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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
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.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A fast-paced read that kept you on your toes and didn't keep you waiting too long for the story to progress. Definitely a lot more intense when it came to the violence and gore elements so that's my only warning to future readers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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
I found the main character fairly unbelievable... A book nerd who couldn't figure out he was living with werewolves ? And I'm not sure I totally followed a love interest's redemption arc .
The last couple chapters of this book bumped it up from a 2 to a 3⭐ for me. It's really cool to see an ending withpolyamory as the solution to a love triangle ! And the narrative really picked up in the last part of the book. Honestly, if the MC were better developed and the one love interest not so villainous at the beginning, it would have been really good.
The last couple chapters of this book bumped it up from a 2 to a 3⭐ for me. It's really cool to see an ending with
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
Horror
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to NetGalley for the ALC.
I bet much enjoyed this YA Gothic horror romance novel. Love this take on a love triangle, marriage of convenience, supernatural romantasy.
I think there's a bit of toxic relationship that never is fully addressed, but I am very happy with the ending, it's what I was hoping for all along honestly.
The narrator did a phenomenal job. Highly recommend.
I bet much enjoyed this YA Gothic horror romance novel. Love this take on a love triangle, marriage of convenience, supernatural romantasy.
I think there's a bit of toxic relationship that never is fully addressed, but I am very happy with the ending, it's what I was hoping for all along honestly.
The narrator did a phenomenal job. Highly recommend.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Was drawn in by the cover art & first page (I’m still thinking about the opening line, definitely one of my favorites), and didn’t read the synopsis so the werewolves thing 3 hours in was a huge surprise that made me laugh for 10 minutes straight at my own expense. Loved the descriptive gore and gothic horror atmosphere. Characters fell a little flat for me, but this was overall a fun, quick read. Not a huuge fan of the “mother is not actually dead!” reveal, but I did like the “Bram is a werewolf” save, and I’m pretty neutral on the throuple ending. The romance was the least interesting part of this book, which is fine given the other positive qualities.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
I love the cover for this book and I loved the gothic atmosphere this story had with it. This story focuses on Emile, a 17-year-old marquis who has run away from his homophobic aunt. She wants to pressure him into marriage to make sure their family name lives on. She also wants to commit him to an asylum for being gay if he disagrees with her. Emile is only 6 months shy of being 18, and he wants to hide away until he is of age to take his inheritance. He pretends to be a servant to the Montoni family, even though he’s never had to do anything for himself in his entire life.
In the beginning I really liked Emile. He was dedicated to his mission and wanted to be free to be his own person. He knew what he needed to do and was willing to do anything for his freedom. When the romance was introduced, my like for him was done. Bram is the first man that Emile is interested in. He is an apprentice doctor and comes to the Montoni home to help with ailments. I liked the chemistry with Bram and Emile. He was sweet and caring and wanted to take him out on dates and show him around town. But then…came Henri. GOD I hated Henri! He was literally the worst from beginning to end. He is so manipulative and mean to Emile. There are scenes were I was shocked by just how petty and jealous he was and Emile just forgives him a few minutes later. I was sure Henri was supposed to be seen as a villain or antagonist but no. He’s actually supposed to be a love interest. And the end!!! The poly relationship?! What! Emile has this grand idea for all three of them to be together because Henri says that Bram was his first crush? And this was never discussed but everyone is like oh yeah sure why not.
Putting aside the romance, it took way too long for the werewolves to be introduced. It’s obvious something is weird and wrong but they just don’t say anything and take forever to get to the action.
I wanted to like this book. It was a little slow getting my attention but after a while I kept trying not to rage quit with Henri’s shenanigans. I don’t think this one was for me.
I love the cover for this book and I loved the gothic atmosphere this story had with it. This story focuses on Emile, a 17-year-old marquis who has run away from his homophobic aunt. She wants to pressure him into marriage to make sure their family name lives on. She also wants to commit him to an asylum for being gay if he disagrees with her. Emile is only 6 months shy of being 18, and he wants to hide away until he is of age to take his inheritance. He pretends to be a servant to the Montoni family, even though he’s never had to do anything for himself in his entire life.
In the beginning I really liked Emile. He was dedicated to his mission and wanted to be free to be his own person. He knew what he needed to do and was willing to do anything for his freedom. When the romance was introduced, my like for him was done. Bram is the first man that Emile is interested in. He is an apprentice doctor and comes to the Montoni home to help with ailments. I liked the chemistry with Bram and Emile. He was sweet and caring and wanted to take him out on dates and show him around town. But then…came Henri. GOD I hated Henri! He was literally the worst from beginning to end. He is so manipulative and mean to Emile. There are scenes were I was shocked by just how petty and jealous he was and Emile just forgives him a few minutes later. I was sure Henri was supposed to be seen as a villain or antagonist but no. He’s actually supposed to be a love interest. And the end!!! The poly relationship?! What! Emile has this grand idea for all three of them to be together because Henri says that Bram was his first crush? And this was never discussed but everyone is like oh yeah sure why not.
Putting aside the romance, it took way too long for the werewolves to be introduced. It’s obvious something is weird and wrong but they just don’t say anything and take forever to get to the action.
I wanted to like this book. It was a little slow getting my attention but after a while I kept trying not to rage quit with Henri’s shenanigans. I don’t think this one was for me.