Reviews with content warning for Sexual violence - Gleam

This wasn't the incredible read that booktok made it out to be.
I didn't hate it. I like the development of the world, the characters (bar the main character) are interesting. I really like the love interest too, the author did a good job of establishing him as a menacing, powerful dude with a weakness for the main character.
But the prose is a real weakness, and has been across all the books so far. The author is trying really hard to add descriptive language, and use a lot of metaphors, but they're so forced and weird that they miss the mark most of the time. So many of them made me cringe, and really took me out of the book. Like 'his words stick to the soles of my feet' and 'white sheets over the furniture like cumbersome ghosts'. (?) what are cumbersome ghosts? Are the ghosts that get in the way?
The dialogue is also a real weakness, with many conversations lacking chemistry or flow, because they feel very clichéd. Or because it is necessary for exposition, so it feels inorganic.
I do think that the main characters development is interesting, which is something people emphasised in their reviews of it. But she's still kind of dumb? We're told that she understands Midas' mind, and his motivations. But she still plays into his hand over and over again. And the book ends that way too.
Idk the plot is good, and the pacing is good, but the naive main character and clichéd prose bring the book down significantly.
I also think constant sexual assault of the main character is gratuitous and over done, and I'm tired of it. It's not plot necessary at all.

Content Warnings

joannatav's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.25

Content Warnings

corporial's review against another edition

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dark medium-paced

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

3.5

Content Warnings

el1ie's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

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eleanorspress's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

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jnl00700's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Content Warnings

folkofthebook's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Each book just gets better. Firstly, the slow burn of #Aurip pays off … UNFFFF. There is one scene that though I saw it coming was very hard to read. I have to see how it plays out from here. The political intrigue is thickening, I used to hate Malina’s POV but I appreciated it this time around. Can’t believe I’m going to have to wait for the next (final?) book in this dark horse of a series. Til then!

Content Warnings

jeaven's review against another edition

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dark funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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