Master of Crows

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨.5


First Impressions
Master of Crows is a book that I have been wanting to read for many years....I actually have had it in my audible library for like 3 years so I figured it was time to buckle in and just get through the audiobook. Its not the best narration to be honest, and I think I decided to stick with the narration because her writing style can sometimes be slow at times. Well I struggled with this one and I decided to just stick with it until 50% ....well the second half is where the story really got off the ground and it was brilliant!!! I loved every single moment in the second half. The first half is very slow burn and maybe I would have enjoyed it more if I had physically read it, I will try that with the rest of the series though.

First Line
Yield to me, Master of Crows, and I will make you ruler of Kingdoms.

Summary
Master of Crows begins when Martise, is a bondswoman (basically slave) and she is exchanged for a chance at freedom if she works as a spy to the sorcerer, Silhara of Neith. The mage priests don't trust Silhara and want to know what is truly happening with him and prove that he is betraying them. At first, Martise plans on being the spy because her freedom is so important, however, very quickly, as she learns more about Silhara, her spy endeavors get lost on the wayside because her friendship and connection to Silhara, is building and she sees the good heart that he hides. But there is a enemy god who wants to use Silhara, and in the effort to protect Martise, he could be lost forever to the darkness...

What I Loved
Whew what really kicked it for me with this story was the romance and the third act. First off their relationship is so unique. I loved the slow burn, the way there is a level of mistrust between them but then we see the trust begin to form between them. Their sweet soft intimate moments were brilliantly written and then when they finally get together the chemistry is top notch between them. The plot really thickens in the second half and we see how their love is tested. I was so endeared by the moments when she meets his tribe and you see the beautiful blend of cultures that are introduced here. I was so captivated by the events in the third act of the story. This is where the story really escalates in tension and excitement. The villain was very well done here, not the type of villain that will make you uncomfortable, just regular villain lol And the ending was so poignant and heartfelt and full of so many hopefuls for the rest of the books in the series and I can't wait to delve into those.

What I Struggled With
The pacing was not fun in this one, I honestly think it was due to the narration and I am wishing I had just tried it physically first and then switched to the audio if the writing was too slow for me. I really had high hopes for this book and I wish the narration had just been done better because my issues with this book is the narration. I think it really hurt the experience of reading this one for me.

Narration
As I discussed above....my problem with this narration was how I couldn't focus on the story. The narrator just wasn't the best for me, I am not sure exactly what it was. But I just kept getting taking out of the story and being lost lol and its possible it was me I don't know .....I mean I just listened to a audiobook before this one that was spectacular but this is my second time listening to this book so I don't think it was a Me issue.

Overall View
Master of Crows was a beautifully mastered story that swept me away into this world of magic and intrigue and plenty of heart that I didn't want to let go of Silhara and Martise and the cover truly portrays the majestic moments that they have together.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: epic Fantasy Romance
Character Types: Mage/Magician, Servant/Maid
Themes: Heart/Touching, Mutual Pining
Tropes: Forced Proximity

Book Perspective
3rd POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Both

If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
CL Wilson
Jeffe Kennedy
Milla Vane

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes

Steam/Spice Explanations

Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy
Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.

Narrators:
Jay Britton