beckiebookworm1974's review
4.0
I enjoyed this a lot and it was an intriguing beginning to the series. It’s a medium-burn reverse harem set in a bleak post-apocalyptic landscape. A war has decimated the planet and the fallout has caused mutations in the now mostly male populace which outnumber the females 100-1.
Rhea is a female trying to survive under a cruel master this new-world isn’t kind to females so she tries to keep her head down and survive the best way she knows how. She’s always known she was different but to be labelled the freak she is would place a target firmly on her head. Not able to stand by whilst others are unfairly targeted she places herself in danger earning herself some swift reprisals. Now rescued by these so-called freaks Rhea finds for the first time in her life with the ability to embrace exactly who she is.
I loved the whole circus idea and found this an imaginative easy read. A adored Rhea as a character and felt all of the introduced harem here was distinct in their individual personality’s. We have Nix stoic silent and strong but the protector of the group. Rex is the one that relies on his instincts attune with his animistic self. Jesse is all laughter and boyish charm whilst Blain is the venom and rage. Finally, we have Alcide the ringmaster and puppeteer. Every one of them brings something different and Rhea finds herself falling for them all equally.
We have danger and persecution from outside forces, some added internal strife by Rhea’s sudden addition to the family. This all cultivates in a dramatic showdown that brings them all closer together as a solid unit. This didn’t end in a dramatic cliffhanger but I’m still excited to explore where this will go next and despite this one being of medium burn and heat, there was some definite chemistry combined with lots of building tension. This was an interesting start that easily managed to pull me into the unfolding narrative
Rhea is a female trying to survive under a cruel master this new-world isn’t kind to females so she tries to keep her head down and survive the best way she knows how. She’s always known she was different but to be labelled the freak she is would place a target firmly on her head. Not able to stand by whilst others are unfairly targeted she places herself in danger earning herself some swift reprisals. Now rescued by these so-called freaks Rhea finds for the first time in her life with the ability to embrace exactly who she is.
I loved the whole circus idea and found this an imaginative easy read. A adored Rhea as a character and felt all of the introduced harem here was distinct in their individual personality’s. We have Nix stoic silent and strong but the protector of the group. Rex is the one that relies on his instincts attune with his animistic self. Jesse is all laughter and boyish charm whilst Blain is the venom and rage. Finally, we have Alcide the ringmaster and puppeteer. Every one of them brings something different and Rhea finds herself falling for them all equally.
We have danger and persecution from outside forces, some added internal strife by Rhea’s sudden addition to the family. This all cultivates in a dramatic showdown that brings them all closer together as a solid unit. This didn’t end in a dramatic cliffhanger but I’m still excited to explore where this will go next and despite this one being of medium burn and heat, there was some definite chemistry combined with lots of building tension. This was an interesting start that easily managed to pull me into the unfolding narrative
bunnerz's review
2.0
I love all the guys in the harem and the post-apocalyptic circus setting of the book, but the relationships between the characters were very shallow, and they all felt in love for each other way too easily, especially with Rhea's abused background and the dystopian society.
Blain was an asshole all the time just to be an asshole, and it got pretty irritating after half the book. I understand that he had a bad background that is later revealed, but you would think that he'd learn be more careful with his words.
Alcide the circus owner also kept trying to push everyone's freak powers all the time without common safety measures which was honestly insane. For example, His reasoning was just that everyone needed to push themselves further as quick as possible to protect themselves in case of an attack - pretty weak logic IMO for such harsh training measures.
I also thought that the threat of kidnapping and rape as a breeder got a bit repetitive after a while. Yes, it's a real danger in this dystopian world with few females, but there are more ways to lure Rhea off other than just hitting her in the head and having her wake up chained.
And Rhea herself... was a rather magical Mary Sue. Almost everyone immediately loves her except if they're obviously villainous in the book. Fluffy the mutant lion hated everyone except Rex, but Rhea was immediately able to cuddle with him upon first meeting. Nixon the giant would get in these huge rages that nobody could control (even Alcide with his charming abilities?), but on first meeting, Rhea went up to him and calmed him down. She would get herself into trouble, but she'd always show some new magical ability to save herself in the nick of time, or one of the guys would manage to track her down before anything serious happened. I'm also very skeptical how she could manage to live 20+ years and still remain a virgin in this dystopian world....
The giant mess of a hunter battle at the end of the book was just too much too fast. So many characters were killed off and severely injured, but I didn't feel that much empathy. The "redemption" of
I was pretty meh about this book as a whole, but was especially underwhelmed by the conclusion of this book with the hunter battle. The timing of the intimate scenes and the scenes in general were also a bit awkward and not that steamy. I will not be continuing this series.
Blain was an asshole all the time just to be an asshole, and it got pretty irritating after half the book. I understand that he had a bad background that is later revealed, but you would think that he'd learn be more careful with his words.
Alcide the circus owner also kept trying to push everyone's freak powers all the time without common safety measures which was honestly insane. For example,
Spoiler
shoving Rhea in an enclosed water tank to force her to adapt and make gills when everyone knew she couldn't swim was a bit over the top.I also thought that the threat of kidnapping and rape as a breeder got a bit repetitive after a while. Yes, it's a real danger in this dystopian world with few females, but there are more ways to lure Rhea off other than just hitting her in the head and having her wake up chained.
And Rhea herself... was a rather magical Mary Sue. Almost everyone immediately loves her except if they're obviously villainous in the book. Fluffy the mutant lion hated everyone except Rex, but Rhea was immediately able to cuddle with him upon first meeting. Nixon the giant would get in these huge rages that nobody could control (even Alcide with his charming abilities?), but on first meeting, Rhea went up to him and calmed him down. She would get herself into trouble, but she'd always show some new magical ability to save herself in the nick of time, or one of the guys would manage to track her down before anything serious happened. I'm also very skeptical how she could manage to live 20+ years and still remain a virgin in this dystopian world....
The giant mess of a hunter battle at the end of the book was just too much too fast. So many characters were killed off and severely injured, but I didn't feel that much empathy. The "redemption" of
Spoiler
Esme in the final battle was pretty weak. Considering all the traitorous behavior, I don't think it deserved a second chance in this dystopian world.I was pretty meh about this book as a whole, but was especially underwhelmed by the conclusion of this book with the hunter battle. The timing of the intimate scenes and the scenes in general were also a bit awkward and not that steamy. I will not be continuing this series.
bookish_dandan's review
5.0
This book is so much more than I thought it would be! I absolutely love the characters and how they are starting to develop in this first book! I thought this would be a lot harsher given the trigger warnings, but it was actually so sweet. So excited to see Rhea discover who she is and find her home and family!
savyjewell's review
5.0
So good!
I loved this book. It pulled me in from the very beginning. Rhea is a BA, especially in the world she lives in. I loved the whole concept of the circus and one big family. Hopefully there is another book.
I loved this book. It pulled me in from the very beginning. Rhea is a BA, especially in the world she lives in. I loved the whole concept of the circus and one big family. Hopefully there is another book.
hellegade's review
5.0
I immediately fell in love with this book. I totally want to be one of the freaks. I just don't know how I'm going to wait until book two. #Bookhangover
Action level good
Hotness level smouldering
Emotional level sky high
Action level good
Hotness level smouldering
Emotional level sky high
hellegade's review against another edition
5.0
I immediately fell in love with this book. I totally want to be one of the freaks. I just don't know how I'm going to wait until book two. #Bookhangover
Action level good
Hotness level smouldering
Emotional level sky high
Action level good
Hotness level smouldering
Emotional level sky high
schles5's review
4.0
I love this book, whY a concept, dystopian with circus freaks thrown in, what can go wrong. Everything goes wrong and right. I love these men and Rhea and I can't wait to see what's next for them!!!
tiffiny's review
1.0
DNF 72% While there was good editing for grammatical errors, the story was shite. No character development, world building, relationship growth...nada. It was repetitive, several instances occurring multiple times over. Overall juvenile writing style.
Seriously confused as to how this received so many 5 stars....
Seriously confused as to how this received so many 5 stars....
More...