The CLIFFHANGER!! I am unwell 😭

Plot- Khiara is on a mission to avenge her family as well as save her friend. Her friend (Ezra) is currently stuck in the Crown’s dungeons fighting for his life. Unfortunately she can’t just storm the castle, so she enters herself in the Culling (a competition to win the princess heart) in order to gain access. Her main goal is to get in and get out before someone realizes she’s a Cerise and has her killed.

My Thoughts-This book took me on a wild ride! I had a little trouble getting into it at first, but I usually do with a fantasy and especially with world building in the first book. After all the characters and storyline was nailed down, it took off! I was obsessed, and could not put it down. I’m pretty sure Therapy Crown is up to no good, and is harming their own people. They are shady AF! I loved Khiara and Riot. Bash is a little blind, but he’s not bad so far. The build up at the end was fantastic, and I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for book 2!!

Thank you Netgalley and Bailey for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review.

TW: SA is mentioned a few times throughout the book

Tropes
-Rescue mission
-He falls first
-A witch in a world where magic is illegal
-Enemies to lovers (slightly)
-Two love interests (not a love triangle or why choose)

This book surprised me with its fast pace and unique magic. Though it started slow, it got better with an intriguing love triangle and tackling dark themes, though they might be tough for some. The ending left me excited for the next part, but the story had some flaws with confusing characters and unfinished plots. Still, the unexpected romance, political drama, and character tension made it interesting. Overall, it was a quick and fun read, but it could improve with better characters and world-building.

The story was a bit slow at first then it got interesting. I honestly need to know what happens next like give me the 2nd book already!!

I really hate nothing more than having to leave a negative review, but there are a few things I find important to mention.

The book begins with an intriguing idea, but it doesn't fully deliver.

Khiara, the main character, is described as a skilled assassin, but her actions in the story don't match this description. This makes her character feel incomplete and not very believable, which is indicative of broader issues with the story.

The romantic aspects of the plot feel forced and unconvincing. Personally, I didn't find either of the love interests very likable.

Additionally, the handling of sensitive topics like sexual assault is not the best and oftentimes contradictive. Khiara's trauma is not addressed well, and some scenes don't align with her experiences, which reduces the emotional impact of the story.

Despite these problems, the initial concept and world-building in the story show promise. They suggest a potentially captivating narrative if fully developed.

However, the pacing is a significant issue. The plot moves too quickly, leaving important questions unanswered and parts of the story unexplored. This creates a disjointed overall narrative.

Another aspect I found off-putting, which is definitely a personal preference, is the use of modern language in a medieval setting. This breaks the immersion in the story—for instance, using words like "mindfuck."

In conclusion, "Cerise" had the potential to be a great book, but it falls short. The issues I've mentioned detract from what could have been an engaging and immersive reading experience within the world and concepts introduced.

An intriguing fantasy with twits and turns around every corner, and I absolutely could not put it down. My theories are endless and I need book two immediately! I was completely swept away and consumed with this story, the FMC, and the interesting dynamics of her relationships with other characters. The story is well written, unique, and kept me interested. Character development and world building is perfect. I get vibes of From Blood and Ash, as well as These Hollow Vows, and I was not ready for this book to end. This is a spicy fantasy that I will give a big five stars.

I was so excited to read this book and was happy I got the arc but it turns out it wasn't what I was hoping. It was very slow, confusing at times and just didn't make sense. Some parts were good but it didn't make it better. Thank you for this arc!

This story had potential. However, I had a hard time following at first and then once it started to get going, I didn't really love it. The characters didn't feel believable to me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I didn't enjoy the way the friendship was portrayed in the beginning. It would sometimes become confusing. There were a lot of questions I was left with. The death of the girl she brought with her was not spoken about much. The names Bash and Riot were very childish to me. I wanted more about the main character's past but felt like it was never fully talked about. I did enjoy how childish the main characters were together it was refreshing sometimes. I'm very confused about how the main character feels about Bash since she is sleeping with Riot. It felt like a Wattpad story for the most part. I really wanted her hair to be talked about more in the book and how it played a part in this competition. The sex scene was something I really wish was written so different. It was not a good sex scene. I will read the next book because I want some questions answered.

I really wanted to enjoy this book. I like the concept a lot, however I felt like there just wasn't enough world building. That and at random times it felt like a fanfiction, just choppy with scenes or oddly written.

Thanks to netgalley for this e-arc for an honest review.

I enjoyed the beginning of the book - a strong heroine, a revenge plot, magic and the promise of romance with a mysterious figure. However, I didn't like the way the relationship with the best friend was portrayed. This is a personal pet peeve and combined with the feeling that the main character was younger than I anticipated unfortunately made me DNF.

OOOp, it was a series! So cliffhanger alert.

Thanks netgalley for the the ARC!

I'd love to address, that even thought I knew this was new adult book, I was surprised with the open door scene but also, it felt inadequate, like I expected more. haha contradict much. But honestly, it would have been better. I feel there is something lacking. Maybe because the world building was almost half the book and there is no resolution on any problems. I was also scratching my head cause I forgot if riot knew she was a Cerise witch or that he was a Hunter that is why he knew, it felt sudden for me on what I was reading that suddenly he knew her powers?? What the was I hallucinating reading this that she was keeping everything, afraid to be killed by the crown, but suddenly Riot knew? And it felt so weird and not addressed that she feels a lot of people's heart but suddenly no explanation as to why she can't with Bash. it also felt like cheating to me. </3

This book follows our female MC who is on a mission to kill the man who killed her family. Her mission goes sideways when her friend gets hurt, and she must enter a competition to marry the prince as a way to sneak into the castle and rescue her friend.

This was a bit rough to get through for me. It is a pretty short book but took me more than a week to read because it was dragging quite a bit.

The writing:
The writing here felt pretty juvenile. The way that the MC was feeling was constantly described in exact terms, like this sentence:
"As I draw near, my heart races in excitement, anticipation, and fear."
It felt like a lot of telling and not showing.

The plot:
I don't know if my confusion is due to the fact that I took so long to read this book and kept forgetting what was happening, but I literally had no idea what was going on most of the time. Like, this is genuinely the most confused I have ever been reading a book. The story kept jumping to different locations and plot points and I had no idea how any of it connected. I did not understand the curse plot point, or how she even got to that random village in the forest, or why Ezra ended up in the castle. It felt pretty hard to follow overall. It honestly kind of felt like this was not the first book in the series and that I was missing some key information.

The characters:
None of them felt particularly distinct. Bash and Riot seemed pretty interchangeable, and our MC did not have any real distinct personality traits. The MCs instalust towards both men felt very sudden and disingenuous as well.

Something I was confused about in general: the entire plot of this book is that our MC has red hair, which indicates she is a Cerise (a witch of some sort, which the king is said to despise and basically execute on site). Yet she mostly goes about her life in this book with her hair fully exposed, even to the point of being directly in front of the king with her hair exposed. The MC kept saying she is afraid and hunted due to her hair color, but then it never seems to really be an issue. Felt a bit contradictory.

What I liked:
I liked the general idea of the Cerise having a distinct hair color that make it hard for them to hide. I also really wanted to know more about the magic that the MC/Cerise had, because it had the beginnings of something interesting. Unfortunately, it was not really expanded on further.

I also always am down for a royal competition (think Crowns of Nyaxia style) and was excited about that. Unfortunately, the Culling is not really much of a competition at all, as it is barely expanded upon and honestly takes up a relatively small part of the story.

Overall, this book did not really keep me interested, and I do not think I will be continuing with the series.

Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I really really love the book cover!! It grabbed my attention. The story plot is interesting and the romance was chef’s kiss. I’m obsessed with the characters in the book. I cant wait to read the next book !!

thank u netgalley for the arc ! 🤍

"The Cerise" by Bailey Black presents a thrilling tale of revenge, magic, and unexpected alliances. The protagonist's determination to seek justice for her family's murder sets the stage for a gripping narrative filled with twists and turns. What I particularly enjoyed about this description is the seamless blend of fantasy elements with a suspenseful plot, promising an engaging read. The protagonist's dilemma between personal vendetta and saving her friend adds depth to her character, making her journey all the more compelling. With its intriguing premise and echoes of popular fantasy romance novels, "The Cerise" appears to be a captivating addition to the genre that fans are sure to enjoy.

Firstly, thank you, Netgalley, for giving me this opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book was such a surprise. The blurb had me dying to read it, and the beginning had me so hooked. Then it gets a bit slow and, at times, a bit confusing. But the second half, well, that was great! Bash at first is so charming and alluring, but at the end I got a bit suspicious about him. Khiara was a very good character, and it was amazing to see how bad ass she is, but also, how broken she was inside.
Now, that cliffhanger at the end, it was criminal! I definitely will read the next book, I really want to know what happens and where all the lies come from!

I really wanted to like this book; I found the premise really interesting and am always a sucker for all things fantasy romance. However, as I was reading this book I got the impression that the author couldn't decide on many aspects of the setting and it was jarring to hear some of the dialogue and other tidbits that felt entirely out of place. Finally, this didn't feel like a complete story; the book ended at what should've been about the 2/3 mark, and rather than leaving me wanting to read the next book, I am left frustrated and feeling like I wasted my time on an incomplete story. That being said, there are still things to like in this story.

“i might be what the world calls a cerise, but i am not evil. at least, i don’t think i am. i mean… sure, i kill people, but only those who deserve it.”

Woo this book was a ride, it was a little slow to start but it picked up and it was great, I couldn't put it down.
"the cerise" is a magical, mind-blowing adventure. the twists, the characters, the plot – it grabs you and won't let go. if you loved “the selection” you will like this book.

And there it is - a cliffhanger that means you have to come back!! The end is nothing short of shocking!! I was not prepared.

Although this book starts off a bit slow it quickly gains momentum and then you are hooked. Very simply, one of those books that you start reading then can't seem to put it down. Characters are great, world-building is good, plot is good.

I am ready for the second in the series.

Recieved free in exchange for an honest reveiw.

Thank you so much NetGalley for this arc!!

As a fantasy girlie I was really excited for this one. I didn’t really connect with the characters unfortunately and the plot felt quite complicated so I ended up DNFing.

I really enjoyed the premise and the vibes I just couldn’t continue because I couldn’t process it!

Well, it's not the <i>worst</i> thing I've ever read. I'll give it that, I guess.

Let's start with the story. Witches, called the Cerise, are hunted and killed in this world. They're identifiable by their red hair. Our main character Khiara is a Cerise. We start the story with Khiara on an assassination mission to kill the man who killed her family among other horrible things.

This plot is pretty much done away with quickly, as she realizes that both her and her friend, Ezra, are poisoned by some sort of love spell. Ezra is near death and then she asks a guy who helped her earlier to take her to her Uncle's house.

Then we move into a Cinderella-like setup, where she's one of many women being proffered to the Prince. The story just sort of meanders after that, vaguely returning to Ezra and her assassination target, but doesn't really have a point. Oh, and it ends on a cliffhanger. Of course.

There are so many anachronisms in this book that I was laughing out loud. She pulls a zipper up on her dress. Someone has a clipboard and pen. Fairy lights are hung up. A servant asks her size and she replies "7". There's a lot more but those are the ones that I remember the most.

And then there's the main character, Khiara. She's just obstinate and argumentative and wholly unlikable. The two male leads, Bash and Riot (yes, those are their names) fare little better.