DNF around 15%. I don't think so.

Read this blurb and tell me how I could have guessed that this is an urban kind of fantasy, which to me constitutes the least imaginative kind of genre fiction out there? The recipe for this type of novel seems to be throwing in every kind of paranormal creature the author can think of, maybe inventing a species or two, and hoping for the best. Bye, girl.

Never before have I read such an intense enemies-to-lovers tale. The gulf between the two main characters - Diana and Liam - was so extreme, so vast, with such unforgivable things they'd each done to the other between them like seemingly immovable boulders, that I don't know how the author managed to so convincingly bring them together.

And bring them together she did! In a sizzling "I'd die for you" kind of way.

I really enjoyed this book. Although it has a good few recognisable tropes I feel like the storytelling and structure of the story was very unique. I also loved the world-building. Or should that be worlds? Love a bit of Sci-Fi mixed in with my fantasy!

Diana was also an incredibly interesting character. She was about as morally grey as they come (and how nice is it for it to be the girl for once?) but I loved her journey. Liam also had quite a transformation throughout the book. He's a good guy, but he's completely shut off his emotions and that's not a good thing for anyone concerned.

The only thing that slightly marred my experience was the ending. It was just a little too mushy-monologue-y for my liking after all the badassery. Certainly not enough to put me off reaching for the next book, however, as there's clearly going to be more to this story and I'm looking forward to it.

I was not sure of this book at first. It has a lot going on but I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely read more from Amber Nicole.

ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and fair review.

A thousand years ago, Dianna gave up her life to save her dying sister, calling upon anyone who would listen to her. However, she did not expect a monster far worse than any nightmare to answer her pleas. Now, she must join forces with Liam, her enemy, known as the World ender. Dianna and Samkiel are enemies older than time, but they must join forces and work together in order to save their world and every realm in between.⁠

This book was very slow-paced, especially in the beginning, and I was having a hard time getting into it, and the BOOM fast-paced and really interesting. I liked the book and the main characters, their stories and the general plot. However, I felt like it was way too long and I was starting to get tired by how many pages there still were left to read.
Overall, I really liked it and I recommend it.

My rating: 3.5/4!

I had so high hopes for this book after reading so many good reviews and I must admit I was a little disappointed. It definitely wasn't bad, but it wasn't really that good either.

Pros:
- Very interesting world and great characters you really come to care about.
- Plot was great and so much fun!
- Great cliffhanger and I definitely will read book two and I'm very excited.

Cons:
- This book could have used one more look-through by an editor. There were sentences that didn't make sense and were repeated and it took me out of the story when this occurred.
- Dialogue was at some points not flowing very well and felt forced and not natural.

This book series has a lot of potential and I am so excited to see it grow, but this first book should just have been edited some more.

It is a great book with fantastic world-building and interesting characters. I really can't wait to see more of it.

This book wasn't it for me. I couldn't get into the story and I didn't like the writingstyle.
It wasn't my type of book

*thanks to the publisher and netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review*

I found this book to be really good! I think the pacing, romance, plot, world, etc., was all balanced good. Took off a star because of the last 1/4 of the book, but overall it was fun

I was hoping for a bit more spice in this novel but the story and characters hit the mark for me so it remains a five-star read. Morally gray MC's (when aren't they in novels about Gods and myths), beautiful world building and terrific writing. I have told so many people to buy this book. LOVE LOVE LOVE.

I’m honestly a little shocked that this is so highly rated. I didn’t think it was bad by any means, but it felt extremely long and didn’t really have me interested until maybe the last 25%. There were a lot of issues with the writing (I know typos are expected in an ARC but “barely” was spelled “barley” more than once) and the dialogue felt really formal and didn’t flow very well.

A couple things I did appreciate were that Dianna was a badass with a good heart and that this was more of a true enemies to lovers than some. I’m always a sucker for romance so I enjoyed it when her relationship with Liam started developing more. The ending was super heartbreaking with a cliffhanger that leaves you wanting more, but I’ll have to decide later on if I want to read the next one.

Thank you to Rose & Star Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

This was one of my favorite fantasy reads this year! The world is unique and the characters are detailed and dimensional.

Though the story follows a true enemies to lovers arc, I wouldn’t classify it as a romance at all. It’s an epic fantasy with action, twists, and a heartbreaking cliffhanger.

There were a lot of typos and errors, so I couldn’t give it five stars. BUT I am beyond excited for the next book!

I requested this one thinking it would be something it wasnt so I'll keep it short and sweet.

First off, the premise is great. I went in thinking it would action from all sides and honestly, the first third from Dianna's POV was mostly great (it dragged a little but what can you do). But then I started getting more from Liam and he was very droll in my opinion. I am all for unlikable characters but there's a line. Make him hideously devious, make him so villainous that you start secretly cheering for him - alas here he was just a meh and these sorts of characters make me want to stop reading.

The romancey bit was relatively well done and paced. I think everyone is a sucker enemies to lovers and this is done in a way that is likely to keep everyone happy. And the ending was done in a way that would hopefully bring people who love these sorts of novels back for more.

Now for the not so great bits. I said earlier that Dianna's POV kind of dragged a little in the first third. That would have been fine for the story building aspect. But then the entire novel started to take forever to get to any sort of point. You probably could have gotten it down to around 550 pages or less if someone had have genuinely critiqued it for pace and content

Also I wonder whether anybody actually edited this. There were typos throughout (expected in an arc) but then these typos were also carried over to the final copy. I am unsure as to whether these issues have since been resolved since release so I can't attest that they are still there 3 months from release.

I also want to point out that this whole thing feels kind of like its fan service to other popular authors within the genre. Yes I understand people write fan fiction. I understand that at the root of it, most characters are similar to other's that have already been written. But this felt like it was bordering on outright plagiarism.

So to recap, I tried, it wasn't for me. But if you can get past some of the glaring issues and are just looking for some relatively OK smut with a very average plotline, this book may be for you

Myth: 4/5

Amber Nicole really nailed the morally grey heroine in this story. Dianna’s motivations were so clear, the just unabashed understanding of what lengths she was willing to go to for her sister. It really made for a delightful counterpoint to the buttoned up (but not really) enforcer of the order of the realms.

The romance was a traditional enemies to lovers, which I really can’t get enough of. I’d say that the ‘to lovers’ part was a little underdeveloped, but this is definitely the first in a series, so it has room to build.

Magic: 4/5

A fantastic world of gods and monsters! The history of the gods and their past wars is a powerful backdrop to the current story. The world was an interesting mix of fantasy world and modern day, sometimes usage of “real” place names within the magical world through me off, but ultimately, the story pacing pulled me along for the ride either way.

Overall: 4/5

Action packed as a chaos agent, with a single minded focus on saving her sister, and a king of the gods, wanting to prevent a war, team up. It was a compelling read, I had a hard time putting it down. I definitely recommend if you are looking for your next enemies-to-lovers, morally grey, fantasy romance fix.

4 stars for the Book of Azrael. If you're looking for an amazing Fantasy book with well fleshed characters, then this book is for you.

This book had me experiencing a range of emotions. I will say that the beginning is very slow. I did put it down a few times to read something else, but I felt like the writing and synopsis had promise, so I wanted to keep going. I am so glad I did! As soon as it picked up, I could not put it down!! There is something for everyone in this book and it is original in its approach and delivery. The main character is a villain but you can't help but love her and want the best for her! The dynamics of the relationships between characters were so authentic. I am impatiently awaiting the next book!

This book had a slow start, and was a bit too long in my opinion, but it ended up being a strong opening to the series. I LOVE the main character. I love that she is the villain, and the author does a great job of getting the reader to root for her anyways. The world is lush and I can’t wait to learn more about it. This DOES end in a major cliffhanger.

4.25!!

I thought the start of this dragged. I didn't like the writing at first but I felt as it went on, it improved. I think it could improve a lot with a strong editor. There was a lot of repeating within the writing that I feel like just didn't need to be said. I did feel the plot to be a tad repetitive as well with the recurring issue of <i> betrayal</i>.

Overall I really liked this book. I look forward to continuing the series. I loved how the female character was the <i>villain</i>. She was dark, brooding, and a gothic babe. I loved her and her personality so much.

This story made me laugh and gasp. I loved the enemies to lovers and grumpy sunshine. This book talks a lot about dealing with trauma. I would look into trigger warnings before reading.

I will say, I called that ending. And if you have read <spoiler> [book:The Hunger Games|2767052] </spoiler> series then you too, probably called that grand finale.

Congrats on this debate novel [author:Amber Nicole|22127450]!!!

The only thing that bugged me about this book is that the next one isn’t even showing on goodreads yet. It’s expected and promised and, with a cliffhanger like that, it has to be coming BUT. NOT. FAIR.

How do I wait?

The Book of Azrael was part Indiana Jones-esque treasure hunt , part enemies to lovers romance, part forbidden romance, part monsters, demons and kings, part evil King hell-bent on destroying the world.

Thousands of years ago, Dianna gave up her life to save her sister and, unwittingly committed herself to a new life as a monster only nightmares could imagine.

Now, she must join forces with Liam, known as the World ender and saviour and king to many but, to her only as a mortal enemy. Not only must they put aside their differences to save the world they love and the people in it, they must face the truth of who they are and the similarities, and chemistry, that binds them.

Told in alternating viewpoints between Dianna and Liam, we get to see deeper into the characters minds and hearts - Liam, in particular, is very open about his feelings, which I liked, and Dianna is all snark and self protective barbs- as well as get to know the supporting characters. I would say that the character building was definitely one of the strengths of this book.

It’s a bit of a slow burn BUT the plot unravels well and it gives time for Amber Nicole to build the world among worlds in a way that is believable and engaging.

Now, can I please just have the next book to dive back in? I need more!

“Somewhere amidst her laughter and smiles, I decided I would rip the world apart for her."

Slowburn, enemies to lovers, fantasy, DRAGONS?!!! What more could you ask for? I was sucked in on page one and was unable to escape until the final page. These characters are complex and realistic, and the world-building is absolutely spectacular. Engaging, without being overwhelming, and still making you feel right at home within the pages.

10/10 would HIGHLY recommend.

The Book of Azrael was published in late June 2022. Thank you to Rose and Star Publishing LLC, IBPA, NetGalley and the author for the ARC.

First off, thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I kept trying to get into this book, but ultimately couldn't. I had to DNF this in the first third (and this is one long book).

This book was very slow-paced, especially in the beginning, and I was having a hard time getting into the lore and the main character (Dianna) confused me. This was disappointing to me as I did find the premise to be interesting and wanted to be drawn into the story more.

I'll also say that the errors, typos, and strange font sizing really threw me off while reading. There would be random paragraphs with a larger font size, and I often noticed a couple words mid-paragraph that were a larger font size than the rest of the paragraph as well. At first I thought maybe this was for emphasis, but I don't think that was the case.