spaghettii's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Alcohol, Bullying, Child abuse, Addiction, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Sexual content, Cursing, Drug abuse, Classism, Confinement, Infertility, Sexual harassment, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Drug use, Gaslighting, Trafficking, Violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and War
telepathictori's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Pregnancy, Grief, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault
Minor: Vomit and Trafficking
erisedstraeh'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
4.25
Graphic: Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Kidnapping, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Drug use, and Sexual content
Moderate: War and Torture
dealfea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Sexual harassment, Confinement, Cursing, Gaslighting, Grief, Toxic friendship, Sexual violence, Vomit, Misogyny, Addiction, Alcohol, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Blood, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Gore, Trafficking, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
emilysbooksandbakes's review against another edition
4.25
One other thing about this book, as I feel like Raven Kennedy does a really good job of not just writing a great story, but writing beautifully. There’s a scene where Auren is recalling cerulean sails that merges with memories of the eyes of a former friend and it really just struck me as lyrical.
“I became too blinded by my bright sides to see the truth. Sometimes, you look at the silver lining so much that you drift into denial about the clouds.”
Moderate: Trafficking, Physical abuse, Addiction, and Sexual violence
feuchtitive's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
Graphic: Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Murder, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Confinement, Death, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Violence, and Kidnapping
bangiebangs'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
4.5
I read this one in one sitting again, and I feel like the story keeps picking up steam! The romance between Auren and Slade blossoms into steamy sex (dare I say: finally the slow burn is over!), and the first big story arc feels wrapped up. The book still ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, but the main arcs are finished.
There are a couple pretty intense themes in this one.
Spoiler
For me, the drug abuse - especially the scenes where Auren gets drugged - were pretty intense. This, along with the physical and psychological abuse is a severe mix.Overall really good! I'm beginning to think you can skip book 1 (and maybe read a synopsis, or not), and just start with book 2. This could have been a duology.
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexism, Addiction, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Torture and Slavery
crystal689'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
Graphic: Physical abuse and Torture
Moderate: Sexual violence, Trafficking, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Blood, and Violence
Minor: Rape, Confinement, and Murder
mspilesofpaper's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
1) A lot happens but a minimum is actual plot. Most is Auren's rambling/musing and sex. Bad sex. The kind of sex where I wonder if the author ever had sex. Also dick girth. The kind where it’s so massive that I would worry about the vagina (either because it’s so big and thick that it’s unbelievable or where the woman has the body of a child). Also the dirty talk is so cringy.
2) Why does everyone think that Rip/Slate is the villain?
3) By now, Rip/Slate should know that Auren has zero control over her power/any understanding of fae things and yet he acts as if she does.
4) The last fucking chapters. I wish indie authors would have best friends who would read those books pre-publishing and tell them that they shouldn’t write this shit because major yikes that can’t even be brushed off with "it’s a 18+ book!".
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, Murder, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Rape, Drug abuse, Sexism, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
redsrecs'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
5.0
It spoke to so much of my personal trauma but was done so respectfully you can’t not love this book.
Raven Kennedy writes gold, pun intended.
It’s dark, but we get so much character development. The world building as it has been in previous books, is perfection; the plot is amazing, the pace is perfect.
There is a lot of abuse between Auren and Midas and he becomes completely unhinged so definitely keep that in mind.
On the bright side, we have some real romance and spice and I squealed. This was the most amazing slow burn, it pained me in the best way every step of the way.
This book had me sharing in Auren’s emotions every step of the way and I’m ready for more. Here to willingly drown in the gold that is this series!
Graphic: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Drug abuse, and Physical abuse
Minor: Grief, Addiction, Violence, Rape, Murder, Torture, Slavery, and Sexual violence