A Blog of Books and Tea

(Rattle the Stars PR ARC Review)

Tropes:

• Slow Burn
• Long Forgotten Secrets
• Betrayal
• Spicy Scenes
• He Falls First
• Why Choose
• Gods & Fae
• Fated Mates
• Found Family
• Dragon Shifters
• Shadow Daddy
• Animal Companion

Stars – 🫖🫖🫖🫖🫖

Spice Level – 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Synopsis –

Bound by a bargain. Haunted by secrets. Destined for death.

Sybil Hart’s unknown bloodline may hold the key to everything she desires, and she’ll do anything—even if it means dying—to claim it.

Drawn into the rebels’ rising war, Sybil is caught between Samian, her brooding protector, and Kieran, the fierce warrior bound to her in ways neither can deny. By night she trains with the rebels, by day she moves unseen, shrouded in shadows beyond her enemy’s reach—every defiance a dangerous gamble. But hope is fragile, and each stolen victory demands a sacrifice that cuts deeper than the last.

As war with the Seelie Court looms, Sybil faces a choice that will shatter kingdoms: obey and destroy the ones she loves… or embrace her power within and rise.

But death is only the beginning…

Thoughts –

First off, I had a very good feeling about this book after reading City of Promise & Light. When reading the first book, I felt like there were some areas that lacked cohesion, and I hoped these small issues would sort themselves out as Atkins evolved as an author. I’m so happy that City of Shadow & Bone presents a narrative that flows much more seamlessly. The world-building has deepened, and the plot twists are engaging, capturing my attention from page one and holding it until the end. The characters feel more nuanced, making their journeys compelling. It’s evident

In this book, there are a lot more characters that we are either introduced to, or move to more pivotal roles within the narrative. I worried that this would make for a confusing read, but Atkins has done a wonderful job with making each of her characters memorable and easy to identify. They each have their own unique quirks that make (most!) of them so incredibly loveable!

I’m so glad Sybil seems to have matured in this installment of the series. Some of her actions in the first book made her seem like a petulant child. However I feel that the stronger she becomes the more sure of herself and her power. This has led her to become more of a “leading” FML rather than a simple bystander in her own story. I cannot wait to see her progression in the next book!

The level of spice in this book certainly goes up a notch as well! I loved the juxtaposition of both of Sybils mates, and how they both seem to compliment her own personality. They are opposite sides of the same coin and I am LIVING for it. I hope their relationship continues to grow as Sybil’s story progresses. I also cannot wait to learn more about Soren… I believe I’ll end up loving him soooo much! He’s a walking red flag and who doesn’t love that in a fantasy love interest!

I loved the way the villain is portrayed in this book, and how his handle on reality slips even more every time he is on the page. His descent into madness is both fascinating and terrifying. It really does make for a compelling read, drawing me deeper into the story. Each encounter with him leaves me eager to discover more about his past and the events that led him to this precarious ideologies.

Overall, I bloody loved this book! Atkins has evolved as an author which has made her storytelling truly captivating. I cannot wait to read book 3! I can only hope it arrives soon!