Scan barcode
erinreadsbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
What a fantastic roller coaster of a book. The plot drove relentlessly forward, the main cast of characters were clearly outlined from the beginning but were filled in as the story progressed, and the foreboding air of tragedy hung above the whole time but didn’t fall predictably. It really did feel like reading a tragic play; the focus was entirely on the characters and their relationships and histories and the worldbuilding really only consisted of “vaguely moody New York City but with some witchcraft”. I didn’t mind the sparse setting details seeing as the plot was so active I never felt bored. The stakes were high and the tensions were higher and I enjoyed watching things fall apart and get rebuilt as everything spiraled into tragedy.
Read if you like dramatic tragedies with both poetic speeches and also realistic dialogue.
Read if you like dramatic tragedies with both poetic speeches and also realistic dialogue.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Murder, Suicide, Grief, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Sexual harassment
nataliebootlah's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Lovers to enemies. Enemies to lovers.
A modern day Romeo and Juliet retelling complete with family drama and forbidden relationships, plus quite a few twists thrown into the mix. The story revolves around two powerful witch clans who have been rivals for over a decade: the Antonovas and the Fedorovs.
The characters felt realistic, multi-faceted, and thankfully, developed without being entirely predictable. Which was great, especially since I’m not a huge play-lover so the characters are ultimately what kept me tuned in. But I did enjoy being surprised multiple times for a retelling!
This is my third book by Blake and each time I’m reminded that I love how she writes—always so poetic.
A modern day Romeo and Juliet retelling complete with family drama and forbidden relationships, plus quite a few twists thrown into the mix. The story revolves around two powerful witch clans who have been rivals for over a decade: the Antonovas and the Fedorovs.
The characters felt realistic, multi-faceted, and thankfully, developed without being entirely predictable. Which was great, especially since I’m not a huge play-lover so the characters are ultimately what kept me tuned in. But I did enjoy being surprised multiple times for a retelling!
This is my third book by Blake and each time I’m reminded that I love how she writes—always so poetic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Blood, Violence, Child death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content and Emotional abuse
farfromsarah's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I liked this book but I feel like it didn’t really know what it was trying to be, the closest thing I can compare it to is Shakespearian tragedy (not that I’ve read much of that). It was entirely character driven which I usually like but I felt the lack of a plot goal made it feel very unstructured and ungrounded. However Olivie Blake, as always, is a master in character writing and that is something that does not fall flat here. RIP the lack of banter though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Suicide
Moderate: Drug use and Grief
Minor: Sexual harassment and Death of parent
sashahc's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Just finished “One for my Enemy” by Olivie Blake. This is kind of like if Romeo and Juliet were about Russian mobster witches in New York City and the dead didn’t stay dead. Passion and revenge and scheming and family. Great world building. It would make a great TV series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Death of parent
More...