Reviews tagging 'Grief'

A Strange Hymn by Laura Thalassa

4 reviews

jelkebooks's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced
  • 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? It's complicated

3.0

Ugh, my feelings on this book are so incredibly complicated. I mean, no it's quite simple. I fucking hate the romance, but I did really like the plot and world that this is set in as well. I also just thought this book just absolutely flew by. It was a really quick, and engaging read. I truly couldn't put this one down, and I'm really excited to read the rest of the series hopefully soon.
So yeah, the romance is just one massive ick. All of the consent in this romance is just extremely questionable. I don't know. I already feel such an ick over how they got together in the first place, but I just wish Des would stop using his bargainer magic to force Callie to open up to him. At least nothing physical is done while she's under his magic this time around, but it still feels so gross and icky. Especially because they also keep mentioning that because they are mates he technically has the right to do with her whatever he wants. BLERGH 🤮🤮🤮!!! I also very simply don't see any chemistry between the two of them. Yeah, they have sex like all the time, but I don't even see the tension there, and when it comes to romantic feelings, and that emotional bond, I just don't see it AT ALL. I don't know. I'm just not seeing it.
All of that being said, I really was invested in the plot. I thought it was really interesting, and it had some great little twists. It was just extremely gripping, and I love how it build on what we already did in book one. I can't wait to see how the rest of the story is going to develop in the next book. We also got to some parts of the fae world, and learning more about it. I also thought that was really interesting as well. I just wish the romance was less of a focus in the series, and instead the story and world would be allowed to take more of a forefront and therefore develop a bit better but oh well.
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wrensreadingroom's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

4.0

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kaadee's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

I giggle every time they call him “The Night King” but his name is Desmond Flynn. You’re gonna tell me that name is meant to be accompanied with a title? No.
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ka_ke's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious 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? No

4.75

Where some second books have the dreaded second book syndrome (aka they’re just filler), A Strange Hymn managed to avoid it. The development of both plot and characters is smooth and rather impressive.
I truly enjoyed the reintroduction to Temperance. Other than the fade to black spicy scenes,
it is an excellent middle book! 
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