alsoapples's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Child abuse, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Death, Violence, and Torture
Moderate: Stalking, Abandonment, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Sexual violence, Rape, and Sexual assault
laura_berger's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Kidnapping, Murder, Death of parent, and Grief
jla's review against another edition
- 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
The age gap took some getting used to at the beginning. I technically met my husband when I was 9, and he was 16, but the relationship between Ox and Joe was intense from the beginning.
The writer chose to repeat things 3 times in a row. I'm not sure what if that was supposed to have a deeper meaning, but it was a little annoying.
Graphic: Murder, Torture, Child abuse, and Kidnapping
20sidedbi's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Grief, Abandonment, Blood, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Sexual content, Body horror, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, and Stalking
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Sexual violence
blaiseteal's review against another edition
- 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
did not know what to expect when i picked up this book. i was somewhat familiar with tj klunes work and was still blown out of the fucking water with this. the found family makes my heart ACHE in the best way. Ox as a character was phenomenal and it was amazing watching him change and grow due to the people around him. one thing i adored about this book is the agency that every single character has, there isn’t a single “damsel in distress” moment because even when a less powerful character is faced with a threat, they aren’t entirely useless. cannot wait to read the rest of this series.
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Pedophilia and Rape
About the minor pedophillia and rape/sexual assault warning, it’s only a brief mention whenSpoiler
Ox is having his final confrontation with Richard and Richard makes some comments about Joes kidnapping as well as actual threats towards present Joeneetarattan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
𝘘𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘳 • 𝘚𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘉𝘶𝘳𝘯 • 𝘉𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨
🌶️ 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘥𝘰𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘦
This book blew my mind in a transformational kind of way.
Many of the themes are common to books of the paranormal variety: shapeshifters who share minds with their packs, becoming the beast, forgetting one's humanity, the powers of good vs evil, alphas as the pack leaders, changing eye colours, the concept of a destined mate bonded for life. And yet.
So this shows my biases: I did not know before this that I could love a paranormal gay romance. 90% of the characters in the book are male. I didn't think I would appreciate it the same way as the hetero relationships/female MCs in many best-selling romance novels. I'm not sure why anymore. Maybe I thought I wouldn't completely relate or would be uncomfortable reading the spicy scenes.
Well, I am here to say I was wrong.
I loved Ox. I loved his simplicity, his straightforwardness, his shyness, his slowness with words, but mostly I loved his heart. I loved many of the other characters, including Thomas and Gordo, and of course the two mamas spoke directly to this mama bear's heart. The slow burn romance was my jam. It was a little weird the ages when the two MC met but in the end it did not bother me the way it was written (some people will disagree, and I'd welcome discussion).
I also appreciated how the book references other fantasy series to almost mock itself, including both Star Wars and Twilight. I enjoyed the witches who were men - another novel concept. Why must witches be women? Like I said at the start, this book made me examine and reconsider a lot of my assumptions, which is just what I'd want in a book.
Beyond all this self-introspection, I bawled. It was raw and emotional.
Werewolves and witches are the perfect October combo for your fall reading fantasy list, so def check this one out!
TW: there are many. I recommend reviewing triggers on storygraph or another platform prior to reading.
💬 Q: What was the last book that changed your world view?
Graphic: Death of parent, Abandonment, Child abuse, Cursing, Murder, Torture, Death, and Kidnapping
ginniereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Sexual content, Violence, Abandonment, Blood, and Car accident
khargaotte's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Death of parent, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Kidnapping, Torture, and Panic attacks/disorders
fynm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.5
Personally not my favorite TJ Klune book, but probably great for people who love werewolve fanfiction :)
Graphic: Death of parent, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Murder, Kidnapping, and Death
scout_jones's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Death, Gore, Grief, Kidnapping, and Torture