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wickeddelights's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I read this with my book club, and I am fairly certain I got a contact high from the sheer amount of weed that was smoked in this book. Like I am convinced that if I walked blindfolded into a bookstore, that I could find this book on smell alone.
I could not for the life of me connect with our MMC, Tristan. For 99% of the book he was worse than the actual "villian" of the story, Michael. He delights in torture, he threatens to have a woman 'graped' by everyone of his followers (Not once, but twice!), tortures his best friend, the list goes on. The man can't keep his hands off of his joints (coincidentally enough, both of his joints are stored in his trousers) he was either lighting up, or getting hard while Sara our FMC was constantly thinking about stuff oozing from her pores, or describing how her emotions directly effected her stomach or throat.
Every time I thought that Tristan was getting more bearable as an FMC, or being less of a creep like he would do or say something just weird or awful WITHIN two pages, every time.
The setting itself felt confusing and inconsistent at times. The year it takes place is listed at the beginning of the book, but it just doesn't translate into how things are described. There is an old timey castle still lit by candles and sconces, and yet there is also automobiles and guns. The old world setting also translates into a phrase in the book as well when someone is described as being like a red-headed step child, but REALLY that is just mild when compared to the "C*m seeping out of her pores" line.
It just wasn't for me.
I could not for the life of me connect with our MMC, Tristan. For 99% of the book he was worse than the actual "villian" of the story, Michael. He delights in torture, he threatens to have a woman 'graped' by everyone of his followers (Not once, but twice!), tortures his best friend, the list goes on. The man can't keep his hands off of his joints (coincidentally enough, both of his joints are stored in his trousers) he was either lighting up, or getting hard while Sara our FMC was constantly thinking about stuff oozing from her pores, or describing how her emotions directly effected her stomach or throat.
Every time I thought that Tristan was getting more bearable as an FMC, or being less of a creep like he would do or say something just weird or awful WITHIN two pages, every time.
The setting itself felt confusing and inconsistent at times. The year it takes place is listed at the beginning of the book, but it just doesn't translate into how things are described. There is an old timey castle still lit by candles and sconces, and yet there is also automobiles and guns. The old world setting also translates into a phrase in the book as well when someone is described as being like a red-headed step child, but REALLY that is just mild when compared to the "C*m seeping out of her pores" line.
It just wasn't for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
leonieparamor's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Torture, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Drug use, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Abortion
lolaluftnagel's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
literarymary95's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
I felt like Hooked is better. This story felt like it didn't really go very much anywhere for most of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual assault, and Death of parent
Minor: Rape, Suicide, and Abortion
gracewingham's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Abortion, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual harassment
jessanicolesingh's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
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
Second in the Never After series, Scarred is a loose reimagination of The Lion King, featuring Tristan (the SCARred prince) and King Michael Faasa, and fiancé of the latter, Sara. In an early 1900s royal court, the King is honestly doing a terrible job and revolution is on the horizon, with none other than his brother leading the rebellion. Simultaneously, his betrothed only agreed to be his bride as a means to plot revenge for the murder of her father. Both of these secret rivals are fighting the same fight, unbeknownst to each other, while also building a slow burn forbidden love.
The story and “twists” were predictable at times, but overall it was still a great read. There were some clever tie-ins to the original tale, but also a lot of cheesy parallels (like are you kidding me with Paul Wartheg 🤣)
The story and “twists” were predictable at times, but overall it was still a great read. There were some clever tie-ins to the original tale, but also a lot of cheesy parallels (like are you kidding me with Paul Wartheg 🤣)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Bullying, Drug use, Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Classism
Minor: Torture, Violence, Abortion, and Abandonment
knl0819's review against another edition
3.0
Honestly, the book was kind of MEH. I liked the premise of like a rebellion and things like that, but there are some moments where Sara annoyed me and there’s like some language that I didn’t really like. For example, there’s bastard child running around the castle, and I’m fairly sure I heard him referred to as “little brown bastard.” Which was really jarring because that felt like an unnecessary way to describe him and to bring up his skin color felt really weird.
I also didn’t really like how as the book progressed and the more Sara fell for Tristan the more weak she came across. For example, she finds out that she’s been lied to, but then automatically believes what that same person says after that which is weird to me because this man has lied to you for your whole life why on earth did you believe anything that comes out of his mouth! Also, after her and Tristan hook up for the first time all she talks about is that he did that because he cares about her. Which was very annoying because it was brought up like five times within like two chapters of them like fully hooking up. I was like stand up like what are you doing! Then towards the end all of her motivation for her behavior is gone and it’s just because it’s what he wants. She started out with like a lot of agency and then as the book went on, it felt like it got taken away from her and she just was following Tristan’s plans.
A little random criticism was that there was like three specific phrases that were used in this book that felt very Game of Thrones and I didn’t like that. The phrases blood of my blood and queen of the ashes were used in this book which felt kind of weird.
This book was entertaining, but just kind of lukewarm. There were definitely moments that I enjoyed like Sarah in the first half of the book, Tristan‘s backstory with his father and the twist at the end related to Sara being lied to we’re all very cool moments, but I definitely hit some lows in the story. Also, for those of you not aware, he pours wax on her when they hook up the first time which was not expected. They also had discussions of like her being his property towards the end, which got kind of crazy for me personally.
I also didn’t really like how as the book progressed and the more Sara fell for Tristan the more weak she came across. For example, she finds out that she’s been lied to, but then automatically believes what that same person says after that which is weird to me because this man has lied to you for your whole life why on earth did you believe anything that comes out of his mouth! Also, after her and Tristan hook up for the first time all she talks about is that he did that because he cares about her. Which was very annoying because it was brought up like five times within like two chapters of them like fully hooking up. I was like stand up like what are you doing! Then towards the end all of her motivation for her behavior is gone and it’s just because it’s what he wants. She started out with like a lot of agency and then as the book went on, it felt like it got taken away from her and she just was following Tristan’s plans.
A little random criticism was that there was like three specific phrases that were used in this book that felt very Game of Thrones and I didn’t like that. The phrases blood of my blood and queen of the ashes were used in this book which felt kind of weird.
This book was entertaining, but just kind of lukewarm. There were definitely moments that I enjoyed like Sarah in the first half of the book, Tristan‘s backstory with his father and the twist at the end related to Sara being lied to we’re all very cool moments, but I definitely hit some lows in the story. Also, for those of you not aware, he pours wax on her when they hook up the first time which was not expected. They also had discussions of like her being his property towards the end, which got kind of crazy for me personally.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault and War
ladybeez's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Oh. My god.
This book is based on Disney’s classic The Lion King which is a furry version of Hamlet. This book is a bastardization of both with gratuitous violence and death.
“But it’s a dark romance!,” you say. “It’s supposed to be fucked up!” You say.
There was no real romance to this. Tristan is pathetic and kills people to deal with it. Sara is a pawn who kills people because she thinks she’s going to get revenge.
But then after they murder everyone and sacrifice their followers that, at least Tristan, look down on in disgust, Tristan gives the thrown to Simon? In what world does that power hungry miserable sod give up a kingdom that he convinced everyone that he didn’t burn down.
Anyway, I’m all for a red flag hero, but good LORD, this man had no redeeming qualities. Apparently he was good at sec, but she was a virgin, so she doesn’t know.
This book is based on Disney’s classic The Lion King which is a furry version of Hamlet. This book is a bastardization of both with gratuitous violence and death.
“But it’s a dark romance!,” you say. “It’s supposed to be fucked up!” You say.
There was no real romance to this. Tristan is pathetic and kills people to deal with it. Sara is a pawn who kills people because she thinks she’s going to get revenge.
But then after they murder everyone and sacrifice their followers that, at least Tristan, look down on in disgust, Tristan gives the thrown to Simon? In what world does that power hungry miserable sod give up a kingdom that he convinced everyone that he didn’t burn down.
Anyway, I’m all for a red flag hero, but good LORD, this man had no redeeming qualities. Apparently he was good at sec, but she was a virgin, so she doesn’t know.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, War, and Classism
mookayla's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault
sarahbeynon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Drug use