Synopsis

2) Marry him.
3) Kill him and take his kingdom for herself.
No one knows the extent of the freshly crowned Shadow King’s power. Some say he can command the shadows that swirl around him to do his bidding. Others say they speak to him, whispering the thoughts of his enemies. Regardless, Alessandra knows what she deserves, and she’s going to do everything within her power to get it.
But Alessandra’s not the only one trying to kill the king. As attempts on his life are made, she finds herself trying to keep him alive long enough for him to make her his queen—all while struggling not to lose her heart. After all, who better for a Shadow King than a cunning, villainous queen?
Unpopular Audiobook review
3 “morally wrong” and disappointed stars
WARNING: UNPOPULAR PERSONAL OPINION!
The opinion below is my own personal view of this story. I don’t mean to attack the author or her work nor the great care she took to write this book that is beloved by many! This is just not my cup of tea and I am entitled to said opinion.
Am I the only one who does not like that a very, very bad deed will go unpunished here? Or that the villain just …petered out?
I have seen this book on everyone’s feed thanks to book boxes featuring that one. Not one to turn my back on a hyped book, I was curious and I chose to listen to the audiobook.
Let me tell something straight away: the writing was good, the universe was interesting.
The pace was just right and the plot was intriguing.
BUT
I have a HUGE issue with what Alessandra did at one point of her life. And that she won’t be punished for it.
I can in some books understand and forgive somehow a very bad deed when it’s done for a “good” reason, like saving your life or a beloved one. Not when it’s like, gratuitous or for shallow motives. It also did not help at all that I did not like her for a very, very long time. She was the villain of the story, the anti-hero.
She was ambitious, selfish, ruthless, cunning and manipulative.
She was also very attracted to men and handsome men had her hormones going into overdrive. Again, that’s not the kind of heroine that I love.
Her redeeming qualities? She was smart. Extremely smart. And that’s a highly attractive character’s trait in my eyes.
I was also disappointed because if you are going to portray a villain but then want her to redeem herself, I would have expected…something more elaborate.
Aside from drooling on Kallias abs and muscles and eyes and … I didn’t really see a profound reason that justified her change of mind. Harsh? Well maybe but that’s how I personally experienced the book.
I also didn’t like that Kallias did not show a real depth as we didn’t get to know him very well. The love story did not feel like a love story for a long time either if ever.
It rather seemed that Alessandra would be swayed by whom was the most powerful and had a handsome face and body. If I didn’t like her for the most part, at least I could respect her dedication to her final goal. So why change it without a true and earth-shattering reason?
I also had guessed who the (other) villain was pretty early on, so that did not help my enjoyment.
Now, is it a bad story?
Not at all!
As I’ve said, Alessandra had a smart mind that helped her to solve many problems and mysteries. I loved seeing her strategizing better than seasoned counselors. I wanted to shout “take that you old man!”. The writing is not at fault either.
It’s just my personal issue with a hero doing something fundamentally wrong, not for any acceptable reason that could make me “understand” and forgive. Then turning coat again for no organic and fundamental reason.
That being said, Tricia sure wrote a good anti-hero!
If you love a ruthless heroine unashamed for doing very bad “things” and a storyline with assassin to uncover, king to kill or to save … go for it!
Will it discourage me to read other books by this author? None at all. As I said, her writing skills are not at fault here.
Last word: the narrator, Caitlin Davies did a very good job acting this story!
Have you read that book? What did you think of it?
Thanks for reading.
Very polite and respectful review!
It sounds like the fault of this book was not in the writing or world building and that those aspects were actually done really well. But it is okay if you don’t like the events that happen and what this could mean for the morals of the story. I struggle with books like that too, personally.
Great review! I have read this book and I didn’t love it either. I gave it a three stars too! The romance in DOTPK was so good but this one was meh. The plot was predictable. It isn’t extraordinary like her previous work. I was so disappointed!
Pfew! I am so happy that I am not the only one who was not blown away Raven!
Oh no, sorry you did not enjoy this more! I loved this book, but I can totally understand why the main character might have rubbed you the wrong way. It seems like the experience for the reader entirely hinges upon how they feel about Alessandra, and she’s so controversial that it can definitely go either way!
Excatly Mogsy! But I think I would have loved it better if she had stayed “bad” all along or if the king maybe had been a hidden villain and they would have been bad together LOL
This was a very interesting review! I don’t know if this book would end on my TBR or not, I am quite undecided, but your review gave me a good idea of what to expect from it, and that was great! Thank you!
You are most welcome Susy! And thank you!
An excellent review, Sophie, on a story, that in the end, failed at a number of hurdles. I know how that goes too. I just read The Breach (a UK release) and it was earning a lot of praise, but for what, I don’t know. The characters were as hollow as a thin reed. And, for me at least, the story fell flat.
Thank you Alexandra! But it still is very frustrating when you don’t get why people loved it and not you!
Wonderful review Sophie! I haven’t read this, but I have been in the same boat where I don’t like a book that everyone else seems to. It’s quite frustrating.
Thank you Kim! And yes, exactlyyyyy!!!
Great review! While I did enjoy this one, I can understand where you are coming from. I hope your next book is better!
Thank you Kayla! And I also get why you loved it! As I said it’s personal taste and had nothing to do with the author’s talent!
I agree!
The hero definitely sounds like she wasn’t as elaborate as she could’ve been but I’m glad to hear that the character was really the main issue here while the rest is still acceptable! Great honest review. 😉
Thank you Lashaan!!
Great review! I actually like to read negatives sometimes because it helps readers decide whether the book is going to be for them!
Well Katie as some readers attacked me on another unpopular opinion I now really have to put warning and all LOL
What?! Why would people do that? People can be really rude! Sorry you had to go through that!