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beepsies's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
However, this book took me ages to get through because I just didn't gel with the MC. I felt really good about him in the beginning -- he's been through a Lot, so it makes a lot of sense that he's deeply mistrustful. It makes a lot of sense that he doesn't know how to work in a team, that he doubts peoples intentions, that when a beautiful woman is sincere and kind to him that he latches onto her, and that he has a "one step forward, two steps back" kind of progression from time to time. He is, however, very stupid (bless him).
I got frustrated with him failing over and over to put two and two together, to the point where I wondered how he managed to survive for so long in such a precarious environment. He seemed so capable when he was introduced -- damaged, sure, but skilled at his craft. As the story went on, though, I felt like he got more and more out of his depth to the point where when he's able to hold his own in a fight it came as a surprise to me.
That's a matter of personal taste, though, and I'd still recommend it to anybody hankering for a vampire story.
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Torture, Gore, Emotional abuse, Death, Chronic illness, Bullying, Blood, Physical abuse, Murder, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Grief, and Trafficking
Minor: Xenophobia
just_one_more_paige's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Death, Blood, Cursing, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Vomit, Body horror, Gaslighting, Mental illness, and Murder
vigil's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
i have my fair share of issues about this book, but everytime i wasn't reading it, i was thinking about reading it. i never had a bad moment with this book, despite many warning that it starts to hit it's stride 20% into it. i was invested from page one essentially.
for my critiques, i'll say there is the issue with repetitive word choice, (there's only so many times i can read the word attractive) prose that definitely has it roots in YA despite being an adult book, and too much telling rather than showing in the romance. i think was written for zidan and remy, along with what has been set up for them is great, both individually and character wise. the same unfortunately cannot quite be said for xiaodan, who i feel got the short end of the stick. i know that she likes remy, and her fiance, i know several objective facts about her, but very little beyond that. that lack of interiority unfortunately spread to the relationship somewhat, leaving me fine with her interactions with her love interests, but never truly satisfied in the same way remy and malekh's do. however, this is the first book in what i presume to be a series, and that i expect that there will be more on xiaodan, especially with the events of the ending, a part of the book that really stood out for me.
that's not to say i didn't enjoy the relationship, because i absolutely did. they were always engaging to have on page, and i don't have any specific complaints about them (aside from the issue with xiaodan above). more fantasy authors should include sex scenes in their books.
plotwise, i had a fun time. i think this book would work excellent in a graphic novel or animation format because of how high-action it was. the rot plotline was a good opener for the series,
Graphic: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Dementia, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, War, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Gore
ashlikes's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Death, Gore, Violence, War, Alcohol, Grief, Blood, Body horror, and Cursing
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death of parent, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Mental illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Ableism, Chronic illness, Dementia, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Kidnapping, and Medical content
Minor: Pregnancy, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Misogyny, Police brutality, Vomit, and Pedophilia
ofbooksandechos's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
- I wish the narrator were either of Filipino or Chinese descent, just like the author, as the pronunciation of some names sounded a bit weird;
- the romance blooming between the main trio was mainly told rather than shown, especially in its early stages. I think the author should have explored the feelings between the trio, or at least Remy's, instead of rushing the whole thing;
- the pacing was a bit uneven;
All in all I enjoyed myself a lot while reading this one, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel.
Graphic: Child death, Gore, Body horror, and Blood
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual content, Bullying, and Mental illness
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Rape
catsandbookstacks's review against another edition
5.0
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Bloody, sensual and thrilling! I totally vouch for this being a comp to Castlevania! The worldbuilding was easy to wrap my head around human and vampire courts. The humour is absolutely on point and counterbalances the court politics and detective mystery aspects
Remy is a headstrong run into death situations and think later person. I loved his acceptance of Xiaodan and Zidan, and the slow burn was totally worth it.
Can't wait for the next book!
Read if you like:
- Human and vampire court politics
- Family and revenge
- Beheadings and monsters
- A badass weapon
- Slow burn
- Poly throuple
- Sass and innuendo
- Asshole men in positions of authority
- Discovering a sense of belonging and self worth
Graphic: Murder, Xenophobia, Blood, Violence, War, Medical content, Gore, Grief, Body horror, Death, Child death, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Medical trauma, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Child abuse