hannahmcl394's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Nice bit of erotica with a decent amount of plot but don’t expect anything more than that.
If you go into reading this expecting smut then that is what you’ll get. While this book has more plot than other books I have read by katee robert (a touch of taboo series) there is no mistaking it is erotica.
For me, I definitely could have used some more of Jasmine and Jafars backstory to flesh out the story a lot more and buildup to the smut. I really would have enjoyed reading more of their banter and seeing that true enemies to lovers trope though I know this isn’t the authors style.
Having said that I thoroughly enjoyed this book for what it was and definitely plan on continuing working my way through the wicked villains series, Hades and Meg have me very interested in their story and I can’t wait to read ‘learn my lesson’ very soon.
I felt this book dealt with the CNC kink in a very careful way and made it clear of Jasmines consent throughout the story, leaving absolutely no nuisance for it to be interpreted differently. Also loved the use of the safe word and the way it connected this story with the original source material.
Overall it was a perfect mix of dark fantasy with just enough romance to make the sensitive topics more comfortable for the reader.
Initial rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 stars
(subject to change)
Spice rating: 🌶🌶🌶🌶 4 spice
Favourite Quotes:
“To everyone out there who prefers the villains to the heroes.”
“What's the point of possessing a rare desert flower if no one knows it exists?”
“A princess locked in a tower is only kept away from the world for one reason: it has nothing to do with her safety and everything to do with her perceived value.”
“This is not a victim rushing to meet her savior.
This is a queen considering whether or not to treat with an enemy.”
Would I read again? Probably not
Would I recommend? Yes
If you go into reading this expecting smut then that is what you’ll get. While this book has more plot than other books I have read by katee robert (a touch of taboo series) there is no mistaking it is erotica.
For me, I definitely could have used some more of Jasmine and Jafars backstory to flesh out the story a lot more and buildup to the smut. I really would have enjoyed reading more of their banter and seeing that true enemies to lovers trope though I know this isn’t the authors style.
Having said that I thoroughly enjoyed this book for what it was and definitely plan on continuing working my way through the wicked villains series, Hades and Meg have me very interested in their story and I can’t wait to read ‘learn my lesson’ very soon.
I felt this book dealt with the CNC kink in a very careful way and made it clear of Jasmines consent throughout the story, leaving absolutely no nuisance for it to be interpreted differently. Also loved the use of the safe word and the way it connected this story with the original source material.
Overall it was a perfect mix of dark fantasy with just enough romance to make the sensitive topics more comfortable for the reader.
Initial rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 stars
(subject to change)
Spice rating: 🌶🌶🌶🌶 4 spice
Favourite Quotes:
“To everyone out there who prefers the villains to the heroes.”
“What's the point of possessing a rare desert flower if no one knows it exists?”
“A princess locked in a tower is only kept away from the world for one reason: it has nothing to do with her safety and everything to do with her perceived value.”
“This is not a victim rushing to meet her savior.
This is a queen considering whether or not to treat with an enemy.”
Would I read again? Probably not
Would I recommend? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual content, Blood, Confinement, and Death
Minor: Rape, Slavery, Kidnapping, Alcohol, and Toxic relationship
scullbelle's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent, and Death
18 or oldersawyernarro's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Death, Violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
thesmutsister_emma's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Ten Thousand Years Can Give You Such a Crick in the Neck. Oi!
For some reason, I am making the severe mistake of loaning my mother these books. This is a decision I am sure to regret the second she comes to the first scene and realizes how fucked in the head I am (hey, Alexa, play Champagne Problems by Taylor Swift). All's well that ends well though so. We'll see how that plays out.
The Characters
Jasmine: if it had not been for the fact that she literally had never left her father's place like ever, honestly I would complain more. But here she is, as old as she is and was never allowed to leave? I guess I can give her some slack. I do wonder though how she ended up managing to do certain things she wound up doing. Curious.
Jafar: Look, the man could get it. I wouldn't be happy about it, but he could get it. I have so many issues that literally he could just tell me to fight back and we'd have a wonderful time. Outside of this, he was somewhat infuriating, honestly. Refusing to acknowledge feelings in a book as smut heavy as this? Those are some basic moves, my guy. Let's just hope I have more coherent thoughts when I look back over this than at the time of publishing and I can give more thorough thoughts.
Things I Loved
The smut was amazing as well as Katee's writing as always. I don't think I have found a book of hers I don't like. It honestly might become my life's mission to read her entire backlog. I truly don't think I could give Katie beneath a 3.75 star rating ever.
Things I Didn't Love
It felt forced a lot of times honestly. While I did understand why that was the case, I wasn't as invested as I typically am and it was frustrating because I honestly would have loved for this to be a 5 star read. Maybe the next one.
The Final Verdict
Definitely give this book a try if you like smut. This is very smut heavy and it is honestly great. Come for the villains (hehe) and stay for the smut.
For some reason, I am making the severe mistake of loaning my mother these books. This is a decision I am sure to regret the second she comes to the first scene and realizes how fucked in the head I am (hey, Alexa, play Champagne Problems by Taylor Swift). All's well that ends well though so. We'll see how that plays out.
The Characters
Jasmine: if it had not been for the fact that she literally had never left her father's place like ever, honestly I would complain more. But here she is, as old as she is and was never allowed to leave? I guess I can give her some slack. I do wonder though how she ended up managing to do certain things she wound up doing. Curious.
Jafar: Look, the man could get it. I wouldn't be happy about it, but he could get it. I have so many issues that literally he could just tell me to fight back and we'd have a wonderful time. Outside of this, he was somewhat infuriating, honestly. Refusing to acknowledge feelings in a book as smut heavy as this? Those are some basic moves, my guy. Let's just hope I have more coherent thoughts when I look back over this than at the time of publishing and I can give more thorough thoughts.
Things I Loved
The smut was amazing as well as Katee's writing as always. I don't think I have found a book of hers I don't like. It honestly might become my life's mission to read her entire backlog. I truly don't think I could give Katie beneath a 3.75 star rating ever.
Things I Didn't Love
It felt forced a lot of times honestly. While I did understand why that was the case, I wasn't as invested as I typically am and it was frustrating because I honestly would have loved for this to be a 5 star read. Maybe the next one.
The Final Verdict
Definitely give this book a try if you like smut. This is very smut heavy and it is honestly great. Come for the villains (hehe) and stay for the smut.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Kidnapping, Violence, Confinement, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Death
art_books_chemistry's review
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
If I had read this before reading Neon Gods, I don't think I would have bothered with any more of Katee Roberts work. After how much I loved Neon Gods, Desperate Measures was a severe disappointment. I even found grammar and spelling errors (cobbled instead of hobbled sticks out the most to me) that I didn't expect. There was more actual spice in this book which was good. I can't say I'm a huge fan of the storyline but everyone's tastes are slightly different, this just didn't fit mine for the most part. I'm intrigued with all the fairytale/mythology crossover and am interested in reading the series further to see which other villains are introduced and if Katee's writing gets better (it also felt mildly repetitive at points with using the same phrases) since the Dark Olympus books were published after these and I found the writing there better.
I do still recommend this for those who like the down and dirty dominant mafia boss falls for the princess type of story.
I do still recommend this for those who like the down and dirty dominant mafia boss falls for the princess type of story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexism, Sexual content, Confinement, Murder, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Death of parent
angelsfw's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Confinement, Murder, Blood, and Sexual content
bootsmom3's review
adventurous
dark
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Confinement, Murder, Sexual content, and Death
Moderate: Blood and Alcohol
tinalynsmith123's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
3.5
An updated, twisted, smutty retelling of a classic. The plot was just strong enough to keep the story moving to link together the smutty scenes, an interesting retelling of this classic but I found the writing style to be a bit basic and repetitive. Not the biggest fan of all the kinks included in the story but they didn’t hamper my enjoyment of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Confinement, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
sarah_28's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Kidnapping, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Death
Minor: Blood
ruthiedr89's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Sexism, Stalking, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death of parent, Blood, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Kidnapping
Minor: Vomit, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Trafficking, and Sexual assault