bangiebangs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Spoiler
The fact that the king's harem are called "saddles", or that this is also the term for any sex worker ("wh*re" is used a lot) isn't the worst, but there are scenes very close to rape, and one that is a quite detailed rape scene).Spoiler
In the backstory, we learn that they started their relationship when he rescued her from an abusive situation (sexual trafficking is implied), and they start a relationship when she is 15 and he is "seven years older". Even if the story picks up 10 years later than that, this still makes this something that starts as an adult/minor pairing... so her sexual desire for him... ew.I found the pacing a little uneven as it takes a long time to set the scene: I was more than 100pp in before I felt this picking up steam or having much of a story- this is an issue throughout. While there are some nice minor twists in there I think this book mainly sets up the second one and does some basic world-building. Also some serious emotional gut-punch moments, so yeah, this one is not exactly uplifting.
This is also not a romance, dark or otherwise. There is no romance in this book. Maybe the next? But if you're looking for dark romantasy spice... this ain't it.
Be aware that this ends in a cliffhanger.
Spice level wasn't there for me - there is a lot of sexual content, but the way it's described doesn't really do much for me. Not that every book needs this, but in this one the sex is so often mixed with abuse or dubious (/absent) consent that it's not exactly something I can enjoy.
All in all, a dark but enticing read, though one that will might make you uncomfortable at times. I'll continue with the series and see how it goes.
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, Sexism, Emotional abuse, Rape, Confinement, Death, Sexual assault, Cursing, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Bullying, Misogyny, Slavery, Kidnapping, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: War
aunessa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I hate the vocabulary.
Spoiler
and I hate the fact that women are so badly weak and agrees with their treatmentI don’t know if I will read the next books, because I’m curious but also so disappointed.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Bullying, and Physical abuse
Not for young readers. And don’t hesitate to close the book if you need to.micaelamariem's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, War, Gore, Violence, Blood, Injury/injury detail, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Infidelity, Bullying, Sexual harassment, Slavery, Alcohol, Classism, Murder, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism and Grief
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Infertility, Colonisation, and Death of parent
katvou'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
4.0
Graphic: Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Death, Injury/injury detail, Rape, Violence, Kidnapping, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Alcohol and Slavery
Minor: Bullying, Grief, Animal death, Vomit, Excrement, War, Blood, and Gore
coy_koi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
4.0
Spoiler
and sail my poor baby sail 😭Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Misogyny, Sexism, and Emotional abuse
watsontheslytherin's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Infidelity, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Grief, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Trafficking, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Injury/injury detail, Death, Cursing, Confinement, Classism, Bullying, and Alcohol
brookey8888's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Murder, Sexual harassment, Violence, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
booksaremythirdplace's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Murder, Bullying, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Blood, Rape, and Violence
selestre's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Trafficking, and Violence
Minor: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, and Violence
poetry_shaman's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Gaslighting, Confinement, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, and Trafficking
Moderate: Blood, Bullying, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, Classism, Cursing, and War