Aeternum (Vincula Realm, #2) by Jamie Applegate Hunter

Aeternum (Vincula Realm, #2) Reviews

• 
  Rebecca

  1.5 Stars rounding up bc Deema makes me a better person!
  
  WHAT THE HELL WAS THIS?!!! Seriously, after having so much fun with the Umbra King we were so excited to jump into this conclusion and I feel like we were clowned bc this wasn't it guys.
  
  I'm not giving this too much time bc I just want to be done with this book honestly, but basically this book was 90% filler and 10% WTF. The math didn't math when it came to the plot and all the prophecies, our MCs were separated for like 95% of the book except for a "dreamscape" they could communicate in where all they did was bone, and the rest of the book we were suffocated with side characters and subplots I could not care less about. We ended up skimming through at least half the book just to get through it.
  
  HUGE thank you to my bestie
  Deema bc at least we could laugh together, and I think our chat thread was probably the most entertaining thing about this read! LUV U BABE!!
• 
  Deema ♡ (tella's version)

  This book started on such a high note, and then fell off of a cliff and tried to take us down with it.
  
  This is the second book in the series, so there will be *minor spoilers* in my review. The writing in The Umbra King (book 1) wasn't fantastic, but it was entertaining and the romance was worth it. The same cannot be said for this sequel.
  
  - filler chapters with repeated information we already know.
  - main characters being apart, then having sex but not really communicating, because he needs to "protect" her form the memories she has lost. (this went on for half of the book)
  - side characters who got more page time than necessary. (i didn't need chapters of them bowling and going out for drinks)
  - our favourite side character, Sam, not being with the person we wanted him to be with because the author decided to throw in a random new character for him to fall for after three encounters. (no, thanks)
  - too many convenient reveals that didn't feel exciting, and twists that didn't make sense because they were not explained well.
  - there was a happy ending for our main characters, but the lead up to it was bland and dumb.
  
  I'm giving this book 2 stars because 1) Sam and Lauren are awesome side characters and kept me semi-invested in this story. 2) When Caius and Rory finally started to communicate again, and she regained her memories, there were some sweet and romantic moments between them.
  
  
  Rebecca, even though this book tested our patience, I still had fun laughing with you and venting to you about it. I hope our next buddy read is a 5-star book because we deserve it, bestie! Luv u! 💗
• 
  Megan Amaral

  First, I would like the thank Jamie for allowing me to be a part of her eARC team for this entire series. And with that, please see my honest review -
  
  I fell in love with the first book in this series, as it was new and exciting and the author had a way of pulling us in and falling in love with Slytherin characters and the way they f***ed.
  
  This second installment though only kept one of the above two things.
  
  I felt that this book was a lot of fluff for our main characters, and ended up being an introduction to a completely separate plot with Sam as its lead.
  
  Instead, we got around 500-600 pages of;
  Rory being back with her friends and family, and just "living a normal life" and
  Caius trying to sort out his feelings after making a huge mistake, and learning that light and love are always better than hate and darkness
  
  Honestly, the way this book was marketed on instagram story, and the way it was being presented to us, I felt that the HUGE mistake that Caius made at the end of book one was going to be a bigger plot point in this book... but no.
  
  My honest review? I felt that a lot of the shopping with friends fluff chapters could have been replaced with getting to know Gedeon more than the one or two short chapters we got or even more chapters and encounters with Sam and Stassi. Because if I am being completely honest, I felt no real connection with any other characters in this book besides Sam and Rory's friendship. And that also includes how I felt about Caius and Rory. They had some cute moments here and there and their sex was pretty electric, but I thought that Rory and Sam had a lot more emotional scenes and a stronger connection than with any of her other friends and Caius himself in this book. I didn't care much about Stassi, except for how Sam felt about her. And honestly, Gedeon felt like such a random side character in this book, even though he was supposed to be the BIG villain. Besides killing Cora, I think the worst thing he had done was just being a huge dick and defunding a lot of programs. I would have loved to get to know him better and understand his motivations.
  
  Besides the plot itself, I felt that the writing was repetitive and felt juvenile. Or I felt that I had read a first or second draft of something. I think a lot could have been cut out - I didn't need to be reminded of something in complete detail, over and over again. I think there could have been more added, including a more creative way of the prophecy being played out in the story vs a game of 20 questions near the end. And lastly, I wanted more of a fight between Gedeon and Caius. The end felt very anti-climatic even though it was a HEA. I honestly had a hard time not skimming the last 10%... including a very heartfelt but random one page epilogue.
• 
  Brittany (booklybrittany)

  this sequel had me glued to the pages all day. this duology was so good and so much fun to read. i think the world is fascinating and unique, and I’m really looking forward to reading what’s coming up next. caius and rory have my heart, but I’m excited to read about the infamous samyaza. pick this up if you enjoy fantasy romance with a darker spin.
• 
  Lucie V.

  This book is free on Amazon (Canada) today (06/23/2023). 🙂
  
  
  
  
  Follow me on Instagram 🙂
  
• 
  elfishpresley

  Thank you so much to the author and publisher for sending me this ARC!
  
  This duet really took me by surprise in the first book, and while I was super excited to read the second it fell a bit flat for me.
  
  As we know from the first book, Rory and Caius get separated and can’t see each other. This lasts for about the entire book (besides when they can see each other in their dreams because they are mates).
  
  I felt like two books wasn’t enough to truly grab my attention on all the world building and character development.
  
  While I loved the storyline, I felt the ending was rushed and everything kind of happened so fast and was a bit predictable.
  
  However, the characters were fun and had different personalities and the smut was great.
  
  3.5/5
• 
  Mikayla Weston

  3.5 on mid - this review will contain spoilers after the first paragraph
  
  I think I liked Umbra King much more than I liked this book. I had a few months to hype up in my mind what this storyline would look like and it was just different than I expected. Rules were broken, exceptions were made, it was a long story but things were still too fast paced or just given easy solutions. There wasn't too much mystery, and the story took place in one week. I'll put it on my "middle of the road" shelf, fantasy elite tier for me are authors like SJM, Armentout, Roehrich, Kennedy, etc, and this just didn't compare with works like that.
  
  Overall it's a fine work, I just had different expectations for what I thought it would be like.
  
  
  Spoilers - please don't read unless you want the whole storyline to be exposed.
  
  Umbra King established realm rules and expectations, and those kind of just became exceptions in Aeternum that I didn't so much care for. I didn't like that she got her memories back so soon, that she was able to spill vinicula secrets at all, that caius just conveniently could break the contract and is now free. It was all explained away, but I didn't like that those could happen.
  
  I had imagined there being some type of storyline where Rory lost all her memory (which was supposed to happen and only did for like a day), somehow Gedeon becomes aware of her and starts some kind of friendship or romance. I would have liked to see a story where she stays clueless, grows close to Gedeon but still forms a relationship witih Ciaus in the soulscape, and then somehow in the end has to pick between which brother she thinks is the truth. That would have been much more interesting for me. Instead she just pretty much got all her memories back, Gedeon knew things and didn't know things in too convenient of ways, the darkness versus light thing with Caius just didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. The entire book also takes place in like a week, and was just too fast paced for me.
  
  I also was confused on how the entire prophecy ended up being about Stassi and Cora's soul. All she had to do was open the jar and she did. So Sam showing up and being the solution to the prophecy was just so that he could save Stassi from being stabbed. So it wasn't about Rory or Caius really at all.
• 
  Pia

  Rating: 5✨
  Spice: 3🌶
  
  I would like to thank the author for the eARC opportunity. Like always, this review is voluntary & honest!
  
  What can you give a book that made you feel all types of emotions & happiness besides 5 stars? This book was everything I needed it to be for the ending of this duology & it perfectly set up for the next standalone novel, A Silenced Fate! The ending was bittersweet for me. A part of my heart was warm because of how the story concluded with these characters I adored, but the other part was heartbroken. Which leaves me on the edge of my seat to see what happens next for other characters.
  
  Rory, I adore her. The way she had me laughing majority of the time but then ready to fight people for her the next! I couldn't be happier with her growth individually as well as with Caius. Caius, he is an adorable bean who can completely destroy you, but that doesn't take the adorableness from him. Both of them had me swooning but also getting teary eyed at the angsty moments. Their love for one another was so beautiful and so infinite, it made you FEEL like nothing could win against it. Their growth as a couple in this book was one of my favorite parts about it for sure. They couldn't get enough of one another & I couldn't get enough of them!
  
  Now listen, I LOVE Caius, but SAM! Samyaza had me falling harder in this book than in the first & once I realized it, I was FREE FALLING. His personality & the way he is just hilarious without wanting to be is just, AH. I don't care if he is an intimidating gigantic angel, he is a SOFTIE DEEP DOWN & I love him for it.
  
  Lauren, what a Queen. Love her. I wanna be her when I grow up. I can't wait to see more of her! So many other side characters I could mention that I hold in my heart & I will miss. Definitely enjoyed seeing them all again for the big conclusion! This book and duology in general are must reads for sure!
• 
  tanith_justanotherchapter

  • Fated mates
  • Multiple POV
  • HEA
  • Spice
  • Touch her and die
  • Short Chapters
  • Completed Duology
  
  Aeternum starts off where The Umbra King ended and let me just say the soulscape was the real MVP in this book.
  
  Caius and Rory will truly burn the world down for each other.
  
  JAH gives us heartbreak but also gives us some really light hearted moments thrown in and shows us the unbreakable bonds of both friendship and fated mates. The pacing did throw me off quite a bit as it felt slow at times and then very rushed towards the end.
  
  Aeternum also sets us up for JAH's next book which is about Sam and does a really good job of giving us the foundation for what I'm sure is going to be an amazing story. Sam was and is everything.
  
  Thank you to the author for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  evelynn kate

  “Who are you?”
  “I am a man who dreams of you, even if you don’t dream of me, and when you forget me and move on with your life, I will dream of you still.”
  
  4.5⭐️
  
  Plot 3.75/5⭐️
  Spice 3.5/5🌶️
  Vibes 5/5👏🏻
  Dual 3rd person POV (with a few chapters from a couple side characters)
  
  Tropes: urban fantasy, enemies to lovers, forced separation, female serial killer, royalty, open door spice 😈
  
  
  Book 1 Review: The Umbra King - 5⭐️
  
  GAHHHH this book!! I think I will forever be scarred by the phrase "Time to wake up now" 😭💔 After that brutal cliffhanger in book 1, we're dealing with the aftermath of Rory no longer remembering her time in Vincula and her love for Caius, while she is unknowingly being hunted because of that relationship.
  
  This book delivered on emotional damage and I am on my knees wanting someone like Caius. Just ready to rip the fabric of the world apart and do whatever needs to be done to be with you. And even though it takes a while for Caius and Rory to reunite, Ms. JAH does not disappoint with the spice... I think there was more dream sex than real sex but it was still 🔥🔥🔥
  
  “We can’t do anything for another few days.”
  “Why? Are you hurt?”
  “I’m on my period.”
  “Did you think your blood would deter me? I have bathed in the blood of your enemies. What makes you think I would not paint myself with yours?”
  Me:🥵
  
  And while this book was a little on the longer side, I really enjoyed getting to see all of the side characters and watching their relationships develop. I am SO excited for Sam's book and I can already tell we are going to be put through the ringer with it... Please don't break my heart too much, Jamie!! 😭
  
  The Umbra King was my #1 fantasy book of 2022 out of over 400 books - and while I am so sad to see these characters go, I am so glad I met them 💘 If you haven't read TUK yet - make this duology your next read!! Aeternum releases 3/28 -- you won't regret it :)
  
  “It’s strange,” she murmured. “To have no memory of someone you love.”
  His breath caught in his throat. “How do you know you love me?”
  She brought her hand to her chest, pressing lightly. “Here. I know it as well as I know my name. I may not remember falling, but my heart remembers loving you.”
  
  *ARC received for honest review*
• 
  Michelle Boucher

  3.5⭐️ I enjoyed the second book in this duology, just not as much as the first. I felt the plot was a bit all over the place. The ending felt rushed because the middle of the book was slower. Honestly, the time the MMC and FMC were apart felt more enjoyable to read about. It really bugged me that every time Caius and Rory were in the soul scape it was just about sex and their lust for each other. I know that what happened in the end with Sam and Stassi is setting up for another book, but that was infuriating. The hints throughout the book about who Sam made the reveal pointless, and the whole plot with his father felt like a last minute addition to make people want to read the spinoff book, while ruining the current plot. I find it really hard to believe that Sam wouldn’t have revealed himself multiple times in order to save Rory. He had the power to do something all along and he was selfless, he would have broken his deal with Moira if it meant saving his friends. I’m not mad at the ending and obviously I love a HEA, I just don’t feel like it was as satisfying as it could have been. Lauren leaving at the end was also not needed, that could have just been left alone until the spin-off. Overall it’s not a bad duology, but for a book with dark plot lines and spice it feels immaturely written. I wouldn’t re-read, but it was enjoyable in the moment.
• 
  Emma Creswell

  Spoilers***
  •
  •
  •
  •
  I’m so sad — I absolutely loved the first book and had high expectations for this one. It lacked the relationships and personalities that were in the first, and every time Rory and Caius were together it was just a quick hookup. Also, they did Sam SO dirty!!!! I loved getting to be in his head more and there was so much opportunity for him. If there was a third book I’m sure it would be much better considering she reunites with her friends and Asher, and I’m just so sad because I loved the first one so much :(
• 
  holly wilkins

  i need rory and caius to come back to me right this second
  
  
  edit: they finally came back to me and they slayed every second of it.
• 
  Emily Faye

  "'It was always going to be you, bond or not.’ She frowned. ‘Bond?’ A wry smile formed on his lips. ‘You are my Aeternum.'"
  
  Sadness, fear, heartbreak, happiness, frustration. These are just a semblance of the emotions that Aeternum caused while I was reading it. The full rollercoaster effect. I needed to sit with this one for a few days the Umbra King was one of my top reads of 2022. So long story short, I loved it. The ending was bittersweet and sets up the next standalone novel perfectly.
  
  WHAT I LOVED: The characters and romance, of course. Rory, the main FMC, can definitely be a handful. But she had me laughing at times throughout and was ready to do anything to fight for those she loves. Her growth after the shattering ending of book one is exponential…especially with Caius. Caius is such a cinnamon roll MMC, and you can’t help but love him. His love for Rory is really all-encompassing and we see him admit to mistakes that allow them to grow as a couple. I honestly couldn’t get enough.
  
  '"I have waited for you my entire life,' he whispered. 'I’ve been waiting for you too,' she murmured back. 'I just didn’t know it.'"
  
  Another shining star in Aeternum was SAM!! This man. I am so so happy he is getting his own standalone because he is FIRE. He may seem like a tough angel on the outside, but we really see a new side to him in this book and a glimpse at his past.
  
  There’s nothing that I didn’t love and while I’m sad this duopoly has come to an end. I can’t see what’s cooked up in the next standalone, A Silenced Fate.
  
  I want to thank Jamie Applegate Hunter for an e-ARC of this book. The thoughts in this review are my own.
• 
  JenessaLikes

  An emotional and exciting end to the Vincula Realm duology!
  After the heart wrenching ending to The Umbra King, I've been on pins and needles waiting to see what happens to our favorite characters and also when Rory and Caius will be together again.
  The book picks up exactly where book one ends, with Rory confused on what happened and how she is already back in Erdikoa, her memory completely wiped clean. We get alternating povs, mostly between Caius and Rory, but a few other characters as well. One of my favorite's was a villain character pov. It was so well written that at times, you felt empathy for him. As the story progresses, we see Rory start to remember bits and pieces of her time in Vincula. Some of that is through heartbreaking scenes in the soulscape dreams that she shares with Caius.
  Caius really goes through it in this book. He is overwhelmed with sadness, guilt, grief, and anger. So many times reading this book, I felt my heart ache for him to get Rory back as they were before the end of TUK.
  His grief though has interesting side effects, and it starts to shape his power into something else-something more.
  Jamie drops lots of foreshadowing, callbacks from the first book, and new hints and teasers for her new book throughout the pages of Aeternum.
  Oh and the spice? Yeah. It's there and it's GOOD.
  🌶🌶🌶/5
• 
  One chapter more

  In "Aeternum," Rory finds herself in Erdikoa with no memory of the last three months and orders to keep her release from Vincula a secret. She tries to acclimate to her new life, but something feels off. Meanwhile, Caius races against time to break the magic barrier trapping him in his own realm, hoping to be reunited with Rory.
  
  I was excited to read the sequel to "The Umbra King," but unfortunately, "Aeternum" was a letdown. While I enjoyed the first book in this duology, this one was boring and far too long. At least 200 pages could have been cut without losing anything of importance.
  
  The cliffhanger at the end of book one felt pointless from the start and was only used as a device to get readers to pick up this second book. However, any excitement quickly diminished. The writing style also left much to be desired; the dialogues were often unnatural and felt like they were written by the AI.
  
  The ending was disappointing and didn't make sense. I couldn't understand why I should have fallen in love with the main characters when they weren't really heroes of their own story. Overall, if it weren't for book number 1, I'd have rated this novel two stars, and that's pushing it.
  
  
  While there were some moments of mystery, romance, and twists to keep me guessing until the end, the overall execution of the story fell flat. I would not recommend this book to others unless they were die-hard fans of the first book and needed closure.
• 
  Emma Vickers-smith

  As a fan of the first book in the series The Umbra King, I eagerly dived into the much-anticipated sequel, Aeternum. However, what I experienced can only be described as a literary marathon that left me feeling like I needed a nap more than a plot.
  
  Let me start by saying that I have newfound empathy for snails after reading this book. The pacing was slower than a tortoise on a leisurely stroll. I couldn't help but wonder if the author was paid by the word, because the first 50% of the book was filled with more meandering than a lost tourist in a foreign city. I kept flipping the pages, hoping for something, anything, to happen, but alas, it was like waiting for a turtle to sprint.
  
  It pains me to say that Aeternum felt like a chore to read compared to its predecessor, which I adored. Instead of being on the edge of my seat with anticipation, I found myself trying to push through. At 70% I gave up and read the last two chapters to see what happens (from what I could tell not much but that's unfair of me to state. I could have missed the best literary prose and plot akin to Shakespeare in that missing 25%). I've given it 2 stars as opposed to 1 as I actually read the ending instead of not finishing the book.
• 
  Morgan Fisher

  Perhaps I went in with too high of expectations (having loved everything about The Umbra King and marked it as one of my best books of 2022), but this second and final installment was a flop for me, and a major disappointment. I felt that the first book could have just been 200 pages longer and the whole story could have been wrapped better than this almost 600 page sequel.
  
  The major plot points were good, although terribly rushed in the last third of the story. There was not enough build-up to make the plot twist/big reveal impactful, and instead it felt like whiplash. The ending was terribly anti-climactic, like everything was focused just to the left of where it should have been. There was too much filler fluff (drinking at bars, shopping with friends, visiting a haunted house, going bowling, riding a roller coaster--how does any of this advance the plot?!) and not enough plot or character development. I would say the same for the steamy scenes, that almost none of it encouraged relationship development or connection between Caius and Rory.
  
  There was a cute wrap up at the end, where you saw all the characters from the two books in one way or another.
• 
  Kelly

  2.5 — Ugh. I decided to give the second book in the series a chance… It’s like there are two people writing these books. One knows how to form proper sentences and develop a kind of plot. And then the other likes to come in and switch directions completely, not making any real plot-device sense, and just take you for a ride wherever she let her brain go that day. I love that we are in some kind of Golden Age of writing/publishing where the barriers to entry to becoming an author are so low…but, when I read a book like this, it reminds me why there have classically been editors involved in the publishing of books. I find it hard to believe that a good editor would let an author go on the senseless twists and turns and backtracks that happen in this book.
  
  Happy reading.
• 
  allison

  2.75/5
  I LOVED the first book so it pains me to say that this was a let down for me. I still love all the characters, but the plot fell apart big time. A lot of this book was pointless filler and by the time we got around to the actual plot I lost interest. It felt super choppy and it was hard to follow along because of it. There were times where things were unnecessarily repeated multiple times. And then there were details that felt like were really important get brushed to the side. After chapter 50 shit got really confusing and I honestly just wanted to be done with the book 😭 I’m stoked for Rory and Caius bc I loved those two sm, I just wish I could’ve enjoyed this more!
• 
  Ailís

  Rating: ⭐ ⭐
  Plot: Continuation of Rory and Caius' story
  FMC: annoying, b*tchy, know-it-all
  MMC: A whinger, who needed his arse wiped
  Angst: 0/5
  Dark: 0/5
  Spice: 🔥 🔥.5
  
  This series went downhill fast.
  
  The Umbra King was a great book with engaging characters and a well-paced plot, but Aeternum was a disaster. It seemed like the author abandoned everything that worked in the first book and wrote this mess instead.
  
  • Caius lost his charm and mystery fast; he turned into a whiny, helpless burden who had to depend on everyone else instead of being a 500 year old King!
  
  • Rory turned into a b*tch and a know-it-all.
  
  • There were too many side characters and a good few were irrelevant to the plot. I only really liked Sam and Lauren, but I was kind of confused by their relationship, I thought it was more serious but now Sam has a new love interest?
  
  • Gedeon was a lame villain who amused me more than I feared him.
  
  Verdict: I would not bother starting this series as this book was quite the let down. The majority of this book was filler and a tiny amount of plot.
• 
  Coco.V

  🎁 The complete Series is FREE on Amazon today (6/20/2023)! 🎁
• 
  Maryann

  This was such a good wrap up to Caius and Rory’s story. I was crying, laughing, jumping up and down, yelling, throwing my kindle…every emotion is pulled out of you in this. The twists and turns, the SPICE(🫠) will have you on the edge of your seat. I don’t think I’ve ever loved a series so much.
  Be prepared, have a box of tissues ready along with a drink.
  
  PS. I’m still mad at you Jamie. 😂
• 
  Shannon Pacheco

  First I want to say thank you for being part of the eArc team and having the opportunity to read this duology.
  
  I absolutely loved The Umbra King and read it so quickly unlike Aeternum. It took me a bit to get through it for many reasons and not because I didn’t enjoy it. It wasn’t as intriguing as the Umbra King as it was a bit slow for me. I have to admit I do prefer more spice and I would give it 3.5⭐️ in that respect. all in all I enjoyed the book and do look forward to what’s to come.
• 
  Emily Ransdell

  I cannot even put into words how absolutely obsessed I am with this book duet!! I received Aeternum as an ARC and I think I actually squealed when I realized I had received an early copy. The previous book and this one are SO well written. You can tell that the author spent so much time developing the plot and storyline. I feel like it’s very rare for a book/movie to have anything that surprises me (because I almost always figure it out first), but Ms. Applegate Hunter had a few things that had me gasping as I read. You have to read this book. Seriously. Do it!
• 
  Cynthia

  I would like to begin by thanking the author for the e-ARC opportunity. This review is my honest opinion on the book.
  
  I had been dying to read this since the release of book 1 last year. This was everything I wanted and more. Not only did it give me closure, but it gave me all the hype for the new standalone novel, A Silenced Fate.
  
  I don't know if I can properly express how much fun I had with this. I found myself smiling, swooning, and laughing for a good portion of this. I personally love the author's humor and the interactions she writes for the characters. Everything feels so natural and really makes the reader adore the entire cast. There wasn't a single character that I did not adore. Furthermore, the pacing was done so well and there was not a single moment where my interest wasn't captured. I was definitely invested from beginning to end.
  
  
  Rory and Caius were utter perfection and I cannot describe them any other way. Boy did these two go through separation anxiety. But, that only added to their chemistry and overall development. CAIUS IS SO FINE !!! This man is so devoted and in love with Rory. His one and only priority is Rory and frankly I love to see it. He was the absolute cutest and despite his dark powers, he will always be my cutie pie who is obsessed with all things sugary. I personally feel that he took their separation the hardest and it was so cute to see the little ways he would try to bridge the gaps between their souls. Don't even get me started on the spicy scenes, those were just wow and Caius definitely had me weak in the knees.
  
  Poor Rory went through it in this one, but she got her vengeance right along Caius and that is all I will say in regards to that.
  
  
  Aside from the romance, I was absolutely obsessed with the friendships between everyone. Their group moments were incredibly wholesome and good for my heart. I am especially a fan of Lenora's and Caius moments as well as Rory and Sam. Seeing the whole gang made me want to have a friend group like theirs. They are so loyal, loving, protective, and supportive of each other.
  
  I did not expect to fall to for Samyaza as hard as I did. He was everything in this book. From his grumpy yet soft demeanor, his misuse of language and the random snacks he would pull out to feed his enormous build. He is so effortlessly funny and I would say that him and Caius are tied for book boyfriend.
  
  
  This book was an excellent conclusion to Rory and Caius's story, but it provided the groundwork for the standalone on Sam flawlessly. I WILL SHOVE THIS BOOK DOWN EVERYONE'S THROAT UNTIL THEY READ. This duology will hold a special place in my heart and I will most definitely be reading Sam and Stassies book, because that preview was heart breaking :(. I am ready for all of the angst.
• 
  amie

  Ugh my heart feels so so good right now.
  
  This has been a high quality smutty fantasy romance series. The world building was intricate, layered, balanced in politics and theology, and held up when tricky plot points really stretched the bounds of what could be realistic. They nearly lost me at the end - there a fuck load that happens in a few chapters and somehow it all is explained mostly successfully.
  
  The characters are great. So happy to get more 1 on 1 time with Sam and Lauren. Absolutely losing it that Sam is autistic coded - I’m diagnosing. Caius is still the drop dead sexy domineering god we know and love, but he’s a SOFTY now too!! Rory is a mildly bland character sans the serial killer lifestyle BUT her banter with caius reminds us she’s still hot and fun and ballsy as fuck. The friendships are lovely.
  
  I’m rating this a 3.5 star because the overarching plot was a bit of a reach and a miss. I don’t entirely understand/believe the way in which the final battle took place. And yes: the smut scenes are fresh every time and hot as fuck, but the emotional romance could have used more tension to burn through. Once the characters get together in a series is so easy for them to become boring. They didn’t here, but only just.
  
  I’d highly recommend this series.