Book: The Seventh Champion
Series: Unknown Title, Book 1
Author: Sylvia Mercedes
Completed Series: No
# of Books in Series: Unknown
Genre: YA Romantasy
Format: eBook Arc

Thank you #netgalley for the opportunity to read this arc!

First Thoughts/Summary:
I enjoyed the premise, so make sure to give it a fair shot. Go past 25%

Storyline/Plot:
I almost put this book down, and I’m glad I didn’t. The first chapter threw me for a loop. You are thrown into a situation with the main character, Rosie, and one of her “champions.” It was hard to get through because I had absolutely no Idea what was going on. I think a big part of it was that Rosie has ADHD tendencies, and my ADHD struggled to jump into that mindset. There is a lot of unknown with this book. For those who like that, will love this book, because you will be piecing together different puzzle pieces with Rosie, though you will have some easily answered questions mixed in, so you don’t go insane. At the end of the day, it was a really good read and I would recommend it!

Favorite Characters:
Valtar is my favorite. He is so obviously and rightfully broken. He seems to fight the fact that he has good parts to his bruised soul, and I love seeing him unwillingly show those precious light sides.

Spice:
You start the book thinking that it might be high on the spice level, but don’t let that opening scene fool you. It has Renaissance vibes where women are super proper in boned corsets and all of that jazz. So you mainly get kissing (and that’s semi-scandalous).

Triggers:
Fire trauma, betrayal, torture, kidnapping, being held against one’s will, loss of a sibling (distant), death

I love that this book came about from the initial kissing-a-stranger scene! I also love Charlie Bowater's art, and the cover illustration does a great job of capturing the feel of this story. 'The Seventh Champion' would be great for fans of 'Assistant to the Villain'; there's a distinct playful, humorous tone that's reminiscent of 'Tangled,' but it's contrasted with very sobering, grotesque details to set the story's high stakes.

I enjoyed that through the protagonist's inner dialogue, Mercedes acknowledged or rejected common expectations for the characters and plot. This book engages with the gray areas between 'good' and 'bad,' making it far more interesting than the premise at face value. However, there are several elements that are presented as the protagonist's shocking revelations that simply don't land because they were either revealed through another POV, or already presented as definitive or likely through the world building. The mysterious love interest as well is not mysterious so much as he is just kind of a guy (it unfortunately gave Edward Cullen to me). I also found the italicization of in-world terminology to be unnecessary, especially with the terminology's frequency.

While this story wasn't necessarily for me, I felt there was a lot to appreciate and fun to be had. Mercedes has set up part one of a story that could go a number of ways; while I didn't find the story itself surprising, I did appreciate the author view on this story's path.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the arc!

Okay, going into this book with no expectations I had a ton of fun jumping into this story and world. This book was hilarious, hooked me right from chapter 1 and really kept me engaged the entire book. The pacing was all over the place, but overall it kept me interested in it the entire time which was really nice!

This was a great romantasy that I could turn my brain off and just enjoy it!

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the eArc!

This has some potential but I felt that it dragged on for a bit and nothing really pulled me in until the last 25%. One of the main plot points involves seven champions going through a series of trials and whoever survives, Rosie has to marry. For one, we are introduced to the MMC immediately so it's pretty obvious who she is going to lean towards through out the story. But also, there are not that many meaningful interactions between Rosie and the champions (outside of Valtar) so we don't really get that much opportunity to understand the other champions and their personalities. So it was pretty easy to not care about them.

The romance did seem very insta-love. Everything occurs within a few days so them falling in love with each other that quick is crazy. However, I didn't mind Rosie and Valtar's interactions and I do think there is some chemistry.

I picked up this book with stars in my eyes and a mug of tea next to me. Thinking a grand adventure awaits! Much like Westley setting off to rescue Buttercup, I, too, was ready for danger, delight, and maybe some emotionally damaging plot twists.

Well. What I got was… mostly trudging. Trudging through exposition, through characters who didn’t quite sparkle the way I’d hoped. Every chapter, I told myself, “Just a little farther, it has to get better.” And to the book’s credit it did! Right near the end, the story finally grew legs and ran off a stupid cliff to end on a cliff hanger the absolute worst way to end a book!

No closure, just a bing bang boom cliffhanger. Like watching for a ground only and thinking spring has finally sprung but noooo two more weeks of winter ugh.

I didn’t hate it no, not at all. The writing had heart, the plot had potential, and if I squinted just right, it reminded me a little of The Princess Bride not in tone, perhaps, but in the way it wanted to be something epic and enchanting. But much like Vizzini playing with iocane powder, it outsmarted itself. Its a solid read but I personally would wait until a sequel is out so you are not left in agony waiting on the cliff like I am about what happens next.

Rounded up to 3 stars, maybe? I'm sad I didn't enjoy this one as much as I'd hoped. The beautiful cover is what initially drew me in, and the blurb piqued my interest right away, but unfortunately this ended up being pretty underwhelming. The plot felt generic and reminiscent of many other romantic fantasy stories I've read. I also wish the writing had a bit more depth and description. The FMC, Rosie, has a good heart and loves to yap, but she was also a bit immature at times. Honestly, Valtar was the star of the show. He's broody and protective but clearly has a sweet spot for Rosie, much to his disdain. I am curious about what happens next and will likely pick up book 2. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

WHAT A RIDE! This book takes you on quite the adventure in literally a matter of days. I was immediately drawn to this book just based on the synopsis: assassin and his target falling for each other? Swoon. Dragons shifters? Yes please.

The opening scene of this book captured me from the first sentence. I knew I would enjoy being in the FMC’s head. I LOVED the dual POV because I always want to know what is going on in the MMC’s head.

I loved his description as dark, looming, lethal, but I loved the signs of his vulnerability and hesitation as well. All of this makes him a perfect Romantasy MMC in my eyes.

Our FMC, Rosie, is the perfect balance of doe-eyed innocence and cleverness. I love that she has hope and sees the good but also isn’t a pushover. I also recognized the transformation and growth her character experienced over the course of the story and it’s what has me so excited for future books.

The story progresses incredibly fast, my sense of time was a bit thrown off quite a bit throughout the story but it didn’t take anything away from the experience for me.

I will be eagerly awaiting the next installment because I need to know what happens next!!!

I want to thank NetGalley for providing this free ARC and the opportunity to review the book.

I was hooked from the first page and was so glad I was able to read this, it had that romantic fantasy element that I was wanting and enjoyed from this type of book. The characters were everything that I was expecting and enjoyed from the genre. I thought the use of the assassins and enjoyed the way the fantasy world in this and how the characters were told. I enjoyed the way Sylvia Mercedes wrote this and am excited for more from the author.

Let me start by saying, I love a “kiss a stranger” trope to get out of a situation
That being said…
Scintils were mentioned a bit much. It was very repetitive mentioning how the room/hallway/etc was lit with them every other sentence. We get it.
The book started out so strong for me, I was flying through it the first couple chapters but a little before halfway and then beyond it just started to drag for me.
And Valtar. It was all just a bit instalove for me. I’m definitely a girly who appreciates the banter and a slow burn. This just wasn’t it for me. It’s like it was trying to be reluctant“enemies” to lovers with the whole assassin plot line but it just fell a bit flat.
Also the cover art of Valtar doesn’t really do him justice. If I had just read the book, I would have pictured him way different than what the cover depicted him as.
Overall, the book was fine…just wasn’t my favorite. I think I would have liked it better as an audiobook.

This was SUCH a fun read. I absolutely flew through this one. The pacing is great, with no real slow spots. The world itself is very interesting and full of intrigue. The characters were clearly defined and easily distinguishable. The prose at times felt a little cliche and rooted in common romantasy tropes, but honestly I had so much fun with the overall experience of the book that I didn't mind at all. It was just very fun and enjoyable.

This was a good duology starter with a really interesting plot concept! I thought that the plot and idea execution was really well-done, and I read this book in two sittings. I couldn't put it down! The action starts out pretty much right away, and it kept me entertained through to the end. I liked that the romance was more of a sub-plot and not quite the main plot, as well. I liked Rosie as the main character, but I did find that she lacked a lot of character development througout the book. By the end, it feels like she's pretty similar to how she was in the beginning. I think the same can mostly be said for Valtar, as well. Despite this, I found the book interesting and entertaining, and I'm interested to see where the plot goes in the second book! I'll definitely be reading more from Sylvia Mercedes.

I love all of this authors work. This book is as equally beautiful and engaging. I like the fantasy mixed with the romance. The world pulled me in and the setting kept me interested. This cover is stunning and I can’t wait to read more in this world!

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC!

Honestly? DNF'd because Rosie was driving me nuts. Also... 109. The word "scintil" was used 109 times in a book with 37 chapters. Why.

The premise is intriguing, and I was compelled by the hook of a first line, but my interest wandered and my nerves were tested. The writing style wasn't my cup of tea, so I decided to call it quits and move on to the next title on my shelf.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC 🫶

Sylvia Mercedes is one of my favorite authors, so of course I needed to read this as soon as possible. Plot moved fast, no spice but plenty of tension and pining. FMC Rosie is verrry annoying and hard to enjoy her pov, but getting chapters from Valtars POV makes up for it.

Will continue this series!

4.25⭐️/5! This book was a quick and easy read. The worldbuilding and background info was easy to follow and understand. I will admit that sometimes the pacing of the book was a bit slow for my liking but overall I enjoyed the book.

I also love the characters. Valtar is literally sent to kill Rosie but can’t bring himself to do it, talk about true enemies to lovers (although I guess in this case it is more one sided enemies). It was interesting to see Rosie’s journey play out and how her relationships develop with Valtar and other characters. Can’t wait to see what comes next!

I had so much fun with this read! What first caught my eye was the cover...beautiful. The writing made me stay. It was well paced and kept me interested the whole way through!

This book was a really solid and enjoyable read. I loved that it didn’t try too hard to be overly complex—sometimes you just want a fantasy that’s fun, magical, and gives you a bit of romance and rebellion, and this totally delivered. I love an FMC who has a sense of humor when it comes to inner monologue. The pacing worked well for me. It kept moving without dragging, and I never felt lost in the world-building. It’s not super dark or heavy, so if you’re looking for something with fantasy but still very readable and character-driven, this is worth picking up.

I absolutely adore Sylvia Mercedes other series so I think I went into this one with incredibly high expectations. I enjoyed the dynamic between the two MCs and the budding relationship but as a stand alone character, the FMC made me want to bang my head against a wall. I didn't start feeling fully invested in the book until the last 30%, but I will be picking up the next book! I'm interested to see how Mercedes will further develop and grow the FMC, as well as the relationship dynamic between the two main characters.

This was such an entertaining book! I enjoyed being thrown into characters straight away and getting to know them and who they are. I love a good book with trials and reading what the characters have to face. The pacing felt off which made it hard to follow at times but if you can look past that, I think this book is for you. I can fully see the potential in the story going into book two and I think that it will be one I pick up. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I think if you enjoy trials, romance, good characters and decent fantasy I think this will be for you!

3.5 rounded up!!

this book was a lot of fun for the most part, i thought it was absolutely hilarious where we were dropped off in chapter 1, it made for a really fun introduction to Rosie & Valtar 😂. there were alot of great actions scenes & i loved how the plot played out, i cannot wait to get more of this world in book two!!

i only had two real issues with this book - one was the overuse of the word “scintil” it became really annoying really fast if im quite honest lol. second, the pacing of the story threw me off one too many times. i would go from laughing and being really intrigued to finding myself a bit bored.

i think i would have enjoyed this book much more with the audio than physically reading it. but overall i didnt have a bad time!!