laraloops's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
One of the best urban fantasy books I've had the pleasure of reading. It's a very very dark book - I would highly recommend looking up trigger warnings for the book if you are not prepared for some very dark content. The prose is beautifully written and the main character is tough but not in a grating way. I felt she and other characters were very realistic and I got attached to them very quickly.
You can tell the author really wanted to bring Yale to life in this book - the setting is very detailed and is a character in itself.
Pacing wise it was slow at the beginning but I found myself grateful for that as I had a hard time keeping track of the houses and code names. By the time you get a third of the way into the book the plot really starts picking up and it's a wild ride to the end. It was rough to get through at times, Alex (the main character) has had a depressingly sad life but I found the portrayals of the abuse she suffered felt realistic rather than gratuitous.
By the end I was immediately ready for the next book - a five star read that I would recommend to anyone who can stomach dark content and wants a well written urban fantasy.
You can tell the author really wanted to bring Yale to life in this book - the setting is very detailed and is a character in itself.
Pacing wise it was slow at the beginning but I found myself grateful for that as I had a hard time keeping track of the houses and code names. By the time you get a third of the way into the book the plot really starts picking up and it's a wild ride to the end. It was rough to get through at times, Alex (the main character) has had a depressingly sad life but I found the portrayals of the abuse she suffered felt realistic rather than gratuitous.
By the end I was immediately ready for the next book - a five star read that I would recommend to anyone who can stomach dark content and wants a well written urban fantasy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, and Child abuse
Moderate: Drug abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Emotional abuse
mirandaleighhhh's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- 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
3.75
This was slow-medium paced, mostly due to world building. I had a hard time following for at least the first 40% of the book, but by the end it was tied together. It also took some time to get used to the perspective and timeline shifts, but ultimately that is one of the more interesting aspects of the story. I loved Darlington and Dawes, I love Alex to- she’s full of fire and justice and yeah it all reads like she’s morally grey but honestly????? She’s the one with the strongest morals. I wasn’t expecting the ending, and I’m looking forward to the next book!
<spoilers>
I felt that the r*pe scene was unnecessary? I understand its purpose, but I don’t think her characterization would have suffered at all if that scene had been physical abuse rather than sexual. It seems there were enough horrifying men throughout the course of her life so far, and I just don’t know that going further with a ghost scenario in the fictional world was necessary.
I also wish there had been a little more development or detail (even an extra chapter or two) about Dawes and Darlington's relationship, and some experiences on the job between Alex and Darlington, to fill some of the gaps where the world building could have been better.
<spoilers>
I felt that the r*pe scene was unnecessary? I understand its purpose, but I don’t think her characterization would have suffered at all if that scene had been physical abuse rather than sexual. It seems there were enough horrifying men throughout the course of her life so far, and I just don’t know that going further with a ghost scenario in the fictional world was necessary.
I also wish there had been a little more development or detail (even an extra chapter or two) about Dawes and Darlington's relationship, and some experiences on the job between Alex and Darlington, to fill some of the gaps where the world building could have been better.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Addiction, Body horror, Drug abuse, Rape, Blood, Death, Sexual assault, and Violence
bezarue's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this a lot, though I think there were times where it lost the sense of its own vibes. I didn't mind it combing a murder mystery with the occult, but I'm not sure the prose was always consistent, and I don’t think the flashbacks were always employed to the best effect. I'm not sure I vibed with Alex, I'm glad she turned out to not be as pick me as she was set up to be at the beginning, but I could have done with something other than gratuitous trauma shaping her personality. I think Turner was my fave tbh. I'm almost hoping he gets to peace out of book 2. The mystery was very compelling and there were a lot of twists right up to the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gore, and Death
Moderate: Sexual assault
annaxavila's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Violence, and Drug use
Minor: Trafficking
catorureads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was... something. I wished I had checked out the trigger warnings before delving into this book because your girl was traumatised nine pages into the book. It was interesting, which was the main reason why I still continued to read this book. I feel like a lot happened while at the same time it's like nothing happened at all.
Something I heard from other reviewers was that were different time lines and that it was difficult to follow. I didn't have any problems with that so for me it wasn't that confusing. I liked Darlington the most and we got the least of him so... I also enjoyed Danes and I didn't hate Alex but she just wasn't my favorite. Plot wise, I don't have much to say. The story intrigued me but I'm writing this review a few days later and I'm starting to forget the plot already. I might pick up the next book, just not right now.
I'm still dipping my toes into the dark academia genre and I'm not sure yet if it's something for me.
Something I heard from other reviewers was that were different time lines and that it was difficult to follow. I didn't have any problems with that so for me it wasn't that confusing. I liked Darlington the most and we got the least of him so... I also enjoyed Danes and I didn't hate Alex but she just wasn't my favorite. Plot wise, I don't have much to say. The story intrigued me but I'm writing this review a few days later and I'm starting to forget the plot already. I might pick up the next book, just not right now.
I'm still dipping my toes into the dark academia genre and I'm not sure yet if it's something for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Death, Sexual assault, Body horror, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Rape, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Excrement
randirush's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence and Sexual assault
Moderate: Death and Drug use
gillianmf's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.0
I'm so glad this book is done, it's so draining, with very little plot. I had so much faith in the author and I was kinda let down
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
katiemack's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
The first third of this is tough to follow via audiobook, but once I got used to the nonlinear format and got to know the characters the events of the book start to make sense. I'm also grateful that they REALLY pick up in the second half.
Looking forward to reading Hell Bent (and hopefully seeing more of Dawes; would protect her with my life.)
Looking forward to reading Hell Bent (and hopefully seeing more of Dawes; would protect her with my life.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Sexual assault, and Rape
tarawade17's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Addiction, Drug abuse, Blood, Body horror, and Gun violence
lulucutus's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Murder, and Violence