A review by caitlinemccann
Serpentine Valentine by Giana Darling

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I enjoyed the dark academic setting and the overall twist on the Medusa mythos. If anything, I just wanted more of this--the pacing in particular felt rushed and I would have loved to see the tension stretched out. But this was a quick and compelling read and I'm excited to try more from Giana Darling in the future.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Grief, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, and Outing

Minor: Vomit

The author warns in the beginning that the on-page sexual violence are explicitly in Chapter 2, which she says you can skip. It is referenced throughout the book, but less graphically. So if you need to skip that chapter, you can.