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A review by lochanreads
A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer
3.0
A Vow So Bold And Deadly is the culmination of the Cursebreaker trilogy that sees Grey and Rhen preparing to go to war against each other, one hoping to claim the throne of Emberfall, the other seeks to maintain his position. Meanwhile the newly enthroned Queen of Shyl Shallow, Lia Mara as well as 'Princess' Harper both hope for a more peaceful alliance.
I thought this book handled the main conflict really well. It builds up anticipation for the crux of the very clearly defined power struggle. Also I was glad to see Rhen and Harper had more presence in this book.
The narrative is a POV first-person story that alternates between the four main characters, giving us a detailed look into their thoughts and feelings. Each of these characters experience some form of self-doubt or internal conflict. I like the way these devices usually add depth to a character but in this book, it was a bit hit and miss and I couldn't fully empathise with all the characters, for example, Lia Mara whose whimsically unrealistic notions of peace became more and more jarring the more I read about it. I was mostly invested in Grey who I thought had the best development.
I also liked the detailed nature of the world-building in this book. I felt like it was conducive to an immersive reading experience, though I wish it had a bit more of a rigorous magic system and political structure. I think that had this book been a bit longer, it could've gone a bit deeper in terms of fully fleshing out certain elements of this fantasy world.
Instead this book focuses more on the characterisation and the growing affections between Grey and Lia Mara and also Rhen and Harper, which is perfect for fans of more character-driven fantasy novels, or rather romance heavy fantasy novels that read a bit like fanfiction.
The ending felt anticlimactic and a bit too safe. Everything was wrapped up neatlt in a convenient little bow, whereas I prefer something with more of an edge but if you enjoy a blissfully happy ending, then this book certainly delivers in that regard.
I thought this book handled the main conflict really well. It builds up anticipation for the crux of the very clearly defined power struggle. Also I was glad to see Rhen and Harper had more presence in this book.
The narrative is a POV first-person story that alternates between the four main characters, giving us a detailed look into their thoughts and feelings. Each of these characters experience some form of self-doubt or internal conflict. I like the way these devices usually add depth to a character but in this book, it was a bit hit and miss and I couldn't fully empathise with all the characters, for example, Lia Mara whose whimsically unrealistic notions of peace became more and more jarring the more I read about it. I was mostly invested in Grey who I thought had the best development.
I also liked the detailed nature of the world-building in this book. I felt like it was conducive to an immersive reading experience, though I wish it had a bit more of a rigorous magic system and political structure. I think that had this book been a bit longer, it could've gone a bit deeper in terms of fully fleshing out certain elements of this fantasy world.
Instead this book focuses more on the characterisation and the growing affections between Grey and Lia Mara and also Rhen and Harper, which is perfect for fans of more character-driven fantasy novels, or rather romance heavy fantasy novels that read a bit like fanfiction.
The ending felt anticlimactic and a bit too safe. Everything was wrapped up neatlt in a convenient little bow, whereas I prefer something with more of an edge but if you enjoy a blissfully happy ending, then this book certainly delivers in that regard.