Reviews tagging 'Fire/Fire injury'

Corrupt by Penelope Douglas

45 reviews

honeybeewitched87's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Cursing, Sexual content, and Violence

Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Kidnapping, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

one_more_chapter96's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Fairly well written and an interesting plot with a lot of dark elements emotionally/psychologically. I liked the points where Rika and the Horsemen worked together and were bonding, and I loved the elements of Kai & Michael. The push and pull with Michael was hot but a bit frustrating at times with him being so emotionally constipated. Overall an easy read with a suspenseful and spicy plot.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury

amanda_reads13's review against another edition

dark tense fast-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? Yes

2.5

Three years ago, 3/4 horsemen were arrested and thrown in jail. Now they are out to get revenge on Erika (Rika), the woman they blame. 

We flipflop between the present and 3 years ago. It is within those snippets of the past that we learn about the men's motivation. They believe that Rika is responsible for 3/4 of them ending up in jail.

For some stupid reason, they film their "pranks" and two videos get released.

I felt as though the characters were lacking depth. We don't really get much background information on the men and an idea of what is motivating their behaviour. These men are cruel and horrible to everyone, especially women. There was so much potential to demonstrate the depth of these characters, it comes out in the very end when we get a flashback in the epilogue of

Michael taking care of Rika when she was 13

. We needed more of this depth to really connect to and want to understand these me. Unfortunately, what we get is a bunch of impulsive and misogynistic men who try to justify horrible and abusive behaviour. 

We get a snippet of why Damon is the way he is within the last chapters of the book. We learn why he is so angry that Rika has "invaded" the group of men, and his fear of his brotherhood being ripped from him. But his character does not have any growth at all and these limited glimpses into his past do not redeem him.

his mother was abusing and raping him as a child.

 

Rika was incredibly naive and annoying. She is not the strong woman that she thinks she is. She is impulsive and seems to have no survival instincts. She is incredibly immature and throws tantrums when she can't get her way (ie. Running into the gentleman's club when she wasn't allowed in). She is determined to live her life on her own and by her own rules, but panics the second her money is gone, because she is actually completely incapable of providing for herself. Plus, she forgave these men WAY too quickly.

I did really like Alex. She was unapologetically herself and had no shame about what she had to do to pay her bills.

(escorting)

. She owns her life/decisions and was a complete badass. I think her character really highlighted all of the weaknesses in Rika. 

Overall, the plot was interesting and there was a lot of potential. Unfortunately, the characters were lacking depth and I just couldn't get past the their lack of growth. The sauna scene (iykyk), was very spicy, but otherwise the romance fell flat and was not really believable. 

Tropes: found family, revenge, brotherhood

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment

hapalyn's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book is generally very taboo, blurs the lines of consent a lot (I do NOT recommend to anyone who is disturbed by sexual assault scenes or threats of sexual assault several times). I went into it looking for a darker but good plotline. The plotline is interesting enough; I’m curious to see where it goes from here. The town certainly feels atmospheric. I wasn’t a fan of the romance and scenes like that. Ironically, I may be one of the few people just interested in the plot. Definitely look at trigger warnings. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Cursing, Misogyny, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Sexual assault

Minor: Child abuse, Gun violence, Rape, and Fire/Fire injury

ellavlind's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Jävligt bra, mötte med något ännu bättre när den blev lite tråkig (den va inte tråkig ofta) och glimpsarna av 3 år tillbaka och nutid va bra timing. Gillade epilogen den va söt.
The catacombs scene och steam room/sauna scene va ju de mest… intressanta

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol

Moderate: Mental illness, Police brutality, Kidnapping, and Fire/Fire injury

_kaylareads's review against another edition

challenging dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault

Minor: Addiction, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Sexual assault, Slavery, Stalking, and Fire/Fire injury

antidietleah's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Rape, and Alcohol

Minor: Incest

laurakwiecinski's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Gun violence, Misogyny, Kidnapping, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol

mproper1's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Stalking, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Gaslighting

Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body shaming, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

samflowerv6's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

Unpopular opinion... I loved this book. Everyone seems to hate Michael but I really didn't. Michael and Rika were so high stakes and complicated. I really enjoyed the mystery, secrets, devils night antics and even the horsemen in all their mean bad boy glory. I found all the characters so interesting and Michael was fucked up but I couldn't help loving him. Also, maybe I just like hot guys who are a bit evil? Seems to be my type. I am a seasoned dark romance girly but this was super solid. I would definitely say it's taboo at times but what can I say, I ate it up. Even Damon, who is such an asshole..... i was having so much fun. I know it's problematic and all the men are straight up terrible. I think I have bad taste. Whatever bad things people say, are mostly right but..... I like messed up people and dark romance. I do wish Michael groveled though, Rika forgave him too easy. They should have all begged on their hands and knees. The catacombs, the mask scene and the sauna... I was sweating. RIKA SAID LETS GO TO PARIS.  Rika is so real though with being in love with an asshole for her whole life and being blinded by hotness. I did like the ending and they honestly fit. I did expect her to have more of a backbone and was disappointed with her not making the boys beg but at every turn.. she folded. But this was all kinds of fucked up. Check trigger warnings. I feel mildly shameful for how much I enjoyed this. I love these freaks. 

And it was October 30, the night before Halloween. Devil’s Night.

Damon Torrance, Kai Mori, Will Grayson III, and—I locked my gaze on the blood red mask covering the face of the one always in the lead a little more than the others—Michael Crist, Trevor’s older brother.

“It’s just you, Little Monster. Own it or it will own you.” 

“Run all you want, Little Monster,” he said, sounding like a threat. “We’re faster.”

They were here. The Four Horsemen. They were Thunder Bay’s favorite sons, and they’d gone to high school here, graduating when I was a freshman.

As individuals we had weaknesses, but as the Horsemen we were invincible. We each brought something different to the table, and where one lacked, the others stepped in.

Three years ago, curious little Erika Fane wanted to play with the boys, so we indulged her, and she betrayed us.

“Trevor’s not my boyfriend.”
“Too bad. I like playing with shit that’s not mine.”

That’s what I admired about the Four Horsemen. They were always in control and always visible.

“You robbed your own fucking store, Rika!” Will laughed and grabbed fistfuls of my sweatshirt, shouting into my face. “You’re the fucking king, baby!”

Will started singing, then slid out of his seat, and I shook with laughter as he straddled me, giving me a lap dance to the music.

“When we used to wear the masks,” Michael said, dropping his voice to a near whisper, “you liked it, didn’t you?

“So you like the mask. You’re pretty fucking sick, aren’t you?” he teased.

“Such a beautiful little monster,” he whispered

“Because you’ve corrupted her nice and good. She’s a force now, and it won’t be long before she’s brave enough to demand what she wants. If you don’t give it to her, she’ll find someone else who will.”


THE KAI AND MICHAEL SANDWICH  CHANGED LIVES!

Alexa play Monster by Skillet

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism