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zoe_wein's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault
evidoe's review against another edition
1.75
Nope not for me. I just couldn’t care about any of the characters, though I tried.
The plot felt vague and convoluted.
In general i tried to push through but it went from something I found boring to something i absolutely hated
Fortuna bashing that poor dragons head in was just gross and felt gratuitously cruel. I went from being annoyed/apathetic to forturna to actively hating her.
I have no plans to read anymore of the series.
The plot felt vague and convoluted.
In general i tried to push through but it went from something I found boring to something i absolutely hated
I have no plans to read anymore of the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, and Xenophobia
sirholkeri's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture
Minor: Sexual assault
miraclesnow's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- 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
4.5
So… I was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did. I inhale this book in less than a day. I can highly recommend this for fae lovers who want to get out of a reading slump, which I was on the verge of before starting this story.
In terms of the main plot, this book did not surprise me. (If you’ve read one fae or Hades Persephone kidnapping/blackmailing you’ve read them all) but luckily I still enjoy the basic tropes being used in a story like this.
I loved the slow introduction to the lore of the supernatural creatures to this world, but otherwise it was fairly predictable. The one plot twist there was was indeed a good one, but one big complaint I do have regarding the writing was the pacing. Some scenes moved on way too quickly, and important moments felt like they were put in strange and unsatisfying moments at other times.
But the characters and prose felt very easy to understand and quick to pick up on and read which is what made this story enjoyable past the rather rote first book. I now own the rest of this series so ofc I’m going to read the rest. I only hope the author tries some more adventurous plotlines from on.
In terms of the main plot, this book did not surprise me. (If you’ve read one fae or Hades Persephone kidnapping/blackmailing you’ve read them all) but luckily I still enjoy the basic tropes being used in a story like this.
I loved the slow introduction to the lore of the supernatural creatures to this world, but otherwise it was fairly predictable. The one plot twist there was was indeed a good one, but one big complaint I do have regarding the writing was the pacing. Some scenes moved on way too quickly, and important moments felt like they were put in strange and unsatisfying moments at other times.
But the characters and prose felt very easy to understand and quick to pick up on and read which is what made this story enjoyable past the rather rote first book. I now own the rest of this series so ofc I’m going to read the rest. I only hope the author tries some more adventurous plotlines from on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence, Cannibalism, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Torture, Grief, and Toxic friendship
book_hangover's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, Cannibalism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual assault
aniwisniewski's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
bookishchef's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
TW: Sexual Assault!
This author treats men in her story like most male authors treat female characters. The men in this book are described in what can only be called the het female equivalent of "she breasted boobily". They are only described by their eyes, penis and muscles.
That would already be bad enough, but it gets worse. The female MC, Fortuna, is a sexual predator who preys on men when they are vulnerable, and sexually assaults them multiple times in this book. This is never adressed within the text, and I truly think the author did not realize that that was what her MC was doing.
A list of the sexual scenes in this book:
- I listened to the audiobook, so I am sorry if any of the names are spelled wrong.
1. Oliver x Fortuna - one of the few consensual sex scenes. Oliver explicitly asks Fortuna for consent, because consent is apparently only attractive when it is given by the woman in a heterosexual relationship.
2. Collith x Fortuna - both start making out, Fortuna makes a grab for Colliths genitals and starts initiating sex, Collith has to push Fortuna away
3. Collith x Fortuna - Fortuna pulls Collith into a corridor and forcibly starts making out with him. She remarks on him not seeming into it, he also tries to stop Fortuna verbally, but she continues and grabs his penis. At that point he gives up and stops struggling. No consent was given here, and although Fortuna is eventually the one to push him away, she did sexually assault him.
4. Oliver x Fortuna - Fortuna does not want have a serious discussion with Oliver, so she starts making out with him. She remarks on him not being into it, Oliver has to shove her off him.
This all happens before the 55% mark!
How the fuck am I supposed to root for a sexual predator?
The worst thing is, that this book is highly rated because the vast majority of people do not recognize sexual violence against men when it happens.
After the halfway point, it does not get any better. This stuff is not seen as a character flaw to overcome, instead it is seen as a perfectly fine character trait within this book.
5. Not a sex scene. But Fortuna walks in on a passed out Collith and starts sexualizing his unconscious body, paying extra attention to his genitals. Not SA, but still very creepy.
6. Collith innitiates the sex while Fortuna is bathing. Fortuna nor Collith verbally consents here, but both seem into it, so this might be the second consensual sex scene. Fortuna starts slut-shaming other women right after this scene though, which is also not cute
It was right about here that I started struggling with paying attention to the story. The MC has to go through some trials to become the official queen of the Faerie kingdom, but I lowkey wanted her to die during all of them.
Later on, there is a conversation between Laurie (her 3rd love interest, no I am not kidding) and Fortuna, where it is said lust and sexual desires should always be given into. Like, I am sorry, but no? Absolutely not? Consent is very much necessary, thank you.
So yeah. 1/5. Do not recommend .
This author treats men in her story like most male authors treat female characters. The men in this book are described in what can only be called the het female equivalent of "she breasted boobily". They are only described by their eyes, penis and muscles.
That would already be bad enough, but it gets worse. The female MC, Fortuna, is a sexual predator who preys on men when they are vulnerable, and sexually assaults them multiple times in this book. This is never adressed within the text, and I truly think the author did not realize that that was what her MC was doing.
A list of the sexual scenes in this book:
- I listened to the audiobook, so I am sorry if any of the names are spelled wrong.
1. Oliver x Fortuna - one of the few consensual sex scenes. Oliver explicitly asks Fortuna for consent, because consent is apparently only attractive when it is given by the woman in a heterosexual relationship.
2. Collith x Fortuna - both start making out, Fortuna makes a grab for Colliths genitals and starts initiating sex, Collith has to push Fortuna away
3. Collith x Fortuna - Fortuna pulls Collith into a corridor and forcibly starts making out with him. She remarks on him not seeming into it, he also tries to stop Fortuna verbally, but she continues and grabs his penis. At that point he gives up and stops struggling. No consent was given here, and although Fortuna is eventually the one to push him away, she did sexually assault him.
4. Oliver x Fortuna - Fortuna does not want have a serious discussion with Oliver, so she starts making out with him. She remarks on him not being into it, Oliver has to shove her off him.
This all happens before the 55% mark!
How the fuck am I supposed to root for a sexual predator?
The worst thing is, that this book is highly rated because the vast majority of people do not recognize sexual violence against men when it happens.
After the halfway point, it does not get any better. This stuff is not seen as a character flaw to overcome, instead it is seen as a perfectly fine character trait within this book.
5. Not a sex scene. But Fortuna walks in on a passed out Collith and starts sexualizing his unconscious body, paying extra attention to his genitals. Not SA, but still very creepy.
6. Collith innitiates the sex while Fortuna is bathing. Fortuna nor Collith verbally consents here, but both seem into it, so this might be the second consensual sex scene. Fortuna starts slut-shaming other women right after this scene though, which is also not cute
It was right about here that I started struggling with paying attention to the story. The MC has to go through some trials to become the official queen of the Faerie kingdom, but I lowkey wanted her to die during all of them.
Later on, there is a conversation between Laurie (her 3rd love interest, no I am not kidding) and Fortuna, where it is said lust and sexual desires should always be given into. Like, I am sorry, but no? Absolutely not? Consent is very much necessary, thank you.
So yeah. 1/5. Do not recommend .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Eating disorder, and Medical content
mypatronusisajedi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Slavery, Torture, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
mightyola's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Would love to reread physicaly since I felt like I couldn't get as invested while listening to the audiobook.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Slavery, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual assault
carolzinh4's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Violence