Th Sting of Victory / Fallen Gods Series Thoughts
The Sting of Victory/ Fallen Gods Series Thoughts
So I might or might not have binge-read through the entire series – or at least the published books in it - in the five days since my exam period was concluded. And honestly I am surprised these books don’t have a bigger following. Horror and moral decay aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, that’s for certain, but they are a well written bunch that play at well liked themes, like the “villain” per say doing absolutely everything they can to save their loved one. And I do mean in a “I’ll let the world burn for you, and if I have to I’ll be the one starting the fire” scale. And they have good ratings, so I am quite surprised there is next to nothing to find online about them.
I’ll try to keep this one spoiler free as much as possible and will rant about the characters and the plot in another post, but generally I did enjoy reading this book series. I couldn’t wait between finishing one book and starting the other, though I will admit I was more worried about the world-building and the world-wide implications of the main character’s actions and less about Flowridia herself. The writing is concise and simple enough, and the books are easy to read. There is a flow in them, y’ know? The descriptions are rather lively and certainly an extra point in my book, and the characters we meet all have the chance to evolve as the series continue, or at least we get to see various aspects of their personalities and form more well educated opinions on them.
Now, I must admit that I don’t really read horror. Or moral decay, or sapphics that much to be honest. And the hardest part of going through those books for me was the moral decay. I still enjoyed them - as much as I can when I viscerally disagree with all the decisions the main character makes, though that too has it’s charm- but it was a bit more in a gut wrenching toe curling, page clenching way (no books were harmed in the reading of this series or the writing of this review).
What’s kind of funny is that simultaneously, the part that created so much conflict within me was the really charming and compelling part about the books. They are a prime example of what I have many times seen in this site that the main character is not necessarily the hero, just the person whose POV we follow. (Idk how people equate protagonist and hero, but well… these books make it very very obvious, or rather… not. I do encourage you to find out for yourselves)
And the antagonists. Oh my lord, I do like them a lot more than the main pair that’s for certain, and I really love the way they are written as well. The Demoni are probably the most straightforward and simultaneously the most deceitful race and its a really compelling combination. I feel like Khastra and Casvir are probably the most steadfast characters in the entire series in what they want, what their morality is and the roads they’ll use to achieve their goals. They are consistent in their moral compass and mostly logical detachment from everyone and everything.
And speaking of moral compasses. Another thing that gives the books a point for me is that the relationships are really fleshed out, and the characters are so...human. They each have their own morality and conscience and try to make the best decisions not so much or not only for the greater good, but for what matters to them. Like we would do. There are little to no characters overcoming their sense of self in order to service the ultimate good or evil. There are fleshed out complicated characters struggling to make do with the cards fate dealt them, while trying to adhere to their sense of right and wrong, good and bad decisions.
Again moral decay is really not my thing, and Flowridia infuriated me to degrees I didn’t think possible when I had started reading the series, but they are a solid and enjoyable read. Now that I have time, I might slow down and read them again at a more human pace, but I’d definitely suggest you try them out at least. Especially if sapphics that would destroy the world for each other is your thing. Or sapphics that try to save it.
See y’all soon.
Stay hydrated and take care of yourselves!!!
