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avialaeleigh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
1st why can't Bryce and Hunt just have a smidgen of happiness without one of them almost dying or being taken as a captive? It feels like everyone and everything is out to tear them apart even though they are mates, which I love for then but it was so obvious that that was going to be a thing.
Also I love the different side of Ruhn we get to see when he's in his mind realm with agent daybreak and wasn't that an interesting thing to come about. Her being the Hind and witch Queen Hypraxia's sister, older sister at that so she could be queen. And was it just me or are Ruhn and Lidia mates as well I feel like when Ruhn is talking about their scents that that's what is trying to be conveyed but I am not 100% sure just because we've had so little interaction with them face-to-face yet.
Also what is with it and all the scary people ending up being rebels. First Baxian aka the Helhound then Lidia aka the Hind. Both of them people that have done atrocious things for the Asteri, who ate apparently aliens that eat their firstlight and keep them all in the dark and make is seem like they are "from the stars" when the aren't they are just lying planet stealing no do "bloodsuckers" for lack of a better term.
And why do we learn that Dankia was once again keeping more shit from Bryce. First all the shit in the first book but then everything in this one. She was looking into everyones histories and family lines to figure something out. But was it just to figure out a different ruler for the wolves or was it to figure out the Asteri? Was it both? None of it, are their more prices that we are missing about her? Why did she keep all of this from Bryce, why didn't she trust her with all of this. Why did she hide that she and Braxian were mates? Did she not trust Bryce to be able to keep it a secret for his safety?
Also whose side is Celestina on? She seems like she is on their side sometimes especially with her and Hypaxia being a thing in secret. But then she seems to have sold them all out to the Asteri. Why? To what end? She doesn't seem to like them anymore than the others do but then she also sells them out. What the fuck?
I hope Bryce is able to get back to Midgard and resue them all because I can't take Hunt being a slave again. What he might be forced to do with that halo on him. And also why to Rhysand? Is that the land that the Fae originally came from? And if so why in ACOTAR did we never hear any stories of fae going to another world, or did they and I just missed it. Does that mean that there two series now interlock? Will there be books that interconnect the two or will it just be these books?
Trust SJM to make me question everything that I have read in her books at the end of one book. I'm sure I will have many more at the end of the next one.
Graphic: Cursing, Drug use, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Alcohol, War, and Classism
singingshooter's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexism, Slavery, Violence, and War
Minor: Rape
kbowles24'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Murder, Gaslighting, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Blood, Police brutality, and Alcohol
Minor: Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
daniofthewood's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, and War
Minor: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gun violence, Sexual violence, Suicide, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
barbarianmissy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book was a rollercoaster start to finish. I loved seeing everyone’s personalities truly unfold and the relationships build. I really loved the scooby gang camaraderie between all the main group.
Also, SJM seriously knows how to turn out a PLOT TWIST! I gasped “WHAT?!?” In happiness, anger, surprise, and disgust multiple times!
Although, I was quite pleased with myself that I was able to figure out a big twist in who Day was pretty early on!
A few new favs worth honourable mention:
- I will always and forever be obsessed with fire sprites, they’re my girlies. The triplets have taken my whole heart.
-Ithan, you sweet little man, you. I hope you and no-name-dunk-tank-alpha-mystic-wolf-lady are mates, I’d love that for you.
-Baxian, don’t die even though I feel like you will. I want you to find happiness again pls. Don’t make the next book a puppy snuff book, SJM (I’m aware it’s already written, but I’m manifesting)
I want to put Cormac on my list but I honestly never took to him. He was meh. Tamlin vibes are never good vibes. Glad he took about Pippi Longstocking though, she was a BEEEEYOTCH!
Side note: Danika was not a good friend??? Like Bryce didn’t even know her in the least bit. She didn’t even share that she had a friggin mate with Bryce in idle girl talk???? Like???? I feel bad for Bryce who literally told her absolutely everything, her deepest, darkest secrets, and loved her so much and she pretty much got a hollow party girl stranger who didn’t trust her in return.
IN CONCLUSION! I can’t wait for book 3!!! I can’t believe all of my old imaginary friends may be becoming friends with my new imaginary friends. We should all have a sleepover!
🕺💃
Anywho! HOUSE OF FLAME AND SHADOW IM COMING FOR YOU!
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Infertility, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
amartin48's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
That being said, I REALLY loved the world and lore expansion in this book. And I’m a huge fan of crossover series! This book left me satisfied with our FMC/MMC relationship, hopeful for new relationships, and SO excited to revisit old favorites.
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
amy_in_the_city's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
As a result of trying to cram in the various plotlines and other character POVs, I feel like Bryce and Hunt got lost in the shuffle. I was hoping to learn more about the main couple and see more of their relationship, but they were mostly in the story to serve the plot instead of the plot serving them. I missed seeing cute relationship moments like we had in the first book, and I don't feel like we really learned any more about Bryce and Hunt's pasts or struggles. I was hoping to see Hunt working through his emotions about the awful things he's done as the Umbra Mortis, his trauma from being enslaved, etc. but it seemed like all of that mostly went away or got brushed aside.
I loved seeing more of Ruhn and enjoyed his storyline of
Ithan seemed like an OK character, but I'm just tired of every guy in this book being in love with Bryce for some reason, and I wish that wasn't part of Ithan's character. I have hopes he'll be better in the next book as they seemed to be setting up some interesting storylines for him.
Everyone seemed to be making stupid decisions in this book. They're
I really didn't like that the book ended on such a cliffhanger. I get that it's a series, but when I finish reading a romance book, I don't want to be left feeling worried for characters who <spoiler are in mortal peril and are going to be tortured for who knows how long. If I wanted that, I'd go read a normal fantasy series, not a romance fantasy. The only solution I can think of for how to avoid having such a stressful ending for the readers while still having plenty of stakes for Bryce in the next book is if
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Murder, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
Minor: Drug use and Sexual assault
cdoubet'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: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Medical content, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Child abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
tguccione'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
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
anjasshelf'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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism