I’ve been desperate to find a dark fantasy romance for a while now, and The Aspect of Essence certainly didn’t disappoint!
What I LOVED about this novel was the different points of view used throughout. This really kept my attention, and helped me, as the reader, to identify with each character and see the world through their eyes. For example, Serenna, who is an elf princess, is sent off to military academy to learn how to utilise her magic effectively against the wraith (the elves’ enemy). She is very different from Jassyn, who is a healer. His breeding potential and bloodline are viewed unfavourably by the eleven council, which makes things difficult for him. Meanwhile, Lykor, the Wraiths leader, shares his body with another presence, which can inhabit him when he’s asleep.
The forced proximity trope is present in this novel, and I loved the way this helped to peel away the layers of protective armour around the characters as the story developed. Serenna’s growth as a princess is a unique aspect that I enjoyed a lot, and she certainly becomes more comfortable in her own skin as the plot unfolds. I also enjoyed seeing things from the baddie (Jassyn’s) perspective, which adds an unusual and intriguing touch to the narrative.
There isn’t much spice in the story, although none was needed, as the suspense and world-building are right on point. I would say, as this is dark fantasy, there were some triggering topics, but the author was very clear about these at the start of the book, which was much appreciated! All in all, this is a great, immersive story, with memorable characters and plenty of tension, suspense, and emotion! Would highly recommend.
The Introverted Bookworm 
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