Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

House of Bane and Blood by Alexis L. Menard

16 reviews

jcrocker95's review

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

4.75

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sunnieherbert's review

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

could of used some more world-building and  the dialogue was a tad cringe. 
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hereiskyra's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

I’m not sure exactly what I was expecting but I think I’m pleasantly surprised. Honestly, I tried and tried but I could never quite nail down the vibes in this one… I saw someone say flapper era and I definitely felt that. It felt dark and moody yet glamorous too. An heiress in beautiful jewel toned gowns surrounded by powerful and gritty. 

I liked our two main characters and that they were given some time to form chemistry and a bond before throwing them into a “relationship” of sorts. Each had their own personality that made them endearing and easy to like. 

The magic in this one is a little different than what I’ve seen so far and I really enjoyed it. I’m pretty sure this book got an entire star for the familiar tattoo alone. That was one of my favorite things. Maybe ever. 

There were times, especially the beginning, that I couldn’t really get into the story but the last half had me on the edge of my seat. And towards the ending it felt like watching an old western movie of a train heist. My brain is weird but it was a great time. 🤣

I think this story is set up to be really good moving forward. Off to buy the second one now. Also really want to watch Peaky Blinders now so thanks for that, Alexis. 🫡 

Tropes: 
Marriage of Convenience 
Rivals to Lovers 
Found Family 
Heiress FMC
Magic

Spice: 🌶️🌶️ 

Favorite quotes:

“Wanting you isn’t hard, princess. It’s all the rest that makes it diffucult.”


“You are what I want every morning when I wake, every need of my flesh, every dream when I close my eyes.”
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midnightrose_reads's review

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

House of Bane and Blood is the first book in the Vows of Vengeance duology by Alexis L. Menard. I really enjoyed this romantic fantasy marriage of convience, rivals to lovers story. The banter between the two leads is fantastic. Nico and Camilla are characters that you really root for, and the found family aspect was excellent! Can’t wait to read the next book in this duology.
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howboutjane's review against another edition

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adventurous 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? It's complicated

4.5

If you like peaky blinders, magic, and old western movies then this one's for you!

The MMC gives Inspector gadget for adults vibes and the FMC gives serious mob wife energy. Romance is more steam than spice - a deliciously sinful slow burn with off the charts chemistry that will leave you panting.  

I did find I was a little bit confused  with the world buidling and magic systems in the beginning chapters, but they are expanded on and explained more as you go through the book. The plot is solid with captivating storytelling. There's drama, suspense, betrayal, passion, love. There's even a scene with a fight on a moving train - THIS BOOK HAS EVERYTHING. Such a riveting experience and an immersive read. Would recommend. 👍🏽👍🏽

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mwalsh97's review

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad 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

5.0

This book started as like a 2.5 star book but it quickly won me over into a 5 star book. I love the Peaky Blinders meet Romeo and Juliet in a steampunk and nontraditional magic world. It's dark and dreary and full of tension. The back and for with Milla and Nico is so well written it had me giggling like a teen with their first crush. This book perfectly balances good plot with spice. You could take the spice out of the story and the characters would still work, as would the plot. The spice is just that, spice. Wonderfully delicious spice.

I love even more that it is only a duology. So many authors these days seem to write unending series or stretch their plots way to thin. This plot feels perfectly paced for two books.
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danilouisev's review

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Pros: the concept is really unique, I am invested in the characters and the story & will read the second book. I do think there’s something really creative & interesting here!
Cons: writing style - just not 100% for me. I know it’s an independently published book and I could tell. I don’t want to to knock it for that, but it could use a few more rounds of editing. The pacing felt a bit off at times; while I believed and understood the attraction between the MCs, their physical relationship needed more development imo. The smut was just so-so. 
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karapillar's review

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dark mysterious 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

4.75

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jilliri's review

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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

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vi_holmes's review

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adventurous dark mysterious tense 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

I really enjoyed this book, especially the first half! Camilla is a great character! A real badass, witty, and smart. The Attano family were also a big highlight for me. So many great personalities. Nonna had me cackling.

My only complaints are that Camilla's willfully blind faith in her brothers (especially Aramis) got tiring.
I didn't care for his explaination for his behaviour either. He would have been a better character for me if he remained cold and selfish as he was portayed.
And the ending felt rushed. I'm very keen to see where it will lead in the next book, but I just didn't love the ending. But I will say
Giles deserved better


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