#the godkissed bride

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Review | Silver Wings Golden Games by Evie Marceau (ARC)

Review | Silver Wings Golden Games by Evie Marceau (ARC) #NewAdult, #Fantasy, #Romance

~~~ Silver Wings Golden Games by Evie Marceau (The Godkissed Bride, #2) 454 pages, Kindle Edition Publication date: March 25th, 2024 Genres: New Adult, Fantasy, Romance Rating: 5/5 stars Goodreads After one thousand years, the sleeping fae are awakening…and chaos will reign. Bride. Idol. Betrayer. Promised to a villainous future king, Sabine once dreamed of forsaking everything for the huntsman…

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White Horse Black Nights

by Evie Marceau / 4.5 stars

Wow, wow, wow! I loved this, and I cannot wait to see more.

I'm at a loss for words with where to begin. I was drawn in by the cover and the description, but even then I wasn't quite prepared for what awaited me.

The magic of this dark fantasy world stems from the remains of when the Immortal Fae ruled as gods, before their inexplicable slumber. Now those gods have been asleep for a thousand years, but their magic can still be found in those with the mark of a godkiss. The strength of a godkiss varies, but for the Valveres, any mark is worth coveting. And if it's worth wanting, it's worth possessing.

After her father sold her in marriage to cover his debts, Sabine is forced to travel to Duren to meet her betrothed, Rian Valvere. Sabine's godkiss gives her the ability to communicate with animals, an ability that has kept her sane in her 10 years spent locked away in a convent. Despite her knowledge of the Immortal Fae, she is not happy to be forced to live one of the legends of the Immortal Solene, who journeyed to her own marriage naked on horseback. With only her horse Myst - Sabine's most constant companion and only friend - and Rian's most trusted godskissed soldier Wolf Bowborn as a bodyguard, she makes the 21-day journey to Duren, where her fiancé and future await.

Most of the book takes place on this journey. The dual point of view is an excellent way to introduce the world, through two very different voices with vastly different experiences. Sabine wants nothing more than her freedom; for the ability to finally choose the course of her own life. With the help of her animals, will she be able to escape her marriage? To come into her own strengths, and find a way to defy her circumstances even as she's stripped down to literally nothing. Meanwhile, Wolf has bigger concerns than escorting the vulnerable naive girl, but he owes Rian his loyalty - and his life.

Despite the long journey, this book never feels stagnant or too unnecessarily repetitive. The pacing and world building, along with action and attraction along the way, keeps you drawn in and curious for more. Once they reach Duren, the intrigue speedily grows, before leaving you at a perfect opening for the next installment to start with a bang.

I feel like this could definitely be a 5 star book in the future. Once I've had a chance to read more of the series, and revisit it on what is sure to be multiple re-reads, I have a feeling it will take up a new place of pride on my bookshelf. Right now, it's a great start to a series with intricate world building, but leaves a lot of questions and expectations!

I was lucky enough to get an ARC through BookSirens, and happy release day (November 6, 2023)! I can't wait for people to start picking this up, and hopefully be as eager to talk about it as I am.

[somanybookssolittletime1]

Review | White Horse Black Nights by Evie Marceau (ARC)

~~~ White Horse Black Nights by Evie Marceau (The Godkissed Bride, #1) 416 pages, Kindle Edition Publication date: November 06, 2023 Genres: New Adult, Fantasy, Romance Rating: 4.5/5 stars Goodreads We still worship the sleeping fae, though their magic only remains within a few of us. Locked away for ten years, Sabine Darrow’s only friends are animals she communicates with using magic. Now, sold…