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irisivy's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
This book was so much more than ‘just’ a dark Beauty and the Beast retelling!
This story is not just about a princess being held captive by a beast. Rhaim is the All-Beast and has to go on certain assignments where he defeats monsters with his Mage powers. I found these assignments -and the journey to discover more about their magic- very intriguing. The tension between Rhaim and Lisane is delicious, especially the 🌶️ (dom/sub) later on. There is strong character development and multiple POVs (Rhaim and Lisane’s).
Oh, and there’s a pet! A weird but cute thing called Finx who immediately stole my heart 🥰.
This story is not just about a princess being held captive by a beast. Rhaim is the All-Beast and has to go on certain assignments where he defeats monsters with his Mage powers. I found these assignments -and the journey to discover more about their magic- very intriguing. The tension between Rhaim and Lisane is delicious, especially the 🌶️ (dom/sub) later on. There is strong character development and multiple POVs (Rhaim and Lisane’s).
Oh, and there’s a pet! A weird but cute thing called Finx who immediately stole my heart 🥰.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence and Torture
Minor: Confinement and Kidnapping
cinderellalovesbooks's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
The best character in the was the spider-cat.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Murder, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Torture, Sexism, Grief, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Gaslighting, Confinement, and Blood
ellynscoffee's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-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: Kidnapping, Confinement, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
wanderingmeek's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Bend Her by Cassie Alexander
3 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐
Trigger Warnings: Confinement, Emotional Abuse, Kidnapping, Sexism, BDSM
This book surprised me by having more substance than I expected. Shame on me. I devoured it in less than 24 hours. The plot provided was extremely character driven and the dynamics between the two main characters are enthralling. Also, the glimpses that we get of the world that these characters exist in makes me excited to continue this series. If you find yourself reading for the spice, beware this is most definitely a slow burn.
Overall worth the read.
*Spoilers Ahead*
The author bounces from the POV of Lisane, The Princess of Tears, and powerful mage known as The All-Beast, Rhaim. The dynamics between these characters go from kidnapper/captive to master/apprentice and ultimately to “lovers?”. The main source of pull that Rhaim feels towards Lisane is that she represents his death. For Lisane, Rhaim represents a power and freedom she has always craved.
The world has a magic system that excludes women. Myths surrounding infertility and bursting into flames are meant to discourage women from even attempting to master magic in any substantial way. The magic always requires a sacrifice of its wielder. Rhaim himself has to rein in and control the very real beast inside him that threatens to consume his humanity when he expends too much of his own magic. Throughout this story Lisane begins to believe that she needs to experience physical pain to access her powers that she has been conditioned her whole life to lock away and fear.
Finally…
Did I expect there to be a cute little spider cat that I fell in love with? No.
Did that exact scenario happen? Yes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Kidnapping, and Sexism
Minor: Self harm
spellboundreader's review
adventurous
dark
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
Dark fantasy romance with BDSM themes. Fair warning, the beginning of the story is mostly non consensual… but things heat up quickly. You do have to wait a while for this wonderful slow burn to ignite, and you will be desperate for the sequel to come out. (Because lord knows I am! May 2023 need to hurry up!)
Dual POV was interesting and the magic system /war is excellent for building tension.
Audiobook is also wonderful, the narrator’s did an amazing job!
Dual POV was interesting and the magic system /war is excellent for building tension.
Audiobook is also wonderful, the narrator’s did an amazing job!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence
Moderate: Kidnapping
The book has heavy BDSM themes and in the beginning they aren’t really consensual.
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