(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
This was a good and slow start. I like how Oraya shows grief and takes time to address her emotional state. I found the fact that Raihn’s actions were shocking and I also found his perspective interesting and helped me understand his side of things more. Yet I also like how the end shows true consequences of the events of the last book and the impact they have on their relationship rather than get over it all and kiss and make up.
However I love how at the end she decides that was the time to finally get over her grief and start to fight back.
PT 2
This started with Oraya making such a good first move by escaping and fighting back to protect her people. I loved all the fights at the start as well as communicating just how fighting with blades she is not used to can affect how Oraya fights.
Yet I found it interesting how fast she is caught out by Raihn and the Bloodborn vampire. I also like how even though they were enemies at the time both Oraya and Raihn’s love prevents them from killing each other. Which I found interesting and how the complexity of the situation is explored.
I found the Bloodborn vampire habitable and showed just how malicious he can be. Yet I found him taking an interest in what else Oraya can have access to very concerning and I know that is going to have an equally shocking payoff later. Especially the concept of Vincent having access to Nyaxia’s blood was also equally shocking.
I found the alliance between Oraya and Raihn very intriguing and where it was forged too. I also like how Oraya is getting her agency back brilliantly handled.
PT 3
This was nothing but shocking. I loved the fact that the author took time for Oraya to explore the ruins of her father’s old place. I love how this continues to show his dark side and how vicious he was before he became king. I also found this part showed the more horror side of vampires, which was good as in these kinds of books it is rare.
I found the character Evelaena was a good villain in this part. She was messed up and creepy. However, I found her character a good relic of the horror era of vampire fiction. She was a tragic character and had a devastating backstory, yet I do like the fact that Ms Broadbent does not allow it to be an excuse for her evil actions nor what they led to.
I also like this is the part that Oraya starts to step further into her powers and her nature of a dhampyr (look it up) with Raihn.
PT 4
This part did well to address the aftermath of the previous part. It also took its time to give Oraya time to process the events of the book. I also found the Game Of Thrones happening far more interesting than the romance. I liked that this whole part was just an entire episode of Game Of Thrones with vampires.
I also like the exploration of how things had stayed and how much things changed in her castle. I also found that it showed how much Oraya had changed and how she had stayed the same, like how she looked stronger and how much she is noticing her resemblance to her father. I liked how this part shows how the vampiric blood in her has had an effect on her personality like how she bit Raihn, and she has started to drink blood more and how she acted near the end. Which was completely shocking.
PT 5
This was a very sexual part where they did the deed at least thrice and it was enjoyable however it did take away from the urgency of what needed to be done to take back the castle and crown. Yet I did like the fact that they were able to rescue their friend and connected with their men and women and the fact that Oraya did not take the easy way out and chose to fight for her kingdom.
PT 6
This started out with answers about how Oraya's parents got together and who her mother was and how she met her father. Along with spending time with her Aunt. All of this was a good way of doing so and I loved how she was able to get something of her mother.
I liked the shorter smut yet when it started to get going with the battle between Oraya and Raihn versus Simon that was where it got gripping. I loved how well it was done and just how graphic and shocking it was. I liked how it ended and how Nyaxia did not give a way out this time.
However when it came to the way out, I liked that there was a hint of how this may lead to something bad happening down the line. Which gave the way out with consequences, which is what I do like in this particular trope.
PT 7
This was a good indulgence of a happy ending. Sure there were a few loose ends but I would say that if this would have been the end then I would be satisfied. It was pure happiness without any sexual aspect, which I did find surprising.
Conclusion
All in all, I did enjoy this and even though I will not be continuing with the series any time soon, I will not lock the door. If there was something that struck me was just how good these two books have been and just how much restraint that Ms Broadent has shown when it concerned the smutty side and, to be honest, the smutty side did take away from the more interesting parts of the plot.
