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renereadsthings's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The writing style in this book is very blunt and matter of fact. The character mercy is also extremely confident in themselves so character growth isn’t found much through the plot. The way the author explains things is very straight forward but the plot seems disjointed
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Kidnapping
Minor: Death of parent
house_of_hannah's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This is a book that I definitely would not have picked up normally. I dislike the cover, and the summary leaves a lot to be desired. However, I've been interested lately in trying out the Urban Fantasy genre as, besides Moon Called, I think I only read one book in this genre this year. Several Booktubers I follow have given this series some major praise, so I figured I'd give it a try and see for myself. In the end I'd rate this a high 3, because I do think it's above average, but a low 4.
To start off the pace of this story is slower than you would expect. Only a few days pass by in the entire book, but it feels like weeks. I did find it a bit difficult to stay invested in the book, so I did take a break from reading this for a few weeks to read some shorter stories. However, once I hit about the 60% mark of the book I couldn't put it down.
I do really enjoy the way that the Werewolves and Vampires are portrayed. Or at least for the most part. Their history and way of life is interesting, but the whole, "omg, there's two males in the same space as a woman, they are going to fight over her!!" shtick got old really fast. Essentially every male Mercy encounters wants to "make her theirs", so there's a lot of metaphorical dick swinging as everyone clambers over each other to get to her.
The mystery itself I found intriguing, and was a clever way to introduce part of the world the story takes place in. This is what I was invested in during the last half of the book, but unfortunately the climax is a little lacking. I found myself thinking, "wait, that's it?" and re-reading a few paragraphs to make sure I understood it right.
Overall, there is quite a bit of tension, action (the non-sexual kind), lore, and mystery in this novel. I did enjoy it more than I was expecting I would, but it's not without it's flaws. I am unsure if I will continue with the series, but if I do it will be a few months before I pick up the second book.
To start off the pace of this story is slower than you would expect. Only a few days pass by in the entire book, but it feels like weeks. I did find it a bit difficult to stay invested in the book, so I did take a break from reading this for a few weeks to read some shorter stories. However, once I hit about the 60% mark of the book I couldn't put it down.
I do really enjoy the way that the Werewolves and Vampires are portrayed. Or at least for the most part. Their history and way of life is interesting, but the whole, "omg, there's two males in the same space as a woman, they are going to fight over her!!" shtick got old really fast. Essentially every male Mercy encounters wants to "make her theirs", so there's a lot of metaphorical dick swinging as everyone clambers over each other to get to her.
The mystery itself I found intriguing, and was a clever way to introduce part of the world the story takes place in. This is what I was invested in during the last half of the book, but unfortunately the climax is a little lacking. I found myself thinking, "wait, that's it?" and re-reading a few paragraphs to make sure I understood it right.
Overall, there is quite a bit of tension, action (the non-sexual kind), lore, and mystery in this novel. I did enjoy it more than I was expecting I would, but it's not without it's flaws. I am unsure if I will continue with the series, but if I do it will be a few months before I pick up the second book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Body horror, Drug use, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Rape, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
the_escapist's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, and Kidnapping
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Cancer, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Pedophilia, and Murder
vexbatch's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Torture, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexism, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
mybookishdelights's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
[Third Read - 2022 - 5 stars]
Loved this reread. I can't help it; I just love this series so much. Bumped it up to a 5 star.
CAWPILE Score: 9.43 = 5 stars
Characters: 10
Atmosphere: 9
Writing: 10
Plot: 9
Intrigue: 9
Logic: 9
Enjoyment: 10
[Second Read - 2019 - 4 stars]
I enjoyed this one the second time around as much as I did the first. I really like Mercy as a character. I like her loyalty and bravery, especially when she's afraid. I'm happy to be reading this series again.
Challenges:
2019 Goodreads Challenge
2019 Alphabet Challenge
A Book for Every Year - 2006
2019 Pop Sugar Challenge - A book inspired by mythology, legend, or folklore
[First Read - 2017 - 4 stars]
I enjoyed the first book in this series. I like the main character... she is not afraid to be badass and has a self-confidence that is refreshing. I really like the supernatural within our own world. The romance/love triangle seems like it's going to be a slow burn in this series and that's fine by me.
Challenges:
2017 Goodreads Challenge
Loved this reread. I can't help it; I just love this series so much. Bumped it up to a 5 star.
CAWPILE Score: 9.43 = 5 stars
Characters: 10
Atmosphere: 9
Writing: 10
Plot: 9
Intrigue: 9
Logic: 9
Enjoyment: 10
[Second Read - 2019 - 4 stars]
I enjoyed this one the second time around as much as I did the first. I really like Mercy as a character. I like her loyalty and bravery, especially when she's afraid. I'm happy to be reading this series again.
Challenges:
2019 Goodreads Challenge
2019 Alphabet Challenge
A Book for Every Year - 2006
2019 Pop Sugar Challenge - A book inspired by mythology, legend, or folklore
[First Read - 2017 - 4 stars]
I enjoyed the first book in this series. I like the main character... she is not afraid to be badass and has a self-confidence that is refreshing. I really like the supernatural within our own world. The romance/love triangle seems like it's going to be a slow burn in this series and that's fine by me.
Challenges:
2017 Goodreads Challenge
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Kidnapping
Minor: Physical abuse
inameitlater's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
POC main character written by a white woman