My Review
Oh my goodness, I simply had to tell someone about this book I just finished - "Court of Ravens and Ruin." I picked it up because, well, who can resist a dark fae prince and Norse mythology? As someone who's always been fascinated by Viking lore and court intrigue, I thought I'd found my perfect reading escape. *sigh*
Let me tell you, darlings, it's... complicated. The worldbuilding absolutely enchanted me - the author created this fascinating blend of Norse mythology and fae courts that had me completely invested. The magic system, especially the concept of gold-giving, felt fresh and unique. And the shadow-fae prince, Mazrith? *fans self* The author certainly knows how to craft an intriguing male lead with layers of complexity.
But (and this is a rather significant but), I found myself growing increasingly frustrated with our heroine, Reyna. I wanted so desperately to connect with her - to champion her defiance and root for her journey. Instead, I kept wanting to reach through the pages and give her a good shake! There's a fine line between being admirably defiant and just plain reckless, and our dear Reyna seems to have missed that memo entirely.
What I did adore was the slow-burn romance element and the delicious tension of secrets being kept on both sides. The author really knows how to weave that web of "I want to trust you but I can't" that keeps you turning pages well past your bedtime. The castle descriptions and overall atmosphere were simply *chef's kiss*.
However, I do wish the dialogue had been more polished - some of the exchanges felt rather forced, and certain attempts at wit made me cringe more than chuckle. I've heard far better banter in the courts I've visited, if you know what I mean...
Would I recommend it? Well, if you're like me and have a weakness for mysterious fae princes, court politics, and Norse-inspired fantasy, then yes - but adjust your expectations accordingly. It's more of a cozy evening read than an epic tale for the ages.
⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5 out of 5 stars)
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to decide if I'm invested enough to pick up the sequel. This cliffhanger is absolutely wicked...
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Book Description
A defiant human woman. A dark fae Prince. Two enemies bound to a marriage that could destroy their world.
Reyna was born a valuable slave to the Gold Court, imprisoned her whole life in a glittering palace by sadistic, greedy fae.
When the palace is raided, she takes her opportunity to escape. But the raid is led by her worst nightmare. The Prince of the most feared fae of all; the Shadow Court. And he wants one thing.
Her. The copper-haired, rune-marked human.
Reyna doesn’t know why the Prince has kidnapped her. But when he announces her as his betrothed, she knows that she must escape before she is eternally bound to the monster behind the mask.
Only, when he takes the mask off, he isn’t what she expects. He’s lethal, beautiful and exudes sin. And he needs her.
Drawn into a deadly world shrouded in secrets, and desperate to keep her own hidden, Reyna must find a way out. If she doesn’t, she risks more than just death. She risks giving everything to her intoxicating captor.
This is the first book in the Shadow Bound Queen series, and is inspired by Norse mythology and Vikings. Sexy fae Vikings. It has Hades and Persephone, Beauty and the Beast vibes, and is slow-burn enemies to lovers fantasy romance with a burn-the-world-down-for-her hero. The series builds in steam and is filled with magic, myth, and delicious tension.
Brides of Mist and Fae is a brand new world from Eliza Raine, unconnected to the Dark Gods of Olympus.
Eliza Raine writes Greek mythology inspired fantasy that is fast paced, full of new worlds and creatures and sprinkled with a healthy dose of romance. She lives near Reading in England with her husband, three cats and outrageously cute puppy. She has a BA Hons in History and has a deep-rooted passion for mythology and stories about women who don't need rescuing.
She can usually be found reading fairytale retellings, playing board games or binge-watching Netflix shows.
You can read some of Eliza's stories for free by visiting her website at www.elizaraine.com
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