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noellelovesbooks's review against another edition
4.5
I am devouring these books. Like serious I can't stop. I love the way J. Bree adds characters and lore in a way that never overwhelms you with info. She really paces it so it all feels natural and seamlessly given to you.
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Sexism, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Blood, Kidnapping, Toxic friendship, and Classism
sillih28'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
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Alcohol
fairyelle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
On top of this we lack a plot because the bond group is annoying asf and won’t allow Oli to do anything that a normal adult should be able to do.
So we’re stuck without a plan, without a plot, without (very) necessary character development and with our FMC having all her agency taken away. We can’t just have big reveals like the one at the end without a properly executed storyline and it’s a damn shame how good this series COULD be.
The characters are flat too, they do nothing but infuriate me. There’s a serious lack of emotional depth and character development on top of a lack of plot. I do think I do actually believe JBree is simply winging it after the initial Broken Bonds storyline.
This series just reminds me of the way I felt about the Red Queen series—hating it in a sorta loving way? love is a strong word for what I feel though lmao.
I’ve contemplated DNF-ing the series too many times to count but something is holding me against my will with a gun to my head. If the next book isn’t any better and just remains like the other three, I’ll just have to DNF it. Also, hate giving not so good reviews. But I feel it needs to be said as constructive criticism for J. Bree—I’m extremely easy to please so if I have criticisms then it’s something worth considering.
And hey, if you love this book/series I am by no means trying to tear down a book you enjoy (I’m sorta enjoying it too in the most minimal way possible, I guess? I do very much wish I could be in your shoes because I find it not fun for me to verbally destroy people’s writing.
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Sexual content, Violence, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Torture, Blood, and Murder
There is lots of spice that you I didn’t need and if you somehow don’t know this, it is reverse haremamberandthings'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
4.0
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Torture
Minor: Death and Kidnapping
writingcaia's review against another edition
3.0
At this point, I’m wondering what more can the resistance pull off.
I cared a bit less about this one since Atlas isn’t my favourite bond, although I do like sweet Gabe, but this one was bit repetitive. And, I’m still not overly fond of Ollie.
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Torture, and Murder
wellreadandhalfdead'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? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Torture, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Domestic abuse, and Gun violence
Minor: Rape
charhollyx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Though there were some slow bits, I found the characters that entertaining that I didn’t find myself bored or wanting to put the book down.
And THAT ENDING? I’m so keen to start book four immediately even though I should be sleeping rn…
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
booktrovertreader's review against another edition
2.0
Graphic: Sexual content and Torture
megthecatlady'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: Torture and Violence
Minor: Gun violence
koistyfishy'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
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️/5
These books are becoming too serious, we only had 260 fucks...where are the 466 like Book 1???
This book and its brilliance can be summarised into 3 words... North "FUCKING" Draven!!!!
There is something about a domineering, possessive, rich, gorgeous, overprotective, sophisticated asshole that my brain just turns into mushy peas. EVEN when the man does absolutely nothing extraordinary. JUST OH MY GOD were my insides squealing and squirming every time that man came on page! He could literally say the most unflattering and unsexiest thing alive and I'd still have hearts in my eyes.
So I am not going to repeat my complaints about these books, because I was vocal about them in my previous reviews - and they are still very very present in this instalment . These books are not perfect. There hasn't been some you know, miraculous epiphany (or rewrite of the entire style) to make those horrible annoying things go away. So if you want more details into the shit that annoyed me you can read my reviews from book 1 and book 2.
The main issue I have with this book is the story is starting to feel quite repetitive. It seems to have lost "something" as everything that caused angst, drama or shocks almost seems to have happened in some shape or form in book 1/2 and we are following the same rinse-and-repeat shampoo and conditioner cycle. A LOT of this book could have been skipped or skimmed and you wouldn't miss much...The ending cliffhanger though - that's still a bitch and the worst one yet!
I don't want it to seem like I was super annoyed with the book as there were aspects I loved... North Draven, North Draven, North Draven, North "FUCKING" Draven!!!! BUT we see a little bit more into the bond system and how sentient the "bonds" actually are, especially for some people. There is a little bit more added to the dynamic of bonds and bonded people and there is a lot of character development that happens. Except for Nox...He is still a sexy enigma. The men also now know almost everything that happened with Oli and her motivation for her choices in the past and this does change how some of them act towards her.
I also enjoyed that we do get a couple more POVs added into the story. We have some chapters from the men's point of view, which was a nice touch to be out of Oli's head all the time, and we finally meet the
Overall this was still an enjoyable read. I loved this and I inhaled it because it's literary crack...
Also North Draven has also introduced my new favourite trope that I didn't know I needed in my life. Shadow Bondage...now that I have discovered how my brain melts for it...I NEED IT WITH RABID URGENCY! If you know about any books where you know shadows are used as restraints... Hook a girl up cause apparently my brain can't get enough...
Graphic: Sexual content, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault, Kidnapping, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, and Domestic abuse