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city_girl_writer's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Thanks to NetGalley & TorDotCom / Macmillan Audio for gifting me an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
I must say...I was genuinely surprised on how much I enjoyed this. It is very much a contemporary fantasy twist to Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet with betrayals, forbidden romance, and death. Olivie Blake did a good job in writing the rivalry between the two families and romance between their heirs. In a way, there were two sets of "Romeo & Juliet" equivalents. Although, I didn't like the second set as much. I didn't believe their initial attraction even though they grew on me as I continued to read. I think Blake had one of the rivaling families have so many kids so that Blake could conveniently explain away a very crucial moment in the book. It seemed like a convenience since it involved most of those kids and we, the reader, would hardly see or hear from them again. Nonetheless, the audiobook production was very well done. Ferdelle Capistrano did a great job balancing all of the voices and bringing life to these characters. I think reading Olivie Blake's books are best read via audio for me. I didn't enjoy The Atlas Six, so it was nice to see some improvement here.
I must say...I was genuinely surprised on how much I enjoyed this. It is very much a contemporary fantasy twist to Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet with betrayals, forbidden romance, and death. Olivie Blake did a good job in writing the rivalry between the two families and romance between their heirs. In a way, there were two sets of "Romeo & Juliet" equivalents. Although, I didn't like the second set as much. I didn't believe their initial attraction even though they grew on me as I continued to read. I think Blake had one of the rivaling families have so many kids so that Blake could conveniently explain away a very crucial moment in the book. It seemed like a convenience since it involved most of those kids and we, the reader, would hardly see or hear from them again. Nonetheless, the audiobook production was very well done. Ferdelle Capistrano did a great job balancing all of the voices and bringing life to these characters. I think reading Olivie Blake's books are best read via audio for me. I didn't enjoy The Atlas Six, so it was nice to see some improvement here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Grief
Moderate: Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Murder
Minor: Sexual content, Trafficking, and Sexual harassment
lauramparis's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Suicide, Grief, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexual content
soniajoy98's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Trafficking