jsellers's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Sexual violence, Rape, and Murder
kayanoelle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Interesting premise so I'm excited for part 2. The story is very dark and brutal so you should definitely be aware of that! Auren was a great protagonist and a real delight despite her situation.
The world building is amazing and easy to understand!
Spoiler
I didn't like how all the girls/ women hated each other when it was really the men who were the problem so I hope that the feminism comes through in the next books.One thing I would criticize is that I didn't get what the plot of the series is supposed to be, it felt a little random but I guess (and hope) it's gonna get more obvious in the next book.
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Rape, Murder, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Misogyny and Toxic friendship
Minor: Slavery
lindsfranfrat'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
Graphic: Rape, War, Death, Sexual content, Vomit, Gaslighting, Trafficking, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual violence, Blood, Violence, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
deredere_dukes_and_dragons's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I will not diminish the terrible things that are done and said in this book (see content warnings), but this is meant to be a dark story. And, quite frankly, the book did it's job: it made me want to at least read the next installment in the series.
However, this is not a fantasy romance, at least not this first book. The main character, Auren, is in a toxic relationship, blindly devoted to (and in love with?) her King.
In my mind, this could be considered more of a prequel; there's a lot that happens, but there's no real resolution. The last chapter begs for you to dive into the next book.
Graphic: Murder, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Rape, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Fatphobia and Kidnapping
Minor: Alcohol
amidpages'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
3.5
Graphic: Grief, Sexual violence, Confinement, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Murder, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Violence, Toxic relationship, Death, Misogyny, Rape, Slavery, and Sexism
alexandriasreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Sexual assault, Murder, Trafficking, and War
a_connors's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Rape and Murder
delaney_de_spain's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Murder, Injury/injury detail, Blood, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Sexual content, Rape, Emotional abuse, and Cursing
plsnotanotherdamselindistress's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Graphic: Rape, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Slavery, Murder, and Trafficking
xlaurareads'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Blood, Grief, Injury/injury detail, Death, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual assault, Rape, Sexual violence, and Violence