fairyelle's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- 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
It’s so much better than the last two, way more interesting. We might actually have a plot believe it or not—though there was many long lulls where I was questioning why I thought this book was better, questioning why I was even reading it in the first place and then it picked back up again eventually. Honestly, I think my rating is still far too high because the writing is still not great (though I’d argue it’s gotten better) and the continuity errors prevalent to me as well. There’s also so much wrong with the plot—for example, I literally don’t have a clue as to what the resistance actual plan is?! And it’s not like a mysterious thing that you have to wait for but rather like Bree just didn’t care to share. I’m assuming that part just wasn’t fleshed out. I genuinely don’t know what they’re fighting for. They said something about eliminating all the non-gifted people, yet all I’ve see them do is capture, kill, and torture the gifted—in addition to “brainwashing” them which is literally not explained either?!
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Violence, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Cursing, Sexual content, and Confinement
Moderate: Blood, Murder, and Torture
There is lots of spice that you I didn’t need and if you somehow don’t know this, it is reverse haremiben_flor's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, Death, Toxic relationship, Child death, Sexual content, and Classism
beckyremillard's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
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
4.75
I can’t stop reading these. I have library books due but I don’t want to
interrupt the series with any other book!
interrupt the series with any other book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Vomit, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Kidnapping, Blood, and Violence
Minor: Physical abuse and Emotional abuse
taylormaria's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
i enjoyed it , but i honestly felt as though it was quite repetitive in a sense.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Sexual content
Moderate: Kidnapping
vault_assassin_01's review against another edition
dark
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
cwall06's review against another edition
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
hjcooley's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Sexual content, and Violence
catladymeg's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and Violence
Minor: Gun violence
koistyfishy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.5
4.5 Void Eye Stars ⭐
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 themonster bond...
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...
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...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, War, Kidnapping, and Sexual assault
Minor: Child death, Domestic abuse, and Child abuse
milla_b's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault and Domestic abuse