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its_vendetta'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
Contrary to other reviewsm I understood the worldbuilding pretty easily. Not sure why that's a problem for others, but its a cool world I enjoyed the book a lot!!
Graphic: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Gore, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Sexual harassment
Minor: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, Medical trauma, and Stalking
adult/minor and sexual harassment is not between main pairings and is mostly past and just referencedbeepsies's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
However, this book took me ages to get through because I just didn't gel with the MC. I felt really good about him in the beginning -- he's been through a Lot, so it makes a lot of sense that he's deeply mistrustful. It makes a lot of sense that he doesn't know how to work in a team, that he doubts peoples intentions, that when a beautiful woman is sincere and kind to him that he latches onto her, and that he has a "one step forward, two steps back" kind of progression from time to time. He is, however, very stupid (bless him).
I got frustrated with him failing over and over to put two and two together, to the point where I wondered how he managed to survive for so long in such a precarious environment. He seemed so capable when he was introduced -- damaged, sure, but skilled at his craft. As the story went on, though, I felt like he got more and more out of his depth to the point where when he's able to hold his own in a fight it came as a surprise to me.
That's a matter of personal taste, though, and I'd still recommend it to anybody hankering for a vampire story.
Graphic: Body horror, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Torture, Blood, Medical content, Trafficking, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Xenophobia
catsandbookstacks's review against another edition
5.0
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Bloody, sensual and thrilling! I totally vouch for this being a comp to Castlevania! The worldbuilding was easy to wrap my head around human and vampire courts. The humour is absolutely on point and counterbalances the court politics and detective mystery aspects
Remy is a headstrong run into death situations and think later person. I loved his acceptance of Xiaodan and Zidan, and the slow burn was totally worth it.
Can't wait for the next book!
Read if you like:
- Human and vampire court politics
- Family and revenge
- Beheadings and monsters
- A badass weapon
- Slow burn
- Poly throuple
- Sass and innuendo
- Asshole men in positions of authority
- Discovering a sense of belonging and self worth
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Murder, and War
Moderate: Child abuse, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, and Death of parent