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coolhandluke140's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
This book is a very enjoyable read, and the narrator is fantastic.
I've read it a few times and listened to the audiobook this time around.
This story is heart wrenching, and a very difficult read. There is pain, there is trauma, there is suffering. However, there is a very happy ending, and I think getting through the difficult parts makes the happy ending all the more sweet.
Kenyon's world building is epic and deep. I thoroughly enjoy the lore and it helps me fully immerse in what is essentially a romance (with many, many spicy bits) when I don't normally enjoy those stories.
Acheron is a beautiful soul who went through hell (literally) and back many times over. His flaws and strengths are the main draw of this book, though it does push along the main plot of the series somewhat.
Even as a standalone read, I recommend this book. I'm only giving it 4 simply because it truly is brutal, and I can't say for sure all of the brutality was necessary. I think it does enhance the ending, but it's enough to probably push away many potential readers of this really great book.
I've read it a few times and listened to the audiobook this time around.
This story is heart wrenching, and a very difficult read. There is pain, there is trauma, there is suffering. However, there is a very happy ending, and I think getting through the difficult parts makes the happy ending all the more sweet.
Kenyon's world building is epic and deep. I thoroughly enjoy the lore and it helps me fully immerse in what is essentially a romance (with many, many spicy bits) when I don't normally enjoy those stories.
Acheron is a beautiful soul who went through hell (literally) and back many times over. His flaws and strengths are the main draw of this book, though it does push along the main plot of the series somewhat.
Even as a standalone read, I recommend this book. I'm only giving it 4 simply because it truly is brutal, and I can't say for sure all of the brutality was necessary. I think it does enhance the ending, but it's enough to probably push away many potential readers of this really great book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Murder
There's some explicit torture, slavery, and abuse (sexual, domestic, physical, emotional, and mental). The main character goes through the ringer throughout the first 2/3 of the book. There are some breaks sprinkled in, but it bites back harder each time until the couple of chapters before present day.c0smic_mistak3's review against another edition
Say it with me ladies, theydies, and gents.
D.
N.
F.
*spoiler filled rant*
I'm only on pg. 150. I can't finish. I was so hopeful for this book. I heard so many people say how they devoured this book. this book?! Really??? All this trauma dump????? Kept grinning through all of the dream hunter books in the Dark Hunter series.... all the same..... blah blah blah. McQueen can write okay enough that maybe 5/14 were decent reads.
He just met Artemis (I've always loved the name Artemis/ the actual goddess of the hunt. hell yeah. but this bitch?! in this series? hell no, or hades no, rather)
Ryssa is Ash's saving grace..... kind of. She did actually get him away but not for long enough and could have tried a little harder. She has literally seen a few times how poorly he is treated and still the naivety of thoughts of "how can Acheron do this to himself" What other choice does he have?!?! Also we fucking get it. He's got that aura of "sexual intensity" that even those who are "related" to him feel. Jesus Christ. Stop. Soooo many times Ryssa reminds the reader "I will not take advantage of my brother no matter how much I want to" that.... just... fucking no.
All of this detailed intro of what Ash is going through. Only to have it all negated in Styxx's book. When Styxx is showing no sign of any of what's happening right now. coming off as a spoiled brat. (that ends up as Nikoda's dad and have that whole tie in to CON)
I was interested in Ash's bring up but this is A LOT. I wanted to see what happened between him and Nick. How he can get away from Artemis. Who is the one woman who can heal all that has been done to him but with how everything else is going I don't care enough because with the way it happened in all of the other books..... it wouldn't be as plausible anyways unless it was done right. And I'm going out on a limb saying this but I think I'll be okay..... it won't be done right.
if you enjoyed this book. good for you. I'm taking a loooooong break from Kenyon/McQueen. I need to have my brain scrubbed.
D.
N.
F.
*spoiler filled rant*
I'm only on pg. 150. I can't finish. I was so hopeful for this book. I heard so many people say how they devoured this book. this book?! Really??? All this trauma dump????? Kept grinning through all of the dream hunter books in the Dark Hunter series.... all the same..... blah blah blah. McQueen can write okay enough that maybe 5/14 were decent reads.
He just met Artemis (I've always loved the name Artemis/ the actual goddess of the hunt. hell yeah. but this bitch?! in this series? hell no, or hades no, rather)
Ryssa is Ash's saving grace..... kind of. She did actually get him away but not for long enough and could have tried a little harder. She has literally seen a few times how poorly he is treated and still the naivety of thoughts of "how can Acheron do this to himself" What other choice does he have?!?! Also we fucking get it. He's got that aura of "sexual intensity" that even those who are "related" to him feel. Jesus Christ. Stop. Soooo many times Ryssa reminds the reader "I will not take advantage of my brother no matter how much I want to" that.... just... fucking no.
All of this detailed intro of what Ash is going through. Only to have it all negated in Styxx's book. When Styxx is showing no sign of any of what's happening right now. coming off as a spoiled brat. (that ends up as Nikoda's dad and have that whole tie in to CON)
I was interested in Ash's bring up but this is A LOT. I wanted to see what happened between him and Nick. How he can get away from Artemis. Who is the one woman who can heal all that has been done to him but with how everything else is going I don't care enough because with the way it happened in all of the other books..... it wouldn't be as plausible anyways unless it was done right. And I'm going out on a limb saying this but I think I'll be okay..... it won't be done right.
if you enjoyed this book. good for you. I'm taking a loooooong break from Kenyon/McQueen. I need to have my brain scrubbed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Blood, Excrement, Grief, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Classism