Review: The Book of Azrael by Amber Nicole

QOTD: “I didn’t remember how long we talked, but somewhere amidst her laughter and smiles, I decided I would rip the world apart for her. When she had turned into me and wrapped her arms around my chest, the world had slipped away. It was brief reprieve as I held her body curled against mine. It was a moment of peace until the dreams that threatened to shred my soul shattered it”-Liam (The Book of Azrael)

This book completely surprised me! The playful bantering and bickering had me swooning and smiling to myself. From the beautiful cover to the story and personality of all the characters, I absolutely loved it!

Liam (The World Ender) burdened with the trauma of his past meets Dianne (An Ig’Morruthen) still facing the consequences of sacrificing her life to Kaden (Far worse than any monster) to save her sister. Both meant to be enemies yet when Dianna finds her sister in trouble, she’ll go to any lengths to protect her even if that means going against Kaden and uniting forces with Liam. As they work together, they can’t deny the feelings that form as they help each other become whole again.

I’m really sad that this book ended on a cliffhanger, looking forward to the next book in the series!

“I hate that you affect me so much, that you care so much when I do not deserve it” – Liam (The Book of Azrael)

Rating: 4/5

This was so good!!!! So good! I particularly love that the enemies to lovers is actually ENEMIES to lovers and not rivals or something else.

I really struggled to get through this one. Though there were plenty of grammatical errors, I didn't like the writing style, and the central relationship never quite hooked me, I think ultimately the main reason I didn't enjoy this one is the genre.
It's urban fantasy/sci-fi/dystopian? Or something. Our modern world (either in the future or with more advanced tech/magic) fused with a fantasy/sci-fi world with thousands of years of history involving gods, monsters, magical beings, and other worlds.
I was under the impression this was straight-up fantasy when I picked it up, so it's probably mostly on me that I didn't enjoy this one. I just don't particularly like all those things mixed together. The modern American/western slang alongside a fantasy world has never been my thing, and it's rare for me to enjoy an amalgamation of all those genres like this one.
If the genre mix interests you and you like the sarcastic enemies to lovers arc, you may enjoy this one.

*I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to both for my free copy*
I really, really wanted to like this book but I just couldn't get into it. After seeing so many 5* reviews, I feel like I've read a different book to everyone else. I was sucked in by the slow burn enemies to lovers trope. The book starts off in the midst of action, which is great, starting off with a fast pace. However, I felt like there was no character development, characters seemed to be coming in and out of the story with no context or ideas as to who they were and what their back stories might be. I did enjoy the relationship between Dianna and her sister Gabby, these were the parts that I did read that I liked most.
I got up to chapter 11 to see if it would change once I was nearly a quarter of the way through, but I had to stop, it wasn't holding my interest and the story was just too fast with so much going on that I didn't really know what was going on.
I have seen so many good reviews about this book so please don't let this one out you off, it was probably just too fast paced for me.

I LOVED this book. The whole thing was a masterpiece. The characters were mysterious and cool. I could not put this book down once I started it. I cannot wait for more.

OMG, I literaly have no words to describe the beauty of this book. I fell in love with Dianna and Liam first separately then together. I do not want to spoil anything, go blind in it and, if you love fantasy, you will devoure this book.
Would it be a second book? If yes, I need it asap.

5 stars

~ I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own ~

Oh this was so so good. This was darker than I usually read - I tend to read light hearted books and books that keep me going but this was great. I feel low it’s something I’d read in the fall - the book is literally called the “the book of Azrael” but it was a thrill to read. 5/5 stars!

I really enjoyed this book! It was an enemies to lovers fantasy and was fast paced, I couldn’t put it down! I love the main character Dianna, who is a morally grey type of character who is forced to do horrible things to keep her sister safe! She is fierce and brave, and I love when she decides to fight back against Kaden. Liam is my new favorite book boyfriend, who starts out broody and tough…but is really fiercely protective and sweet! After that tough ending, I can’t wait for the next book!

I have read 56 books so far in 2022 it is June 2nd. This has stolen the show and is my favorite read so far. I read a ARC version so I saw some edit issues but that is obviously to be expected. The version I read was 841 pages and I devoured every page. It is my longest book by far.

This book is a MC strong woman who is actually the villain. I have not read a book with a strong female character since ACOTAR. Dianna isn't whiny, she isn't ruled by her emotions for a man, she is driven by love for someone else close to her. She isn't a goody goody and is maybe on the black side of grey. Finally, a strong character. The MC male is also a strong personality and neither back down. The book as an interesting mix of ancient and modern which at first made me think she was inconsistent and then I realized its because the age of the characters and she clearly brings this full circle. The enemies to lovers journey is solid and long. I am so glad that she did this right. They don't instantly fall in love. They go through a journey to not hate each other. Her character development helps you love the characters as the book continues. This isn't like any fantasy I've read lately. There is no fae, no high lords. Most is brand new or adapted from a more mythological stance. I loved it, absolutely loved it. No whiny monologues from the FMC, no insta love, no cringy dialogue.
*Enemies to lovers
*Forced proximity
*One bed trope
*Strong female character
*Female character has a real body

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4758782243

I loved this. I'm a total sucker for a sarcastic badass female MC so I was in love with Dianna from the start and I really enjoyed that she was a villain, even though it was clear fairly early on that she wasn't the main bad guy. It's quite rare to get a female anti-hero set against a very moral good guy, and I had fun with that element of the story. I also enjoyed the banter of the enemies-to-lovers part of the book, I do think it could have been drawn out a little longer, but I do enjoy a slow burn so that's just me! Liam and Dianna had great chemistry and I loved the way they grew closer and shared more of their backgrounds with each other.

I'm really looking forward to the next instalment of this series, the ending was super intriguing and I gasped aloud at the cliffhanger. I can't wait to see more of Dianna kicking ass!

This book started out great for me. Totally thought I would give this 5 stars. The story and the characters sucked me right into the world. I liked the tension and slow burn of the relationship between the two MC's. The world building was done right. I was invested in the story! But as the story went on... it went on, and on, and on. It seemed to drag in places and the outcomes of events started to seem predictable so I stopped feeling invested. The last 400 pages I just kept flipping pages fast because I lost my sense of caring. This book could use another editor to tighten up the story. The pacing was off. There was also some punctuation and grammar issues. So five stars for the first half, and 2 stars for the last half.

I did like how the author portrayed a male MC with PTSD and depression. Usually men in books are showcased as unaffected by war, death, and torture and to me that seems really unrealistic. So well done for that!

I did not like this one line the author made a point of saying how the woman MC shaved her legs and "vagina". Like the vagina doesn't have hair??? That's the internal part. Do you mean vulva or pubis? Also, why do I need to know that and why are we repeating that societal pressure/standard in fantasy books??? That bugged the **** out of me. Like if you are going to make a point of saying that then at least use the right word for the female anatomy - (I mean the author is a woman!!!)

*ARC provided by Rose and Star Publishing, LLC & NetGalley.

This is one of those books where it feels like I've read a completely different version than everyone else - at least it feels that way based off of all the other reviews. The nicest thing I can say about The Book of Azrael is that it clearly just wasn't for me.

The honest review is that everything about this book is clunky. The world building makes little sense, the characters are all tropes, and the dialogue is boring when it isn't down right cringy. I really wanted to like this book and I do think there were parts of the plot that were interesting (the blood dreams really should have been explored more) but I just couldn't. By about 60% of the way in I finally gave up and start skimming to the end.

The Book of Azrael could really do with an honest beta reader and/or editor to help the author clean up the plot and world building. With a serious re-write, I think they could really have have an enjoyable book.

I absolutely fell in love with all the characters and the world building. Enemy to lovers and forced proximity...yes please!
Though I wasn't the biggest fan of the writing style, the plot and characters were more than enough to make up for it. I couldn't get enough of this emotional rollercoaster of a book and the ending makes me want more!

Okay, fans of Crescent City by SJM - this book is for you. A very urban fantasy with Gods, super intriguing world! My only criticism is the writing style isn't my FAVORITE, but the story was fabulous and I absolutely need the second book right now. Love the concept of the female character being the morally grey villain, it felt very different than many other books I've read recently. If you are an urban fantasy fan, or a huge Bryce Quinlan fan from Crescent City, you are going to LOVE Dianna Martinez and the Book of Azrael. Cannot wait for book two, what a great debut!

*I received an ARC for free via NetGalley and am reviewing voluntarily.*

<p>I was really disappointed seeing as this has almost 5* on Goodreads. The plot was fascinating and was what motivated me to read, the sisterly love + enemies to lover trope, with the FL being a "villain" although I really couldn't see her as one. </p>
<p>Like I said, the story and the world created was great - even if sometimes a bit confusing- but the writing was lacking, the way it was told seemed straight from a fanfic.<p>
<p>Having two points of view gave a bit more depth to the characters, which I particularly enjoyed.
Concerning the main characters, since Dianna was supposed to be this villain (like I saw in other people's review) I was waiting for her to have a bit more depth, but to me, she was only a good girl forced to do bad things, which is not exactly a flaw, I was just expecting something else. I liked Liam's character, he's troubles and all.<p>
<p>The romance was good, slow burn with a bit of spice at the end and the story progresses really slow to match with the romance and then at the end everything speeds up and happens at the same time, ending with a good old-fashioned cliffhanger<p>
<p>If you like stories that are mostly centered around the romance, and you want a light reading, this is for you.<p>
<p>As for myself, in the beginning of the book it was really hard for me to keep reading, because the writing style does not please me, but around 40% of the book I grew accustomed to it and was able to enjoy the story. Now, if I'll read a sequel, that's something I don't know.<p>

I am a huge fan of urban fantasy and the premise of this book really stood out to me, along with strong family ties (sister trading mortality to save her own sister - perfect start). With the glowing 5 star reviews I was convinced I was in for an incredible new series to get into.

However I found that regardless of how well developed the plot could be, I could never focus on its progress because I found the writing style so stilted and rigid. Every character spoke the same and I struggled to tease apart who was talking at which point, often having to go back to the top of the page to re-orientate myself.

Again, Dianna appeared to be extremely one-dimensional - a beautiful, seductive woman who would sleep with or kill a man. Oozing femininity and sexuality can be incredibly well written however she seemed to just merge with the several other "stabby heroines" that I've read over the past few years - her stream of consciousness was not interesting or emotionally investing.

Overall, this was too slow paced for me, and I doubt I will continue the series.

A thousand years ago, Dianna gave up her life in the deserts of Erioa to save her dying sister...

I'm not quite sure what I expected from this book, but it was a bit too modern for me. That is something that always takes me away from the fantasy element present. However it was still a fun read, I went through the 5oo (ebook) pages quite quickly. The main characters were simple and plot easy to follow. I would recommend this to someone who is looking for a quick and fun modern fantasy read with snarky characters and an easygoing atmosphere.

4.5/5 stars

This book is. SO. good.
One of my favorite things about fantasy romances is when the plot and the romance have a perfect balance. And this book is the perfect balance of the two.

Dianna was such an enjoyable character you found yourself rooting for her; her story and nature made you care for her, but also made her a fierce and strong character. Her love for her sister was so pure.

At first I didn't like Liam. I thought he was another powerful character who loves to whine about how unfair the world is. However, after learning his story and getting to know him more, he's actually deeply scarred and a caring person. His memories made me feel for him.

The romance between them was sweet and at the same time hot! Seriously, their sexual tension should be illegal. One thing that I didn't like about this book - and the reason why I'm not giving it 5 stars - is that although their romance is slowburn, the change from enemies-to-friends-to-lovers felt too abrupt

Overall, this book is so good and I need you all to read it because I know you're gonna love it. I can't wait for the next book!!

Thank you so much Amber Nicole for providing me with this ARC via NetGalley!

Wow, what a wild journey! The Book of Azrael is definitely one of the best fantasy romance books I’ve read.

This book is phenomenal, I can’t believe this is a debut. It follows the story of Dianna, an immortal warrior who sold her soul to a monster and works for him as his weapon, and Liam, a God from another world with a tragic backstory (I love the grumpy, tortured hero trope!). It is a real enemies-to-lovers romance where the characters begin with actually trying to kill each other and with this being a slow burn the transition to friends and to lovers is done perfectly (and when they finally get together it’s so worth the wait).

The story is very well-paced, there are many plot twists and fighting scenes but also sweet moments between characters and the banter made me laugh many times.

I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to all fantasy romance lovers, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed! I can’t wait for the the next book, after that heartbreaking cliffhanger it can’t come soon enough!

*I received an ARC for free via NetGalley and am reviewing voluntarily.*

This premise of this book grabbed me instantly, and I was so excited to get my hands on it. Our heroine, Dianna, traded her mortality for her sister's life and is controlled by her maker. At his command, she's searching for the Book of Azrael, an ancient artefact thought to be lost. On the way, she comes up against Liam, a feared god of old, and starts to work with him for her own freedom.

Sadly, despite seeing so many glowing reviews, I struggled a hell of a lot with this book. Most of that came simply from poor writing. Every second sentence either had too many or too few commas, and it yanked me out of any immersion I'd gained every. single. time. Second, it felt suuuuper slow. It seemed like the plot didn't start to go anywhere until maybe a third of the way through? And in a book this big, that meant hours of investment beforehand. By the time it maybe started getting good, I was already checked out.

I also felt like our MCs were a bit one-dimensional, especially Dianna. There are better badass/stabby heroines out there, and I never really connected with her on an emotional level. As a result, I wasn't particularly invested in her relationship with Liam either (especially since Dianna started making stupid decisions the more it progressed), although they had a few nice moments of wit and banter.

It's clear that the author has a lot of passion for the world they're building - it's definitely ambitious, with a lot of elements to balance. I just think that the execution wasn't really there and it doesn't compare favourably with similar romantic fantasies I've read. I won't be continuing this series, unfortunately.