Point blank -- if you're going to set up a plot point in which a character is regularly subjected to physical and sexual abuse and coercion by all the men in her life and is bullied and manipulated into caring about people or giving them favors because they "love" her and she's "special," you CANNOT leave it hanging and not do anything with it. The trials were a little wild to me, deadly games and competitions to win a man’s heart is a little too intense. This book was predictable in that it was very obvious that sun king was not the main mmc. He was giving Tamlin from acotar vibes tbh. It’s also a slow burn it has some romance but not with the character I wanted so I’m excited for the next book to see where it goes. Overall this was good, I still don’t really understand the world and the magic system and but I’m invested in the fmc and I’m excited for the next book!

Nadir is our second point of view character, a character who Lor sees as the villain throughout. He has the potential to be interesting but nothing below the surface is really explored with him, though it's rather set up that book two would lead to an enemies to lovers arc. That said, honestly, he's another character who was severely disinteresting, two dimensional, and who--quite frankly--didn't need a point of view. Nothing that happened in those sections is something that couldn't have been explored through a point of view in book two because all of his sections were set up for that. i hoped lor would become suspicious of everyone after mag’s cryptic words and the dialogue she heard between atlas and gabriel. actually when or if one of the tribute became the queen , suddenly all the staff that tortured them during the trials was going to kiss their ass. so my question was why madame odell was so stupid lol. she interacted with a potential future queen daily, so maybe show a little bit of respect??I liked this, it was a pleasant read and kept me interested for most of the book. In this book the fmc Lor is kidnapped and taken to the sun kings court to compete in a deadly trial for the kings heart with 10 other women. When she was kidnapped she got away from this horrible aurora king and Lor wants revenge on him but still doesn’t understand why she’s in the trials and what the sun king wants with her. I genuinely don't get where this book was going, because the reveals at the end didn't even reveal anything 💀. However, after who knows how long she's been in the pit for, she is saved mere moments from death and is dropped into the Sun Queen Trials of the warring kingdom of Aphelion (aka the Sun Kingdom). Having no proper training, Lor finds herself leagues behind the other 9 contestants. As one would expect, most of the women competing have been training their whole lives for this opportunity, and don't waste any chance to flaunt their clear superiority in Lor's face. In spite of their snubbing, as Lor navigates the training exercises and trials, she learns slowly but surely that while she was never trained formally, her years in the prison prepared her in different ways. She may not have the technique, but she has the tenacity. He tells me of the forgotten realm of Heart and its fallen queen. Its lost Artefact—a crown with a blood-red stone.”

Don’t worry, Lor. I am giving due attention to all the Tributes, as is my duty. But I am only a male and I am searching for my queen. I’m allowed to have my favorites.'' The singular thing I think worked very well in this book's favor is that it is a good example of consistently raising stakes and consequences throughout. I see so many books that are honestly a let down because the stakes fail to raise or there fails to be believable consequences for actions or things that happen to the characters. But I can honestly say that there were some pretty decent twists and stakes elevation going on in this book. Which I was super happy about while I was reading it. In terms of the MMC, 🤡😭- I don't even want to think about how disappointing he was. He was just as bland as they come, and truly made me question so many things. He couldn't even do his reveals right 💀. i cringed every time atlas was in the scene. maybe it was me but his every remark felt condescending.I will keep this original review spoiler free and then update ( 1/9/23 UPDATES NOW POSTED AT THE VERY END OF THE REVIEW) with additional speculations/opinions (and will be hidden in a spoiler tag). I'd hate to spoil this book for anyone because it was such a fun read and should be experienced spoiler-free 😊 BUT I want to be able to discuss with everyone because my god this needs to be talked about!! (and oh my Zerra isn't this cover just STUNNING?!) this review contains all the spoilers bc i’m the mastermind and i guessed all twists. bc again i’ve read this before but in different font.

The fantasy aspect of the book was the only reason I didn't rate this lower. The general premise behind it, although predictable, was relatively interesting, but just was not fledged out. Nothing really got the time to fully be explained. My thoughts and views: Just. Wow. This has to be one of my favourite books this year. Read in one sitting. I could not get enough. I loved the FMC, she was just the epitome of a strong and tenacious woman. Little details getting leaked just at the right times throughout the story to keep me guessing throughout. I can't wait to read the next in the series! if atlas was master of illusion i wondered if he made his super fancy appearance and in reality he’s very repulsive like his personality (the truth about which we will learn only later🙄🙄🙄 we indeed learned it later). he was sleazy with his complements, they had bad aftertaste. Characters: resilient and strong FMC. A kind and stupidly good-looking Sun King. Irritating (but kinda funny) Captain/escort. Curious and mysterious Prince of Aurora.didn’t mag or healers question her prison brand on her shoulder? or was it normal for some umbra citizen to have those?

I feel so strongly put off by the beginning that I’m more than likely DNFing it. (As Goodreads doesn’t have a DNF option I marked it as read)there went my theory about sexual abuse and fantasy romances. the latter doesn’t exist without the former.