Scan barcode
doahdancer's review
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
For being a short book, the sex scenes made the story drag. I'm normally gung-ho for erotica, but I personally was so intrigued by their interdynamics and the prison politics, I wished that more things had happened that might drag them apart or create more grittiness. Those desires are purely a personal preference, but it's a fact that not much happens than them having sex and Cain building his device.
That said, I loved the premise and read this on the heels of Homestead which was perfect and had the kind of development I wanted for this story.
I plan to pick up the next. Despite not getting what I wanted, this was a short, dramatic, and thrilling read and I like Kent's writing voice.
That said, I loved the premise and read this on the heels of Homestead which was perfect and had the kind of development I wanted for this story.
I plan to pick up the next. Despite not getting what I wanted, this was a short, dramatic, and thrilling read and I like Kent's writing voice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Murder, and Sexual harassment
wandering_seal's review
fast-paced
- 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? No
3.75
This would have been a better story if there was more plot and less Riana endlessly coming over and over again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
nofys's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence
bidpat's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence and Sexual harassment
smuttymcbookface's review
dark
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
After reading the kindled series, I decided to try more of Claire Kent's work since I loved it so much. Although Hold was fine, it didn't hold up to her other pieces. There was something inauthentic about the characters, and it really did feel like the lead up to a porno. Although it normally doesn't bug me, I found myself frustrated that the FMC was just coming over and over during sex. It made this monotonous to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Forced institutionalization, and Blood
Moderate: Gun violence and Sexual assault
Minor: Rape
andra_mihaela_s's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- 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? No
4.0
This Sci-Fi Romance Novella was just what I needed at the time!
We follow Riana as she tries to survive prison by giving herself to Cain, the most powerful male.
I was watchig Jenn from The Book Refuge when she mentioned this story as a good try for consensual non-consent romance for those of us not sure if we like reading such topics.
The premise seemed great and I gave it a try! I don't regret doing that at all! :)
Claire Kent managed to flesh out both MCs, some essential worldbuilding - including a little history why such prisons exists an dhow one ends up in them; some politics and a little genocide history with some race (we meet a character who's part of that race), all these between interactions in the prison, and, of course, sex scenes. >..>...pretty impressive if you ask me.
Anyway, I don't know how to discuss 200pg novellas. so I will quickly list some pros and cons:
pro:+initial scene was quite engaging;
+the stakes were high enough with an actual culmination;
+great comunication between MCs given the situation;
+atmosphere
cons:-in the end we have insta-love;
-escape plan possible in any other situation;
Overall, I really enjoyed Kent's story and, who knows, maybe I will read further in the series...>..> The next MC is interesting enough..
Trigger warnings: attempted rape, non-consensual subject of voyeurism, extreme violence
Important note: the PTSD after spending time in such a place is acknowledged properly!
Hope this review helped you in deciding if you want to try reading Hold.
Enjoy
We follow Riana as she tries to survive prison by giving herself to Cain, the most powerful male.
I was watchig Jenn from The Book Refuge when she mentioned this story as a good try for consensual non-consent romance for those of us not sure if we like reading such topics.
The premise seemed great and I gave it a try! I don't regret doing that at all! :)
Claire Kent managed to flesh out both MCs, some essential worldbuilding - including a little history why such prisons exists an dhow one ends up in them; some politics and a little genocide history with some race (we meet a character who's part of that race), all these between interactions in the prison, and, of course, sex scenes. >..>...pretty impressive if you ask me.
Anyway, I don't know how to discuss 200pg novellas. so I will quickly list some pros and cons:
pro:+initial scene was quite engaging;
+the stakes were high enough with an actual culmination;
+great comunication between MCs given the situation;
+atmosphere
cons:-in the end we have insta-love;
-escape plan possible in any other situation;
Overall, I really enjoyed Kent's story and, who knows, maybe I will read further in the series...>..> The next MC is interesting enough..
Trigger warnings: attempted rape, non-consensual subject of voyeurism, extreme violence
Important note: the PTSD after spending time in such a place is acknowledged properly!
Hope this review helped you in deciding if you want to try reading Hold.
Enjoy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Vomit, Murder, and Sexual harassment
emfass's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Read because the Bonkers Romance podcast is my new favorite thing and I immediately want to read every book they've talked about so far.
On the podcast, Jenny mentioned that this book is a great example of tight writing, where there is no extraneous plot info, you get just enough to understand what's going on but then the focus remains tightly on the characters. I guess I can see what she meant, but also I felt the writing was almost...too economical? Like I actually wanted to spend a little more time fleshing out Cain and Riana's relationship. Also I found their dialogue kind of boring, and occasionally inane, and overall I don't think it did much to further their relationship or circumstances.
The premise and plot were indeed bonkers, but my feelings about this book can be summed up as "it was fine" and I think I won't remember much about it in a few weeks time (it's been four days since I finished it and already I'm hazy on most of it).
On the podcast, Jenny mentioned that this book is a great example of tight writing, where there is no extraneous plot info, you get just enough to understand what's going on but then the focus remains tightly on the characters. I guess I can see what she meant, but also I felt the writing was almost...too economical? Like I actually wanted to spend a little more time fleshing out Cain and Riana's relationship. Also I found their dialogue kind of boring, and occasionally inane, and overall I don't think it did much to further their relationship or circumstances.
The premise and plot were indeed bonkers, but my feelings about this book can be summed up as "it was fine" and I think I won't remember much about it in a few weeks time (it's been four days since I finished it and already I'm hazy on most of it).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Misogyny, Sexual content, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death, Sexual violence, and Blood
Minor: Vomit
Many graphic threats of sexual violence; attempted rape; groping
More...