brokenrecord's review
3.0
2.5 stars. I read the first three books of this series pretty close together and all the details have kind of blended together for me at this point, so this review will serve as a review of the first three books. This series is... fine, but I had a number of issues, so I ended up just reading until Demetrius and Cody finally hooked up, and after that I didn't feel any urge to continue. The romance is technically a slow burn, but it feels like all the development happens off-page. Demetrius goes from thinking Cody is straight and couldn't possibly be interested in him to suddenly realizing Cody might be into him out of nowhere, and Cody's realization of his attraction to Demetrius similarly comes out of nowhere. The series is also a bit misogynistic. Cody refers to his ex-girlfriend Lucia as a controlling bitch at one point in the first book, and like... his sole grievance against her seems to be that they dated for a few weeks IN HIGH SCHOOL (a decade ago!!!) and then she dumped him without warning. I get he'd be upset at the time, but a decade later, when she's been perfectly nice to him since then, it seems a bit excessive to be referring to her as a controlling bitch!!! I found Cody a bit insufferable at times. I guess there was enough to enjoy about the series to make it through three books, and while the romance wasn't as developed as I'd like, I did like the bond between Cody and Demetrius. But otherwise I just didn't really care for this series.
claudia_is_reading's review
3.0
I liked this one quite a lot, I think it's the one I enjoyed the most until now. The whole SwampThing was fantastic, sure, but what it truly got me was how perfectly laid out was the importance of the friendship between these two guys was in here.
I liked that they finally are getting a clue about what they are feeling, but also seeing how unwilling they are to risk a friendship that is so precious for them. You can see it so perfectly! And I also liked that they got the courage to talk about it (overheard conversations aside :P )
And for the first time I really felt the tension when they were at the swamp, trying to rescue Aunt Amelia. And I liked Cody a bit more here, he was useful *laughs*
To the fourth book!
I liked that they finally are getting a clue about what they are feeling, but also seeing how unwilling they are to risk a friendship that is so precious for them. You can see it so perfectly! And I also liked that they got the courage to talk about it (overheard conversations aside :P )
And for the first time I really felt the tension when they were at the swamp, trying to rescue Aunt Amelia. And I liked Cody a bit more here, he was useful *laughs*
To the fourth book!
anxious_librarian's review
4.0
Okay, this book was definitely worth the wait! This case is probably the most exciting of the first three. This felt less like an investigation than the first books, with Cody and Demetrius just sort of being pulled into this monster mess amid everything else that is going on. I'm not sure I bought the whole thing, but who am I to question the nutritional needs of monsters.
My favorite part was Cody and Demetrius finally sitting down to talk about what's going on between them. It was perfect. That whole section was so real and sweet and I'm so happy for them to have everything out in the open. The final chapters were especially nice. Hope they don't screw this up!
Spoiler
Swampish Monster is eating human flesh"I just never thought I would feel this way for...this person."
Felicia gave a quiet snort and shook her head. "No one ever expects it to happen the way it does. Sometimes it can happen like a lightning strike, and other times it's like the tiny glowing ember in a fireplace that just refuses to go out. It's love. It refuses to be defined or explained."
My favorite part was Cody and Demetrius finally sitting down to talk about what's going on between them. It was perfect. That whole section was so real and sweet and I'm so happy for them to have everything out in the open. The final chapters were especially nice. Hope they don't screw this up!
prgchrqltma's review
4.0
Just as cute and fluffy as the previous ones. The guys are still best friends, and they've matured a bit, but are just as guy-ish as before. Hurray! They finally get together.
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