Fanfic readers and queer fantasy lovers, I have a recommendation for you!!! 😂

Okay so, I just finished this book, and I honestly feel like I just read a 100k-word AU fanfic with all the angst, pining, and entertainment that I want. And yes, that's a compliment! That's what this book felt like for me! And while I already had an inkling that I would like this book (it's queer fantasy, friends-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers trope, plus time travel... what's not to like?), reading it and enjoying it is a delightful experience on its own.

This book starts a little heavy and dark, to be honest. I mean, the cat died. That was already sad enough for me. But our main character, Cyril, was going through a tough time. Not just because he was obviously filled with guilt, grief, and regret. And this darkness loomed over him and the story for the great part of the book. Fortunately, as the plot unraveled and the story progressed, there was little more life and lightheartedness. Not just in Cyril, but also in the dialogue, the scenes, and the story altogether.

Now, the plot is interesting and entertaining. But I'll admit the pacing isn't the best. A lot of the story, especially the first parts, are about Cyril's introspection, inner monologue, and scheming. And even when the story is progressing, it seems slow and tedious. The truly exciting parts for me are the twist reveals and the climax towards the end of the book. What makes up for it, though, are the characters.

Cyril was a great main character for me. I love that, in a way, he's the opposite of a Mary Sue character. He gets winded when he runs; he doesn't become amazing in combat after a few trainings; and doesn't magically defeat an army of mages (lol). He's just a flawed character that I've come to love. Eufrates is also an interesting character. Because on one hand, Cyril remembers him as this sweet, gentle bard prince, but on the other hand, he also knew what he had become—a mad and paranoid tyrant. I did like his and Cyril's chemistry though, and I loved the journey of them finding their way back to each other. Suffice it to say, I loved Eufrates' overall arc in this story.

I will also say, I loved the part where Eufrates owned up to his mistakes in front of Cyril, and that he doesn't get an easy pass/forgiveness just because he was mind-controlled.

Also, they are essentially middle-aged men transported back into their youthful 20s bodies, so there's a dynamic between them that's funny.

When it comes to the world-building, I think it's just enough. It's not as intricate as other high fantasy/second world fantasy novels, and I think the focus was more on the magic system and the court politics of the world. I have to say though, the author is incredible when it comes to visualization and descriptions. Not just the sceneries and locations, but also when it comes to the emotions and thoughts of the main perspective. I really loved that.

Overall, this was such a fun and entertaining book with a lot of heart. Expect a lot of angst and pining, cute familiars, ridiculous shenanigans, and tropes that we've come to love in fanfiction. (And yep, there were a few parallels to Our Flag Means Death that I found absolutely funny, okay? Like, welcome back Stede Bonnet and Edward Teach 😂)

Anyway, I think this has gotten long enough. I'm saving my full review for my blog!

Exact rating: 4

CW: suicidal ideation, blood, death, animal death, murder, tyranny, slut shaming (in terms of court politics)

A big thank you to Angry Robot for sending an ARC my way in exchange for an honest review!
(This, of course, did not affect my overall opinion of the book.)