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A review by hobbithopeful
A Soul to Touch by Opal Reyne
dark
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Who needs therapy when you have monster romance?
I loved how badass and strong Mayumi was! It was so cool to see a woman lead know how to survive, and thrive! I feel like I could survive for maybe an hour now in their world, after reading how Mayumi would cook and hunt. (In actuality I would survive for maybe 5 minutes, unless I'm abducted by a Duskwalker)
Faunus was so sweet, he was such a cat ! I think he is the first Duskwalker we have seen who wasn't constantly working, and ready to go everyday. Much like his appearance he was more content to just nap lazily all day. (Also that tail though!)
On the flip side Mayumi was a difficult character to love, in best terms she was an unabashed asshole, with no desire or want to change, and no remorse in how she treats those around her. A huge hypocrite, at times I was surprised there was anything that Faunus saw in her. When she was slapped by a woman that she one night stand-ed, and then had the audacity and gall to act offended. Her inner monologue was something along the lines of "well she was probably treated like this by men so it's okay". Like what even? The inner misogyny was strong. I can see why this was the first book to not have the brides meet or interact, Mayumi had a very abrasive personality and I don't see how it would have ended well. (I feel like Delora and her could have cool sparring matches though!)
Honestly this is some of the best BIPOC writing from an author I have ever seen in a book. You can tell so much time and research was done into writing her character, and I loved every second of it. It was incorporated into so much of Mayumi's character, and even how she ended up fixing a certain piece of material just was the cherry on top.
One final thing to say: barbed for her pleasure
Another must read book by Opal Reyne!
I loved how badass and strong Mayumi was! It was so cool to see a woman lead know how to survive, and thrive! I feel like I could survive for maybe an hour now in their world, after reading how Mayumi would cook and hunt. (In actuality I would survive for maybe 5 minutes, unless I'm abducted by a Duskwalker)
Faunus was so sweet, he was such a cat ! I think he is the first Duskwalker we have seen who wasn't constantly working, and ready to go everyday. Much like his appearance he was more content to just nap lazily all day. (Also that tail though!)
On the flip side Mayumi was a difficult character to love, in best terms she was an unabashed asshole, with no desire or want to change, and no remorse in how she treats those around her. A huge hypocrite, at times I was surprised there was anything that Faunus saw in her. When she was slapped by a woman that she one night stand-ed, and then had the audacity and gall to act offended. Her inner monologue was something along the lines of "well she was probably treated like this by men so it's okay". Like what even? The inner misogyny was strong. I can see why this was the first book to not have the brides meet or interact, Mayumi had a very abrasive personality and I don't see how it would have ended well. (I feel like Delora and her could have cool sparring matches though!)
Honestly this is some of the best BIPOC writing from an author I have ever seen in a book. You can tell so much time and research was done into writing her character, and I loved every second of it. It was incorporated into so much of Mayumi's character, and even how she ended up fixing a certain piece of material just was the cherry on top.
One final thing to say: barbed for her pleasure
Another must read book by Opal Reyne!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Torture and Death of parent