miraclesnow'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
4.5
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.
Graphic: Gore, Slavery, Violence, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Cannibalism, Murder, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Grief, Animal cruelty, Toxic friendship, and Torture
yasmine1998'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? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Cannibalism, Physical abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Slavery, and Murder
sammyfitz'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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Death, Physical abuse, Slavery, Cannibalism, and Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Kidnapping
ka_ke'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gaslighting, Murder, Racism, Sexual content, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Blood, Confinement, Death of parent, Medical content, and Misogyny
Moderate: Child abuse, Abandonment, Bullying, and Suicidal thoughts
backyardroses'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? N/A
4.0
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Violence and Animal death
spaghettii's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Death, Alcohol, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Blood, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Vomit, Violence, Animal death, Death of parent, and Stalking
prettynerdy3's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Slavery, Torture, and Violence
genny's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Spoiler
fallen angelsSpoiler
The death of the dragon made me teary-eyed :'(I was waiting for an explanation about Collith's extremely sudden interest in Fortuna, but we never got one, and now I'm scared that we're supposed to just accept it 💀 That can't be it though, right? He had to have known they were soulmates or whatever beforehand...right? He didn't just pick her out of a crowd, I hope. I guess I'll find out in the next book. Also intrigued by Oliver and Laurie. I thought the latter was
Spoiler
an angel, not a faerie kingP.S. I despise the use of the word "mate", it sounds so yucky 😭
Graphic: Kidnapping, Confinement, Blood, Violence, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Cannibalism, Gore, Slavery, and Murder
Moderate: Grief, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
aniwisniewski's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Blood, Cannibalism, Violence, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Animal cruelty, Classism, Confinement, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Murder, Toxic relationship, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, and Physical abuse
ophealian's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The ONLY thing that I thought was a bit off-putting about this book was how often the narrative would make a SHARP left turn into sex. Now, I'm not prudish by any stretch (being raised by the likes of FF.net and AO3 has cured me of that completely) but it was still a bit jarring for me to be reading about how the main character has someone by the throat with a knife and is literally plundering the depths of their worst fears and then for her to suddenly be like "I can feel his arousal against my leg". Like, wait what?
And maybe that's the point -- maybe fae in this universe are just Horny All The Time (TM) -- the author does make a point to have a character in-universe remark upon this, but just because there's logical explanation for it didn't make it any less whip-lashy of a reading experience.
Fortuna also makes a point to tell you that she's a Virgin. Make do with that info what you will.
But other than that very specific prickle-point, I ripped through this book and really enjoyed it.
It's very effective in its portrayal of the illogical, unreasonable, unwavering love and loyalty that Fortuna has for her brother Damon, and Damon's brokenness and intense Stockholm Syndrome. It works as a reminder that these creatures are not human; in fact they are distinctly inhumane. Their cruelty and carelessness is played in contrast with their beauty, and I think Fortuna's initial confusion in reconciling these dual qualities is very believable.
I had to constantly remind myself that Fortuna is not human, as much as she might act like one.
The ending leaves a lot of mysteries unsolved and propels you right into the next book in the series. The cliffhanger/twist? *chefs kiss*
Graphic: Sexual violence, Murder, Emotional abuse, Death, Child death, and Child abuse