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A review by mitzee
The Wicked and the Willing by Lianyu Tan
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Rating this book is hard because its primary characters are all women and gender minorities, it’s great to see that representation in the romantasy (romance+fantasy) genre especially the spicy scenes. I guess it’s also horror, as the cover says.
On the other hand the levels of abuse are so shocking that I’m not even sure if this is the kind of representation we want.
I did like the surprise ending though. I suppose I would generally recommend this book with major caveats about the explicit sexual content and abuse.
Summary for my own records:
The relationship between Verity Edervane and Gean Choo goes from new lady’s maid to servant and sex toy. There are a lot of layers to their relationship from race and class , master and servant, and abuser and abused but in a love/hate relationship - or maybe just a confused abused person.
The relationship between Gean Choo and Po Lam is one that is a little easier to take but also feels so straight, it’s a little bit annoying because they have had such few interactions with each other it’s like “how could they like each other so much?” Maybe it’s a shred trauma thing.
Anyway, at the end you get to pick which ending you want. It can be nice or mysteriously awful.
On the other hand the levels of abuse are so shocking that I’m not even sure if this is the kind of representation we want.
I did like the surprise ending though. I suppose I would generally recommend this book with major caveats about the explicit sexual content and abuse.
Summary for my own records:
The relationship between Gean Choo and Po Lam is one that is a little easier to take but also feels so straight, it’s a little bit annoying because they have had such few interactions with each other it’s like “how could they like each other so much?” Maybe it’s a shred trauma thing.
Anyway, at the end you get to pick which ending you want. It can be nice or mysteriously awful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Suicide, and Murder
Minor: Child death and Gun violence
The type of sexual assault is by a woman to another woman if that makes a different for you