First I want to say that I love Jessica Ann Disciacca and her writing. She is one of my favorite indie authors and I am obsessed with her other series, Awakening the Dark Throne.
I enjoyed this book, I always love a good witchy read. Overall it was a good book, and the story is really promising, there were just a few things that didn't sit right with me. Some were personal preferences, and others were things I think could be improved.
What I liked:
- The lore, the history, and the background information. I love the witchy vibe and love how this world was set up!
- The world building of their castle/estate and the town.
- All the characters and their struggles. I felt like the characters for the most part were written really well.
I rated it a 3 for a couple of reasons.
- There was too much religion/god/praying for me. It is a personal preference, and as someone with religious trauma I did not love that piece. I think it was written well that for people who don't have this sort of trauma, they will be just fine.
- Our FMC Seren has been through so so much, and should be incredibly traumatized but she seems mostly fine? Maybe she is dissociating or avoiding it all, but it didn't sit right with me that she was seemingly fine with everything that she experienced.
- It felt a little rushed. There were several times I re-read a section because the writing was a bit odd. I think another round of edit/critical review would be really helpful. One example: “Looking down at me in a tender manner” versus saying something like "tenderly looking down at me" or "looking down at me tenderly".
- I personally did not like the ending, not that it was bad but that I didn't like her choices - HOWEVER I am excited to read book 2 to see what happens!
Overall, I enjoyed the book but felt like it needed another edit round and a bit more time spent on it. It was still good and I am glad I read it, AND will be interested in reading book 2, but think a few things could be improved.
