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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
(3.5) I loved a lot of this book. I read this to take a break from another story that was making my head explode and it did just the trick. It was fun, the plot was interesting, and I really enjoyed a lot of the story. However, it did get a bit repetitive during the second half, and could have been cut down a bit. Just personal preference, I wasn't really about the final relationship set up, considering we got barely any positive interaction between the other's in the relationship. Just didn't really add up. But! I still enjoyed it, and I'm glad I randomly picked it up at my local bookstore.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Borrowed from my library and now a MUST HAVE for my own collection, it is excellent.
Fans of gothic settings, mmm love triangles, and historical romances will enjoy this book.
I loved the setting and details - very atmospheric and gothic, and so well done. There is also some great werewolf lore.
I loved the setting and details - very atmospheric and gothic, and so well done. There is also some great werewolf lore.
Ahhhhhhaahhhhhhhh!
I was obsess with this book. I was rooting for Emile's happiness. I wanted him to be loved and cherish. Anybody would simply want to have genuine relationship. Which is why I prefer the Doctor over the Aristocrat. Bram was true and kind when he was first introduce til the end. Henri was manipulative and selfish, I don't care what his excuse is, I felt like Emile was being gaslight and at one point he was. The entire book I was expecting Henri to betray Emile.
Ok, ok. I love the writing style. It is what took me in and entrapped me. The story was amazing, a gothic romance, though it is juvenile. I wouldn't compared it with Wuthering Heights or Dracula, but it is on its own league. I just really wish it pushed more in its plot. The gothic and horror elements were there and it was great, but it had so much potential to be explored. For example
Henri was more tolerable and did admitted to his behavior and atoned too most of it choices, but my trust with him was already broken so I couldn't root for him unlike with Bram. But even with Bram I was crushing for but not head over heels for him, BECAUSE HE WAS ONLY IN 25% OF THE BOOK! Thus it was unfair that Emilie was developing stronger feelings for Henri when Bram didn't stood a chance. To me it is not a proper love triangle if the 2ndML doesn't have as much time as the 1stML. I hate to say this, but Twilight did it better. It just shows me which character is the author's favorite.
Now, I do like a character driven story over a plot driven one. But if that is the case, I wanted the second characters to be flushed out more. Annette the maid was perfect, I love her. Blanche is also well written. The family physician didn't needed the extra description, though when it suggested that he could be an assassin felt unnecessary, unless we are getting a second book. But the aunt, she was just being used to move the plot. She wasn't that big of a threat as she was lead to believe. She was just, dumb. I couldn't even sympathize with her even when Emile question his feelings towards her.
As for Emile's proposal at the end,
Given how it ended, a few characters and plot development were brought up, which leads me to believe it is setting up a second book, or at least a new story. Which I am hopping for that this time it will explore Emilie's relationship, Blanche's feelings, and the new dynamic for this "family." Until then, I will be waiting on a spray edge book to purchase.
I was obsess with this book. I was rooting for Emile's happiness. I wanted him to be loved and cherish. Anybody would simply want to have genuine relationship. Which is why I prefer the Doctor over the Aristocrat. Bram was true and kind when he was first introduce til the end. Henri was manipulative and selfish, I don't care what his excuse is, I felt like Emile was being gaslight and at one point he was. The entire book I was expecting Henri to betray Emile.
Ok, ok. I love the writing style. It is what took me in and entrapped me. The story was amazing, a gothic romance, though it is juvenile. I wouldn't compared it with Wuthering Heights or Dracula, but it is on its own league. I just really wish it pushed more in its plot. The gothic and horror elements were there and it was great, but it had so much potential to be explored. For example
Spoiler
Emilie's encounters with the "ghost" wasn't as impactful, she was just there. And any assistance the ghost did was briefly mention so I forgot about it once the reveal explained everything.Henri was more tolerable and did admitted to his behavior and atoned too most of it choices, but my trust with him was already broken so I couldn't root for him unlike with Bram. But even with Bram I was crushing for but not head over heels for him, BECAUSE HE WAS ONLY IN 25% OF THE BOOK! Thus it was unfair that Emilie was developing stronger feelings for Henri when Bram didn't stood a chance. To me it is not a proper love triangle if the 2ndML doesn't have as much time as the 1stML. I hate to say this, but Twilight did it better. It just shows me which character is the author's favorite.
Now, I do like a character driven story over a plot driven one. But if that is the case, I wanted the second characters to be flushed out more. Annette the maid was perfect, I love her. Blanche is also well written. The family physician didn't needed the extra description, though when it suggested that he could be an assassin felt unnecessary, unless we are getting a second book. But the aunt, she was just being used to move the plot. She wasn't that big of a threat as she was lead to believe. She was just, dumb. I couldn't even sympathize with her even when Emile question his feelings towards her.
As for Emile's proposal at the end,
Spoiler
I was not expecting him to be in a polyamory relationship. I am not against it, I would very much like to read how that goes. It just that, I WASN'T EXPECTING IT. There was no hints of it. Only that Bram was Henri's first crush, until he ruin is "experiment," Henri's words, not mine. But that was it. My problem with recent YA that ended in polyamory, was that there was no scenes with the two of them together. So I was not convince that Bram and Henri can fall in love with each other, given that they ended in bad terms. Even if Bram forgave Henri, it does not mean his feelings towards him have changed.Given how it ended, a few characters and plot development were brought up, which leads me to believe it is setting up a second book, or at least a new story. Which I am hopping for that this time it will explore Emilie's relationship, Blanche's feelings, and the new dynamic for this "family." Until then, I will be waiting on a spray edge book to purchase.
"To living in sin in plain sight of everyone"
*cheering*
The house of Count Montoni's newest servant has a secret: he is actually a marquis who has fled his home to avoid being forced into marriage by his aunt. Emile's plan is to hide until he becomes of age, when he could inherit his fortune without being subjugated to his aunt's demands.
He's not doing a great job of hiding though, during an outing with the local doctor he swears he recognizes someone, the Count's troublemaker of a nephew has decided to demote his valet and promote Emile to the position on a whim, and above all, there is most definitely something monstrous roaming around the manor at night.
This book had more horror elements than I'd expected, which would normally be fun except that I've been ill and already having trouble sleeping so I was super traumatized at some points like "Emile for the love of god do NOT go there, Don't do That, Emile GO BACK TO THE ROOM DAMMIT."
Unfortunately for Emile he isn't aware of present day horror films so that boy had no sense, I swear.
This book is a fun and pretty fast read (surprised to see the hardcover copy is pushing 400 pages). It has a well balanced blend of mystery, horror, and romance. And of course the gothic vibe, especially once they characters move into a creepy old castle, is strong with this one.
This is so disappointing. It has everything I love! Queer romance! Werewolves! Historical drama! But i just couldn' get past how annoying I found the main character. I don't normally read love triangles and I was excited by the drama at first but I couldn't put up with the weird behavior of one of the love interests and the indecision of the MC. I wanted to know what happened so I read some spoilers and that will suffice for me.
Firmly mid for me. I had some frustrations. I had some enjoyment.
In the first half I had a lot of difficulty understanding the motivations of the main character, Emile. This is written in first person so I shouldn’t be confused about the narrator’s motivations or thoughts, however, multiple times I didn’t understand how we got from point A to point B in his brain. There would be a large chunk of dialogue and then Emile would be crying- I didn’t know anything about what point that conversation turned from regular to emotional for him internally. He would take certain actions and I wouldn’t understand why he made such a choice. It was confusing and pulled me out of the story. The pacing along with that was just really strange. It felt like a lot was happening but also nothing.
The dialogue felt very stiff early on. Eventually that smoothed out. Or maybe I got used to it. Either way, it stopped bothering me.
The second half once they went to the castle was much more enjoyable. It flowed better, pacing was nice, and I felt more immersed in Emile’s head. Ultimately, I was actually really happy with the ending. It wrapped up satisfyingly and did counteract some criticisms I was originally going to note early in the story.
Overall the beginning was rough and I’m not sure if I’ll revisit this story again, but I was satisfied by the end of it.
In the first half I had a lot of difficulty understanding the motivations of the main character, Emile. This is written in first person so I shouldn’t be confused about the narrator’s motivations or thoughts, however, multiple times I didn’t understand how we got from point A to point B in his brain. There would be a large chunk of dialogue and then Emile would be crying- I didn’t know anything about what point that conversation turned from regular to emotional for him internally. He would take certain actions and I wouldn’t understand why he made such a choice. It was confusing and pulled me out of the story. The pacing along with that was just really strange. It felt like a lot was happening but also nothing.
The dialogue felt very stiff early on. Eventually that smoothed out. Or maybe I got used to it. Either way, it stopped bothering me.
The second half once they went to the castle was much more enjoyable. It flowed better, pacing was nice, and I felt more immersed in Emile’s head. Ultimately, I was actually really happy with the ending. It wrapped up satisfyingly and did counteract some criticisms I was originally going to note early in the story.
Overall the beginning was rough and I’m not sure if I’ll revisit this story again, but I was satisfied by the end of it.
I was going to give this three stars but it made no impression on me so I decided two was a better fit. I originally picked this up because a guy I follow on bookstagram was raving about it but he’s also obsessed with Wolfsong so I think we might just have different tastes. I thought the mystery element was really interesting and fun. However, there was too much love triangle and arranged marriage plot which took the focus away from the mystery. It also felt like the poly stuff came out of nowhere, I love a poly ending but these three needed to have more time together. The doctor character was basically absent for 50% of the book so I just assumed that he wasn’t a viable love interest anymore. This author needs to do more work on developing romance because the seeds are definitely there.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes