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avniavnipatel's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- 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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Violence, Sexual assault, Gore, Blood, Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Sexual content, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Cannibalism, Toxic relationship, and Fatphobia
Minor: Body shaming, Murder, and Rape
leonalikesliterature's review
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I feel very conflicted about this book because there was a lot I loved about it but there was a lot that I hated about it.
The first thing I loved was the world building and fantasy elements in this book. The fantasy is so beautiful and greatly represents Latine Indigenous mythology and culture. I loved the cadejos! Their powers and communities were so interesting and unlike anything I’ve read before, it was like a twist on werewolves but also so much better!
Next, the writing was beautiful. Although I started to get frustrated with the pacing as it was really, really slow, the descriptive imagery was very poetic.
Onto the things I hated.
The relationship between Xochi and Sal was painful to read. Although I liked Sal at the start of the book, the more I read, the more I disliked him. He was possessive, controlling, and sexually aggressive. Aside from the fact that he threw out her birth control and ADHD meds, treats her like a prisoner, and basically assaults her multiple times, Xochi was also genuinely terrified of him in multiple chapters. Her fear of him is never even addressed, it’s just forgotten about, and then they just reach a lovey dovey stage which solves all their problems. I feel like a big problem was that Xochi was described as a sassy, plus sized mc, but she really isn’t sassy until the end of the book. She is easily manipulated by both her mother and Sal and it’s kind of just sad. Only later does Xochi gain any independence. Although it’s framed that life in the compound is freeing for Xochi, in the beginning, her life in the compound really isn’t any different than her living with her abusive and controlling mother.
The sex stuff was getting WAY out of hand for me. Xochi and Sal were sooooo cringe sometimes. They would be arguing with some literal random person and share the most graphic, pornographic details about their sex life as a flex? and I was so confused why. 😭 It was so painful to read. Not even to mention that they literally fuck on a dead body as revenge. That was so weird and nasty. Hated it. I never thought I would read a book where I would think that there’s too much sex, but this book made me a prude lol.
There’s too much going on in this book that just gets dropped, which was disappointing and frustrating, especially for how damn long this book is. There are multiple subplots with Xochi’s family, this medical cadejo torture slave ring, and this broken goddess that literally just gets dropped and forgotten about and I’m not reading the next book to figure that shit out.
I was frustrated that this was called a Dark Fantasy Romance because I think that led to confusion for me. I would have preferred this to be a romance with dark fantasy elements, rather than a dark romance with fantasy elements. I think the dark romance was what I hated the most about this book. Anyways, I am just glad this book is over. I feel like 2.5 stars is generous. There was a lot I really liked, despite what I hated. I think I would’ve really loved this book if like 4-5 scenes were just taken out of it.
The first thing I loved was the world building and fantasy elements in this book. The fantasy is so beautiful and greatly represents Latine Indigenous mythology and culture. I loved the cadejos! Their powers and communities were so interesting and unlike anything I’ve read before, it was like a twist on werewolves but also so much better!
Next, the writing was beautiful. Although I started to get frustrated with the pacing as it was really, really slow, the descriptive imagery was very poetic.
Onto the things I hated.
The relationship between Xochi and Sal was painful to read. Although I liked Sal at the start of the book, the more I read, the more I disliked him.
The sex stuff was getting WAY out of hand for me. Xochi and Sal were sooooo cringe sometimes. They would be arguing with some literal random person and share the most graphic, pornographic details about their sex life as a flex? and I was so confused why. 😭 It was so painful to read. Not even to mention that they literally
There’s too much going on in this book that just gets dropped, which was disappointing and frustrating, especially for how damn long this book is. There are multiple subplots
I was frustrated that this was called a Dark Fantasy Romance because I think that led to confusion for me. I would have preferred this to be a romance with dark fantasy elements, rather than a dark romance with fantasy elements. I think the dark romance was what I hated the most about this book. Anyways, I am just glad this book is over. I feel like 2.5 stars is generous. There was a lot I really liked, despite what I hated. I think I would’ve really loved this book if like 4-5 scenes were just taken out of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Rape
Moderate: Sexual violence and Emotional abuse
ninabest's review
challenging
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Grief, Mental illness, Murder, Bullying, Cannibalism, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Child death, Kidnapping, Violence, Body horror, Death of parent, Body shaming, Child abuse, Chronic illness, and Deportation
ireadinbed's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
I enjoued this book so much i moved up my rotating KU month a whole month because i couldnt wait to finish it :)
I think the prose is lovely. This reads so naturally and sucks you right in, just like you want from a dark romantasy!
The characters are really well done. Its super easy to fall in love with this cast (and easy to hate the villains which is a nice change of pace for me! Lol). The main characters are flawed people but no less lovable for it and i adored the large supporting cast.
The setting really transported me and i love the authors descriptions. It definitely inspired me to look up the myths that inspired the unique worldbuilding!
The spicy scenes are intense and compliment the dark elements of the book perfectly.
Tread carefully! There are TWs on the authors site :)
Honestly it would be a 5 for me except there were a few sections that i think could have used a bit of trimming (or it could have been two books and been expanded!) Because i found myself getting lost or skipping ahead. Also some of the ADHD related talk was a bit too close to indigo children type theory for me. But not so upsetting i couldnt move past it to keep loving the book!
I definitely want to continue the series and I am excited for the next one coming out soon.
I think the prose is lovely. This reads so naturally and sucks you right in, just like you want from a dark romantasy!
The characters are really well done. Its super easy to fall in love with this cast (and easy to hate the villains which is a nice change of pace for me! Lol). The main characters are flawed people but no less lovable for it and i adored the large supporting cast.
The setting really transported me and i love the authors descriptions. It definitely inspired me to look up the myths that inspired the unique worldbuilding!
The spicy scenes are intense and compliment the dark elements of the book perfectly.
Tread carefully! There are TWs on the authors site :)
Honestly it would be a 5 for me except there were a few sections that i think could have used a bit of trimming (or it could have been two books and been expanded!) Because i found myself getting lost or skipping ahead. Also some of the ADHD related talk was a bit too close to indigo children type theory for me. But not so upsetting i couldnt move past it to keep loving the book!
I definitely want to continue the series and I am excited for the next one coming out soon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Cannibalism, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Medical trauma, Mental illness, and Child abuse
Moderate: Slavery, Stalking, Sexual assault, Panic attacks/disorders, Body shaming, and Body horror
Minor: Fatphobia
mildrenreads's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
This is easily going in my top books of the year! The story was told so beautifully & had me falling in love with the characters very easily. They were flawed as anyone is but bloomed in the most magical way, I loved seeing their character development as well as their relationship. Their chemistry is undeniable & will have you panting during all the spicy scenes. My favorite thing has to be the way the FMC loves herself & her beautiful body & the way she is described helps me in ways I couldn’t begin to explain. There were also dark and tense moments where I was at the edge of my seat & I’m very proud that I was right in my theories! The representation in this book is amazing & I loved learning about their traditions! Can’t wait for the rest of this series! Thank you Nemmy for letting me be a part of your ARC team!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism, Murder, War, Stalking, Sexual content, Gore, Gaslighting, Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Self harm, Rape, Child death, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Body shaming, Deportation, Vomit, Drug use, Suicide, Fatphobia, Sexual assault, Ableism, Racism, and Genocide
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