Daughter of the Drowned Empire

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I found the Lyriana/Tristan relationship completely pointless. I could’ve gotten behind the idea if it was only for political protection, but the incessant internal monologue trying to convince us that she actually liked him was a completely unnecessary attempt to create a love triangle, which only really work when we are not sure who the MC is going to end up with (and sometimes not even then), and it’s obvious who it’s going to be here. There is literally no end to her “I have so many responsibilities that I need to fulfill for my family” spiel, so she would’ve been a much more consistent character (and the story would’ve been much stronger) had she actually stopped liking Tristan after the first chapter and only stayed with him to allay any suspicions about her sisters. (Also any sexual scenes between them were super awkward—very weird to read.) It did take me a minute to try to pronounce some of the titles and to get used to the methods of travel, but I was in heaven from the first chapter! I've read the entire thing, adored most of it, but there are still things that I have no idea what they are. vorakh are not as dangerous as believed! I think that they were outlawed by the "bad guys" as a way to weaken the "good guys." I think that part of the binding is what is causing 5he ill side effects of those with a vorakh and this will all be discovered later! Or at least I hope so. 😅 I want Meera and Morgana to find a way to control their gifts and be able to help Lyr in her coming fight.

The story follows the heartbreaking trials of the Lady Lyriana Batavia, third in line to rule the nation of Bamaria, part of the Lumerian Empire. The book opens with 17-year-old Lyr, as she known in the books, going to a ceremony where her sister, cousin, and other 19-year-olds will have their birth magic unbound and they will choose to become mage or magic-enhanced warrior. She is about to be engaged formally to Tristan, of Ka (House) Grey, a mage who also is trained to hunt down those who use one of the three forms of illicit magic. The world is her oyster. Until it isn’t. Goodreads Librarians are volunteers who help ensure the accuracy of information about books and authors in the Goodreads' catalog. The Goodreads Libra Goodreads Librarians are volunteers who help ensure the accuracy of information about books and authors in the Goodreads' catalog. The Goodreads Librarians Group is the official group for requesting additions or updates to the catalog, including: And then Ryan was introduced. *swoon* I love this forbidden love! I love that he supports her and gives her strength and helps her see herself as someone capable, even if she doesn't have magic. I’m really worried about the “apprentices and their charge must not fall in love” thing. This better not be some sort of Parabatai kind of shit—I will not cope😭 This story is about Lyriana who is an Heir to the Arkasva and third in line in the Ruling Ka (yes it’s confusing just bear with me…). Two years prior, on her birthday and her cousin’s Revelation Ceremony; her cousin is arrested and killed for being in possession of one of the three Vorakh, taboo powers after the Drowning of the empire - visions, mind-reading and teleportation. Lyr’s father protects her eldest sister from discovery as she is also in possession of one of these forbidden powers (Visions). A year later Lyr’s middle sister also has to be protected as she possesses Mind Reading. Lyr does everything for her sisters as it’s a death sentence for the whole family if their secret is ever discovered. On Lyr’s Revelation Ceremony she is sure that she is going to be revealed as Vorakh. However events transpire and to stop herself from being banished from the Empire she has seven months to train as a brutal warrior and pass a test of strength. Did I mention that her main trainer is Lord Rhyan Hart, the man she has been in love with since she was seven…This didn’t stop me from not loving the book. It feels like this book is setting the scene and laying the foundation for what is yet to come in the subsequent books and you can spot small seeds that have been planted and hinted at that I hope will start growing soon in book 2. Rebel forces, and an invading army, are destabilizing Bamaria, just as her family’s secrets threaten to reveal themselves. There is some sort of love triangle goin on, but not really, because while Lyr and Rhyan (and did I mention he's beautiful) clearly have feelings for each other, they can't act on them because it's forbidden. The second thing that sort of bothered me and kept me from giving this 5 stars, was the fact that the main character is a little too much YA coded and sometimes, unfortunately, feels too much of a Mary Sue for her own good, not too mention she was the epitome of TSTL. I wanted to strangle her a couple times during some scenes, but then she finally redeemed herself and I understood that her being unsufferable was probably part of her character's arc.

I just found myself constantly wanting MORE… more grit from the FMC, more tension from the love interest dynamic & more action in the plot. I had lots of fun, though, and overall, I think I've found a new favorite author and a new favorite series. and Lyr are some sort of reincarnations of Auriel and Asherah. Imbuing Lyr with Asherah's Goddess powers. So instead of having normal magic or a vorakh, her magic is some combination, explaining some of her dreams and feelings. I was not ready for this to make such an impact and my God am I glad that this book came onto my radar and I had the opportunity to read it because I am hooked…and I cannot wait to get into book 2. The Imperator as the villain was also done really well! He is cruel, vindictive and flaunts his power and prestige to just make you hate him. I could understand why he was awful but could also see why so many people followed him…. Really well written character!I want to start this with I had the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for an honest review and I am so thankful because this book is life changing. My ebook has some sort of almanac at the end, so I recommend studying it a little before reading the book or, even better, during the book. Had I known it was there, it would have made things way easier for me. GR book blurb describes this as Cleopatra meets Throne of Glass which makes me feel better about the Roman vibes this was giving me with all the talk of sandals even if I was obvs a little off base with historical context 🫣

Spice : 2/5 there were some good little spice scenes but I am assuming more will come in book two. I was just BEGGING for a kiss between two specific characters or spice between these two SPECIFIC CHARACTERS and IDEK how I am going to wait for this next book. But when she’s forced to train with Lord Rhyan Hart, the man she’s secretly loved since she was a girl—a feared warrior in exile himself, forbidden to her in every way—she’s in danger of losing far more than her family, life, and country. But when Lyr must participate in the ceremony that reveals her power, she uncovers something else entirely. Something that means banishment from the Empire.This book had me on the edge of my seat for the entire ride. I was panting from the suspense. The story was beautifully written, and it made an absolutely amazing start to what I know will be an amazing series. The character development and the plot are so intense that it will leave you breathless begging for more. year-old mage Lady Lyriana Batavia is third in line to the Seat of Power in Bamaria: a position of wealth and privilege, but not safety. Bamaria falls under the rule of the Lumerian Empire, survivors of a celestial war whose island sank in the Drowning. Now all Lumerians submit to the Emperor and his strict laws about magic. He decides what magic can be practiced and what powers remain forbidden. He decides who will die for possession of forbidden magic. It is an ambitious book. Sometimes I felt it had more on it’s plate than it could deal with and the pacing is a little unconventional but in the end, it all helped to shape the character arcs.