im_s_morgan's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual violence, Cursing, Blood, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Sexism, Physical abuse, Violence, Murder, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, Torture, Gaslighting, Death, and Vomit
Moderate: Drug use and Alcohol
maryp20's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Murder, Blood, Sexual content, Violence, and Drug use
Moderate: Kidnapping
bergha1998's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Dark Romance, Arranged Relationship, Secret Society, 4 1/2 🔥
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Gore, Murder, Alcohol, Body horror, Drug use, Confinement, Bullying, Cursing, Sexual content, Death, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Rape, Medical content, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Stalking, Torture, and Violence
dscholl's review
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexual content, Alcohol, Sexual violence, Violence, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Torture, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Rape, and Murder
Minor: Pregnancy
leatherboundriot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I wanted to like this one so badly. There were some aspects that really intrigued me but the writing style, characterizations, and pacing just weren’t it for me.
Second Read Review: Update 08.24.2023
So I went back and finished the book. I have to admit that it surprised me. The first time I made it about a quarter of the way through and didn't really connect with the characters or plot. Diving back in at that point, I did continue to struggle with it for a while, but around 50-60% it got better. I struggled with the pacing of the book because it felt like it was moving very fast-- and it was, but in the second half of the book, we started to get more substance to the story that drew me in.
The spice was 10/10, that was never the issue for me.
All in all, I think I'm on board to read more in this series. Maybe not the entire thing, or even in order, but there are some other characters that I would like to know more about. I've got my eyes on you, Ty 👀
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Stalking, Violence, Blood, and Medical content
Moderate: Murder, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Gun violence, Torture, Sexual assault, Rape, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Pregnancy and Kidnapping
wyvness's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Prepare to be ensnared by the allure of this Dark College Romance that's bound to leave you breathless.
"The Ritual" introduces us to Ryat and Blakely, two students at Barrington University, a prestigious institution in Pennsylvania harbouring a covert secret society, the Lords. This clandestine group shapes its male members into the future power players of the nation, wielding untold influence.
Initially, the story's pace might seem a tad slow, but let me tell you, it takes off like a rocket after the first couple of chapters. And when it ignites, it's a storm of twists and turns, each more unexpected than the last. The book serves up a whirlwind of craziness that keeps you at the edge of your seat.
Ryat emerges as a dominating force, exuding possessiveness and control that perfectly match his fiery yet submissive counterpart, Blakely. However, Blakely's occasional susceptibility to outside influence did prove irksome, occasionally leading her astray.
A word of caution: "The Ritual" comes laden with trigger warnings, and it's certainly not suited for every reader. This tale is a playground for those with a taste for the dark and twisted, for the ones who relish stories that defy the norm.
"I was forced to pick her as my chosen, but she continues to choose me every day. And that is what I call heaven. Because life without her would be hell."
In a nutshell, "The Ritual" is an intoxicatingly intense, addictively dark, and utterly twisted tale that sprawls over 500 pages you'll find impossible to put down. If you're drawn to the allure of dark romance, don't hesitate—seize this book and let yourself be carried away.
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Physical abuse, Bullying, Alcohol, Rape, Gun violence, Murder, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Medical content and Pregnancy
_toristorytime's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Blood, Gore, Murder, Sexual content, Gun violence, Sexual violence, Stalking, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol
beckyremillard's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Sexual content, Death, Gaslighting, Murder, Violence, Torture, Blood, Rape, Sexual violence, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, and Pregnancy
cait's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Minor: Blood, Confinement, Infertility, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Alcohol, Cursing, Death, Grief, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Body horror, Classism, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Murder, Toxic friendship, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Kidnapping
allycatyo's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Kidnapping, Stalking, Torture, Violence, Alcohol, Death, Gaslighting, Murder, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Medical content, Vomit, and Pregnancy
Please read the author’s content warnings and take care of your mental health first. This is not a book for everyone.