This started off really well and it was original enough to really catch my attention and keep me reading over longer sessions than I would normally do.
However, the author had to ruin it (for me, at least). At 85% through, the first unnecessary gratuitous sex scene appeared. I was kind of expecting it as it had been telegraphed somewhat, but I was hoping to be wrong, sadly not.
Then not much later, at 88% another gratuitous sex scene took place.
Neither of these interlewds (spelling intended) add to the content of the story. They were really off-putting in the last quarter of what had been a reasonably goodish read so far
They spoilt the pleasure of reading the book for me so much.
I'm no prude, but I want to choose when I engage with such materials, not have it thrown into any otherwise engaging book.
It put me off finishing the tale, however the overall story was good enough to keep me reading on, with fingers crossed that there'd be no further such sections.
I might read the next book as I'm really quite interested to find out what happens to the characters. But I'm sure there'll be further such explicit content, so will have consider carefully whether to read it or not.
Normally a 2*, but upping it to a 3* despite the unwanted gratuitous sex because I liked the rest of story quite a bit.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton | Hodderscape for approving me to read this book for free.
3/5 Stars
Official description:
A woman who wields magical tarot cards lands herself in a false engagement with the headmaster of a mysterious academy in this first installment of an enthralling fantasy romance series from the bestselling author of A Deal with the Elf King.
Clara Graysword has survived the underworld of Eclipse City through thievery, luck, and a whole lot of illegal magic. After a job gone awry, Clara is sentenced to a lifetime in prison for inking tarot cards-a rare power reserved for practitioners at the elite Arcana Academy.
Just when it seems her luck has run dry, the academy's enigmatic headmaster, Prince Kaelis, offers her an escape-for a price. Kaelis believes that Clara is the perfect tool to help him steal a tarot card from the king and use it to re-create an all-powerful card long lost to time.
In order to conceal her identity and keep her close, Kaelis brings Clara to Arcana Academy, introducing her as the newest first-year student and his bride-to-be.
Thrust into a world of arcane magic and royal intrigue, where one misstep will send her back to prison or worse, Clara finds that the prince she swore to hate may not be what he seems. But can she risk giving him power over the world-and her heart? Or will she take it for herself?
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Star Ratings - what they mean:
https://crowtreelane.blogspot.com/2019/03/five-stars-applied-carefully.html
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