Reviews with content warning for Drug use - The Ritual

3 🌶️

I honestly do not know how to feel about this one.

I just started exploring dark-themed books, so I do not have much materials to compare it to.
But I find myself questioning my taste in reading.

It started quite strong, but it lost me with the plot jumping from high to mid to low and all over the place.
The characters were loveable for a second, then get boring as it goes.

Almost dnf it at some point because the timing of spicy scenes came a little off than I expect them to be.

A little disappointed, but it is what it is.

Content Warnings

kittykels's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No

2.0

I went into this book expecting to love it, even knowing that I might not enjoy some of the violence or other heavy content. But the dark content isn't what had me disliking this book.

The plot in general was fine, but the writing was choppy, lifeless, one-dimensional, etc. There was no depth to story or the characters. It's possible this was an intensional style choice given the dark and gritty content; after all, you wouldn't expect flowery prose in a story like this. But if this was indeed a style choice, it was overdone and didn't work.

I'm honestly surprised I finished this book. I wanted something spicy and I wanted something dark, but I also wanted something gripping and this wasn't it. I couldn't wait for it to end, honestly.

Content Warnings

bribookstore's review against another edition

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dark tense fast-paced

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

Quotes.

I was forced to pick her as my chosen, but she continues to choose me everyday. And that is what I call heaven. Because life without her would be hell.

Mini reveiw
This book omg. At first I like it then it was a meh and rn I love it not 5 star but a 4 definitely they can be cute sometimes like at the end I felt like I wasn't even reading dark romance.

Matt:
ew. biggest ick I know that's the point cause he's a villain also he sexually harassed the main character licked her fucking face also did more aloy more mess up stuff.

Things I didn't like
Anal, dub-con, all of the plot twist that I saw coming, the predictabily.

This has to be the most predictable books out there and I was just here for blakley, this wasn't boring though which is amazing but thats onlh because it had alot happening not because it was good.

This kinda is just DARK like not darker then most books but dark anyway it can be cute at times and I wouldn't put him with Zade Meadows because this like was pretty consensual all things considered because I worried about that a bit there is a non/dub con scene which I had to skip.

This man has a butt thing and I was not expecting that but I skipped that cause it was just weird and gross to me, and I'm not one to shame but it was weird, he made it weird and I was not unboard with airplane scence just noo.

Ryat
Hated him for half of this book. He's a Villian at heart but arguably not worse than matt which makes him a better alternative because he's more so obsessed with her and like starts to love her but his love is kinda fucked to be honest. Was not intrested in him at all kinda felt like he had such a "normal backstory" because he felt kind of blank just him as a character drags this book down so badly. He has no motive for him being unhinged other than this cult.

Misogyny and this book
The men in this book are a headache misogynist pricks if you ask me. If I had a dime for every time a man called a woman a "whore" or a "slut" in this book I would be so loaded. Please make dark romance with no misogyny like come on. It's easy guys I swear.

Blakley
My baby frr she's so cute. Read this book for her and she did NOT disappoint me that much. I did not want Ryat. But like HER omfgg marry mee like she's literally soo amazing and just my favorite. She's kinda weak like genuinely I thought she might have back bone but she doesn't she does start to show some like half way through which nice but come on also she won most of the points for this the rating is just her.

Conclusion
This book is built different and if you can't handle DARK or you have alot of triggers don't read but I'm not your mom so I can't force you not to. Also the rest of the Characters except for the really good characters like Sharah and Gunner. All of them can fuck off like honestly get the fuck out bitch !! Anyway this is the end of my long review of THE RITUAL . Also make female characters have more back bone getting sick and tired of it I wanted to be generous with review this was going to be a 3.4 star because of misogyny and weak female character.

Content Warnings

darthcaroline99's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

I really enjoyed the story in this book! There is A LOT of smut! And the experiences are very graphic so be sure to read the content warnings!

Content Warnings

hereiskyra's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Like everyone else who’s been late to the game, I heard a lot of mixed reviews on this book so I knew I’d either love it or hate it. Fortunately for me, I love it! I didn’t even know I had the ability to read a 600 page book in less than a week but I could not put it down.

It started off a little rough, I think a lot due to Matt being an absolute soggy biscuit of a person. But as soon as Ryat came into the picture. I was hooked.

There was so much in this book and somehow I still wanted more. I genuinely think I might need some therapy… but I loved the twisted romance, the secret society and everything in between. There were just, I mean JUST, enough plot elements to balance out the spice to make this perfect for me.

The spice in this book started early (like 16%, I think) and once it started it didn’t stop. I usually need a little more slow burn and some time to form an attachment but this one was different. I felt the chemistry right off the bat and just hoped it would get deeper. It was kinky and chaotic and I loved it.

And as crazy as he is, Ryat is top tier. 🙌🏼

Tropes/Themes:
Enemies to Lovers (vibes)
Secret Society
Possessive MMC
V*rg*n FMC
Degradation/Praise
Kn*fe/Bondage/Breath Play

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Content Warnings

pointtorae's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious fast-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? Yes

3.75

A great book for dark spicy content, not so much for actual plot.

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laileth's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny tense medium-paced

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

4.75

Heard this is the holy grail of dark spicy romance, was not disappointed! Expected this to be mainly smut, but surprised to find out the plot is so good and there's a lot of it! Love the story, love the spice, love the twists💚

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