skyzinnia's review
4.0
I received an ARC copy of this book to read and review before publishing.
I'm going to keep my review clean for Goodreads' sake, but note in the book it's very graphic and beats around no bushes, lol. Also, this is my first book of this type, so I don't have much of anything to compare certain scenes to.
The bad:
-There are a few parts where the writing itself drops off a little bit. Merrick calls her Jo a couple times before she finally says he can't call her that. Well, he already has several times, so a little late to the party. Additionally, the amount of times "I'm going to screw her until she forgets her own name" and "her hard nipple was showing clearly through her clothes" was very excessive.
-I didn't like how becoming a changeling suddenly made their drive impossible to resist and all that. It felt a very convenient that they all happen to enjoy it and no one ever wants to escape because of how badly they need it. I think it would have been more exciting if that part was taken out. More dark, definitely, but still, lol.
-I wish there had been a bit more to the plot. I'm sad we'll never know what's beyond the Fae Gate or what happens when they cross it. We'll never know what the Fae and the changelings are exactly or what happened with the war and everything. I wish this had been more of a series/duology rather than a standalone so there could be more world-building and character development.
-Finally, I didn't like the whole Stockholm syndrome thing going on. Or that she got clothes and got to speak to people and suddenly she's the happiest she's ever been and wants nothing to change ever.
The good:
-I enjoyed the pacing of the book very much. With what she had to work with, she did extremely well. I never felt like she was rushing through the plot to get to the next scene and I never felt like things were dragging out just to make the book longer.
-I enjoyed the the spicy scenes, minus the aforementioned issue. The very first scene was the best one, in my opinion.
-I really liked how she stayed strong and was able to keep her composure through what she was going through out loud, but we got how she was actually feeling in her head.
-I really appreciated the dual POVs. I thought getting both sides was done quite well and made for a more exciting story when it flipped.
Overall, I did enjoy it, it just had a few hiccups that made it weird or boring at times, and in some cases frustrating that there wasn't more plot. You definitely need to watch the trigger warnings if you have them.
I'm going to keep my review clean for Goodreads' sake, but note in the book it's very graphic and beats around no bushes, lol. Also, this is my first book of this type, so I don't have much of anything to compare certain scenes to.
The bad:
-There are a few parts where the writing itself drops off a little bit. Merrick calls her Jo a couple times before she finally says he can't call her that. Well, he already has several times, so a little late to the party. Additionally, the amount of times "I'm going to screw her until she forgets her own name" and "her hard nipple was showing clearly through her clothes" was very excessive.
-I didn't like how becoming a changeling suddenly made their drive impossible to resist and all that. It felt a very convenient that they all happen to enjoy it and no one ever wants to escape because of how badly they need it. I think it would have been more exciting if that part was taken out. More dark, definitely, but still, lol.
-I wish there had been a bit more to the plot. I'm sad we'll never know what's beyond the Fae Gate or what happens when they cross it. We'll never know what the Fae and the changelings are exactly or what happened with the war and everything. I wish this had been more of a series/duology rather than a standalone so there could be more world-building and character development.
-Finally, I didn't like the whole Stockholm syndrome thing going on. Or that she got clothes and got to speak to people and suddenly she's the happiest she's ever been and wants nothing to change ever.
The good:
-I enjoyed the pacing of the book very much. With what she had to work with, she did extremely well. I never felt like she was rushing through the plot to get to the next scene and I never felt like things were dragging out just to make the book longer.
-I enjoyed the the spicy scenes, minus the aforementioned issue. The very first scene was the best one, in my opinion.
-I really liked how she stayed strong and was able to keep her composure through what she was going through out loud, but we got how she was actually feeling in her head.
-I really appreciated the dual POVs. I thought getting both sides was done quite well and made for a more exciting story when it flipped.
Overall, I did enjoy it, it just had a few hiccups that made it weird or boring at times, and in some cases frustrating that there wasn't more plot. You definitely need to watch the trigger warnings if you have them.
jeriser's review
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kathhh's review
dark
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
I added this on my TBR because of the pretty cover. And the title is quite catchy too! I never read blurbs and so everything took me by surprise. I was actually excited when I learned that this is about fae but I didn't know what to feel when they were being turned into a slave. I think this is a total opposite of those fae books I've been reading.
This also might just be me with my high expectations when it comes to fae books but this didn't work for me. I feel like I'm in the minority here but I just can't wait to finish reading this without me DNF-ing it. Reading this just made me confused to some scenes that it doesn't make sense at all. The world building is just okay but I'm missing some more of the magical aspect. Maybe this would be better if it's not a standalone. I didn't like the MMC—he is deep into being a morally gray character that I'm not sold with the him and the FMC being endgame. Even after what he did for her in the end. I was also expecting the FMC to stand up or something and let them know that being fae wouldn't stop her from being queen. But I guess, that ending will do.
Am I going to recommend this? Sure, maybe you'll like it more than I do. But take note of the trigger warnings!
This also might just be me with my high expectations when it comes to fae books but this didn't work for me. I feel like I'm in the minority here but I just can't wait to finish reading this without me DNF-ing it. Reading this just made me confused to some scenes that it doesn't make sense at all. The world building is just okay but I'm missing some more of the magical aspect. Maybe this would be better if it's not a standalone. I didn't like the MMC—he is deep into being a morally gray character that I'm not sold with the him and the FMC being endgame. Even after what he did for her in the end. I was also expecting the FMC to stand up or something and let them know that being fae wouldn't stop her from being queen. But I guess, that ending will do.
Am I going to recommend this? Sure, maybe you'll like it more than I do. But take note of the trigger warnings!
sailor_marls's review
5.0
This book had me in a chokehold from the beginning. The spice starts at the beginning and it doesn’t let up. It’s pretty face paced but that’s not a bad thing at all. The world building was easy to grasp, I actually wish there was more! Definitely needs some trigger warnings. I fell in love with Merrick even if he’s dark and twisty.
ashstevensonisreading's review
3.0
"To Collar a Queen" by Zara J Black is an enthralling tale of power, obsession, and forbidden love.
Zara J Black weaves a spellbinding world filled with intrigue and danger, drawing readers into a mesmerizing world of fantastical creatures and captivating characters. "To Collar a Queen" delves deep into themes of control, desire, and redemption, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.
Fans of intricate world-building, complex characters, and steamy forbidden romances will find themselves thoroughly engrossed in this thrilling tale.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Zara J Black weaves a spellbinding world filled with intrigue and danger, drawing readers into a mesmerizing world of fantastical creatures and captivating characters. "To Collar a Queen" delves deep into themes of control, desire, and redemption, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.
Fans of intricate world-building, complex characters, and steamy forbidden romances will find themselves thoroughly engrossed in this thrilling tale.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
iliamall's review
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Trafficking
tiaunnanchris's review
5.0
I received this book as an ARC from the author for an honest review. I could not put this book down. I was sad when I had to walk away to do something or go to work. My thoughts continuously went back to it when I wasn't reading. I just had to know how it ended.
Enemies to lovers, bdsm, moderate spice, and a happily ever after. This book was right up my alley for a good read and it kept me on the edge of my seat needing to know how things played out. This is now one of my top reads this year.
Johanna, the main female character, really pulled at my heart strings. Her life was completely flipped upside down, and reading through her transition and experiencing her ever challenging and changing thoughts had me hurting for her at times. I was so glad that she kept her fire through out the entire book and although became submissive, she never truly lost who she was.
Merrick, lord, what can I say about him. He angered me, but I couldn't help falling in love with his character. The typical know it all douche who turns out to be a good guy you can't help feeling for. I really wanted to hate him for some of his actions and the things he did, but you can't help but realize that his back story with Johanna had a lot to do with how certain things played out the way they did.
This book was amazing, and I would definitely recommend!
Enemies to lovers, bdsm, moderate spice, and a happily ever after. This book was right up my alley for a good read and it kept me on the edge of my seat needing to know how things played out. This is now one of my top reads this year.
Johanna, the main female character, really pulled at my heart strings. Her life was completely flipped upside down, and reading through her transition and experiencing her ever challenging and changing thoughts had me hurting for her at times. I was so glad that she kept her fire through out the entire book and although became submissive, she never truly lost who she was.
Merrick, lord, what can I say about him. He angered me, but I couldn't help falling in love with his character. The typical know it all douche who turns out to be a good guy you can't help feeling for. I really wanted to hate him for some of his actions and the things he did, but you can't help but realize that his back story with Johanna had a lot to do with how certain things played out the way they did.
This book was amazing, and I would definitely recommend!
jojofergy's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
I couldn’t even put the book down through most of it but the end was a little drawn out and boring to me.
The author did a great job of making me feel bad for the queen. That poor girl went through so much. From
Queen to slave, her pov made my heart hurt for her.
I never did like Merriick, even at the end but I did like Jo. Loved her personality and fight. Loved seeing he struggles in her pov.
It had big plot hole to me or maybe I wasn’t understanding it right, but i swear it was said over and over slaves can’t go to people they knew before so why does he think he can get to keep her without someone bringing that up? If the rules can’t change for her dad to purchase her then why can they change for him? They knew each other growing up and were to be married, that’s pretty damn close imo. But for some reason that is okay? What? Because they are not blood related? She still knew him personally so the reasoning should apply to him too.
That and the stretched out ending to wrap everything up are my only complaints. I gave 4 stars but only because of those two things. It was well written and I really enjoyed reading it until the last few chapters anyway. I definitely wish it ended differently somehow but enjoyed the journey.
krissp's review
dark
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I finished this book in a day. From the first page I couldn’t put it down.
It definitely isn’t for everyone, pay attention to the trigger warnings because it does have a very dark plot. But if dark romance is your thing - this is the book for you.
I wanted to cry when the MFC did. Scream when she did. Fight when she did. Smile when she did. This book really wraps you up in their world.
The story was emotional, suspenseful, and toward the end had action.
There was a good amount of spice but not too much to overwhelm the story itself. All in all, I enjoyed this book more than I expected.
It definitely isn’t for everyone, pay attention to the trigger warnings because it does have a very dark plot. But if dark romance is your thing - this is the book for you.
I wanted to cry when the MFC did. Scream when she did. Fight when she did. Smile when she did. This book really wraps you up in their world.
The story was emotional, suspenseful, and toward the end had action.
There was a good amount of spice but not too much to overwhelm the story itself. All in all, I enjoyed this book more than I expected.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Trafficking, Physical abuse, Rape, and Death
bookedwithmo's review against another edition
5.0
This is a dark fantasy romance and could trigger some! Read trigger warnings before! ⚠️
Honestly, this book is fantastic! I was not expecting it to be so spicy, but my goodness, it did not disappoint!! Due to a drastic change, Johanna finds herself in a whole new life, and ex-fiance Merrick is there to assist her in any way he sees fit. The twists, cause in my opinion there was more than one, were mind-blowing! So sexy and spicy, I loved every minute of it!
Honestly, this book is fantastic! I was not expecting it to be so spicy, but my goodness, it did not disappoint!! Due to a drastic change, Johanna finds herself in a whole new life, and ex-fiance Merrick is there to assist her in any way he sees fit. The twists, cause in my opinion there was more than one, were mind-blowing! So sexy and spicy, I loved every minute of it!