finish just to see what will happen but I cannot get past the shoddy attempt at writing and the characters that I cannot seem to connect to. I try not to DNF books so this will be on pause until I feel less stressed reading it.
I made it to 50% (end of the 2nd act) before finally losing patience. The writing progressively gets worse and worse until it almost feels like an unedited book with unfinished half sentences and missing punctuation. The author tries to make almost every sentence sound epic but often times, it doesnt even make sense and just falls flat. like what do you mean by "smelled a song"??? numerous examples of this abound in this book and i just couldn't take it anymore. half the time, it sounds like an incoherent teenager is narrating the events in the book. plus, it almost seems like if the character is not only. the page, they don't exist and have done nothing of note. which makes them feel flat and uninteresting.
not only that, Azlesia is infuriating. she is hating on Vazirel for absolutely no reason and has the common sense of an infant. why on earth would you scream for help in an enemy territory when someone is trying to rescue you?? not to mention her move in the second act was just... mind boggling. I dont see what that was supposed to achieve.
that said, the story is there. I wanted to finish just to see what will happen but I cannot get past the shoddy attempt at writing and the characters that I cannot seem to connect to. I try not to DNF books so this will be on pause until I feel less stressed reading it.
August 3, 2025
I really struggled to get through this one. I really WANTED to like it, I wanted it to be better.
It is an interesting idea and concept with potential to be a great story but the book itself needs better editing and structure in order to make it more cohesive for the reader to follow. There was too much jumping around without context and since it is written in third person, a better handle on how to provide POV and voice within chapters and even within paragraphs is needed.
The characters and brothers each have interesting histories and characteristics and potentially compelling stories. Some are better fleshed out that others, some feel woefully incomplete. The relationships between them all and within their own personal relationships, for the most part, have growth but still feel lacking. The banter that was amusing in the beginning didn't feel as organic later in the tale, it became empty.
It seems like the ending is supposed to be gut wrenching and tragic and in ways it was but ended up falling flat for me as I was already kind of over the whole thing.
I would like to see this story rewritten with better planning and outlining to give each of the characters the attention they deserve and a strong editor to pull it into place is a must - perhaps a series of novellas would have been a better way to tell this story.
It is an interesting idea and concept with potential to be a great story but the book itself needs better editing and structure in order to make it more cohesive for the reader to follow. There was too much jumping around without context and since it is written in third person, a better handle on how to provide POV and voice within chapters and even within paragraphs is needed.
The characters and brothers each have interesting histories and characteristics and potentially compelling stories. Some are better fleshed out that others, some feel woefully incomplete. The relationships between them all and within their own personal relationships, for the most part, have growth but still feel lacking. The banter that was amusing in the beginning didn't feel as organic later in the tale, it became empty.
It seems like the ending is supposed to be gut wrenching and tragic and in ways it was but ended up falling flat for me as I was already kind of over the whole thing.
I would like to see this story rewritten with better planning and outlining to give each of the characters the attention they deserve and a strong editor to pull it into place is a must - perhaps a series of novellas would have been a better way to tell this story.
July 17, 2025
I'm still reeling from the ending of this book. 'His Name Was War' by Rudrya is a fantasy epic that had me hooked from the start. it stole my heart with its swoony princes and their devoted relationships. The five couples at the center of the story are expertly crafted, with each prince showing unwavering dedication to their partner.
The world-building, characters, and romance were all expertly woven together, making it hard to put down. The enemy-to-lovers trope worked beautifully for the main characters, and I loved seeing them navigate their relationships.
However, the ending... *sigh I'm not sure if I'm traumatized or just deeply invested. The war, the losses, the sacrifices... it all felt so real and intense. But the emotional toll it took on me is still lingering. I wasn't expecting the tragic finale, and it's left me feeling devastatingly shattered.
Despite the heartbreak, I acknowledge the author's skill in crafting a story that evokes such strong emotions. If you're a fan of fantasy, romance, and epic battles, this book might be for you. Just be prepared for a potentially gut-wrenching conclusion.
The world-building, characters, and romance were all expertly woven together, making it hard to put down. The enemy-to-lovers trope worked beautifully for the main characters, and I loved seeing them navigate their relationships.
However, the ending... *sigh I'm not sure if I'm traumatized or just deeply invested. The war, the losses, the sacrifices... it all felt so real and intense. But the emotional toll it took on me is still lingering. I wasn't expecting the tragic finale, and it's left me feeling devastatingly shattered.
Despite the heartbreak, I acknowledge the author's skill in crafting a story that evokes such strong emotions. If you're a fan of fantasy, romance, and epic battles, this book might be for you. Just be prepared for a potentially gut-wrenching conclusion.
August 13, 2025
I received this arc in exchange for an honest review.
So, I read each page for the first 52%. After this, I skimmed through to get the essence of the story because I felt like this was somewhat torturous for me.
Alright!
Summary:
Vazirel is sent to the palace to be Lord Marshal and the princess’s bodyguard. He leaves his main girl at home without telling her he loves her.
The princess is a brat and she despises him. She tries to kill him, because why not, and she gets kidnapped.
Vazirel quickly retrieves her.
In the meantime, one of the brothers/cousins of the princess goes on a ride, finds Vazirel’s main girl and falls in love with her.
Upon V’s return, another brother/cousin gives him an army and tells him to bring the kidnapping kingdom to its knees.
This lasts 6 months, but the other characters don’t do anything in this time so when he comes back, they can resume their story. And it goes on and on.
Opinion:
The general idea was good and the beginning was catching my interest. The banter between Vazirel and the princess Alezsia/Azlesia during their first meeting was funny!
Unfortunately, that’s about it.
My problem with the book is that:
- time moves weirdly as if the characters paused when something else happened
-time makes no sense. D gets married on a spur but yet the castle knows before he returns and they already have a portrait ready
-the FMC is insufferable. Her hatred for Vazirel makes no sense. She makes stupid decisions on top of stupid decisions. Marrying the dad to destroy Vazirel who didn’t even want her? Being angry that the dad-husband wants to bed her after they are married? She’s willing to execute 1008 people to get rid of him?
She accepts that she never saw her baby after giving birth to her because Vazirel told her he was raising her somewhere else.
-insta love for all but Vazirel
- there’s just too much going on in general and yet not enough. Better to choose a few ideas and develop them well.
Many others mentioned it. The idea was good but the execution needs refining.
So, I read each page for the first 52%. After this, I skimmed through to get the essence of the story because I felt like this was somewhat torturous for me.
Alright!
Summary:
Vazirel is sent to the palace to be Lord Marshal and the princess’s bodyguard. He leaves his main girl at home without telling her he loves her.
The princess is a brat and she despises him. She tries to kill him, because why not, and she gets kidnapped.
Vazirel quickly retrieves her.
In the meantime, one of the brothers/cousins of the princess goes on a ride, finds Vazirel’s main girl and falls in love with her.
Upon V’s return, another brother/cousin gives him an army and tells him to bring the kidnapping kingdom to its knees.
This lasts 6 months, but the other characters don’t do anything in this time so when he comes back, they can resume their story. And it goes on and on.
Opinion:
The general idea was good and the beginning was catching my interest. The banter between Vazirel and the princess Alezsia/Azlesia during their first meeting was funny!
Unfortunately, that’s about it.
My problem with the book is that:
- time moves weirdly as if the characters paused when something else happened
-time makes no sense. D gets married on a spur but yet the castle knows before he returns and they already have a portrait ready
-the FMC is insufferable. Her hatred for Vazirel makes no sense. She makes stupid decisions on top of stupid decisions. Marrying the dad to destroy Vazirel who didn’t even want her? Being angry that the dad-husband wants to bed her after they are married? She’s willing to execute 1008 people to get rid of him?
She accepts that she never saw her baby after giving birth to her because Vazirel told her he was raising her somewhere else.
-insta love for all but Vazirel
- there’s just too much going on in general and yet not enough. Better to choose a few ideas and develop them well.
Many others mentioned it. The idea was good but the execution needs refining.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2025
I think my heart broke during this book. I could not handle everything that happened. The way you laid out the plot so perfectly. There were a lot of battles and you did an excellent job in keeping me captivated and needing to know how they ended. There were a lot of super sweet moments and a lot of moments I wanted to chuck the book across the room. You did an amazing job with the world building. I loved that each kingdom had their own beasts. I like how you picked which ones fit the best with each kingdom it was really meaningful. I loved how we got to read the story of all the Princes and the Princess. I kept trying to figure out which character was my favorite because there are a lot of them but it was definitely Vazirel. In your author note you mentioned that this is the last fantasy you will write for now. I will say you went out with a bang it was such a great book! I highly recommend it!! Thank you so much @authorrudryaaa for allowing me the opportunity to be a part of the ARC Team!❤️❤️
July 15, 2025
3-3.5 ⭐️ This book follows the journey of five couples as they find each other, rise to power in their kingdoms, and face the looming threat of war. It’s a sweeping tale of love, loss, and betrayal—with some moments that truly hit hard.
Vazriel was a standout for me; I found myself deeply invested in his excruciating slow burn of a story, and I couldn’t help but wish he had been given a different path—one that felt more fitting for the depth of his character.
While there were aspects I genuinely enjoyed—especially the witty banter between the brothers in the first act and the fast-paced, gripping momentum of the final chapters—some elements didn’t land as strongly for me. A few relationships felt rushed, leaning into insta-love territory (not my favorite trope), and certain character reactions to relatively minor events felt a bit exaggerated, making it harder for me to fully immerse myself in some of the emotional arcs.
That said, the ending left an ache in my chest—and despite the ups and downs, this was a world I was glad to step into.
Vazriel was a standout for me; I found myself deeply invested in his excruciating slow burn of a story, and I couldn’t help but wish he had been given a different path—one that felt more fitting for the depth of his character.
While there were aspects I genuinely enjoyed—especially the witty banter between the brothers in the first act and the fast-paced, gripping momentum of the final chapters—some elements didn’t land as strongly for me. A few relationships felt rushed, leaning into insta-love territory (not my favorite trope), and certain character reactions to relatively minor events felt a bit exaggerated, making it harder for me to fully immerse myself in some of the emotional arcs.
That said, the ending left an ache in my chest—and despite the ups and downs, this was a world I was glad to step into.
August 2, 2025
There is just so much going on, its hard to keep up with everything and I only made it about 60% of the way through. I also had a hard time with the writing I didn't enjoy it much as it reminded me of fanfiction in a way. So many characters are thrown at you right at the start and the writing made it very confusing to tell who was talking or what pov I was in at times. I also noticed a lot of punctuation and grammatical errors, which usually I can look past but there were so many in this book.
August 22, 2025
This was the first book from the author that I have read. I enjoyed the read and I’m thankful for the opportunity to read it early. There is no HEA. If you don’t like those kind of stories then this one might not be for you. It is definitely a tragedy.
My emotions were all over the place when reading! I am not one to cry when it comes to books, but this is one of the few that has made me cry. An overall great read in my opinion
My emotions were all over the place when reading! I am not one to cry when it comes to books, but this is one of the few that has made me cry. An overall great read in my opinion
July 21, 2025
I am so happy I got an ARC copy of this book or I probably would’ve never read it. I loved it even though it definitely made me want to sob and rethink life. My favorite line has to be “maybe she got better?” because that had me laughing out loud mid i’m crying in the middle of the night over fictional characters. and the ending absolutely ripped my soul out but like i like it?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2025
Thank you for the ARC!! This story has so many interconnecting aspects that make it so unique. Between the love and the betrayal, I was kept up all hours of the night!
Read
July 17, 2025The Prologue? ADORABLE! Never would have thought to use a bunny to bring people together! Most tropes are dogs with entangled leashes of their owners. Well done! Very cute! Very fluffy!
I was blushing at the beginning, and I LOVE slow burns!
The bunny scene was hilarious!! I was NOT expecting that!
Also, goodness. This phrase: Like a song you've heard once in a dream, playing behind a closed door. Chef's kiss. Such beautiful poetry right here.
I felt like I was right there! I absolutely LOVE banter! I myself love to play tennis with words going back and forth. It's fun and it makes me feel connected!
I was blushing at the beginning, and I LOVE slow burns!
The bunny scene was hilarious!! I was NOT expecting that!
Also, goodness. This phrase: Like a song you've heard once in a dream, playing behind a closed door. Chef's kiss. Such beautiful poetry right here.
I felt like I was right there! I absolutely LOVE banter! I myself love to play tennis with words going back and forth. It's fun and it makes me feel connected!
July 21, 2025
This book has a very strong plot that I thoroughly enjoyed. The only downfall was it felt very rushed and needed a bit more editing. I enjoyed all of the characters and the character development. Just a bit rushed.
July 17, 2025
Big thank you to Rudrya, for giving me an amazing opportunity to read this ARC.
I am still trying to collect all of my thoughts and feelings about this one. I honestly don't remember the last time book got me so enthralled with it's story that I pulled all nighter just to finish it.
Trying to say as little as possible so I don't spoil anything for future readers is killing me. :)
Story is full of intrigue and court secrets, missed love moments, heartbreaks and second chances. Believe me when I tell you, experience of reading this book is almost like watching movie mashup of Baahubali and Bridgertons. We get true enemies to lovers, and of boy, do they hate each other. I was left speechless after moves mfc did just to avoid being tied to mmc. Family ties are messy and fate changing. Add mythical beasts, gods and long forgotten history to the mix and you get one hell of a story. Don't worry, there are sweet and tender moments in it, too.
"I wasn't afraid of dying. I was afraid of THIS. Of feeling this. Of needing you like air and knowing one day you'd vanish and I'd still be breathing, somehow. Still moving. Still ruling. Pretending I wasn't already dead inside again." ~ Vazier Vryntra
I am still trying to collect all of my thoughts and feelings about this one. I honestly don't remember the last time book got me so enthralled with it's story that I pulled all nighter just to finish it.
Trying to say as little as possible so I don't spoil anything for future readers is killing me. :)
Story is full of intrigue and court secrets, missed love moments, heartbreaks and second chances. Believe me when I tell you, experience of reading this book is almost like watching movie mashup of Baahubali and Bridgertons. We get true enemies to lovers, and of boy, do they hate each other. I was left speechless after moves mfc did just to avoid being tied to mmc. Family ties are messy and fate changing. Add mythical beasts, gods and long forgotten history to the mix and you get one hell of a story. Don't worry, there are sweet and tender moments in it, too.
"I wasn't afraid of dying. I was afraid of THIS. Of feeling this. Of needing you like air and knowing one day you'd vanish and I'd still be breathing, somehow. Still moving. Still ruling. Pretending I wasn't already dead inside again." ~ Vazier Vryntra
August 20, 2025
***ARC Review***
I was given the opportunity to read His Name Was War by Rudrya and I would first like to say that there are unique elements to the story and there was potential here, however, I do not believe it was executed well and I do wish that I DNF’d this read. :(
Some good things I found about this book were that it contained some unique elements and characters, it was multi-POV, author can write a character you hate very well (too well), isn’t afraid to kill characters off, and it started off in a manner that had me fairly interested very early on (within less than 5 chapters). I will also say the author had a decent way of describing things and building the world; in my opinion.
However, I found the book started taking a decline around the 15% mark. Characters started making mistakes or statements that would make no sense (I am a vibe reader.. I don’t try to logic anything; it was just that out there). None of the characters seemed to have any depth to them, and there were significant plot holes. Such as part of the book mentions a prince meeting a woman in a VERY specific manner and then a chapter later that narrative had changed when it was mentioned in conversation of how they met. Or a different prince has already been mentioned to have walked down the dais during a conversation, and then a page later gets up from the throne, but it wasn’t ever written that he sat back down. These inconsistencies happened a lot, and it really hindered the reading experience because I kept reading the same pages repeatedly, thinking I missed details.
Additionally, there were too many areas that clearly needed more time on the page, such as the underwater fight. In one of the several prince’s POVs, there is a fight/war within the ocean. You leave this chapter without any resolution, and then you think you will come back for more; wrong. WRONG! You come back, and it’s over, and he is married! Like just a blip of “here we are and this happened”. Yet, we have the princess and her insufferable tantrums going on in various forms for most of the book.
The timeline across the book is several years, and therefore, the book is lengthy; which I love a good long book. However, in my opinion, this single book should have been a series. That way, the author could have spent more time in the areas that were obviously neglected without having 1,500+ page book.
As I mentioned, I do believe the idea is there. Unfortunately, this still needs a lot of work. I did really want to love it, but I just couldn’t. It lost me more and more the deeper we went. :(
I was given the opportunity to read His Name Was War by Rudrya and I would first like to say that there are unique elements to the story and there was potential here, however, I do not believe it was executed well and I do wish that I DNF’d this read. :(
Some good things I found about this book were that it contained some unique elements and characters, it was multi-POV, author can write a character you hate very well (too well), isn’t afraid to kill characters off, and it started off in a manner that had me fairly interested very early on (within less than 5 chapters). I will also say the author had a decent way of describing things and building the world; in my opinion.
However, I found the book started taking a decline around the 15% mark. Characters started making mistakes or statements that would make no sense (I am a vibe reader.. I don’t try to logic anything; it was just that out there). None of the characters seemed to have any depth to them, and there were significant plot holes. Such as part of the book mentions a prince meeting a woman in a VERY specific manner and then a chapter later that narrative had changed when it was mentioned in conversation of how they met. Or a different prince has already been mentioned to have walked down the dais during a conversation, and then a page later gets up from the throne, but it wasn’t ever written that he sat back down. These inconsistencies happened a lot, and it really hindered the reading experience because I kept reading the same pages repeatedly, thinking I missed details.
Additionally, there were too many areas that clearly needed more time on the page, such as the underwater fight. In one of the several prince’s POVs, there is a fight/war within the ocean. You leave this chapter without any resolution, and then you think you will come back for more; wrong. WRONG! You come back, and it’s over, and he is married! Like just a blip of “here we are and this happened”. Yet, we have the princess and her insufferable tantrums going on in various forms for most of the book.
The timeline across the book is several years, and therefore, the book is lengthy; which I love a good long book. However, in my opinion, this single book should have been a series. That way, the author could have spent more time in the areas that were obviously neglected without having 1,500+ page book.
As I mentioned, I do believe the idea is there. Unfortunately, this still needs a lot of work. I did really want to love it, but I just couldn’t. It lost me more and more the deeper we went. :(
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2025
There was so MUCH to this book!
It does take some getting into I will say, and I say that as a reader who has read many books where I struggled at the 40% mark, and reviews saying stick with it were the reason I carried on reading
PLEASE stick with this book!
The story gets so good, the development of the characters is wonderful, but it does take commitment.
I loved the mythological story line and aspects of this, it’s almost like a retelling of Greek Gods origins or other ancient civilisations.
Such a devastatingly heartbreaking time (aren’t all the best stories?)
No one got the ending I expected or wanted them to have, but the ones they got were fitting. Like this is a twisty turny little tale, cursed, gods, war torn lands… you want Fantasy Epic - this is it
I will say the reason it’s not 5 stars for me is because there’s a lot of errors. I usually look past spelling and grammatical errors because I’m having a fun time reading the book, but there were so many it did make it harder to read.
Like missing full stops, non-capitalised names, strange returns and new paragraphs in speech which made it confusing to try and figure out who was talking, POV’s changing mid sentence, the same paragraph being repeated in three different ways on the same page.
If I’m being brutally honest it needs an edit, but that does not detract from the story or the plot.
It’s a fantastic story, with a wonderful cast of complex characters, beautifully flawed and victims of their world while trying to find their places within it.
But I did find the number of errors hard to get past personally.
It does take some getting into I will say, and I say that as a reader who has read many books where I struggled at the 40% mark, and reviews saying stick with it were the reason I carried on reading
PLEASE stick with this book!
The story gets so good, the development of the characters is wonderful, but it does take commitment.
I loved the mythological story line and aspects of this, it’s almost like a retelling of Greek Gods origins or other ancient civilisations.
Such a devastatingly heartbreaking time (aren’t all the best stories?)
No one got the ending I expected or wanted them to have, but the ones they got were fitting. Like this is a twisty turny little tale, cursed, gods, war torn lands… you want Fantasy Epic - this is it
I will say the reason it’s not 5 stars for me is because there’s a lot of errors. I usually look past spelling and grammatical errors because I’m having a fun time reading the book, but there were so many it did make it harder to read.
Like missing full stops, non-capitalised names, strange returns and new paragraphs in speech which made it confusing to try and figure out who was talking, POV’s changing mid sentence, the same paragraph being repeated in three different ways on the same page.
If I’m being brutally honest it needs an edit, but that does not detract from the story or the plot.
It’s a fantastic story, with a wonderful cast of complex characters, beautifully flawed and victims of their world while trying to find their places within it.
But I did find the number of errors hard to get past personally.
August 17, 2025
📚ARC Review📚
First of all I want to thank the author for allowing me to read this book!
“His Name was War” is a compelling political narrative that skillfully blends themes of war, love, betrayal, and survival. The book’s concept is thrilling, and the plot is well-crafted, featuring a diverse cast of characters with intriguing stories. I found myself wishing for individual books dedicated to some of these characters. I feel like this would have done them justice.
The relationship between the female and male main characters is destined and stands out among other enemies-to-lovers stories. Their connection is unmatched, and their journey left me heartbroken by the end.
I particularly enjoyed the character relationships, which felt natural and relatable. The banter between them was engaging, making the story more immersive.
The narrative is rich with layers, constantly surprising me with unexpected twists and turns. The meticulously thought-out plot keeps the reader engaged and entertained throughout.
One aspect I found challenging in this book was its continuity. It is divided into several acts, with some sections spanning months or years, yet certain characters’ reactions seemed as if the events had occurred just yesterday. The author mentioned that the book has undergone drafts, so I am confident that these issues will be addressed in the final release.
I recommend “His Name was War,” though it does not offer a happily ever after. The depth and complexity of the story make it a truly enjoyable read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
First of all I want to thank the author for allowing me to read this book!
“His Name was War” is a compelling political narrative that skillfully blends themes of war, love, betrayal, and survival. The book’s concept is thrilling, and the plot is well-crafted, featuring a diverse cast of characters with intriguing stories. I found myself wishing for individual books dedicated to some of these characters. I feel like this would have done them justice.
The relationship between the female and male main characters is destined and stands out among other enemies-to-lovers stories. Their connection is unmatched, and their journey left me heartbroken by the end.
I particularly enjoyed the character relationships, which felt natural and relatable. The banter between them was engaging, making the story more immersive.
The narrative is rich with layers, constantly surprising me with unexpected twists and turns. The meticulously thought-out plot keeps the reader engaged and entertained throughout.
One aspect I found challenging in this book was its continuity. It is divided into several acts, with some sections spanning months or years, yet certain characters’ reactions seemed as if the events had occurred just yesterday. The author mentioned that the book has undergone drafts, so I am confident that these issues will be addressed in the final release.
I recommend “His Name was War,” though it does not offer a happily ever after. The depth and complexity of the story make it a truly enjoyable read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
July 10, 2025
This book was a slow, emotional unraveling, and I mean that in the best way. His Name Was War is a haunting, deeply intimate story about grief, trauma, and the complicated space between healing and breaking. From the first few pages, I knew I was stepping into something raw and heavy, but what I didn’t expect was how beautifully quiet and reflective it would be.
Ezra’s story hurt. His inner world is so lonely and full of ache that I found myself pausing just to breathe. He’s not a loud character. His pain speaks in silences, in thoughts he can’t put into words, in the ways he isolates and struggles to connect. It’s all so real, and it lingers.
The prose is soft and lyrical, almost like a diary whispered into the dark. Every page feels personal. You’re not just reading his story. You’re holding it. It doesn’t rush you. It lets you sit in the discomfort, in the sadness, and find meaning in the quiet moments.
This is not a traditional romance or a fast paced fantasy. It’s tender, thoughtful, and incredibly human. It’s for readers who crave something introspective and emotional, something that sits with you long after the last page.
If you’re looking for a book that explores pain, identity, and the slow, silent path toward self-acceptance, His Name Was War by Rudrya is a quiet masterpiece.
Ezra’s story hurt. His inner world is so lonely and full of ache that I found myself pausing just to breathe. He’s not a loud character. His pain speaks in silences, in thoughts he can’t put into words, in the ways he isolates and struggles to connect. It’s all so real, and it lingers.
The prose is soft and lyrical, almost like a diary whispered into the dark. Every page feels personal. You’re not just reading his story. You’re holding it. It doesn’t rush you. It lets you sit in the discomfort, in the sadness, and find meaning in the quiet moments.
This is not a traditional romance or a fast paced fantasy. It’s tender, thoughtful, and incredibly human. It’s for readers who crave something introspective and emotional, something that sits with you long after the last page.
If you’re looking for a book that explores pain, identity, and the slow, silent path toward self-acceptance, His Name Was War by Rudrya is a quiet masterpiece.
August 20, 2025
His Name is War - ARC Read 🌟🌟🌟
First of all, I want to say thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this ARC!
Story wise, I enjoyed the overall plot. The world building is HEAVY. I have wanted to DNF on numerous occasions but I truely enjoyed the characters and their own personal growth that I wanted to see where it ended. And to be honest, the ending seemed a bit rushed after 75% of the book laying a general foundation to then jump into battle and end, like that?
Some issues I had:
Okay we get it, everything smells like sandalwood…
Also, it had been mentioned numerous times of the 1008 sacrifices, and then on page 290 it is mentioned as 108. Some inconsistencies through the book, this being only one of but noticeable. Perhaps more alpha/beta readers prior to arc!
The sentence structure was also extremely frustrating personally, I would much prefer a decent paragraph over 2-3 word sentences on new lines. I do understand the ARC hadn’t been formatted properly yet but this should be a ‘ready for publication’ stage. Sometimes it did help during the really heavy chapters though 😅
I did overall enjoy the plot, the characters and the fresh ideas that came from this book. But the execution just wasn’t for me and that’s fine!
First of all, I want to say thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this ARC!
Story wise, I enjoyed the overall plot. The world building is HEAVY. I have wanted to DNF on numerous occasions but I truely enjoyed the characters and their own personal growth that I wanted to see where it ended. And to be honest, the ending seemed a bit rushed after 75% of the book laying a general foundation to then jump into battle and end, like that?
Some issues I had:
Okay we get it, everything smells like sandalwood…
Also, it had been mentioned numerous times of the 1008 sacrifices, and then on page 290 it is mentioned as 108. Some inconsistencies through the book, this being only one of but noticeable. Perhaps more alpha/beta readers prior to arc!
The sentence structure was also extremely frustrating personally, I would much prefer a decent paragraph over 2-3 word sentences on new lines. I do understand the ARC hadn’t been formatted properly yet but this should be a ‘ready for publication’ stage. Sometimes it did help during the really heavy chapters though 😅
I did overall enjoy the plot, the characters and the fresh ideas that came from this book. But the execution just wasn’t for me and that’s fine!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2025
This book wasn’t at all what I expected…but I believe that worked entirely in its favour. The prose is flowery and lyrical, and even when the world-building feels a little heavy in the beginning, the characters keep you grounded and engaged.
There’s so much heart here. So much love and tragedy pulling you in different directions that I needed time to sit with some of the moments.
It’s admittedly a bit of a marathon, but not because it’s hard to get through, there’s just a lot of information. It’s all written with care and intention, and it connects beautifully by the end. It can feel overwhelming at times, but the emotional and narrative payoff makes it worth it.
This isn’t the usual style of writing I read (just a personal preference), but the characters truly held my attention. They’re so well crafted that every reader is likely to find someone(s) to connect with.
Overall, this isn’t the kind of fast-paced romantasy currently dominating the market. This something softer, more artful, and somehow more devastating because of it. This book wrecked me. Don’t send help. Let it linger 😭
There’s so much heart here. So much love and tragedy pulling you in different directions that I needed time to sit with some of the moments.
It’s admittedly a bit of a marathon, but not because it’s hard to get through, there’s just a lot of information. It’s all written with care and intention, and it connects beautifully by the end. It can feel overwhelming at times, but the emotional and narrative payoff makes it worth it.
This isn’t the usual style of writing I read (just a personal preference), but the characters truly held my attention. They’re so well crafted that every reader is likely to find someone(s) to connect with.
Overall, this isn’t the kind of fast-paced romantasy currently dominating the market. This something softer, more artful, and somehow more devastating because of it. This book wrecked me. Don’t send help. Let it linger 😭
August 24, 2025
I always love a book with a map for visualization and appreciate this one has it included. All the characters are well done with distinct personalities making it easier to keep track of each of the princes/kings and the princess. Azlesia is a wild one and I love all her craziness trying to kill her knight and the drama that unfolds. It gives me a pg-13 game of thrones vibes at some points regarding the betrayal and love/romance shenanigans happening. A true slow burn enemies to lovers but it doesn’t end how you think. It keeps you engaged following each characters story over time and I enjoyed watching each character develop and unfold over time. Love when time jumps are clearly labeled keeping the timeline easy to track and easier to build up in my mind while imagining the world. This book is filled with love, family, betrayal, gods, magic, shenanigans, humor, and magic making it an enjoyable read. I did not see the plot twists coming at first and I really enjoy how everyone’s story unfolds on this fantasy adventure. I also can appreciate that not all things have the happy ending you think or want which adds to the story. @authorrudryaaa
August 10, 2025
📚ARC REVIEW📚
His Name Was War by Rudrya
Publication Date: 23 August 2025
Rating: 3✨️
The concept of this book was so promising. I just wish the execution would've been on par.
First things first, this book could do with a few more rounds of editing and a good proofread. There were quite a few grammatical and punctuation errors throughout. Additionally, if I had anything to say. I would recommend splitting this book up into a series of smaller books. With the number of characters involved and all the storylines, this book came to a whopping 600+ pages.
I would've made it kind of like a collection of novellas, one for each brother/kingdom, start each book with a little pronunciation guide, and maybe a family tree... It just got really confusing at times.
I think my favourite character was Vazirel ( I hope I wrote that right), I was rooting for him. That ending broke me. He deserved better. In short, the concept is exquisite, so with some work and a few hard decisions, this could be a really great book.
Thank you to the author for giving me this ARC.
His Name Was War by Rudrya
Publication Date: 23 August 2025
Rating: 3✨️
The concept of this book was so promising. I just wish the execution would've been on par.
First things first, this book could do with a few more rounds of editing and a good proofread. There were quite a few grammatical and punctuation errors throughout. Additionally, if I had anything to say. I would recommend splitting this book up into a series of smaller books. With the number of characters involved and all the storylines, this book came to a whopping 600+ pages.
I would've made it kind of like a collection of novellas, one for each brother/kingdom, start each book with a little pronunciation guide, and maybe a family tree... It just got really confusing at times.
I think my favourite character was Vazirel ( I hope I wrote that right), I was rooting for him. That ending broke me. He deserved better. In short, the concept is exquisite, so with some work and a few hard decisions, this could be a really great book.
Thank you to the author for giving me this ARC.
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