narcissisticallymiya's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bookwormbetty's review against another edition
1.0
DNF, I couldn't get past the first two chapters. I really couldn't stand the main character, one minute she is subservient the next defiant and it just was really not cohesive. I have not really had a DNF I usually push through, and that isn't to say this book isn't for someone else, it just really was not for me.
kfriend's review
4.0
After the massive cliff hanger with Enthralled, I was desperate to dive back into the dark and delicious Enslaved world. Giana Darling is such a powerful and captivating story, so I knew that this story would not disappoint and would bring all the dark romanticism and sensual poetry that I’m used to with her prose. And, I was right-Cosima and Alexander’s conclusion is beautiful, passionate, and spellbindingly raw.
The dominant and submissive/slave master type relationship isn’t really my favorite in romance, but Giana is a favorite, so I dove into this world. And, aspects of the first book definitely pushed me- it is dark, cruel in places, but I fell so in love with the complicated, pleasure and pain chemistry between these two. Book 2, dare I saw, is a bit softer, and for me, that really worked. We also get a lot more of the secondary characters, which has me even more excited for future books in this world. IN terms of it being less dark than the first, it felt more transparently emotional- and that’s because these characters are recovering from the devastating finale of book 1.
Book one really was establishing their intense chemistry and connection, and in Enamoured we really explore how both of these characters grow and evolve so they can actually be together, since that is where they so clearly belong. Alexander is addressing his feelings for Cosima, and Cosima is trying to find out how to move forward after her heartbreak. Giana really makes their path back to each other complicated- it’s incredibly engaging, even if at times a bit overwhelming and occasionally frustrating, with just how many elements come together. For the most part Giana weaves them together well, and the sinister and complicated challenges they face add so much angst, added emotional challenges, and all the drama.
I particularly loved how Giana developed Cosima’s character. She still has her big and beautiful heart, but we also see her find more strength and comes into herself, but only after she well and truly breaks. She suffers through so much, but she somehow is able to hang on to her essence - her love, her compassion, her tenderness, her light. And watching the evolution of her relationship with Alexander was so complex and interesting. Again, Giana finds a way to evolve their chemistry that maintains the essence of their dynamics but bends and expands to evolve for who these two are now- the master who loves his slave. It’s an enthralling journey to see Alexander accept he’s enamoured (yeh, I’m punny). o
The dominant and submissive/slave master type relationship isn’t really my favorite in romance, but Giana is a favorite, so I dove into this world. And, aspects of the first book definitely pushed me- it is dark, cruel in places, but I fell so in love with the complicated, pleasure and pain chemistry between these two. Book 2, dare I saw, is a bit softer, and for me, that really worked. We also get a lot more of the secondary characters, which has me even more excited for future books in this world. IN terms of it being less dark than the first, it felt more transparently emotional- and that’s because these characters are recovering from the devastating finale of book 1.
Book one really was establishing their intense chemistry and connection, and in Enamoured we really explore how both of these characters grow and evolve so they can actually be together, since that is where they so clearly belong. Alexander is addressing his feelings for Cosima, and Cosima is trying to find out how to move forward after her heartbreak. Giana really makes their path back to each other complicated- it’s incredibly engaging, even if at times a bit overwhelming and occasionally frustrating, with just how many elements come together. For the most part Giana weaves them together well, and the sinister and complicated challenges they face add so much angst, added emotional challenges, and all the drama.
I particularly loved how Giana developed Cosima’s character. She still has her big and beautiful heart, but we also see her find more strength and comes into herself, but only after she well and truly breaks. She suffers through so much, but she somehow is able to hang on to her essence - her love, her compassion, her tenderness, her light. And watching the evolution of her relationship with Alexander was so complex and interesting. Again, Giana finds a way to evolve their chemistry that maintains the essence of their dynamics but bends and expands to evolve for who these two are now- the master who loves his slave. It’s an enthralling journey to see Alexander accept he’s enamoured (yeh, I’m punny). o
booktalkswithregina's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexual assault, Rape, and Sexual violence
csaraiva310's review against another edition
1.0
If you come here looking for something like The Fallen Men series, forget it.
I love Giana Darling, but this book is horrible. We all know dark romances have sensitive themes like abuse and slavery, but this guy is completely nuts, he degrades her so bad, I don't even know how see can feel wet with a abuser like that. I thought that he would only be that bad in the beginning but he never changed, he treated her like crap, send her to a ritual hunt where other guys rape girls and kill them sometimes, he put up with that shit and he never treated her like a human being. I'm done with this. I will try to read Dante's duet but if it like this, I'm out. This shouldn't even be called a romance, because there is no romance, he only claims her has his property and goods.
I love Giana Darling, but this book is horrible. We all know dark romances have sensitive themes like abuse and slavery, but this guy is completely nuts, he degrades her so bad, I don't even know how see can feel wet with a abuser like that. I thought that he would only be that bad in the beginning but he never changed, he treated her like crap, send her to a ritual hunt where other guys rape girls and kill them sometimes, he put up with that shit and he never treated her like a human being. I'm done with this. I will try to read Dante's duet but if it like this, I'm out. This shouldn't even be called a romance, because there is no romance, he only claims her has his property and goods.
djacknurse's review against another edition
2.0
I just can't feel any love/romance when there is abuse between the main characters.
rashmitha_books's review
tense
slow-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
0.25
WASTE OF TIME!
gretareadsromance's review against another edition
5.0
I'm obsessed with this world Giana Darling created and Enthralled has me hooked even more.
This duet begins the tale of Cosima and Alexander. While their lives become entangled in an interesting and harsh way their story is one that needs to be read. The details and the way their relationship blooms is both beautiful and sad and they way their feelings developed you can't help but love this couple. There is so much going on in the background as well you don't know which story to believe or which person is being true. Between the Mafia and the Order the deception is real and I couldn't stop turning the pages! I can't wait to get into book 2 and see how this plays out.
This duet begins the tale of Cosima and Alexander. While their lives become entangled in an interesting and harsh way their story is one that needs to be read. The details and the way their relationship blooms is both beautiful and sad and they way their feelings developed you can't help but love this couple. There is so much going on in the background as well you don't know which story to believe or which person is being true. Between the Mafia and the Order the deception is real and I couldn't stop turning the pages! I can't wait to get into book 2 and see how this plays out.
bitchery's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
0.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Violence, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
joskypay's review against another edition
5.0
OMG! This book is absolutely everything! The minute you think you have it figured out, the author adds lies and deceptions, changing fundamental truths at a breath stealing pace. It was a rollercoaster ride and I could not stop reading!
Master Alexander is everything you'd expect from a good dom. I loved him even when he did things I didn't like. His devotion to Cosima and the way it broke him a little in small ways really moved me.
Cosima's journey, her strength and self sacrifice, it made me half wish the author would ease up on her a bit and half wish she'd throw more things at her just to see her rise above them. Her struggle to learn the truth and do right by everyone she loves kept me turning the pages even when I knew I should put it away for the night.
I'm going to be counting the minutes to the conclusion of this story! No matter what lives are already changed through all this I'm anxious to see what happens when more truths come to light and see what landscape they are left with when the chips fall where they may...
Master Alexander is everything you'd expect from a good dom. I loved him even when he did things I didn't like. His devotion to Cosima and the way it broke him a little in small ways really moved me.
Cosima's journey, her strength and self sacrifice, it made me half wish the author would ease up on her a bit and half wish she'd throw more things at her just to see her rise above them. Her struggle to learn the truth and do right by everyone she loves kept me turning the pages even when I knew I should put it away for the night.
I'm going to be counting the minutes to the conclusion of this story! No matter what lives are already changed through all this I'm anxious to see what happens when more truths come to light and see what landscape they are left with when the chips fall where they may...