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kelsokake's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
3.5
When I first started reading this, I wasn't entirely sure that I was actually going to enjoy it. Actually, I almost DNF-ed it in the first 25%, but I'm so glad that I actually stuck with it!
It's an incredibly rich world with an obvious history and different cultures, but I do feel like it could have been explained a bit differently. I often found myself a bit confused about locations, titles, and characters. I really and truly feel like this book would have benefited from providing a reference point - a list of important characters and their titles and/or at the very least a map would have helped to alleviate a lot of my confusion. With how much time was spent naming specific cities and their distance from each other, a map would have really helped to put things into perspective.
The characters were my favorite part of this. Even though I hated him in the beginning, I grew to love Remy. He's hilarious, incredibly thoughtful and giving, and has the lowest sense of self-esteem I've seen in a long time. Watching his character grow and develop more confidence and self-worth was so rewarding.
Xiodan and Malekh's dynamic is so perfect too, especially when you add in Remy. Malekh is so sweet to Xiodan and has the perfect asshole/love dynamic with Remy that I absolutely love.
The plot was interesting and definitely kept me reading. I was actually surprised by the reveal at the end; I was thinking something completely different throughout the book. I won't say that this lived up to the high expectations I gave it in my mind, but I definitely enjoyed reading it and I've already placed a hold on the sequel in Libby!
It's an incredibly rich world with an obvious history and different cultures, but I do feel like it could have been explained a bit differently. I often found myself a bit confused about locations, titles, and characters. I really and truly feel like this book would have benefited from providing a reference point - a list of important characters and their titles and/or at the very least a map would have helped to alleviate a lot of my confusion. With how much time was spent naming specific cities and their distance from each other, a map would have really helped to put things into perspective.
The characters were my favorite part of this. Even though I hated him in the beginning, I grew to love Remy. He's hilarious, incredibly thoughtful and giving, and has the lowest sense of self-esteem I've seen in a long time. Watching his character grow and develop more confidence and self-worth was so rewarding.
Xiodan and Malekh's dynamic is so perfect too, especially when you add in Remy. Malekh is so sweet to Xiodan and has the perfect asshole/love dynamic with Remy that I absolutely love.
The plot was interesting and definitely kept me reading. I was actually surprised by the reveal at the end; I was thinking something completely different throughout the book. I won't say that this lived up to the high expectations I gave it in my mind, but I definitely enjoyed reading it and I've already placed a hold on the sequel in Libby!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, Dementia, and Abandonment
Minor: Addiction and Alcohol
banannafox's review
adventurous
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Dementia, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Animal death, Confinement, Miscarriage, Vomit, Grief, and Classism
tifftastic87's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Ok so I really enjoyed parts of this. The problem is the main character kills me. He's so determined to have everyone dislike him and to take the blame for everything. It doesn't matter how many times people say "I'm not mad at you" he's like "I know you're mad and hate me now." Boy get it together. Take it from an elder emo. The side characters are so good though and the politics and the horror. Its just Remy fucking mopey ass Pendergast.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Death of parent, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Racial slurs, Medical content, and Pregnancy
panbread's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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? Yes
4.75
Starts off a little slow but it's absolutely worth it! I'm thoroughly attatched to these characters now, would fight the whole world for Remy, bye, I gotta go cry over them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Hate crime, and Blood
Moderate: Child death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Confinement, Vomit, Grief, Murder, and Pregnancy
Wasn't sure what tag to use for this, but there is a relationship where an adult takes advantage of a teenager sexually. Exchanging sex for intel. This continues for several years, going into adult hood. It's not exactly asault or rape since it's consensual but there's definitely something traumatic about it. There is only brief mentions of the actual acts but the book spends significant amount of time handling the psychological after effects.alphabetmafiamember's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Drug use, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Xenophobia, Vomit, Dementia, Kidnapping, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Sexual assault and Slavery
wilybooklover's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.5
This is not a perfect book by any means — the first third is a bit slow, a few words are misused, some of the twists were predictable and easy to guess, the ending was a little weak and rushed — but it was the perfect book for *me* and my reading mood when I picked it up. Violent, sexy, and a whole lot of fun, it felt like the perfect blend of fantasy and romance with both horror and historical elements. The take on vampires is refreshing without straying too far from tradition, and there's enough mystery, political intrigue, and suitably creepy monsters to keep things interesting. Remy could be a frustratingly oblivious protagonist at times, but he's such a dramatic disaster bi. I really loved reading the dynamics of this bisexual throuple; the romance is surprisingly soft and warm (maybe a bit instalove-y, but I don't even care).
I am in DIRE need of the sequel though after that ending!! Also I wish we had the US cover in the UK, it's so much prettier.
I am in DIRE need of the sequel though after that ending!! Also I wish we had the US cover in the UK, it's so much prettier.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Drug use, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Infidelity, Pregnancy, and Classism
fifteenthjessica's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Between his father's rivalry with the current leader of the vampire hunters and the rumors that his mother was turned by a vampire lover while pregnant with him, Remington Pendergast is not the most well-liked Reaper, even if he is now one of the most effective. Soon a job only he was willing to take brings him into the sights of Zidan Malekh and Xiaodon Song, the leader of the Third Court of vampires and the heiress of the Fourth Court, who are hoping to form an alliance between their courts and the human kingdom of Aluria that Remy hails from. And Aluria will need all the help it can get when a strange plague is turning its citizens into a horrifying variation of vampires. Will Remy's trip East with the alluring vampire couple stop this plague, reveal the truth about his mother, and help Remy get over his belief that he is unworthy of love?
Rin Chupeco definitely knows how to craft an intriguing fantasy novel with complex characters that mix in the most interesting ways, but I'm still not sold on her skill at describing what is going on. Like the huas in The Bone Witch, the Breaker, Remy's main weapon, is hard for me to picture. It's called a scythe often, so I assume it has a more polearm like handle, but the way he's described as moving with it makes it hard for me to picture him doing it with a long handle. A picture on a variant cover suggests it is in fact a short handle and heavily inspired by real world weapons like Kusarigama, but it's never outright stated, probably because pre-modern Japanese weaponry is an obscure area of knowledge for most Western readers. Also, like when I read the Bone Witch, I found myself sitting there wondering "Wait, how'd that happen?" as a main character is described as having a serious injury.
Fair warning to anyone looking into book who are younger fans of Chupeco's YA novels, things get steamy. Most is completely consensual, but an important subplot is about Remy's affair with an older woman (possibly multiple) that is less due to any attraction Remy's feels for her and more because it's the only way to get information about vampire movement in Aluria that everyone admits should be given to him because he's a vampire hunter, but the woman's husband is a giant asshole. Nothing graphic, but characters definitely bang, and I know I would not have enjoyed that type of content when I was in my young teens.
Rin Chupeco definitely knows how to craft an intriguing fantasy novel with complex characters that mix in the most interesting ways, but I'm still not sold on her skill at describing what is going on. Like the huas in The Bone Witch, the Breaker, Remy's main weapon, is hard for me to picture. It's called a scythe often, so I assume it has a more polearm like handle, but the way he's described as moving with it makes it hard for me to picture him doing it with a long handle. A picture on a variant cover suggests it is in fact a short handle and heavily inspired by real world weapons like Kusarigama, but it's never outright stated, probably because pre-modern Japanese weaponry is an obscure area of knowledge for most Western readers. Also, like when I read the Bone Witch, I found myself sitting there wondering "Wait, how'd that happen?" as a main character is described as having a serious injury.
Fair warning to anyone looking into book who are younger fans of Chupeco's YA novels, things get steamy. Most is completely consensual, but an important subplot is about Remy's affair with an older woman (possibly multiple) that is less due to any attraction Remy's feels for her and more because it's the only way to get information about vampire movement in Aluria that everyone admits should be given to him because he's a vampire hunter, but the woman's husband is a giant asshole. Nothing graphic, but characters definitely bang, and I know I would not have enjoyed that type of content when I was in my young teens.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Dementia, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Alcohol, and Classism
lilifane's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
4.0
There were things I loved about this book, there were things I didn't like. I could have given this 2 stars, and it probably would have been justified, but I decided to concentrate on the positive things. Mainly my enjoyment reading it.
I had a lot of fun, mostly because of the characters, their dynamics and the writing style. I liked the main characters a lot and the way they interacted with each other. They seemed kind of one dimensional on their own, but I loved all the messy and complicated relationships and character dynamics they had between each other and the ones around them. There was my favorite love triangle trope, where all three of them are equally into each other. And although I'm not the biggest fan of NSFW scenes, they fit the vibe. I'm also glad they were short and mostly faded to black. I just wish this relationship was explored in a more nuanced way rather than concentrating on the desire and sex aspect of it. I still don't know how and why Xiaodan and Zidan fell in love with Remy this quickly. I definitely prefer a subtler development with slow burn. What I really loved were the discussions about consent and abuse, about trauma and self-worth, though. And I feel like these were in the center of the story more than the plot itself.
The plot was probably the weakest part for me. I was in the mood for a vampire story and liked these aspects a lot. I even liked there was a vampire zombie pandemic. I liked that there was a murder mystery and other mysteries as well. I just don't think they were presented well. There was a lot of telling instead of showing. Most of the reveals were pretty predictable. There were repetitions and things happening off page. Things only being hinted at. I wish we got more of those instead of the action/fighting scenes because these were my least favorite part.
The world building is interesting, it just wasn't explored enough for my taste. I'm definitely interested in more stories from this world because there is a lot of potential.
I had a lot of fun, mostly because of the characters, their dynamics and the writing style. I liked the main characters a lot and the way they interacted with each other. They seemed kind of one dimensional on their own, but I loved all the messy and complicated relationships and character dynamics they had between each other and the ones around them. There was my favorite love triangle trope, where all three of them are equally into each other. And although I'm not the biggest fan of NSFW scenes, they fit the vibe. I'm also glad they were short and mostly faded to black. I just wish this relationship was explored in a more nuanced way rather than concentrating on the desire and sex aspect of it. I still don't know how and why Xiaodan and Zidan fell in love with Remy this quickly. I definitely prefer a subtler development with slow burn. What I really loved were the discussions about consent and abuse, about trauma and self-worth, though. And I feel like these were in the center of the story more than the plot itself.
The plot was probably the weakest part for me. I was in the mood for a vampire story and liked these aspects a lot. I even liked there was a vampire zombie pandemic. I liked that there was a murder mystery and other mysteries as well. I just don't think they were presented well. There was a lot of telling instead of showing. Most of the reveals were pretty predictable. There were repetitions and things happening off page. Things only being hinted at. I wish we got more of those instead of the action/fighting scenes because these were my least favorite part.
The world building is interesting, it just wasn't explored enough for my taste. I'm definitely interested in more stories from this world because there is a lot of potential.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
vigil's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
note: all my ratings are subjective but this one especially so. my personal enjoyment pushed it to a four-ish, but in technical quality i think it settles around a 3.5.
i have my fair share of issues about this book, but everytime i wasn't reading it, i was thinking about reading it. i never had a bad moment with this book, despite many warning that it starts to hit it's stride 20% into it. i was invested from page one essentially.
for my critiques, i'll say there is the issue with repetitive word choice, (there's only so many times i can read the word attractive) prose that definitely has it roots in YA despite being an adult book, and too much telling rather than showing in the romance. i think was written for zidan and remy, along with what has been set up for them is great, both individually and character wise. the same unfortunately cannot quite be said for xiaodan, who i feel got the short end of the stick. i know that she likes remy, and her fiance, i know several objective facts about her, but very little beyond that. that lack of interiority unfortunately spread to the relationship somewhat, leaving me fine with her interactions with her love interests, but never truly satisfied in the same way remy and malekh's do. however, this is the first book in what i presume to be a series, and that i expect that there will be more on xiaodan, especially with the events of the ending, a part of the book that really stood out for me.
that's not to say i didn't enjoy the relationship, because i absolutely did. they were always engaging to have on page, and i don't have any specific complaints about them (aside from the issue with xiaodan above). more fantasy authors should include sex scenes in their books.
plotwise, i had a fun time. i think this book would work excellent in a graphic novel or animation format because of how high-action it was. the rot plotline was a good opener for the series,but i wasn't sad to read the offhanded mention of it being neutralized in the ending. it's a perfect book one plot, but i think i'd be annoyed seeing it be carried into book two, as all the threads and theories surrounding it were solved, or deliberately and explicitly shelved for the sequel. the book achieved what it set out to accomplish and didn't overwhelm me with side-plots. the high-action makes the pacing seem faster than it was, but the plot unfolded at a steady medium pace that worked just right for the book in my opinion.
i have my fair share of issues about this book, but everytime i wasn't reading it, i was thinking about reading it. i never had a bad moment with this book, despite many warning that it starts to hit it's stride 20% into it. i was invested from page one essentially.
for my critiques, i'll say there is the issue with repetitive word choice, (there's only so many times i can read the word attractive) prose that definitely has it roots in YA despite being an adult book, and too much telling rather than showing in the romance. i think was written for zidan and remy, along with what has been set up for them is great, both individually and character wise. the same unfortunately cannot quite be said for xiaodan, who i feel got the short end of the stick. i know that she likes remy, and her fiance, i know several objective facts about her, but very little beyond that. that lack of interiority unfortunately spread to the relationship somewhat, leaving me fine with her interactions with her love interests, but never truly satisfied in the same way remy and malekh's do. however, this is the first book in what i presume to be a series, and that i expect that there will be more on xiaodan, especially with the events of the ending, a part of the book that really stood out for me.
that's not to say i didn't enjoy the relationship, because i absolutely did. they were always engaging to have on page, and i don't have any specific complaints about them (aside from the issue with xiaodan above). more fantasy authors should include sex scenes in their books.
plotwise, i had a fun time. i think this book would work excellent in a graphic novel or animation format because of how high-action it was. the rot plotline was a good opener for the series,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Dementia, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
ridesthesun's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.5
GODDDD I did not know I needed this book in my life but Let Me Tell You i needed this book in my life. vampire royal couple adopts local vampire hunter himbo in an effort to get him to have some self-worth. and also to fuck him. flawless iconic no notes 👌👌 The character work was so beautifully intentional, and I really appreciate how complex all the characters are; no one is ever doing anything for one simple reason, and they're all bringing their own private motivations and histories to the table. It makes for a really well rounded cast of characters.
I'm a weenie so I skimmed some of the more gory sections, but this was such a fun story, and I'm really looking forward to the sequel!!!
I'm a weenie so I skimmed some of the more gory sections, but this was such a fun story, and I'm really looking forward to the sequel!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Alcohol