anjasshelf's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Death, Grief, Sexual content, Violence, Child abuse, War, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Torture, Classism, Colonisation, Gore, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Alcohol, Confinement, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Kidnapping, Domestic abuse, Racism, and Slavery
bookishbakesco's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Full disclosure: I should have just looked it up on the internet.
Look, I am a massive fan of both ACOTAR and TOG. But this series makes my brain melt.
CC2 is even more bloated and convoluted than the first. There are subplots that have no purpose in moving the narrative forward, the two main characters are the worst in all her series, and I am so over the Bond Villain style evil plan reveals at the end.
There are also so many phrases used in this book that make me cringe. Particularly when it comes to the spicy scenes
Spoiler
(ie. balls tightening? For arousal? Someone, please tell her that, anatomically, that is just NOT a thing 🫠)That being said, I’m giving this 2.5 stars because I didn’t feel the need to DNF, I liked the fact we got to see from other (better, more rounded) side characters’ perspectives, even if they were ALL male, and ultimately, because the ending will make me read on.
I have zero willpower.
Graphic: Sexual content, Alcohol, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Murder, Blood, Drug use, Addiction, and Cursing
Minor: Gun violence
kylarenea_'s review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Blood, Sexual assault, Torture, Colonisation, Cursing, Drug use, Genocide, War, Death, Gun violence, Murder, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, and Violence
erkietheturkey's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Murder, Sexual content, Misogyny, Blood, Torture, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, and Death
Moderate: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Classism, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Child abuse, and Sexism
Minor: Body shaming, Confinement, War, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief
datskira's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Murder, Gore, Gun violence, Cursing, Alcohol, Blood, Violence, Death, Sexual content, Torture, and War
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Medical content, and Physical abuse
marigold82's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, War, Toxic relationship, Torture, Slavery, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Gore, Child abuse, and Blood
jades3's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Gun violence, Murder, and Torture
imcourtneymarie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Loved the OMG moments throughout. Lots to think about. Can’t wait for CC3 👀
Graphic: War, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual content, Murder, Colonisation, and Blood
Minor: Death of parent, Drug use, Alcohol, and Infertility
marleywrites's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Cursing
Moderate: Torture, Gun violence, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Addiction
Minor: War and Slavery
helloimjacq's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Just a side note, if you haven’t read A Court of Thorns and Roses, I highly recommend reading that series before this book to better understand Sarah’s writing style as well as certain themes/nuances. I would say it’s not 100% necessary but it’s the best way to familiarize yourself with certain aspects present in her worlds (overall it makes the breakdown of this series much more interesting).
Graphic: Death, Colonisation, Blood, Cursing, Grief, Murder, Classism, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, and Gun violence
Minor: Torture, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Drug use