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jw2212's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Absolutely ate up the first half or so of this book. Lost me a little in the second half though, I feel like the characters got together too soon and I got a little sick of all the rape plots.
chrisg94's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
2.0
nyiemah06's review against another edition
2.0
So many questions.....Halfway through I thought that I understood but NOPE!
readercristina's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Look, this book was recommended as a different kind of romantasy so I gave it a try. I haven't read this specific genre because I like 1) plot, 2) slow-burn romance but also 3) good writing. I am gathering that I might be asking for too much.
I see the appeal of Mands' writing style and story-telling. For a debut novel, there is promise for the author. I did like the slow buildup of the romantic relationship and the spicy scenes are decent. I loved the courting that happened, but I wish both characters were written better *sigh.* I can tell the author has this world she wants to build, but it never really becomes solidified for me.
Lots of issues in this: SA used as a plot device got OLD really quick. I became exhausted reading all the "murmuring" characters were doing along with how they moved their lips. Scenes were fragmented (i.e. a character is mentioned in a scene and then they appear a page later) and time was a bit jumpy (i.e. in the middle of a chapter there is a time jump to the past).
I am sooooo over toxic monogamy in 2024. All this talk of she/he is "mine, mine, mine." I just have a hard time seeing these characters falling in love because I never knew them more than surface level. Because of this, I thought this would be geared more towards YA. However, this book portrays toxic relationships as ideal and SA trauma as fleeting. It was really odd to spend so much time on it the first half of the book and then BAM, she's good. No therapy needed!? The author tries to address it btw the main characters, but it could use a major edit.
There are two mentions early on in the book that give away one of the big reveals at the end. However if you don't have those hints, the toxicity of the MMC is...pretty bad.
How many times does the FMC need to be kidnapped??? How many scenes do we need showing how possessive the MMC is??? Too many plot holes on top of it. Not as much spice as I was hoping for either. 😬
Do I think Mands has the ability to write something great in the future? Yes, but this book doesn't have it for me. I would read something else with different characters by Mands after a few years after perfecting her style and craft.
1.75/5 stars. I would recommend if you want an easy romantasy to read and can gloss over what I mentioned. Note: The hardcover edition is beautiful. I had to get that one since I didn't like the cover of the paperback for obvious reasons. 🫣
I see the appeal of Mands' writing style and story-telling. For a debut novel, there is promise for the author. I did like the slow buildup of the romantic relationship and the spicy scenes are decent. I loved the courting that happened, but I wish both characters were written better *sigh.* I can tell the author has this world she wants to build, but it never really becomes solidified for me.
Lots of issues in this: SA used as a plot device got OLD really quick. I became exhausted reading all the "murmuring" characters were doing along with how they moved their lips. Scenes were fragmented (i.e. a character is mentioned in a scene and then they appear a page later) and time was a bit jumpy (i.e. in the middle of a chapter there is a time jump to the past).
I am sooooo over toxic monogamy in 2024. All this talk of she/he is "mine, mine, mine." I just have a hard time seeing these characters falling in love because I never knew them more than surface level. Because of this, I thought this would be geared more towards YA. However, this book portrays toxic relationships as ideal and SA trauma as fleeting. It was really odd to spend so much time on it the first half of the book and then BAM, she's good. No therapy needed!? The author tries to address it btw the main characters, but it could use a major edit.
There are two mentions early on in the book that give away one of the big reveals at the end. However if you don't have those hints, the toxicity of the MMC is...pretty bad.
How many times does the FMC need to be kidnapped??? How many scenes do we need showing how possessive the MMC is??? Too many plot holes on top of it. Not as much spice as I was hoping for either. 😬
Do I think Mands has the ability to write something great in the future? Yes, but this book doesn't have it for me. I would read something else with different characters by Mands after a few years after perfecting her style and craft.
1.75/5 stars. I would recommend if you want an easy romantasy to read and can gloss over what I mentioned. Note: The hardcover edition is beautiful. I had to get that one since I didn't like the cover of the paperback for obvious reasons. 🫣
myersliberty's review against another edition
3.5
Rating: Worth Reading
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ - Spoiler indicates where spice is Chapters 15, 26, 28, 31, 33
Language: Mild swearing
Sexual Language: Mild, Spice scenes are typically short and only a couple are descriptive. There is one, not indicated above, that fades to black.
Characters: Likeable, I never got attached to them, but I have no objection to them
Plot: The worldbuilding and the plot were a lot of fun. I liked the immediate story conflict as well as the setup overarching series conflicts. I did feel that the story dragged at times but I believe that is because I was not attached to Declan and Evangeline (our main couple). It holds a lot of promise for this author's future works.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ - Spoiler indicates where spice is
Language: Mild swearing
Sexual Language: Mild, Spice scenes are typically short and only a couple are descriptive. There is one, not indicated above, that fades to black.
Characters: Likeable, I never got attached to them, but I have no objection to them
Plot: The worldbuilding and the plot were a lot of fun. I liked the immediate story conflict as well as the setup overarching series conflicts. I did feel that the story dragged at times but I believe that is because I was not attached to Declan and Evangeline (our main couple). It holds a lot of promise for this author's future works.
quelbell's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I really loved this book. There are much plot holes, which is awesome. This is a pure true love story set in a dark world. I do want to point out that the author is graphic in their descriptions, but they also dedicate time to the recovery of the characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Genocide, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: Pregnancy
jennythepirate's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I thought maybe this book tok book would be different.
vivivi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
4.0
Pretty good but the ending dragged on a bit with two kidnapping-esque instances happening one after the other.
Before that though, I enjoyed it immensely. I like the character interactions. It's not a comedy, but there are light-hearted moments.
I knew how some things were going to turn out, but I couldn't figure out how they would explain it, so it was satisfying in the end when identities were revealed.
Before that though, I enjoyed it immensely. I like the character interactions. It's not a comedy, but there are light-hearted moments.
I knew how some things were going to turn out, but I couldn't figure out how they would explain it, so it was satisfying in the end when identities were revealed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Torture, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent
peachylemon's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5