lilradridinghood's reviews
436 reviews

Wallace is annoying and I don't care about anything that's happening.

The pacing is very slow. I started this because I wanted something with an intense competition, but the first trial didn't even start until 27% in. The trial itself was pretty underwhelming too.
I don't care about any of the characters. Xio's probably my favorite just because he doesn't talk much so he can't be as annoying as the others. I agree with people saying that it feels very juvenile. It feels like a story about middle school children.

The best part of this book is Rose and Christian's friendship. But Rose is still so bratty and I don't see why two guys like her so much. I do appreciate how the story has Rose weighing the meaning of her duty after being told "they come first" all her life. I just wish it didn't take the form of her being in love with a much older man.

This was a re-read after over ten years. I didn't like it as much as I remember. Rose is a petty, jealous child. The best thing about this book is that it introduces Adrian.

There is simply nothing good to keep me going.

I got into this duology for the romance because that's what the first book was about. I don't care about most of the things happening here.

I almost DNF'd in the beginning because the harassment from the other alchemists is pretty gross and upsetting, but the first test is honestly the worst of it. I do wish Zilan had companions other than her love interest and cousins, because platonic friendship is cool and I didn't like her cousins that much once their tests began. But I do love the prince. He's really inept in a cute way, yet not stupid enough to be useless or annoying. And I like how the romance is given time to develop. I also think Zilan is a good protagonist who does some pretty metal things to succeed. The plot of the book was super compelling, and the twists are WILD. It really kept getting better and better.

slow and boring

I feel like the different parts of the plot aren't well connected. There's the romance with the Lake House aspect, and then there are dumps of mythological lore along with an ongoing war between gods. It's like the gods are just in the backdrop to add stakes to the romance. My favorite part of the book is the magical correspondence. The romance is really beautiful and sweet, but don't read if you just want a rivals to lovers story. The rivalry is barely there.

I probably would've DNF'd or given it one star if I read it for the first time today, but I was really into this series in middle school so re-reading it was really fun and nostalgic. I can't bring myself to give it anything less than four stars. But man I totally forgot how much they mention self-harm. Those parts made me uncomfortable. The age gap is an ick too, but how could I forget Rose and Dimitri?
The audiobook is kind of annoying. I don't like the voices given to characters who aren't Rose. But it's bearable on 2x speed if you need the convenience.