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ellerossi's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Maybe I’m being a bit harsh, but I didn’t enjoy this book.
It was really hard to get into, mainly because the writing felt very basic. The descriptive language was juvenile, the storyline felt undeveloped, and the “spicy” scenes were way too cringe-worthy. I also had to keep going back and re-reading to see if I missed details, but most of them just weren’t there to begin with.
It wasn’t the worst dark, borderline fantasy romance I’ve ever read, but I won’t be looking for anything else by this author again.
It was really hard to get into, mainly because the writing felt very basic. The descriptive language was juvenile, the storyline felt undeveloped, and the “spicy” scenes were way too cringe-worthy. I also had to keep going back and re-reading to see if I missed details, but most of them just weren’t there to begin with.
It wasn’t the worst dark, borderline fantasy romance I’ve ever read, but I won’t be looking for anything else by this author again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Blood, Dementia, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
sandrasbookgraph's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I wouldn’t say its beauty and the beast vibes, but it hooked me in from the beginning and it is SPICY. I sometimes needed a reading break because the spice does get repetitive where the plot kinda gets lost and then picks up again like 70-80% into the book. Some things answered, others not. One chapter towards the end got me a little teary eyed because of Corvina, whom I absolutely love as a character. I’m not crazy about Vad, sorry! He has hot moments but I guess I am not a fan of the “good girl, do as i say, i own you” dirty talk character trait lol. I am intrigued to continue the story, one bonus chapter left enough for wanting more. I like it as a dark romance recommendation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
teambedward123's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Forced institutionalization
calsivier'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
4.0
This is what you called a dark-romance tale. Probably not the best, but I can say it already affords dark and suspense element within every character and space atmosphere. I thought, magic is incorporated in this tale, but everything is done by human themselves. And I didn't expect that the romance relationship is super spicy *cry* even though I already read the author note.
Some character developments are lack. There so many secrets need to have further explanation, like Vad and Corvina past live, fake Jade true identity (her name) and motives (I need more), all the bones they found in woods and tunnel, also the main characters chemistry need to be more engaged not only by sexual transaction, but also by their deepest mind and heart toward each other. I don't have any complain about RuNyx writing style, I enjoy everything. I expect to read more of her books in future.
Lastly, I like the ending, how Vad actually really loves Corvina with all his heart. Him spending his time taking care Corvina on Institute, helping her to overcome her trauma by talking to her and moving on from Verenmore even though that place is everything for him, and still marrying her despite all her flaws.
Some character developments are lack. There so many secrets need to have further explanation, like Vad and Corvina past live, fake Jade true identity (her name) and motives (I need more), all the bones they found in woods and tunnel, also the main characters chemistry need to be more engaged not only by sexual transaction, but also by their deepest mind and heart toward each other. I don't have any complain about RuNyx writing style, I enjoy everything. I expect to read more of her books in future.
Lastly, I like the ending, how Vad actually really loves Corvina with all his heart. Him spending his time taking care Corvina on Institute, helping her to overcome her trauma by talking to her and moving on from Verenmore even though that place is everything for him, and still marrying her despite all her flaws.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Dementia, Death of parent, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
fantasygirliesilho's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-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
5.0
Amazing, spicy and intriguing layer of mysteries and plot twists. Definitely a great dark academia sexy read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death of parent
Minor: Cursing, Blood, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
caroknowland13's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
ink_and_barley's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
So I will admit the writing in this one comes across a little amateurish, in my non expert opinion, and some of the dialogue is a bit cringy. However, over all I enjoyed the read. It’s a good creepy dark academia. Professor/student romance, with an interesting mystery and solid spice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicide, Dementia, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Sexual assault
amaranth_wytch's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, and Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness, Violence, Blood, Dementia, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Child death, Rape, Suicide, Vomit, Grief, Stalking, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
ohitschess's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
mwalsh97's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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? No
4.0
I actually enjoyed the plot to solve the murders way more than I thought I would. I had fairly low expectations for this book as far as plot goes. The spice was decent, I would've liked the book to be more plot heavy than spicy heavy.
The FMC is a bit of a "I'm not like other girls because I have dark hair and weird eyes." Maybe I'm just over that trope, I think it's been around for a while and shows up in YA books fairly often. I also couldn't tell when the book was set in? There was internet and cell phones but the FMC lived off grid and the town around the school seemed more akin to a old timey town than a modern one. Maybe that's just because of the lack of description in the time period department, it took away from the story a bit. Anytime the technology was brought up it seemed both more advanced and out of place than it should be. In my brain I settled on the time period being late '80s to '90s since it was never specified or made clear in the story itself.
RuNyx writes really good spooky paranormal mysteries and I think this story could have stood on its own without the explicit spice if the it was fleshed out more and tweaked a little. I would love to see a less spicy spooky paranormal mystery from them in the future.
The FMC is a bit of a "I'm not like other girls because I have dark hair and weird eyes." Maybe I'm just over that trope, I think it's been around for a while and shows up in YA books fairly often. I also couldn't tell when the book was set in? There was internet and cell phones but the FMC lived off grid and the town around the school seemed more akin to a old timey town than a modern one. Maybe that's just because of the lack of description in the time period department, it took away from the story a bit. Anytime the technology was brought up it seemed both more advanced and out of place than it should be. In my brain I settled on the time period being late '80s to '90s since it was never specified or made clear in the story itself.
RuNyx writes really good spooky paranormal mysteries and I think this story could have stood on its own without the explicit spice if the it was fleshed out more and tweaked a little. I would love to see a less spicy spooky paranormal mystery from them in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Suicide
Moderate: Murder and Schizophrenia/Psychosis