JE May'24 "Too obvious" [15]

 Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J. Tuli

                                              

The biggest problem with this book is its predictability (stemming from a super trope bingo - see below for details). The characters and plot points have all been done before and, unfortunately, done better. I'd reference these other books, but Trial is so similar that it would end up a spoiler! It straddled a weird line of fantasy and real by referencing products like hair conditioner. I also didn't like having first person present tense for Lor's perspective and third person past tense for Nadir's perspective. It jolted me out of the narrative each time we swapped. Just pick one.

Followed by Rule of the Aurora King and others

Warning: frequent swearing, violence, sex, references to sexual assault, (present tense)

[Spoilery]

Annoying tropes bingo: scheming (yet gorgeous!) fae, fated mates, revenge mission, prisoner given special chance to win freedom, impossible trials, lost princess, evil nice guy, typical smut progression, dark-haired love interest, token lesbian relationship (i.e. not fleshed out at all), main character makeover, masked ball, only human in fae court