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obiterocelot's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Read if you love: vampires, Slavic monsters, shapeshifters, werewolves, witches, showing your love with violence, fight scenes, taking charge, fated love tropes, girl power.
Avoid if you don’t love: trashy romance novels, everyone trying to kill you, second books in the series, toxic relationships, SA trauma that builds character, betrayal, over complicated narratives.
—————
This definitely suffers from second book syndrome and a problem I’m finding with a lot of fantasy romance books lately where they want to be the next Sarah J Maas and can’t stick to the romance that was the entire point of me picking this series up in the first place. The spicy scenes aren’t bad, but it’s completely free of any real tension.
Unfortunately I’m probably not going to pick up the third book. First one was fun, but this one struggled to capture my attention.
There was also the matter of the big bad having some creepy sex dungeon and r*ping main characters and that being a trauma bonding experience. And I thought we had all collectively agreed that it was 2024 and there are plenty of other ways to hurt women. And perhaps that particular way, out of all of them, should be kept out of our romance novels?
We know that they’re already toxic enough.
Avoid if you don’t love: trashy romance novels, everyone trying to kill you, second books in the series, toxic relationships, SA trauma that builds character, betrayal, over complicated narratives.
—————
Unfortunately I’m probably not going to pick up the third book. First one was fun, but this one struggled to capture my attention.
There was also the matter of the big bad having some creepy sex dungeon and r*ping main characters and that being a trauma bonding experience. And I thought we had all collectively agreed that it was 2024 and there are plenty of other ways to hurt women. And perhaps that particular way, out of all of them, should be kept out of our romance novels?
We know that they’re already toxic enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Murder, and War
luna_lovelace's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
From the very beginning I was trying to read carefully to watch for any clues on who the traitor was and I did not expect there to be two! I was shocked on who it was, expecting someone else. I had my suspicions, but I just didn't want it to be true because I grew to love them. It speaks volumes on how Isolde must be feeling about their betrayal.
Adrian's abilities come to light andI had no idea how powerful he really was. The way he was able to control the mind of a vampire, but only those he turns. So of course, that's not very useful with the war that is going on! Still, I wished this ability showed up more often than his ability to read minds.
I am just glad the main characters are not a Mary Sue, there's definitely a lot of questionable decisions they made that made me see them in a different light, but as the story progresses it's hard to not feel for them.
Expect to do a lot of gasping because so much goes on in such a short amount of time that it has your head spinning trying to put it all together. People she holds dear to her heart betray her for "the greater good", while people like Killian and Safira are starting to earn her trust. I am stunned on how much character development Killian and Safira have on this book. I can't wait to read how it continues to unfold!
One thing that was a bit difficult to understand was when Isolde re-lived Yesenia's memories because it was not easy to distinguish if Isolde was in the present or past. I had to re-read a couple times to grasp what time period the author was talking about. Maybe if it was italicized or written as a chapter it would have been easier to decipher.
Overall, I can't wait for the third book, Adrian and Isolde went through so much already, I can't wait to continue reading about her journey to conquer despite everything!
Adrian's abilities come to light and
I am just glad the main characters are not a Mary Sue, there's definitely a lot of questionable decisions they made that made me see them in a different light, but as the story progresses it's hard to not feel for them.
Expect to do a lot of gasping because so much goes on in such a short amount of time that it has your head spinning trying to put it all together.
One thing that was a bit difficult to understand was when Isolde re-lived Yesenia's memories because it was not easy to distinguish if Isolde was in the present or past. I had to re-read a couple times to grasp what time period the author was talking about. Maybe if it was italicized or written as a chapter it would have been easier to decipher.
Overall, I can't wait for the third book, Adrian and Isolde went through so much already, I can't wait to continue reading about her journey to conquer despite everything!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Medical trauma, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Rape, Torture, Toxic friendship, and War
Minor: Child death, Sexism, and Pregnancy
ashwood_15's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Murder
Minor: Miscarriage and Rape
yliana's review against another edition
dark
slow-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? It's complicated
2.0
I hoped that the world building and plot would be more developed in this one but it still kinda fell flat for me. The romance also was kinda meh tbh😭 I dont really see how isolde and Adrian are actually into each other you know?
I really do like isolde though, I think she's a badass and she's so okay with the violence and punishments against traitors I fucking love ittt
Even though I this book is just okay, I think I'll still read the next one just because I wanna know how it ends
I really do like isolde though, I think she's a badass and she's so okay with the violence and punishments against traitors I fucking love ittt
Even though I this book is just okay, I think I'll still read the next one just because I wanna know how it ends
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
cjfray's review against another edition
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Body horror, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and War
gattolinos_nerdy_nook's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Whilst I didn't like this book as much as the first one I still think it was good and eventually found it's foot towards the last half.
The lore and world building for this series is still very well done in my opinion. We keep learning more history and why certain things are the way they are in their current timeline compared to the past. I think a lot of the secondary characters really pulled the story along and kept it going since Isolde and Adrian were not a highlight this book. The plot of the book was also lackluster but did at least build to a hopefully a more interesting third book.
The real issue I had with this story was Isolde and Adrian and their relationship. It felt very toxic on both sides, a lot of their actions didn't feel like they matched their characters at all. The book bought up so many issues between them and then made waved it away with sex between them.In particular I felt that Isolde was abusive towards Adrian. She would yell and event hit him at times when she was angry at something Adrian did and never apologised for her actions whilst whenever Adrian was in the wrong he at least apologised eventually and in character. Adrian on the other hand doesn't feel like he understand that Isolde is not her past life at all despite what he says. It's not even a struggle that we really see play out and that he comes to terms with, this is a words don't match actions issue. I didn't feel like he loved Isolde at all but only what she was in the past and keeps comparing the two.
Event after everything I will still read the third book and see if any of the build up pays off and hopefully there are some much needed improvements.
The lore and world building for this series is still very well done in my opinion. We keep learning more history and why certain things are the way they are in their current timeline compared to the past. I think a lot of the secondary characters really pulled the story along and kept it going since Isolde and Adrian were not a highlight this book. The plot of the book was also lackluster but did at least build to a hopefully a more interesting third book.
The real issue I had with this story was Isolde and Adrian and their relationship. It felt very toxic on both sides, a lot of their actions didn't feel like they matched their characters at all. The book bought up so many issues between them and then made waved it away with sex between them.
Event after everything I will still read the third book and see if any of the build up pays off and hopefully there are some much needed improvements.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Religious bigotry and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
brichneyfloss's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Murder, and War
dorleness's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Torture, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Cursing, Rape, Medical content, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Pandemic/Epidemic
thestickwitch's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
For me this was more of a back story book that really got you connected with the characters and their traumas with some sprinkles of happy moments and spicy scenes. While also showcasing how the character navigate through the traumas even in times of strife. I will be waiting in anticipation for book 3.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Colonisation, War, and Pandemic/Epidemic
julienicole1106's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail