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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
Henri was so fucking intolerable. I stopped reading when I realized that no one was gonna smack him. DNF at 38%
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
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:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love the poly rep. But the writing was subpar and the conversations felt very forced.
The first half took too long and the last third was a speed run. And weirdly only the last 100 pages were kinda spooky and also gory?? Like pretty extreme?
Anyway, weird book and I didn’t hate it and i think it has potential but the execution was not there.
The first half took too long and the last third was a speed run. And weirdly only the last 100 pages were kinda spooky and also gory?? Like pretty extreme?
Anyway, weird book and I didn’t hate it and i think it has potential but the execution was not there.
dark
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:
Yes
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
3.5 rounded up to 4 due to how much I enjoyed the ending
I found a copy that was signed at my local bookstore so I grabbed it and I’m glad I did.
Emile- a run away Marquis hiding as a servant until he can get his inheritance.
Bram- a doctors apprentice and love interest to Emile
Henri- count Montoni’s nephew and the other love interest.
Emile was a former nobility turned servant character done right. He didn’t think the menial tasks he had to do were beneath him. While he did miss the comforts of his old life he gain an appreciation for servants as a whole. Though some things he did I found frustrating I had to remind myself he’s a teenager and that teens just are like that.
I wasn’t impressed by Henri’s character growth. I felt it was too little too late and that Emile brushed off his behavior too quickly. He has a few red flags that are addressed and dealt with but I didn’t see enough change in his behavior. It felt like he did a lot of saying he would be better and not enough doing.
I loved Bram and wanted more of him in the book. Though that usually happens with the characters I really like. And I felt like his background with Henri could have been expanded on more.
I’m not sure how much a surprise the “twist” is supposed to be because I figured it out fairly early on and got a little annoyed how long it took for the main character to figure it out. It might be that I’m too old for this book but I know that if I was younger I would have eaten this up!
I really enjoyed the characters though sometimes I wanted to yell at them because they are a bit dense. Though I chalk that up to them being like 16.
Spoilers:
This book wins points by having the live triangle and in a throuple. A HUGE WIN for me at least. Though it commits the cardinal sin of having the characters get together at the end of the book. I’m so tired of this happening because I wanted to see them be together and work on the issues that might arise. If this book gets a sequel that explores their relationship more I will retract that.
I also wanted to see more with Blanche and Camilla (who I’m assuming is a vampire).
The book was charming and a fun read.
I found a copy that was signed at my local bookstore so I grabbed it and I’m glad I did.
Emile- a run away Marquis hiding as a servant until he can get his inheritance.
Bram- a doctors apprentice and love interest to Emile
Henri- count Montoni’s nephew and the other love interest.
Emile was a former nobility turned servant character done right. He didn’t think the menial tasks he had to do were beneath him. While he did miss the comforts of his old life he gain an appreciation for servants as a whole. Though some things he did I found frustrating I had to remind myself he’s a teenager and that teens just are like that.
I wasn’t impressed by Henri’s character growth. I felt it was too little too late and that Emile brushed off his behavior too quickly. He has a few red flags that are addressed and dealt with but I didn’t see enough change in his behavior. It felt like he did a lot of saying he would be better and not enough doing.
I loved Bram and wanted more of him in the book. Though that usually happens with the characters I really like. And I felt like his background with Henri could have been expanded on more.
I’m not sure how much a surprise the “twist” is supposed to be because I figured it out fairly early on and got a little annoyed how long it took for the main character to figure it out. It might be that I’m too old for this book but I know that if I was younger I would have eaten this up!
I really enjoyed the characters though sometimes I wanted to yell at them because they are a bit dense. Though I chalk that up to them being like 16.
Spoilers:
This book wins points by having the live triangle and in a throuple. A HUGE WIN for me at least. Though it commits the cardinal sin of having the characters get together at the end of the book. I’m so tired of this happening because I wanted to see them be together and work on the issues that might arise. If this book gets a sequel that explores their relationship more I will retract that.
I also wanted to see more with Blanche and Camilla (who I’m assuming is a vampire).
The book was charming and a fun read.
I seem to be somehow picking all of the retellings of classic books I’ve never read! I was surprised to discover that this was a retelling, but I am a sucker for supernatural and gothic literature and this did not disappoint.
In the words of Stefon from SNL, this book has everything. “Gay romance, haunted castles in the middle of dark woods, foggy nights filled with the sounds of screams, severed hands, and references to other classic gothic and horror literature for those paying close attention.” Don’t think any of those subtle references got past me! I see you, Bram.
I adored everything about this book. There is a lively cast of characters– and some not so lively, haha, get it? I’ll stop now. Maybe. This story had everything I loved about gothic romances and classic monster horror. The atmosphere was astounding. All of the dark corners of the old castles and the twists and turns of the misty hedge labyrinth– it was all just dripping with mystery and spoopyness. The settings are almost characters in their own rights, just like with any good gothic story. But back to the actual characters. I fell in love with Bram and Henri right along with our dashing main character. (Especially Henri, who am I kidding. My goodness that man.)
I think my only complaint with the book might be that some of the main character’s internal dialogue gets a bit repetitive by the end, as it is mostly a revolving door of will I forgive this darkly charismatic guy for the questionable things he is getting up to or will I run off with the tall dark and handsome doctor. To be fair though, there is good reason for the whole “who will I choose?” plot point, so it doesn’t bother me as much as it normally would. I do wish we could have gotten more scenes of the monsters being monsters and doing their monster-y things as most of the book is trying to keep the secret of what is actually going on when the description of the book is pretty clear what is going on with the family.
Those small complaints aside, I spent most of the book swooning with Emile over our two leading men (and Blanche, too, let’s be real) and being excited by all the monsters and gothic atmosphere. There was even one scene in particular that actually creeped me out a bit, and I am a huge horror buff that does not get scared very easily. (Actually there are two scenes that creeped me out, but the first scene is because it would creep out anyone. That suit of armor oh. my. god. If you know you know. SHUDDERS.)
Cheers to this book and “To living in sin in full view of everyone.”
Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
In the words of Stefon from SNL, this book has everything. “Gay romance, haunted castles in the middle of dark woods, foggy nights filled with the sounds of screams, severed hands, and references to other classic gothic and horror literature for those paying close attention.” Don’t think any of those subtle references got past me! I see you, Bram.
I adored everything about this book. There is a lively cast of characters– and some not so lively, haha, get it? I’ll stop now. Maybe. This story had everything I loved about gothic romances and classic monster horror. The atmosphere was astounding. All of the dark corners of the old castles and the twists and turns of the misty hedge labyrinth– it was all just dripping with mystery and spoopyness. The settings are almost characters in their own rights, just like with any good gothic story. But back to the actual characters. I fell in love with Bram and Henri right along with our dashing main character. (Especially Henri, who am I kidding. My goodness that man.)
I think my only complaint with the book might be that some of the main character’s internal dialogue gets a bit repetitive by the end, as it is mostly a revolving door of will I forgive this darkly charismatic guy for the questionable things he is getting up to or will I run off with the tall dark and handsome doctor. To be fair though, there is good reason for the whole “who will I choose?” plot point, so it doesn’t bother me as much as it normally would. I do wish we could have gotten more scenes of the monsters being monsters and doing their monster-y things as most of the book is trying to keep the secret of what is actually going on when the description of the book is pretty clear what is going on with the family.
Those small complaints aside, I spent most of the book swooning with Emile over our two leading men (and Blanche, too, let’s be real) and being excited by all the monsters and gothic atmosphere. There was even one scene in particular that actually creeped me out a bit, and I am a huge horror buff that does not get scared very easily. (Actually there are two scenes that creeped me out, but the first scene is because it would creep out anyone. That suit of armor oh. my. god. If you know you know. SHUDDERS.)
Cheers to this book and “To living in sin in full view of everyone.”
Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
adventurous
challenging
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
3-3.5 ish stars.
So I knew from reviews what to expect about a certain dynamic, so I wasn't totally caught off guard. I will agree that there is certainly someone to root for, and its harder to root for someone else. However, I think everyone kind of behaves badly in this one lol XD
Its a fun read, messy, gothic-light, and an utterly wild ending. I think it was attempting to do too much in one book; the ending half was MUCH more plotty and fast paced, and generally better. The beginning feels there to help set up characters and relationships but it also doesn't spend enough time on it!
I found myself editing in my head to make certain passages and descriptions more gothic, spookier, and well-- more descriptive. I think this book really lacked for atmosphere considering the plot and the inspiration.
Still worth a read I think, just don't expect a lush gothic romantasy.
So I knew from reviews what to expect about a certain dynamic, so I wasn't totally caught off guard. I will agree that there is certainly someone to root for, and its harder to root for someone else. However, I think everyone kind of behaves badly in this one lol XD
Its a fun read, messy, gothic-light, and an utterly wild ending. I think it was attempting to do too much in one book; the ending half was MUCH more plotty and fast paced, and generally better. The beginning feels there to help set up characters and relationships but it also doesn't spend enough time on it!
I found myself editing in my head to make certain passages and descriptions more gothic, spookier, and well-- more descriptive. I think this book really lacked for atmosphere considering the plot and the inspiration.
Still worth a read I think, just don't expect a lush gothic romantasy.