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brook_price's review against another edition
3.5
It took me a while, like 25% to get into this but once I did it was off to the races. As the characters aged and the world building started to pay off I really fell in love with the story. I’ve read other reviews and totally get the criticism regarding the age difference but idk guys, mystical moon magic and sparkly vampires mates are gonna do what they’re gonna do. I think that my disbelief was already suspended with the wolves, so the age gap wasn’t quite as upsetting but idk, I’ll have to sit with this element of the story for longer to really parse out my feelings.
Anyway, where this book shined the most for me was the final third, holy shit. I want to read an entire novel that goes as hard as the final third of this book did. The way grief, and loss, and personal growth, and choosing whether or not to let an old lover back into your life was handled was some of the best fantasy writing and reading exerperience I’ve ever had. Also props to Klune for his incredible fight choreography.
Now for the cons - though I get the reasoning behind all the repetition, it was a bit distracting for me overall. The phrase “my daddy always said the world was gonna give me shit” took me out of the bliss bubble i was in while reading every single time. I also felt that it took a while for the family members to really have any personality outside of “nice,” “brothers” and “alpha”. I get that some of these issues can be excused as character chooses, ox is young at the start of the book and therefore his perspective and ability to understand nuance in the people around him is limited but still.
All in all, I think I’m going to move forward with this series, I really enjoy the world, the character dynamics, and the little seeds that were planted for future plot expansion. I’m glad I picked this up!
Anyway, where this book shined the most for me was the final third, holy shit. I want to read an entire novel that goes as hard as the final third of this book did. The way grief, and loss, and personal growth, and choosing whether or not to let an old lover back into your life was handled was some of the best fantasy writing and reading exerperience I’ve ever had. Also props to Klune for his incredible fight choreography.
Now for the cons - though I get the reasoning behind all the repetition, it was a bit distracting for me overall. The phrase “my daddy always said the world was gonna give me shit” took me out of the bliss bubble i was in while reading every single time. I also felt that it took a while for the family members to really have any personality outside of “nice,” “brothers” and “alpha”. I get that some of these issues can be excused as character chooses, ox is young at the start of the book and therefore his perspective and ability to understand nuance in the people around him is limited but still.
All in all, I think I’m going to move forward with this series, I really enjoy the world, the character dynamics, and the little seeds that were planted for future plot expansion. I’m glad I picked this up!
samip7's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
You know, I just don't think this book was for me and that's OK!
Overall, my biggest thing was I couldn't get past the uncomfortable age gap and it was a choice that I just didn't understand. Also, the main story didn't really start until halfway through and I think a lot of content could've been cut away.
What I did enjoy was the queer representation and the found family trope. I really enjoyed a lot of the side characters and their banter. It definitely felt like coming home in some parts. Also, we love gay werewolves and witches, hell yeah!
Overall, my biggest thing was I couldn't get past the uncomfortable age gap and it was a choice that I just didn't understand. Also, the main story didn't really start until halfway through and I think a lot of content could've been cut away.
What I did enjoy was the queer representation and the found family trope. I really enjoyed a lot of the side characters and their banter. It definitely felt like coming home in some parts. Also, we love gay werewolves and witches, hell yeah!
tuckeralmengor's review against another edition
2.0
I know a lot of things about love and honey, this ain't it. This book went on for WAY too long. It was repetitive, irksome and at times rape-y. Can we please stop with the "I did [insert toxic behavior] to protect you" trope? It's unhealthy and not fun to read. I'm so disappointed because this author clearly has talent. The book had such a cool vibe and the sex scenes were phenomenal but it went in a direction that was just not fun to read at all
delta_01's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
lauragracel's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
megang815's review against another edition
DNF'd at 15%. Don't mind age gaps in romance but the ages of the two eventual love interests from the start and their interactions gave me the ick. Also didn't like how when Ox decides to have other people in his life outside the 'family', it's almost demonised which I found toxic. I've loved all standalones by this author but this series just isn't for me.
harley09's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.5