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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
Deliciously awful
I ve read fanfictions with more core than this
I ve read fanfictions with more core than this
I have come to the conclusion that I'm not into historical pieces.
I enjoyed the initial set up, but Emile’s naïveté really made some of his choices unbelievable as a character. Specifically when he reveals who is he to the doctor after barely knowing him. I couldn’t tell if Emile was blowing his aunt’s reaction out of proportion of if he was just dumb to trust this stranger with his most important secret.
Also, just based on the cover aesthetic I thought there would be some spooky or magical elements and I was sad to realize that was not the case. This is my fault though for not closely reading the summary.
Also, just based on the cover aesthetic I thought there would be some spooky or magical elements and I was sad to realize that was not the case. This is my fault though for not closely reading the summary.
There were parts of this book that I really loved and enjoyed like the romance between Emile and the count. I did not like the doctor and hated how the romance ended because I liked Emile and the count a lot better. Now while many people may not have shared this opinion I wish bram had stayed dead while bram helped at the end I also didn’t really care to have him there. I also felt like there where a number of amateur writing mistakes such as weird tone changes( when I say this I mean about half way the entire vibe of the book changed) and strange plot choices that I didn’t like. It was a fun read though and I enjoyed the LGBTQIA aspect. I do think that the LGBTQIA aspects that where added at the end weren’t needed simply because it didn’t feel gradual enough to me and felt that while I thought the character was a lesbian the love interest wasn’t well developed.
challenging
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:
Complicated
The book is just poorly written. The pacing makes no seance. The characters reveal things far to quickly and it was clearly not closely edited.
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“To living in sin in plain sight of everyone!“
I was lured in with two things—“gothic“ and “love triangle turned poly“—and I was kind of underwhelmed by how both were executed. The gothic vibes at least grew thicker as the story progressed, but I feel like the author missed the opportunity to gradually set up the mood at the beginning—something I tend to expect from gothic stories. The poly thing… eh.
The book did have its moments, though. When the gothic vibes did work, they worked. I appreciated the complexities of Emile’s relationship with his aunt. Some of the side characters provided fun moments; I especially loved Annette who was probably the most practical and level-headed of the entire cast. The villain is appropriately, gothically villainous. The story on the whole is very YA, but I kind of liked how believably YA it was, with all the decision making and planning looking exactly what a bunch of scared teens would come up with. I do wish Emile was a bit smarter, or at least a faster learner, because honestly, I had way too many moments of secondhand embarrassment for him.
Also, a note to my fellow arachnophobes: the creepiest of all crawlies are very much present on the page, and there’s one scene that will probably give you nightmares Tread with caution.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Medical content, Murder
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The negative: It takes entirely too long to find out what is going on with the supernatural. When the monster was finally confirmed I was 75% of the way theought the book and it felt very jarring. Felt kind of insta love like. Everyone thinks he's hot and is super into him immediately. And the main character feels like a bit of a pick me and "I'm not like other girls" kind of character.
Over all it was enjoyable and entertaining. I will likely read the author's other book.
Over all it was enjoyable and entertaining. I will likely read the author's other book.
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes