(When I wrote this review I typed it on a Google Document and typed the review of each part once I had completed it)
Pt 1
I found this part interesting and introduced it’s characters very well. I don’t yet know how I feel about the main character yet but the father-daughter relationship between her and Vincent was warming and I do like her friend. However, I could tell that they were setting the stage and did it well. I found the history and architecture descriptions well done too. I found that the main character was alright but I can’t quite get a feel for her, only that she is ambitious and interesting.
Pt 2
This was utterly shocking. I found the first chapters of this part shocking and woke me up. I found Oraya more compelling in this part as she had to not only deal with the death of her only human friend but also had to cover up her emotions. Yet I do like how this highlights why she is called a ‘serpent’ by getting her revenge and how she fights too. I also like how it does lead to consequences but I am yet to see how this leads to something. Yet I am yet to come to the conclusion of how I feel about the new characters.
Pt 3
This held good battles and even more shocking events. From Oraya finding out that she had powers to the little girl that she only just managed to save. I found that, in this part, she was more likable and I learnt a few interesting facts about the side characters which were all interesting in their own right along with a few pieces of lore and information dumps that are well done as you had to earn them.
Pt 4
This one had good fights and good character development as the characters were caring for each other. Yet I found Vincent revealing a cruel and dark side, interesting. I also found the chaos in the middle of the part shocking and how the aftermath was handled well. Oraya also continues to win me over as a good protagonist.
Pt 5
This one showed Oraya’s feminine side coming out, which I did find interesting. I liked how her upbringing clashed with this side which she discovered about herself. I also liked how this also showed how Oraya and Raihn’s relationship was developing. I can tell that Raihn is a far better man/vampire than Edward Cullen as he lets Oraya have far more agency over herself and her life and respects her.
In fact there was a moment (nearer the end of this part) that he could have taken advantage of her but didn’t and he also shows that he is a good friend as he visits a friend that got injured and could no longer compete in the event. Yet she also shows to be a good friend too as she helped this friend get out of the event and visited her too.
Pt 6
This part was absolutely shocking. The first part was a steamy scene, which was well done and showed moderation. I found the final trial extremely shocking with a sorrowful moment that led to an absolutely shocking end of the trials. I found it at the end was still shocking and I was both right and wrong about Raihn. Yet the moment that, spoilers, happened I found sorrowful and the last page of this part was utterly shocking too.
Pt 7
This was a good end to a good book that explained many things and ended with a slight piece of hope.
Overall I thought that I would hate this book but I did not. In fact I thoroughly enjoyed it. I liked how Oraya was portrayed as a woman and not a girl boss. I loved how every victory she obtained was earned and not given to her. She certainly did not have anything easy and yet she did get help. So I loved it.
