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katievallin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Violence, Blood, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Sexual content and Murder
Minor: Sexism, Death of parent, and Classism
thecolouryes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, and Classism
Minor: Body horror, Misogyny, Sexism, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
pedanther's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
It says something that I've gone on so long about the book: I don't usually have this much to say about books I really dislike (or books I really like). This one's in that middle ground where it was good enough that I want to be just to it, but not good enough that I really liked it. Not sorry I gave it a shot, not likely to read any of the sequels.
Graphic: Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, and Classism
Moderate: Body horror, Body shaming, Confinement, Hate crime, Racism, Sexism, Blood, Stalking, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Infertility, Mental illness, Self harm, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, and War
booksthatburn's review against another edition
- 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
Alexia and the London werewolf Alpha, Conall, have chemistry built on mutual annoyance. He enjoys someone who will surprise and stand up to him (a limited commodity when one is the Alpha of a pack of werewolves), and she seems surprised when annoying him for fun turns into something more. Professor Lyall is his Beta, a competent and unassuming older werewolf who is a quiet, steady presence. Ivy, Alexia’s hat-obsessed friend, is one of my favorite characters but this isn’t yet the book where she shines. Lord Akeldama is a flamboyant and well-informed vampire who is utterly delightful.
The worldbuilding is cohesive and worked naturally into the story. Alexia and Conall both have to think in order to stay in step with social expectations (or notice whenever they flout them), which provides opportunities for many details about the setting without distracting from the story. I read this series so many times in high school that I’m having trouble distilling my thoughts about the series generally into what just applies to this book. It sets up the cephalopod-obsessed organization which will continue to have a presence in the series, as well as establishing (at least by mention) many of the characters who will matter as the series continues.
I love this series and it’s so nice to dive into it again.
Graphic: Confinement, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death, Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Torture, Xenophobia, and Murder
Minor: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Dementia, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and War
mallorypen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I did like the characterization of Alexia, and the variety of personalities was well done. The scenes of Maccon slowly losing his control were pleasantly spicy.
But the narration, combined with some odd leaps in the storyline and the introduction of the villain right at the very end, took me out of the story enough to remove three stars.
Moderate: Violence and Murder
the_disreputable_dog's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Racism, Sexual content, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, and Classism
Minor: Body shaming, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Violence
saffire_sky's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Torture
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body horror, Misogyny, and Sexism