Daughter of the Drowned Empire

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I’m really worried about the “apprentices and their charge must not fall in love” thing. This better not be some sort of Parabatai kind of shit—I will not cope😭 I really can't wait to read the sequel, because Lyr and Rhyan (so beautiful *heart eyes and eggplant emoji*) have left me pining and craving for more and more and more and more and so on till I turn gray and old but will still appreciate a sexy romance book and a hot fictional tattoed daddy.

I'm prob being harsh, but considering the double life we're told she's been leading she's rather naive and it lowkey irked me to no end that she doesn't really take agency for herself for so long 🙈

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The Imperator as the villain was also done really well! He is cruel, vindictive and flaunts his power and prestige to just make you hate him. I could understand why he was awful but could also see why so many people followed him…. Really well written character!

There are some really interesting storyline’s to do with guilt & pressure & I loved seeing how that can manifest with feeling tied to someone (Tristan) & look forward to seeing how this will all play out. We follow Lady Lyriana, of Ka Bamaria / Heir to Arksava, on her journey of self-discovery and protection of those she loves. As a lady, she enjoys all of the perks and fluff of a noble born heir, until her world is turned upside down amidst political turmoil and unforeseen magical happenstances. She is determined to come out the other side stronger, and we love a powerful leading lady!!!! I strangled rumours, covered missteps, and danced day and night to keep everyone’s eyes on me and not my sisters.” The story follows the heartbreaking trials of the Lady Lyriana Batavia, third in line to rule the nation of Bamaria, part of the Lumerian Empire. The book opens with 17-year-old Lyr, as she known in the books, going to a ceremony where her sister, cousin, and other 19-year-olds will have their birth magic unbound and they will choose to become mage or magic-enhanced warrior. She is about to be engaged formally to Tristan, of Ka (House) Grey, a mage who also is trained to hunt down those who use one of the three forms of illicit magic. The world is her oyster. Until it isn’t.The world building was so unique. *chef's kiss* In my mind, I think the world was like if Atlantis crossed over with ancient Egypt, with seraphim, gryphons, and an assortment of other magical characters. Frankie Mallis is a maestro at building tension and constantly throwing her main character into hot water. Every time I thought I could take a breath and see Lyr overcome something, a particularly nasty plot twist happened. The world building was phenomenal with hints of both Egyptian and Roman influences as well as a well-defined and thought-out history, mythology, and magic system. There are libraries, magical beings and half-beings, political intrigue, heart-pounding action scenes, and lots and lots of lore (which I feel we have only just dipped our toes into) all skillfully woven into a narrative that won’t let you go. I love how he's always thre for Lyr, always defending her, being adorable and flirty, but also always ready to teach her a lesson or to put her in her place when she needs it. It did take me a minute to try to pronounce some of the titles and to get used to the methods of travel, but I was in heaven from the first chapter!

My ebook's map is so tiny, stretched and approximate I had to take a master in topology to understand a single thing I was seeing. Didn't work. And then Ryan was introduced. *swoon* I love this forbidden love! I love that he supports her and gives her strength and helps her see herself as someone capable, even if she doesn't have magic. It is an ambitious book. Sometimes I felt it had more on it’s plate than it could deal with and the pacing is a little unconventional but in the end, it all helped to shape the character arcs. and Lyr are some sort of reincarnations of Auriel and Asherah. Imbuing Lyr with Asherah's Goddess powers. So instead of having normal magic or a vorakh, her magic is some combination, explaining some of her dreams and feelings.I still felt like the world building was easy to read - except for my pet peeve of fantasy words that are too similar - & the world created was interesting. What I liked: I loved the creative worldbuilding and lore, and am especially fond of the bodyguard/trainer-trainee dynamic. Rhyan’s protectiveness that’s hidden underneath his cold, seemingly nonchalant demeanor was also insanely attractive. No better place to begin than pointing out that this book was downright fantastic. I consumed it. Or, rather, it consumed me.