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literarymary95's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Violence, War, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual content, Death of parent, and Slavery
Minor: Child death
amkleintje's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood and Violence
Moderate: War and Sexual content
jnterhune's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Torture, Sexual content, and War
Moderate: Rape, Abandonment, Cursing, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Confinement, Death of parent, Animal death, and Murder
Can we talk about the crazy aunt Omg! I liked the story line of this one more definitely more intriguing!emmerylynn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Blood, Violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: War
scoto435's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
- 2.5🌶️
- This book was what I wanted the first book to be. There is still a lot that could be expanded on (with the gods) but the world building finally was in reach.
- I loved the character arcs, banter, quotes and story twists throughout this book, and was much more invested than the first.
- This book to me had a lot more action being enacted v. Telling people about actions that “could happen” which was a nice change from book 1. Instead of hearing about raw power it was seen and used.
Graphic: Blood, Torture, War, Violence, Sexual assault, Murder, Sexual content, and Gore
spatterson7's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Murder, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Cursing, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Vomit, Slavery, and War
Minor: Death of parent, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Rape, and Torture
chasie_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Sexual content, Death, Blood, War, Grief, Murder, and Death of parent
Moderate: Gore and Child abuse
Minor: Rape, Torture, Sexual assault, and Adult/minor relationship
crochetnoob's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: War and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault
beebowbabe's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content, Cursing, Gore, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Rape, War, and Alcohol
_verena_'s review against another edition
- 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
I couldn't put this book down, and when I did, I picked it up again soon. It was like I was hypnotized. Carissa Broadbent is a FUCKING SORCERESS!
Book 2 confirmed this Series as one of my all time favorites! The emotions, the heartbreak, the character development!!! 😭😭 I'm just so into it and with them, every step of the way. It feels like I'm so involved in this.
What I'm trying to say:
WELL DONE CARISSA BROADBENT
(well done doesn't even do it justice though)
However: I'm about to soak up every other book this brilliant woman wrote. She definitely made it into the elite clique of my all time favorite authors.
Back to the book review:
⚠️ There will be SPOILERS ahead ⚠️
You've been warned! ⚠️
I'll start with the things I didn't like (yes there have been some, although they were far too minor to taint this 5 star review):
- the map: while it's beautifully illustrated and all - Whats the point of a map, when there many of the places are missing? Like for example Lahor! Why is it not on there?
- the use of "There she is" was just too much 🙄 #sorrynotsorry
-
The non-consensuality about this, is what doesn't sit right with me. Especially when Raihn always asks for her consent (which I LOVE about this series - don't worry, I'll talk about the spice in a minute), even when he senses her arousal, he still asks...
Now to what I LIKED aka a mix of thoughts and quotes:
- The Coriatis Bond: I'm not the biggest fan of the trope of fated bonds between people (although there are some well executed ones, looking at you ACOMAF). However, I love idea of a bond like that being created between two hearts, two souls, BY CHOICE. It just combines the best of both worlds: being bonded to the person you love more than anything, but by your free will
- This was the moment I realized, maybe they can be together:
... Oraya didn’t need to be saved. She just needed a soul beside her on the dark walk to her own potential...
(36% - Raihn)
- Oraya. ORAYA. just everything. Badass, kickass queen. That's all I'm gonna say, she's my girl 💪
- the spice is SO next level in this book, I can't 🥵🥵 and the mixed in heartbreak 😭 omg, please give me a paper bag to breathe into:
... “Let me make you the queen that you are. Let me guard your body, your soul, your heart. Let me spend the rest of my fucking pathetic life at your mercy. If I need to die, then let me do it by your hand. Please.”...
... “And for fuck’s sake, princess, I’m begging you, let me go to my knees for you.”...
... He worked at me like his singular purpose in life was to wring the most pleasure from my body...
... “I hate you,” I choked out. But the words weren’t an admonishment. They were weak, sad, bare.
They did not say, I hate you because you killed my father.
They said, I hate you because I let you hurt me.
I hate you because I grieved you.
I hate you because I don’t...
- Raihn: I wanted to see him dead after book 1. But the way Carissa (can I call you Carissa?🙏) weaved this love story so delicately from pain, heartbreak and hatred to desire, friendship and biggest love, was just amazing. So emotionally comprehendable and satisfying!
- In general: I love the (emotional) complexity of this series. It's not just black and white, it's all kind of shades of grey
- Vincent: I'm glad we got more of his (and by extension Orayas) back story. However, I still feel like something is... missing? I don't know, maybe I still need a POV Vincent book 🙏
- Jesmine: another character I'd like to have a standalone book, such a badass 💪🙏
I could write so much more about this, I highlighted so many quotes (which I usually don't do a lot), but I just want to go ahead and start the "Slaying the Vampire Conquer"...
One last quote aka one of the many definitions of True Love:
... A week without touching him, and I missed him. Months without his friendship, and I missed him.
It wasn’t about a week. It wasn’t even about sex...
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual content, Violence, War, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Gore, and Grief
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Child death, Medical trauma, and Torture