laurenbaker1604's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- 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
tallyvauthor's review against another edition
2.0
A solid extreme meh. I just couldn't get into it. I like the elements of it but I think I need to reread the first one and read this one again. But it just wasn't the vibe. I blame Wolff for giving me the book hangover but this book was just all over the place. I never knew what was happening.
bethanypaisley's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mirpanda277's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
It's taken me almost a year to finish this book! Even though most of that time I had only about 150 pages left. Why? I'd say for the same reason I devoured the first book. I crave (and craved) romance tropes like fake dating/marriage leading to love-love (plus enemies to lovers). Blood & Honey is the reality after that--two people trying to grow and stay together. Rose-colored glasses/honeymoon over. What a real relationship is often like. And that's a tougher read. And, knowing it's the second in a trilogy, I knew there had to be wedges placed in between Reid and Lou. And that's not fun to read.
But that's all a matter of taste/mood. I don't have any solid critiques to give. Something close to a critique is sometimes I was like "What is happening?! I don't understand what these words mean!!" But I don't know if that's messy writing or the super long breaks in between reading that had me clueless.
It's taken me almost a year to finish this book! Even though most of that time I had only about 150 pages left. Why? I'd say for the same reason I devoured the first book. I crave (and craved) romance tropes like fake dating/marriage leading to love-love (plus enemies to lovers). Blood & Honey is the reality after that--two people trying to grow and stay together. Rose-colored glasses/honeymoon over. What a real relationship is often like. And that's a tougher read. And, knowing it's the second in a trilogy, I knew there had to be wedges placed in between Reid and Lou. And that's not fun to read.
But that's all a matter of taste/mood. I don't have any solid critiques to give. Something close to a critique is sometimes I was like "What is happening?! I don't understand what these words mean!!" But I don't know if that's messy writing or the super long breaks in between reading that had me clueless.
beckiesophie11's review against another edition
4.0
This book... well I loved it!
Though I did struggle with the beginning (though I know that’s mine and my schedule’s fault), this sequel was really wonderful.
It made me cry, it made me laugh. Honestly, this book has such interesting characters - all flawed and obstinate - and a crazy, manipulative and volatile villain. I want to see more of the legends and magic that made her this way
While I did begin to get annoyed with Reid’s sense of self-righteousness, I feel that this ultimately adds the the appeal! For me it’s refreshing to have characters you don’t always like - imperfect protagonists are, in my eyes, the most effective in storytelling.
I love the stories that Shelby tells and I can’t wait for Gods & Monsters
Though I did struggle with the beginning (though I know that’s mine and my schedule’s fault), this sequel was really wonderful.
It made me cry, it made me laugh. Honestly, this book has such interesting characters - all flawed and obstinate - and a crazy, manipulative and volatile villain. I want to see more of the legends and magic that made her this way
While I did begin to get annoyed with Reid’s sense of self-righteousness, I feel that this ultimately adds the the appeal! For me it’s refreshing to have characters you don’t always like - imperfect protagonists are, in my eyes, the most effective in storytelling.
I love the stories that Shelby tells and I can’t wait for Gods & Monsters
jessica029's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
adele1015's review against another edition
3.0
Twilight breaking dawn but with witches, I don't get why the story was dragged out for soooo long, nothing REALLY happened until the end, both Reid and Lou have PROBLEMS, it pained me to watch their relationship in this book, and at the end when Claud could've killed Morgane??? He let her go, just like that? Even after saying that they are disappointed in her?? I saw Ansel's death from a mile away
gaabriela333's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
3.5
puki's review against another edition
3.0
***SPOILERS***
If I had to describe this book in one word, it'd be: FRUSTRATING.
This book made me want to scream my lungs out. I only found out through other reviews that this series was supposed to be a duology instead of a trilogy and to be honest...it shows.
I wouldn't say the plot is boring, it's just super stretched our with lots of filler scenes that do nothing to advance the plot. I still really love the writing and there were interesting plot points, but I still skipped a lot of passages, because they bored me.
And what the hell happened to the characters. I get that they went through something super traumatic, but it's like everyone did a 180 personality change.
Beau, Labeille and Ansel are fine. I like them, they're fun characters. Especially Beau, who gave some much needed comedic relief. But the other three? Nope nope nope nope.
Coco was a really fun character and I hate to see her being pushed into the background that much. I can't remember any memorable scene where she showed us what a badass she is. Not even in the Dames Rouge camp. Also that thing between her and Ansel... Does it have any purpose? Why is that even a thing? And using him to make Beau jealous, leading him on... Not cool.
Lou, Lou, Lou. What can I say. I love me some badass female leads and I have to admit I enjoyed watching her use her powers, even though that was meant to represent her decent into madness I couldn't help but cheer her on. What makes me mad is that everyone knows something is wrong, everyone is worried and scared, BUT NO ONE TRIES TO HELP HER. It's like you are seeing a person crossing the street and a car is approaching, but instead of pulling them aside oder just calling out a warning, you murmur to yourself "Oh, dear..." and then proceed to watch silently. Great friends. Really.
Reid made me feel various emotions. None of which I particularly wanted to feel regarding him. Anger. Frustration. The desperate need to punch him in the dick. It's like he's a shell of what he used to be (which understandable, he found out he's something he hated all his life, killed his father figure, ect.), but come on... He has this compulsive need to protect Lou, but simultaneously pushes her as far away from her as he can. First of all, ma gurl does not need protection. Least of all YOURS. Second of all he rejects her all the time and makes her feel like isn't she's worth the dirt under his feet, but when she rejects him she has the AUDACITY to whine like a baby. HOW DARE YOU. Its also breaks my heart watching her tell him how much she loves him and him not giving a shit. Great husband. Husband of the year. Here's you trophy:
If I had to describe this book in one word, it'd be: FRUSTRATING.
This book made me want to scream my lungs out. I only found out through other reviews that this series was supposed to be a duology instead of a trilogy and to be honest...it shows.
I wouldn't say the plot is boring, it's just super stretched our with lots of filler scenes that do nothing to advance the plot. I still really love the writing and there were interesting plot points, but I still skipped a lot of passages, because they bored me.
And what the hell happened to the characters. I get that they went through something super traumatic, but it's like everyone did a 180 personality change.
Beau, Labeille and Ansel are fine. I like them, they're fun characters. Especially Beau, who gave some much needed comedic relief. But the other three? Nope nope nope nope.
Coco was a really fun character and I hate to see her being pushed into the background that much. I can't remember any memorable scene where she showed us what a badass she is. Not even in the Dames Rouge camp. Also that thing between her and Ansel... Does it have any purpose? Why is that even a thing? And using him to make Beau jealous, leading him on... Not cool.
Lou, Lou, Lou. What can I say. I love me some badass female leads and I have to admit I enjoyed watching her use her powers, even though that was meant to represent her decent into madness I couldn't help but cheer her on. What makes me mad is that everyone knows something is wrong, everyone is worried and scared, BUT NO ONE TRIES TO HELP HER. It's like you are seeing a person crossing the street and a car is approaching, but instead of pulling them aside oder just calling out a warning, you murmur to yourself "Oh, dear..." and then proceed to watch silently. Great friends. Really.
Reid made me feel various emotions. None of which I particularly wanted to feel regarding him. Anger. Frustration. The desperate need to punch him in the dick. It's like he's a shell of what he used to be (which understandable, he found out he's something he hated all his life, killed his father figure, ect.), but come on... He has this compulsive need to protect Lou, but simultaneously pushes her as far away from her as he can. First of all, ma gurl does not need protection. Least of all YOURS. Second of all he rejects her all the time and makes her feel like isn't she's worth the dirt under his feet, but when she rejects him she has the AUDACITY to whine like a baby. HOW DARE YOU. Its also breaks my heart watching her tell him how much she loves him and him not giving a shit. Great husband. Husband of the year. Here's you trophy: