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Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Cannibalism, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
Honestly the book was a hit and a miss for me. It took until the 65% mark of the book for me not to cringe every chapter based on the characters. I understand that Seraphine was emotionally stunted due to her trauma, but her monolog was honestly just annoying and childish at times. The punishments and rewards requests right after all her trauma was a bit crazy to me.. I like that Leroi held out so long as he did, but still how attracted he was to her when she acted like a child was kind of annoying considering how set he was about hating men being attracted to young girls like that.
I loved that this girl was able to take her trauma and make the men who caused it pay. I thought it was inventive the different ways she did it. And I loved that the 2 Psychos were able to find the love they didn't expect possible.
Graphic: Sexual violence, Torture, Cannibalism, Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder
The plot is really dark and full of revenge, but her bratty behavior and their banter still made me laugh many times.
So many triggers and really spicy 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Stalking, Murder, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
This book takes you through Seraphine’s life after she has escaped her captors. Leroi rescues who he presumes is an innocent girl— but oh, will he be surprised.
The spice in this book was top tier. I loved reading Seraphine and Leroi’s story; as dark as it is, there is still beauty to be found in the two of them finding their perfect match.
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Murder
The spicy scenes were good and entertaining, and the plot twists and reveals in terms of the plot did their job. It was a great brain rot read, which is just what I needed at the moment.
AS FOR EVERYTHING ELSE:
- this felt like a "how many trigger warnings can I include without making this weird" goal list. And some of the trigger warnings listed (which I understand is what made this book viral on booktok) were either a)repeated but said in a different way or b)extremely despicable and have no reason to be part of a dark romance book
- the writing is terrible, but also expected for this type of novel. speaking of terrible writing, I found 3 typos that I hand corrected. Whoever edited this needs to do better
- I understand that both FMC or MMC are not supposed to be likable or relatable. BUT REGARDLESS the fact that Seraphine was SOOO infantilized, and Leroi was over 10 years her senior was DISGUSTING. That took away all the effect that the spicy scenes could've had. GROSS
- MMC's name is Leroi. No
- This book did not need to be as long as it did. All the chapters ended the same way: Seraphine "I can't wait to kill Leroi and taste his blood" and Leroi "omg I should'nt be attracted her she's a kid but omg she's so hot I can't wait to f*ck her". Like we get it. Forbidden love. That honestly, SHOULD'VE STAYED FORBIDDEN
I don't know what else to say about this book, other than the fact that this is the perfect example of what brain rot writing is. If you like dark romance and need a break from a tough read, this is perfect for you (unless you don't like gore cuz there's quite of bit of that in here). If you are looking for some mindless entertainment, this is perfect for you. Otherwise, if you are looking for good writing, or a good dark romance, look elsewhere.
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Car accident, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Spice/Steam: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Relationship: FM
Tropes/Triggers: Kidnapping, torture, SA, CSA, dismemberment, mutilation, cannibalism (brief), age gap, knife play, BDSM, organ trafficking, drugging, lots of murder
Series: Taming Seraphine - Morally Black #1
***This is NOT a book for the faint of heart. Trigger warnings are not just for decoration.
Synopsis
FMC Seraphine is forced into becoming an assassin at age 16 to keep her family alive. She endures atrocities during her captivity (mostly through recollection) and forced killings.
Five years later, MMC Leroi, trained assassin and owner of a contract killing firm, comes across Seraphine during one of his jobs. He is taken aback by her innocent appearance and brings her to his home to protect her. He eventually realizes looks can be deceiving when she shows her expertise. He tries to tame her impulsive violent urges by offering a punishment and reward system... with the reward being orgasms.
They are both drawn to each other's inner darkness. They start to build trust and mutual attraction but secrets and lies threaten to unravel everything.
Review
There is a lot of extremely graphic violence and mutilation. If you can stomach all the carnage, the banter, the SPICY spice and devotion more than make up for it.
There are so many twists in this story, especially at the end. The way the MCs fall for each other is so delicious and beautiful. Two broken people who finally find their other halves and bring light into their black souls. I love smut but I love a love story more and this book absolutely delivers, even if it's in a sick and twisted way.
Graphic: Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Medical content, Kidnapping
Minor: Cannibalism
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Grief, Cannibalism, Car accident, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Abandonment
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
I loved the main characters, I felt that they were well matched for each other in the level of crazy they exhibit and the internal traumas they have. I haven't given out a 5-star rating in a while, but throughout this whole book, I couldn't imagine giving it anything less than a 5.
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder
Moderate: Incest, Cannibalism