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madiireynolds's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
pandachrissan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.5
If I am to be her enemy, I want it to be because she loathes herself for wanting me.
I really liked it, it was a very fun read, especially because of the banter and the tension, here an example:
‘So, you just want me? No powers?’
‘Yes. I just want you,’ she breathes, annoyed with me. My mouth twists into a crooked grin. ‘I knew you wanted me, Gray.’
It really made me laugh, giggle and grin a few times.
At the beginning I actually had a hard time to get into the story, because it was kinda Hunger Games vibes with supernatural powers, predictable in some aspects, not moving forward and very trope-driven (what isn't necessarily a bad thing), but from the half of the book the author got me hooked completely, it got more and more interesting. The Fantasy world is creative and unique I think. And Kai is such a sweet guy and a gentleman.
But for your information: It was not really enemies to lovers, like described, more like Insta-Attraction and forbidden love or sth like this, they have to hate eachother but actually don't.
I definitely gonna read the second book, I'm so excited for this, especially because there was no relief to the tension, as there wasn't even one real kiss and this end omg.
I really was just gasping the whole time in the end and sitting there with my mouth open in complete shock.
All in all a book, which shows, that even if you maybe seem powerless, you can still have the power to reach bigger things.
I really liked it, it was a very fun read, especially because of the banter and the tension, here an example:
‘So, you just want me? No powers?’
‘Yes. I just want you,’ she breathes, annoyed with me. My mouth twists into a crooked grin. ‘I knew you wanted me, Gray.’
It really made me laugh, giggle and grin a few times.
At the beginning I actually had a hard time to get into the story, because it was kinda Hunger Games vibes with supernatural powers, predictable in some aspects, not moving forward and very trope-driven (what isn't necessarily a bad thing), but from the half of the book the author got me hooked completely, it got more and more interesting. The Fantasy world is creative and unique I think. And Kai is such a sweet guy and a gentleman.
But for your information: It was not really enemies to lovers, like described, more like Insta-Attraction and forbidden love or sth like this, they have to hate eachother but actually don't.
I definitely gonna read the second book, I'm so excited for this, especially because there was no relief to the tension, as there wasn't even one real kiss and this end omg.
I really was just gasping the whole time in the end and sitting there with my mouth open in complete shock.
All in all a book, which shows, that even if you maybe seem powerless, you can still have the power to reach bigger things.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Genocide, Grief, Death of parent, and Pandemic/Epidemic
sherlene_06's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.75
I LOVED LOVED LOVED THIS BOOK. OH MY GOSH. I'M STILL GUSHING OVER IT AND IN DISBELIEF WITH THE ENDING. THE GOOSEBUMPS I GOT WHEN KITT SAID THAT HE LIKED BEING CALLED YOUR MAJESTY
Anyway, Roberts' description and writing style were devastatingly beautiful, especially when it came to such strong feelings of grief, anger, love, and desire and more so when she described Paedyn's claustrophobia, it felt so real (I have it, too). The very familiar feeling put into words made me feel everything in real-time while I read it. Oh, and the way she wrote the fight scenes was easy to picture and follow through, but there was a lot of predictability when it came to her father's death.
I loved every banter between Paedyn and Kai, so fun, so sensual, so sarcastic and so dangerous; and I loved every single thought and every single word that was written in Kai's POV, it was such a delicious meal to devour.
The only thing I didn't like much is the repetitiveness in some parts of the story, like the word 'huff' was used a lot and I'm pretty sure there are better descriptors to use alternatively, oh and also the phrase 'seeing spots' or something like that every time Paedyn or Kai was hit in the head. Even Paedyn's silver hair was mentioned excruciatingly many times.
I can't wait to devour the sequels. Hoping for a happy ending between Kai and Paedyn, because oh my gosh, I almost cried when Kai said he would never again make the mistake of feeling for her
Anyway, Roberts' description and writing style were devastatingly beautiful, especially when it came to such strong feelings of grief, anger, love, and desire and more so when she described Paedyn's claustrophobia, it felt so real (I have it, too). The very familiar feeling put into words made me feel everything in real-time while I read it. Oh, and the way she wrote the fight scenes was easy to picture and follow through, but there was a lot of predictability when it came to her father's death.
I loved every banter between Paedyn and Kai, so fun, so sensual, so sarcastic and so dangerous; and I loved every single thought and every single word that was written in Kai's POV, it was such a delicious meal to devour.
The only thing I didn't like much is the repetitiveness in some parts of the story, like the word 'huff' was used a lot and I'm pretty sure there are better descriptors to use alternatively, oh and also the phrase 'seeing spots' or something like that every time Paedyn or Kai was hit in the head. Even Paedyn's silver hair was mentioned excruciatingly many times.
I can't wait to devour the sequels. Hoping for a happy ending between Kai and Paedyn, because oh my gosh, I almost cried when Kai said
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Genocide, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Alcohol, and Classism
chl03_01's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Adored this book, seriously Lauren is so talented!! I sobbed to this book, giggled to this book and screamed at it (how I know it’s a good book) But it took me ages to get through and actually got me into a reading slump, very shocking. But it was so disgustingly beautiful and detailed, I could imagine the scenes, the gruesome ones and the fluffy ones. But due to it getting me into a reading slump, it isn’t a 5⭐️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing
amiedawn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- 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? Yes
4.0
Overall an enjoyable read. I enjoyed the romantic tension between the characters. In a way it reminded me of reading dystopian books back in the 2010s. I consider the similarities to be more homage to other books than copying, and I enjoyed seeing elements of ”Hunger Games” and “Red Queen”.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Violence and Blood
morreads's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent
nikimorr's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Book Tok sold me on this book as it has many others. I love romantasy, but I am not normally interested in YA books. Adults far and wide said it’s worth it, and in many ways it is, but it is still very much YA in writing and story, often lacking in detail and maturity. However, the plot ends up making it worth it.
This story is set in a world where a disease (the Plague) led to some people getting powers/heightened senses, while others remained unchanged. It is told from multiple POVs - Paedyn is an “Ordinary,” homeless and living on the streets, barely surviving and hiding who she is (and her lack of power) while living in a world that has purged anyone that lacks powers. Kai is a Prince with the unique ability to use the powers of anyone around him, and who happens to hunt and kill those that are Ordinary. Their two worlds collide when they are thrown together for the Trials - a bloody set of tests on teenagers in honor of the purge that eradicated most of those that are Ordinary.
I almost fell disappointed. By the end of the first half of the book, I was struggling to want to pick it up. Although Paedyn and Kai had all the romantic tension and banter, I just was not sold on them as a couple or even as individuals. However, once the Trials actually started, I really began to enjoy the book. It is very reminiscent of The Hunger Games with youth fighting to the death for the entertainment of others. In many other ways, however, this book is unique, and I was drawn in to the plot, wanting to know what is next. I also began to cheer for Paedyn and Kai, buying into their romance more and more as they endured the Trials together. If you love forbidden romances and “touch her and die,” these tropes are heavy in this book.
Despite me initial disappointment, once the plot picked up, it is well worth the finish, and now I am excited to pick up the sequel.
I loved the ending, especially now that Kai is hunting Paedyn. Both have killed the other’s father, so you know there is a lot of conflict to come (although we all know that they will not be able to resist each other). There is so much potential to come!
This story is set in a world where a disease (the Plague) led to some people getting powers/heightened senses, while others remained unchanged. It is told from multiple POVs - Paedyn is an “Ordinary,” homeless and living on the streets, barely surviving and hiding who she is (and her lack of power) while living in a world that has purged anyone that lacks powers. Kai is a Prince with the unique ability to use the powers of anyone around him, and who happens to hunt and kill those that are Ordinary. Their two worlds collide when they are thrown together for the Trials - a bloody set of tests on teenagers in honor of the purge that eradicated most of those that are Ordinary.
I almost fell disappointed. By the end of the first half of the book, I was struggling to want to pick it up. Although Paedyn and Kai had all the romantic tension and banter, I just was not sold on them as a couple or even as individuals. However, once the Trials actually started, I really began to enjoy the book. It is very reminiscent of The Hunger Games with youth fighting to the death for the entertainment of others. In many other ways, however, this book is unique, and I was drawn in to the plot, wanting to know what is next. I also began to cheer for Paedyn and Kai, buying into their romance more and more as they endured the Trials together. If you love forbidden romances and “touch her and die,” these tropes are heavy in this book.
Despite me initial disappointment, once the plot picked up, it is well worth the finish, and now I am excited to pick up the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, and Police brutality
marai232's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, Vomit, Medical content, and Gaslighting
Minor: Sexual harassment
jehansen127's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
poetsofsweetpea's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Genuinely enjoyed this YA(maybe, fairly violent) romantsy novel. It was an enemies to lovers, slow burn, potential for love triangle, and a competition story.
I was fairly engaged, and the pacing was excellent until towards the end when I spent way too much time in the characters' heads thinking about how amazing the other characters were..
I liked the characters. They were complex and actually a little villainous, so if morally gray is not your color, this might not be the book for you.
The magic system was fascinating, and the way it was interwoven into the plot was genius.
I'll probably check out the sequel and novella
I was fairly engaged, and the pacing was excellent until towards the end when I spent way too much time in the characters' heads thinking about how amazing the other characters were..
I liked the characters. They were complex and actually a little villainous, so if morally gray is not your color, this might not be the book for you.
The magic system was fascinating, and the way it was interwoven into the plot was genius.
I'll probably check out the sequel and novella
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic