mylargirl's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
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? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Gore, Death, Violence, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Addiction, Classism, Physical abuse, Grief, Emotional abuse, Drug use, and Adult/minor relationship
mirandaleighhhh's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-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
3.75
This was slow-medium paced, mostly due to world building. I had a hard time following for at least the first 40% of the book, but by the end it was tied together. It also took some time to get used to the perspective and timeline shifts, but ultimately that is one of the more interesting aspects of the story. I loved Darlington and Dawes, I love Alex to- she’s full of fire and justice and yeah it all reads like she’s morally grey but honestly????? She’s the one with the strongest morals. I wasn’t expecting the ending, and I’m looking forward to the next book!
<spoilers>
I felt that the r*pe scene was unnecessary? I understand its purpose, but I don’t think her characterization would have suffered at all if that scene had been physical abuse rather than sexual. It seems there were enough horrifying men throughout the course of her life so far, and I just don’t know that going further with a ghost scenario in the fictional world was necessary.
I also wish there had been a little more development or detail (even an extra chapter or two) about Dawes and Darlington's relationship, and some experiences on the job between Alex and Darlington, to fill some of the gaps where the world building could have been better.
<spoilers>
I felt that the r*pe scene was unnecessary? I understand its purpose, but I don’t think her characterization would have suffered at all if that scene had been physical abuse rather than sexual. It seems there were enough horrifying men throughout the course of her life so far, and I just don’t know that going further with a ghost scenario in the fictional world was necessary.
I also wish there had been a little more development or detail (even an extra chapter or two) about Dawes and Darlington's relationship, and some experiences on the job between Alex and Darlington, to fill some of the gaps where the world building could have been better.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Addiction, Body horror, Drug abuse, Rape, Blood, Death, Sexual assault, and Violence
annaxavila's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Violence, and Drug use
Minor: Trafficking
smallspkp's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexual violence, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Murder
hayls657's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Violence, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Addiction, Blood, Cursing, Death, Gore, and Murder
catorureads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was... something. I wished I had checked out the trigger warnings before delving into this book because your girl was traumatised nine pages into the book. It was interesting, which was the main reason why I still continued to read this book. I feel like a lot happened while at the same time it's like nothing happened at all.
Something I heard from other reviewers was that were different time lines and that it was difficult to follow. I didn't have any problems with that so for me it wasn't that confusing. I liked Darlington the most and we got the least of him so... I also enjoyed Danes and I didn't hate Alex but she just wasn't my favorite. Plot wise, I don't have much to say. The story intrigued me but I'm writing this review a few days later and I'm starting to forget the plot already. I might pick up the next book, just not right now.
I'm still dipping my toes into the dark academia genre and I'm not sure yet if it's something for me.
Something I heard from other reviewers was that were different time lines and that it was difficult to follow. I didn't have any problems with that so for me it wasn't that confusing. I liked Darlington the most and we got the least of him so... I also enjoyed Danes and I didn't hate Alex but she just wasn't my favorite. Plot wise, I don't have much to say. The story intrigued me but I'm writing this review a few days later and I'm starting to forget the plot already. I might pick up the next book, just not right now.
I'm still dipping my toes into the dark academia genre and I'm not sure yet if it's something for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Death, Sexual assault, Body horror, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Rape, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Excrement
sarahcatzim's review against another edition
dark
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
3.0
I loved the premise of the book, and the parts that built on that premise were great. However, there was way too much lore building in my opinion. The world building felt like research. It was not presented in an interesting way, and I really didn’t care about it. I just wanted the book to focus more on the main characters rather than telling me all about Yale and these secret societies. Those sections went way over my head so I learned nothing from them. Also, the final reveal felt kind of rushed. The author just kind of tossed it on the table at the end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Violence
katiemack's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.0
The first third of this is tough to follow via audiobook, but once I got used to the nonlinear format and got to know the characters the events of the book start to make sense. I'm also grateful that they REALLY pick up in the second half.
Looking forward to reading Hell Bent (and hopefully seeing more of Dawes; would protect her with my life.)
Looking forward to reading Hell Bent (and hopefully seeing more of Dawes; would protect her with my life.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Sexual assault, and Rape
lulucutus's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Murder, and Violence
tomasalbanez'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? No
5.0
MEU DEUS. QUE LIVRO BOM! A história te prende enquanto o mundo de Alex desabrocha na sua frente. A mudança de perspectivas é perfeita! No final eu mudei umas 5 vezes entre "como ela vai conseguir terminar a história nesse livro" e "como vai ter mais coisa pra ser contada no livro seguinte". Um começo maravilhoso, um meio intrigante e um final extremamente satisfatório.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Child abuse, Death, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Gore, Blood, Sexism, Rape, Excrement, Violence, Murder, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Classism, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Cancer, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Addiction, Drug use, and Suicidal thoughts