#also unforch a sex scene but given that it was a character trying to deal with trust and trauma after SA i like. can forgive it.

[soldier-poet-king]

ok i admit i dont really go for urban fantasy and the combat/fighting scenes in it were rough and i thought some of the plot was dumb but the first book in the tarot sequence got me??? like a solid 3.5/5 which given my innate distaste for UF is p damn high. it's about the RELATIONSHIPS. the rune-brand brother bond and how they understand each other and love each other and fight and cuss each other out and care so deeply and apologize and work around each other's trauma and triggers. addam's priority always being his brother. THE TERRIBLE DELIGHTFUL TEENS MAX AND QUINN. whatever the fuck is going on with ciaran i adore him. the 20+ yr recovery arc. the magic system with the sigils and courts based on the major arcana. the INSANE amount of plot bombs dropped in the book 1 epilogue. everyone is so traumatized and yet they get up and they try. ive only had max for a day and a half etc etc etc

like. it is dark and heavy and holy holy shit content warnings abound i would not actually /recommend/ it to most ppl because of that, but it's not grimdark. terrible unspeakable things happen and keep happening and yet there is tentative hope of ending the cycle or at least saving a few kids and building a home and there's love and accidental child acquisition and idk ik ive been real tired lately and it's no masterpiece. but it hit in some kind of way i wasnt expecting it to

#the tarot sequence #fran reads #i think the court/throne/magic system is also cool #even if urban fantasy is like. my nemesis for the most part #idk why!! i just!!! dont go for it!!! #anyway dont read this w/out checking out the triggers on the authors website #there is some. like. seriously major heavy shit both referenced and in flashbacks #not gratuitous i dont think. but horrifying nonetheless #also unforch a sex scene but given that it was a character trying to deal with trust and trauma after SA i like. can forgive it. #even if i would just. prefer. we didn't #i still think quinn and max are my faves. these teens r just too good and too sad and i need to take care of them ok #as much as the rune-brand bond gets me #and as much as everything about rune hurts me #and addam and his relationship w quinn!!! that's his brother!!! #i think max and quinn are my standout faves. where can i sign the adoption papers #ALSO LORD TOWER. FUCK. LIKE. #a father figure but also DEEPLY FUCKED UP but also WAS HE INVOLVED IN THE ATTACK?? THE TORTURE??? HELLO????