​

General Opinion:.

I saw this beautiful book on Instagram and wonder what's all the hype about, so I bought it, and OH MY GOD!!! I love this book so much, it had everything I need in a fantasy: a unique magic system, lovable characters, romance subplot. 

 

​Characters and Plot

Elspeth isn't your typical fantasy female mc, most fantasy female mc are super strong, powerful and are girlboss. Elspeth isn't your stereotypical girl boss; she doesn't have super strength or super skill with weapons, but she is strong in her own way. With a demon living in her head for 11 years without going insane, that is some willpower. Moreover, Elspeth isn't scared to admit that she needs help, knowing when she is outmatched. Elspeth had incredible mind power, being able to resist some cards' demands, yes, with the Nightmare's help, but Elspeth also needed to play a role in it. 

 

I love Elspeth's romance with Ravyn, they are perfect for each other. Ravyn is THE MAN, so caring, kind, I ate up every one of their interactions. The closed door scene was everything, intimate and hit all the right spot. The way that they went from distrusting each other to being down bad for each other was chef kiss. 

​

Initially, I thought the Nightmare living inside Elspeth would be an evil, disgusting soul, but I like him. The creature living inside Elspeth is just a broken soul, he is sassy, mean, but meant well, and let's be honest, Elspeth would die in the first chapter if it wasn't for him. I would love to know more about him in the second book. 

​

I had mixed thoughts about Elm. I thought he was going to betray them, but again, he's just a broken soul, and at the end of the book, I know that he would do anything for Ravyn, even though their interactions can be tense sometimes. Ione is the queen, at first, she strikes me as a back stabbing, fake girl, but Ione genuinely is as good person, and love her cousin. 

​

What makes me love this book is how I love all the characters. Normally, I would only care about the main protagonist and her love interest, but in this book, I found myself loving all of them. Emory is a poor, sweet boy, Jespyr is kind yet badass, every characters is amazing, and had their own arc. 

​

The magic system is incredible, so unique, and was built and explained so well. There are 12 cards, representing 12 different powers, and only a handful of people are allowed to use them; it is the only legal way to use magic in the kingdom. While the people that are naturally infected with magic are being seen as dangerous, and need to be executed. What I love is how everything comes with a cost; each time you use a card, it leaves a negative effect on you, and if you are infected with magic, you will suffer degeneration from time, based on your magic. 

​

​

​​​​​​​​​​​Conclusion

So if you are looking for a unique, gothic fantasy with a romance subplot, pick this book up. It exceed my expectations, and that rarely happen with popular books.  ​

​

​