A thousand years ago, Dianna gave up her life in the deserts of Erioa to save her dying sister...

I'm not quite sure what I expected from this book, but it was a bit too modern for me. That is something that always takes me away from the fantasy element present. However it was still a fun read, I went through the 5oo (ebook) pages quite quickly. The main characters were simple and plot easy to follow. I would recommend this to someone who is looking for a quick and fun modern fantasy read with snarky characters and an easygoing atmosphere.

4.5/5 stars

This book is. SO. good.
One of my favorite things about fantasy romances is when the plot and the romance have a perfect balance. And this book is the perfect balance of the two.

Dianna was such an enjoyable character you found yourself rooting for her; her story and nature made you care for her, but also made her a fierce and strong character. Her love for her sister was so pure.

At first I didn't like Liam. I thought he was another powerful character who loves to whine about how unfair the world is. However, after learning his story and getting to know him more, he's actually deeply scarred and a caring person. His memories made me feel for him.

The romance between them was sweet and at the same time hot! Seriously, their sexual tension should be illegal. One thing that I didn't like about this book - and the reason why I'm not giving it 5 stars - is that although their romance is slowburn, the change from enemies-to-friends-to-lovers felt too abrupt

Overall, this book is so good and I need you all to read it because I know you're gonna love it. I can't wait for the next book!!

Thank you so much Amber Nicole for providing me with this ARC via NetGalley!

Wow, what a wild journey! The Book of Azrael is definitely one of the best fantasy romance books I’ve read.

This book is phenomenal, I can’t believe this is a debut. It follows the story of Dianna, an immortal warrior who sold her soul to a monster and works for him as his weapon, and Liam, a God from another world with a tragic backstory (I love the grumpy, tortured hero trope!). It is a real enemies-to-lovers romance where the characters begin with actually trying to kill each other and with this being a slow burn the transition to friends and to lovers is done perfectly (and when they finally get together it’s so worth the wait).

The story is very well-paced, there are many plot twists and fighting scenes but also sweet moments between characters and the banter made me laugh many times.

I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to all fantasy romance lovers, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed! I can’t wait for the the next book, after that heartbreaking cliffhanger it can’t come soon enough!

*I received an ARC for free via NetGalley and am reviewing voluntarily.*

This premise of this book grabbed me instantly, and I was so excited to get my hands on it. Our heroine, Dianna, traded her mortality for her sister's life and is controlled by her maker. At his command, she's searching for the Book of Azrael, an ancient artefact thought to be lost. On the way, she comes up against Liam, a feared god of old, and starts to work with him for her own freedom.

Sadly, despite seeing so many glowing reviews, I struggled a hell of a lot with this book. Most of that came simply from poor writing. Every second sentence either had too many or too few commas, and it yanked me out of any immersion I'd gained every. single. time. Second, it felt suuuuper slow. It seemed like the plot didn't start to go anywhere until maybe a third of the way through? And in a book this big, that meant hours of investment beforehand. By the time it maybe started getting good, I was already checked out.

I also felt like our MCs were a bit one-dimensional, especially Dianna. There are better badass/stabby heroines out there, and I never really connected with her on an emotional level. As a result, I wasn't particularly invested in her relationship with Liam either (especially since Dianna started making stupid decisions the more it progressed), although they had a few nice moments of wit and banter.

It's clear that the author has a lot of passion for the world they're building - it's definitely ambitious, with a lot of elements to balance. I just think that the execution wasn't really there and it doesn't compare favourably with similar romantic fantasies I've read. I won't be continuing this series, unfortunately.

I received this ARC from NetGalley.

Upon looking into the description of this book, I knew it would possibly be something I would be into. I love a good sci-fi/fantasy. I love some serious world building. I love a good bit of enemies to lovers. This book definitely has the makings of all of it. The world building is fantastic. The characters are complex. I feel that Liam's mental turmoil is written in a pretty solid way. Dianna is sassy as hell and I adore her.

So why only 3 stars? -- Well, the editing is simply bad. There are more typo/spelling errors than I'd like to admit. That is not on the author nor the story - truly the final editing and revisions. It doesn't take anything away from the story, but was annoying enough in a slightly less than 800 page span that it took away some brownie points from me.

I look forward to a second book and will most likely definitely read it. I just hope the final revisions satisfy my grammar snob heart.

This was so unbelievably good!! I hadn’t read fantasy in a while because it was all beginning to feel very predictable. But this book was NOT. It was unique and jaw dropping and everything I’ve needed in a fantasy novel. I love a good villain… which if course made this book even better. I highly recommend and cannot believe this is Amber’s debut novel.

Y'all - I'd heard about this book through booktok a few times but hadn't looked into what it was about, but I am SO glad I read this book.

First of all, you start off right in the thick of some action, and while there is still a bit to get into the main storyline of the book, I was pulled in right away. I found the worldbuilding & character building fantastic.

The story focuses on two main POVs - the FMC (Dianna) and the MMC (Liam).

Dianna would be what most would consider the 'villain' which is amazing to see. It is also nice to see that she is very expressly described as "well over average height for most women" and also not "a cute, petite little thing like every movie or book craved". I think that those characteristics are often underrepresented in books such as this and it was nice to see, that though it wasn't brought up regularly, it was still there. Having a badass FMC that is also not seen as the "cute & petite" thing is great for those of us who aren't that - we all know representation matters.

I also liked how Amber Nicole addressed some of the trauma on both MCs sides in their stories and character development. I won't go into detail, but it does have a major part to play in this story.

I enjoyed the fact that this was a fantastic story with a really great concept and it kept me pulled in all the way through. Even though it has the romance aspect to the book that isn't the main plot of the story and that doesn't take away from what is happening around the development of the romance (slow SLOW burn, enemies to lovers).

I can not wait for the next book to come out.

Yes, this ends on a cliffhanger.

Wow! Just wow, that's how I am describing this book. I loved it! The theme first of all *chef's kiss* excellent! (its post- apocalypse!) And dont get me started on the characters. Diana is your badass FMC who not only is very humorous but also sassy along with a quip for every comment. Liam on the other hand is a god who has lived for centuries but has lost many over the years, so much so that he shut himself up. Liam is as you would call a grumpy character but also someone who has his moments when he's well not grumpy. The connection and the banter between the two characters is amazing and their friendship is one of a kind. Throughout the book the characters are seen to have a huge development and their bond is quite a strong one. The other characters included in this book too are quite fun, especially Drake and his brother Ethan who I may say are quite protective over our badass FMC and will not let anything happen to her.
The book was too good. It almost felt like I was watching a movie. With the banter and the action I really wish if this book can be made into a movie!
Tropes that are in this book:
1. Enemies-to-lovers
2. Forbidden trope
3. One bed
4. Great banter
5. Morally grey character
6. Cliffhanger
Overall I loved the book and will give 10000/10 stars!!
Thank you Netgalley, Rose&Star publishing and the author Amber Nicole for this amazing read!

Phew what a ride! This book at it all - enemies to lovers, great world building, gods, monsters, awful villains, morally grey characters, fighting/battles, a heroine who is a villain (kind of), and a fast paced wild journey. I really loved the world Amber Nicole created and was rooting for all of the characters (well most of them 😉)

It did take a couple of chapters for me to really get drawn into this book. I wasn’t really sure about the heroine, Dianna. But as the story unfolded, I began to really root for her and admired her strength and her love for her sister. I loved the sister bond between Dianna and Gabbi and how Dianna would literally burn the world down for her sister. Dianna was a little too quipy at times for my liking but it didn’t effect the flow of the story for me.

The story was fast paced and moved at a good speed. That ending though! That is all I will say about that. My heart is in tatters and I can’t wait for book 2. It needs to come out soon, please. 😭

Thank you to NetGalley, Amber Nicole, and the publisher for this ARC in exchange my honest opinion and review.

I tried so hard to get into this book but the pacing was just too slow for me. On top of the pacing the past tense felt strange and didn’t flow well. I normally love urban fantasy but I needed more information to grasp what was happening with the characters and their motivations. This one sadly just wasn’t for me.

3/5 Stars

I received a Free E-Arc in exchange for an honest review through Netgalley. Thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley.

I did DNF this book because I was pushing myself too much to try and get through it which I knew would in the end make me not enjoy a book that I was not hating. I want to eventually come back to this book in the future as it has a cool magic system and I actually liked Dianna as a main character. This book starts off very slow which I am no longer used to but it feels like it would eventually speed up.

Also to be fully transparent, I kinda accidentally got this book after not reading what the button had said thinking it said request but instead it was read now.

I do recommend this book if you are in the mood for slow pace (At least in the first quarter if not more), urban fantasy, you might really enjoy this. It’s well written and the characters are well developed and three dimensional feeling.

The start is a bit slow, but I was able to really submerse myself in this book! This isn’t the typical book I would read but it had some good spicy bits (slow burn romance). Also, loved the MC’s and all their tension! It had all the good stuff of a romance, magical and gothic thriller. Wasn’t a fan of the cliffhanger at the end but I can’t wait for the rest of the series to come out!

This book is my new obsession the entire world was beautifully crafted and i loved the sister relationship between Dianna and Gabby. the fact i have to wait so long for the next book is breaking my heart ! i might have to reread it when it’s published

The starting of this book was really slow as is with the most fantasy books. I do think there was a lot of filler content in the first few chapter specially. But once you make it past those first few chapters I swear it is good. I honestly lost interest a few times in the start due to so much world building being thrown at me ( not understand half of it) and so much theories about politics and war just bored me.

But once you actually get into the book and Liam and Dianne are actually introduced and we get to see their banter I swear this book out of nowhere becomes 1000x more better. The chemistry between Liam and Dianna was so good. The way they hated each other in the start but then got to know each other’s true self and you could literally feel the moment they both fell for each other.

Also I don’t know if Kaden the villain guy was actually meant to be hated because some rational part of my brain does realise that he is a bad person but I’m so irrational that’s why I kind of like him 😭😭😭 .No but he is so bad that he is hot at this point.

The books ends in a really really big cliffhanger and I just cannot wait for the next book.

What you can expect from this book:
• true well written enemies to lovers
• morally gray characters
• casual representation
• brilliant world building with no info dumps
• mc as a female sort of villain? Kind of anti hero?
• queer main characters
• dual pov
• the perfect mix of fluff and chemistry as the main relationship
• banter

(Wouldn't reccomend for people who don't like the hot headed badass kind of main characters because even if I feel the mc is well written not everyone will like her)

Amber Nicole, I don't know how you did it but you created a masterpiece. Genuinely, I don't know if I have enough words to to describe how amazing this book was.

Throwing me into the series right from the get go and because I have never heard of this author or this book before I had no expectations going in but honest to god it's one of the best things I've ever read.

I mean it's like all my prayers have been answered I have wanted a book like this for so long. It's exciting, it's romantic, it's filled with all of my favorite tropes and wow, just wow.

You get rich worldbuilding with somehow zero info dumps (besides a tiny one in the very beginning I'm not even sure counts) filled with otherworldly creatures with their own politics, powers and everything

Along with that, the characters and god I love the romantic tension it's the perfect mix of chemistry and fluff. I would read this in class sometimes and just giggle to myself because of how much I love the relationship and characters. It's truly beautiful to watch the development and most of all I love that before anything the characters are their own people.

You have the main character, Dianna (my love, thank you, liam move over) and for the sake of spoilers I don't want to define her very much in this review but god, I love her and her personality. With the other main character Liam, I actually didn't expect to like him but eventually he melted my little heart too.

Oh and thank you miss author because I FINALLY HAVE A WELL WRITTEN ENEMIES TO LOVERS. it's not even just oh I mildly dislike you because of this miscommunication thing we refuse to talk about no it's actually legitimately people on the opposite sides of war and I love the way it's written, truly encompassing how complex politics and war are by showing us the different sides and I have a hunch this will be expanded on more. It's already been hinted by several characters.

I think if I had to change one thing I might have made them last as enemies a little longer but I absolutely understand and appreciate the writer took anyway.

Also, I should mention this: I love how casual the representation is. Offhand comments about both the main characters having slept with guys and girls and it's all very normal y'know? And that's lovely to read tbh

Is this a review or just me gushing? At this point I'm not sure

There's only one thing that stuck out to me and that was twice I noticed it was spelled barley (and I remember thinking, like the plant? Then going oh right context) instead of barely and a few commas here and there I would have placed or removed.

I mean this book is really competing with furyborn up there in my favorites category I can't decide if I should be placing this as my first favorite, second, or third I'M JUST SO CONFLICTED OKAY IT WAS SO GOOD

I must insist that whoever you are, reading this review, you HAVE to read this book. There are so many things, so many little things and big things that make this gem of a book and I know I will spend the next couple of months just non stop talking about this I have found a new obsession
--> 4.8 stars (less)

I read this in maybe 4 hours. It was so good. I usually expect books like this to be really predictable but, while there was some of that, overall it kept me on my toes. If you are reading for the romance: there is looooooots of tension, and this is a slow burn. If you are reading for the fantasy: there is really good world building, lots of the history and a lot of different magics/beings. The start is a bit slow, but no slower than most fantasy. It is dual POV but it takes a wee while to get there. I would say this is not suitable for YA readers.

The Book of Azrael is Amber Nicole’s debut fantasy novel. We follow our main characters, Dianna and Liam-sworn enemies in a centuries long war, as they are forced to team up to track down an artifact that is thought to be only a legend.
Dianna is the monster under the bed, a ruthless killer who will do whatever it takes to keep her sister safe. Liam is a god nicknamed the World Ender who is trying to figure out what is going on the the world after being gone for so long.

The story itself is a very slow burn. It starts in a super intriguing way and then dips down into a much slower pace after about the 20 percent mark. The characters start traveling around and learning more about who the other one is in the process. While I do think that part moved very slowly, it was important to the overall character arcs. Amber Nicole did this in a very smart way because even though these characters were on a mission, it wasn’t something that had to be done in an hour or anything so allowing the characters this slower build made it so they could hit the final act full force and it not feel disjointed.

I really loved this fantasy world. It was really interesting with a blend of fantasy creatures you already know and a lot that were made just for this story.

The ending of this book gets wild. I think anyone who has read and loved Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas will enjoy this book in that the way the story unfold feels similar. There is some high action at the beginning and then character development and growth in the middle and then 200 pages that you can’t put down! This book definitely feels like it has a darker overall tone and higher stakes than Crescent City but I think people who enjoyed one will enjoy the other.

I ordered a physical copy of this before I had made it 100 pages into my NetGalley copy because I knew this was a book I was going to really enjoy and I’m so glad I did.

This book just personally wasn't for me at this time. It had a great flow and style but not something I was able to get in at the time.

A thousand years ago Dianna gave up her life in the deserts of Erioa to save her dying sister she called upon anyone who would listen not expecting a monster far worse than any nightmare to answer now Dianna does what Kaden asks even if it means securing an ancient relic from the very creatures that hunt her a king thought long dead and long forgotten in the old world his name was Samkiel in the new world it is Liam but one title remains true throughout time he is the world ender a myth to his enemies a saviour and king to those loyal to him after the gods war he locked himself away hiding from the world he denied his crown and responsibilities leaving the very ones who needed him back to the one realm he never wished to visit again and into the sights of an enemy he thought imprisoned eons ago now enemies must put their differences aside and work together
What can I say a cliffhanger ending and I loved how it also had a female villain as a main character I highly recommend if you love fantasy romance books than this is a must read because you will find it hard to put down
Thank You NetGalley And Rose And Star Publishing LLC
I just reviewed The Book of Azrael by Amber Nicole. #TheBookofAzrael #NetGalley

Good start to a new fantasy romance series with a unique storyline and perspective.

This is a true enemies to lovers romance with the two MC's starting on diametrically opposing sides of an ages long war and the very definition of a slow burn. The author does a good job of slowly building up the intimacy between the two in a believable way.

The MC, Dianna, starts off of the wrong side of the war, having been under the control of the villian, Kaden, for hundreds of years. Dianna loves her sister, Gabby, and would do anything to keep her safe, a fact that Kaden has exploited mercilessly. When an ancient god, Liam, is called into her realm, Dianna takes an opportunity to break away from Kaden's control by teaming up with Liam to work against Kaden in exchange for Gabby's safety.

Dianna is spunky, sassy, and wholy disrespectful, which drives Liam crazy. Liam starts off as a standoffish grump as he suffers from PTSD from the traumas of his past. It takes him awhile to open up out of his shell, but Dianna doesn't give him much choice in the matter. How she helps him open up is a thing of beauty.

I enjoyed the moral grayness of the characters. Dianna is not purely bad. She is a monster who cares and feels and has done good things. Liam is not purely good. He is a god who fights for innocents and yet has destroyed a world. Are we defined soley by the mistakes of our past?

The world building is done pretty well for the most part; you glean bits and pieces of info as the story goes along with no boring info dumps. This tactic did make me a bit confused at first because there are several references to things in the world without immediate explanation for them. All was clear by the end, but I found myself wondering "what the heck is that?" a lot in the beginning. It took me until about 15% into the book to really start engaging my interest. The book was longer than it needed to be. There were repeated sentences and the middle dragged a bit where there was no action, just waiting.

🌶🌶/5 I would have preferred more spice, but it is understandable in a slow burn why the spice is limited.
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC copy in exchange for my review.