Portia (Angelbound Offspring #2)

I received this ARC as part of the Sparkle Book Tours and Netgalley in return for an honest review. "I have a very busy life." "Doing what?" (he asked) "You know. Books. Stuff. Things. It's cooler than it sounds." I simply had to start with that quote! Okay let's hop into the plot!

Princess Portia is the heir to the throne of Antrum, The High Princess of the Thrax and the granddaughter of the president of Purgatory. Not to mention, She's also the sister of the Monarkki of Air and the sister in law of the Monarkki of water. Lots of titles, lots to live up to. But Portia is not exactly what everyone would expect. socially awkward, nose stuck in a book...oh and she's cursed. Not exactly a person who screams 'PRINCESS'. And she knows it, especially when she comes from a family of warriors and she's...not, not really anyway. Magic is her strength, but even that comes at a hardship. However, when the Firmament and sacred trees are on the edge of collapse, it seems that perhaps, she is exactly what everyone needs...if only they would take the time to see it. The only person who does see it is Him- a man with darkness and scales as his armor. Together the may be what saves the after-realms, that is, if they survive it.

Okay, this book, I liked it...but I will admit that out of all this series and its predecessor (Angelbound, Scala, Armageddon and Maxon) This one was a bit slower, less intense and perhaps the weakest(surprisingly). I know, I feel awful to say that, but as a whole it was a lovely story. However, it didn't make my eyes round like saucers and nigh-on burst with excitement like Maxon did. When Bauer introduced to us the Monarkki of Air and Water in Maxon, I thought she'd kind of draw more into these types of umm 'After-realmers' and have that intense, crazy plot. That's not to say that this one with the creatures of the void and Furors weren't awesome, I mean they're dragons for crying out loud, that's bound to be great! However, when weighing it against Maxon as a follow up it was a bit of a let down. Okay, let me elaborate, I feel like I'm repeating myself. Portia is a sweet character who made me laugh at her unease in social interactions. She did come off as a bit starved for attention and affection though, which made the romance feel a bit...I don't know how to explain it, but less powerful I guess. This is because the first guy who paid attention to her, she fell almost immediately in love with him, and that was literally because he would ask her opinion and smiled at her, etc...(though we do understand why later, it just felt a bit less intense, powerful and heart-wrenching). I mean, fair enough but somehow that made it seem a bit too easy and instantaneous in terms of romance. They didn't have a progressive romance where you saw them fall for each other, it was like BAM! here it is. I think that's what let me down a bit. In the previous books, the struggle to reach the attained goal and saving the after realms were sooo difficult and hard to attain. This one kind of went in a 'it all worked out', am I weird for wanting more struggle? On the very positive side- her world building is amazing! Bauer never fails to amaze me in this respect. Okay, another thing, is there going to be another book? because (view spoiler) So yes I did like it but was a bit let down. However, that's just me but it's definitely worth a read! -The Book Herald Check out my Goodreads page!- Emmeline (The Book Herald) tweet me @thebookherald