Ratings142
Average rating3.8
3.75 stars
Weirdly enough, my favourite part of the book was actually the warfare/political storyline. The romance was okay and had some good moments, but a lot of their dynamics grated on my nerves at times. Especially the constant repetition of phrases from the first book (I didn't count but I think Raihn might have said “there she is” at least 20 times or more). I did like how the story wrapped up though. I was afraid the ending would let me down but thankfully that wasn't the case.
It seems the next book in the series is gonna focus on Mishe and the House of Shadow so I'll be looking forward to that one.
I loved this book! the character arcs, the foreshadowing and storytelling, all excellently done! now to just eagerly await the next book...
I wanted to enjoy this one, especially because the first book was really good. Unfortunately it was lacking so much that was already built or set up in TSATWON:
Overall I felt the book was way too long for the story, it had too many dialogues and they weren't even adding to anything... also I saw too much repetition, like "The she is", "Fear is a recollection of physical whatevers " and describing over and over the details of the Wings or the Heir marks.... also apparently Oraya's cheeks were the first thing the enemies were thinking on slashing because she got them every time she battled with someone... it was a bit discouraging for me to keep reading because it was tiring.
The part I enjoyed though is Vincent's past,trying to have is POV and understanding why he didn't kill Oraya when he found her... I swore he had made Oraya the god blood item evwryone was looking for, so it would have been SO meaningful and THAT would have been a very interesting plot to follow.
So yes, I liked the first book, LOVED the Six Scorched Roses (definitely getting that one in paperback) but this one felt lazy, unedited in many ways and too long.
Really enjoyed this, good follow up to the first. Satisfying conclusion to their story.
Bueno... creo que no es necesario comentar nada, ya que viendo lo que he tardado en leerlo (la última parte estaba leyendo en diagonal, no voy a mentir) se puede deducir lo que me ha parecido.
Tengo entendido que va a haber cuatro libros más. La verdad que creo que mi viaje por esta saga acaba aquí.
This was a satisfying conclusion to Oraya and Rhain main story but it did not grab my attention as the first book in the series.
What I liked about the book:
- Oraya remains a very strong character and I enjoyed how grief keeps being portrayed in the story.
- Vincent is my favorite character and I'm glad we got to see a bit more of him.
- The story is full of action and interesting events.
What I think it could have been better:
- I feel Rhain betrayal was too big to be forgiven. However, considering it could be forgiven eventually, begging during sex should definitely not have been the way to do it. I could understand if it was “only” the kingdom... but he killed her father!
- I know Carissa is amazing writing villains and morally grey characters (Vincent is one perfect example of this) and, therefore, I was expecting more from Septimus and Simon. Rhain POV would have been perfect to develop more layers to these characters (Septimus through dialogues in the main POV and Simon in the interludes for instance)
- I continue to believe the story would benefit from more info regarding world building. I still don't fully understand the different magics of the different gods (not even Nyaxia magic which we should be perfect familiarized by now).
Overall I enjoyed the book and still recommend its reading. However, so far, I think Daughter of No Worlds is a far superior story.
3.5
•First half dragged on
•Second half felt somewhat rushed
•Repetitive wording was a tad annoying and distracting
•Some characters and world-building could use more fleshing out
•Still not sure if I really care about Oraya
•Raihn is okay - not the best book boyfriend ever - but okay
“The Ashes and the Star Cursed King” masterfully blends elements of romance and fantasy into a captivating tale that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page. This profound ‘romantasy' not only delivers incredible spice scenes that ignite the senses but also delves deep into intricate world-building and political conflicts.
The author's skillful crafting of the world immerses readers in a richly detailed setting, where kingdoms clash and ancient powers stir. Against this backdrop, the romance between the protagonists unfolds with a fiery intensity that ignites the pages. Each spice-laden scene is expertly woven into the narrative, adding layers of passion and depth to the story.
However, what truly sets this novel apart is its exploration of profound themes such as failed parenting, healing trauma, and forgiveness. Through the characters' journeys, we witness the devastating effects of parental neglect and abuse, as well as the transformative power of love and forgiveness. The emotional depth of these themes adds a poignant resonance to the story, elevating it beyond mere entertainment.
Moreover, the instant favorite status of “The Ashes and the Star Cursed King” is well-deserved, as it effortlessly captures the hearts of readers from the very first page. The chemistry between the main characters crackles with tension and longing, drawing readers into their tumultuous world and leaving them breathless for more.
In conclusion, “The Ashes and the Star Cursed King” is a spellbinding tale that seamlessly blends romance, fantasy, and profound thematic exploration. With its incredible spice scenes, immersive world-building, and nuanced portrayal of complex emotions, it is sure to become a beloved favorite among readers of all genres.
Carissa! WHY are you playing with my heart strings again?
This crazy, emotional, second book in this series is a four from me! Well worth the read. The pace was slower than the first book just because you really dive into some back stories from different characters and those are all important to the ending of the book. It was a little slow-moving because of that UNTIL the last maybe 150-200 pages. This is an almost 600 page book, which was really long for me, but again ... the information was needed for the story.
I'm looking forward to seeing more of Mische in the 3rd novel. Her story will, too, be nothing short of amazing.