i'm enjoying it but there's absolutely no reason for this series to be more than 2/3 books

2.5-3☆ because it was good at first, a few minor issues and then around half way it started to flop. i enjoyed a lot about the book but the issues that i have with it kept overshadowing that enjoyment because they were linked

issues: • overly formulaic—i typically don't mind that but this was too dependent • no real character depth/development—i liked the characters and the potential is there but we're given nothing • a love interest who i thought would be a new book boyfriend and does a full 180 and turns out to be just another asshole in a sea of romantasy assholes but he's romanticized so it's okay—this is the main thing that turned me off because it's a romantasy so you really want to enjoy the love interest • a nice sprinkle of sexual assault • clumsy writing with stilted dialogue and language—i would be really immersed and then pulled out frequently, it felt like being yanked around • a mate bond that reeks of coercion • a world with SO much potential and zero follow through—this truly could have been one of the most interesting worlds but it's just glossed over • there's no way an editor touched this book, it felt very much like a first draft • whiplash pacing and POV jumps • unconvincing reactions—that don't even add up to make the ending make sense • meandering plot • depends too heavily on the twist and and book two working

• a "plot twist" that was interesting but doesn't really make any sense, it deceives readers and makes the entire book rely on that alone. it also kind of makes the entire previous story pointless? it would have worked better as a prequel because it's a good idea and makes me somewhat inclined to read book 2 just to see how it plays out

• an unreliable narrator or unexpected villain is so interesting IF the execution is done well, this wasn't really. i understand wanting it to be a real shock reveal but there was no attention to detail or build up of any kind. completely cheap just to get the biggest reaction when it could have been done really well and gotten the same response because the potential is definitely there

i may or may not read the second book to see if it follows through. if it didn't look like they'll still end up together i would definitely but now the whole thing feels pointless and i hate the love interest anyway so i'm not sure yet

shoutout to Messer for carrying this book. it's crazy how so many books have great male characters, Messer/Hallis here, and instead they choose the bland asshole to be the love interest