I put off reading this book because I wanted to read is when it felt just right. Everything I saw about it made me sure that I would like it so I wanted to give it the best chance possible. And now I wish I had read it earlier.

I’m just going to get the best part out of the way first. This book reminded me about my all time favorite anime. Mostly the antagonist. Sergei reminded me so much about another commander that I became mildly obsessed.

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann was described to me as a show that goes from people living underground to giant robots throwing galaxies at each other. And if you haven’t watched it, I strongly believe that you’re missing out.

So why did a book that came out last year remind me so much about an anime that came out almost 20years ago?
Firstly, the antagonist, Sergei Konstav is one of the first characters that ever reminded me of Viral. And that alone is reason for me to love this book. Because Viral is my all time favorite character, not only in anime, but in any media.
Mostly because they both does what they believe is right. While still holding on to their sense of honor. And just like Viral respects Kamina in Gurren Lagann, Sergei does respect Rhyssand. And for both of them, they’re not against the protagonists because of any personal grudge. It just happens that our protagonists are going against what they believe is right.

The two main characters in A vermillion Curse reminds me a little about Yoko and Kamina as well. Mostly just visually, but I mean both Cressenda and Yoko are badass redhaired queens. And honestly, Both are great women to look up to.

But apart from the characters, what really sold Gurren Lagann for me was the lack of good and evil. Because even though the show is from one perspective, every one they go up against had fair believes and does what they believe is the right thing. And they’re only against the main cast because of differing believes. And the show really highlights that reality. I do believe D.C. does really well in showing that kind of perspective in A Vermillion Curse. Of course it’s not in the same scale as in Gurren Lagann, because the plot is different.

And the book does have a sense of right and wrong/ good and evil. But for a big part we can actually understand the motivations of everyone involved. We also have the crazy cult element in both the show and the book. Though, it does play a bigger role in A Vermilion Curse.

But onto the book itself. It really lives up to the Baldurs Gate 3 vibe it is marketed as. And I just love the characters and their dynamic. We have a bookworm demon who could really use a vacation and a runaway human with performing skills. And with it being a fantasy romance, of course they don’t really like each other at first. But instead of the more extreme enemies to lovers, they’re more reluctant allies to lovers. So they don’t hate each other from the start.

If you do want more hate to love action, Keep Me Breathing has some of that. At least from one side. 😅

All the way from them finding each other to realizing their shared goal of finding answers from the same weird cult to sex pollen, almost a forced pregnancy and them slowly being drawn to each other kept me on my toes. And also the care and protectiveness they both have for each other, even when their communication skills suck.

And I know.

I get it.

But don’t just leave to do the dangerous thing alone without telling your partner.

Okay? Okay!

Good intentions but it never works in your favor. I mean, I’m a complete sucker for that kind of situation, but I also get so damn frustrated every time.

In case you haven’t picked up on it, this book gave me some major feelings. And no, I am not good at the whole handle emotions thing. But I also believe that the biggest sign of a good book, or good art in any form, is it’s ability to make the consumer feel things. And that, A Vermillion Curse really succeeded with.

All in all, I would absolutely recommend you to read A Vermillion Curse. If not now, then at least sometime. I also know that there will be at least one more book in the series as well as a Spanish translation of it. Which is super cool. And I’m really looking forward to seeing that happening.

And if this somehow convinced you to check the author out, I’ll leave a link potion for you to make your internet travel easier. (Click the image below.)