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farmpaws's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I’m glad I read this and I’m glad to own this because I did legitimately enjoy it. Until almost at the end. I really wish there had been a trigger warning at the start for (threatened not described) rape and pedophilia. I know it was in a conversation and said by the villain, but it really soured the rest of the book. . I had to finish it in one sitting because I knew that if I put it down I wouldn’t pick it up again. It was just incredibly abrupt and unnecessary. Klune does a great job of showing how sadistic this villain is, and really, really didn’t need to go there with it. He was already clearly a bad guy! He was already evil!
I also wish Joe and Ox had less of an age gap, given how early in their lives the book starts and how much you are shown of their early lives, vs when they are adults. I feel like this story would’ve been just as good starting when they were both teens with a few references or flashbacks to childhood if necessary. It would’ve worked well given the writing style also.
But on the plus side I loved the way Klune writes the pack and shows you how deeply their love lies. You can really feel it seeping out of the pages. He writes relationships really well and every character feels so alive, and real. I also really liked the way they talked. In some books this kind of dialogue can be cringe, but I didn’t feel it here. Everyone has real, solid weight in the story, they can reach out and touch everything, they a part of it all. The magic too, felt so real, even though it’s not explained so much.
I probably won’t continue the series because I don’t think its going to undo any of the issues I had with it, but I also think this book works well as a standalone
I also wish Joe and Ox had less of an age gap, given how early in their lives the book starts and how much you are shown of their early lives, vs when they are adults. I feel like this story would’ve been just as good starting when they were both teens with a few references or flashbacks to childhood if necessary. It would’ve worked well given the writing style also.
But on the plus side I loved the way Klune writes the pack and shows you how deeply their love lies. You can really feel it seeping out of the pages. He writes relationships really well and every character feels so alive, and real. I also really liked the way they talked. In some books this kind of dialogue can be cringe, but I didn’t feel it here. Everyone has real, solid weight in the story, they can reach out and touch everything, they a part of it all. The magic too, felt so real, even though it’s not explained so much.
I probably won’t continue the series because I don’t think its going to undo any of the issues I had with it, but I also think this book works well as a standalone
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Pedophilia and Rape
meg_'s review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I have so many thoughts on this book, and unfortunately, the majority of them are bad. I feel sad about it because the premise of the book had such promise and I truly loved the initial found family element. But my feelings shifted pretty quickly when I realized that the romance within this book was this incredibly weird age gap that felt uber uncomfortable. Our main character is 16 at the time that he meets the "love interest" who I believe is 10 or 11 at the time they meet. I didn't realize this was going to be the primarily love interest until way further in and I had to re-read the synopsis to confirm it because I was a bit shocked. It's not just the actual age difference, but the fact that our main character, Ox, essentially watches Joe grow up from such a young age. It feel super weird, especially considering how frequently their first meeting was mentioned, even far into the timeline when it was clear there was meant to be a romantic relationship between the two of them. Super fucking weird.
And then, the two start an actual romantic relationship when Joe is still underage and Ox is 23?! Absolutely not. I just don't understand the decision to have the age gap play out that way. The two characters aren't really that far apart in age, but it's the dynamic of when they meet and watch each other grow up that is super fucking weird. Like maybe if they met when Joe was in his teen years and Ox was older and THEN there's a long period without seeing one another where Joe returns as an adult and is suddenly full grown and Ox realizes his feelings, I could see, but this was so weird. I know I've gone on too long about this in particular but it truly made me feel uncomfortable the whole book because even near the end of the book I couldn't help but view Joe as a child/adolescent, even when he was an adult.
The other piece that I disliked is how many people were added to Ox's pack. The initial found family for Ox with the Bennett family was so sweet and heartwarming to read, but as the story goes on the found family suddenly becomes the whole town? It was really hard to suspend my disbelief.
Lastly, the descriptors of the torture of Richard felt like way unnecessary and so horrifying.
The book honestly kind of reminded me of the aftg series because so much wild shit happened that was just unbelievable, but the biggest difference again was that throughout aftg our characters are all young adults!
Alright, rant over. I would not recommend reading this.
And then, the two start an actual romantic relationship when Joe is still underage and Ox is 23?! Absolutely not. I just don't understand the decision to have the age gap play out that way. The two characters aren't really that far apart in age, but it's the dynamic of when they meet and watch each other grow up that is super fucking weird. Like maybe if they met when Joe was in his teen years and Ox was older and THEN there's a long period without seeing one another where Joe returns as an adult and is suddenly full grown and Ox realizes his feelings, I could see, but this was so weird. I know I've gone on too long about this in particular but it truly made me feel uncomfortable the whole book because even near the end of the book I couldn't help but view Joe as a child/adolescent, even when he was an adult.
The other piece that I disliked is how many people were added to Ox's pack. The initial found family for Ox with the Bennett family was so sweet and heartwarming to read, but as the story goes on the found family suddenly becomes the whole town? It was really hard to suspend my disbelief.
Lastly, the descriptors of the torture of Richard felt like way unnecessary and so horrifying.
The book honestly kind of reminded me of the aftg series because so much wild shit happened that was just unbelievable, but the biggest difference again was that throughout aftg our characters are all young adults!
Alright, rant over. I would not recommend reading this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Violence, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, and Torture
sir_melons's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Grief, Death, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Torture, Body horror, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Sexual violence
booklifeisthelife's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Alright so. This is probably a 4 star for me. I really enjoyed this. I liked the slow, gradual approach to everything and that we learned about the world as he did. The friendships and family bonds happened gradually as well, just like with everything else. It felt natural. Even his relationship with Joe which was "mystical moon magic" we saw develop through the years. However, on that note, the lack of development after Ox finally sees Joe and realizes his attraction is unsatisfactory. They have what, a week, before everything happens and they are separated? Would have liked a bit more. But even that could have been fixed by after they come back together they build their relationship again? Spend time together? Yes they did spend time together and have to build a relationship again but it was mainly Ox having to let go of his anger. Which is totally justified btw. I don't like that some of the characters were calling his feelings "ridiculous". But whatever. They take time to come together again which I liked, that it wasn't an instant thing. But after? There wasn't an after. We didn't get to see their relationship after. We didn't get to see how they work as a couple, them going on a date, them doing anything besides the really short claiming scene at the end which I also didn't love since Ox didn't bite Joe? I felt like should have both bit..but meh. I would have liked a little more into the after. Onto another aspect, I didn't agree with every choice characters made but you almost never will. But for Ox, sometimes his thought process irked me. Him blaming the wolves, even a little. Not just after the death right then but even years later he still feels it a little. I didn't like that. But at the same time it shows how human he is? How imperfect he is? Ox or even Joe, neither are perfect characters without flaws. They are still great characters regardless. So I can't fault Ox for that even though it made me a little uncomfortable. Anyway. I'm happy Ox finally found somewhere he belonged. A family who accepts him fully. A place he belongs, as pack, as alpha. It still isn't fully but that'll time time and it's okay. He mostly accepts it now. The position really suits him. He earned it. And as mates. Joe will make sure Ox is the happiest person there is, same with Ox towards Joe. Joe will never let Ox think himself as less, he's the perfect person for him. So yeah, despite a few complaints I enjoyed this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Bullying, Death of parent, Murder, Death, and Grief
Minor: Blood, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Rape, Child abuse, Torture, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Vomit, and Sexual assault
obstinateheadstrongcurl's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
Wow this book was uncomfortable. I shouldn’t be surprised given the author’s other works, but I guess it’s good to be aware he’s creepy on multiple levels. Why did this start when they were children? Why is there such an age gap between the couple? Why was this book so long? Why was repetition used so frequently?
The one thing I did enjoy about this reading experience was the audiobook narrator seemed to dislike this book as much as I did and did some things that really emphasised the annoying parts of this book. I appreciated what I’m interpreting as his sneaky resistance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Child abuse, and Torture
Moderate: Sexual violence
corihwill's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual violence
eidal's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Death, Violence, Abandonment, Sexual content, Murder, Grief, and Blood
Moderate: Cursing, Child abuse, Torture, and Kidnapping
Minor: Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Alcoholism, and Emotional abuse
alsoapples's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Child abuse, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Death, Violence, and Torture
Moderate: Stalking, Abandonment, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Sexual violence, Rape, and Sexual assault
20sidedbi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Grief, Abandonment, Blood, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Sexual content, Body horror, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, and Stalking
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Sexual violence
daphnerussets's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
2.75
I think this book just isn't for me.
Having read Cerulean Sea and Whispering Door, I was expecting an introspective cosy fantasy. This was decidedly not that.
Being an educator, the age gap really didn't sit right with me. They meet at 10 and 16 and Ox constantly thinks back to the 10 year old Joe throughout the book. As a result, I felt that Joe's character development was stilted and at pivotal times nonexistent. I also struggled with accepting some of the character development we are told about Ox midway through. Perhaps if they had met at the same developmental point, these issues would have been easier to overcome.
I can see that there is an audience for this book and certainly I do love a found family trope - plenty of that here. But I simply wasn't able to overcome the timing of the age gap.
ARC received via NetGalley.
Having read Cerulean Sea and Whispering Door, I was expecting an introspective cosy fantasy. This was decidedly not that.
Being an educator, the age gap really didn't sit right with me. They meet at 10 and 16 and Ox constantly thinks back to the 10 year old Joe throughout the book. As a result, I felt that Joe's character development was stilted and at pivotal times nonexistent. I also struggled with accepting some of the character development we are told about Ox midway through. Perhaps if they had met at the same developmental point, these issues would have been easier to overcome.
I can see that there is an audience for this book and certainly I do love a found family trope - plenty of that here. But I simply wasn't able to overcome the timing of the age gap.
ARC received via NetGalley.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexual violence, Rape, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Gore, Child abuse, Death, Violence, Sexual content, and Blood