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bestieandthebookish's review
4.0
This book was so sad and beautiful! This was short, fast-paced, and felt like Greek Gods, Beauty and the Beast, and Cinderella had a baby.
savannag1992's review against another edition
4.0
Felt like a retelling mix of Cinderella (but with stepbrothers), Beauty and the beast, and Hades and Persephone.
Was a good read.
Was a good read.
djinnduffy's review
3.0
This was a quick and easy read. I appreciated the slower burn of the romance, even though I still think the two main characters fell in love with each other a bit too quickly. Sometimes stories rely on tropes to get their reader buy-in, and I would say that's the case with this book. That said, I did genuinely enjoy myself and the characters, and I'd recommend the book to others who enjoy this genre and/or these tropes. It's been a while since I started a book and couldn't put it down, and this one qualified!
samlue's review
3.0
I’m rating this book a generous 3/5.
❗️SPOILERS❗️
My biggest problem with this novel was the pacing. For the first half of the book we see everything through Hazel’s perspective. I think readers could have easily learned about Hazel’s abuse in one or two chapters. Her creepy step brother, Amadeus, who tried to rape her maybe 4 times. Then her other step brother, Cyprian, who is an alcoholic and is suddenly protective of her.
I didn’t buy into Cyprian’s redemption. He spent years as a bystander and suddenly he wants to protect Hazel and says he loves her. I’m sure there’s more to his story, but it felt odd to me. There is about 250 pages in this book and 100 were spent with Hazel being hurt by her step mother and Cyprian trying to be a hero.
Death and Hazel’s time together was very short. I wish the author had spent more time building this relationship. Maybe more time with the world building. I rate my ability to immerse into their world a 2/5.
I did enjoy Death’s perspective. It gave some insight to how easily it was for him to care for Hazel. He was kind to her which isn’t something she is used to. I just wish there were more conversations between them. There was no spice in this book. Death and Hazel share one kiss that ultimately kills her. Their chemistry was 3.5/5.
The second half of the book was more descriptive than the first half. I did feel the pain Death and Hazel carried knowing he would have to kill her after one month. There were some loose ends I’m sure will be explained in the upcoming book.
❗️SPOILERS❗️
My biggest problem with this novel was the pacing. For the first half of the book we see everything through Hazel’s perspective. I think readers could have easily learned about Hazel’s abuse in one or two chapters. Her creepy step brother, Amadeus, who tried to rape her maybe 4 times. Then her other step brother, Cyprian, who is an alcoholic and is suddenly protective of her.
I didn’t buy into Cyprian’s redemption. He spent years as a bystander and suddenly he wants to protect Hazel and says he loves her. I’m sure there’s more to his story, but it felt odd to me. There is about 250 pages in this book and 100 were spent with Hazel being hurt by her step mother and Cyprian trying to be a hero.
Death and Hazel’s time together was very short. I wish the author had spent more time building this relationship. Maybe more time with the world building. I rate my ability to immerse into their world a 2/5.
I did enjoy Death’s perspective. It gave some insight to how easily it was for him to care for Hazel. He was kind to her which isn’t something she is used to. I just wish there were more conversations between them. There was no spice in this book. Death and Hazel share one kiss that ultimately kills her. Their chemistry was 3.5/5.
The second half of the book was more descriptive than the first half. I did feel the pain Death and Hazel carried knowing he would have to kill her after one month. There were some loose ends I’m sure will be explained in the upcoming book.
spicy_reading's review
5.0
Yes, please
I was in a book slump and this book just sucked me right in. I can’t wait for book 2. I very much enjoyed this and found myself unable to put it down!
I was in a book slump and this book just sucked me right in. I can’t wait for book 2. I very much enjoyed this and found myself unable to put it down!
ashleysmovingtavern's review
3.0
I wish I could do half stars. It would be a 3.5.
There was something about this book that kept me going. Kept me wanting to go on and waiting for the MC to push herself to get to a better portion of her life.
And when it finally happened I was a little let down. Possibly because it had been building up for 50% of the book? I'm not sure.
That being said I finished this super fast and did enjoy a bit of the stories elements. The way the two main characters finally came together was a little lack luster but I'm not sure what else I would have wanted.
There was something about this book that kept me going. Kept me wanting to go on and waiting for the MC to push herself to get to a better portion of her life.
And when it finally happened I was a little let down. Possibly because it had been building up for 50% of the book? I'm not sure.
That being said I finished this super fast and did enjoy a bit of the stories elements. The way the two main characters finally came together was a little lack luster but I'm not sure what else I would have wanted.
finnishelderberry's review
DNF 42% love interest is her step brother.... Yeah I'm good
sarahjaynes_shelf's review against another edition
dark
emotional
- 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
4.0
📖 Kiss of Death
★★★★
I was a bit sceptical reading this book, whilst it sounds up my street the reviews weren’t the best, but I have to say I am really glad I didn’t listen to what others had to say because I really enjoyed this.
This is such a heartbreakingly beautiful love story.
Faced with only two choices - to be sold off only to live a life of suffering, abuse any misery or to make a deal with death itself.
This story is one of pain and heartache, it really makes you appreciate all of the little things in life.
Whilst it is a fairly slow introduction, it has to be that way for us to truly appreciate the story.
The romance within was not rushed, giving it more of a natural feel before it pulls at your heartstrings and has you opening book two before you know it!
cynnn's review
3.0
3.5 Round down
Honestly it’s fine. It’s a mix of Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty except the monster is Death. The plot moves at a breakneck speed, but at least it doesn’t drag.
I feel like we were left kind of blue balled, though? So now I HAVE to read the next book?
Honestly it’s fine. It’s a mix of Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty except the monster is Death. The plot moves at a breakneck speed, but at least it doesn’t drag.
I feel like we were left kind of blue balled, though? So now I HAVE to read the next book?