storieswithbee's reviews
382 reviews

X by Mandy Lee

3.0

Ensnared by Rebecca Quinn

3.75

Lights Out by Navessa Allen

dark emotional funny lighthearted reflective

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The Death King by Penelope Barsetti

2.0

I listened to the audiobook version of The Death King by Penelope Barsetti, and unfortunately, it didn’t live up to my expectations. There were several issues that left me disappointed, from the plot to the character dynamics to the audiobook itself. 

 

First off, the overall plot felt underdeveloped and lacked direction. The story lost serious momentum in the middle, and I found myself waiting for something to truly hook me. The pacing was uneven, with no clear narrative driving the story forward, which made it hard to stay engaged. 

 

One of my biggest issues was with the male main character (MMC) and his treatment of the female main character (FMC). His blatant disregard for her trauma and boundaries was incredibly problematic. The way he dismissed her pain and crossed lines felt insensitive, with a toxic “but you came, so you must have liked it” attitude that I simply couldn’t get behind. It’s a huge red flag for me, and it made it difficult to root for the relationship at all. 

 

The FMC’s inner monologue didn’t help matters either—it felt flat and one-dimensional. There was little emotional depth to her thoughts, which made it hard to connect with her on any meaningful level. As for the MMC, he came across as nothing more than an arrogant prick, completely dismissive of boundaries. His attitude throughout the book was a major turn-off. 

 

The audiobook voice acting didn’t do the story any favours either. The voice of the FMC made the character seem too juvenile, and the MMC’s voice actor sounded too old and lifeless for the role, which really took away from his character. Both performances fell flat and didn’t help to bring any spark or emotion to the story. 

 

In the end, The Death King just wasn’t for me. The lack of a strong plot, the toxic dynamic between the characters, and the uninspired audiobook performance all contributed to a frustrating experience. If you’re looking for a romance with emotional depth and respectful character dynamics, I’d recommend looking elsewhere. 

Dawn of Flames by Tessa Hale

2.0

I was skipping large chunks of this book because it felt so repetitive. The writing was repetitive and still unrefined. Unfortunately I probably won’t read this series again 

Midnight of Ashes by Tessa Hale

2.75

Again, it’s a very short read. The book more ‘tells’ you what’s happening, rather than ‘showing’ you what’s happening. I really think it could have used a little more editing to spice up the content 

Twilight of Embers by Tessa Hale

2.75

I liked it, but the writing is a bit unpolished and two dimensional. The story is also extremely short. I feel like you’re getting somewhere and then it cuts off into book two. 

A Wolf in the Garden by Allegra Hall

4.5

The only reason why I didn’t give this book 5 stars is because I think the main ‘conflict’ or plight point was resolved too easily. I felt as if the solution was too easy and simple. 

The spice is SPICING. The two main characters are going at it for about 70% of the book

I really loved how domestic and homely the relationship between the main characters felt. I feel like I really was a part of their love story and their journey. I think Allegra Hall has done a really great job of capturing the mundane side of the relationship in a narrative that has a lot of fantasy plot points.  The conversations between the two main characters felt so familiar, even genuine and real. I’ve never experienced that in a book before. 

Collared by the Vampire Prince by Darcy Fayton, Darcy Fayton
Did not finish book. Stopped at 65%.

Unfortunately, this one didn’t hit the mark for me. While I understand that every reader’s experience is different, I personally struggled to connect with the characters, particularly the female main character (FMC). She felt a bit two-dimensional, and I found it hard to sympathise with her journey. Her inner monologues seemed disconnected from her supposed ambitions and desires, which made her motivations feel unrealistic. For someone with such big goals, her thought processes just didn’t ring true or carry the weight they should have.

As for the spice? Oh, it’s definitely there. If you’re after heat, the book certainly delivers. But even though it’s steamy, it wasn’t my favourite example of smut. It was graphic, yes, but lacked the emotional depth and connection that I think really makes those scenes hit home. In a genre that often balances intensity with deeper feelings, this one focused heavily on the physical without offering enough of the vulnerability or intimacy I was looking for.

Since this is a dark romance, I went in expecting a gritty, maybe even uncomfortable exploration of power dynamics. I’m usually quite okay with these themes, and I’ve enjoyed other dark romances that push boundaries. However, because I couldn’t connect with the characters, the dominant behaviour of the male main character (MMC) came across as forced—almost bordering on abusive, rather than the consensual dominance you’d typically expect in these stories.

Now, I’m no expert on writing or storytelling, so my opinion is purely subjective. That said, I’ve read a lot of dark romance, and I’ve never felt quite this uncomfortable before. Other books have made me uncomfortable, but in a way that felt intentional and well-executed. Here, it felt unbalanced and, ultimately, unsatisfying.

In the end, this book wasn’t for me, but I know every reader looks for something different in dark romance. For those who prefer a more physical, less emotional take on power dynamics, this might be more your cup of tea.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual content

Vengeful Gods by Elliott Rose

4.0