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billies_not_so_secret_diary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
by Scarlett St. Clair
Adrian X Isolde #2
Fantasy Porn
Hoopla
Ages: 21+
The second (and not last) book of the series picks up where the first left off, Isolde trying to find her place as Queen, among the politics and hatred. There are those who want to see her dead because Adrian would rather be in her bed than be king.
While the author tried to pretend to keep up with the plot that I was interested in, which is why I read this one, she failed big time! because she was more worried about the porn every sixth page, (to go on for at least seven) than the characters and what their and their country's/people's struggles were. Out of the 400 and some odd pages, maybe 300 was storyline, and most of it wasn't detailed. A major 'change' in this story was buried under porn, which I skipped over, so there were no 'emotions' to go with it.
This is porn not romance! When the f-word is used, (in just about every 'scene'), to me that is not romance, it's degrading. And I feel that whoever is saying this word, is only a couple of steps from taking what they want, forcefully if necessary, and to me that is porn. If my man said that to me, I would walk, maybe even run away. That can be a scary word because it can be associated with violence, so it's not romantic.
As for the book's title, I have no clue what the author was trying to hint at. The creatures, those she rules in Adrian's kingdom and her own, while most could be considered monsters, both human and 'creatures', they are real in this world, not myths.
It was a very boring read because there failed to be a plot or any reasons to care for the characters.
Of course, it's a major cliffhanger, but I'm not hanging around for the next book.
1 Star
Graphic: Bullying, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Violence
mjhughes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Sexual content, Blood, and War
Moderate: Child death, Sexual violence, and Torture
Minor: Miscarriage
gattolinos_nerdy_nook's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The lore and world building for this series is still very well done in my opinion. We keep learning more history and why certain things are the way they are in their current timeline compared to the past. I think a lot of the secondary characters really pulled the story along and kept it going since Isolde and Adrian were not a highlight this book. The plot of the book was also lackluster but did at least build to a hopefully a more interesting third book.
The real issue I had with this story was Isolde and Adrian and their relationship. It felt very toxic on both sides, a lot of their actions didn't feel like they matched their characters at all. The book bought up so many issues between them and then made waved it away with sex between them.
Event after everything I will still read the third book and see if any of the build up pays off and hopefully there are some much needed improvements.
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Religious bigotry and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
brichneyfloss's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Murder, and War
dorleness's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Torture, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Cursing, Rape, Medical content, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Pandemic/Epidemic
kbz_22's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
One of the main issues I encountered was the shallow and emotionally toxic nature of the relationship between the main characters. Their connection lacked depth, and their interactions often felt forced and contrived. This left me craving more substance and genuine emotion in their bond.
However, what intrigued me more were the plotlines of the minor characters. They provided a refreshing change of pace and added depth to the overall narrative. I found myself more invested in their stories, hoping for further exploration and development.
Towards the end of the book, the story does pick up and improve significantly. The pacing becomes more engaging, and the plot twists add an element of surprise. Despite this improvement, I couldn’t help but feel disappointed by the earlier sections of the book, where the main characters’ relationship dominated the narrative.
Graphic: Rape, Sexual content, Violence, and Blood
thestickwitch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Colonisation, War, and Pandemic/Epidemic
julienicole1106's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
booksnsyringes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Gore, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, and Blood
zimmerlemon's review against another edition
3.5
Also be warned this one is MUCH darker than the first. It’s honestly so dark that then the spice just feels like an intrusion/inconsistent with the rest of the plot and mood.
Graphic: Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual violence