Jennie's Reads

“I lived with a foot in two worlds, each a mirror image of the other, never fitting quite right into either one. In a world of black and white, I was trying to find my place in shades of grey.”

⭐️ 4.5
🌶 2
🔥 Dirty Talk
🔥 Redemption Arc
🔥 Court + Political Intrigue
🔥 Found Family
🔥 Touch Her and Die
🔥 LGTBQ+ Representation

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**Warning, spoilers possible ahead**

Technically… I give this a 4.5 ⭐️

Why did it loose 0.5 of a ⭐️ you ask? Well, DIEM, GIRLFRIEND. THE ANSWER TO CURING LUTHER WAS LEGIT AT THE TIP OF YOUR FINGERS AND IT TOOK YOU MORE THAN TWO THIRDS OF THE BOOK TO FIGURE IT OUT?! Hey, I get it, I know you are dealing with all the -ish’s… but DANG! Ok, rant over.

Buckle up, we’re going on quite the Gryvern ride.

Part 1:

We start off with Diem being force fed Flameroot by the Guardians – jeez this flameroot must be easy to acquire, huh? Anyway, this part was a lot of fun to read because we delve into who the Guardians are, how they operate, and see that (as in typical social movements to address injustices) there are still leaders who believe in different methods of achieving their common goal that fall on polar sides of the spectrum.

There’s also a much deeper explanation into Godstone, and how it affects the Descended. The Guardian’s choice of weapon to use against the seemingly indestructible children of the Kindred… well even the strongest fall, don’t they? This parlay with the Guardians is also extremely important because it turns them morally grey, while Diem continues to learn who she wants to be as a queen, and how she wants to rule.

“They had taken their revenge on Taran, and it had birthed a new hatred in me. If I took my revenge in return, it would only create new grudges, new blood feuds. Around and around we would go, hating and killing until no one was left standing. There was no good that could be borne of it.”

We almost lose Taran, but by a little accident on Diem’s part, he is alright – and I for one am absolutely thankful for that. If Penn killed off Taran I would RIOT. He almost single-handedly lifts part 2.

Having a front seat in the relationship building between the 3 Corbois cousins and Diem warms my heart the most here. It also sets the stage for everything that happens in the next part.

This part is also interesting because we are transported through 3 new realms of Emarion. We experience the jungles of Arboros and the desert of Ignios. We are exposed to the hatred the Ignios crown has towards Diem and her companions- although the little exchange between Tybold (the Ignios Gryvern) and Diem is something that will always be a little light within my heart.

“One of mine, and yet not. You’re something different. Something new. Even the sand doesn’t know what to think of you. Where you walk, the Forging magic doesn’t bend. It shatters.” – Ignios Crown

The quote above should have already connected the dots in all our heads, we know Diem is different- and hearing Ignios confirm this was paving the path for much bigger things ahead. Also, my hatred for the Ignios crown was solidified within this part. I needed a worthy villian, and he definitely plays the character well.

Part 2:

Basically this is where Luther’s redemption arc comes in. We basically LIVE in Umbros with Yrselle in this part. We are introduced and live in the world of the Half-Mortal/Half-Descended kids that Luther saves; and we get our eyes peeled back to a hell of a lot of secrets that the Umbros Crown knows. To me, this part was SO necessary- partly because we almost lose Luther (my hands were clenching and unclenching HARD), and Diem does the FMC *doubt* thing for a second, *eye roll* but necessary, I suppose. LOL.

Also- HECK YES, TARAN & ZALARIC 4EVER. The fact that Zal “flirts” with Taran by obviously not calling him by the correct name and seeing how it flusters Taran so much- ugh, so cute, so fun. Seriously though, what I said previously- the lightness of Taran & Zalaric is so needed in this part; it’s heavy with all the secrets, the near death experience of Luther, the demands of Yrselle… It was a beautiful bit of lightness.

Let’s talk Yrselle. On one hand I get it, she’s lived through a lot, she knows a lot, she knows all. On the other hand; girl, why you playin’ this game? She’s another morally grey character, and it was interesting to learn who she is and how she holds herself. The fact that she kept trying to keep Diem in her realm without really telling her WHY just had me annoyed. I mean, hands of fate and all right?

Also my love for Sorae is unbound. #SoraeStan.

I WAS UNWELL THE ENTIRE TIME LUTHER LAY ON HIS DEATH BED. I literally wanted to punch Diem. That’s all I have to say about this. That’s it. Seeing everyone in shambles over Luther… Never again.

Part 3:

Teller finally learns of all the things Diem’s been keeping from him, and I felt him. I feel his sorrow, his pain, his hurt. The Bellator siblings were supposed to be unbreakable- no secrets. But I get why Diem kept so much from him. Teller keeps getting stuck in the crosshairs and it’s not fair! (As someone with a younger brother, I was like, Diem- this isn’t cool, friend.)

How about the rescue of Auralie + getting another crown though? This part was all about laying it all out and showing us what Diem really is.

The way Diem held her own against the Fortos crown had me all giddy. And then gaining it? OOOMPH. Then gaining the Montios crown too? That revelation had my mind whirling. ALL THE POSSIBILITIES.

The resistance that Auralie had towards Luther was extremely frustrating- but also, the way she finally put it together and her discussions between Luther & Diem… I didn’t think she would cave so fast. (I personally still think she doesn’t trust in it.)

“We were liquid fire and lust reincarnate, so overfull with pleasure we might burn ourselves to ash.”

Ok, let’s also talk about the Sophos library… because ABOUT DAMN TIME. All of it. Oomph. Just… Oomph. This slow burn has got to be the slowest burn of all time! There’s just enough spice to be like, “mmmm yaaasssss honeyyyyyyy”, but not too much to where you’re cringing and skimming to get to the next bit already. HOWEVER, Penn, why did you have to turn that long awaited scene into a “distraction“!? I was like, “NOOOOOOO DON’T DO THIS TO ME! STAY OUT OF IT CROWNS!” Le sigh, let’s be real though, I probably feel attacked because reading is/libraries are my *escape* from the real world too. LOL.

Ophiucae. Don’t know how to feel about him yet, I understand where he’s coming from… but, I’m waiting to see how all of this plays out.

To round this all out…

I really enjoyed learning more about Emarion as a whole, and the character development is brilliant. I loved the world building and will continue to be unwell until Burn of the Everflame is released. I am way too involved and committed to the story now, and will be thinking about Diem, Luther, and the Corbois crew for a long while.

*note, this book is available on Kindle Unlimited for your reading pleasure
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