Court of Ravens and Ruin: A Brides of Mist and Fae Novel (The Shadow Bound Queen Book 1)

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Authors, if you are a member of the Goodreads Author Program, you can edit information about your own books. Find out how in this guide. I wasn't interested, so much boring politics, and the main character is just getting more and more annoying. The MMC, Maz, was…never sexy. It felt like he was barely in the story, and when he did show up, he had no redeeming qualities other than being hot? He was cruel and menacing and withheld any morsel of helpful information. Any time Reyna asked him anything meaningful (which was, admittedly, rare) he just growled some version of “shut up” and stalked away. There was one scene where attraction between Reyna and Maz was described but it felt perfunctory and hollow. Only, when he takes the mask off, he isn’t what she expects. He’s lethal, beautiful and exudes sin. And he needs her.

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. 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. As the story unfolds, the tension between them builds as they both struggle to navigate their complicated bond. The narrative turns into a thrilling game of secrets and deception. The worldbuilding in this book is well-crafted, and I liked the description of the castle and city. I was intrigued by the idea of the gold-giver and the Fae's use of magic through their staff. Additionally, the incorporation of Norse mythology into the Fae lore was an interesting twist. It has piqued my interest and I would love to read more books that explore the concept of Viking Fae.Reyna’s defining characteristic is her hair. Take a shot every time it mentions her “ shining, copper hair.” 57 times. I counted. You’re not making it out alive. I guess she’s the only person in the world with slightly reddish hair, and that just makes her oh-so special. The summary portrays the protagonist as a "defiant human" and she's even praised for her bravery by some characters. However, in reality, she isn't, making stupid decisions that often put herself and others in danger. Also, that spice scene was incredibly unnecessary and weird. Why was it even there? There wasn't any romance to connect it to anything lol.

This book fell short in so many ways. The one saving grace was Voron. That hilarious owl is worth a whole star.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. I liked the ravens and skulls and the overall vibe of the Shadow Court. The Yggdrasil setting was unique. The magic system has potential.