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The Allium Series #1
Lake of Sapphire
The powerful are just as cursed as the weak...
Scotlind Rumor is about to graduate from school—which means it’s finally time to take her Trials. A test every Advenian is forced to participate in, designed to measure their abilities and rank them among their peers. The only problem is, Scotlind is considered weak and powerless for her kind. She has no abilities to show, only secrets, and keeping them hidden is vital to her life.
She was born to another Kingdom, growing up there until she was brutally kidnapped and abandoned on foreign soil—the Dark Kingdom of Tennebris—home to Advenians who possess deadly mental abilities to which Scotlind is susceptible. She has no idea why she was kidnapped, or what happened to her family, but for the past eleven years, she’s been forced to pretend to be something she’s not.
As she navigates through life, trying to blend in as a normal Tennebrisian student, she uncovers more dangers, making her believe if anyone found out who she really is—a Luxian from the Light Kingdom—she would be killed. And now, she’s captured the attention of the strongest Tennebrisian alive… the future King of the Dark Kingdom.
Scotlind Rumor is about to graduate from school—which means it’s finally time to take her Trials. A test every Advenian is forced to participate in, designed to measure their abilities and rank them among their peers. The only problem is, Scotlind is considered weak and powerless for her kind. She has no abilities to show, only secrets, and keeping them hidden is vital to her life.
She was born to another Kingdom, growing up there until she was brutally kidnapped and abandoned on foreign soil—the Dark Kingdom of Tennebris—home to Advenians who possess deadly mental abilities to which Scotlind is susceptible. She has no idea why she was kidnapped, or what happened to her family, but for the past eleven years, she’s been forced to pretend to be something she’s not.
As she navigates through life, trying to blend in as a normal Tennebrisian student, she uncovers more dangers, making her believe if anyone found out who she really is—a Luxian from the Light Kingdom—she would be killed. And now, she’s captured the attention of the strongest Tennebrisian alive… the future King of the Dark Kingdom.
458 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2022
141 people are currently reading
4744 people want to read
About the author
Mallory Benjamin
5 books77 followersMallory Benjamin is the author of the new-adult fantasy romance series, Lake of Sapphire and Ocean of Silver. She graduated from Penn State with her bachelors in nursing and has worked as a nurse for eight years before becoming a full time author and mama. You can usually find her drafting stories with her baby on her lap. And when she isn’t completely consumed by fictional characters and imaginary worlds, she’s getting lost in fantasy books, taking an unseemly amount of pictures of her daughter, or eating chicken wings.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
September 9, 2024
I love this book as if I wrote it :)
June 7, 2023
Heard about this new book from a friend. This is the author's first book ever written, and I must say, she nailed it. It definitely kept me interested throughout, and I will be the first to say that fantasy is not my favorite genre. I highly recommend giving this book a try! And even better, it's set up for book 2! Hopefully, we will get that one quickly.
December 24, 2023
Decent story line but the writing read very young. He tells her I’ll protect you no one can get you then she proceeds to be kidnapped and tortured twice. She’s training to be a guard her entire life but is in no way aware of her surroundings or intuition. She trusts everyone, even after literally just being told not to. It was getting annoying.
October 22, 2024
I just dived right into the next book without writing a review.
So, the books are too intertwined for me to separate this from the next.
Just read it!!
So, the books are too intertwined for me to separate this from the next.
Just read it!!
February 15, 2025
If you’re reading this you need to read this series!
June 13, 2023
I have no idea why this book is rated so high. The writing is not good.
January 16, 2024
I am not seeing enough people talking about this book. If you are a fan of TOG or Ash Princess, give this book a go. I loved how it highlights our FMC using her weaknesses to enhance her strengths. She has a secret she needs to keep to survive, and if that secret gets out, things will go sideways. The world-building was spot on. I loved how it was paced throughout the book and all of the politics and learning of how the world operates, was explained as the plot moved along. I fell in love with our main characters and the slow burn actually had me DYING. I finished this book in less than 12 hours and will be immediately jumping into the second. If you love fantasy with a fantastic plot and a female lead character who I feel is only going to get better and better? Pick up Lake of Sapphire.
June 6, 2025
Yeah so I loved this! Can’t wait to read book 2!
October 18, 2024
Great new concept of a slow burn! Very in depth story with great twists and turns. I can’t wait to see what happens next!!!
March 15, 2023
5⭐️ 1.5🔥
"I couldn't stand the thought of not being with you"
This book broke me. I don't know how to move on. I don't want to. I want to stay immersed in this world that Mallory has created.
Strong FMC. First person alternating POV
Tropes:
Forced proximity
Arranged/ forced marriage
Slow burn
Enemies to lovers
Morally gray male
Bonded
Tension
This intro grabbed me instantly. I nearly cried in the first chapter. I could stand for a bit more character building. Took 115 pages before I found out the fmc's hair color. World building is good. This plot is awesome. I love it!
Plot twists! I absolutely love it when a book is not what I expected! I thought it was going to go in a totally different direction. I'm in love with the characters. I've cried actual tears. The author really has a way of making you feel like you're there and feeling what the characters feel.
I have not been able to predict a single thing.
I don't want it to end.
This is the first time I've ever rated something 5 stars, even though I found an aspect that needs a little work. It was that amazing. I would equate this to The Serpant and the Wings of Night vibes.
Major cliffhanger.
I feel empty on the inside and I'm craving more!
Below are my SPOILER thoughts and reactions as I read through the book. (this is mainly for me to remember my thoughts)
"I couldn't stand the thought of not being with you"
This book broke me. I don't know how to move on. I don't want to. I want to stay immersed in this world that Mallory has created.
Strong FMC. First person alternating POV
Tropes:
Forced proximity
Arranged/ forced marriage
Slow burn
Enemies to lovers
Morally gray male
Bonded
Tension
This intro grabbed me instantly. I nearly cried in the first chapter. I could stand for a bit more character building. Took 115 pages before I found out the fmc's hair color. World building is good. This plot is awesome. I love it!
Plot twists! I absolutely love it when a book is not what I expected! I thought it was going to go in a totally different direction. I'm in love with the characters. I've cried actual tears. The author really has a way of making you feel like you're there and feeling what the characters feel.
I have not been able to predict a single thing.
I don't want it to end.
This is the first time I've ever rated something 5 stars, even though I found an aspect that needs a little work. It was that amazing. I would equate this to The Serpant and the Wings of Night vibes.
Major cliffhanger.
I feel empty on the inside and I'm craving more!
Below are my SPOILER thoughts and reactions as I read through the book. (this is mainly for me to remember my thoughts)
September 7, 2024
This review will contain some spoilers so beware.
I actually DNF this book at about 80% just because I was hoping it would somehow become better but that was in vain.
Let's start with the plot. It was very promising, and I was actually enjoying the premise of the two kingdoms who had to seek refuge on the earth after their home planet was destroyed, but I became very bored early on the book because of the incredible slow pace. I don't think this book needed to be this long!
Now on to the characters.
The FMC was one of the most annoying part of this entire book. She was supposed to be this strong, special and smart girl who got herself strong by herself since she didn't posses any power of the kingdom she didn't belong to, but she constantly made stupid choices, trusted people she just met or even worse, people she was told not to trust. She could't handle any combat with any guard even when she "trained so hard" all her life. She was weak. I was also constantly waiting for her to at least mention her powers or the markings on her back that represented her powers, but no. She just hid them all her life and decided to do absolutely nothing about them( even thou she knew she had them since she was 8). She was also insufferable when it came to MMC. There was a scene when she was being humiliated and he did nothing to stop it. She still found him attractive and wanted to sleep with him! I audibly groaned at that part and banged my head against the wall. MMC wasn't any better. He was supposed to be this almighty and powerful being, but he was overpowered at least 2 times in the book by some stupid circumstance because the plot needed it. Also I hate his reasoning for wanting to marry FMC. It was so incredebly stupid that I had to stop reading and collect myself: "You’re intoxicating and different, and I…” He stumbled on the right words. “You’re the first girl who hasn’t thrown herself at me." Gag🤢
Also their chemistry was non existent.
The only reason this was a 2 star read was because of the Peter since he was the only character I liked.
I actually DNF this book at about 80% just because I was hoping it would somehow become better but that was in vain.
Let's start with the plot. It was very promising, and I was actually enjoying the premise of the two kingdoms who had to seek refuge on the earth after their home planet was destroyed, but I became very bored early on the book because of the incredible slow pace. I don't think this book needed to be this long!
Now on to the characters.
The FMC was one of the most annoying part of this entire book. She was supposed to be this strong, special and smart girl who got herself strong by herself since she didn't posses any power of the kingdom she didn't belong to, but she constantly made stupid choices, trusted people she just met or even worse, people she was told not to trust. She could't handle any combat with any guard even when she "trained so hard" all her life. She was weak. I was also constantly waiting for her to at least mention her powers or the markings on her back that represented her powers, but no. She just hid them all her life and decided to do absolutely nothing about them( even thou she knew she had them since she was 8). She was also insufferable when it came to MMC. There was a scene when she was being humiliated and he did nothing to stop it. She still found him attractive and wanted to sleep with him! I audibly groaned at that part and banged my head against the wall. MMC wasn't any better. He was supposed to be this almighty and powerful being, but he was overpowered at least 2 times in the book by some stupid circumstance because the plot needed it. Also I hate his reasoning for wanting to marry FMC. It was so incredebly stupid that I had to stop reading and collect myself: "You’re intoxicating and different, and I…” He stumbled on the right words. “You’re the first girl who hasn’t thrown herself at me." Gag🤢
Also their chemistry was non existent.
The only reason this was a 2 star read was because of the Peter since he was the only character I liked.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2025
5 ⭐️ this book is truly a hidden gem! And it’s a debut author too! 👏👏👏So addictive to read. My attention and interest was kept the whole time. Really enjoyed this book. Really liked the lore about Allium and the different two types of Advenians and how their magics differ. There is character development and world building. I love Scotlind, she is tough and determined. The mmc is hot, charming and powerful. Loved the small aspect of trials. Heartbreaking ending. So addictive that I needed to know what happened next, so had to jump to next one.
A simple what to expect -> In this book, there was a war in the past in Allium, a world where two types of Advenians (Luxians and Tennebrisians)lived with different powers which separated them. The war then lead to their world being destroyed and them fleeing to space where they spent years searching for a new world that was safe for them to inhabit. They then found Earth and chose to settle there unbeknownst to the humans . The Luxians and Tennebrisians formed a treaty but still lived in opposite places on Earth separately. This book follows a girl named Scotlind who is a Luxian who was kidnapped when she was a child and taken to Tennebris ( where the other type of adevnians live ). She then grows up there and is forced to hide her true identity. She is forced to pretend she is a rank zero ( people are ranked on how much magic they have ) and grows up facing a lot of discrimination. So she trains to be a guard as she knows as a guard she doesn’t need to get married and she knows she will not be able to hide her identity from a spouse. Let’s just say things don’t go as planned.
Tropes included:
- history and backstory about the Advenians
- secret identity
- forced marriage
- court intrigue
- morally grey mmc
- unique magic system
- ranked by powers
- unjust treatment to lower ranks
- inexperienced fmc x experienced mmc
A simple what to expect -> In this book, there was a war in the past in Allium, a world where two types of Advenians (Luxians and Tennebrisians)lived with different powers which separated them. The war then lead to their world being destroyed and them fleeing to space where they spent years searching for a new world that was safe for them to inhabit. They then found Earth and chose to settle there unbeknownst to the humans . The Luxians and Tennebrisians formed a treaty but still lived in opposite places on Earth separately. This book follows a girl named Scotlind who is a Luxian who was kidnapped when she was a child and taken to Tennebris ( where the other type of adevnians live ). She then grows up there and is forced to hide her true identity. She is forced to pretend she is a rank zero ( people are ranked on how much magic they have ) and grows up facing a lot of discrimination. So she trains to be a guard as she knows as a guard she doesn’t need to get married and she knows she will not be able to hide her identity from a spouse. Let’s just say things don’t go as planned.
Tropes included:
- history and backstory about the Advenians
- secret identity
- forced marriage
- court intrigue
- morally grey mmc
- unique magic system
- ranked by powers
- unjust treatment to lower ranks
- inexperienced fmc x experienced mmc
May 14, 2024
Lake of sapphire, I wud say is a dark fantasy because of the dark elements in it ie, torture, kidnapping, death. Both Sie and Scotlind are complex characters, Sie even more so 😬. Sie likes scotlind from the start and does some horrid shit to not let his feelings surface and even tho the writer makes up for it by scotlind giving him the cold shoulder for months, when sie promises Scottie he’ll will protect her and won’t let anyone come near her, he couldn’t fulfill his promise. This triggered me and rlly upset me. And despite the writer saying “ Sie is the only rank 5 in tennebris”, “ he possess deadly mind capabilities”, he was rlly portrayed as a strong MMC. He also says “im stronger than all mine and your (Scottie) guards combines and am capable of protecting you for one night. Aaahgggggg 😫the frustration. But I guess he tried to prevent the damage and I believe he truly loves her. This is the only reason I didn’t give 5 ⭐️
Further, Scottie is a strong fmc but doesn’t know it yet, she also makes silly decisions but oh well 🤷🏻♀️who hasn’t at this point.
Peter tho😵🔥🔥🔥😍 giggling. Blushing. Laughing. Is seriously the Best best friend to Sie and treats Scottie like he wud his little sister,whereas everyone treats her disgustingly i felt so bad for her at times 🥲
Honestly I devoured this book, I was up till 8 in the morning reading, couldn’t put it down.this book deserves a hype
I’m about to start the next book in the sequel and hoping Sie would pay the consequences for betraying Scottie and grovels 🤞🤞🤞
Scottie is about to return to her home kingdom now and I have a feeling it’s not going to be pretty.
Further, Scottie is a strong fmc but doesn’t know it yet, she also makes silly decisions but oh well 🤷🏻♀️who hasn’t at this point.
Peter tho😵🔥🔥🔥😍 giggling. Blushing. Laughing. Is seriously the Best best friend to Sie and treats Scottie like he wud his little sister,whereas everyone treats her disgustingly i felt so bad for her at times 🥲
Honestly I devoured this book, I was up till 8 in the morning reading, couldn’t put it down.this book deserves a hype
I’m about to start the next book in the sequel and hoping Sie would pay the consequences for betraying Scottie and grovels 🤞🤞🤞
Scottie is about to return to her home kingdom now and I have a feeling it’s not going to be pretty.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2025
4.5 rounded up. I absolutely loved reading this book. It was impossible to put down. I was interested in the characters from the very beginning. I am so fascinated by the world the author created. The ranking and ability system in their society was so interesting. It was set modern day, which I don’t normally like as much, but because of the geographical isolation of the nations in this book, it didn’t feel that way. There were elements of dystopia, fantasy, and sci-fi.
The only reason this was 4.5 rather than 5 stars are two things: First, I hate the FMC’s name. It makes me cringe every time I read it because it sounds so silly. If that’s going to be her name they might as well spell it like the original because spelling Scotland as Scotlind looks so unbelievably silly and makes no sense as a name from
their society, which has remained culturally isolated from humans.
Second, I liked the FMC a lot, except for several very unbelievable moments of naive stupidity where she trusted people she already knew couldn’t be trusted. Like really, we’re going to trust Reagan to give directions or believe that Alec would pass along a note from Sie? Dumb.
Those two things were my only gripe, and I loved the addictiveness of the story. It was so compelling and unputdownable that I stopped caring about the things I didn’t like. After reading a lot of books lately that get the pacing wrong so that I become super bored, this was refreshing.
The only reason this was 4.5 rather than 5 stars are two things: First, I hate the FMC’s name. It makes me cringe every time I read it because it sounds so silly. If that’s going to be her name they might as well spell it like the original because spelling Scotland as Scotlind looks so unbelievably silly and makes no sense as a name from
their society, which has remained culturally isolated from humans.
Second, I liked the FMC a lot, except for several very unbelievable moments of naive stupidity where she trusted people she already knew couldn’t be trusted. Like really, we’re going to trust Reagan to give directions or believe that Alec would pass along a note from Sie? Dumb.
Those two things were my only gripe, and I loved the addictiveness of the story. It was so compelling and unputdownable that I stopped caring about the things I didn’t like. After reading a lot of books lately that get the pacing wrong so that I become super bored, this was refreshing.
June 29, 2024
What a wild ride that was!
“I didn’t mind taking my time torturing him. I reveled in his screams, wanting him to pay for hurting her.”
🖤 secret identity
🖤Arranged marriage
🖤forced proximity
🖤strong FMC
🖤touch her and 💀
🖤found family
🖤Trials
🖤Ranking by powers
This book was incredible from start to finish.. literally from page one to the very last page. Not a dull moment.
Just sitting here staring at the wall while I compile all my feelings towards this book before running to the next one.
Our FMC Scotlind is hiding her identity from everyone after being stolen away from her family, and taken to a completely different kingdom. She is among others that either have powers, or are known as nix’s who have none. She is training and taking part in these trials to determine her rank, and what job she would have for the rest of her life. While watching the first trial, for who would be crowned king, she meets our MMC Sie and holy shit things get wild.
There was not a single damn moment in this book where I was bored, like not one second. I felt like I was constantly on the edge of my seat. The amount of wtf moments I had reading this, I lost count.
Let this be a sign to read this book!!!
“I didn’t mind taking my time torturing him. I reveled in his screams, wanting him to pay for hurting her.”
🖤 secret identity
🖤Arranged marriage
🖤forced proximity
🖤strong FMC
🖤touch her and 💀
🖤found family
🖤Trials
🖤Ranking by powers
This book was incredible from start to finish.. literally from page one to the very last page. Not a dull moment.
Just sitting here staring at the wall while I compile all my feelings towards this book before running to the next one.
Our FMC Scotlind is hiding her identity from everyone after being stolen away from her family, and taken to a completely different kingdom. She is among others that either have powers, or are known as nix’s who have none. She is training and taking part in these trials to determine her rank, and what job she would have for the rest of her life. While watching the first trial, for who would be crowned king, she meets our MMC Sie and holy shit things get wild.
There was not a single damn moment in this book where I was bored, like not one second. I felt like I was constantly on the edge of my seat. The amount of wtf moments I had reading this, I lost count.
Let this be a sign to read this book!!!
November 25, 2024
𝐿𝒶𝓀𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝒮𝒶𝓅𝓅𝒽𝒾𝓇𝑒 🌊 🩵
By Mallory Benjamin
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
What to expect:
•hidden identity
•found family
•enemies to lovers
•slowwwwww burrrrrnnn
Let me just start off by saying THIS BOOK IS SEVERELY UNDERHYPED!!!!
It was so easy to become obsessed with the characters in this story. Scotlind (FMC) is so fucking strong and does what she needs to, to survive despite people constantly kicking her while she’s down. This girl never wallows in it and I fucking love that about her! Also if I were having children I would absolutely name my daughter Scotlind, such a cool name!
Sie is tall, dark, handsome and delicious. His asshole front but secretly soft for only her thing ABSOLUTELY is everything you could ever want and more.
Peter and Vallie are the best friends you always wanted. Secretly hoping they end up together and we get a book for them 👀 (please)
The villains in this book are the absolute worst (in the best way) and you hate them to your core. Kole can kick rocks. 🤬
I was on the edge of my seat this whole book so excuse me while I dive into book two.
TTFN ✌🏻
By Mallory Benjamin
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
What to expect:
•hidden identity
•found family
•enemies to lovers
•slowwwwww burrrrrnnn
Let me just start off by saying THIS BOOK IS SEVERELY UNDERHYPED!!!!
It was so easy to become obsessed with the characters in this story. Scotlind (FMC) is so fucking strong and does what she needs to, to survive despite people constantly kicking her while she’s down. This girl never wallows in it and I fucking love that about her! Also if I were having children I would absolutely name my daughter Scotlind, such a cool name!
Sie is tall, dark, handsome and delicious. His asshole front but secretly soft for only her thing ABSOLUTELY is everything you could ever want and more.
Peter and Vallie are the best friends you always wanted. Secretly hoping they end up together and we get a book for them 👀 (please)
The villains in this book are the absolute worst (in the best way) and you hate them to your core. Kole can kick rocks. 🤬
I was on the edge of my seat this whole book so excuse me while I dive into book two.
TTFN ✌🏻
November 30, 2023
I really enjoyed this book, the world building was magnificent and the pacing was just right. I didn’t feel like it was an info dump at all.
On some level I connected with the characters and in some ways I hated them lol
Somewhere toward the middle I was in tears, like I’ve never cried reading a book so I checked my Flo calendar and my monthly curse is no where near 😂
I feel like the FMC is weak and I wanted her to do more, be brave more be more vocal about her mistreatment BUT I do understand the trauma mentally she’s been put through all her life. But girl is a bad ass with her fist
The MMC, ahh, love and hate. I definitely was swooning untill he start letting me down left and right. I like my MMC to be damn near untouchable and possessive but he just dropped the ball in all the ways that mattered.
I loved the side characters/friends, I hope we see more of them and I’m praying they stay true
I absolutely cannot wait to start book 2 tonight
On some level I connected with the characters and in some ways I hated them lol
Somewhere toward the middle I was in tears, like I’ve never cried reading a book so I checked my Flo calendar and my monthly curse is no where near 😂
I feel like the FMC is weak and I wanted her to do more, be brave more be more vocal about her mistreatment BUT I do understand the trauma mentally she’s been put through all her life. But girl is a bad ass with her fist
The MMC, ahh, love and hate. I definitely was swooning untill he start letting me down left and right. I like my MMC to be damn near untouchable and possessive but he just dropped the ball in all the ways that mattered.
I loved the side characters/friends, I hope we see more of them and I’m praying they stay true
I absolutely cannot wait to start book 2 tonight
August 15, 2024
Do yourself a favor and READ THIS BOOK - it is phenomenal. I am so grateful this book was chosen for a book club I recently joined because I’ll be honest, without the recommendation I would have probably never crossed paths with it. And I would have been sorely missing out.
Benjamin deserves to blow up for this incredible debut and I will make it my personal mission to spread the word of this series to all of my fellow readers.
The “Fae” like storyline is incredibly unique and the writing is fantastic. I love how the back bone of the narrative is centered around social injustices that parallel with our society. It is infuriating, heartfelt and moving. I cannot wait to read book two and am eagerly waiting the release of book three!
Mallory if you happen to read this, I want you to know how much I enjoyed reading your book. You have a true talent and I hope you write many books in your future, I will read every last one!
Benjamin deserves to blow up for this incredible debut and I will make it my personal mission to spread the word of this series to all of my fellow readers.
The “Fae” like storyline is incredibly unique and the writing is fantastic. I love how the back bone of the narrative is centered around social injustices that parallel with our society. It is infuriating, heartfelt and moving. I cannot wait to read book two and am eagerly waiting the release of book three!
Mallory if you happen to read this, I want you to know how much I enjoyed reading your book. You have a true talent and I hope you write many books in your future, I will read every last one!
April 24, 2023
Forced proximity
Slow burn
Strong female main characters with mysterious ancestry
Possessive male main characters who would do anything for the female he loves
Fae powers that include elements, mind reading, and coercion
This book has all of this and more. I felt my heart breaking in some parts and happy in others. I was cursing while the FMC was making some questionable decisions and cheering 📣 when her savior shows up.
The dual POVs give a lot of insight from each of the main characters, especially during the parts of the book that leave you feeling disgusted. Sie loves Scottie from the moment he sees her, but works his butt of to deny it to everyone. What he does to accomplish this made me want to stomp the book into the floor.
This book ends on a cliffhanger…of course…that will leave your heart in a bit of a lurch and the questions piling up.
Slow burn
Strong female main characters with mysterious ancestry
Possessive male main characters who would do anything for the female he loves
Fae powers that include elements, mind reading, and coercion
This book has all of this and more. I felt my heart breaking in some parts and happy in others. I was cursing while the FMC was making some questionable decisions and cheering 📣 when her savior shows up.
The dual POVs give a lot of insight from each of the main characters, especially during the parts of the book that leave you feeling disgusted. Sie loves Scottie from the moment he sees her, but works his butt of to deny it to everyone. What he does to accomplish this made me want to stomp the book into the floor.
This book ends on a cliffhanger…of course…that will leave your heart in a bit of a lurch and the questions piling up.
April 9, 2025
I read this when it first came out, and again recently to prep for River of Lavender (latest book in the series)
My first read through, I loved it. After the second read through along with the rest of the series I've decided I think it's the weakest in the series, but still a very enjoyable read and well worth finishing it to get to book two.
Some things about the main character can feel fairly cliche, as she is very similar to a lot of other popular main characters in this genre. I personally hold this series above the Empyrean series, and ACOTAR series (ACOTAR was a dnf for me)
I think one of the main things that made this series more enjoyable was the characters. I felt like I really cared and was invested with both main and side characters in this series.
If you like fantasy books with a small, stubborn FMC I can't recommend this one enough.
My first read through, I loved it. After the second read through along with the rest of the series I've decided I think it's the weakest in the series, but still a very enjoyable read and well worth finishing it to get to book two.
Some things about the main character can feel fairly cliche, as she is very similar to a lot of other popular main characters in this genre. I personally hold this series above the Empyrean series, and ACOTAR series (ACOTAR was a dnf for me)
I think one of the main things that made this series more enjoyable was the characters. I felt like I really cared and was invested with both main and side characters in this series.
If you like fantasy books with a small, stubborn FMC I can't recommend this one enough.
August 3, 2025
Wow, this one is intense. The stuff that Scotlind goes through in her young life is just awful. She trains and trains and still gets treated like crap. Mallory B. has such a vivid imagination and must have done tons of research for this series. It all just goes so smoothly. There could be more spice, wait, there is no spice. There is heat but nothing to write home about. She is still a virgin, which I can't figure out considering what the a hole Kole puts her through and the time she was supposedly, compelled to take all her cloths off during a party. There were so many times that sexy time could have happened but the author must have a reason to keep her a virgin. That is pretty much my only complaint about this book. There is a bit of heavy petting but that is pretty much it. 😭😭😭
December 29, 2024
I liked this book a lot until the end. It would have been a better ending if they actually escaped and kept working on finding out her true powers. It seemed rushed being imprisoned twice and possibly going to be turned over to the other side. The multiple villains is just over kill with no one wanting her to be alive. The main female character is nagging Sie the whole time and I don't enjoy reading when she is always tortured and portrayed as being weak. The series has potential and maybe book 2 is better but not for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2024
FIVE STARS!!
First fantasy romance book I've read, and I have to say... IT WAS AMAZING. I absolutely LOOOVED the plot twists and the forbidden love between the characters. It got way dark at the end in a way I honestly wasn't expecting, but that was the interesting thing about this series. Every page, every chapter, could be a brand new plot twist, which kept me on my toes and made for a great book.
Also loved the second one, and can't wait for the third one<33
First fantasy romance book I've read, and I have to say... IT WAS AMAZING. I absolutely LOOOVED the plot twists and the forbidden love between the characters. It got way dark at the end in a way I honestly wasn't expecting, but that was the interesting thing about this series. Every page, every chapter, could be a brand new plot twist, which kept me on my toes and made for a great book.
Also loved the second one, and can't wait for the third one<33
January 26, 2025
Interesting Read
I enjoyed most of this book. At times it was slow, but picked up fairly quick. I gave it four stars because of the language. The first part of the book had very little to no cursing. Ut, the latter part was full of the F word. Hopefully the author got most of the cursing out in this book, so I can enjoy the book next in the series. There were also misspelled words and wrong grammar sprinkled throughout.
I enjoyed most of this book. At times it was slow, but picked up fairly quick. I gave it four stars because of the language. The first part of the book had very little to no cursing. Ut, the latter part was full of the F word. Hopefully the author got most of the cursing out in this book, so I can enjoy the book next in the series. There were also misspelled words and wrong grammar sprinkled throughout.
February 20, 2024
A fresh new world
This book captured my attention from the Prologue. So much packed into the first 2 chapters of this book, and you can't help but be sucked in.
Loved the character development of Scotland, while doing an outstanding job of world building.
I'm having a love/hate relationship with Sie. Excited to see where the second book takes us!
This book captured my attention from the Prologue. So much packed into the first 2 chapters of this book, and you can't help but be sucked in.
Loved the character development of Scotland, while doing an outstanding job of world building.
I'm having a love/hate relationship with Sie. Excited to see where the second book takes us!
December 13, 2024
This book combines so many great elements -- dystopian world with a sci-fi fantasy feel, tension between the FMC and MMC, and a dark underpinning of deceit and hidden machinations that will have you turning pages.
If you loved Divergent, Fourth Wing, and Marie Lu's Young Elites, you'll love Lake of Sapphire. Would highly recommend!
If you loved Divergent, Fourth Wing, and Marie Lu's Young Elites, you'll love Lake of Sapphire. Would highly recommend!
February 20, 2025
I am so upset that the third book isn’t coming out until April. This series has me completely hooked! I wasn’t sure of it at first, but it keeps getting better and better. The plot is unique, and the characters are believable with understandable motivations. Depending on what happens in the next book, this may turn into a 5 star series!
January 17, 2023
I loved this book. Usually, it takes me a little bit to get into a book, but I was hooked pretty quickly with this one. The 1st person writing style made it easy to absorb and get to know the characters while still providing important world-building info for an intriguing story. I love these characters and can’t wait for the 2nd book!
April 23, 2023
This was an amazing debut! Devoured this book. The world she created is amazing and as I read it all I could think was THIS NEEDS TO BE A MOVIE! Great and complex characters, interesting plot lines and some fun twists. Can't wait for the next one in the series to come out.
March 4, 2024
I could not put this book down despite the fact that I think the storyline and characters are pretty typical for this kind of genre. Despite its predictability, I was attached to the characters and needed to know what happened next at the end of every chapter! An easy and fun read.
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