monica0309's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexism, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Confinement, and Rape
frasbe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
Graphic: Rape, Sexual harassment, and Confinement
Moderate: Misogyny, Toxic relationship, and Physical abuse
Minor: Bullying and Violence
megreadsbooks's review against another edition
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Sexual violence, Confinement, Death, Trafficking, Toxic relationship, and Slavery
lilm5kitty's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Slavery, Violence, Death, Misogyny, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Trafficking, Confinement, Infertility, and Murder
bangiebangs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Spoiler
The fact that the king's harem are called "saddles", or that this is also the term for any sex worker ("wh*re" is used a lot) isn't the worst, but there are scenes very close to rape, and one that is a quite detailed rape scene).Spoiler
In the backstory, we learn that they started their relationship when he rescued her from an abusive situation (sexual trafficking is implied), and they start a relationship when she is 15 and he is "seven years older". Even if the story picks up 10 years later than that, this still makes this something that starts as an adult/minor pairing... so her sexual desire for him... ew.I found the pacing a little uneven as it takes a long time to set the scene: I was more than 100pp in before I felt this picking up steam or having much of a story- this is an issue throughout. While there are some nice minor twists in there I think this book mainly sets up the second one and does some basic world-building. Also some serious emotional gut-punch moments, so yeah, this one is not exactly uplifting.
This is also not a romance, dark or otherwise. There is no romance in this book. Maybe the next? But if you're looking for dark romantasy spice... this ain't it.
Be aware that this ends in a cliffhanger.
Spice level wasn't there for me - there is a lot of sexual content, but the way it's described doesn't really do much for me. Not that every book needs this, but in this one the sex is so often mixed with abuse or dubious (/absent) consent that it's not exactly something I can enjoy.
All in all, a dark but enticing read, though one that will might make you uncomfortable at times. I'll continue with the series and see how it goes.
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, Sexism, Emotional abuse, Rape, Confinement, Death, Sexual assault, Cursing, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Bullying, Misogyny, Slavery, Kidnapping, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: War
sarafullofjoy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Graphic: Sexual content and Confinement
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
Minor: Trafficking
clemway's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Death, Kidnapping, Murder, Sexism, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Blood, Kidnapping, Infidelity, and Death
aimeefox69's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Cursing, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Rape, Violence, Confinement, Sexual assault, Sexism, and Sexual violence
eleek0609's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Rape, and Murder
Moderate: Violence, Confinement, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, and Misogyny
Minor: War
midnacine's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Violence, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual violence, Confinement, Kidnapping, Murder, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, Sexual content, Classism, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Cursing, and Gaslighting
Minor: Trafficking, Animal death, War, and Death of parent