Trial of the Sun Queen (Artefacts of Ouranos)

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Our fmc LOR is kidnapped and thrown into the deadly Sun Queen trial where she competes with other tributes to become the queen. This one was like a weird mix of 'The selection' by Kiera Cass, and 'Throne of Glass' by SJM- that tried to pull an 'A Court of Thornes and Roses' in the end. In theory it sounds like it should work, but this was not what I thought it would be. The fantasy aspect of the book was the only reason I didn't rate this lower. The general premise behind it, although predictable, was relatively interesting, but just was not fledged out. Nothing really got the time to fully be explained. didn’t mag or healers question her prison brand on her shoulder? or was it normal for some umbra citizen to have those? Writing: The writing was so immersive! The world building was just perfect, the descriptions of their surroundings and the character profiles were amazing. The writing really captures your attention and sinks you into the story. When reading about Lor enduring the trials, I was on the edge of my seat, eyes wide, feeling the panic and the fear with her. A really easy and fast-paced read, short chapters. Just everything you would want from an adult fantasy.

That said, the alternate POV chapters from a certain someone made it difficult to fully invest myself in any connection Lor formed with the people of Aphelion. But, it should be mentioned that I can be cynical and am usually suspicious of any good deed in romantic fantasy books where the stakes are high. To try and avoid any spoilers, I will wait to explain that further until this book has been released.The fae king was--simply put--basic bitch pretty boy and disinterested me from the start. I'm so glad he didn't have a point of view in this book because I might've had to remove my own eyeballs if I had to subject myself to that. Blech. Yes, I understand that Atlas was supposed to be the villain, but that still doesn't take away from how underwhelming the romance was in comparison to the rest of the book. Saying that the characters 'felt an immediate connection' with one another, and adding in a few smut scenes doesn't add up to a good romance 😭😭😭. I think the thing that made it so bad for me, was the blatant disregard of the h's characterization, all for the sake of insta-love 😐. Thank you, Lor. One thing I’ve always hoped for in a bonded partner is someone who can make me become a better version of the Fae I am.” It made absolutely no sense to me how you can spend chapters building up an independent, hot-headed, non-trusting h, to just have them immediately fall head over heels over someone who quite frankly, was disappointing in all the ways that mattered.

Endured 12 years under the Aurora King. Lor wants to get free and make him pay for every torment he's done. But then she finds herself kidnapped and enters a deadly contest to win the Sun King's heart. In terms of the MMC, 🤡😭- I don't even want to think about how disappointing he was. He was just as bland as they come, and truly made me question so many things. He couldn't even do his reveals right 💀.Nadir is our second point of view character, a character who Lor sees as the villain throughout. He has the potential to be interesting but nothing below the surface is really explored with him, though it's rather set up that book two would lead to an enemies to lovers arc. That said, honestly, he's another character who was severely disinteresting, two dimensional, and who--quite frankly--didn't need a point of view. Nothing that happened in those sections is something that couldn't have been explored through a point of view in book two because all of his sections were set up for that. The storyline is very unreasonable, unreliable, and nonexistent in the world building. Also mind you this book claims to have "The Hunger Games" but bro what even is the game here? One of the challenges is a random fun fact quiz what is this? Who wants to be a Millionaire?😬 The Bachelor meets the Hunger Games. Ten women. A deadly contest. Only one can win the Sun King's heart.

My thoughts and views: Just. Wow. This has to be one of my favourite books this year. Read in one sitting. I could not get enough. I loved the FMC, she was just the epitome of a strong and tenacious woman. Little details getting leaked just at the right times throughout the story to keep me guessing throughout. I can't wait to read the next in the series! Imagine if The Selection was spicier and darker, but with fae and a touch of Plated Prisoner series! 🔥🖤i wanted fmc to doubt the king. to not to fall under his charm. i wanted her to use him for her own gain. every time i read “continent of Ouranos” or anything with “ouranos” , in my head it sounded like “your anus”. 😭😭😭 But Lor doesn't belong in the Sun Queen Trials. She doesn't understand why she was freed, and she isn't a citizen of the Sun King's court. The other Tributes resent her presence and will stop at nothing to ensure Lor is wiped off the gameboard, permanently.

I hate that general information about the h's time in prison, was never truly explained or developed, as that's what made me really enjoy it in the beginning- that darker undertone that really set the scene. so she nearly drowned and died. but king chose her to kiss right after she gained consciousness. i didn’t believe him. he had ulterior motives. he’s tamlin and i was waiting for rhysand. he did have ulterior motives. Point blank -- if you're going to set up a plot point in which a character is regularly subjected to physical and sexual abuse and coercion by all the men in her life and is bullied and manipulated into caring about people or giving them favors because they "love" her and she's "special," you CANNOT leave it hanging and not do anything with it. Fights to the death to become queen, fae court politics, magic, romance, action, violence, and a little spice…. Do I have your attention? The plot was so intriguing that I couldn't stop reading! I had to find out what was the truth behind the Trials and Atlas. Everything is very mysterious and the author drops little clues then and there... Atlas gives me King Midas's vibes, golden and yet hiding many secrets. The real love interest is not clear, but I have a suspicion... 😏this review contains all the spoilers bc i’m the mastermind and i guessed all twists. bc again i’ve read this before but in different font. I’m drawn to this Fae whenever he’s in the room. He’s a flower and I’m a bee searching for nectar.” Characters: resilient and strong FMC. A kind and stupidly good-looking Sun King. Irritating (but kinda funny) Captain/escort. Curious and mysterious Prince of Aurora.