Nay's Pink Bookshelf

I received this book from the author in exchange of an honest review.

Right off the back, my first impression of this book was awesome. This book reminded me of the movie Hancock (starring Will Smith and Charlize Theron). The idea of lovers who die together was just perfection. Charlotte McConaghy's writing style was flawless for me. Reading this book was easy and I felt pulled into each conversation and interaction between characters. I enjoyed the idea of different POV's -- I normally don't think I can be pulled off with more than 2 characters, but she did so with perfection. Each transition between characters was simply flawless. I loved it!

Ava was such a strong female lead for me. I instantly fell in love with her even before Avery, her bond-mate died. I love how she pretended to be him even years after he died. It seemed a bit depressing, but it made her stronger in every way possible. Her interaction with Ambrose at first killed me. I mean he was brutal, but I love how she revealed her true self to him and continued to be strong. Also finding out about her being a warder was interesting as well.

Ambrose was definitely a jerk, but I can't blame him because his mother, the Queen, is a psychotic wench. She trained him to be as such, but despite the training he still yearns for more in his life. He doesn't necessarily agree with the violence, but it's imbedded in him

The bond between him and Ava was perfection. I love how it brewed from hate to curiosity to love. Even when Ava pretended to be Avery, Ambrose thought he was in love with a guy and didn't really care to much. When he found out Ava was a girl he felt a stronger pull, but when he asked about the gold eyes -- I was stunned. I mean how is it possible to bond twice in a lifetime?

Thorne was a thorn in my side. I mean he was a complete douche bag to his wife. No matter how deep his love ran for Roselyn he wouldn't allow himself that feeling because just like his brother Ambrose, their mother raised them to be barbaric and evil towards Kayans. He desires to do something different, but his mother won't allow it. I feel like he should man up and just tell the Queen to kiss his rear-end. I mean he is a berserker, what could she do to him?
Between Ambrose and Throne, Ambrose is the one to follow his heart and not care much for him mother's ways. Thorne, however, is the son that hates those ways, but through it all stays loyal to his mother.

Roselyn deserved to be treated much better than Thorne treated her as well as the rest of the people in the castle. I hated the way she acted so feeble. It irked me to see how compared to Ava and the Queen she was weak and soft. However, she had a strong mind. Her way of thinking definitely had me questioning a lot of things myself. I enjoyed Roselyn even though her weakness upset me.

The Queen -- what can I say about this lonely, cold-hearted, evil, disgusting wench. She is the devil herself. I just didn't like her and have nothing left to say.

That ending: was everything! Oh my gosh! I cannot believe the truth of what the Queen was. How Thorne ended up was so sad. I'm glad Roselyn started to stand up for herself towards the end and that she was with child. Ava and Ambrose was just perfection. This ending was life and it wasn't really a cliffhanger, but it felt like such.

Charlotte McConaghy has definitely started off strongly with this series and I'm excited to read Thorne.