A Court of Fantasy and Fiction discussion

Your September BOTM choice is here! Drop your comments, reviews, or annoyances in the chat. <3

Just started reading today can’t wait to see how this story pans out!

My GR review: Okay so unpopular opinion coming in hot. This was a ⭐️⭐️ read for me. I’ve read 90 books since March and this was my least favorite of all of them. That was way harsh Tai…I know, I’m so sorry Sarah A. Parker, I’m sure you’re a lovely human being and I can’t imagine writing a fantasy book is an easy task. I definitely couldn’t do it! Do you want to hug it out?

That being said, I was SO excited to read this book because every single Bookstagram account I follow gave this book a 10/10, must read, best fantasy book ever, completely life changing, you will never be the same after reading this book, type reviews…

Well, I thought the book was terrible. 😞 Again, so sorry to all involved. It felt poorly written in a weird choppy way that was so hard to follow. I can only describe it as feeling like I was reading spotty cell phone service if that was a thing. The world building was intense to say the least (please see the 20 page glossary before the book even starts) and this coming from a person who owns a t-shirt that says, “I survived the first 100 pages of Crescent City.” (Okay, I don’t really, but how great would that t-shirt be?!)

There was a weird like native ritualistic ‘Dances with Wolves’ fight scene mid book that not only came out of nowhere, it made zero sense, and did nothing to add to the story and didn’t feel like it even fit the vibe. I think dragons die and turn into moons and the sky has millions of moons, but some fall from the sky. But the MFC has amnesia and then we get a few Jekyll/Hyde moments…I think? What? I’m so confused about everything that happens in this book. I felt like I was the one with amnesia since nothing makes sense or flows or feels like it has any rhyme or reason. Maybe things will come together in the sequel, but I honestly don’t really care enough about these characters to find out, and I swear I am the easiest reader to please…ever.

The only reason I gave it 2 stars was it had a like a 15 page spice scene and that was actually really well done and the MMC’s nickname for the FMC is “Moonbeam” and I thought that was really cute.

This book is extremely overhyped in my opinion and I will die on this hill. Which Sarah would probably love for me to do if she (hopefully never) reads this review.

Just started this yesterday. I’m 75 pages in and struggling with this one. Anyone else?

Jessica I just hit page 98 chapter 15 and I felt it was a slog getting here but I'm going to continue because I'm determined it's not going to beat me.

On page 61. I am liking it so far. 600 pages to go

I'm at chapter 64. I had a lot of TOG vibes at the beginning. Raeve is very similar in a lot of ways to Celaena I think.

Also, this world has been hard to get into. It picked up a little, but I'm back to struggling some again.

I’m at chapter 45 and loving it so far. It is not ya. Also she renames normal things. I think this is a more traditional fantasy/sci-fi thing. I wonder if this throws people off and then they feel like they can’t get into the book?

Finished the book and I’m disappointed. This was too long for a lot of questions to not be answered. I gave it a two stars.

Essaba wrote: "Finished the book and I’m disappointed. This was too long for a lot of questions to not be answered. I gave it a two stars."

I felt the same way. I ended up giving it 3 stars, but don't really remember why I opted for that over a 2 which is where I really thought I was going.

I'm reading WTMH and it's intriguing. I like the main character thus far, and the world building is excellent. In fact, the author spends so much time creating the world I'm exhausted. Every other paragraph has a new creature or gadget she's incorporating and it's almost taking me out of the plot. I do like the world, and will continue on.

I’m about to start this book and I’m seeing a lot of mixed reviews about it so now I don’t know what to expect

I am about to get started and I am terrified! I didn’t realize there was a 20 page glossary. Yikes! I think I’m just going to plow through like I did when I started Crescent City. If the terms do not make sense or are not properly described within the context of the story, I will probably dnf. I’ll give it a couple hundred pages to develop and we will see how it goes…. I don’t think you should need an encyclopedia to read a fantasy novel!

I have it ready and waiting on my kindle - moving onto that as soon as I finish Kingdom of Ash.

I've just finished this it took me almost 100 pages and 15 chapters before I actually started to enjoy.
once I got into it it paces along quite nicely, I was surprised it could be a little dark and disturbing in places thou,
I enjoyed the twists and turns, but a little put out at times by the MFC as she was a little annoying at times.
I must admit I got to the end and felt I read a book with a storyline I didn't know where it's meant to go next, but I'm glutton for punishment because I've just pre- ordered book 2 because I have to know what it's all about.

50% done and it FINALLY is getting interesting! First half was pretty slow, so I’m hoping the second half continues to get better.

I thought this was fantastic! An epic story of long lost love set in an immersive fantasy world. I was worried that the world would be too confusing but I was able to jump right in and it hooked me right away. I love the dual timeline with the journal entries. It is multi-pov but it is used sparingly. The chapters from the other perspectives I thought really added to the story. Even though it is almost 700 pages, it reads really fast. I have no idea where the plot is going, I am excited to continue the series. I am guessing we’ll get more politics between the Kings. The world is so rich and there are so many more characters to explore. 6⭐️ Easily my favorite read of the year.

Chapter 4 and struggling with the writing 🥲

I keep going through moments of ok this is great to ok I can put this down and 43% of the way done and struggling again hoping it picks back up like I see some of you saying in the second half!

I am going to start reading this book, we will see if i likes it. I see alot of mixed feelings about it.

Jessica wrote: "Just started this yesterday. I’m 75 pages in and struggling with this one. Anyone else?"

Absolutely - l have had this book for months and can't get past the first chapter to be honest, its not gripping me at all.

Is this worth hanging in - and if so how far in before it starts to get good!? I almost never struggle to get into a book, so this is unusual for me!

I’m reading this book on kindle and I haven’t really made much headway through even though it’s a decent book I don’t know if I will finish this book to be honest.

This book read like a prequel to me. A great set up to the next book. I finished it thinking "Okay, now lets get into the story!".

I felt like not much happens and 1/3 can be cut without missing anything. This is not to say that its not important to read...but the plot is just very linear until the very end. Great writing though and Im excited to see where she takes the story.

I just finished Iron Flame so I’m hoping When the Moon Hatched HEALS my heart!! Here we go ☺️

Finally, I'm starting the book now. I'm so excited to see how I'll like it. I see a lot of mixed feelings about it.

Just finished this and wrote a review..idk wasn’t impressed even while it picked up a bit in the second half it wasn’t like other books I’ve recently read where I just couldn’t put it down. Also the slow burn wasn’t really there, I found Raeve super annoying and wanted the “other” to take over more often lol

I read this book a while back and absolutely loved it! For those struggling though I hear you. Imagine my pain as this was my first book back into reading! Although the world can be challenging at times - I implore you not to give up half way through as it really opens up in the latter half. Think of it like ACOTAR but a bit more complex. The series and story really takes off in the latter half there too but it was worth it in the end. I really think book 2 is going to be incredible and will have been worth the effort being put forth for book 1!

This book was a difficult one. So much was based on world building in the first half, the plot didn't really start coming together until the second half. When it did, it was very good, and I adore Kaan. I'm game for the 2nd, but there better be lots of time devoted to the main characters finding love after all this or I swear....we are fully versed in the bizarre creatures, beliefs and power structure. I hope Kaan gets what he wants, more than anything. It was worth reading, and in retrospect, a very good choice!

Anyone listening or listened to the audiobook version?
What did people think of it?
Are the narrators enjoyable to listen to or ear splitting?

I do find that often when books have a lot of world building or dual POV this is often easier for me to get my head around it all by enjoying a book this way.

Hmm… mixed feelings on When the Moon Hatched.

There was some deep world building and some blush worthy spice scenes. I agree with prior readers reviews of how this seemed almost like a prequel, like you already knew the world, characters, magical system and creatures.

Personally I liked the multi POV and felt like there could have been more given the length of the book. The character building was a bit lacking for me until over half way through.

Overall I enjoyed it and would recommend it if you’re looking for a fantasy world to dive into. Will I read the next book? Yes, hoping there will be more spice scenes and character development. Will I be preordering it and counting down the days till it releases? I don’t think so.

Lydia wrote: "Anyone listening or listened to the audiobook version?
What did people think of it?
Are the narrators enjoyable to listen to or ear splitting?

I do find that often when books have a lot of worl..."

I listened to the audio for a good portion while reading along. I didn't mind it. It definitely helped with the pronunciation of some words because she has some weird ones in here lol