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dragonwriter's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Alessa is the god-touched Fuenta, given the power to drain and amplify the powers of others with a single touch. The problem is, she doesn’t know how to turn it off. She has picked three fuentes to help her fight the incoming demons, and killed each one accidentally. Now a religious cult claims she’s a demon disguised as the Fuenta, sent to room them and leave them helpless against the oncoming demon horde, and the lead priest is trying to get his acolytes to kill her. Desperate to fulfill her duty to save her people and starved of touch, Alessa goes to the dark underbelly to find someone to help keep her alive until she can find the fuentes who can survive her touch and save her city. But the grumpy Dante goes above and beyond just keeping her alive; he helps her learn to get her power under control, and find the connection she so desperately needs.
Moderate: Violence, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, and War
marine2907's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Hate crime, Infertility, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
takarakei's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
- 1st in a duology (book two out August 2023)
- Italian inspired fantasy
- Touch her and you die trope (like actually)
- Bodyguard trope
- FUNNY, witty banter
- Found Family
- If your love language is hugs... this is it!
- Made me want to eat all the lemon things
3/5 🌶️
Graphic: Death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Sexual content, Blood, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
wickedgrumpy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The chosen one chooses a (life) partner to weather the battle with, and with our main character, she has chosen and killed three times while trying to train for the end of the world.
I have some issues with the book, but overall it was very readable and the ending left enough questions and plot for the next installment. Not sure if I would continue, but I'm not immediately opposed.
Minor: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Infertility, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Deportation
li_bbrary'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? It's complicated
5.0
Thiede’s writing was reminiscent of Gina Chen’s. It was modern, and felt like I was reading a fantasy that takes place in current day. It was witty, and smart, and Thiede’s use of crude metaphors was the cherry on top. Despite how funny and romantic it was, I also cried more than once. I feel so deeply for the characters, and can’t wait to see how the journey continues in book two.
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, and War
miraileah's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: War
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, and Suicide attempt
luckylulureads'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
4.75
Moderate: Physical abuse, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Grief, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
toffishay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Alcohol, and War
Moderate: Abandonment
looseleafellie's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This book grabbed me from the first page and did not let go! Alessa’s predicament took me through a full rollercoaster of emotions that didn’t let up until the end. Just when I thought things were going well, something else terrible would happen, and I was LIVING FOR IT!
Alessa’s romance with her grumpy bodyguard, Dante, was so cute and felt like a rom-com nestled in a fantasy world <3 I personally wish the romance had been dragged out more because I’m a slow-burn fiend from slow-burn hell, but it made sense for the story and characters that their romance would develop relatively fast.
I loved the squad of characters that formed during the story. The themes of connection and community were beautifully woven in. There was also an interesting exploration of religion and myth that I’m excited to see expanded as the story continues!
While the ending was satisfying on its own, there’s a clear setup for a sequel. I, for one, am DYING to see what’s next for Alessa and her friends!
Thanks to Wednesday Books for the ebook ARC!
CWs: Violence, murder attempt, death, grief, blood, ableism, alcohol use, suicide attempt by drowning, religious bigotry, PTSD, dubious consent (quickly dealt with), giant insects, and mentions of child abuse and child death. More details on the author’s website.
This book also contains a non-graphic sex scene. The characters involved are over 18.
Graphic: Ableism, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual content and Murder
Minor: Child abuse and Child death
demjin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This is 3.5 stars, it was gonna be 4 but the ending ruined it for me. I was here for the book and fine with the lackluster worldbuilding when I was enjoying the romance but the ending brought too much plot into the picture that I didn't care enough about. It was like it was trying to be something it didn't need to be.
But I'm always here for grumpy-sexy-deadly bodyguard would do anything for girl when she bats her eyelashes at him trope and I'll stand by that
Moderate: Death and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Murder, Alcohol, and War