Onyx & Ivory

It’s a young book with good characters, far more interested in the side characters than the main ones. The world building is brilliant and the knowledge behind horses and weapons shows the research the author has put in.The plot and the villians is easy to see where it’s going but certain events don’t add up, the errant Prince is too perfect and the flaws are too obvious, the heroine makes you want to kill her, typical tomboy but wants love but ready to take on everything and be perfect.I love the heroine best friends they are good and enjoyed the first third of the book, the middle dragged and the needless over long points of the errant prince facing his trial and Kate facing her old life was boring but the twists were good.I won’t comment on the last third but say you could see where it would lead.Overall a good story but needs condescending of the love story of the main characters

If you enjoy YA Fantasy Fiction with a new magical concept, new take on ‘Dragons’ that’s fast paced with an interesting mixture of Characters, then you need to read this book, and soon!I haven’t previously encountered the Author, but at a friends suggestion, I ordered a copy to read. I loved it so much, it is now our Book groups January readalong! Also. That cover is just so gorgeous 😍 I may be more than a bit envious of said friend, who has the sprayed edges edition from Fairyloot, but I’m getting distracted.I adore the characters, they’re each so different! And each are likeable for very different reasons. I particularly loved the fact that we know from the very start who the romantic interests are, and as we alternate between the two peoples perspectives for the story, we were given a very unique view of each persons personality and individual misgivings regarding the others feelings. For me, thus made it so much more relatable and fun!Each Character had very real reservations, and each was confused. But yet, I think having both peoples views made this easier to understand, and less angsty. Instead, we get to see both sides of the situation, we get to understand both their attitudes in each situation.That’s just the romance, but alongside this you have the Fantasy and magical element, there are secrets and revelations as we go. There are interesting turns of event, shocking reactions from some, and some interesting ‘badies’When I sit and think through the book, I am hard pressed to come up with one section in particular that I enjoyed, because they all blended so perfectly! The story is far from slow paced, and having read the blurb I was fully expecting to spend the first 1/4 of the book waiting to get to the action. Don’t worry, this Author gets you stuck in quickly, and still managed to wonderfully create the world you find yourself in the middle of.There are elements of intrigue, there are action scene, there magic and mayhem... there are so many things I have enjoyed about this story, and I would very very happily read this again! I truly loved it, and I can’t wait to see what comes next for the series!

This is a YA fantasy. This follows Kate, a royal courier, who lives with the moniker of Traitor Kate, after her father attempted to kill the king. As a courier, Kate longs for respect, but lives in fear of someone discovering her magical ability – talking and going into the minds of animals. In a land besieged by drakes, Kate discovers a battered caravan and with it, Prince Corwin – a lone survivor and the man she once loved… This felt a very generic read, but not in a good way. I feel like not enough happens and the prose is overly lengthy, with long-winded descriptions. The perspectives of Kate and Corwin are too similar, and I found I didn’t really like either character. The selling point of this is the drakes, and I feel like they don’t get enough time on the page, and the information about them is scarce. When they appear, they’re almost pushed aside. It’s very slow paced, dragging out politics and court betrayals, and romances that don’t seem to go anywhere. This being said, there is potential. This could be so much more, but it just falls flat. I think it’s doubtful I will pick up anymore of the series.

Opening Line: “Out here, darkness meant death”The kingdom of Rime is plagued with Nightdrakes, these dragon like creatures that come out at night to devour whatever they can. The only thing that saves the people are the ward stones supplied by the magists at a heavy cost. Kate Brighton inherited the title ‘traitor Kate’ after her father tried to assassinate the high king of Rime. Kate feeling betrayed by those around her ran to an outpost town to start afresh. She secures a position with the relay courier service delivery mail, however her past soon catches up with her in the form of Prince Corwin ‘her lost love’ when she saves him from a nightdrake attack during the day...“But no amount of wishing could change their hearts, and desire could not be mined, only ignited.”..Kate and Corwin find themselves on an adventure full of political intrigue, mystery and a race against time to save the kingdom and the people they love. Can Kate trust Corwin with her deepest secrets? Can Corwin throw off the shackles of duty and do what he believes is right?..The secondary characters in this book contribute immensely to the world building! I loved Bonner and his gentle but fierce personality, Signe and her tall tales were an absolute blast. Dal was an amazing friend for the prince who kept him humble and grounded. I would give this book 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Slightly predictable at times however brilliantly written and quite an interesting storyline! I can’t wait for the next instalment...