puffins57's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Spoiler
This book is hot. I very much enjoyed the scenes and the content (although definitely triggering please check TW before reading this book). That being said, the dub-con early on was very much plainly rapey and even though it later more clearly developed into cnc, some of the earlier moments were slightly hard to read (Although the first hallway scene was incredibly hot and did leave me immediately searching for my boyfriend…). I very much enjoyed the character intros/cross-overs for those who will be stepping into the spotlight for the later books; I thought this was very well done and adds a slight sense of continuity between books despite the shift in main characters that I know is going to hook me and keep me wanting to continue the series. I also thought it was also really cool how the author incorporated various emblemas of Aladdin and character names while also completely changing the story.I loved the way Jafar emphasized the importance of a safe word and aftercare for those he was with- while there were many questionable parts of this book I always love seeing those things incorporated. The Underworld was also something I wasn’t expecting to find so hot yet very much did. Oh and Meg- more specifically Jasmines attraction to Meg and everyone’s enthusiasm to have a threesome was lovely to see. One of the only real major issues I had that took me out of the book a little bit was the way jasmine calls and jafar requests to be referred to as “Daddy”. Now I loved how he called her “Baby girl” and honorifics aren’t usually a turn off for me by any means but the way they used Daddy was a bit much for me and just seemed odd and a bit out of place.
My absolute favorite thing about this book is how Jasmine is able to finally step into her own power all by herself. As wonderful as it is to have someone search for you and defend you and come to your rescue, I love seeing the character growth and see the woman finally get the power she deserves. Also the fact that she can be so powerful yet also be Jaguars sub was a lovely inclusion :)
Graphic: Confinement, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Bullying, Classism, Cursing, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
things100's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Murder, Sexual content, Violence, and Misogyny
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Physical abuse, Alcohol, Child abuse, and Confinement
kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Blood, Sexual violence, Vomit, Bullying, Body shaming, Child abuse, Classism, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Violence
headbangerhijabi's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Murder, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Death, Sexual harassment, Violence, and Misogyny
Please check the author trigger warnings. There's some serious bdsm triggers and con-non-con in this so if that's not your thing skip this book, the series works as a set of stand alonesbecausebrenna's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Confinement
Moderate: Blood and Death of parent
Minor: Misogyny
bangiebangs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The world-building is really good (as expected from this author), and I love that the story is extra spicy (4.5/5) and has a good mix of politics/ backstory as well. It's basically a prequel to the Dark Olympus series, which I really love, so I'm eating this up!
That said, this specific book didn't blow me away, and that's likely because of the specific kinks here that just aren't my kind of kink. Not yucking anyone's yum, but the Daddy/ baby girl thing isn't doing anything good for me, and I didn't like the way that consensual non-consent is set up in the story. Somebody here wrote that the last 20 or so pages really pick up - and I can confirm that.
It has very hot scenes though, and Katee Roberts is just fantastic at writing dirty, dirty smut. I really appreciate her knowledge of BDSM, which comes through very clearly here. Also love the queerness throughout, as always.
So I would say, if you liked any of her other books, you will like this series (and probably also this book).
Side note, am already almost finished with #2 (Hades), and that is much more my jive. So I would also recommend reading this to have the basic info for the rest of the books in the series.
Graphic: Kidnapping, Misogyny, Sexual content, Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Death of parent
honeyjanvier's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Murder, Physical abuse, Blood, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Confinement
veryvexatious's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Rape, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Death, Misogyny, and Violence
Minor: War, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Slavery, Vomit, Child abuse, Blood, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Gore, Sexism, and Physical abuse
caffeinated_or_chaos's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Violence, Sexual content, Confinement, Body shaming, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Biphobia, Rape, Trafficking, and Toxic relationship
thecatconstellation's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexism, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Confinement, Murder, Misogyny, and Cursing
Minor: Rape, Blood, Vomit, Gun violence, Death of parent, and Alcohol