Reviews with content warning for Bullying - King of Corium

Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

King of Corium by J.L. Beck, C. Hallman

18 reviews

ka_ke's review against another edition

adventurous dark fast-paced

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

3.0

It gets the job done. King of Corium is entertaining, dark and spicy, everything a person with a dark and twisted side could want.

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ladylaurenexplorer's review against another edition

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dark slow-paced

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

3.0

I really wanted to enjoy this book, but just didn’t spark for me.

I am going to continue to read the series because I have the complete series physically bites. I’m hoping that this gets a little bit better and not so movie like.

I haven’t seen great chemistry. I do see a little bit of the chemistry but it’s just not hitting it for me right now.

And there’s so much going on in the background that’s very curious that I’m just waiting to see what happens, especially with her mother and this bracelet!!

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thebookofkate's review against another edition

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There was absolutely no character development. I got through 80% of the book and the characters acted the same way as they did on the first page.

Her family drama was one of the main focal points of the book it got really repetitive. I wish they would have given us some more details as the book went on instead of us having the same information we had from the beginning.

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bloodybella's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

3.0

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shaykay's review against another edition

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challenging dark tense fast-paced

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

3.0

King of Corium was a book I picked up on Kindle Unlimited after struggling to get into anything. The synopsis reminded me so much of the Kingmakers series by Sophie Lark. I adored that series and loved the concept. So when I learned that this series focused on a college for the criminal elite's children, I couldn't wait to get into it. I wanted to see how similar it was to the Kingmakers. But I quickly learned that the similarities between these two series end quickly. First off, this book is dark, and the series as a whole keeps getting darker. So definitely look at the trigger warnings before going into this one. But anyways, this book focuses on Qiunton/Q, who is like it boy because his father is like the king of criminals because of how notorious he is. Everyone at the school treats him like a king, and the students, professors, and staff pretty much all do whatever he says. Then, on the other hand, we have Aspen. Aspen is in a dangerous situation due to her father being a rat. Once a rat is always a rat, and that status trickles down to Aspen. She was sent to Corium because the college is considered a safe space, and no one is allowed to kill anyone there. But everyone is horrible to her. No one talks to her unless they are being mean, she's stuck in basically the broom closet to live in, and she's barely even given any food. We also get both their point of views, and it is crazy how poorly she's treated, and it all stemmed from her father's doing. There are times in the book Aspen even begs her mom to let her come home because she never wanted to be a part of the criminal world. Still, her mom barely talks to her and when she does, she's adamant that she has to stay at Corium since it is the safest place for her. The book ended up being okay, but the ending is what made me continue. I wanted to see what happened to Aspen since the book ended on a pretty intense cliffhanger!

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batam's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

THIS IS NOT A ROMANCE! I am feeling really shitty right now after just finishing this book… Check the triggers!
There is no consens, there are forced BJ‘s and a lot of bullying (which is kind of the ‚nicest‘ thing in this book)…
He took her virginity, she said she wasn‘t ready, but doesn’t matter because she is less than a human. After that he gave her ghe pill so he can take her whenever he wants.
It‘s just disgusting. He has a bargsin with her that he can fuck her whenever and however he wants and he is ‚protecting‘ her from matteo and is ‚helping‘ her in a way…
When this is ‚dark romance‘ than it‘s really bad…
Women are kind of worthless in the public.
I couldn‘t realate to anybody, aspen was naïve as hell, Q is an asshole, everybody is, but Brittany. But i don‘t believe that either…
It was a present so i will read the other two books, but i don‘t feel good while reading such things…

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booklovinmamas's review

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challenging dark tense

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I’ve been meaning to read the Corium University series by C. Hallman and J.L. Beck since I”m a sucker for Bully Romances. King of Corium is the first book in their Corium University series, and it delivered the bully romance I was looking for and an antihero I despised. I don’t know why I love bully romances since I hate bullies in real life. I always hated when my mother said that if a bully bullies you, it’s because they secretly like you. Yeah, no, thank you, mom. I will not tolerate a guy tormenting me because he can’t be brave enough to admit he likes me. He can find someone else to torment or get a swift kick to his nuts.

Storyline/My Thoughts: Now when it comes to fictional bullies, I’m a sucker for them. I’m twisted, and I know it, but don’t judge me for liking them. You probably have your own fictional characters full of red flags that you like. Mine happen to be the bullies that love to bully their love interests because they have no idea why they crave this person so much and are trying to figure it out, especially when they are supposed to hate the person thanks to your family having issues with them. That is what is happening in King of Corium with the two main characters. The MMC (bully) can’t seem to find out why he wants the FMC but is determined to make her his.

Let me remind readers again that this book is a bully romance. It has bullying elements that may make readers uncomfortable. This may not be your cup of tea if you do not like bullies and bullying romance stories. (I may say this several times to get my point across.)

The poor FMC, Aspen, is forced to attend Corium University because her parents want her to attend. She’s safer there, according to her parents. I don’t know how when everyone there is going to make her life miserable, including the one person she needs to avoid at all costs. His family is the one her father betrayed, and she will be penalized for her father’s actions, even though she is innocent. I felt for the FMC when reading her POV in the book. She is trying everything to survive while being tormented by the MMC, other students, and even faculty members at the University. She’s a fighter, though, and will fight back when she can. She gets hurt so many times, both physically and emotionally.

Quinton, the MMC and a-hole to Aspen, wants nothing to do with Aspen at first. He has no issues with her but with her father for what he did to his family, but for some reason, he can’t stay away from the fiery Aspen who attempts to fight back. He wants her submission and will get it one way or another. I don’t like Quinton in this book at first because he is doing things to the FMC for his own twisted reasoning. He is a manipulative damn guy. Thankfully, the authors give their readers a dual POV in this book with Aspen and Quintin’s POV, so we get inside Quinton’s twisted head and why he was tormenting Aspen. Sometimes, I wanted to go through the book and knock some sense into the boy.

I’ve read other books by these authors, so I was prepared for this book to have dark elements in it. The authors do mention one potential trigger for readers in their synopsis. A warning for readers who are bothered by non-con/dub-con in books. I recommend skipping over those scenes or not reading this book.

Not only does the book focus on the FMC being bullied and the MMC being one of them tormenting her, but it has twists and turns in it, too. The MMC doesn’t like his family much, mainly his father, and he is dealing with something traumatic that happened in his life. This is why I’m moving on to Book 2. I feel Quinton will redeem himself further along I read in the series. Bullies have background stories that make them the way they are, and I’m all about finding what makes them tick.

Forewarning, there is a brutal cliffhanger at the end of this book. I may have looked at my kindle in shock after reading that ending. How could J.L. Beck and C. Hallman leave it like that? Thank goodness I don’t have to wait, and I can dive right into the second book. I would have gone insane waiting. Overall, this book receives four stars from me, and I look forward to reading the continuation of Quinton and Aspen’s storyline. Here’s hoping Quinton cools it with the bullying; if not, I hope Aspen kicks him where it counts.

Standalone or Part of Series: It’s part of the Corium University series, and I recommend reading in order.

Steam/Spice: 🌶 🌶 🌶

Genre(s)/Trope(s)/Element(s): New Adult & College Romance. Dark Romance. Bully Romance. Mafia Romance. Antihero. Enemies to Lovers.

Trigger(s)/Content Warning(s): Bullying. Sexual Assault/Rape. (Dub-Con, Non-Con) Physical Assault on FMC. (There are other possible triggers, check the authors’ websites on additional trigger information.) Reminder if the book is categorized as a Dark Romance, it’s going to have dark, twisted elements in it that will make SOME (not ALL) readers uncomfortable.

Cliffhanger: Yes.

Would I recommend this book/series? Yes. If you enjoy Dark Bully Romances with Mafia family storylines and are set at a University, not just any University. It’s a University where the most dangerous criminals send their kids to learn how to become like them; this book/series may be up your alley.

Favorite Quote(s): His eyes are closed, and I take the moment to really take him in. He is a beautiful as he is evil. A perfect disguise for a predator.

She is mine to touch, mine to torment, only mine.

I never thought I would be the type to crave darkness, but something about him when he’s unhinged, and owning me, knowing he holds all the power, excites me.

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elementory's review against another edition

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dark sad tense fast-paced

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

2.5

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eleanorchap02's review against another edition

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dark sad fast-paced

0.25

Disgusting revolting. Only read if you want to be mentally ,emotionally and dare I say physically scarred for life. Bad writing , bad plot , terrible characters. Had to skip entire passages as they were too horrible

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elenaysuslibros's review against another edition

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dark fast-paced

0.25

| *La reseña tiene algunos spoilers no mayores*

No puedo creer lo horrible que fue leer este libro. Es que no lo puedo creer. Leyendo la sinopsis pensé que iba a ser un libro oscuro de romance de bullys, creí que iba a ser un libro morboso que me iba a hacer dudar de mí y que me iba a gustar culposamente, pero nunca me esperé que este libro iba a ser tan repulsivo.

El libro no contiene advertencias, pero aprovecho de decir que este libro tiene abusos de todo tipo (psicológico, físico, sexual).

Es que ni siquiera sé cómo partir esta reseña.

De partida encontré muy ??? que estuviera esta universidad que entrenara a hijos de criminales para ser mejores criminales. Por qué existiría algo así ? y además ni siquiera ofrecen distintas carreras, ni siquiera es una universidad. Me da la impresión de que las autoras querían que esto fuera un colegio pero por razones obvias decidieron hacerlo universidad para que mínimo los protagonistas sean mayores de edad.
Pero si me gustó la idea de la trama: el hijo del criminal supremo, y la hija de un criminal que rateó a todos y por eso toda la universidad la odia. Si hubiese estado bien desarrollado, podría haber sido un romance bully bueno, pero TODO estaba mal. No puedo rescatar absolutamente nada del libro.

Mi mayor problema fue el protagonista hombre: Quinton. Nunca en mi vida había odiado tanto a un personaje ficticio, a nadie en la vida real. Es un tipo abusivo, enfermo, que necesita estar en control de todo y de todos, y controla a la gente sólo por el poder que tiene su papá, porque sin él Quinton no tendría ningún tipo de respeto porque el tipo no tiene más personalidad que ser hijo de un tipo importante y ser un depravado. Es un bully y le encanta hacer sufrir a la gente, y peor aún le excita de manera sexual. El hecho de que imaginar como se aprovecha y abusa de Aspen (la protagonista) le gustara me dio asco, y más aún cuando dice en varias ocasiones que le gustaría que ella estuviera inconsciente para poder ocuparla como quisiera.

EN QUE MUNDO ESTO SERÍA ATRACTIVO??? Es que Quinton no tiene ninguna cualidad que a uno le guste si quiera de una manera culposa este personaje. Es repulsivo, un abusador de todo tipo, agresivo, y además insoportablemente mala onda. Ni siquiera un animal tiene tan poco control sobre sí mismo. Es casi antinatural el odio que me provoca este personaje.

Mi segundo y GRAN problema con este libro son todas las escenas de sexo. NINGUNA es con consentimiento. Me duele y me da rabia hablar de este tema, me revuelve la guata de tener que mencionarlo, pero fue algo que no pude pasar.

Y mi problema con esto no es la temática del libro, ni soy sensible ni nada. Entiendo que este libro sea considerado y etiquetado como "Dark", no esperaba que fuera algo tierno ni nada por el estilo. Y no tengo problema con los libros oscuros, me gusta cuando los libros desarrollan temáticas tabú, pero cuando las desarrollan bien.

Quinton básicamente chantajeaba a Aspen con conseguirle cosas básicas para la vida a cambio de sexo (esto es porque todo el mundo en la universidad la odiaba y no le daban comida, no le arreglaban la cañería del baño, etc.). La chica estaba en la encerrona de que si no aceptaba podría morir de desnutrición (que de hecho esto casi pasa en el libro), así que acepta. Por lo tanto ninguna de estas escenas fue porque ella quisiera realmente. El tipo era super demandante, entraba cuando quería a la pieza de la niña (porque tenía una copia de su llave) exigiendo lo que era "suyo", hacía lo que quería y se iba.

Además me pasa que las escenas de sexo ni siquiera son buenas. Ni siquiera se podría justificar este libro como un libro erótico muy fetichoso, que a una le gusta y que se lee con morbo, porque las escenas no son buenas. No entiendo entonces el punto del libro porque ni siquiera logra eso.

Y lo que fue lo peor para mí es que existe una violación en grupo por parte de Quinton y sus amigos. Esta escena es realmente asquerosa y aquí casi paro de leer. El tipo va con su rollo de maniático del control y solo por eso no deja que sus amigos le hagan algo más, pero aún así abusa de ella con los otros ahí deteniéndola de escapar y además está siendo grabada.
En todo momento el tipo dice que no se arrepiente de esto, y es más, que lo volvería hacer. Y cuando uno de sus amigos le dice que se ha pasado y le dice que si se lo hicieran a su hermana estaría mal, Quinton tiene la desfachatez de enojarse con su amigo y decirle que está loco y que no debería comparar una cosa con la otra.

Es que de verdad no entiendo como a alguien le podría gustar este personaje tan asqueroso. Es que ni siquiera tiene algún cambio de personalidad ni nada, sigue siendo igual de animal durante todo el libro, siendo un posesivo, abusivo y violento frente a Aspen.

Aspen me dio muchísima pena. Me daba angustia leer como todos le hacían la vida imposible, y como tenía a este grupo de hombres detrás suyos para hacerle de lo peor. También me da pena que sabía que Quinton era un cerdo, y que se diera cuenta de que el tipo aunque hiciera un mínimo acto de decencia humana seguía siendo una horrible persona, y aún así intentaba razonar con él cuando se volvía más violento de lo normal. Siento que el tipo la tenía tan manipulada y estaba en un ambiente tan nocivo para ella que solo le quedaba confiar en él. Qué rabia.

Lo ÚNICO que agradezco de este libro es que por lo menos no terminaron juntos, y eso fue únicamente por el cliffhanger que nos meten en el libro.

Y sobre el final del libro... No me podría importar menos el cliffhanger que me metieron. En mi mente habrán muerto todos y sufriendo mientras que Aspen logró escapar y vivir en paz y con terapia por todos los horrores que vivió. No acepto otro final y me da lo mismo el libro siguiente.

El problema con este libro es que fue etiquetado como romance pero en realidad es de horror. Esto NO es romántico, la relación que había entre estos dos nunca fue romántica ni hubo cariño, sólo manipulación, violencia y odio.
Estoy segura de que deben haber buenos libros de romance con bullying (que es un tema turbio pero se podría trabajar bien supongo), pero este NO es uno de ellos. Está de más decir que no lo recomiendo para nada y que lo odié. Para gustos colores, pero no entiendo como a alguien le podría gustar un libro así, y menos aún encontrar sexy.

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