Hello, friends! ❤️ Welcome back to my blog, and thank you for stopping by. Today, I’m thrilled to share a book review that easily ranks in my top 5 of 2024. Honestly, I’m surprised this series isn’t talked about more. Maybe it’s just because I haven’t been on Bookstagram as often, but either way, it deserves way more attention! This book left me genuinely impressed, and I’m completely hooked. As soon as I finished the first one, I immediately dove into the sequel; I just need to know what happens next! It’s a fantasy/romance (or “romantasy” as some people call it), but the romance in the first book is pretty subtle. There’s definitely tension between two characters, but the slow burn was masterfully done.
Expect supernatural elements, a brand-new, intriguing race, gods, kings, and some truly real villains. It’s honestly perfect. I could keep gushing about it forever, so let’s get into the review, shall we? There may be a few spoilers here and there because I feel like I need to dive into everything, but I’ll do my best to keep them to a minimum.
Alright, let’s dive into our book because I have so much to say! This book really caught me by surprise in the best way possible. From the very first chapter, it pulls you into a world that feels both familiar and completely fresh. You’ve got your gods, powerful beings, and a fascinating supernatural race (IG’Morruthens) that adds a whole new layer to the fantasy genre. But it’s more than just epic world-building. The depth of the characters and the emotional layers really set it apart. It was so well thought out in every possible way, the time jumps between the past and the present were great, they brought some sense back for the characters so this new race of supernatural beings did not feel like a random idea that was written in a book. ıt had decent lore; I knew what they were at the end.
First, let’s talk about the world. It’s dark, lush, and feels massive, but never overwhelming. You can tell Nicole has thought through every detail. There are different races—each with its own culture, history, and, of course, magic. There’s this great mix of ancient magic, gods, and long-standing grudges between different factions that give the world so much texture. Everything feels alive and purposeful, from the sprawling cities to the desolate landscapes. Or villain is a real villain, and he has a purpose; even the side characters on the villain’s side had great roles in the book, and perhaps it was this that made me love the plot and the world-building a lot. Onto the plot: where do I even start? This story has complexity in all the best ways. There’s so much going on beneath the surface, with shifting alliances, hidden motives, and characters trying to outrun their past. What I love is that it’s not just some good-versus-evil story. There are layers of moral ambiguity. Everyone has something they’re fighting for, and sometimes you’re not even sure whose side you’re on, which keeps things tense and exciting. Our FML is a morally grey strong supernatural being called Ig’Morruthen, she feeds on blood and was made in order to save her sister. Although the world expects her to be some kind of berserker freak because history tells us that she should be one, Dianna proves otherwise with every single page. She may have all the power and reputation of a monster, but what she truly has is a mortal heart. No matter how many centuries have passed or how much the world has hardened her, this fact never changes. Her story is absolutely heartbreaking, she’s selfless, constantly sacrificing herself, yet still seen as nothing but a monster because of her powers and the lengths she goes to in order to protect her sister. Then we have our God-King, Samkiel—known as Liam—who is haunted by his traumatic past, barely hanging on at the start of the book. We watch these two, who should be sworn enemies, find common ground and work together throughout the story. The tension between them, the chemistry, it’s all there, and it’s beautiful. It’s not just about the romance, though. The connection between them feels authentic like they truly understand and challenge each other on a deeper level. It’s slow, it’s intense, and every interaction is layered with so much meaning. Their banter, the way they push and pull, is perfectly paced and keeps you hooked.
What I really love, though, is how every side character feels just as well-written and important. They aren’t just filler, hanging around for the sake of having a crowd in the background. No, each one of them has a role that makes sense and adds something to the story. They’re not just there; they’re actually useful, and their presence impacts the plot. If you’ve been following my blog, you know this is something I really appreciate. I can’t stand random characters who just exist without contributing to anything. I’d much rather have side characters who change the course of the story or influence the main characters in meaningful ways—and that’s exactly what happens in the first book. I can already tell it’s the same in the second book too.
As the book progresses our characters are working in order to stop the big bad villain from destroying the realms. And yes, you heard that right there is more than one realm in this book. They learn how to understand each other, and they learn how to stand for each other, they grow together, and they overcome their differences as they research for this book that is so influencing to the point where it is just dangerous for wrong people to have.
The Book of Azrael isn’t just another fantasy/romance: it’s a complex, emotionally rich story that digs into what it means to be powerful and broken at the same time. The world-building is phenomenal, especially with the introduction of the Ig’Morruthens, and the way Nicole layers the plot and characters keeps you fully immersed from start to finish. Whether you’re into epic battles or slow-burn romances, this book delivers both in spades. I’m already deep into the second book, and I can’t wait to see where these characters go next.
Have you checked the series? Let me know what do you think of it if you did so; and I will see you in my next post friends, take care! 🌸
Luster of Books 