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witcheep's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
The vampire lore and the mysterious tensions are intriquing, giving strength to the worldbuilding around the romance – the romance being the main plot. The story is entertaining, though I struggled a lot to come to terms with the huge status imbalances between the main characters; I'm not sure if I can wholeheartedly root for them becoming a couple because of this. The rest of my review will be rambling/reasoning about this imbalance.
The romance relies very heavily on the trope of forbidden romance and a premise of an inexperienced human woman learning about her romantic and sexual likes with a centuries old, very experienced immortal man. This premise puts these two in a very imbalanced relationship, especially when it is paired with a huge financial imbalance as well: she is struggling with crippling debt and he is "richer than God", as she puts it. The potential threats or red flags in this kind of setting are mentioned by Thea's roommate, but only briefly, and Thea chooses to ignore them. I guess that shouldn't be a surprise, since the clear hint to a billionaire romance is in the title of the book. But does the experience/financial status need to be flaunted so much without pondering the imbalance between the main characters? Perhaps it is needed for the plot to be able to strongarm the allure in the relationship to be in the forefront and to make the vampire society's norms to be the aspect that makes the relationship forbidden, instead of theforbiddenness coming from imbalanced status.
I wish, though, that these premise issues got more room in the plot alongside the societal struggles. The imbalanced premises of the relationship make the experienced, rich party hold all the power in the relationship, making it very hard for the other one to stand up for herself if there ever is a need for it. Even though there is specualtion about amate bond between them that could even things out a little, I still find this kind of power imbalance in a romantic setting unsettling for all the potential to strip the "weaker" party from any real agency, and even putting them in the potential harm's way, if the relationship turns sour. The experience and financial status come around in the plot much more than the vampire society's norms, so it would be good to address them more as well.
The romance relies very heavily on the trope of forbidden romance and a premise of an inexperienced human woman learning about her romantic and sexual likes with a centuries old, very experienced immortal man. This premise puts these two in a very imbalanced relationship, especially when it is paired with a huge financial imbalance as well: she is struggling with crippling debt and he is "richer than God", as she puts it. The potential threats or red flags in this kind of setting are mentioned by Thea's roommate, but only briefly, and Thea chooses to ignore them. I guess that shouldn't be a surprise, since the clear hint to a billionaire romance is in the title of the book. But does the experience/financial status need to be flaunted so much without pondering the imbalance between the main characters? Perhaps it is needed for the plot to be able to strongarm the allure in the relationship to be in the forefront and to make the vampire society's norms to be the aspect that makes the relationship forbidden, instead of theforbiddenness coming from imbalanced status.
I wish, though, that these premise issues got more room in the plot alongside the societal struggles. The imbalanced premises of the relationship make the experienced, rich party hold all the power in the relationship, making it very hard for the other one to stand up for herself if there ever is a need for it. Even though there is specualtion about a
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Classism
Moderate: Cancer and Alcohol
Minor: Kidnapping and Pregnancy
soph22's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I’m going to start by saying, this book probably isn’t aimed at me - I can see why some might love it, but… nah. Spice written like this just ends up making me laugh and I struggle to take it seriously.
It had some good points. The last 80 pages were actually pretty good but the 300 before felt like a slog. I’ve seen people compare this to a twilight/50 shades fanfic, and I do see that.
I have the other three books, so I will be reading them. I can only hope they get better.
It had some good points. The last 80 pages were actually pretty good but the 300 before felt like a slog. I’ve seen people compare this to a twilight/50 shades fanfic, and I do see that.
I have the other three books, so I will be reading them. I can only hope they get better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gore, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, and Murder
katerina_l's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-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
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
elenikin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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? Yes
3.5
Dramatic and kind of gave me Twilight series vibes but with more spice. Wasn't really into the mixing pain with pleasure elements and almost wasn't going to consider continuing the series, but it was left on a dramatic cliff hanger...so I will try to continue the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Sexual content, and Blood
daddylonglegz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
hdm73's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Sexual content, and Blood
noellelovesbooks's review against another edition
3.25
Content Warnings: violence, some sexual content, blood, and classism.
I kept pushing myself through this book hoping that I would end up rooting for and liking the main couple...but there's way too much back and forth. Will they won't they? And then random things/people thrown in seemingly to add layers but not really fully fleshing it out...
Originally I was going to still read book two, thinking it was a duology and the story could be brought together in a good way...but I realized it's a 4 book series focusing on this main couple and...I just don't have the energy now to push my way through that much. 😅
I kept pushing myself through this book hoping that I would end up rooting for and liking the main couple...but there's way too much back and forth. Will they won't they? And then random things/people thrown in seemingly to add layers but not really fully fleshing it out...
Originally I was going to still read book two, thinking it was a duology and the story could be brought together in a good way...but I realized it's a 4 book series focusing on this main couple and...I just don't have the energy now to push my way through that much. 😅
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Murder
plumpyherb13's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Violence
lottiereads24's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Minor: Drug use, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
elketjhee's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Spoilers!
Julian I like. Thea... She is a weirdo ... Like why are you so heartbroken someone doesn't want to eat you?
As a slow burn fan this passionate love after only two days seems fast. The vampire obsession Julian had I get. It's the smell ... But Thea she seems to have fallen so easily. I would like to have seen the shift from finding him a hot vampire to lover to "oh damn he is my mate'" gone one for a little longer.
But let's be honest I too would instantly be in love with Julian.
Also, I have an imaginative imagination and Julian is like one of the hottest male characters I have imagined. I can't wait on the struggle it will be to draw him later
Julian I like. Thea... She is a weirdo ... Like why are you so heartbroken someone doesn't want to eat you?
As a slow burn fan this passionate love after only two days seems fast. The vampire obsession Julian had I get. It's the smell ... But Thea she seems to have fallen so easily. I would like to have seen the shift from finding him a hot vampire to lover to "oh damn he is my mate'" gone one for a little longer.
But let's be honest I too would instantly be in love with Julian.
Also, I have an imaginative imagination and Julian is like one of the hottest male characters I have imagined. I can't wait on the struggle it will be to draw him later
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Sexual content, and Blood
Minor: Cancer, Medical content, and Classism