4 stars
Content warning: kidnapping, attempted murder, death, blood, injury detail, grief from parental loss, emotional neglect from parents

This was such a delightfully cosy adventure, full of self-discovery and acceptance, humour, found-family, and a romantic tale that's really rather spicy 👀 I enjoyed the dual pov from Oskar and Guinevere, and watching these two soft babies become bolder in areas they once saw as weaknesses. The magical system was interesting, and the world felt vibrant and full, something I've come to respect from Thea Guanzon's works. It was easy to imagine myself along on this journey with the main characters.

I had absolutely no prior understanding of D&D, and applied for this book simply because I enjoyed the author's last book release. Whilst I still don't have a lot of knowledge, from the bits I picked up researching it a little as I read Tusk Love, I can see how this storyline Guanzon has brought to life could effortlessly fit into the established world and game, and bring a lot of enjoyment to fans.

Whilst a lot of the plotlines were quite predictable, the journey towards them was lighthearted and relatable, and I enjoyed how wholesome the majority of this book felt. Whilst the spicy scenes were well-written, I did drop a star simply because I felt like some of them were a bit of a stalemate and time could have been better spent on other aspects of building their romantic connection emotionally or on other parts of the story. Fans of romantasy with multiple spicy scenes will better appreciate this than I did, however!

Thank you to the author and publisher via NetGalley for a digital copy to review. All thoughts are my own.

Something a little different today as I got an e-arc of - Tusk Love by Thea Guanzon which comes out today. It is a spicy romantasy novel from the D&D actual play show Critical Role. 

Thanks to @netgalley for the e-arc

I confess Romantasy is a bit of a divergence for me and not something I usually read but I enjoy Critical Role and especially Campaign 2 with the Mighty Nein from whence this novel has its origins when the Mighty Nein visit a smutty bookshop and the DM Matthew had to come up with some titles on the fly. Thus the smutty novel Tusk Love was born and when I heard it was going to be an actual novel I knew I wanted to read it.

Guinevere an ambitious merchant’s daughter who has lived a privileged life is tasked by her parents to bring a precious cargo to them in a distant city, however things go awry as her caravan is ambushed, coming to her rescue is the gruff handsome world weary half-orc Oskar who justs want to do his own thing. 

I really enjoyed this book. It was just lovely and cosy albeit with a healthy dose of action and spice. The characters were fun to read both Guinevere (Gwen) and Oskar were interesting to read as they go from strangers to lovers. While not a connoisseur of Romantasy, this book was loaded with some of the traditional tropes of the genre such as one bed in the inn, one horse, grumpy/sunshine pairing and class difference to mention but a few. It was also really heartfelt and fun. The story was fun and light-hearted with some medium-stakes and danger at moments and enough mystery to keep the pages turning.

Overall I would recommend to fans of Critical Role and fans of Romantasy. This was such a delightfully fun and spicy novel. An easy enjoyable read and lots to enjoy for anyone who watches Critical Role.

This fantasy romance was so much fun to read. Guinevere is

I laughed out loud at Guinevere’s charm and ability to guilelessly convince everyone to help her. - there's a particularly brilliant scene in the market of Oskar's home village featuring bloodthirsty gang leaders and some important shopping. Oskar and Guinevere's relationship was sweet and spicy, and they were both impossible not to warm to.

I went into Tusk Love eagerly looking forward to a standard adventure fantasy romance, and it was even better than I thought! It was a fast read, easy to devour in one sitting (which I did). I've never watched Critical Role, but seeing as this is an in-universe book, I thought it might be a good intro to the world and setting, and now I'm looking forward to watching the show.

Guinevere is a great female main character who goes through a real tranformation. She’s not a typical spoiled rich girl; she genuinely wants to both do her best and grow as a person. Learning her family history/dynamics and watching how she learns to stand up for herself was a great story.

Oskar the grumpy half-orc was her perfect counterpoint. He has his own family problems, as well as being somewhat adrift in his own life, looking for his path forward. I loved how the author showed his softer side without making him less strong. He was everything you want in a hero: strong, honourable, and even vulnerable.

I really appreciated how these characters communicate. Most of the time, they talk openly about their feelings and work through their problems together. The back-and-forth between them was good, not too cutesey and not petulant either. The handful of spicy scenes are just enough to make you blush.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for facilitating me with a review copy of this book at no cost and with no obligation. I reviewed this book voluntarily, and all opinions are my own.
The story touches on some important themes like the weight of family expectations (for both characters), carving your own path in life, and being brave enough to show your true feelings.

If you want a cosy, lowstakes romantic fantasy with great characters and just the right touch of spice, put Tusk Love on your TBR.

This was honestly so fun!! Don’t expect anything. Groundbreaking but super fun spicy and romantic!! Defo recommend as a palette cleanser

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As a fan of Critical Role, I was excited to see that the in-world book created by the players was getting an actual adaptation. Despite being connected to the Critical Role franchise, rest assured that there is no need to have any knowledge of the show.

Tusk Love follows the wonderful adventure of Guinevere and Oskar. They give off perfect grumpy/sunshine vibes with Oskar the brooding mercenary and Guinevere the naive merchant's daughter. The characters are endearing and It was wonderful seeing their growth and development across the book as they journey together.

This is the first book I have read from Thea Guanzon but I really enjoyed her style and it fit the tone of the book perfectly.

It's a bit of a shame this is a standalone but the fact that they fleshed out a fictional book from a game into a fully fledged story is amazing.

📔Book of the Month: 🐘Tusk Love 💖

📆Publish Date: July 1st

Tropes:
🏵 Grumpy x Sunshine

🏵 Only One Bed

🏵 Instant Attraction

🏵 Dual POV

🏵 Romantasy

An in universe book from the world of @critical_role, Tusk Love follows Guinevere, a merchants daughter and Oscar, a half orc after an ambush brings them together.

📖 This is my first @theagwrites book, and frankly, I'm impressed! A spicy romantasy set in the universe of Critical Role, it offers lush description, hidden magic and more than enough pining between the main characters.

Overall, it's an easy read, that would be ideal for any bookish individual who likes DnD and romantasy ✨️

Star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Spice level: 🌶🌶🌶/5

Art by: @erion.makuo

Thank you @penguinrandomhouse for the E-ARC I received!

#romantasy #tusklove #criticalrole #arcreview #theaguanzon #dungeonsanddragonsbooks #netgalley

Tusk Love is the perfect blend of cozy fantasy, steamy romance, and adventurous magic, a true gem for romantasy fans. This book swept me off my feet from the first page, delivering everything I never knew I needed in a fantasy romance.

The grumpy-sunshine dynamic between Oskar and Guinevere is absolute perfection. Oskar, a brooding, cinnamon-roll half-orc, hides his kind heart behind a tough exterior, while Guinevere, a selfless merchant’s daughter, is all warmth and light despite the duty that weighs her down. Their chemistry is electric, and the forbidden love element only adds to the tension. I found myself rooting for them every step of the way, caught up in their slow-burn, swoon-worthy romance.

The book’s world-building is fantastic, with a vibrant setting that includes magic, mercenaries, and peril. I loved how the horses even had their own personalities—such a fun and unexpected touch! The plot is action-packed with plenty of twists and turns, keeping you on the edge of your seat, but it’s the character development that really shines. Guinevere’s journey of self-discovery, from a duty-bound girl to someone brave enough to follow her heart, was deeply satisfying to watch. Oskar’s growth as he learns to embrace love and his own worth added so much emotional depth to the story.

While the last 20% slowed down a bit with more descriptions than I’d have liked, the pacing overall was spot-on. The tropes; grumpy/sunshine, forbidden romance, only one bed - were executed beautifully and felt fresh and natural, rather than predictable.

Tusk Love has it all: swoon-worthy romance, engaging world-building, laugh-out-loud moments, and characters you can’t help but love. The chemistry between Oskar and Guinevere alone makes this book unmissable. It’s the kind of story that wraps you in warmth, making you want to stay in its world long after you turn the last page.

If you're looking for a cozy, enchanting, and steamy fantasy romance, this is the book for you. I’m officially obsessed, and I can’t wait to see more from this world. Highly recommend!

A Cosy fantasy romance at its finest!

“Fear was a natural state, neither gift nor curse. But everyone possessed the ability to overcome it. It was just a matter of when and how.”

This was sooo, so good! When I got the ARC, I abandoned everything, started reading immediately, and didn’t stop until I finished the book!

Tusk Love by Thea Guanzon was such a delightful read! I am a huge Thea fan and absolutely adore The Hurricane Wars. (Really, HW is my comfort read. I’ve read each book like four times, if not more.) And after reading this one, I can confidently say that Thea can do it all!
If someone asks me what I expect from perfect cosy fantasy, I will say this! This is exactly what I want my cosy, low-stakes fantasy romance to look like: the perfect mix of action, romance, and drama!
Thea’s signature hilarious banter shines throughout! And the tension, the pining!?!? Amazing! The book is packed with action from the very first page. The pacing was fantastic, and it kept me engaged and entertained the whole time. Even though it’s only 270 pages, nothing felt rushed. Neither the plot nor the romance. The story was very well developed, and even though I knew nothing about Critical Role or the inspiration behind the story, I didn’t feel like I was missing anything.

Guinevere, at the beginning of the story, comes across as a kind and well-mannered but spoiled young woman. She grew up in luxury and wealth. She starts her journey as a very sheltered and naive girl, so it was very satisfying to watch her grow into a self-assured and confident young woman with each chapter!

Then there’s Oskar. He’s the grump to our sunshine Gwen, but despite his cold exterior, he is brave and thoughtful and very unlike anyone Guinevere has ever met before! 
Watching their relationship build slowly, page by page, until the tension turned into love? Perfection. And you know I love nothing more than a man who yearns, right? and oh boy, Oskar might be the master of pining from afar! All the romantic scenes made me giggle and swoon though I really should have expected that. That’s, after all, what Thea Guanzon does best: writes books that have you screaming into your pillow at 3 in the morning!

Thank you to both Netgalley and the publisher Randomhouse/Del Ray for the opportunity to read and review Tusk Love by Thea Guanzon

Tusk Love follows Guinevere, the daughter of merchants who was raised to be their ticket into high society by marrying her off into a noble household without thought for what she may wish for her own life. Guinevere years for a life of adventure on the open road instead of the house her parents confined her to for her entire life but she gets more than she wishes for when her caravan escorting her across the country to meet her parents on the coast is suddenly attacked by bandits wishing to steal the wares her parents aim to sell who kill the guards leaving Guinevere to fend for herself until she is rescued by Oskar, a half orc travelling to visit his mother's clan in the north. Despite his rough exterior Oskar takes it upon himself to see Guinevere down the amber road to her destination no matter what.... or who... the amber road has in store for the two of them.

Tusk Love is a firey romance that I quickly burned through and really enjoyed, especially Oskar himself and his whole tough like a grizzly bear but soft like a teddy bear demeanor. I was really hooked from start to finish and im so glad that I got the opportunity to read this book. The only thing I found myself getting annoyed with was Guinevere specifically how she is portrayed at times throughout the book. Don't get me wrong I loved her as a character and her personal journey throughout the book I also get why she is also a very naive character being raised the way she was but that naivety combined with many of the descriptive language around her using words like "dainty" it felt a little infantalising at times like she was a character younger than 20. Despite this the book was still really enjoyable and overall I had a good time reading it and think any romantasy reader would also enjoy it especially those who usually enjoy "monster" romances including creatures such as orcs

I had such a fabulous time reading Tusk Love, it is a spellbinding, romantic and fun adventure, that (as a Critical Role fan myself) I think does a perfect job at being accessible for newcomers to Exandria, while also being a delightful expansion of the world for fans like myself.

The romance here is a perfect blend of slow burn, angst, and enemies to lovers. The connection between Oskar and Guinevere felt real and enticing, and I was absolutely rooting for them the whole way through. I really enjoyed that you could absolutely see why Jester was a fan of Oskar and Guinevere, especially Guinevere. The character choices and voice felt true to Jester and while I'm confident this will not lead to the average reader missing anything, it was a pleasant little nod that I thought was very well achieved by the author.

I liked the nature of the conflict within the book too, the mystery was one I was anxious to see a resolution to and felt satisfied with by the end of the book. I truly didn't see some of the resolutions coming before they happened.

Thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Random House & Thea Guanzon for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review, here we go:

You ever pick up a book expecting cinnamon rolls and soft sweaters, and instead it offers you a shirtless half-orc with emotional depth and thighs that could crush your moral compass? Yeah, that’s Tusk Love.

This book gets marketed as cozy fantasy, but let me be clear: this is cozy fantasy that sneaks you into the tavern’s back room and locks the door. You’re not getting Legends & Lattes vibes or Kiki’s Delivery Service wholesomeness here: this is more like if the Critical Role gang decided to write spicy fanfiction after a couple of pints and zero adult supervision. And honestly? I respect that!

The plot is delightfully simple: Gwen needs to travel from A to B, Oskar swoops in to help (as her personal bodyguard, emotional support orc, and general smolder dispenser), and together they face peril, magic, and an alarming amount of unresolved tension. Do they fall in love with the speed of a D&D player rolling a nat 20 on charisma? Yes. So what if the plot was a bit insta-lovey? Did I care? Absolutely not, because Gwen and Oskar are adorable and I will not tolerate any slander.

Now. The tension with Lord Wensleydale? Chef’s kiss. Peak Moulin Rouge energy. Gwen is basically Satine, Oskar is Christian (but greener and grumpier), and Lord Wensleydale is the slimy Duke trying to own things he has no business touching. Bonus points for Oskar repeatedly mispronouncing his name out of pure, petty jealousy. I laughed every single time. Petty men with big swords (IYKYK 😏)? We love to see it!

But I must talk about the “Big Bad”… I won’t spoil anything, but the moment they stepped onto the scene, my brain screamed JARNATHAN?!—yes, the bird guy from Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. And once that image took root? I could NOT take him seriously. Like, I know he’s meant to be menacing, but all I could picture was Jarnathan as his clumsy behavior. Sorry to this villain, but his intimidation check failed so hard for me 😂

That said, I had a great time with this book. The Critical Role vibes are strong (no campaign knowledge required), the character banter is top tier, and the romance brings both heat and heart. It’s not flawless, but I was fully entertained. If you like your fantasy a little chaotic, a lot lusty, and served with a wink? Tusk Love knows exactly what it’s doing!

Guinevere, daughter of an ambitious merchant, whose predetermined path is to marry well, wishes for adventure. She is more than meets the eye, Teinedh being her dangerous secret. When her caravan is attacked by bandits, she is saved by half-orc Oskar. Oskar has recently lost his mother and is on the way to an unknown land to be with the family he has never met. They end up traveling together and as the feelings between them grow, the spark ever so brighter, they realize they must decide between each other or what has been chosen for them.

From the first page, it jumps right into the action which is so well-detailed, giving us a 380 picture of what is going on. Companionable, easy to get into and attention-seizing, it is often lyrical in its emotional expression, making you feel as if you've experienced what the protagonists have. Wordings that conjure impressively creative images color the descriptions. The narrative has laser focus on what it wants to say and does it handsomely. The intrigue is palpable, with the danger following them. Secrets & mysteries unfurl in a gradual 'drop a clue here and there" manner. The mythology and worldbuilding, which are both enticing and accented with whimsical details, are shared beautifully in the storyline.

The distinctly voiced POVs make you feel like you're in the story but also confidants of the respective speaker. Their musings, their gestures exhibit fierceness or softness or both. There is a wonderful humor accompanying the story, making me laugh quite often. Their butting of heads and fraying of nerves (more Oskar's, Guinevere is mostly bewildered by him) cast a chuckle-worthy glow.

Their antithesis complements the plot — Lady and the Half-Orc, Grumpy and Hesitant Sunshine. Guinevere's naivete of the world outside her somewhat pampered existence rings endearing, though it does land them in some sticky situations. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much as they fell in love — as they become comfortable with each other and themselves, always evolving. And my heart jolted due to their circumstance.

There are a lot of the usual romance staples and a few might present a little too convenient or not really sensible at that part of the story, but they are staples for a reason. The book actually pokes fun at some of them. Also, there was a goldmine in the form of Teinidh and Guinevere's magic that was unfortunately underused. But you cannot deny how entertaining it is.

This story is about giving yourself the chance to be your true and complete self, accepting all the parts of your individuality. It is a charming road movie of a book, properly adventurous, with characters you will adore. A huggable, spicy romantasy with a love that transcends worlds.

I absolutely loved this romantasy I couldn’t put it down! I live both Oskar & Guinevere , total polar opposites drawn together by an invisible force called Fate 🥰 The world building was written really well that I could easily imagine places, the characters were well written too. Both MC’s are my favourite in a while.
There was heroics, vulnerability, empathy, anger, stubbornness, growth,love and adventure. What more could you want for a romantasy. It was easy to follow and left me feeling warm & fuzzy . I will be definitely buying the hardback as a trophy book 🩷
I can’t do half’s on here but it’s a 4.5 for me ☺️

I haven't indulged myself in Critical Role before, but I'm not saying no to a book with such a gorgeous cover.

The book is good. There is a great plot, enjoyable characters and a romance I rooted for. However, I'm a little let down by the fantasy aspect, as it's more of a side plot than a central theme throughout the story, making it feel more like a historically inspired fiction than a fantasy. And the main thing I missed was the focus on Oskar being a half-orc. I had hoped there would be more focus on this non-human appearance, but often it felt more like a big guy-little woman type of romance.

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for giving me access to an e-arc for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

God I needed a monster romance 🤭

Tusk Love is a Romantasy, Monster Romance set in the world of the game Critical Role. As a gamer I have heard of Critical Role but it is not something I have personally played but I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

Gwyn and Oskar are ADORABLE, grumpy x sunshine at its finest.. there were moments that had me giggling and kicking my feet and the spice … 😮‍💨 I am a monster lover and I have no shame for it!

Oskar in his grumpiness was just brilliant and HILARIOUS. His humour gave me Tairn vibes and I loved it!

Gwyn - sweet Gwyn! I loved her story and her confidence building throughout this. She’s fiery and I adored her!

Tusk Love is a romantic fantasy comedy set in the world of Exandria. Thea Guanzon delivers a light-hearted, witty, and sweetly romantic story, perfect for readers looking for a magical escape.

The story follows Guinevere, a young noblewoman tasked with transporting a mysterious cargo to the capital city. She’s bound to a fire spirit that’s been with her since birth, and she’s carrying more emotional baggage than she lets on. Along the way, she meets Oskar, a grieving half-orc warrior who reluctantly becomes her escort on the dangerous Amber Road. What begins as an uneasy alliance turns into a compelling connection filled with banter, tension, and heartfelt moments.

The true strength of the novel lies in Guinevere and Oskar’s relationship: their chemistry is sparkling, the banter is sharp, and their emotional journey feels natural and rewarding. The author gives both characters depth without weighing the story down. The already rich setting of Exandria adds flavor without ever overwhelming the romance.

Tusk Love is a fun, romantic, and heartfelt read, ideal for those who enjoy love stories with fantasy elements and a good dose of humor. Charming, adventurous, and full of heart: a perfect summer read.

4,25 ⭐️

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone | Del Rey for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Tusk Love is the cosy fantasy that I didn't know I needed. It is a funny, cute (and saucy) romance with a flair of D&D and a medium-stakes adventure.

Oskar and Guinevere are adorable and there were so many moments that made me squee and kick my feet.

I really enjoyed this book overall though I did find the pacing dragged a little bit in the middle.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC.

Tusk Love is the newest cozy romance by author of The Hurricane Wars Thea Guanzon. Set in the fantasy world of Exandria we follow maiden turned adventurer Guinevere and ex-warrior turned begrudging hero Oskar as they traverse the equally picturesque and dangerous Amber Road on a mission to deliver the lady Guinevere and her mysterious cargo to the capital of the Dwendalian empire, confronting their prejudices and maybe falling in love along the way.

‘There was no more time to argue. The stranger wretched the trunk form Guinevere’s grasp and tucked it under his left arm, then he scooped her up, satchel and all, and effortlessly slung her over his right shoulder. […] This is so undignified, Guinevere thought as the half-orc warrior carried her through the dark forest like a sack of potatoes.’

Guinevere, a merchant’s daughter, has been sent on a journey from her hometown to the capital city Rexxentrum carrying with her not only the mysterious and precious dowery imperative in securing a marriage to a wealthy noble saving her family from peasantry but a fiery, volatile spirit bound to her from birth. If that wasn’t enough add the burden of some deeply rooted childhood trauma thanks to her cloistered upbringing and terrible parents. Oskar, the half breed orc warrior, is grieving the recent death of his mother. As he leaves behind his apprenticeship to fulfil his mothers dying request; travel north to her homeland and reacquaint with his clan, the heroism buried deep down inside himself rears its head when he stumbles upon a maiden in need of some help. Even if it turns out she was the one who burned her own caravan and the bandits trying to steal her family’s precious goods to ashes. The least he could do is make sure she gets to the next village safely and then maybe the next one, and then maybe just the whole way and maybe unfortunately falling for her in the process.

Tusk Love’s truest strength is the romance and since it’s set in the already developed fantasy world Exandria (Critical Role), with a magic system taken from D&D, it doesn’t under perform it’s fantasy setting. Thea Guanzon writes Exandria beautifully and our beloved heroes have a magnetic cheesy romcom will-they-wont-they chemistry, their differences being as simple as class and upbringing, leading us to their disagreements naturally where they both teach each other to broaden their prejudices and widen their views.

‘The stranger took his sweet time studying her, as though she were a puzzle he couldn’t figure out. She lifted her chin, forcing herself not to flinch at his scrutiny. The corner of his mouth twitched like he was reluctantly amused by her defiance, one sharp, slender tusk gleaming in the moonlight.’

Oskar’s grievance gave him an extra depth outside of the orc ‘brute’ stereotype, the time spent with his emotion was heartwarming. His perspective brought out a heroic sensibility that harked back to Fjord (Critical Role) although additional backstory being discovered live in the novel, perhaps learning more about his clan, would bring further depth to his character. Guinevere’s ignorance could have quickly become tedious to read but as her social standing becomes clear there is a caricature in Guinevere that encapsulates the tone of the book well. Her relationship with Oskar and the quest they embark on releases her from the strains of her cloistered upbringing, showing her a sense of freedom she has never been allowed to access. Autonomy does wonders for her character, she tentatively seeks answers about her magic and although this frees her from much of her burdens in a longer version of this story I would’ve loved to see the training Guinevere undergoes to establish a stable connection with and therefore attune to Teinidh (the fire spirit bound to her) and her magic overall.

This whole book felt like a fun D&D session, full of laughs and swoons. The low stakes were the perfect backdrop to this story and allows the reader some extra development to the fantasy setting. Tusk Love brought to life the witty, childish, euphemistic humour of the original source material and of course some cheek warming moments that Jester (Critical Role) herself would have loved.

Despite Tusk Love coming from and being set within the wider world of popular Dungeons and Dragons group Critical Role’s second campaign, you do not need to know anything about Critical Role, the original lore of Tusk Love and even D&D itself to enjoy this book (though it does make it all the more fun). With the humour of A.K. Caggiano’s Throne in the Dark and the cosiness of Sarah Beth Durst’s The Spellshop, Tusk Love will be the perfect addition to romance lovers summer reading list.

Tusk Love is a sweet romantasy novel that follows Guinevere, a sheltered and dutiful merchant’s daughter, and her eventual guard Oskar, a reluctantly caring blacksmith’s apprentice, as they transport precious cargo to Guinevere’s uncertain fate in Nicodranas. Yet it seems not only her parents are desperate to acquire the valuables they carry.

As someone who is part of the Critical Role fandom, this instantly landed itself on my must-read radar for 2025. Now having read it, I was pleased to see that whilst a decent number of easter eggs cropped up, the book could easily be read without this prior knowledge which is absolutely ideal for Critical Role and romantasy fans alike.

The plot itself was relatively simple but engaging with most of the focus being geared towards whether Guinevere can development into an open and confident wild-magic wielder and if Oskar can find a purpose or person to fight for.

Guinevere and Oskar were loveable and endearing characters that felt unique, and even the side-characters felt like they had their own histories and distinct personalities. I loved the character development and for me his for me was a particularly nice take on the grumpy-sunshine dynamic.

The relationship that develops between Guinevere and Oskar is decently spicy – with an appreciated amount of steaminess and waterfalls. This nailed the bodice-ripper vibe that I associated with Jester (the Critical Role character) and her much prized possession. Yet it still tackles less light-hearted topics and I appreciate how they covered the family dynamics between Guinevere and her parents especially in contrast to Oskar’s experiences.

In a good way it was strangely cosy and low-stakes despite a decent amount of fighting and sharp implements being involved. I wouldn’t say it changed my opinion or perspective about anything in life, but it was certainly enjoyable to read.

I would recommend this to new or established romantasy readers looking for a lighter read that still has plot. I’d place this along the same lines as Legends and Lattes for the cosiness and action but highlight that more adventure and spiciness is involved.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Del Ray at Cornerstone, Random House UK for providing this e-book in exchange for an honest review.