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dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
I couldn't put this book down once I picked it up. It was addicting and I needed to know what happened next. This is definitely on the darker side of the romance genre but you can't help but root for everything to workout between Misha and Marek. I will admit that there were a couple of times I wanted to box each of their ears because there were some dumb decisions made but I really enjoyed their romance. I need to go and read the duet that this is a companion too because I need to know more about Sasha and Roan.
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Outing, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really wanted to enjoy this, but I felt like my enjoyment suffered first, from an excess of characters. Too many bad guys that their villainy blends in, and too many additional faces that watered down how much I cared for each of them. The lack of fleshing out for both friend and foe made me feel like this book could’ve sorely used some cutting down.
Secondly, I really loved Misha - there’s a very satisfying reveal on his background, but Marek just didn’t get the same treatment. I didn’t feel like he got any big win of his own, unlike Roan in the 2nd part of the Solnyshko Duet. I felt quite frustrated with his choices, but instead of him coming to terms on his own, some words from Misha and suddenly it’s all resolved. He majorly drops his internal conflict. His overall development just felt underbaked, and ultimately, it just really dragged down the book for me.
Secondly, I really loved Misha - there’s a very satisfying reveal on his background, but Marek just didn’t get the same treatment. I didn’t feel like he got any big win of his own, unlike Roan in the 2nd part of the Solnyshko Duet. I felt quite frustrated with his choices, but instead of him coming to terms on his own, some words from Misha and suddenly it’s all resolved. He majorly drops his internal conflict. His overall development just felt underbaked, and ultimately, it just really dragged down the book for me.
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oh I don't know where to start.
I've been (im)patiently waiting for Misha's book since the first time he appeared in Roan and Sasha's duology, in all his badass, complicated, contradictory glory. I was immediately intrigued by him, and I seriously could not wait to have his book in my hands.
I was expecting to love "The Deliverance of Marek Sommers", and while I did enjoy this book, I wasn't totally sold on it, unfortunately.
First things first though, the good:
- The characters. I absolutely adored Misha: he's that perfect mixture of gruff and strong, sweet and caring. I loved how loyal he was to his people, and I loved how protective and loyal he was to Marek: if there's one thing I'm weak for, it's dangerous heroes being soft for their love interests.
I loved Marek too: he's a complicated man, and his "run before I get hurt" personality IS very realistic considering his past, and, like Roan, he's got a distinct lack of morals and a ruthlessness that make him the perfect man for Misha's very violent and very criminal "career". Both MCs were multifaceted and complicated, and I always appreciate that in the romances I read.
- I loved the writing, I loved Bri and Ezra and Nadia, and I loved seeing a bit more of Misha's men too: they're so loyal to him, and it made me smile how they acted a bit like mother hens when it came to his safety.
So why 3.5 stars?
Well, although I DID enjoy this book, I thought it was a bit too long for starters. Maybe it was necessary for Misha and Marek's development as a couple, considering Marek's past and his understandable skittishness towards big, powerful men, but I still ended up skimming quite a few chunks of the book.
And I also found this book... I don't know, a bit too unfair? Gratuitous? Some things happen that left me feeling quite a bit unsettled, and it kinda spoilt the ending for me: although it's a very, very happy HEA, some things were just a bit too dark and too unfair, too unforgivably violent, for me too accept that ending as a satisfying one. I know this is a dark romance, so maybe it's my fault for expecting something different, but still, there has to be a line somewhere.
I don't know, maybe I haven't read enough of this kind of genre, and mine's probably an unpopular opinion, but still, some things that happen left me with a bad, bitter taste in my mouth, and I couldn't get over it.
But yes, like I said, mine's probably an unpopular opinion, and if you love dark romances with a hard-won HEA, complicated, dangerous men and lots and lots of steam, this is the book for you. Plus, it has a really sweet epilogue, despite it all.
TWs/CWs: attempted sexual assault (on page), sexual assault (past), abusive parent, drug addiction, death of family members, violence.
Thank you GRR for the ARC. I received it in exchange for an honest review.
I've been (im)patiently waiting for Misha's book since the first time he appeared in Roan and Sasha's duology, in all his badass, complicated, contradictory glory. I was immediately intrigued by him, and I seriously could not wait to have his book in my hands.
I was expecting to love "The Deliverance of Marek Sommers", and while I did enjoy this book, I wasn't totally sold on it, unfortunately.
First things first though, the good:
- The characters. I absolutely adored Misha: he's that perfect mixture of gruff and strong, sweet and caring. I loved how loyal he was to his people, and I loved how protective and loyal he was to Marek: if there's one thing I'm weak for, it's dangerous heroes being soft for their love interests.
I loved Marek too: he's a complicated man, and his "run before I get hurt" personality IS very realistic considering his past, and, like Roan, he's got a distinct lack of morals and a ruthlessness that make him the perfect man for Misha's very violent and very criminal "career". Both MCs were multifaceted and complicated, and I always appreciate that in the romances I read.
- I loved the writing, I loved Bri and Ezra and Nadia, and I loved seeing a bit more of Misha's men too: they're so loyal to him, and it made me smile how they acted a bit like mother hens when it came to his safety.
So why 3.5 stars?
Well, although I DID enjoy this book, I thought it was a bit too long for starters. Maybe it was necessary for Misha and Marek's development as a couple, considering Marek's past and his understandable skittishness towards big, powerful men, but I still ended up skimming quite a few chunks of the book.
And I also found this book... I don't know, a bit too unfair? Gratuitous? Some things happen that left me feeling quite a bit unsettled, and it kinda spoilt the ending for me: although it's a very, very happy HEA, some things were just a bit too dark and too unfair, too unforgivably violent, for me too accept that ending as a satisfying one. I know this is a dark romance, so maybe it's my fault for expecting something different, but still, there has to be a line somewhere.
I don't know, maybe I haven't read enough of this kind of genre, and mine's probably an unpopular opinion, but still, some things that happen left me with a bad, bitter taste in my mouth, and I couldn't get over it.
But yes, like I said, mine's probably an unpopular opinion, and if you love dark romances with a hard-won HEA, complicated, dangerous men and lots and lots of steam, this is the book for you. Plus, it has a really sweet epilogue, despite it all.
TWs/CWs: attempted sexual assault (on page), sexual assault (past), abusive parent, drug addiction, death of family members, violence.
Thank you GRR for the ARC. I received it in exchange for an honest review.
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Death of parent, Sexual harassment