ARC Review - Publish Date June 13, 2023
Author: Claire Legrand
Series: Book 1 of The Middlemist Trilogy series
Category: Fantasy Romance
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
"That selfish cowardice was my deepest, most terrible secret." - Gemma
If this story hadn't been an ARC book review, I don't think I would have finished it. I consider my time pretty valuable and as much as I don't like leaving something unfinished, after the first couple of chapters I would have hightailed it to a different book.
The premise, the cover, and the blurb were all 10/10 in my eyes, this book had so much promise! I was excited to be introduced to a new world, and fantasy romance holds a special place in my heart. Unfortunately, the execution left something to be desired and this book just wasn't for me.
I hated Gemma by the first 10 pages, and my feelings about her only went downhill from there. Her holier "I am rich, popular and everyone wants to be me" attitude was stuffed down the reader's throats and I couldn't for the life of me understand how I was to feel any sort of interest or sympathy for the character. She was such a brat, so self-aware of her selfishness but absolutely unwilling to change, and really, her crippling chronic pain was kind of deserved based on her awfulness.
"When a girl has condemned her sister to a life of servitude, that girl does not much relish the times when she must look said doomed sister in the eye." - Gemma
Was I hoping a monster would eat her? Yes, yes I was.
"Self-pity and hatred and the bitter bite of shame - these were the feelings I knew most intimately. What a pathetic creature I was." - Gemma
Talan was another hot mess of a character entirely, and the insta-love was not very convincing or comprised of any chemistry. By the time we moved on to any sort of romance, intimacy, or sexual encounters I was cringing. The back-and-forth I don't trust you, I love you, I hate you but I forgive you drama was all over the place, as was the pacing of their relationship.
"'I hate you,' I whispered, 'and I always will, for offering me this thing I cannot possibly refuse.' Talan looked away, his jaw working. 'For the chance to avenge my family and help yours as well,' he said quietly, 'earning your hatred is a price I will pay not happily but willingly.'"
Many other reviewers note the YA feel of this book despite being classified as an adult fantasy romance, with which I fully agree. Curse words and sex scenes do not make an adult novel.
I was more interested in learning more about the world and its magic system than I was in any of the characters. From the author's other successful series, I know a great series is possible, can we get a do-over? This one didn't work for me.
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you, NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity.
Tropes and Themes: Paranormal and Fantasy Romance, Insta-love, Magic.
Blurb
Lady Gemma Ashbourne seemingly has it all. She's young, gorgeous, and rich. Her family was Anointed by the gods, blessed with incredible abilities. But underneath her glittering façade, Gemma is deeply sad. Years ago, her sister Mara was taken to the Middlemist to guard against treacherous magic. Her mother abandoned the family. Her father and eldest sister, Farrin—embroiled in a deadly blood feud with the mysterious Bask family—often forget Gemma exists.
Worst of all, Gemma is the only Ashbourne to possess no magic. Instead, her body fights it like poison. Constantly ill, aching with loneliness, Gemma craves love and yearns to belong.
Then she meets the devastatingly handsome Talan d'Astier. His family destroyed themselves, seduced by a demon, and Talan, the only survivor, is determined to redeem their honor. Intrigued and enchanted, Gemma proposes a bargain: She'll help Talan navigate high society if he helps her destroy the Basks. According to popular legend, a demon called The Man With the Three-Eyed Crown is behind the families' blood feud—slay the demon, end the feud.
But attacks on the Middlemist are increasing. The plot against the Basks quickly spirals out of control. And something immense and terrifying is awakening in Gemma, drawing her inexorably toward Talan and an all-consuming passion that could destroy her—or show her the true strength of her power at last.
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