Queen B’s Decree: I definitely got sucked into this one. It starts with an immediate attraction (on both sides), but it takes a while for their relationship to develop. Vexxion turns into a tiny stalker who antagonizes Tempest and they end up bickering so badly. Ahhhhhh, foreplay.
The storyline was super intriguing, involving dragons, evil fae lords, and magical beings attacking human villages. Tempest was basically an animal whisperer, and her interactions with the dragons and her pet bird (raven? crow? I can never remember the difference!) was so adorable and heartwarming. Vexxion was kind of a turd at the beginning, which made his transformation to adoring fated mate even better.
The spice in A Kingdom of Bitter Magic was just right, and I couldn’t get enough of the banter and the dialogue. I laughed, I cried, and I wanted to throw the book away at the cliffhanger ending—but dang, was it done well and I’m hooked and want more.
My first from this author but not the last!
Book: A Kingdom of Bitter Magic by Alaya Wells
Series: A Kingdom of Blighted Thorns #1
Genre: Fantasy
Hotness: medium hot salsa
Plot Devices/Tropes: fated mates