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adventurous
dark
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence
Moderate: Torture, Blood, Murder
Minor: Slavery, Vomit, Death of parent
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
This book was a decent read/listen. It could have been a stronger first book in the series. It wasn't an amazing enough book for me to want to continue reading the rest of the series, but the general plot and pacing of the story was enjoyable. It felt a little bit too predictable at times. The enemies to lovers trope didn't feel as believable as it could've been, especially as the enemies to lovers trope can sometimes be hard to write well. Tamlin felt very two dimensional and could've used some extra attention in the character development area. With all the hype about the *spiciness*, I was hoping it would be spicy, but it really wasn't all that spicy. As much as I would like to continue, the second half of the book and the ending didn't convince me enough to continue reading the rest of the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence
Moderate: Torture, Blood, Murder
Minor: Slavery, Vomit, Death of parent
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Gore, Sexual content, Vomit, Death of parent, Alcohol
Minor: Slavery, War
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wouldn't say this was the most amazing book I've read, but I don't think that's the point. It was fun and it ended in enough of a cliffhanger for me to want to read the second one! Moreover, I definitely recommend reading this with a buddy or in a book club. I read it with my long-distance best friend and it made the process hilarious and gave us something fun to do! To me, this book (especially the first half) read as a Beauty and the Beast retelling. Moreover, I think there were random--and too many-- similarities between the faeries in this book and vampires in other pop culture. That being said, my favorite depiction of the faeries were the creepy, scary ones...I enjoyed the faerie diversity! I just wish they were more unique than paranormal love interests that we've already experienced elsewhere.
Also, why is the main character's name Feyre if she's human and the human race (including her family) hate fairies? Asking the real questions...
Also, why is the main character's name Feyre if she's human and the human race (including her family) hate fairies? Asking the real questions...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Slavery, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Animal death, War
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I found ACOTAR very hard to get through. Feyre, the main character, is insufferable and being in her head is annoying. She definitely suffers from "main character syndrome" and that made me not really care for her.
Maas has a tendency to repeat the same things over and over again, in different ways. Some chapters were completely unnecessary. The first half of the book felt like it was going nowhere.
I think the "spice" in this book is still quite mellow, thankfully. However, consent being an important part in healthy and meaningful relationships... I think none of the characters pass as someone respecting boundaries. Tamlin and Rhys (not going to call them love interests because why would you call your kidnapper and a literal demon who makes a deal to own you that?) are both examples of thirst traps with a bit of personality and background scribbled around them to eventually try to "redeem" their behavior.
The 'ritual(s)' and acts of these characters are, again, seen by the fans of these books as something morally grey (or just 'hot'). But I cannot in good concience say anything positive about it. The lack of consent in this book is utterly disgusting, and I am wondering how people are not only ok with it, but actively defending it. I have seen cosplayers of these characters really pushing boundaries, which is concerning. The 'primal' thing really is too much for me, I find it incredibly cringe and makes me feel sick. Also, please stop purring.
The whole "mating" thing (which is only a thing we hear about from Tamlins parents) is gonna play a big part in the next books (my friend told me because I was appalled and needed to rant), and it is not only super problematic but also just plain vile in my opinion. The uncontrollable urge to mate, all respect and consent feel like a side issue... no thanks.
Needless to say this is probably my #1 reason I am not going to read any further. This does not set up realistic expectations for a healthy and responsible relationship.
I feel like this book is glorifying rape and that just doesn't sit well with me.
Also, what about lgbtqia+ people? They seem to be non-existant in this world.
I honestly do not understand why people like this book so much. It feels like a bad judge of character and justifying bad deeds just for the sake of a sexy scene doesn't turn this book into something 'good'. Why is it do popular? Don't people usually have standards? If you think this is normal I'm genuinely asking you to question your real life relationships...
I loved the concept of the curse fusing the masks to peoples faces, the courts sound absolutely magical and there is a lot of potential there, but we didn't see much of it apart from the spring court. I guess Maas will touch upon more in other books and I hope she doesn't turn them into empty shells of what could have been. She has a masters degree in creative writing, but honestly I found the "world building" and the writing in this book average at best.
The creatures in this world are definitely scary and I would have loved to see more of them. However, that is basically all I really enjoyed about this world Sarah J Maas created, most of it sadly fell flat in the end. The creatures felt like they only appeared just to fill chapters. You could say it's world building, but they are mentioned once or twice and then never spoken of again. And even then- it didn't push the story forward.
Finally, do NOT get me started on the premise of the curse. Its whole premise was stupid and clearly written to fit the story. The backstory of Amarantha and her sister had potential, but turned into somethings lame and laughable. She felt like a cartoon villain whose only character traits were: 'evil' and 'sexually frustrated'. She didn't even feel like a smart character.
No, I don't think it was a good plot. No, I don't think the story made sense. No, I wasn't emerged in the world like I am in other books. No, I don't feel like the villain was villainous and the hero was heroic. It was all very generic and I found it, quite frankly, disappointing.
I give this book 1,5 out of 5 stars. Because Lucien was a character I cared about (still feel like he was unintentionally written to be a closeted gay and I just want to tell him everything will be ok), the creatures and world still have potential and I liked the description in some (yes, some) chapters. However, I don't think I'll finish the series as this was so underwhelming I feel like I would prefer to spend my time with other books I know I will enjoy more.
Maas has a tendency to repeat the same things over and over again, in different ways. Some chapters were completely unnecessary. The first half of the book felt like it was going nowhere.
I think the "spice" in this book is still quite mellow, thankfully. However, consent being an important part in healthy and meaningful relationships... I think none of the characters pass as someone respecting boundaries. Tamlin and Rhys (not going to call them love interests because why would you call your kidnapper and a literal demon who makes a deal to own you that?) are both examples of thirst traps with a bit of personality and background scribbled around them to eventually try to "redeem" their behavior.
The 'ritual(s)' and acts of these characters are, again, seen by the fans of these books as something morally grey (or just 'hot'). But I cannot in good concience say anything positive about it. The lack of consent in this book is utterly disgusting, and I am wondering how people are not only ok with it, but actively defending it. I have seen cosplayers of these characters really pushing boundaries, which is concerning. The 'primal' thing really is too much for me, I find it incredibly cringe and makes me feel sick. Also, please stop purring.
The whole "mating" thing (which is only a thing we hear about from Tamlins parents) is gonna play a big part in the next books (my friend told me because I was appalled and needed to rant), and it is not only super problematic but also just plain vile in my opinion. The uncontrollable urge to mate, all respect and consent feel like a side issue... no thanks.
Needless to say this is probably my #1 reason I am not going to read any further. This does not set up realistic expectations for a healthy and responsible relationship.
I feel like this book is glorifying rape and that just doesn't sit well with me.
Also, what about lgbtqia+ people? They seem to be non-existant in this world.
I honestly do not understand why people like this book so much. It feels like a bad judge of character and justifying bad deeds just for the sake of a sexy scene doesn't turn this book into something 'good'. Why is it do popular? Don't people usually have standards? If you think this is normal I'm genuinely asking you to question your real life relationships...
I loved the concept of the curse fusing the masks to peoples faces, the courts sound absolutely magical and there is a lot of potential there, but we didn't see much of it apart from the spring court. I guess Maas will touch upon more in other books and I hope she doesn't turn them into empty shells of what could have been. She has a masters degree in creative writing, but honestly I found the "world building" and the writing in this book average at best.
The creatures in this world are definitely scary and I would have loved to see more of them. However, that is basically all I really enjoyed about this world Sarah J Maas created, most of it sadly fell flat in the end. The creatures felt like they only appeared just to fill chapters. You could say it's world building, but they are mentioned once or twice and then never spoken of again. And even then- it didn't push the story forward.
Finally, do NOT get me started on the premise of the curse. Its whole premise was stupid and clearly written to fit the story. The backstory of Amarantha and her sister had potential, but turned into somethings lame and laughable. She felt like a cartoon villain whose only character traits were: 'evil' and 'sexually frustrated'. She didn't even feel like a smart character.
No, I don't think it was a good plot. No, I don't think the story made sense. No, I wasn't emerged in the world like I am in other books. No, I don't feel like the villain was villainous and the hero was heroic. It was all very generic and I found it, quite frankly, disappointing.
I give this book 1,5 out of 5 stars. Because Lucien was a character I cared about (still feel like he was unintentionally written to be a closeted gay and I just want to tell him everything will be ok), the creatures and world still have potential and I liked the description in some (yes, some) chapters. However, I don't think I'll finish the series as this was so underwhelming I feel like I would prefer to spend my time with other books I know I will enjoy more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Death, Genocide, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Vomit, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Gore, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Slavery, Torture, Blood, Vomit, Death of parent
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Toxic friendship
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
As low stakes romantasy fun, I actually really enjoyed it. Just knowing there were going to be cringy parts, a total pick-me FMC, and not a lot of character development set me up for success. And I had a great time.
Romatasy, Enemies to Lovers, 2 🔥
“A portal into the mind of a creature so unlike me, and yet … and yet I looked at its work and understood, and felt, and cared.“
Romatasy, Enemies to Lovers, 2 🔥
“A portal into the mind of a creature so unlike me, and yet … and yet I looked at its work and understood, and felt, and cared.“
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Racism, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-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 really really enjoyed this book. Awaiting the next in the series from my library, eagerly!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Gore, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Slavery, Kidnapping, War