Reviews with content warning for Death of parent - How does it feel?

Super hard to rate. I enjoyed the first 20%, appreciated the slow burn, the characters and the writing and when there was a shift in setting and characters, I was intrigued by the plot but started to not like the book anymore. The writing got super repetitive and the plot became inconsistent. There were so many points where I was so confused by some line drops, that I assume were supposed to be foreshadowing for the grand reveal but I would forget them as they were one liners and when the grand reveal/ plot twist happened, I was SO confused. But I also liked the plot twist?? Idk i’m very confused and don’t know how to feel. 2.5-3.

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ashley_a_reads's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This was fun. I think that’s the right word. I felt like the pace was a little off, and the only thing that keeps me from rating it 4 stars is that I felt there was some unnecessary stuff and a couple of weird editing choices that just really pulled me out of the story at times.

The characters were interesting the MMC was a little two dimensional and the fact that either of them “fell in love” felt rushed and not believable. I’ll read on in the series, but it definitely could have used a bit more developmental editing.

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greentearex's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

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ashley_reya's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Overall I enjoyed this story! I found that it was a little slow to drop into the main plot as we were introduced to Callie. Mendax started as pretty 2D and most of his chapters were just hornier renditions of Callie’s previous ones. However, in the later half of the book his chapters moved the plot along just as much as Callie’s and gave important context of Fae World we were experiencing.

What an ending!! Excited for book #2 to be out soon. 🧚🏻‍♀️✨

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ohshebookish's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This book. THIS BOOK. Omg yall, this book was a wild ride. The pace is slow in the beginning, but don't let that fool you! There is so much more to this book, so pay attention.

Callie was a strong, albeit two dimensional, fmc to go through everything that she went through in the Unseelie realm, and still be determined to fight. Even though I really don't know much about science, I appreciate all that we learned through Callie and her job, and how she used that knowledge to her advantage. I do feel like the struggles and friendships that she had in the human realm were superficial, until Earl, but that is explained later so I don't really feel like it counts. There definitel was a missed opportunity to bring more depth to Callie and her background. If we would've gotten some povs of the people that she left behind in the human realm when she got trapped in the Unseelie Fae realm, that would've added an interesting layer to the story.

Now, Mendax. Oh, Mendax. I don't even know how to feel about him. He's gorgeous, unrelenting, murderous, and tortured by his attraction to Callie. Their back and forth was so good, but I wish there was more tension and a slow burn instead of insta-lust. I do like how possessive he got over Callie and was willing to do anything to keep her safe, despite being the one trying to get rid of her. The dual pov was great to be able to see Mendax's internal struggle.

So, I'll be honest, the writing style does leave much to be desired, however I feel like it might've been done purposefully. It reads as a mundane book at first, which I believe sets you up because, then BAM, the ending knocks you off your feet! I was shocked. I was running around my living room. The scream I scrumpt. The ending literally flips the whole book upside down and makes you question everything. Let's all get our clown makeup out because Ms. Jeneane was playing right in our faces and we didn't even see it coming! Those last two chapters ROCKED me. I am waiting on pins and needles for the next book because I NEED to know what happens next. I should've listened to the dedication because I am definitely finished.

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rwsmith's review

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dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

this absolutely read like an ao3 story, posted in chapters but then scooped up together and published with a few intro chapters to set up the world. the writing isn't the best and it would have benefitted from an editor review in terms of typos and grammar. it also should not have been written in first person - the twist at the end was interesting but it was too out of pocket for the whole book to have been in first person and the reader not having seen any foreshadowing.
all that said, the plot and story itself are interesting. the cliffhanger does make me want to read the sequel when it comes out, but unless the writing is a bit better and the characters a bit more dynamic, ill probably pass. i read it in a day so definitely and easy and quick read if thats what you're looking for.

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sarahsbookss's review

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challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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lycheeteareads's review

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dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.25

How Does It Feel was a 3.5 read for me as I enjoyed the writing, the trials but it did not 'finish' me. I was more invested in the beginning rather than the end including the plot reveal. It had the familiar Fae betrayals, mistrustful and easily obsessed with anything beautiful.

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