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rowanmoth's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, and Murder
Moderate: Mental illness, Medical content, Kidnapping, and Grief
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gore, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, and Abandonment
Cult deprogramming, Deprogramming, prior mental abuse that was severe.kickassleigh's review
4.0
Sweet, Emotional Story
This was way more emotional than I originally thought it was going to be. But let me back up a bit first and say that I LOVE when authors reinvent the wheel for magic systems and world building in general, and this book is no different. Now, moving onto the hard stuff. The trauma Roman endured was heartbreaking and reading his POV and Tyler’s BEFORE Tyler realized what was going on was gut wrenching. And when Tyler put the pieces together and realized the truth, it was a relief but also grief ridden for me because I could feel that he was blaming himself. Marina does a good job of getting you as the reader to feel what she wants you to know, not just telling you what’s going on. Once everyone knew how to help Roman, he began to (slowly) bloom like a flower in the sun. This story was so excellent and wonderfully written.
This was way more emotional than I originally thought it was going to be. But let me back up a bit first and say that I LOVE when authors reinvent the wheel for magic systems and world building in general, and this book is no different. Now, moving onto the hard stuff. The trauma Roman endured was heartbreaking and reading his POV and Tyler’s BEFORE Tyler realized what was going on was gut wrenching. And when Tyler put the pieces together and realized the truth, it was a relief but also grief ridden for me because I could feel that he was blaming himself. Marina does a good job of getting you as the reader to feel what she wants you to know, not just telling you what’s going on. Once everyone knew how to help Roman, he began to (slowly) bloom like a flower in the sun. This story was so excellent and wonderfully written.
kunju_20005's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bookspastbedtime's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
just on a Marina bender... don't mind me...
jankben's review
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
5.0
Slow burn, soft on the D/s dynamic, but very emotional.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Confinement
bookl0ver_77's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
cheekikiki's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
abbytm's review
emotional
hopeful
fast-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? Yes
5.0
mirdiz's review
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
fast-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? No
5.0
Such a good book! Loved it right away, could not put it down! The story is beautifully written, Roman’s story is so heart wrenching! I loved the world building and can’t wait to read the next books in the series❤️ Not much spice in this books but some scenes were very hot🔥
🌶️🌶️
🌶️🌶️
secret_librarian's review
5.0
Rating: 4.5
Steam: 1
PoV: dual, 3rd person
Oh my, talk about an ultimate hurt / comfort story! Oh, Sacred Dark was an emotional and gorgeous read with a slow building romance and plenty of sweet moments.
Roman and Tyler were the kind of characters that were hard not to fall for. Roman was just so broken and traumatised at the beginning of the story, and it was heartbreaking to see how he was still stuck in his past and how Tyler kept misinterpreting things. The way they connected though was powerful and beautiful, I loved seeing the trust grow between them and how careful and sweet Tyler was.
The D/s aspect in this story was mild, there are scenes but not really what I imagined when reading the blurb. The mild and sweet scenes made sense though, considering Roman’s past and his needs. I really enjoyed how strong the hurt / comfort feeling was here, as well as the focus on the connection and trust between Tyler and Roman.
I have to admit I was a bit confused at first since there wasn’t any explanation or introduction into the world or magic system. A bit of it is learnt and explained from Roman’s perspective, but overall things are left unexplained. I really wanted a bit more insight into certain things and the world building, I just think it would have made my reading experience easier and less confusing.
Overall though, it was a well written and highly enjoyable read for me, and I absolutely recommend it if you’re into hurt / comfort stories and / or want something a little bit different when it comes to PNR!
Steam: 1
PoV: dual, 3rd person
Oh my, talk about an ultimate hurt / comfort story! Oh, Sacred Dark was an emotional and gorgeous read with a slow building romance and plenty of sweet moments.
Roman and Tyler were the kind of characters that were hard not to fall for. Roman was just so broken and traumatised at the beginning of the story, and it was heartbreaking to see how he was still stuck in his past and how Tyler kept misinterpreting things. The way they connected though was powerful and beautiful, I loved seeing the trust grow between them and how careful and sweet Tyler was.
The D/s aspect in this story was mild, there are scenes but not really what I imagined when reading the blurb. The mild and sweet scenes made sense though, considering Roman’s past and his needs. I really enjoyed how strong the hurt / comfort feeling was here, as well as the focus on the connection and trust between Tyler and Roman.
I have to admit I was a bit confused at first since there wasn’t any explanation or introduction into the world or magic system. A bit of it is learnt and explained from Roman’s perspective, but overall things are left unexplained. I really wanted a bit more insight into certain things and the world building, I just think it would have made my reading experience easier and less confusing.
Overall though, it was a well written and highly enjoyable read for me, and I absolutely recommend it if you’re into hurt / comfort stories and / or want something a little bit different when it comes to PNR!