Daughter of the Drowned Empire

Product Information

I really, REALLY liked this! I loved Lyr so much, and she reminded me of Feyre and Jude a little (high praise from me). I loved her relationship with her sisters and how protective she is of them—that was the bit that reminded me of Feyre the most.

I loved how unique and involved the storyline, plot, and world are all seamlessly tied together. It had all the makings of a great fantasy novel. And for those worried - I would classify this under a fantasy novel with a romance subplot, and not a romance in a fantasy setting. It was perfection. Lyr has plenty scope for growth and I'm curious enough to read more in the series if my library gets the other books...afraid I'm not invested enough to buy them for myself tho - soz 😶

My ebook's map is so tiny, stretched and approximate I had to take a master in topology to understand a single thing I was seeing. Didn't work. Lyr’s own cousin was executed for wielding the wrong kind. And for years, Lyr has sworn to protect her older sisters, helping them conceal their own illicit magic.

No better place to begin than pointing out that this book was downright fantastic. I consumed it. Or, rather, it consumed me. First of all, I would like to say that Lord Rhyan Hart is mine. All mine. (Sorry Lyr, Koisty, Lila, and Lia)Plotwise speaking, I was impressed by how likeable this is and how fast-paced a book like this can be. FDM's writing is very good and easily quotable, even if some action scenes could use more work, in my opinion.

I'm prob being harsh, but considering the double life we're told she's been leading she's rather naive and it lowkey irked me to no end that she doesn't really take agency for herself for so long 🙈 Faced with death in exile, and leaving her sisters behind, Lyr has no choice but to accept a deadly contract. She has seven months to train as a warrior and pass the Emperor’s brutal test of strength, without magic. If a gryphon just tried to tear that rope, they'd be free in seconds, but they don't do it because they don't know this. I wanted to remind myself. Every time I thought I couldn't do something, a task felt too big, an enemy too scary, I imagined they were nothing more than a thin, puny rope. And no rope can hold me."-Rhyan 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. Doesn't end on an exciting cliffhanger, but more of a "to be continued." it's like pausing the Mulan movie right before her personal-growth/training montage

The plot felt stretched & the moments of impact lost. It felt like I was reading a prequel novel (nothing wrong with prequel novels) but I just kept on being a bit disappointed with the decisions of the FMC & the obvious set up for later books - without providing the BANG I needed in THIS book. Lyriana was so likeable it made it very enjoyable to take on the story from her POV. The girl is smart, strong, and fiercely protective of the people she loves. We see 2 conflicting love interests for Lady Lyr, and it just pulls you even further into the story, as she continues to find herself and what she really wants - which you can see beginning to develop with how she approaches these relationships. Rhyan: stop I love him so much. Caring and protective, he hides his kind side under a cold exterior. but honestly I love him so much ahhhhhhh 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.

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. Cue uncontrollable screaming because that is what I am currently doing after finishing this absolute MASTERPIECE!!* There's a super cool magic system, Lyr's sisters who I need to know more about, and a setting that I can't wait to delve into in the sequel. But most of all...there's Rhyan.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. The worldbuilding is actually pretty awesome (which is why I gave it two stars and not one)—but I read half the book and I barely get where we are/what’s happening/where the story is going. I’m the first one to complain about info dumps but this—this is too much too fast. I saw multiple spots where the story would’ve benefited off of spending a paragraph or two going over the weird fantastic creatures they have, or the layout of the land, or the socio-political structure of their society, and where all of that stands in relation to the human world (which they off-handedly mention like, once?). Also, the plot is just so choppy. No seamless flow at all. Suffice it to say that I’m very lost. 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. 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.