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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Malum Discordiae is a complete standalone from a new to me author, Ashlyn Drewek.
Make sure you read the trigger warnings from the author (animal cruelty, alcohol/drug use, death of children, murder, suicide, and dubious sexual consent).
I went in this book completely blind. Wanting to get a good dark Halloween vibe for our buddyread, my friend suggested we read this book and the rest is history, as they say.
I am still a newbie with anything paranormal and I whole-heartedly couldn't get enough of this book. The plot in itself is amazing. Two boys, Graeme and Cassius, from enemy families, develop a connection and have to face challenges brought on by such a forbidden relationship. Add a ton of mystery, a lot of hand holding/touching (❤️), a bit of humour and snark (which Ashlyn sprinkled even in the darkest moment) and some serious love/hate emotions, you've got the perfect recipe for a 5 star read!
This book hooked me right from the start. It gave me total Chilling Adventures of Sabrina vibes. I loved how this was so much more than just Cassius and Graeme's love story. I loved the two MCs' personalities, how Cassius clearly had a chip on his shoulder, how Graeme was so obviously sorry about his family's wrongdoings, how he could light up a situation with a few funny words. How Graeme never gave up on Cassius and slowly was able to pierce through his armour. The two share so much loss and pain, those two boys were perfectly imperfect and I'm so happy we got to witness how strong their bond came to be.
The whole magical aspects were breathtakingly beautiful. I could feel the heat, the cold, the wind and the rain. Everything was dark but light at the same time. It was absolutely stunning.
I
Make sure you read the trigger warnings from the author (animal cruelty, alcohol/drug use, death of children, murder, suicide, and dubious sexual consent).
I went in this book completely blind. Wanting to get a good dark Halloween vibe for our buddyread, my friend suggested we read this book and the rest is history, as they say.
I am still a newbie with anything paranormal and I whole-heartedly couldn't get enough of this book. The plot in itself is amazing. Two boys, Graeme and Cassius, from enemy families, develop a connection and have to face challenges brought on by such a forbidden relationship. Add a ton of mystery, a lot of hand holding/touching (❤️), a bit of humour and snark (which Ashlyn sprinkled even in the darkest moment) and some serious love/hate emotions, you've got the perfect recipe for a 5 star read!
This book hooked me right from the start. It gave me total Chilling Adventures of Sabrina vibes. I loved how this was so much more than just Cassius and Graeme's love story. I loved the two MCs' personalities, how Cassius clearly had a chip on his shoulder, how Graeme was so obviously sorry about his family's wrongdoings, how he could light up a situation with a few funny words. How Graeme never gave up on Cassius and slowly was able to pierce through his armour. The two share so much loss and pain, those two boys were perfectly imperfect and I'm so happy we got to witness how strong their bond came to be.
The whole magical aspects were breathtakingly beautiful. I could feel the heat, the cold, the wind and the rain. Everything was dark but light at the same time. It was absolutely stunning.
I
dark
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-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
I've given this an A for narration and a B for content at AudioGals - 4.5 stars
I’m not normally one for stories in which the protagonists are college age, so I will confess that I picked up Malum Discordiae simply because J.F. Harding’s name was on the cover! I didn’t know what to expect in terms of the story, but this is one of those times when taking a chance on something worked out; the book isn’t perfect – there are some pacing and plot issues – but all in all (and thanks to the excellent narration), I enjoyed it.
Cassius Corbin and Graeme Hewitt have no idea of each other’s identity when they hook up at a party – but as soon as they find out the truth, they both look set to continue the centuries-long feud between their families, despite the intense attraction that zings between them whenever they cross paths. This is enemies-to-lovers with some real bite, and Cassius and Graeme don’t hold back on the nasty insults and jibes (or just plain wanting to kill each other). Needless to say, neither of them is pleased when their botany professor instructs them to work together on their central project – but it’s not long before they’ve got more to worry about than passing a required class. A series of murders on campus leads Cassius and Graeme to discover that a demon has been summoned and is likely being controlled by a powerful witch – and they’re going to have to set aside their differences for real if they’re to banish the demon and prevent more deaths.
I liked the world the author has created, I liked the writing and the complexity of the plot, but the pacing drags in places, and while I like a good enemies-to-lovers romance, this one felt like an enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers-to … you get the idea. I liked the push and pull between Cassius and Graeme, but there are too many backwards steps as they go from starting to like each other to snarling at each other again until they finally, finally admit to the truth of their feelings for one another. (It does make for some great hate sex, though ;)) My other major quibble is with the ending; after a climactic action scene and big reveal, the follow-through is rushed and described rather than played out on the page, and the same thing is true of the epilogue, where another plotline is tied up and we’re told rather than shown what happens in the aftermath.
J.F. Harding delivers an outstanding performance that brings this story vividly to life, expertly conveying the growling, snarky emnity between Cassius and Graeme (while at the same time making it clear they really just want to rip each other’s clothes off!), and providing distinct character voices for the secondary cast. I can’t think of a single thing I disliked (other than the pronunciation of “Graeme” as “Gram”) – the pacing is spot on, the emotional content of the story is strongly portrayed and the big set pieces are exciting and full of tension.
Malum Discordiae was an enjoyable and entertaining listen that is (thankfully) unlike most of the other NA romances I’ve read or listened to – it has an actual plot and isn’t full of manufactured angst or endless, dumb navel gazing – and the fabulous narration made it easy to become caught up in the story. If J.F. Harding narrates the rest of the series, I’ll be here for it.
I’m not normally one for stories in which the protagonists are college age, so I will confess that I picked up Malum Discordiae simply because J.F. Harding’s name was on the cover! I didn’t know what to expect in terms of the story, but this is one of those times when taking a chance on something worked out; the book isn’t perfect – there are some pacing and plot issues – but all in all (and thanks to the excellent narration), I enjoyed it.
Cassius Corbin and Graeme Hewitt have no idea of each other’s identity when they hook up at a party – but as soon as they find out the truth, they both look set to continue the centuries-long feud between their families, despite the intense attraction that zings between them whenever they cross paths. This is enemies-to-lovers with some real bite, and Cassius and Graeme don’t hold back on the nasty insults and jibes (or just plain wanting to kill each other). Needless to say, neither of them is pleased when their botany professor instructs them to work together on their central project – but it’s not long before they’ve got more to worry about than passing a required class. A series of murders on campus leads Cassius and Graeme to discover that a demon has been summoned and is likely being controlled by a powerful witch – and they’re going to have to set aside their differences for real if they’re to banish the demon and prevent more deaths.
I liked the world the author has created, I liked the writing and the complexity of the plot, but the pacing drags in places, and while I like a good enemies-to-lovers romance, this one felt like an enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers-to … you get the idea. I liked the push and pull between Cassius and Graeme, but there are too many backwards steps as they go from starting to like each other to snarling at each other again until they finally, finally admit to the truth of their feelings for one another. (It does make for some great hate sex, though ;)) My other major quibble is with the ending; after a climactic action scene and big reveal, the follow-through is rushed and described rather than played out on the page, and the same thing is true of the epilogue, where another plotline is tied up and we’re told rather than shown what happens in the aftermath.
J.F. Harding delivers an outstanding performance that brings this story vividly to life, expertly conveying the growling, snarky emnity between Cassius and Graeme (while at the same time making it clear they really just want to rip each other’s clothes off!), and providing distinct character voices for the secondary cast. I can’t think of a single thing I disliked (other than the pronunciation of “Graeme” as “Gram”) – the pacing is spot on, the emotional content of the story is strongly portrayed and the big set pieces are exciting and full of tension.
Malum Discordiae was an enjoyable and entertaining listen that is (thankfully) unlike most of the other NA romances I’ve read or listened to – it has an actual plot and isn’t full of manufactured angst or endless, dumb navel gazing – and the fabulous narration made it easy to become caught up in the story. If J.F. Harding narrates the rest of the series, I’ll be here for it.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was…not good. There were some sweeping statements of lore that did not hold up to logic. Also it was incredibly irritating how many times they flipped between hating each other and liking each other. The pacing was all over the place.
3.75
I actually flew through this.
It was a good read, I really enjoyed both characters and the story line was so interesting!!
I kind wish there was more world building and information about their “world” but I was so off base with my predictions and overall it was a good read!! Will be reading the second in the series :)
I actually flew through this.
It was a good read, I really enjoyed both characters and the story line was so interesting!!
I kind wish there was more world building and information about their “world” but I was so off base with my predictions and overall it was a good read!! Will be reading the second in the series :)
I wasn’t feeling it. Half of the time was jot even sure what I was reading. Plot was weak for me, didn’t connect with the characters