Reviews tagging 'Blood'

Twisted Lies by Ana Huang

113 reviews

rekii_55's review

dark emotional slow-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

3.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Blood, and Stalking

just_one_more_paige's review against another edition

dark emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

 

This is the one I’ve been waiting for since the beginning (ok well, since getting to the end of the second book and realizing that's what it was setting up for, but still) and it deliveredddddd. Definitely my favorite of the series; last one best one! Like, there was something about this one that hit all the right notes for my preferred dark romance: the truly reprehensible (and normally male) MC who develops an unbending soft spot for their romantic interest. I honestly can't get enough of reading to what lengths they would go to defend and support their person. And in this case, it was extra wonderful because of how much Christian's (frightening levels of) did for Stella's own confidence and self-perception. Maybe it wasn't always the best way to go about it, sure, but the result made my heart happy. Similarly in reverse, while it was just in relation to her, Christian's realization of his own remaining humanity, seeing himself through Stella's (optimistic, but not stupid - in her own words) eyes, is the kind of character "growth" I love in a situation like this. And of course, the levels of drama not seen in typical human life (high stakes security stuff, obscene amounts of money, stalkers and kidnappings, etc.) were as unbelievable and entertaining as always. Side shout out to Stella's lower libido and ace spectrum vibes (demi-ish) that were really mentioned openly and often on page - I don't see that a lot (ever?) in these kinds of mainstream spicy romance series, and I really appreciated it. It made me like what was already my fav of the four even more...though when the spicy scenes came, they also matched up with what Huang has provided this whole series (thumbs way way up for that). I knew I wanted this one and it hit the spot. I don’t even care how long (and perhaps sometimes repetitive) it was because I really did want to spend that much time with Stella and Christian.

“We always expected our external world to reflect our internal one, but it was situations like these that reminded me the world would go on no matter what happened to us individually. It was equal parts reassuring and depressing.”

“That was the thing about humans. We were hard-wired for survival, and we took every opportunity to convince ourselves that our problems weren't as bad as we thought they were. Hope and denial. Two sides of the same coin. They kept us from falling into a well of despair even in the darkest of times.”

“But he makes me feel like I can be anyone I want to be. Better yet, he makes me feel like I can be who I am.”

“But our lives were our own. There would always be people who were better and worse off than us. That didn't make our feelings any less valid. We could acknowledge how good we had it in some respects while criticizing other parts.” 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Murder

Moderate: Death of parent

Minor: Suicide and Pregnancy

phoenixsparks's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Stalking, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Gun violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Murder

jg34's review

dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? No

Ok these books are I think objectively not good?? Not trying to be a snob but the writing, the inconsistencies, I even seen some grammar mistakes which I have never before. The plots are outlandish and the MMCs are unbelievable the FMCS frankly boring and the stakes are unnecessarily high and don’t make sense. Not to mention these are like the same book four times. Morally gray MMC (maybe a billionaire) who CANT date FMC for whatever reason but omg they are obsessed (to a concerning degree) and can’t help it and have to f them senseless (seriously can’t any of them enjoy like… gentle… they always pounding them to a new galaxy or something). 

BUT I read them. And quickly. They are addicting!!! I don’t know why!!! Very easy to read if you get past being frustrated by the inconsistencies and just total lunacy that is the plot. Somehow I was able to. 

Do I think this book is good? No. 
Do I like it? I don’t think so. 
Did I enjoy myself??? I don’t even know if that is a yes!! 
Am I just really into smut? Absolutely not.  
WHY DID I READ THESE brb I gotta talk to my therapist about this

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Gore, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Death and Blood

Minor: Suicide and Death of parent

jax10124's review against another edition

funny mysterious tense fast-paced

• 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? It's complicated

5.0

What is in these? I inhaled this series. But this one was my favourite. The mystery dynamic maybe? Not sure exactly why but that’s what I’m going with. 

Stella is being stalked and Christian is working to protect her. I love a good protector storyline. 

Morally grey Alpha mmc 🥵 
Grumpy x sunshine ☀️ 
He washes her hair 🚿 
Slow burn! 🔥 
Good girl 😏

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Dementia, Kidnapping, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Alcohol

alexnoel94's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content and Stalking

Moderate: Blood, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail

escapeoffreality's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

• 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? It's complicated

5.0

It’s my favourite book in the series and in my opinion the perfect ending of the whole series and every characters story.♥️

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content and Stalking

Minor: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Dementia, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

emis_books's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing 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

4.5

I love Stella and Christian. It’s so sad I’m done with the whole series…
I love how Ana Huang always brings up the other couples from the other books.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Murder

Moderate: Death, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Blood, Dementia, Death of parent, and Abandonment

Minor: Emotional abuse and Vomit

I love that Stella is pregnant and that she changed Christians mind about basically everything (LOVE). And omg the way they “met”, or rather he met her.

agw622's review against another edition

dark emotional fast-paced

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

4.5

This is my favorite of the series. While still not great, the relationship is a bit healthier. I also enjoyed the overlap with her King of Sins series.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Dementia, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

irisvdn's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Blood, Stalking, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail