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beepsies's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
First off, I loved the premise of this book! I'm here for vampires, for intrigue, for monsters, and science, and for a juicy bisexual triad! To say nothing of my penchant for a brooding hero learning what it's like to be Liked and Valued as a person! I found the plot entertaining and the writing to be enjoyable.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
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
catsandbookstacks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
Reread on audio prior to book 2. Loved it even more. The way I CACKLED.
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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
---
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
Content Warnings
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
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