Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

5 reviews

greatexpectations77's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious 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

2.75

This was not for me. The writing felt a little unedited. And I'm really not a fan of the female character who is too clumsy to function. Portions of the plot were well-done and

I was extremely surprised by the ending

. But parts kind of felt clunky. Like

the major plot points were essentially meeting each of the villain's family members in order.

The ending was quite a cliffhanger, and I admit that I'm interested in what's going to happen next. I do have a question though - I know good pay is hard to come by, but you constantly see dead people and never try to find out why your boss is killing them??? Also, the narrator was not my cup of tea. Really choppy. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Murder, and Abandonment

Moderate: Bullying, Death, Sexual assault, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, and Toxic friendship

blackcatl's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted 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

3.75

The book starts quite slow in my opinion, and Evies character needs way more depth. In the second half, however, everything comes together and you can see way more of Evies development which I like - and missed in the beginning. Also, way more romance is needed in the first half imo. But, because of the second half, I am thrilled to read the second book and its still almost 4 stars.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Blood

Minor: Torture, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship

culzean's review against another edition

dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Sexual assault, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail

rhi_'s review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, Torture, and Murder

Minor: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship

rehtaehwashere's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 

• What I liked: The story concept, the addition of magical creatures (really wasn't expecting that at all), family dynamics, a realistic feeling sibling relationship (even if it was minimal). The slow burn romance and will-they-won't-they, and the thirsting wasn't excessive at all
• What I disliked: the twist where
  the villain isn't actually the villain (that's what SOLD me on the book)
  , that the character was an obvious author insert plus the cringey quirkiness (typical romance-fantasy style) and inserting outfits randomly everywhere. Plus the
  <'dating her boss' /spoiler>  trope was kinda eh
• Overall thoughts: really cool story and I love the concept! Much better writing than fourth wing even if the characters are still the author-insert quirky girl thing which was less bothersome here because the story was interesting and was advertised PURELY as a romance so it is almost expected. Crabby male characters will always win me over because it's funny. The
  fake-trustworthiness of the 'good' people being pretty convincing 
    was good too.
• Recommend to a friend? Y

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror and Violence

Moderate: Ableism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Murder, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship