The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
rumaisaaa's review against another edition
3.5
fair warning: quite possibly one of the darkest books i have ever read.
the plot had a LOT of potential, especially with the whole religious corruption aspect and the kind of character Aero was and how Briony offset him so starkly. the whole premise of the book offered SO MUCH yet, it fell short.
Aero didn't do it for me as the MMC, whilst i get that the book was dark and i have read my fair share of morally grey men in dark romances, i didn't feel the connect with Aero. he was too brutal in his attempt to show Briony "the light" (as he so eloquently puts it). i unabashedly agree that he was the catalyst to and cause for Briony's growth. his methods worked, yes, but he was crude, unnecessarily harsh and relentless at times (read: SEVERAL).
as the main (sik) love interest, i needed his vulnerability, his softness and his affection shown more. while i do understand the darkness of his downright traumatising past and how that moulded him into who he was throughout the course of this book, i feel like his character's growth only came in the last 20 pages or so. frankly, it was a little too late for me, especially considering his actions, his words and his thoughts throughout the rest of the book. Briony quite literally overlooked everything he did and only ever saw his greater motives (which, agreed, were good when seeing the larger picture) but the disrespect she faced from him, the lack of answers, the riddles, it was too much for me.
that said, Briony's character was beautiful. her growth and empowerment were written really well. i loved how she embraced herself and let go of all her inhibitions when she realised that she didn't need to conform to the church elders. also, i LOVE LOVE LOVE the fact that she recognised that power abuse is real, even in apparently religious and 'holy' places, and decided to cut herself off from aspects of christianity that she did not believe in and yet, held onto her faith in a supreme power, despite Aero's non-believing.
tldr; didn't enjoy it as much as i hoped i would but Briony (fmc) for the win.
Graphic: Child abuse, Stalking, Death, Gore, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Torture, and Toxic relationship
naechan's review against another edition
0.5
Graphic: Kidnapping, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Pedophilia, Self harm, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, Stalking, Gun violence, Incest, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Violence
poupi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
all the secrets, the lust, the twisted and losts souls.
I am not a religious person but the notion of prohibition, of sin are well described. And you can appropriate them to see how much everything is f*uckup.
Aero is as a stalker psycho as I like.
I understand that some find similarities with the first book of Haunting Adaline. And I agree. But the story is really far from it.
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Sexual violence, Stalking, Drug use, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Rape, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent and Adult/minor relationship
kittykels's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I gave the book 4 stars instead of 3 because I think a lot of things I wish the book had done differently were personal preferences rather than actual criticisms. This book is dark and can be pretty triggering in so many different ways, but overall it was well written and a good read.
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Stalking, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
Moderate: Drug use, Gore, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Rape, Murder, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, and Gun violence
Minor: Child abuse and Alcohol
bettyswanreader's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Physical abuse, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Toxic relationship, Blood, Self harm, Sexual content, Abortion, Pedophilia, Religious bigotry, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Grief, Stalking, Torture, Death, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
beegers_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I love the main characters in this. Humans don’t get much more f*cked up than Aero and by the end of it all Briony as well. I am in love with both of them though.
This is an extreme fictional version of how messed up organized religion can be. Although very dark I’m sure it alludes to potential real life situations. Which is very unnerving and thought provoking if allowing yourself to go down that road. I don’t want to give away any spoilers so I’ll leave you with is. If you are not squeamish or easily triggered read it!!! CHECK THE WARNINGS FIRST, this is a must.
Graphic: Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Stalking, Torture, Sexual violence, and Violence
paige_77's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Stalking, Child abuse, Death, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Blood, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Adult/minor relationship, Injury/Injury detail, and Toxic relationship
brooklyn_danielle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Physical abuse, Cursing, Gun violence, Murder, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Death, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Torture, Blood, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Stalking
katsey's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexism, Self harm, Death, Violence, Cultural appropriation, Blood, Physical abuse, Cursing, Child abuse, Abandonment, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Rape, Murder, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Medical trauma, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
all_idoisreadreadread'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
5.0
Graphic: Torture, Gore, Violence, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Blood, Stalking, Sexual content, Self harm, and Murder