nefariousbee'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
the world was easy to fall into, the characters and relationships make you squirm inside in a good way, and even tho I found the plot lacking, I'm not a plot person anyway.
Im gonna come back to the series and we better get a lot more Zidan/Remy content. or else
Graphic: Gore, Infidelity, Pandemic/Epidemic, Blood, Bullying, Body horror, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, War, Violence, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Drug use, Stalking, and Injury/Injury detail
alphabetmafiamember'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
4.75
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Death, and Sexual content
Moderate: War, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Xenophobia, Vomit, Sexism, Pandemic/Epidemic, Misogyny, Bullying, Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, Grief, Confinement, Classism, Drug use, Dementia, Cursing, and Child death
Minor: Sexual assault and Slavery
lbelow'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
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Torture, Murder, Child death, Body horror, Alcohol, Xenophobia, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Hate crime, Death, and Cursing
Minor: Sexual assault and Adult/minor relationship
A disabled characterSpoiler
is cured by nefarious meansbeepsies's review against another edition
- 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, Violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Torture, Gore, Emotional abuse, Death, Chronic illness, Bullying, Blood, Physical abuse, Murder, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Grief, and Trafficking
Minor: Xenophobia
Spoiler
The main character's father starts pimping him out against his will when he's very young in order to obtain information/maneuver politically around his personal nemesis. (I don't think an express age is given, but it's established that he was underage/too young to be in that situation.) It's not a /huge/ part of the book, and the acts are not explicit, but it, and the trauma around it, are discussed at some length, so that's something to be aware of if you are sensitive to that sort of content.molls's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Xenophobia, Body horror, and War
Moderate: Murder and Toxic relationship
Minor: Slavery
catsandbookstacks's review against another edition
4.5
human and vampire courts. Pacing was a little slow at times but that is typical with a focus on court politics as well as a detective mystery.
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. There is some spice but I think it was quite tastefully done and could very easily be skipped if it's not your jam. Though vampires are supposed to be erotic and sensual so...
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: Child death, War, Violence, Medical content, Emotional abuse, Body horror, Grief, Blood, Murder, Gore, Xenophobia, and Death
Moderate: Child abuse, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Medical trauma