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nitzanschwarz's review against another edition
dark
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
4.0
86 | B | 4.0 ★ | Quite Good
IMO, this was the best novel in the series so far, and I admit I wasn't expecting that. I always wondered what Lan's book was going to be like, considering what we'd seen of him so far, but not in my wildest dreams did I expect Lan to be the one to put in the most effort by far.
That's right, ladies and gents. Landon King is the most attentive man of the bunch. He does literally so much to make Mia comfortable outside their sexual activities (which are decidedly not comfortable). He is a lot like Jeremy - he partakes in Mia's hobbies; he feeds and performs aftercare; he literally transforms his entire space for her, piece by piece. And then he transforms himself. Unlike any of the previous male leads, Landon actively works on changing himself--not just in the context of his lover but also in the context of his loved ones. He realizes he can't go on the way he always did if he wants to keep her--and, by extension, them--and then he changes. He doesn't become a different person, but he changes the way he has been using his gifts and becomes a better person for it. And I don't know, I think that's beautiful.
Mia is also my favorite female lead so far. This girl has so much spunk. She stood toe to toe with Landon the entire way, and never did she compromise on who she was or let him snuff her light. And I love Landon for listening. For not trying to change anything about her. I have felt so far in the series that the girls were at a disadvantage. That all of them "learned" to shut down and change some things in order for the men in their lives to be happy. I didn't feel that here. Moreover, Mia held Landon accountable. There were consequences for his actions and his general behavior, which is what forced him to take a second look at himself, to begin with. Much of this book is about Landon proving to Mia that he can be what she needs, and I loved that.
I also loved them together. Despite Landon's psycho status, there was something very domestic about everything from the start. Something that made the little haunted house into an actual house.
The only gripe I had with the novel, to be honest, is the one I always have - the villain. As always, a shallow cardboard character with little to no hints about them. I feel like Kent tried to sprinkle some more "cause" behind this villain's villainy, but since it amounted to 2 throwaway lines in their evil monologue, it really felt empty.I definitely didn't like how they made Maya into an accomplice. That girl loves her sister, and taking all that away for a cheap "shock" honestly felt unnecessary. But if we already went there, I wish there was more on their healing. Maya was a kid and got stuck in the mindset of being a kid--just like Mia was. It doesn't make what Maya did in the present any better, but Maya was also willing to get shot for Mia, so I feel like we can give this relationship more than a few throwaway lines in the epilogue. Especially since we are not going to get a book for her.
Also, like, the men of the previous books... what's up? Why are you doing what you're doing? You have to see the hypocrisy of it all, right? Right?....
Plot - 17/20
Characters - 18/20
Relationships - 18/20
Writing - 15/20
Reading Experience - 18/20
Final score: 86
IMO, this was the best novel in the series so far, and I admit I wasn't expecting that. I always wondered what Lan's book was going to be like, considering what we'd seen of him so far, but not in my wildest dreams did I expect Lan to be the one to put in the most effort by far.
That's right, ladies and gents. Landon King is the most attentive man of the bunch. He does literally so much to make Mia comfortable outside their sexual activities (which are decidedly not comfortable). He is a lot like Jeremy - he partakes in Mia's hobbies; he feeds and performs aftercare; he literally transforms his entire space for her, piece by piece. And then he transforms himself. Unlike any of the previous male leads, Landon actively works on changing himself--not just in the context of his lover but also in the context of his loved ones. He realizes he can't go on the way he always did if he wants to keep her--and, by extension, them--and then he changes. He doesn't become a different person, but he changes the way he has been using his gifts and becomes a better person for it. And I don't know, I think that's beautiful.
Mia is also my favorite female lead so far. This girl has so much spunk. She stood toe to toe with Landon the entire way, and never did she compromise on who she was or let him snuff her light. And I love Landon for listening. For not trying to change anything about her. I have felt so far in the series that the girls were at a disadvantage. That all of them "learned" to shut down and change some things in order for the men in their lives to be happy. I didn't feel that here. Moreover, Mia held Landon accountable. There were consequences for his actions and his general behavior, which is what forced him to take a second look at himself, to begin with. Much of this book is about Landon proving to Mia that he can be what she needs, and I loved that.
I also loved them together. Despite Landon's psycho status, there was something very domestic about everything from the start. Something that made the little haunted house into an actual house.
The only gripe I had with the novel, to be honest, is the one I always have - the villain. As always, a shallow cardboard character with little to no hints about them. I feel like Kent tried to sprinkle some more "cause" behind this villain's villainy, but since it amounted to 2 throwaway lines in their evil monologue, it really felt empty.
Also, like, the men of the previous books... what's up? Why are you doing what you're doing? You have to see the hypocrisy of it all, right? Right?....
Plot - 17/20
Characters - 18/20
Relationships - 18/20
Writing - 15/20
Reading Experience - 18/20
Final score: 86
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Murder
lizziethebookdragon's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I DNFd this one. This was dull and boring. I liked some bits and the consent wasn't as bad as previous books in the series but I felt there wasn't much plot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Cursing, Mental illness, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Gaslighting
eelka's review against another edition
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? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, and Gaslighting
susanpevensie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment