mels_reading_log's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Another amazing series from this sister duo. I’m totally hooked on this fantasy, romance, mystery series. I can’t wait to read the next one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Torture, Violence, Child abuse, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Suicide, Blood, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Drug use
katvou's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gaslighting, and War
nikitanavalkar's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Beware some spoilers but nothing major that we don’t already know from book 1 or ZA. I try to keep it vague.
As much as I want to keep reading this series because the sisters put Killblaze in their books, I’m rather frustrated by the pacing of these books. Because as soon as a Gareth flashback pops up or I have to be in a pov I don’t care about, it takes me a little out of the story and I just want to get to the point. Which I know, in a 5 book series is a long time coming. Unlike ZA where I’m interested in all the little world and family building things and the little tangents, here I’m hyper focused on Veronica, I mean, Elise getting her revenge and her men, in no particular order. I know, all in good time.
While I am on board the RH train (more or less), I’m still the most invested in Elise and Gabriel and their clandestine trysts, and we get the least of those in this book? Or that’s what it felt like. More can’t live with you or without you magnetism please. Yes, E and Leo are adorably s3xy and all grumpy sunshiney, and Dante and her have some wholesome + steamy moments (I mean, that club scene for the love of stars 🥵), and even Ryder and E have their moments, I have history with Gabriel plus come on, that pull between them? Because I may scoff at fated mates, but I am helpless against their power over me. I know, the hypocrisy. Also fine, I have serious ZA bias. Even if poor Gabe is very vaguely interesting if we only base it on what we know from this series. Going back to Ryder, theoretically he should be the most intriguing of them all, with his darkness and now the hints of his horrific past and his powers and that sadomasochistic streak, with a hidden gooey center. I mean, dude not so secretly loves Lion King! Like Leon and Dante are the fun and relatively sweet ones with hidden dark sides, Ryder is the opposite. Then why is he so boring? Idk I don’t get it either.
Even with my Gabrielise obsession, I am enjoying Elise’s vastly different relationships with her men, and honestly it’s inspired that at least two of them are actual mortal enemies which is going to present problems for a while but also raises the stakes. And it is so refreshing to see the girl claiming the guys as “mine” for once. Own that power, Elise. Although I do wish they would all just talk to each other and avoid frustrating catastrophes. Then again, where would be the fun in that. But I miss my type A, mega bougie rich, power hungry, powerful ZA babies okay. I keep hoping for more ZA crumbs like a junkie and apparently they get to go there in the next book? Here for it.
As much as I want to keep reading this series because the sisters put Killblaze in their books, I’m rather frustrated by the pacing of these books. Because as soon as a Gareth flashback pops up or I have to be in a pov I don’t care about, it takes me a little out of the story and I just want to get to the point. Which I know, in a 5 book series is a long time coming. Unlike ZA where I’m interested in all the little world and family building things and the little tangents, here I’m hyper focused on Veronica, I mean, Elise getting her revenge and her men, in no particular order. I know, all in good time.
While I am on board the RH train (more or less), I’m still the most invested in Elise and Gabriel and their clandestine trysts, and we get the least of those in this book? Or that’s what it felt like. More can’t live with you or without you magnetism please. Yes, E and Leo are adorably s3xy and all grumpy sunshiney, and Dante and her have some wholesome + steamy moments (I mean, that club scene for the love of stars 🥵), and even Ryder and E have their moments, I have history with Gabriel plus come on, that pull between them? Because I may scoff at fated mates, but I am helpless against their power over me. I know, the hypocrisy. Also fine, I have serious ZA bias. Even if poor Gabe is very vaguely interesting if we only base it on what we know from this series. Going back to Ryder, theoretically he should be the most intriguing of them all, with his darkness and now the hints of his horrific past and his powers and that sadomasochistic streak, with a hidden gooey center. I mean, dude not so secretly loves Lion King! Like Leon and Dante are the fun and relatively sweet ones with hidden dark sides, Ryder is the opposite. Then why is he so boring? Idk I don’t get it either.
Even with my Gabrielise obsession, I am enjoying Elise’s vastly different relationships with her men, and honestly it’s inspired that at least two of them are actual mortal enemies which is going to present problems for a while but also raises the stakes. And it is so refreshing to see the girl claiming the guys as “mine” for once. Own that power, Elise. Although I do wish they would all just talk to each other and avoid frustrating catastrophes. Then again, where would be the fun in that. But I miss my type A, mega bougie rich, power hungry, powerful ZA babies okay. I keep hoping for more ZA crumbs like a junkie and apparently they get to go there in the next book? Here for it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Violence
readwithelle's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Drug use, Death, Murder, Torture, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Self harm
An MC (Ryder) cuts his thumb with a razor blade to help hone his power.kat1105's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, and Torture
villainxorigin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Are we any closer to figuring out Gareth's murderer? No.
Is this book even steamier than the first? YES.
I love Peckham & Valenti's vivid imagination and worldbuilding, as well as their uncanny sense of humor. It's so refreshing when a fantasy book can have me laughing out loud by myself reading. I also love that I'm learning a lil' Italian thanks to Dante. Usually with RH is that there's always one guy I'm not very wild about, but honestly, I love all four of these guys - I don't blame Elise for not being able to choose. Well, that and I guess one of them did very likely kill her brother. Guess I better go get book 3 to figure out who!
Is this book even steamier than the first? YES.
I love Peckham & Valenti's vivid imagination and worldbuilding, as well as their uncanny sense of humor. It's so refreshing when a fantasy book can have me laughing out loud by myself reading. I also love that I'm learning a lil' Italian thanks to Dante. Usually with RH is that there's always one guy I'm not very wild about, but honestly, I love all four of these guys - I don't blame Elise for not being able to choose. Well, that and I guess one of them did very likely kill her brother. Guess I better go get book 3 to figure out who!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Drug use, Murder, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Bullying, Stalking, and Grief
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