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narmaeth's review
1.0
DNF'd at 16% and judging by the reviews my concerns don't get resolved later in the book so no point in continuing.
My concerns:
1. The girls die if they're not mated, the monsters only find a mate if their crystal necklace lights up. This seems like a massive waste of life, why aren't either side trying to do more to ensure as few casualties as possible? A lot of other reviews have mentioned that the book isn't particularly dark, so why is such a dark and dystopian setting here? It's misleading at best.
2. The sex happens because they have to put their DNA on/in her for their world to recognise her and stop trying to kill her. Won't an exchange of saliva work? Or do the monsters only produce cum? It feels more like dub con category because the FMC dies if she doesn't do it.
There's also the virginity mess, I'm really not into this and the FMC describing her virginity as "the most special thing" in her life is just... deeply uncomfortable.
I also struggled to get into the story once she had to give up her cat. I know this kind of story and the cat is likely completely forgotten about once the sex starts.
My concerns:
1. The girls die if they're not mated, the monsters only find a mate if their crystal necklace lights up. This seems like a massive waste of life, why aren't either side trying to do more to ensure as few casualties as possible? A lot of other reviews have mentioned that the book isn't particularly dark, so why is such a dark and dystopian setting here? It's misleading at best.
2. The sex happens because they have to put their DNA on/in her for their world to recognise her and stop trying to kill her. Won't an exchange of saliva work? Or do the monsters only produce cum? It feels more like dub con category because the FMC dies if she doesn't do it.
There's also the virginity mess, I'm really not into this and the FMC describing her virginity as "the most special thing" in her life is just... deeply uncomfortable.
I also struggled to get into the story once she had to give up her cat. I know this kind of story and the cat is likely completely forgotten about once the sex starts.
bookish_embers's review
3.0
Enjoyable read
I enjoyed this book for the most part. I didn't really care for the female main character, but I understood why she felt the way she did and her motives behind her decisions. I loved the epilogue when the crystal communications and reveals a special surprise to them all
I enjoyed this book for the most part. I didn't really care for the female main character, but I understood why she felt the way she did and her motives behind her decisions. I loved the epilogue when the crystal communications and reveals a special surprise to them all
kaonashiecho's review
3.0
3.5⭐️
This book is for people that like:
- nice monsters (despite the cover, it’s not dark at all)
- the ‘fuck or die’ trope
- a lot of spicy scenes
- also not your usual type of monster (here they are smoky/more or less corporeal type of beings)
I really like nice monsters, so this was a plus for me, but… I don’t like fuck or die situations at all. And the entire book the monsters care deeply about the heroine and consent and all, but the entire setting of this world is based on situations that they have to have sex or bad things will happen. So it’s pretty heavy on the dubcon.
The plot was nice, I actually really like the world building. There was space for a lot of political disputes and drama, but the ending of this ark of the story felt extremely flat for me. I was disappointed because the author could explore the power dynamics a little bit more. Everything was resolved too easily. And this is coming from someone that usually loves books that are mostly spice!
This book is for people that like:
- nice monsters (despite the cover, it’s not dark at all)
- the ‘fuck or die’ trope
- a lot of spicy scenes
- also not your usual type of monster (here they are smoky/more or less corporeal type of beings)
I really like nice monsters, so this was a plus for me, but… I don’t like fuck or die situations at all. And the entire book the monsters care deeply about the heroine and consent and all, but the entire setting of this world is based on situations that they have to have sex or bad things will happen. So it’s pretty heavy on the dubcon.
The plot was nice, I actually really like the world building. There was space for a lot of political disputes and drama, but the ending of this ark of the story felt extremely flat for me. I was disappointed because the author could explore the power dynamics a little bit more. Everything was resolved too easily. And this is coming from someone that usually loves books that are mostly spice!
keikiqueen's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
tiffanymaple's review
4.0
Incredibly unique! With this being a standalone fantasy romance their are parts that felt a little rushed or would have benefited from a little bit more information. However, I somewhat expect that because it is a standalone. The author doesn't have as much time for world development. Overall, highly recommend!
"I’d always hated the color pink. However, as I grew up and opened my eyes to societal expectations, I realized it wasn’t the color I hated. It was everything that accompanied the stereotype of a female saying they liked pink. That it made us girly, housemakers, and one day mothers. It was “femininity” personified in a color, and I fucking hated it. I hated being boxed into an image that didn’t fit me."
"I’d always hated the color pink. However, as I grew up and opened my eyes to societal expectations, I realized it wasn’t the color I hated. It was everything that accompanied the stereotype of a female saying they liked pink. That it made us girly, housemakers, and one day mothers. It was “femininity” personified in a color, and I fucking hated it. I hated being boxed into an image that didn’t fit me."
book_lover_97's review
5.0
Creative and unique monster RH romance. This has an interesting plot and plenty of steaming hot chemistry. I loved the storyline, it was gripping and intriguing.
bookish_dandan's review
5.0
This was such a good book! I loved how the FMC took charge and tried to correct the misconceptions and brainwashing! 100% smut, but I was here for it. Loved it! Fantastic writing and good character building for a shorter book!
wordwitched's review
4.25
WOW. This was a very interesting, fast paced, and steamy as fuck take on a dystopian society. The world and lore were set up really well, no overwhelmingly heavy info-dumps, very straight to the point and easy to step into.
Serafina Adler is a force to be reckoned with! I loved her fierce and sarcastic as hell attitude, she took her unfortunate twist of fate with grace. She was determined to try and find her own autonomy one way or another in a world that was constantly deciding for her.
❝I am to be a monster cum dumpster. That is my fate.❞
Her spectre mates are fantastic. I love the connection Sera builds with her monsters. The steam was off the charts in this one, including finding out what her food source in The Below is
Serafina Adler is a force to be reckoned with! I loved her fierce and sarcastic as hell attitude, she took her unfortunate twist of fate with grace. She was determined to try and find her own autonomy one way or another in a world that was constantly deciding for her.
❝I am to be a monster cum dumpster. That is my fate.❞
Her spectre mates are fantastic. I love the connection Sera builds with her monsters. The steam was off the charts in this one, including finding out what her food source in The Below is