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An Apprentice of Death #1
An Apprentice of Death
She has no name; he doesn’t remember his past.
Together they might have ruled the world.
If only she hadn’t been sent to kill him.
As one of the last living Death Elves, Wraith was born with a powerful gift. She possesses the ability to evade her patron goddess—Death herself. It comes only at the cost of the life of the last person she touched. For as long as she can remember, Wraith has been trained to do one harness her ability to kill for the House of Castrele.
As an orphan, Dirk has not been afforded many opportunities. Kidnapped and raised to become a living weapon, his purpose is to serve the House of Balvlin as an honored elite guard. But still he wonders what his life would have been had fate been kinder.
When the deadly assassin and cocky warrior meet, sparks and daggers fly. Despite the fact that they serve warring houses, Dirk and Wraith find themselves unmistakably drawn to each other, until they learn that they have both been sent to take part in the peace talks between their two houses. Peace talks where Dirk is supposed to find and exploit the weaknesses of his house’s enemies. And Wraith has been ordered to kill those attending.
Enter the world of Varelis, a land that has no king, where the eleven houses wage wars in the names of their gods, and magic exists that can kill with a single touch. If you enjoy kick-butt heroines, swoony heroes, and sizzling slow-burn enemies to lovers romance, discover An Apprentice of Death, a new romantic YA fantasy series perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Sylvia Mercedes, and Elise Kova.
Together they might have ruled the world.
If only she hadn’t been sent to kill him.
As one of the last living Death Elves, Wraith was born with a powerful gift. She possesses the ability to evade her patron goddess—Death herself. It comes only at the cost of the life of the last person she touched. For as long as she can remember, Wraith has been trained to do one harness her ability to kill for the House of Castrele.
As an orphan, Dirk has not been afforded many opportunities. Kidnapped and raised to become a living weapon, his purpose is to serve the House of Balvlin as an honored elite guard. But still he wonders what his life would have been had fate been kinder.
When the deadly assassin and cocky warrior meet, sparks and daggers fly. Despite the fact that they serve warring houses, Dirk and Wraith find themselves unmistakably drawn to each other, until they learn that they have both been sent to take part in the peace talks between their two houses. Peace talks where Dirk is supposed to find and exploit the weaknesses of his house’s enemies. And Wraith has been ordered to kill those attending.
Enter the world of Varelis, a land that has no king, where the eleven houses wage wars in the names of their gods, and magic exists that can kill with a single touch. If you enjoy kick-butt heroines, swoony heroes, and sizzling slow-burn enemies to lovers romance, discover An Apprentice of Death, a new romantic YA fantasy series perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Sylvia Mercedes, and Elise Kova.
295 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 3, 2023
45 people are currently reading
445 people want to read
About the author
Nicki Chapelway
42 books326 followersNicki is a twenty-something author of swoony romantic fantasy. She has been writing since she was eleven and has since published several works. She enjoys creating stories with twisty-stabby faerie romances, retellings that take a darker turn, and epic fantasies in worlds full of monsters and magic.
Nicki lives in Ohio where she spends far too much time watching TV, playing video games, and sleeping. She listens to music basically all the time, and adores obsessing over mythologies, her shows, and her slew of fictional boyfriends. When not writing, she can usually be found at her desk with either a paintbrush or a pen in her hand.
Subscribe to her newsletter and receive a free book!
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Nicki lives in Ohio where she spends far too much time watching TV, playing video games, and sleeping. She listens to music basically all the time, and adores obsessing over mythologies, her shows, and her slew of fictional boyfriends. When not writing, she can usually be found at her desk with either a paintbrush or a pen in her hand.
Subscribe to her newsletter and receive a free book!
https://mailchi.mp/b6ec5f4a74a5/subsc...
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 16, 2023
Nooo, it’s over! I need book two today!!! 😭😩😭😩 This book was so, so amazing and had me guessing at every turn, not to mention falling in love with these characters and being VERY intrigued and impatient to find out what’s going to happen next!
Honestly when I first heard about this book I thought, to my shame, that Wraith would be your typical tough, mean, boss girl while Dirk would be an annoying flirt I’d want to punch but I was SOOO wrong! Wraith is a tender soul trapped in a life of killing she never wanted or asked for and is so kind and compassionate along with being a kick butt fighter—my favorite combination in my female heroes! And Dirk was a flirt but not in an obnoxious way but in a way that made him endearing, yet it was his kind heart that won me (and Wraith, lol!) over and made me love and ache for him so much. These characters are amazing and I loved and ached for both of them. And the potential romance…eeee!!!!! I just have to say the author is cruel in making us wait (and it better happen!) but it will be SOOO satisfying when it does! Their character growth as well is nothing short of amazing and I can’t wait to see where they go next!
The author is amazing at writing real side characters who just leap off the page alongside the heroes and just…pure mastery in my humble opinion. Not to mention all the cool magic and magical elements she comes up with has me looking at things differently to improve my writing and fantasy elements in my own stories.
When I started reading I honestly had NO idea where this plot was going (aside from what the blurb said) as we go from an adventure through some seriously terrifying magical woods (don’t touch the moss 👀) to an almost locked door murder mystery that reminded me bizarrely of the game Clue with fantasy elements thrown in just to make things even more interesting and it all worked and is incredible! So much so I almost loved the plot more than the characters! (But not really because Dirk and Wraith are supreme)
This book was AMAZING and I will not be shutting up about it any time soon, lol! A brilliant, amazing, heart warming yet wrenching fantasy I HIGHLY recommend!
‼️Content‼️
Language: arse; harlot; gods
Violence: a character slits a guard’s throat (the action isn’t shown, just the body and a pool of blood); fighting with weapons and magic (not detailed); poisoned moss turns people feral; tree roots impale a girl’s stomach (not detailed); injuries and lots of blood (not to semi detailed); a dead body is found (not detailed); a man’s throat is slit (not detailed beyond the phrase “blood spraying”); a magical ability to rip blood from other people is used (semi detailed); characters are stabbed with swords (not detailed)
Sexual: mild suggestive hints and gags aimed at elves of the house of love for being (falsely yet also possibly true in some cases) “loose;” a girl notices a guy’s muscles under his wet shirt; mild suggestive comments; a girl thinks about kissing a guy
Drug/Alcohol: certain moss can poison or kill people if touched; characters drink wine; a couple men get drunk
Other: magic; magical abilities, powers, and races; fantasy gods are worshiped in a fantasy world; a character is briefly held hostage; a character springs another from jail; teens have been raised to be weapons and kill since they were children; a character is an assassin; death and grief; past child abuse
****Note: I received a free copy of the book from the author/publisher. All thoughts and opinions are most assuredly my own, and I wasn’t required to write a positive review. If I was, I wouldn’t have read it. 😜****
Honestly when I first heard about this book I thought, to my shame, that Wraith would be your typical tough, mean, boss girl while Dirk would be an annoying flirt I’d want to punch but I was SOOO wrong! Wraith is a tender soul trapped in a life of killing she never wanted or asked for and is so kind and compassionate along with being a kick butt fighter—my favorite combination in my female heroes! And Dirk was a flirt but not in an obnoxious way but in a way that made him endearing, yet it was his kind heart that won me (and Wraith, lol!) over and made me love and ache for him so much. These characters are amazing and I loved and ached for both of them. And the potential romance…eeee!!!!! I just have to say the author is cruel in making us wait (and it better happen!) but it will be SOOO satisfying when it does! Their character growth as well is nothing short of amazing and I can’t wait to see where they go next!
The author is amazing at writing real side characters who just leap off the page alongside the heroes and just…pure mastery in my humble opinion. Not to mention all the cool magic and magical elements she comes up with has me looking at things differently to improve my writing and fantasy elements in my own stories.
When I started reading I honestly had NO idea where this plot was going (aside from what the blurb said) as we go from an adventure through some seriously terrifying magical woods (don’t touch the moss 👀) to an almost locked door murder mystery that reminded me bizarrely of the game Clue with fantasy elements thrown in just to make things even more interesting and it all worked and is incredible! So much so I almost loved the plot more than the characters! (But not really because Dirk and Wraith are supreme)
This book was AMAZING and I will not be shutting up about it any time soon, lol! A brilliant, amazing, heart warming yet wrenching fantasy I HIGHLY recommend!
‼️Content‼️
Language: arse; harlot; gods
Violence: a character slits a guard’s throat (the action isn’t shown, just the body and a pool of blood); fighting with weapons and magic (not detailed); poisoned moss turns people feral; tree roots impale a girl’s stomach (not detailed); injuries and lots of blood (not to semi detailed); a dead body is found (not detailed); a man’s throat is slit (not detailed beyond the phrase “blood spraying”); a magical ability to rip blood from other people is used (semi detailed); characters are stabbed with swords (not detailed)
Sexual: mild suggestive hints and gags aimed at elves of the house of love for being (falsely yet also possibly true in some cases) “loose;” a girl notices a guy’s muscles under his wet shirt; mild suggestive comments; a girl thinks about kissing a guy
Drug/Alcohol: certain moss can poison or kill people if touched; characters drink wine; a couple men get drunk
Other: magic; magical abilities, powers, and races; fantasy gods are worshiped in a fantasy world; a character is briefly held hostage; a character springs another from jail; teens have been raised to be weapons and kill since they were children; a character is an assassin; death and grief; past child abuse
****Note: I received a free copy of the book from the author/publisher. All thoughts and opinions are most assuredly my own, and I wasn’t required to write a positive review. If I was, I wouldn’t have read it. 😜****
January 12, 2023
An Apprentice of Death was the first high fantasy story idea that I came up with, all the way back in my teenage years. It was the story of a girl with a certain deadly sort of skillsets and the cocky mercenary she feels inexplicably drawn to despite the many things and warring houses that try to keep them apart. The story itself is vastly different than my first idea, but the core of two star-crossed killers is the same.
So, if you like epic, thrilling high fantasy with complex worlds (perhaps the most complex I've made to date), lots of elves, morally gray main characters, a healthy dose of enemies to lovers, all wrapped up in a no spice YA package... then An Apprentice of Death is the story for you.
I'm the author and my views are 100% biased.
So, if you like epic, thrilling high fantasy with complex worlds (perhaps the most complex I've made to date), lots of elves, morally gray main characters, a healthy dose of enemies to lovers, all wrapped up in a no spice YA package... then An Apprentice of Death is the story for you.
I'm the author and my views are 100% biased.
February 16, 2023
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Have you ever read a book that was sooo good, but you couldn’t really pinpoint why? Well, I’ve been there with this book. Until I really got down and thought about it. I like books with darker themes that can still get me to laugh. Books about assassins, especially if the assassin finds out that they have to kill their love interests (what can I say? If it is love or death and is not because of a chronic illness, I’m hooked. Gotta love my stabby romance flicks XD The best part is when it is not even toxic XD). Sprinkle in my love for elves and a creepy forest scene and you really got my attention.
Well, this book literally has everything that I want in a novel. Nicki also has a way of words that makes her novels so easy for me to sit for long hours reading. Wonderful prose, sarcastic humor, and characters that somehow grab my heart and refuse to let go. I wasn’t expecting some of these characters to be so lovable. I mean, IT IS a Nicki novel, so I should’ve known better. I had thought that some of these characters were only going to be on the sidelines, and yet, right at the right times they come out and say something or do something that just makes their character so deep. And that ending had such a twist that I am ready for book two to come out because I NEED answers. I was expecting something totally different to happen, and yet, I think the ending was extremely better than I could’ve thought.
The story starts with our MC, Wraith, preparing to go on her next elaborate assassination mission. The job should’ve been simple, go in, pretend to be the daughter of a nobleman, then kill everyone, blaming it on the one individual she cannot kill (got to love immortal magic). What she did not know is that she would run into one of the guys that she would have to kill, and what’s worse than having to kill him is the fact that he’s a pretty nice guy.
If that’s not good material right there, then I don’t know what is.
Not only do we have some fun shenanigans going on, but the worldbuilding itself is pretty great too. There are eleven houses. Most of them belonging to the elves, where they follow a different god that gives them different magical powers. Two of the houses belong to the humans, but they usually don’t get superpowers. And there is one dwarven house.
Now, the elves don’t like to intermix with each other since their powers don’t mix and the offspring end up being powerless like humans. But intermixing with humans is okay.
And yes, it was a little overwhelming with how many houses there were to keep up with and who has which power and whatnot. But then I really appreciate that this book only really focuses on a couple of the houses. While, I think we will learn more about the other houses in a different book, by only focusing on a few in this one allows us to dip our toes in the world without going neck deep all at once. So, big applause to the author for being able to put us in such a huge world without overwhelming us.
Probably one of my favorite scenes in the story is when they decided to go into a creepy forest for a shortcut. Look, I love a good creepy forest scene. It is what I live for!
This book reminded me a lot of “The Ravenwood Saga” series by Morgan L. Busse. How everyone is in a different house with different powers and how the main character is supposed to kill her love interest. So if you love that book, then this book is perfect for you!
The Characters:
Our main character, Wraith, is a death type of elf, one of the only houses that had fallen, because well, that’s death for you. XD I honestly wasn’t expecting her to be so much of a cinnamon roll. Sure, she might seem tough, but underneath she is super precious. She had a conscience, which works so well for characters like her. Her backstory was horrible and really put into perspective why she continued to do what she did. She was scared and didn’t know how to get out of it. I loved how she watches the birds and longed to be free like them. How she loved books so much that she stole them, read them, and then gave them away to a stranger.
Dirk. I really liked him. He made me laugh more than once with his humor. He really cared about the people around him and was the best person to be there for Wraith. (Plus, he has a cool ax!!! AN AX!!!!) And I loved how he called Wraith “Owl” because of her eyes. So cute! ❤
Cornelius really surprised me. I thought that he was just going to be necessary for the plot and I didn’t expect him to give our MC such good advice.
Don was the best host, LOVED him!
Content in Book:
1. Violence and gore. (Killing someone and worrying about the blood leaking through the floorboards. Getting impaled with a tree root and dying. Torture and dying. Using magic to use the blood inside a person to kill them. Touching someone to kill them later. Cannibalism (just people trying to eat others, but it never actually happens). With axes, knives, magic, and hand-to-hand combat. Mentions of blood throughout (being covered in blood. Wounds. Dead people. Etc.). Etc.)
2. Child abuse. (Torture. Making them kill other people. Killing them, knowing that they will come back to life. Leaving them in a cellar filled with spiders. Etc.)
3. Magic. (Concerning the worship of other gods. Concerning death, water, blood, manipulation, forest, and more.)
4. Some sexual comments that never go anywhere. (How love elves make love and so forth). (This novel is low spice and I don’t think the main characters even kissed.)
5. Worshiping other gods.
6. Drinking alcohol and getting drunk.
Who I Would Recommend This Book To:
Those who like fantasy novels with enemies to lovers where the MC needs to kill her love interest. Books with elves. Where everyone is separated into different houses and has magical powers depending on which house they are born in. Those who like sarcastic humor. Those who like books about death. Those who like books about cinnamon roll assassins.
Review also posted on my website here (with fan art of Wraith!): https://gracemmorris.wordpress.com/20...
Have you ever read a book that was sooo good, but you couldn’t really pinpoint why? Well, I’ve been there with this book. Until I really got down and thought about it. I like books with darker themes that can still get me to laugh. Books about assassins, especially if the assassin finds out that they have to kill their love interests (what can I say? If it is love or death and is not because of a chronic illness, I’m hooked. Gotta love my stabby romance flicks XD The best part is when it is not even toxic XD). Sprinkle in my love for elves and a creepy forest scene and you really got my attention.
Well, this book literally has everything that I want in a novel. Nicki also has a way of words that makes her novels so easy for me to sit for long hours reading. Wonderful prose, sarcastic humor, and characters that somehow grab my heart and refuse to let go. I wasn’t expecting some of these characters to be so lovable. I mean, IT IS a Nicki novel, so I should’ve known better. I had thought that some of these characters were only going to be on the sidelines, and yet, right at the right times they come out and say something or do something that just makes their character so deep. And that ending had such a twist that I am ready for book two to come out because I NEED answers. I was expecting something totally different to happen, and yet, I think the ending was extremely better than I could’ve thought.
The story starts with our MC, Wraith, preparing to go on her next elaborate assassination mission. The job should’ve been simple, go in, pretend to be the daughter of a nobleman, then kill everyone, blaming it on the one individual she cannot kill (got to love immortal magic). What she did not know is that she would run into one of the guys that she would have to kill, and what’s worse than having to kill him is the fact that he’s a pretty nice guy.
If that’s not good material right there, then I don’t know what is.
Not only do we have some fun shenanigans going on, but the worldbuilding itself is pretty great too. There are eleven houses. Most of them belonging to the elves, where they follow a different god that gives them different magical powers. Two of the houses belong to the humans, but they usually don’t get superpowers. And there is one dwarven house.
Now, the elves don’t like to intermix with each other since their powers don’t mix and the offspring end up being powerless like humans. But intermixing with humans is okay.
And yes, it was a little overwhelming with how many houses there were to keep up with and who has which power and whatnot. But then I really appreciate that this book only really focuses on a couple of the houses. While, I think we will learn more about the other houses in a different book, by only focusing on a few in this one allows us to dip our toes in the world without going neck deep all at once. So, big applause to the author for being able to put us in such a huge world without overwhelming us.
Probably one of my favorite scenes in the story is when they decided to go into a creepy forest for a shortcut. Look, I love a good creepy forest scene. It is what I live for!
This book reminded me a lot of “The Ravenwood Saga” series by Morgan L. Busse. How everyone is in a different house with different powers and how the main character is supposed to kill her love interest. So if you love that book, then this book is perfect for you!
The Characters:
Our main character, Wraith, is a death type of elf, one of the only houses that had fallen, because well, that’s death for you. XD I honestly wasn’t expecting her to be so much of a cinnamon roll. Sure, she might seem tough, but underneath she is super precious. She had a conscience, which works so well for characters like her. Her backstory was horrible and really put into perspective why she continued to do what she did. She was scared and didn’t know how to get out of it. I loved how she watches the birds and longed to be free like them. How she loved books so much that she stole them, read them, and then gave them away to a stranger.
Dirk. I really liked him. He made me laugh more than once with his humor. He really cared about the people around him and was the best person to be there for Wraith. (Plus, he has a cool ax!!! AN AX!!!!) And I loved how he called Wraith “Owl” because of her eyes. So cute! ❤
Cornelius really surprised me. I thought that he was just going to be necessary for the plot and I didn’t expect him to give our MC such good advice.
Don was the best host, LOVED him!
Content in Book:
1. Violence and gore. (Killing someone and worrying about the blood leaking through the floorboards. Getting impaled with a tree root and dying. Torture and dying. Using magic to use the blood inside a person to kill them. Touching someone to kill them later. Cannibalism (just people trying to eat others, but it never actually happens). With axes, knives, magic, and hand-to-hand combat. Mentions of blood throughout (being covered in blood. Wounds. Dead people. Etc.). Etc.)
2. Child abuse. (Torture. Making them kill other people. Killing them, knowing that they will come back to life. Leaving them in a cellar filled with spiders. Etc.)
3. Magic. (Concerning the worship of other gods. Concerning death, water, blood, manipulation, forest, and more.)
4. Some sexual comments that never go anywhere. (How love elves make love and so forth). (This novel is low spice and I don’t think the main characters even kissed.)
5. Worshiping other gods.
6. Drinking alcohol and getting drunk.
Who I Would Recommend This Book To:
Those who like fantasy novels with enemies to lovers where the MC needs to kill her love interest. Books with elves. Where everyone is separated into different houses and has magical powers depending on which house they are born in. Those who like sarcastic humor. Those who like books about death. Those who like books about cinnamon roll assassins.
Review also posted on my website here (with fan art of Wraith!): https://gracemmorris.wordpress.com/20...
January 26, 2023
Oh, this book kept me guessing. I loved the world building and both MCs. My heart broke for Wraith as she struggles with what she's being forced to do against her wishes. And Dirk was so sweet and funny. But he is also a victim of those who want to use him for their own evil purposes.
I cannot wait for the next book to find out what happens next!
*I received an arc from the author. All opinions are my own.
I cannot wait for the next book to find out what happens next!
*I received an arc from the author. All opinions are my own.
February 14, 2023
Review to come!
February 10, 2023
I received an ARC copy of An Apprentice of Death by @nickichapelwayauthor and here is my honest review! (I'll try to avoid spoilers.)
1. I love the nature of Wraith's magic! It makes perfect sense for a death elf assassin and makes for an absolutely devastating childhood backstory.
2. The ending was excellent, even if (or maybe because?) it was a cliffhanger. It left the characters in a very interesting place, which I look forward to exploring further in book 2.
3. The relationship between Wraith/Julienne and Cornelius was a pleasant surprise. Both of them got character development and grew to be fond of each other despite being reluctant accomplices. I wasn't expecting to grow so fond of Cornelius and empathize with his predicament, but it worked really well.
3. Dirk's interactions with Wraith were wonderful. There is some banter, mutual distrust, and a good dose of pining. The ending sets up some excellent possibilities for their relationship in future books.
4. With all the characters gathered together for peace talks, it would be easy to confuse them as well as their motives and relationships to other characters. However, the author does a great job of making each of them distinct, which is not easy to do.
5. I had a bit of trouble getting into the story at first, and there were a few punctuation choices that didn't make sense to me. However, they didn't detract from the story. This was an enjoyable read and I will definitely read book 2.
1. I love the nature of Wraith's magic! It makes perfect sense for a death elf assassin and makes for an absolutely devastating childhood backstory.
2. The ending was excellent, even if (or maybe because?) it was a cliffhanger. It left the characters in a very interesting place, which I look forward to exploring further in book 2.
3. The relationship between Wraith/Julienne and Cornelius was a pleasant surprise. Both of them got character development and grew to be fond of each other despite being reluctant accomplices. I wasn't expecting to grow so fond of Cornelius and empathize with his predicament, but it worked really well.
3. Dirk's interactions with Wraith were wonderful. There is some banter, mutual distrust, and a good dose of pining. The ending sets up some excellent possibilities for their relationship in future books.
4. With all the characters gathered together for peace talks, it would be easy to confuse them as well as their motives and relationships to other characters. However, the author does a great job of making each of them distinct, which is not easy to do.
5. I had a bit of trouble getting into the story at first, and there were a few punctuation choices that didn't make sense to me. However, they didn't detract from the story. This was an enjoyable read and I will definitely read book 2.
February 16, 2023
Nicki has created a fantastical world I have fallen in love with. I have always been able to guess the plot twists tin most books, yet An Apprentice of Death had me on the edge of my seat and gave me a few shocks. The only disappointment is that I have finished the book and have to wait to find out what happens next!
I received an ARC from the author, but my opinion is completely my own.
I received an ARC from the author, but my opinion is completely my own.
February 18, 2023
The moment when I read the first line I knew I was going to love this story. Well, it was kind of reading about the houses that got me hooked. But a fantasy story is only truly good because of the characters. And boy, do I love Wraith and Dirk.
I love being in their POVs. And at different times, I desperately wanted to be in one POV while I was in another. It was hard to choose which one I wanted their thoughts more, their perspective more, their opinions more on certain situations. The only problem with the POVs is that sometimes Dirk sounds like Wraith. I literally thought at one point that I was in her POV so strongly that I was confused. I do want to point out that it was only the beginning/middle, it was very infrequent, and if it did happened it was only once in a small section, not the whole chapter. Also it may not noticeable at all for some, considering I was looking for issues for review as an advanced reader and I often stop reading before the chapters were finished, but it's important to mention just in case.
I really enjoyed the journeys that both Wraith and Dirk went on. Especially Wraith's. She figured out exactly what I desired for her since the moment I realised what she needed. And I'm so happy for her, plus super excited for what her life will look like now. There's only one decision she made that was a mistake, though in all fairness she may be right, but it doesn't make it less unhealthy for her. So I'm can't wait for where her character arc takes her next. Dirk still has a long way to go, but I'm also satisfied with where he's at right now. I'm really hoping that Dirk will finally experience the life he deserves in the sequel. He can have so much more than what he settled for. I'm hoping that his new vow will lead him to the place he needs to be.
Okay, I need to talk about the worldbuilding because it's so cool. While the information could have been written in more subtly and naturally with what is happening in the plot, rather than literal info dump moments, I was still so intrigued what how the world works. It was so unique, even though it's about elves. But they aren't like Tolkien's elves. While they live for hundreds of years and the males have long hair (at least that how I imagined all of them), that is how far their similarities go. These elves serves gods, each have unique magic based on their god's value or power, and have one elf from each house chosen to hold even more magic. All of it follows rules, though there may or may not some mystery surrounding them. Maybe things aren't so straight forward as it is said. I hope to see even more magic in the next book because I would love to experience more. I am so fascinated by it all and eager for what this world can bring.
There were a lot of side characters, and I wasn't able to care about (or hate) most of them with the little time I got to spend with each of them. Nearly all of them appeared in the story almost halfway through. I feel like I could have easily loved them (or hated them) if I just had a few more chapters to get to really know them before everything turned into a disaster. As it is, only Cornelius has a place in my heart. Maybe Don as well, but I think I mainly care about him because Dirk does. The rest I feel pretty indifference towards. Though I may have hated Silvina too, but she's also a pretty typical villainess, so she doesn't stand out from the crowd. I doubt that I'm going to remember what she's done and intensely hate her for those actions after a few months since my hate already isn't strong.
The plot's progress felt really slow. Especially in the first half. I understand that it was needed for the romance to develop properly before things change in the midpoint, but it's important to mention. Also that the book really felt like it had two different, though connected, parts. Personally it would have helped if the book was written with two sections, so I would know when to switch my brain rather than figuring it out myself. It didn't break immersion, but it's clear that the focus and atmosphere change at about halfway through. Even the main setting in the beginning changes in the middle of the story. If it changed way before the midpoint area, then it wouldn't have felt like there were two invisible parts.
The romance was my favourite part. It's slow burn, but only because one of them doesn't believe they ever deserve a relationship because of their past and who they are. But despite they accepted that fact, they still start falling. And the other one definitely wants to be with them, so the romantic tensions are high. Almost kisses, you guys. I loved. every. minute. when they were together. Also their banter in the first half of the story was SO good. I can't get enough, so I wish there was even more romance, and the tension that comes with it, than there was.
While I'm personally don't care for writing style, it isn't what makes or breaks a reading experience for me (there was one exception so far to this rule, but I was using it to help me to continue reading a story I wasn't in the mood for but needed to finished). But I know that a lot other of readers care about writing style so I wanted leave some thoughts about it. It's simple, but I feel like it may be too simple for some since it's repetitive and it tells more than it shows. It's very direct than subtle with information. Like I mentioned earlier, there's info dumping about the world. It even happens in the middle of conversations which can be super annoying. And with both POVs, they are often in their heads, even when they are having conversations with each other or others, and I think it lasts for probably too long and may feel like it slows down the plot.
Last of all, let's touch on the ending. Because I must admit that I wasn't at first happy with its existence. But then I read it and I understood the reasoning. It actually made me more excited in the end. It could mean a lot of things, I'm mostly hoping for more magic to be part of this story.
Content warnings: Constant thoughts about killing people, frequent descriptions of blood, fight scenes with different levels of violence (in some people are knock unconscious and in others killed), two death scenes, a character attempts to choke another character because they are temporarily cursed, a character is hunted down (also because of the beforementioned curse), a character is knocked from a tree and hits their head against the ground so hard that their eyes bounce, a character gets impaled through the stomach, murder, three scenes with drunkenness, a character's throat gets slit by a sword, a deep stab in the arm by a dagger, a character has their blood ripped from them through their nose by magic, two separate lethal stabbings in the stomach by a sword, a character gets thrown and then choked. ~ Note: I may have missed something, so if you have read this book, let me know what I need to add. :)
I love being in their POVs. And at different times, I desperately wanted to be in one POV while I was in another. It was hard to choose which one I wanted their thoughts more, their perspective more, their opinions more on certain situations. The only problem with the POVs is that sometimes Dirk sounds like Wraith. I literally thought at one point that I was in her POV so strongly that I was confused. I do want to point out that it was only the beginning/middle, it was very infrequent, and if it did happened it was only once in a small section, not the whole chapter. Also it may not noticeable at all for some, considering I was looking for issues for review as an advanced reader and I often stop reading before the chapters were finished, but it's important to mention just in case.
I really enjoyed the journeys that both Wraith and Dirk went on. Especially Wraith's. She figured out exactly what I desired for her since the moment I realised what she needed. And I'm so happy for her, plus super excited for what her life will look like now. There's only one decision she made that was a mistake, though in all fairness she may be right, but it doesn't make it less unhealthy for her. So I'm can't wait for where her character arc takes her next. Dirk still has a long way to go, but I'm also satisfied with where he's at right now. I'm really hoping that Dirk will finally experience the life he deserves in the sequel. He can have so much more than what he settled for. I'm hoping that his new vow will lead him to the place he needs to be.
Okay, I need to talk about the worldbuilding because it's so cool. While the information could have been written in more subtly and naturally with what is happening in the plot, rather than literal info dump moments, I was still so intrigued what how the world works. It was so unique, even though it's about elves. But they aren't like Tolkien's elves. While they live for hundreds of years and the males have long hair (at least that how I imagined all of them), that is how far their similarities go. These elves serves gods, each have unique magic based on their god's value or power, and have one elf from each house chosen to hold even more magic. All of it follows rules, though there may or may not some mystery surrounding them. Maybe things aren't so straight forward as it is said. I hope to see even more magic in the next book because I would love to experience more. I am so fascinated by it all and eager for what this world can bring.
There were a lot of side characters, and I wasn't able to care about (or hate) most of them with the little time I got to spend with each of them. Nearly all of them appeared in the story almost halfway through. I feel like I could have easily loved them (or hated them) if I just had a few more chapters to get to really know them before everything turned into a disaster. As it is, only Cornelius has a place in my heart. Maybe Don as well, but I think I mainly care about him because Dirk does. The rest I feel pretty indifference towards. Though I may have hated Silvina too, but she's also a pretty typical villainess, so she doesn't stand out from the crowd. I doubt that I'm going to remember what she's done and intensely hate her for those actions after a few months since my hate already isn't strong.
The plot's progress felt really slow. Especially in the first half. I understand that it was needed for the romance to develop properly before things change in the midpoint, but it's important to mention. Also that the book really felt like it had two different, though connected, parts. Personally it would have helped if the book was written with two sections, so I would know when to switch my brain rather than figuring it out myself. It didn't break immersion, but it's clear that the focus and atmosphere change at about halfway through. Even the main setting in the beginning changes in the middle of the story. If it changed way before the midpoint area, then it wouldn't have felt like there were two invisible parts.
The romance was my favourite part. It's slow burn, but only because one of them doesn't believe they ever deserve a relationship because of their past and who they are. But despite they accepted that fact, they still start falling. And the other one definitely wants to be with them, so the romantic tensions are high. Almost kisses, you guys. I loved. every. minute. when they were together. Also their banter in the first half of the story was SO good. I can't get enough, so I wish there was even more romance, and the tension that comes with it, than there was.
While I'm personally don't care for writing style, it isn't what makes or breaks a reading experience for me (there was one exception so far to this rule, but I was using it to help me to continue reading a story I wasn't in the mood for but needed to finished). But I know that a lot other of readers care about writing style so I wanted leave some thoughts about it. It's simple, but I feel like it may be too simple for some since it's repetitive and it tells more than it shows. It's very direct than subtle with information. Like I mentioned earlier, there's info dumping about the world. It even happens in the middle of conversations which can be super annoying. And with both POVs, they are often in their heads, even when they are having conversations with each other or others, and I think it lasts for probably too long and may feel like it slows down the plot.
Last of all, let's touch on the ending. Because I must admit that I wasn't at first happy with its existence. But then I read it and I understood the reasoning. It actually made me more excited in the end. It could mean a lot of things, I'm mostly hoping for more magic to be part of this story.
Content warnings: Constant thoughts about killing people, frequent descriptions of blood, fight scenes with different levels of violence (in some people are knock unconscious and in others killed), two death scenes, a character attempts to choke another character because they are temporarily cursed, a character is hunted down (also because of the beforementioned curse), a character is knocked from a tree and hits their head against the ground so hard that their eyes bounce, a character gets impaled through the stomach, murder, three scenes with drunkenness, a character's throat gets slit by a sword, a deep stab in the arm by a dagger, a character has their blood ripped from them through their nose by magic, two separate lethal stabbings in the stomach by a sword, a character gets thrown and then choked. ~ Note: I may have missed something, so if you have read this book, let me know what I need to add. :)
September 25, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.5 stars)
This refreshing new world was captivating as I came to know it piece by piece. Wraith is hard-core but conflicted elf. Dirk, human, has a strong heart but has been conditioned to follow orders. Their backgrounds have similar roots, neither Wraith nor Dirk know their origins but have been made into weapons and used for the political gains of those who control them.
I enjoyed the magical elements and the elf lore - I will definitely be avoiding moss from now on. And I thought the concept of the Royal Blooded was creative, I can't wait to see how this plays out in future books.
When there was action, it was intense but not overwhelming. These scenes were tactfully done. There was gore, but it wasn't overly descriptive.
The 'house party' reminded me of the movie Clue, which was an element I enjoyed. I half expected someone to yell "body, body!" at some point.
Dirk and Wraith. Their instant connection and conflict had me enthralled throughout the book. I loved his easy mannerisms and charm, and I loved her desire to have him be 'the one who lived.'
The ending. Man, that ending. Don't you just hate it when you've found a great book, but you find out it's only just been released this year, so you have to wait to see how things get resolved? No? Just me?
I will be eagerly awaiting book two. Please come soon!
I couldn't quite give it five stars due to the fact that there were so many typos in the last third of the book, a little cringy but didn't take away from the story too much.
This refreshing new world was captivating as I came to know it piece by piece. Wraith is hard-core but conflicted elf. Dirk, human, has a strong heart but has been conditioned to follow orders. Their backgrounds have similar roots, neither Wraith nor Dirk know their origins but have been made into weapons and used for the political gains of those who control them.
I enjoyed the magical elements and the elf lore - I will definitely be avoiding moss from now on. And I thought the concept of the Royal Blooded was creative, I can't wait to see how this plays out in future books.
When there was action, it was intense but not overwhelming. These scenes were tactfully done. There was gore, but it wasn't overly descriptive.
The 'house party' reminded me of the movie Clue, which was an element I enjoyed. I half expected someone to yell "body, body!" at some point.
Dirk and Wraith. Their instant connection and conflict had me enthralled throughout the book. I loved his easy mannerisms and charm, and I loved her desire to have him be 'the one who lived.'
The ending. Man, that ending. Don't you just hate it when you've found a great book, but you find out it's only just been released this year, so you have to wait to see how things get resolved? No? Just me?
I will be eagerly awaiting book two. Please come soon!
I couldn't quite give it five stars due to the fact that there were so many typos in the last third of the book, a little cringy but didn't take away from the story too much.
December 1, 2023
I am so undecided how to rate this book.
I always enjoy this author's writing. The characters were fun, not quite as much snark and banter as in other novels, but interesting backgrounds, circumstances, and personalities. Lots of potential for interesting interactions.
The plot was fairly predictable until about 70%, when some very interesting things happen, and I settled in, thinking "Oooooh, can't wait to see how that plays out!" And that was great fun, until there was a huge major plot twist and then the book ended. Yep. It just stopped. It was so big, I think it's doing it a disservice to call it a "cliffhanger" because really this was only the introduction to the real story. I usually don't mind cliffhangers too much, but this happened just as the book was finally getting good and it made me incredibly grumpy.
Overall: Fun, twisty, but wait until book 2 comes out to read it (and hope there aren't more planned in the series) Most of the book was good (3 stars), the last third was superb (5 stars), but beware the ending (minus 2 stars?)
I always enjoy this author's writing. The characters were fun, not quite as much snark and banter as in other novels, but interesting backgrounds, circumstances, and personalities. Lots of potential for interesting interactions.
The plot was fairly predictable until about 70%, when some very interesting things happen, and I settled in, thinking "Oooooh, can't wait to see how that plays out!" And that was great fun, until there was a huge major plot twist and then the book ended. Yep. It just stopped. It was so big, I think it's doing it a disservice to call it a "cliffhanger" because really this was only the introduction to the real story. I usually don't mind cliffhangers too much, but this happened just as the book was finally getting good and it made me incredibly grumpy.
Overall: Fun, twisty, but wait until book 2 comes out to read it (and hope there aren't more planned in the series) Most of the book was good (3 stars), the last third was superb (5 stars), but beware the ending (minus 2 stars?)
November 20, 2023
She's a death elf assassin. He is a human weapon for an opposing house. They can't fall in love...
Oh, but they are. Kinda. (If she doesn't kill him first).
It started out so slow that I almost didn't read it. There was a lot of info dumping and "telling" the world building, however, once it picked up, I fell into it for hours.
The romance for some reason reminded me of the Lunar Chronicles in the best of ways (maybe it was the politics and swoony romance). It didn't feel like enemies to lovers, but rather, grump x sunshine, or black cat girl and golden retriever boy.
My only real issue with the book, was throughout, Wraith's struggle never felt real. She monologued in her head a lot, and her final decision seemed too easy (I would have liked to see more psychological effects/trauma/conditioning).
Oh, but they are. Kinda. (If she doesn't kill him first).
It started out so slow that I almost didn't read it. There was a lot of info dumping and "telling" the world building, however, once it picked up, I fell into it for hours.
The romance for some reason reminded me of the Lunar Chronicles in the best of ways (maybe it was the politics and swoony romance). It didn't feel like enemies to lovers, but rather, grump x sunshine, or black cat girl and golden retriever boy.
My only real issue with the book, was throughout, Wraith's struggle never felt real. She monologued in her head a lot, and her final decision seemed too easy (I would have liked to see more psychological effects/trauma/conditioning).
April 28, 2025
would have been 3 stars, or possibly even 4 stars, if not for the numerous typos, missing words, repeated words, wrong words breaking the reading flow ('then' instead of 'and', 'or' instead of 'of' etc.) and just poor grammar - I'm wondering if there was an actual editor on this.
the story is pretty standard romantasy but good. the characters are a bit one-dimensional but with hints that they could grow with the development of the series. not sure I'll continue the series due to the bad editing more than anything as it keeps breaking the flow and disrupting the reading enjoyment.
the story is pretty standard romantasy but good. the characters are a bit one-dimensional but with hints that they could grow with the development of the series. not sure I'll continue the series due to the bad editing more than anything as it keeps breaking the flow and disrupting the reading enjoyment.
February 19, 2023
3.5 stars - a creative magic system and world, but a whole lot of focus on killing (yes, I’m aware it’s about an assassin having an existence crisis) that was pretty depressing, and repetitive, oddly enough. Also, there were some editing issues that bugged me, but that’s just me. That being said, the system of the different elves & their magic was pretty creative & intriguing, and there were some fun characters as well.
October 23, 2023
The Wraith is an assassin, a cold hearted killer, until she meets a friendly soldier. Both of them have been trained since childhood to fight and often kill their houses enemies. But Dirk shows the Wraith there could be another way.
The character of the Wraith goes through a deep and conflicted change throughout the book.
Can't help wondering if she and Dirk can find a way to be together and leave their awful lives.
The character of the Wraith goes through a deep and conflicted change throughout the book.
Can't help wondering if she and Dirk can find a way to be together and leave their awful lives.
October 12, 2024
i love smart characters and books that make you think!
I love the dangerous predators falling for each other not realizing the other isn’t as innocent as they originally appear! I Love the protective, capabilities of a scrappy fighter. It is so good. So many unexpected turns that i thought i was ready for! Love this!
I love the dangerous predators falling for each other not realizing the other isn’t as innocent as they originally appear! I Love the protective, capabilities of a scrappy fighter. It is so good. So many unexpected turns that i thought i was ready for! Love this!
December 2, 2023
I really enjoyed the concept of this story and the world building that was involved. I did feel like a lot of this was repetitive writing, and felt slow the first 40% of the book. I wish there was more depth to the characters, but none the less I think I'd read the second book of the series.
January 15, 2024
Captivating
This was a great read. I loved the characters and their growth, the world building is so vivid I was captivated by the story and couldn't put the book down. If you enjoy YA fantasy romance (without spice), you'll enjoy this book. Can't wait to read the next book!
This was a great read. I loved the characters and their growth, the world building is so vivid I was captivated by the story and couldn't put the book down. If you enjoy YA fantasy romance (without spice), you'll enjoy this book. Can't wait to read the next book!
August 5, 2024
This was SUCH a better read than I imagined it to be! I’m actually surprised. It had some of my favourite tropes but without being too cliché, it had the tension, the angst, the emotional anguish aaahhh I’m in love
June 1, 2023
Okay so I need the book two right away!!!
September 29, 2023
Deliciously dark and mysterious...
November 19, 2023
Concept was decent but the pace and writing style left a lot to be desired. Lots of passive voice and repeated phrases.
February 6, 2024
DNF due to spelling and grammatical errors.
February 20, 2024
Great read
This book took me by surprise! I haven't read anything by Nicki Chapelway but I'm very excited to read more! This book had me counting the minutes till I could continue.
This book took me by surprise! I haven't read anything by Nicki Chapelway but I'm very excited to read more! This book had me counting the minutes till I could continue.
August 6, 2024
4.5
This was a really entertaining read. I loved all the magical elements and the relationship between dirk and the wraith 😊
This was a really entertaining read. I loved all the magical elements and the relationship between dirk and the wraith 😊
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