Reviews with content warning for Sexual assault - Deviant King

I picked this one up because it's the next book in the flipping universe. I swear Kent is about to become a new favorite author, and if I was doing those how I used to, she would be one. Anyway, I was nervous going into this one because this is the first book by Kent that needed to be a standalone. The story between Elsa and Aiden spans over three books, and they go through a lot. In this first book, we barely scratch the surface. We got to see how they met when she first went to Royal Elite, who, when he shunned her, the rest of the students bullied her relentlessly to even the present day. The present-day does take place the year after Levi and Astrid. So they've graduated already; we sometimes see them in this book. However, when I finished this book, it wasn't my favorite. I really wanted more from this world and hated the slow pace. Still, after completing this trilogy, I understand why the series started this way. I appreciated it, even though I wanted the story to speed up slightly.

Content Warnings

first_edition's review against another edition

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dark tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

So horrible! I hate weak characters. Elsa started off appearing to be a strong-willed character but fell woefully short. She was so submissive to her abusive bully; Yeah, he bullied her for 2 years AND sexually abused her more than once, and still she decided to be with him (and still he continues to manipulate her and she continues to love him). 🤮👎🏻
I read up until page 47 of 351 (14%) before I DNF and just skimmed the rest. So disappointing.

It had such potential but making Elsa so spineless and making Aiden not just a bully but a sexual abuser with very strong psycho tendencies—making both main characters unlikable—just royally fucked it up.

This story reminds me a lot of BOYS OVER FLOWERS (HANA YORI DANGO) ⬅️ Now THAT is GREAT!!❤️ Had this book followed their lead concerning the characters and making them likable, then this book could've been amazing. Instead it felt like they took BOYS OVER FLOWERS and corrupted it with Haunting Adeline to make this 💩. Such a letdown.

Content Warnings

sashasauroras's review against another edition

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dark fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

<spoilers>
so um
yeah this book was a LOT. not great to say the least like.. just no..
yeah i’m confused.. this book is just not great like plot wise and overall??

Content Warnings

salsale7's review against another edition

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dark slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

0.5

I started with this book because I see people around me loves Rina Kent's books, and I was going to start with a famous series of hers, but it turns out that all of her books are connected in some way, and there was a girl who said that we should start with this book in the world of Rina Kent so here I'm:)
It was bad
I hated a lot of things in this book, starting with the character of the ml. I was really shocked that there were people who fell for him. I mean??
I hated how foolish and indecisive the fl was ,The only thing that motivated me to complete the book other than the fact that I wanted to read the author’s next books was the fl memories I was curious to see what it would be

Content Warnings

wulethephoenix's review against another edition

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Let's just say that calling a criminal and an abuser the villain is fitting but doesn't do justice to what he actually is!
I felt uncomfortable reading everything the MMC did, and it was even more uncomfortable knowing he was just 18.

Dark romance my ass!

Content Warnings

readwthsam's review against another edition

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dark fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Content Warnings

ryann2011's review against another edition

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dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

”You’re going to love this, eventually” 😐
Well if that doesn’t just about Sum up the whole problem I had with this book. I don’t mind a dark bully romance…I’ve read and loved MANY… but this was just a bit too much noncon for me. It was basically 250 pages of SA followed up by 60 pages of intrigue and entertainment.

I’m not here to yuck on anyone’s yum so if you loved this I love that for you! Unfortunately this wasn’t for me. Other reviews have said “This is good of you can turn your feminist brain off” and that’s most likely true. I just couldn’t.

I love Rina Kent tho and I’ll continue to read her work!!!

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