This book was a DNF for me. I tried several times to read it, but I just couldn’t get into it. The characters and the plot didn’t grab me like I thought it would based on the description.

This book was short but I enjoyed the writing style of the author. All the characters I found likeable which isn't usually the case for me. The idea of a female executioner coming from a family of executioners was an awesome idea. I can 100% get behind that. There are a few things I didn't like about the book though. First it was too short. It feels like you were dropped into the main characters life and just made to figure it out on your own. There wasnt really an ending to it either. I felt like I just read the middle part of a good book but no beginning or end. Which kinda sucked. I may try to see how book 2 goes but I am not sure yet.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book.

Summary:
Joss has inherited a job that has been passed down for generations in her family, town executioner. But strict rules apply...kill the target with three blows, or the executioner will be tortured and killed as well.
After a brutal execution takes place, Joss comes across Aric, a man that she finds brutally beaten on the side of the road, and takes him in. An unexpected friendship forms, but Aric has secrets of his own.

And when a man set to be executed claims that he is the missing crown prince, Joss must choose between her duty or the risk of being put to death. Her whole world unravels as her and Aric’s secrets come to light.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
0 /5 spice

Tropes:
Forced Proximity
Reluctant Companions

My Thoughts:
Let me start by saying that I really, really liked this book. Like I was mad when it was over I liked it so much. My only complaint is that it did end somewhat abruptly, and even though it was set up for a sequel, I would have liked at lest one or two loose ends to be tied up. Having said that, I bought book two and preordered book three!

Triggers:
Execution
Torture
Parental disappearance

🪓⚔️🪓
🪓Book Review🪓
4🌟🌟🌟🌟
📚84/100
📖All the Dark Souls
💫Genre: YA Fiction/Romance/Suspense
✍️ A.M. Dunnewinn
✨✨✨✨✨✨
📝Synopsis 📝
Joss the town executioner, yes you heard that correctly, and her loyal sidekick Henrik find Aric left for dead. They take him in and nurse him back to health not knowing he’s an assassin with a mission.

💭My Thoughts 💭
Wow 🤩 this was such a good and unique read, and it was a first from this author for me. I requested this ARC because the cover is absolutely gorgeous🖤
I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did. An executioner and assassin ummmm yes please ❤️‍🔥 The lies but then the sacrifices made to save each other. And I just loved how strong Joss was. The cliffhanger in the end was the cherry on top, and gave it an entire new direction. Only thing I wish to have seen more was more communication between Joss & Aric since it was mainly inner thoughts. I also wanted to know about Aric’s background since we are only told everything about Joss and how she came to be.
I’m definitely going to read the sequel.

✨Thank you @netgalley and DarkHourPress for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

📌Publication Date:
November 01, 2022
✨✨✨✨
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The book had already been released, and I was too late to read it. So, I will make sure to receive a copy and still write my review on it on my website. My standard rating is 3, and I will edit it as soon as I read it.

This novel just wasn’t for me . It was a bit hard to follow and fell short on character details and development . I just kept wishing for more and more. The story has so much potential that maybe one day it will become something delightful .

What an incredible premise for a book - an executioner that’s also a healer stumbling across a man who is secretive about his identity too… what could go wrong?
I liked the build up in learning about the characters and their backgrounds and how they became what they are, I liked the main character Joss too! The story feels super unpredictable and I can’t wait to see where it goes next!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and of course the author for gifting me this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was looking forward to reading this but didn't feel it held as much punch as I was hoping. I felt the characters didn't have much depth and the storyline was quite repetitive and a bit boring and the ending was predictable and a bit of a let down which is a shame as the synopsis sounded really good. This is book one of the trilogy and the storyline does have potential so I will still try and read book 2. The book wasn't terrible but felt it didn't fulfill the expectations I had after reading the synopsis.

I have tried, but just couldn’t get into this story. While having read even more than half of the book, I was still not vested in the story or characters…. Such a pity.

An Executer with a duty to kill or be killed discovers an assassin near death and nurses him back to health. This initiates a friendship and romance that will go awry when the two find themselves in each other’s professional crosshairs.

For me, the dual first person perspective did not serve the book well, and this book felt like more of a prologue than a fully fledged start to a series. The world building was extensive and detailed, so fans of a good fantasy series might want to give it a chance, since book two is now available.

I had a very difficult time getting into this book. I probably picked it up at least three different times trying to read it which I do think skewed my views of it.

Thoughts:
-The writing wasn't my preferred style, but it wasn't bad
-The world building was probably the highlight of the book
-I think I would have enjoyed it more if the pacing had been different and the characters more relatable.

I do think this book and series have promise, but I'm unsure if I'll try to read the next book.

I have been in a bit of a reading slump recently, but for me this book has it all, historical type fiction, action, fantasy and a budding romance. It certainly reignited my love for reading, with a well paced, gripping storyline, likeable characters and a strong female lead, I was hooked.

She is the town executioner and local pariah, he is an assassin for hire, hunted by masked men in the shadows, both have received orders to execute the same man, or die themselves. What could possibly go wrong?

Joss is from a long line of town executioners, handed down as an unwanted birthright, despite her gender. A job just as dangerous to her as it is the prisoners she meets. An executioner is given three attempts to complete their task, or be tortured and killed themselves. A law Joss is all too familiar with.
Using her profound knowledge of the human anatomy, Joss spends her free time as a skilled healer, tending to the sick and injured.
After failing to carry out his latest assassination, Aric is badly beaten and left for dead, knowing those masked strangers will be back, if he doesn't finish the job.
Finding him at the side of the road, Joss and her assistant Henrik, take Aric home and tend to him. As his wounds heal, a tender romance blossoms.
The day of the execution arrives as does an unexpected twist, the prisoner has been pardoned, but orders are still to be carried out. Joss' next move could prove fatal for everyone.

I honestly could not put this one down and ended up staying awake all night, just to finish. I was gripped, I have already bought book two and can't wait for book three in November, just in time for my birthday. I definitely recommend reading if you enjoy YA/Fantasy novels.

This was a fun read, but I found the start very slow and it was a little difficult to get into. I really liked the main character Joss, the female executioner angle was interesting to read about and something unique. Definitely will look out for more from this author.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

This was a fast paced, short novel and I really enjoyed it. I loved the characters because they were flawed and darker. I love the idea of a female executioner and that everyone is fearful of her. And the reveal at the end was very interesting. I will definitely continue this series.

I’ll admit it was a bit slow at first.. but then I realized that’s the point.
Helps to paint a picture of the characters lives and how they came to be who they are.

The slow burning, budding romance between Joss and Aric is carefully written and the heartache is hard to read unfold, but I hope to see more from their story. They definitely come from two different backgrounds and POV on life.

FMC is amazing, I can almost picture her! She is strong and determined and cares about people, but not Adria to do what needs to be done.

Henrik is my favorite 🤩

And I really want to see Muriel happy so I hope she gets what’s she needs back.

I’m almost positive the King is suspicious of his family 🤐 wanna know why… go read the book! It’s a short read and leaves you wanting more!
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So I had high hopes going into this story because I lived the elements and the premise of the story line but I did feel that it fell a little flat for me. The writing style was great, and the story line was good but I feel that more could be done with it in some places. It was definitely very interesting and I will continue with the series, I would like to know what happens and if the story does improve.

Really cool premise and interesting characters , but fell flat and could not get myself to finish it. There is a lot of potential though for future books.

you know there are certain books that you regret requesting and wanna kill yourself because it got approved too. yeah this was it for me. xo.

Amazing writing and loved the characters. It started a little slow for me but quickly dove into the story.