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nataliemeagan's review
4.0
Thanks to NetGalley and Antonia Rachel Ward for letting me read this early.
I really enjoyed this novella. It felt like a mix between Moulin Rouge and The Illusionist with a touch of feminine rage, smut and possession. It was really fun, kinda dark, well written and the cover is gorgeous too.
I really enjoyed this novella. It felt like a mix between Moulin Rouge and The Illusionist with a touch of feminine rage, smut and possession. It was really fun, kinda dark, well written and the cover is gorgeous too.
bookishbai's review
3.0
This book had a few uncomfortable scenes. I mean, one of the points of horror books is to make a reader uncomfortable. The seance was definitely on the line with the dubious consent. So this novella is very dark, so be sure to check out trigger warnings. So that's my PSA. I read dark romance a lot, so I'm used to a lot of darkness, and while the topic is uncomfortable, it was well-written.
hat
However, overall, it was a pretty cool novella. I think it could have been a wonderful full length novel--then it would be possibly that the characters would be a liiiitttle more developed as well as the ending.
This book was incredibly frightening. Being trapped in one's body is definitely a fear. Cece is controlled by Selena and she has no control. The descriptions of this make it so terrifying. The descriptions were really the strong suit of the novella.
The cover is so interesting to look at. That seriously deserves all the points. I am obsessed with that.
hat
However, overall, it was a pretty cool novella. I think it could have been a wonderful full length novel--then it would be possibly that the characters would be a liiiitttle more developed as well as the ending.
This book was incredibly frightening. Being trapped in one's body is definitely a fear. Cece is controlled by Selena and she has no control. The descriptions of this make it so terrifying. The descriptions were really the strong suit of the novella.
The cover is so interesting to look at. That seriously deserves all the points. I am obsessed with that.
maemaelu23's review
3.0
A dark and twisted tale of possession and passion this book could have been so much more. The bones were there and the overall story was strong but it felt so rushed. The relationship between Cece and George, as well as the climax leading into no falling action or resolution. The ending just…ended. A little anti climactic. It had so much potential and the writing itself was promising. It just needed more.
bladelikesbooks's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
DNF’d at 51% I honestly could have DNF’d MUCH sooner but I tried to power through but it’s just so awful. This book is so misogynistic and I really don’t appreciate the sexualisation of sapphic relationships. Also, there was no need for that man’s perspective, everytime I read his thoughts I wanted to punch him in the face
TW/CW (not a complete list as I didn’t read the whole book) - Blood; Cussing; Death of a loved one (past); Mind Control; Misogyny; Nudity; Prostitution; Sex; Suicide (briefly mentioned)
nittiotvaan's review
dark
fast-paced
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Murder, and Sexual content
Moderate: Blood and Gore
cozybones's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
stephsfeelinbookish's review
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Quick story about women empowering women, definitely look up trigger warnings because oof-
It was short and little spicy, it definitely wasn’t perfect but it was indeed short and I wished I knew more about the love interest.
We even have insta love which isn’t my favorite but it went well with this short little book!
Lastly we even have a paranormal element thrown into this book.
It was short and little spicy, it definitely wasn’t perfect but it was indeed short and I wished I knew more about the love interest.
We even have insta love which isn’t my favorite but it went well with this short little book!
Lastly we even have a paranormal element thrown into this book.
bookishdaylight's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
2.0
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This did not hit the mark for me and as much as I love the book's cover, this is something I would forget in the long run. I was neutral about what happened throughout the story because of the fast pacing with the character's lack of personality.
The plot is very bland and I suppose it was for the reason that this is a novella making the story rushed and unconvincing with the character's actions and their agenda. The instalove is another reason why I didn't like it, the characters barely knew each other and were already in love which made the execution disappointing, to say the least.
This did not hit the mark for me and as much as I love the book's cover, this is something I would forget in the long run. I was neutral about what happened throughout the story because of the fast pacing with the character's lack of personality.
The plot is very bland and I suppose it was for the reason that this is a novella making the story rushed and unconvincing with the character's actions and their agenda. The instalove is another reason why I didn't like it, the characters barely knew each other and were already in love which made the execution disappointing, to say the least.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, and Sexual content
emilyetier's review against another edition
3.0
This was a really interesting book to read. The thing that drew me in at first was the cover, which is such an interesting cover! It is really beautifully drawn. Reading the description of the book, I got even more excited. I was slightly let down by this one, however. Do not get me wrong! I had a good time reading it, and I appreciated all of the twists and turns that were in it.
The words were beautifully written and Antonia Rachel Ward did a wonderful job explaining the scenery of everything that was happening. There were a couple of things that I wished for more in this book, however. I feel as though this book could have been a bit longer. I really liked the novella aspect of this book, I simply just do not feel as though the characters were as developed as they could have been by the end of the story. The end of this story seemed to happen very quickly and I wish that more time could have been taken to explain everything that was happening specifically with Selena.
One of my favorite things in this novella was definitely the author describing being hypnotized. I felt as though she did a really good job encapsulating that. I will definitely read more from this author in the future!
Huge thank you to Netgalley and Brigid Gate Press for an ARC of this novella!
The words were beautifully written and Antonia Rachel Ward did a wonderful job explaining the scenery of everything that was happening. There were a couple of things that I wished for more in this book, however. I feel as though this book could have been a bit longer. I really liked the novella aspect of this book, I simply just do not feel as though the characters were as developed as they could have been by the end of the story. The end of this story seemed to happen very quickly and I wish that more time could have been taken to explain everything that was happening specifically with Selena.
One of my favorite things in this novella was definitely the author describing being hypnotized. I felt as though she did a really good job encapsulating that. I will definitely read more from this author in the future!
Huge thank you to Netgalley and Brigid Gate Press for an ARC of this novella!