The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
mirandyli's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-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
3.25
This series was ok. Before you read it take note of all the content warnings. Content warning: everything. I like the world building but the relationships are super toxic.Â
Damen and Laurent's relationship is especially yikes. They both lie to each other constantly for their own gain. Because Damen killed Laurent's brother a few years ago, Laurent orders Damen to be whipped 50 times in the first book and is miffed that he didn't die from it. Yet SOMEHOW... they still fall in love after that??? Because Damen is obsessed with pale skin and blonde hair (excuse me while I go vomit).
The series basically ends with Laurent killing Damen's brother and saying, "We've killed each other's brothers so we're even now. I no longer hate you and we can rule peacefully. Kiss kiss." Excuse me sirs, go to therapy.Â
And now that Damen has been a slave, he's now going to advocate for the end of slavery, despite being in support of it before? That's just a whole bag of yikes.Â
There were also a bunch of predictable moments (like that Laurent knew Damen's identity the whole time, Laurent was raped by his uncle and Jokaste would claim that her baby was Damen's).
Still a fast-paced decent read and I was able to finish the series in a week. I haven't read a fantasy book in a while and this series was a pretty good start to getting back into the fantasy genre.Â
The series basically ends with Laurent killing Damen's brother and saying, "We've killed each other's brothers so we're even now. I no longer hate you and we can rule peacefully. Kiss kiss." Excuse me sirs, go to therapy.Â
And now that Damen has been a slave, he's now going to advocate for the end of slavery, despite being in support of it before? That's just a whole bag of yikes.Â
There were also a bunch of predictable moments (like that Laurent knew Damen's identity the whole time, Laurent was raped by his uncle and Jokaste would claim that her baby was Damen's).
Still a fast-paced decent read and I was able to finish the series in a week. I haven't read a fantasy book in a while and this series was a pretty good start to getting back into the fantasy genre.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Murder, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Slavery, Pedophilia, and War
lilholmn's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The gays got me stressing throughout the whole book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, and Sexual content
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Suicide, Pedophilia, and Rape
sophy__'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Slavery, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, Pedophilia, Murder, War, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Incest, Rape, Suicide, and Pregnancy
zeppelinnyx's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
5.00
This is the perfect resolution to a nearly perfect trilogy. I will never have words to express how deeply I love these characters and their story. This is, as it has been since I first read the series years ago, the most enthralling and tender romance I’ve ever encountered. I compare all other enemies-to-lovers relationships to this one, but sort of all other relationships in general. Because this series, and especially this installment, is the peak of romance.Â
I really only have two critiques for this series. The first is a bit technical, I suppose. The books don’t feel like they’re a trilogy. Instead, they feel like one book split by three different covers. Perhaps there’s a reason for this, but it does make the ending of the first two books feel a bit sudden and inconclusive. Obviously, this same problem does not occur in the finale. The second problem with the series is the Erasmus problem, but…I won’t get into that. I only wonder if Pacat wishes the character was resolved differently now.Â
Quality of Writing: 10/10
Pacing: 10/10
Plot Development: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Enjoyability: 10/10
Ease of Reading: 10/10
Ending: 10/10Â
This is the perfect resolution to a nearly perfect trilogy. I will never have words to express how deeply I love these characters and their story. This is, as it has been since I first read the series years ago, the most enthralling and tender romance I’ve ever encountered. I compare all other enemies-to-lovers relationships to this one, but sort of all other relationships in general. Because this series, and especially this installment, is the peak of romance.Â
I really only have two critiques for this series. The first is a bit technical, I suppose. The books don’t feel like they’re a trilogy. Instead, they feel like one book split by three different covers. Perhaps there’s a reason for this, but it does make the ending of the first two books feel a bit sudden and inconclusive. Obviously, this same problem does not occur in the finale. The second problem with the series is the Erasmus problem, but…I won’t get into that. I only wonder if Pacat wishes the character was resolved differently now.Â
Quality of Writing: 10/10
Pacing: 10/10
Plot Development: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Enjoyability: 10/10
Ease of Reading: 10/10
Ending: 10/10Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Sexual content, and War
Moderate: Torture, Grief, Blood, Incest, Pedophilia, Adult/minor relationship, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Pregnancy, Infertility, Miscarriage, Alcohol, Animal death, and Suicide
anjae's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- 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
3.5
This was a very satisfying ending to the trilogy.Â
The romance between Laurent and Damen was sweet, and the relationship trials they had to go through made sense and didn’t seem forced.I was a little disappointed that the identity reveal of Damen to Laurent wasn’t even really a reveal, but this way does make sense to Laurent’s character. I enjoyed Laurent as a character a lot, and Damen was an interesting character partner to him.Â
The political intrigue was wrapped up very neatly, if a little rushed, and the reveals and plot twists throughout were well done.Â
My only complaint is that Damen decides in this book to abolish slavery in his country, only because he spent time as a slave. Why didn’t he feel compassion and empathy for the enslaved people before he experienced what they went through? But at least he became morally and ethically aware at some point, I guess.Â
Also, the trilogy could have been one book. It wasn’t bad as three books, but if I hadn’t read all three books back to back and instead had to wait for some time between books, then I think I would have been confused starting each new one. But my reading experience wasn’t hurt by it.Â
The romance between Laurent and Damen was sweet, and the relationship trials they had to go through made sense and didn’t seem forced.
The political intrigue was wrapped up very neatly, if a little rushed, and the reveals and plot twists throughout were well done.Â
My only complaint is that Damen decides in this book to abolish slavery in his country, only because he spent time as a slave. Why didn’t he feel compassion and empathy for the enslaved people before he experienced what they went through? But at least he became morally and ethically aware at some point, I guess.Â
Also, the trilogy could have been one book. It wasn’t bad as three books, but if I hadn’t read all three books back to back and instead had to wait for some time between books, then I think I would have been confused starting each new one. But my reading experience wasn’t hurt by it.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: Suicide and Incest
sofipitch's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This book was fun and I feel like it was a good conclusion for such a big plot. I think having the ending be realistic and satisfying was well handled.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit and Sexual content
Moderate: Blood, War, and Murder
Minor: Suicide, Incest, and Pedophilia
shonaberu's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery and Sexual content
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Death of parent, Pedophilia, Suicide, Xenophobia, and War
aububub's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, Suicide, and Pedophilia
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