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seastheday's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
1.0
I don’t really know what to say about this book. I didn’t really care for most of the characters. It was crazy how Apollo’s & Aurora’s abusive behaviors were constantly justified by other characters. This book is aimed at a younger audience, which makes that all the more frightening. Like to see excused abuse and no one ever points out how wrong it is is a dangerous message to give young people.
I think the plot was confusing more than it was having “crazy twists”. The fact that stories were constantly changed made anything possible for the plot to not make sense at all. I hated this book.
I think the plot was confusing more than it was having “crazy twists”. The fact that stories were constantly changed made anything possible for the plot to not make sense at all. I hated this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Murder
Moderate: Child death, Death, Kidnapping, Murder, and Alcohol
leostellacarter's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Animal death
louise_french_rider's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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? No
5.0
Wow, I devoured the whole series, it is so well written. The characters are very lovable and funny to follow through their journey. I would highly recommend this series. The romance is good and nicely brought, not too much, just what was needed. It’s rare nowadays to have great romantasy series without any smut, I’m glad Stephanie did it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
chronic_listener's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
3.75
What I Loved
➳ the angst (oh it was ANGSTING)
➳ Jacks' POV (about damn time)
➳ all the twists and turns (the gasps I gusped)
➳ very high stakes (shaking in my boots)
➳ SO many great quotes (*swoon*)
What I didn't like about this was how much focus there was on Apollo. I get that we needed his POV chapters for impact, but did we really need that many..? I hated him with a fiery passion and while I love when a book evokes intense feelings, I do not enjoy being miserable half the time.
The parts in this I loved I LOVED but overall it left me wanting more. More Jacks, more reward for their pain, more answers to some plot points that were just kinda... brushed over or ignored which I wished were focused on before the series wrapped up for a more satisfying ending. (I haven't read the Caraval series yet so maybe that'll shed some more light on it!)
I really enjoyed the writing and worldbuilding, so whimsical and like a pastel explosion (in a good way) but with a slightly darker side of centuries old twisted curses, a metric shit ton of pining, packed to the brim with action and so much happening my face was 😦 a good chunk of the time.
This book hurt me in great (and some less great ways) and even though the ending felt a bit rushed I will definitely re-read this whole series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Animal death, Torture, and Death of parent
unboundbooklover's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Murder
fridalejon's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Torture
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
k_lee_reader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
Oh my gosh 😭😭😭😭😍😍😍😍 I love this book and this series so much. it ended so perfectly. I'm so happy with how they ended up together--their love for each other is strong enough to break any curse. Jacks has had his heart broken soooo many times and then Evangeline comes along and he's scared. he'll do anything not to lose her, even if that means pushing her away. but, thankfully, Eva is too stubborn and has so much hope and love that she chases after him, until she shows him that he doesn't have to be afraid. OH MY GOSH. I don't think I'll recover from this.
I was SOOO happy when the only thing Eva could remember was Jack's and OMG when she slapped Apollo--YES GIRL. and Jacks BEAT HIM UP. he deserves it, that nasty, loathsome bastard. He's the worst. BUT JACKS AND EVANGELINE 🩷🩷 HE GOT HIS FOX 🦊🩷🍏
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Death and Murder
Minor: Cursing
noellegrace8's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Okay why were people so mad about this book?? I do agree that there are a lot of loose ends, but doesn't that just mean we'll get more answers in some of her other books? She's coming out with a new Caraval book in a couple months. I actually haven't even read Caraval yet, mostly because I didn't know it existed, but now I think I'm going to. This trilogy was SO good.
Good things: Evajacks is as enticing as ever. And the plot introduces new elements like the two trees and Jacks' heart, which keeps the interest up. Evangeline is portrayed as having more willpower than ever (if you don't think that's possible, just wait). I like that even she has some character development in this one, not just Jacks. I also usually hate the amnesia trope but man. This one... actually does it well?? I finally understood WHY people use it. You're given even more insight into just how much Evangeline is drawn to this man (fate), that not even loss of memory can separate them. Certain characters get their comeuppance. Others' is foreshadowed... but yeah. It was just... a well-written book.
The bad: again, loose ends. I'm confused as to why Marisol and Luc both just kind of disappeared. The history of the arch, the Valors, Jacks, etc.? That's clear as mud, still. I need more answers! Also, we really needed to have been given a glimpse into Apollo's character before meeting him in OUABH. Because his absolutely treacherous, vile behavior in this book is confusing. Was he always like this? Did the curses drive him mad? Unsure. Also, you get a quarter of the way through the book before Jacks makes an appearance, which is torture! But I also think it was done kind of well.... Additionally, I'm confused about Jacks' blood on the arch and the tavern door?? I kept expecting that maybe it's a protection spell or something? But no explanation. Just like there was no explanation for Eva's kiss breaking the spell. I have a theory that maybe someone else has to kiss him first, instead of him being the instigator? Unsure though. We better get a Lala book by the way. I need to know if she and Dain find love and break her curse. Also... how do they take out Jacks' heart and put it back in? It's just casually mentioned that we all have 2 hearts but never explained...
I give Rebecca Soler's performance 4.5/5⭐️. Too loud sometimes, but generally accurate to the text.
I give Dan Bittner 4/5⭐️. He didn't always sound the way I imagined the characters were talking, and his narration seems less organic than it should be.
Good things: Evajacks is as enticing as ever. And the plot introduces new elements like the two trees and Jacks' heart, which keeps the interest up. Evangeline is portrayed as having more willpower than ever (if you don't think that's possible, just wait). I like that even she has some character development in this one, not just Jacks. I also usually hate the amnesia trope but man. This one... actually does it well?? I finally understood WHY people use it. You're given even more insight into just how much Evangeline is drawn to this man (fate), that not even loss of memory can separate them. Certain characters get their comeuppance. Others' is foreshadowed... but yeah. It was just... a well-written book.
The bad: again, loose ends. I'm confused as to why Marisol and Luc both just kind of disappeared. The history of the arch, the Valors, Jacks, etc.? That's clear as mud, still. I need more answers! Also, we really needed to have been given a glimpse into Apollo's character before meeting him in OUABH. Because his absolutely treacherous, vile behavior in this book is confusing. Was he always like this? Did the curses drive him mad? Unsure. Also, you get a quarter of the way through the book before Jacks makes an appearance, which is torture! But I also think it was done kind of well.... Additionally, I'm confused about Jacks' blood on the arch and the tavern door?? I kept expecting that maybe it's a protection spell or something? But no explanation. Just like there was no explanation for Eva's kiss breaking the spell. I have a theory that maybe someone else has to kiss him first, instead of him being the instigator? Unsure though. We better get a Lala book by the way. I need to know if she and Dain find love and break her curse. Also... how do they take out Jacks' heart and put it back in? It's just casually mentioned that we all have 2 hearts but never explained...
I give Rebecca Soler's performance 4.5/5⭐️. Too loud sometimes, but generally accurate to the text.
I give Dan Bittner 4/5⭐️. He didn't always sound the way I imagined the characters were talking, and his narration seems less organic than it should be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Infidelity, Self harm, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, and Gaslighting
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Xenophobia, Cannibalism, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
I added sexual assault/violence to the "minor" section because it's difficult to ignore the writing style of the scenes in which Apollo is restraining Evangeline, stealing memories, etc. It's written with sexual threat even if none actually happens.ladybug12793's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
couldn’t set it down.
0 🌶️
Not as entertaining as the others. New characters just thrown in and lots of unanswered questions. Seems like a certain MMC was out of character. Also, we never found out how certain people became fates in the first place. Alas, I thoroughly enjoyed the series.
0 🌶️
Not as entertaining as the others. New characters just thrown in and lots of unanswered questions. Seems like a certain MMC was out of character. Also, we never found out how certain people became fates in the first place. Alas, I thoroughly enjoyed the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, and Violence
margaretudza's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
It felt kinda quick, left many questions about the other characters, idk, but I liked it more than Finale from Caraval. I definitely love this series more than Caraval 💁🏻♀️
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death