sunnysky's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
- 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
4.75
I loved this book, but while I understand the ML's bad actions at the beginning of the book- it was a little extreme and I felt really uncomfortable reading about it. I almost put this book down because of how dub-con it felt, even at the point right before their bonding.
BUT
He is a good guy at heart, and he genuinely feels remorse for his actions (and she not only grows a spine under his attention she also learns not to take his shit).
I love both the ML and the FL, but know he is really messed up in the first half of the book- half mad. He grows and realizes just how bad his behavior was, but please know it doesn't erase what he did and that he will make it up to her every day for the rest of their lives.
BUT
He is a good guy at heart, and he genuinely feels remorse for his actions (and she not only grows a spine under his attention she also learns not to take his shit).
I love both the ML and the FL, but know he is really messed up in the first half of the book- half mad. He grows and realizes just how bad his behavior was, but please know it doesn't erase what he did and that he will make it up to her every day for the rest of their lives.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
Minor: Torture and Xenophobia
thereadinghammock_mserinv's review
challenging
emotional
tense
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
4.0
Praise for the IAD series is shouted from the rooftops by so many folks and the bones of the series are pretty awesome, but not gonna lie, this was a rough start for a series for me. Not only was the consent dubious in the best of circumstances, it was outright assault in others. I know the romance genre had come a long way in recent years, especially to move away from these kinds of tropes, but I trusted in my sister and fellow bookstagram readers to get through the most cringe-worthy moments.
I enjoyed watching Emma come into her own over the course of the novel. Lachlan still has a lot to learn when it comes to communication and respect of boundaries, but he started to grow a bit as a character, which was nice to see. I enjoyed the book enough to want to continue the series. Here's hoping the rest of the series can get away from the SA tropes.
I enjoyed watching Emma come into her own over the course of the novel. Lachlan still has a lot to learn when it comes to communication and respect of boundaries, but he started to grow a bit as a character, which was nice to see. I enjoyed the book enough to want to continue the series. Here's hoping the rest of the series can get away from the SA tropes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Injury/injury detail
Moderate: Blood and Infertility
theshrew's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Sexual content
Moderate: Blood, Kidnapping, Violence, and Torture
Minor: Toxic relationship and Physical abuse
thrabenvaliant's review against another edition
challenging
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I have issues with this book related to how I like my characters to act and feel. I understand that it was objectively a good book, and I will read more of the author.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/injury detail, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Infertility, Mental illness, Self harm, and Sexual content
Spoiler
Extremely questionable consentraincheckandread's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book is almost a reflection of what the writing community learned over time regarding possessive heroes and lack of consent in romance books. The hero is unlikeable at the beginning and makes some unforgiveable mistakes, but he does learn over time. I would have liked a lot more groveling. This is a beloved series, so despite some of the cringey moments, I did like the world-building seen in this book. I look forward to continuing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Blood, Kidnapping, and Sexual content
anime917's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
paulasnotsosecretdiary's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
Bananapants. I've been a listener of the Fated Mates podcast for two years (ish), and finally, I read this entry into the Immortals After Dark series. The plot is over the top, and the world-building is intriguing and engaging. At the start of the story, there are issues around consent that may make some readers uncomfortable. Still, the author incorporates the MMC's understanding of consent and boundaries in the MMC's emotional growth. For readers who are looking for a paranormal where the FMC finds her strength and voice as the central relationship evolves, this is a terrific option.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Stalking, and Body horror
gabibooksit's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book was a total trip. So I knew it had problematic elements going in because it's been talked about in romance circles, but hot damn, y'all. I almost DNF'ed it at 50% because of the drinking incident. However, the world building and secondary characters were intriguing enough to keep me pushing through. I didn't super love Emmaline or Lachlain, but the world state Cole has built is fascinating. The ending also felt a little rushed, but I don't know where the second book picks up. I like the way she writes spicy scenes, it's just that several of them in this story are a little cringe because of the dynamic that's happening. Fingers crossed for the other books in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Violence, Body horror, Gore, Sexual content, and Blood
Minor: Child abuse
restlessreaderjay's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Kidnapping
skzingales's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- 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? Yes
3.5
Starts off rough and has outdated ideas surrounding lack of consent, but after that is a quick read in an interesting universe.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/injury detail, Gaslighting, and Sexual content