Book Review: Forged by Malice
The mountains told me your name. The forest sang your song. My heart has been searching for you since the first dawn
This might be one of the few times I have enjoyed a BookTok read. The plot too, is genuinely intriguing and not one I can easily predict - I mean sure, do I know that this entire ‘Beasts of the Briar’ series will have a happy ending? Yes, I am very sure. But it's the road to get there that I honestly cannot predict.
Forged by Malice, is the third instalment of the series and I’m honestly trying to pace myself. I have book four, but book five has yet to be released. So, while this book ends on a cliffhanger… the fact that there are another couple of books on the way soothes my anxious soul into believing everything will be okay. Rosalina and her princes are off to Spring, something peculiar is afoot with the creature of the Brelow becoming more and more audacious. The Spring Price, Ezryn is overridden by guilt and fear so much so, that he has neglected his duties to the Spring realm and a usurper is on the horizon…
A few things to unpack here, in typical BookTok fashion there is a lot of spice in this book. After all, this is a ‘why choose’ format (Look it up if you’re not sure what I mean) which leaves ample room for spicy scenes. A lot happens in this book and at times there were moments which did not need to be too rushed. However, it is unusual for popular spicy BookTok reads to have an actual plotline. This is a monster of a book at just over 650 pages. But oh so worth it. I am also surprised by the complete lack of plot holes, as we have actual plot development and layers to the story that I did not foresee. For example (spoiler alert) the briars are not draining the life and magic from Castletree, but are helping. I also liked that the story does not overly rely on the spicy scenes for storytelling, more like they are a bonus - essentially the Prince's love language is physical touch and Rosalina is all too happy to comply.
Furthermore, when we think about character development, it is good to see a villain who does not fit the stereotypical format - and by that, I'm thinking of President Snow and practically every Bond villain that has existed. Caspian is a damn good villain, and that is not because he is described as ‘handsome’ or his betrayals work a little too well. But because when we see his pov - there is always more to the story. He is always happy to double-cross the Below, typically for his own gain but hidden within that, it is to help Rosalina. But it comes at a price, magic that comes from dark places usually has dark motives, even if the magic helps our heroine it always has a twist. Caspian is more than happy to be the villain to the princes but knows Rosalina sees him as so much more. Honestly, I think Caspian needs a hug.
I don’t think I will start book four until book five is out. I need to pace myself so I don’t end up frustrated. It was dang good read and looking forward to more.
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Book Review: Bonded by Thorns