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beehanc1929's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? N/A
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Self harm
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Vomit, and Suicide attempt
sephiefoxx's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-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
4.25
“Death isn’t frightening when weighed against an insignificant existence”
This really filled the hole that I didn’t know the tournament/death games books from my teenager years left. And while this book had some issues, particularly in the telling and not showing department, it immediately caught my attention and gripped it tight.
This book is engaging, with the right balance of romance and action. The world-building strong, and the take on vampires refreshing. So many of my personal favourite tropes and themes can be found within its pages and it was a real struggle to put it down. And most importantly, I absolutely adored Raihn. What a guy.
So if you love vampires, tournaments, feminine rage, and charming yet absolutely whipped MMCs as much as I do - I heavily recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Torture
Minor: Self harm, Slavery, and Death of parent
kayceroo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
- 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? No
4.0
Was skeptical going in because vampires, but was pleasantly surprised by how well crafted this felt! Strong characters with complicated and compelling motivations that feel authentic. With well crafted enemys to lovers slow burn romance 👌 Definitely one of if not my favorite romantasy read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Torture
johanna02's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Rape and Sexual content
Minor: Self harm and Sexual violence
At the beginning of the book you find a content warning from the author that I found very accurate.madalynjoanne's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, and War
Minor: Animal death, Self harm, and Slavery
lasagnee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Great read with fast pace and interesting plot points! Couldn't put it down
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Rape
meg_'s review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was such a fun, fast paced, and action packed read. There was so much here to love! From the plot, to the character dynamics, to the romance, it was all super enjoyable to read.
While the plot twist felt fairly predictable, the plot as a whole was so well done and kept me interested throughout. I loved reading about the Kerjari, the different trials, and the unique ways that these trials were tackled by our main characters.
I also loved the different relationship dynamics. In particular, I really enjoyed reading about Vincent and Oraya's relationship and the complexity in that, knowing how objectively Vincent is horrible but with Oraya there's this constant tension of knowing he loves her, while also not knowing how conditional that love may or may not be.
And obviously, the banter and romance was fun! To me, this was the least interesting part of the book and there were elements that felt overdone (ex the constant repetetive phrases and "there she is" moments) BUT it was also still really fun. I especially love the element of their relationship where it truly felt like they were safe with one another despite all of the reasons they likely should not feel safe with one another. I
've already jumped into book 2 and can't wait to get as enthralled as I did with the first!
While the plot twist felt fairly predictable, the plot as a whole was so well done and kept me interested throughout. I loved reading about the Kerjari, the different trials, and the unique ways that these trials were tackled by our main characters.
I also loved the different relationship dynamics. In particular, I really enjoyed reading about Vincent and Oraya's relationship and the complexity in that, knowing how objectively Vincent is horrible but with Oraya there's this constant tension of knowing he loves her, while also not knowing how conditional that love may or may not be.
And obviously, the banter and romance was fun! To me, this was the least interesting part of the book and there were elements that felt overdone (ex the constant repetetive phrases and "there she is" moments) BUT it was also still really fun. I especially love the element of their relationship where it truly felt like they were safe with one another despite all of the reasons they likely should not feel safe with one another. I
've already jumped into book 2 and can't wait to get as enthralled as I did with the first!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Moderate: Self harm, Sexual assault, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
thegeminibard's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
I read this book in two days. It’s really well written, no info dumping but I find out the things I’m curious about as the story goes.
Tournament trope is so good here. So is the enemies to lovers. I love the world building and the glimpses of Orayas past.
Oraya is just an absolute badass even tho she’s only human. And I love that we see that first thing chapter 1.
I was shocked by one of the plot twists but I guessed at the other but not to the extent of it. Devastating ending I wasn’t expecting despite the prologue lol.
Read this if you like enemies to lovers, tournaments, underdog protagonist, found family, dark themes, Sarah j Maas books but with Jay Kristoff vibes. There are trigger warnings at beginning.
Tournament trope is so good here. So is the enemies to lovers. I love the world building and the glimpses of Orayas past.
Oraya is just an absolute badass even tho she’s only human. And I love that we see that first thing chapter 1.
I was shocked by one of the plot twists but I guessed at the other but not to the extent of it. Devastating ending I wasn’t expecting despite the prologue lol.
Read this if you like enemies to lovers, tournaments, underdog protagonist, found family, dark themes, Sarah j Maas books but with Jay Kristoff vibes. There are trigger warnings at beginning.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Rape, Self harm, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, War, and Injury/Injury detail
claragweny's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- 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
2.75
Badass, violent chosen one FMC who has unknown powers. Secretive, powerful, and ~handsome~ MMC who’s ALSO a chosen one - oh and he has wings. 😐
Pretty much as formulaic as you can get with fantasy but not written well enough to be compelling. You could splice this story together with bits and pieces from the Sarah J Mass universe, From Blood and Ash, Twlight, and basically any other fae or vampire romantasy.
Everything I predicted about this book came true which isn’t something I want out of fantasy stories. I want to be surprised, challenged, or proven wrong. Obviously, that is not true for everyone given how much this book is raved about online. To each their own. When I want my trope-y, predictable, easygoing stories I will read a romance or contemporary fic novel instead.
That being said, it’s not bad enough that I didn’t enjoy reading it. It’s not guilty pleasure level enjoyment, not good enough that I’d genuinely recommend it. If someone asked me “hey should I read this?” I’d shrug and respond “eh, if you’ve got nothing else on your TBR right now.” 🤷♀️
Pretty much as formulaic as you can get with fantasy but not written well enough to be compelling. You could splice this story together with bits and pieces from the Sarah J Mass universe, From Blood and Ash, Twlight, and basically any other fae or vampire romantasy.
Everything I predicted about this book came true which isn’t something I want out of fantasy stories. I want to be surprised, challenged, or proven wrong. Obviously, that is not true for everyone given how much this book is raved about online. To each their own. When I want my trope-y, predictable, easygoing stories I will read a romance or contemporary fic novel instead.
That being said, it’s not bad enough that I didn’t enjoy reading it. It’s not guilty pleasure level enjoyment, not good enough that I’d genuinely recommend it. If someone asked me “hey should I read this?” I’d shrug and respond “eh, if you’ve got nothing else on your TBR right now.” 🤷♀️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Sexual content, Blood, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Grief and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Rape, Self harm, and Torture
lubelle867's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I liked learning all the world lore and I enjoyed the characters. I also LOVE a grumpy FMC.
If you like vampires and hungergames(ish) tournaments, you will most likely enjoy this book.
I was NOT expecting the plot twist at the end. As someone who can usually predict the ending, especially in romantasy books, it was nice to be shocked 😂
If you like vampires and hungergames(ish) tournaments, you will most likely enjoy this book.
I was NOT expecting the plot twist at the end. As someone who can usually predict the ending, especially in romantasy books, it was nice to be shocked 😂
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Genocide, Gore, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Self harm and Fire/Fire injury
This is a book about vampires. It’s graphic and gory. Do not read it if you cannot handle those things.