sammy234's review
4.0
3.5 stars.
It took me some time to figure out how to rate this book. I was utterly absorbed with the story and characters, but at the same time found the writing to be unpolished and the dialogue at times extremely unrealistic.
While I was reading I could see Iris Ann Hunter's potential for greatness. Writers that are better than her have had a more difficult time keeping me engaged. I have this feeling that the more she writes, the better she's going to get.
So while I do definitely have some problems when it comes to her characterization (especially with Shane, who is all over the place emotionally), I'm still very excited for the sequel to Tragic Beauty and am eagerly awaiting any news of a release date.
I have a desire for the story to go a certain way and I hope Iris Ann Hunter goes the darker route and makes Shane Ava's main love interest. Even though I have problems with him, he's by far the most captivating character in this novel. I love the haunting backstory that Iris Ann Hunter provided for his character and his childhood with Ava. He has a complicated history with her that Gavin just doesn't have, colored by her wrong perceptions of him and his inevitable moral corruption due to his circumstances.
I should probably like Gavin more. He's a pretty decent guy, just very simplistic. He's Shane if Shane forced himself to be good and despised his own immorality. Gavin has a bit of "darkness" to his character, but he keeps it well contained and I feel like there's nothing deeper to him. What you see is what you get. He loves Ava, he had a rough childhood. Now he's a movie star. The end.
Shane, however, is constantly changing throughout the novel, because Ava's perception of him changes. And while she had a deep connection with Gavin after their one day together, I feel it doesn't compare to her lifetime connection with Shane, who's obsession with her colored her entire adolescent life.
Ava is an interesting heroine, sympathetic because she's had a hard life but she's kinder for it, almost feral and mute from trauma, but able to see the good in the worst of people. Her interactions with Shane give off major Beauty and The Beast vibes (and when I got to the library scene, I realized this was intentional), so I'm rooting for them and their captivating dynamic.
TW: Non-con, total power exchange
It took me some time to figure out how to rate this book. I was utterly absorbed with the story and characters, but at the same time found the writing to be unpolished and the dialogue at times extremely unrealistic.
While I was reading I could see Iris Ann Hunter's potential for greatness. Writers that are better than her have had a more difficult time keeping me engaged. I have this feeling that the more she writes, the better she's going to get.
So while I do definitely have some problems when it comes to her characterization (especially with Shane, who is all over the place emotionally), I'm still very excited for the sequel to Tragic Beauty and am eagerly awaiting any news of a release date.
I have a desire for the story to go a certain way and I hope Iris Ann Hunter goes the darker route and makes Shane Ava's main love interest. Even though I have problems with him, he's by far the most captivating character in this novel. I love the haunting backstory that Iris Ann Hunter provided for his character and his childhood with Ava. He has a complicated history with her that Gavin just doesn't have, colored by her wrong perceptions of him and his inevitable moral corruption due to his circumstances.
I should probably like Gavin more. He's a pretty decent guy, just very simplistic. He's Shane if Shane forced himself to be good and despised his own immorality. Gavin has a bit of "darkness" to his character, but he keeps it well contained and I feel like there's nothing deeper to him. What you see is what you get. He loves Ava, he had a rough childhood. Now he's a movie star. The end.
Shane, however, is constantly changing throughout the novel, because Ava's perception of him changes. And while she had a deep connection with Gavin after their one day together, I feel it doesn't compare to her lifetime connection with Shane, who's obsession with her colored her entire adolescent life.
Ava is an interesting heroine, sympathetic because she's had a hard life but she's kinder for it, almost feral and mute from trauma, but able to see the good in the worst of people. Her interactions with Shane give off major Beauty and The Beast vibes (and when I got to the library scene, I realized this was intentional), so I'm rooting for them and their captivating dynamic.
TW: Non-con, total power exchange
ingypingy2000's review
4.0
I'm not sure what I just read... I mean, I'm pretty sure I enjoyed it and I'm pretty sure I'll need to talk about it for a long time coming. Torture and depravity run rampant through this book, but it messes with your emotions while it does it until you aren't sure where you stand on any of it.
tab2004's review
2.0
The writing was good but so many disturbing things are done to Ava by Shayne that it was too much to enjoy. I also like when the MMC fights a little harder for his woman.
readingmumofboys's review
4.0
I found this book in a random google search trying to find what to read next, and boy am I happy I found it!!! It definitely had a few WTAF moments, but the storyline is so good!!!! To say I was a bit annoyed when I found that there’s another book, but it’s not out yet, is an understatement!!!! When I do a series that follows the same couple I like to read one after the other. So if you are the same hold out!!! But once the two (apparently according to good reads!!!) is out… Get. On. It!!
soclse2hvn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Rape, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Domestic abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Stalking, and Torture
Moderate: Child abuse, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Gun violence
Minor: Alcohol
emfish's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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
amgonzalez9273's review
4.0
Rarely does a story pull me in so quick at the start of a book. Tragic Beauty sucks you in and when you are so exhausted physically from reading and your eyes start to burn, you will turn another page; just one more and on it goes until you pass out from tiredness and wake up frantic that you forgot to bookmark your page! This story is engrossing, romantic, dark, twisted with a dose of suffering along with the lead female character. Your heart will hurt, it will soar, it will crash and then it will beg to be mended. An amazing book that everyone needs to read that loves a dark romance. I cannot wait for future work from this author. She is already a new favorite!
books_and_crafts's review
Every trigger warning you can think of. This may be a positive for some people and a negative for others. research before you read.
I don’t know what to say… or how to feel… or how to rate… I just… wow.
I don’t know what to say… or how to feel… or how to rate… I just… wow.