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A review by multicoloredbookreviews
Hell and Back by Gray Holborn
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
There's nothing new much to say, I guess. I feel like the plot has slowed down and we keep going back to the same issues again and again. Six is helplessly drawn to Max but stubbornly keeping her at arm's length (well, except for Eli) because there's something off about her and blah, blah. Well, newsflash: Atlas is a werewolf and Wade an incubus, so it seems hypocritical to the extreme that they're so wary of Max when half of their team are "monsters" as well.
And for the love of Hell, let's stop with the "hOw CaN wE bE fRiEnDlY wItH mOnStErS wHeN wE'Ve BeEn TrAiNeD oUr WhOlE lIvEs To HuNt AnD kIlL tHeM" line. I'm only just half way through the series and it feels like I've read some iteration of that sentiment once every five chapters. It's driving me crazy.
Also, remember last time when I innocently said "Oh, it's so cool that this reverse harem series isn't all about the romance but about Max's journey and her quest to figure out who she is and where she comes from?" Well, I've changed my mind.
At this point, I don't know that anything about this story would significantly change if the romance was completely cut out and I'm not here for that. At all. Like, this could all just as easily be about teamwork and friendship like Max has with Rowan and Izzy. And if I wanted to read something that could be suitable for middle schoolers—with a few choice scenes removed—I wouldn't have picked up a RH saga. I wish there was something a little more impossible to resist about the whole bond thing. So far, not even Atlas' wolf being Max's mate has had any impact or meant anything.
At least these conspicuously absent bonds are forcing the harem to slowly but surely coalesce together. Six is irrevocably stuck with Darius now and Declan, who was his staunchest opposer, is beginning to warm up to him.
And it's looking like we may be getting some solid answers about Max soon, now that more of her unusual powers keep manifesting and conveniently saving the day LOL
And for the love of Hell, let's stop with the "hOw CaN wE bE fRiEnDlY wItH mOnStErS wHeN wE'Ve BeEn TrAiNeD oUr WhOlE lIvEs To HuNt AnD kIlL tHeM" line. I'm only just half way through the series and it feels like I've read some iteration of that sentiment once every five chapters. It's driving me crazy.
Also, remember last time when I innocently said "Oh, it's so cool that this reverse harem series isn't all about the romance but about Max's journey and her quest to figure out who she is and where she comes from?" Well, I've changed my mind.
At this point, I don't know that anything about this story would significantly change if the romance was completely cut out and I'm not here for that. At all. Like, this could all just as easily be about teamwork and friendship like Max has with Rowan and Izzy. And if I wanted to read something that could be suitable for middle schoolers—with a few choice scenes removed—I wouldn't have picked up a RH saga. I wish there was something a little more impossible to resist about the whole bond thing. So far, not even Atlas' wolf being Max's mate has had any impact or meant anything.
At least these conspicuously absent bonds are forcing the harem to slowly but surely coalesce together. Six is irrevocably stuck with Darius now and Declan, who was his staunchest opposer, is beginning to warm up to him.
And it's looking like we may be getting some solid answers about Max soon, now that more of her unusual powers keep manifesting and conveniently saving the day LOL