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secondhandbookshelves's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-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
2.5
This was a buddy read and I waffled the entire time between liking and hating the two main characters.
This probably isn't a spoiler, but hey, let's mark it like one anyway since it talks about how the characters change during the story. (I refuse to say character development)
at first I adored Elena, strong, unflappable, smart lady that she is, and was annoyed with the buffoon who got such marvelous advice as "I say, have fun with the girl. Hell, make her cry, get her to quit, whatever you want." who then proceeded to announce (frequently) how much he would like to break her, corrupt her, destroy her, and f*ck with her. Also, this quote from his point of view: "I knew with the right training and a patient master, she would be glorious."
And immediately after that he talks for half a page about how he will force her to be his.
Big no from me 🚩🚩
Then around the halfway mark Elena had turned into a simp who could only think about being with HIM and actively goes about destroying the life shes been working for and building since age 11.....
And he suddenly was a poet who desires nothing more than her to be safe and loved and healed from her past.
In conclusion, they're both idiots and may they be happy in book two which I will not read 👍🏻
This probably isn't a spoiler, but hey, let's mark it like one anyway since it talks about how the characters change during the story. (I refuse to say character development)
And immediately after that he talks for half a page about how he will force her to be his.
Big no from me 🚩🚩
Then around the halfway mark Elena had turned into a simp who could only think about being with HIM and actively goes about destroying the life shes been working for and building since age 11.....
And he suddenly was a poet who desires nothing more than her to be safe and loved and healed from her past.
In conclusion, they're both idiots and may they be happy in book two which I will not read 👍🏻
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infertility, Misogyny, Rape, Torture, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Cursing, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Vomit, Medical content, Trafficking, Car accident, and Fire/Fire injury
ananis98's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
I have to admit it took a while for me to get into this book, but it grew on me. At first I didn’t like the dynamic between Dante and Elena and I felt like he was manipulating her and moving her on his own chess board just like everyone else in his life.
Elena is so strong-willed and determined that you just have to tip your hat to her, she’s a shark and she’s not afraid to bite the heads off anyone who stands in her way. Her unfortunate family situation and health issues just cemented her into the ice queen every attorney fears.
Dante’s brand of anti-hero was a lot more hard to swallow and even though he made his way into Elena’s heart eventually, I still feel like he was slightly imbalanced. He was the ruthless capo with no remorse for playing anyone, but he had a side of feminism and strong morals for the less fortunate. The author tried to paint him as the heartless Don and the Don with a heart of gold at the same time. Towards the end of the book it balanced out, but in the beginning he just came out as a conning asshole.
Yara was to be admired as a lawyer and a headstrong woman with balls of steel, but she grated on my nerves big time. She blindsided Elena time and again, then expected her to be a good soldier and roll with the punches. As for Cosima, she just annoyed me because she threw her sister into the deep end without her knowing all the facts and when directly asked what happened she deflected and never actually answered.
One thing Giana does excellently is the found family trope. Elena found herself surrounded by Dante’s soldati as they welcomed her into their folds and protected her as their own. Not because she means something to their boss, but because she instilled respect in them and managed to hold her own against the threats she faced. Just like the Fallen Men MC, the family they created makes you want to be a part of it and stand tall within their ranks.
Elena is so strong-willed and determined that you just have to tip your hat to her, she’s a shark and she’s not afraid to bite the heads off anyone who stands in her way. Her unfortunate family situation and health issues just cemented her into the ice queen every attorney fears.
Dante’s brand of anti-hero was a lot more hard to swallow and even though he made his way into Elena’s heart eventually, I still feel like he was slightly imbalanced. He was the ruthless capo with no remorse for playing anyone, but he had a side of feminism and strong morals for the less fortunate. The author tried to paint him as the heartless Don and the Don with a heart of gold at the same time. Towards the end of the book it balanced out, but in the beginning he just came out as a conning asshole.
Yara was to be admired as a lawyer and a headstrong woman with balls of steel, but she grated on my nerves big time. She blindsided Elena time and again, then expected her to be a good soldier and roll with the punches. As for Cosima, she just annoyed me because she threw her sister into the deep end without her knowing all the facts and when directly asked what happened she deflected and never actually answered.
One thing Giana does excellently is the found family trope. Elena found herself surrounded by Dante’s soldati as they welcomed her into their folds and protected her as their own. Not because she means something to their boss, but because she instilled respect in them and managed to hold her own against the threats she faced. Just like the Fallen Men MC, the family they created makes you want to be a part of it and stand tall within their ranks.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Slavery