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A review by bookphenomena_micky
At First Spite by Olivia Dade
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
Headlines:
Trope ick
MH rep
Character depth
There is lots I liked about this book and then things like context, trope and timings that I struggled with in this new series starter from Olivia Dade. My heart pretty much sank when I started reading this and realised we were going to have a kind of love triangle involving two brothers. It's more complex than that with engagements, break-ups and houses but still it was somewhat icky to me from the off.
What saved this book and kept me reading were the individual characterisations of Athena and Matthew (even though I struggled with them together). I really liked both characters and the depth with which they were crafted. The depression representation was very good but do not talk to me about the timing of the connection in relation to this depression...
The friendship between Matthew and Athena was worth the read but I didn't like much about their sexual connection. I couldn't stand the other brother and the debacle of the houses was meant to be quirky but seemed so unlikely to me.
So as you can see, such a mixed bag but I will give the next one a go.
Thank you to netgalley for this eARC.
Trope ick
MH rep
Character depth
There is lots I liked about this book and then things like context, trope and timings that I struggled with in this new series starter from Olivia Dade. My heart pretty much sank when I started reading this and realised we were going to have a kind of love triangle involving two brothers. It's more complex than that with engagements, break-ups and houses but still it was somewhat icky to me from the off.
What saved this book and kept me reading were the individual characterisations of Athena and Matthew (even though I struggled with them together). I really liked both characters and the depth with which they were crafted. The depression representation was very good but do not talk to me about the timing of the connection in relation to this depression...
The friendship between Matthew and Athena was worth the read but I didn't like much about their sexual connection. I couldn't stand the other brother and the debacle of the houses was meant to be quirky but seemed so unlikely to me.
So as you can see, such a mixed bag but I will give the next one a go.
Thank you to netgalley for this eARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Child death