A review by jmcclelland17
Monster of the Dagger Mountains by Meredith Hart

adventurous emotional inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Overall Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Spice Rating:🌶️🌶️1/2

✨Tropes✨
🏔️Forced Proximity 
🏔️Villain Romance
🏔️Strong FMC
🏔️Great Banter
🏔️Found Family
🏔️Honesty About Intentions 
🏔️He Takes Care of Her

✨Initial Thoughts✨
I’ll be honest, when I first started to read this book, I almost DNFed it. I wasn’t in a good headspace, I realize. But I pushed forward and I was so incredibly grateful that I did. I really enjoyed this story. It helps that it has quite a few of my favorite tropes, but I honestly fell in love with the characters too. 
Kira is an orphan who was recruited by The Towers to hone her magical abilities, which have yet to appear. She is sent on a mission, with a group of mercenaries, to steal back an amulet which was originally stolen by a man who killed the last old god for power. However, when Kira finds the godkiller in the Dagger Mountains, he is not at all what she expected.

I loved the romance in this book. It is insta-attraction, but it’s done in such a way that was so satisfying at the end. Reznyk is a villain to everyone except Kira and he is so completely endearing that he is in my top MMCs of 2025 already.

✨Pros✨
  • Kira is refreshingly honest about the mission she was sent on. She is also wonderfully forward with her intentions and feelings towards Reznyk. She doesn’t simper and wait for him to make the first move. I love it.
  • I really love Reznyk. He is so sweet to Kira and he takes care of her when she’s hurt. That gives him automatic points. Plus, I love that he’s a villain to everyone except Kira. 
  • I loved that what made Kira special was not any magical ability, but rather the lack of it and the bravery she showed time and time again. There is not hidden special magical power behind her, she is special for simply being herself. It’s such a wonderful theme throughout the book.
  • The writing was clear and concise while also being descriptive and engaging. 

✨Cons✨
  • There is some miscommunications between Kira and Reznyk, but it does help propel their relationship forward, so I wasn’t too bothered by it.


Thank you to the NerdFam and the author for the gifted copy and the opportunity to review this book.