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16.3k reviews for:

Adelines Jagd

H.D. Carlton

3.9 AVERAGE

dark emotional hopeful fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Loveable characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

Part one was SOOOO hard to get through because of everything done to Addie. Once part two starts, it’s all about Addie healing and getting her revenge on the people who treated her terribly. Of course Zade was there to help and support anyway he could.
dark emotional hopeful sad tense fast-paced
adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

What the fuck did I read??
challenging dark mysterious sad fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Review of Hunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton

H.D. Carlton’s Hunting Adeline is a dark romance novel that plunges readers into the depths of human trafficking and its devastating psychological toll, all while weaving a twisted love story between its complex protagonists. As the sequel to Haunting Adeline, this book amplifies the darkness, exploring Adeline’s fight for survival and her struggles with the long-lasting trauma of her captivity.

Adeline’s journey is the emotional centerpiece of the novel. Carlton portrays her ordeal within the human trafficking network with grim detail, leaving little to the imagination about the horrors she endures. Adeline’s trauma is vividly rendered through her internal monologues and flashbacks, showing how deeply it scars her psyche. Her fight to reclaim her sense of agency, even after being physically freed, is a raw and harrowing experience. Carlton excels in depicting Adeline’s conflicting emotions: fear, shame, anger, and the unrelenting determination to heal despite the odds stacked against her. The moments when she confronts her demons and begins to rebuild herself feel both painful and empowering, adding a layer of resilience to her character.

However, while Adeline’s personal battle is gripping, Claire’s overarching role in the trafficking network feels underwhelming. As an antagonist, Claire lacks the depth or ingenuity one might expect from a character orchestrating such an insidious operation. Her motivations and methods are painted with broad strokes, making her come across as a one-dimensional villain. While her cruelty is undeniable, she does little to surprise or challenge the narrative creatively. This lack of nuance weakens the story’s tension, especially given the weight of the themes Carlton is tackling. A more complex or unpredictable portrayal of Claire could have added layers of intrigue and made the stakes feel even higher.

On the whole, Hunting Adeline is a chilling exploration of resilience in the face of unimaginable trauma, but its darker elements may not be for everyone. While the story does a commendable job of showing Adeline’s strength and vulnerability, the lack of innovation in Claire’s character undermines the potential for a more dynamic conflict. Fans of dark romance who are prepared for its graphic content will likely appreciate the emotional depth of Adeline’s journey, but those looking for a more intricately crafted antagonist may find themselves disappointed.

I enjoyed this book way more than I should have… Rio’s note at the end