Wayward Reviews

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A dark romantasy where our heroine is bent on destroying the vampire vessels in order to save her family and destroy the corrupted witches.

Book Synopsis

Dragons are extinct. Witches are outcast. Magic is dying. But human lust for power is immortal.

Dragon fire no longer blisters the skies over Penterra, but inside the lavish palace, life is still perilous – especially for Tamsyn. Raised in the glittering court alongside the princesses, it’s her duty to be punished for their misdeeds. Treated as part of the royal family but also as the lowliest servant, Tamsyn fits nowhere. So when she is tasked with the ultimate sacrifice of pretending to be one of the true royal princesses and marry Fell, the Beast of the Borderlands, son to the great dragon slayer, Tamsyn accepts her fate even if it means tricking the deadly warrior.

The wedding night begins with unexpected passion, but ends in near violence when her trickery is exposed. Rather than start a war, Fell accepts Tamsyn as his bride … but Tamsyn isn’t what she seems. She harbours dark secrets, secrets buried so deep even she doesn’t know they exist.

For Tamsyn is more than the false wife of a man who now sees her as his enemy. And when those secrets emerge, they will ignite a flame bright enough to burn the entire kingdom to the bone.

Magic is not dead … it is only sleeping. And it will take one ordinary girl with an extraordinary destiny to awaken it.

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Review

* Non-Spoiler Review*

I got this book through my romantasy Fairyloot book subscription.

I’m on a roll with getting through my Romantasy subscription, the first two books of the year – I have chosen from this sub. While there is another two I need to read to be up to date, I get a distinct impression that this will still take a hot minute!

Now, what can I say about this book.

The story is based in a medieval realm where Dragons and Witches have been killed off and humans reign supreme. The world building is solid enough that you can get an image of what it looks like and how people manage in this place.

There are three perspectives throughout the book, the two MCs and a supporting character. I think Jordan has done well in giving character perspectives without making the reading feel clunky.

Do I think it’s the most original story? No, but it was engaging enough to want to know what was going to happen. I enjoyed that the female MC had some back bone and sass, but also didn’t feel ridiculously naive – which can be an overkill in many Romantasy novels.

To avoid spoilers, I will say that 3/4 of the book is around character development and interaction. The last 1/4 amps up in the plot and sets you up for the next book in a series (classic paranormal romance style).

Overall, I enjoyed the story. As mentioned, it’s not reinventing the wheel in any aspect but it’s a good read for anyone who wants nothing intense.

Spice Rating: 4/6 – See my rating system here

Book Rating: 4/5 (low 4s, but better than a 3)