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jaredm97's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
nataliestorozhenko's review against another edition
5.0
“Maybe we are broken. But we put ourselves back together. We survived. That’s what makes us so powerful. And as for family—well, blood is always family, but family doesn’t always have to be blood.”
Well, that really, really hurt. And once again, I have mistaken this for duology and have to wait an uncertain period of time to get some closure, hopefully with "Victorious". But God, this was good. I had to restrain myself from reading the whole book immediately out of my respect and desire to savor the author's skill. We follow multiple complicated characters at the same time. We jump from one time to another. But it’s written so well and digestible that you do not miss any beat of the story.
“Eli had made a mistake. He wasn't prone to making mistakes, except where Victor Vale was concerned. Victor had always possessed the unnerving ability to get under Eli's skin, interrupt his focus.”
Of course, my main concern was mostly around Victor. And I absolutely devoured the chapters about Eli's past. And damn, do I feel miserable for both of them. And Eli's visions of Victor? I was sobbing. The tension in the end... Run. Chase me. Speachless.
“Victor stared at the wall as if it were still a window. “He doesn’t know how patient you are,” he said. “Doesn’t know you like I do.” Eli cleaned the blood from his hand. “No,” he said softly. “No one ever has.”
I was certain I wouldn't be interested in new characters, but I was so wrong. Marcella's story was laid out so gradually and perfectly, that I sincerely felt that betrayal by Marcus. I felt that bond between them in the past and it hurt when it ended like that. The female rage in this is *chef's kiss*.
“The life I had is gone. There’s no getting it back. I’d rather make a new one. A better one. One where I don’t have to pretend to be weak to survive.”
June is one more intriguing character, and I honestly hope we get to see her more. It was nice to see Sydney to have someone to talk to. But still, the ending though? However, I do hope that when we are presented with the found family trope, it should play out in the end. And also, I believe in Sydney's power, both as EO and as someone who is very attached to her physical embodiment of "home".
“She met his eyes. Those eyes that after everything still felt like family, like safety, like home.”
Meanwhile, I see Victoria Schwab publishing another book, and I am really excited for her, but I can only pray and hope that she's working on "Victorious" too.
Well, that really, really hurt. And once again, I have mistaken this for duology and have to wait an uncertain period of time to get some closure, hopefully with "Victorious". But God, this was good. I had to restrain myself from reading the whole book immediately out of my respect and desire to savor the author's skill. We follow multiple complicated characters at the same time. We jump from one time to another. But it’s written so well and digestible that you do not miss any beat of the story.
“Eli had made a mistake. He wasn't prone to making mistakes, except where Victor Vale was concerned. Victor had always possessed the unnerving ability to get under Eli's skin, interrupt his focus.”
Of course, my main concern was mostly around Victor. And I absolutely devoured the chapters about Eli's past. And damn, do I feel miserable for both of them. And Eli's visions of Victor? I was sobbing. The tension in the end... Run. Chase me. Speachless.
“Victor stared at the wall as if it were still a window. “He doesn’t know how patient you are,” he said. “Doesn’t know you like I do.” Eli cleaned the blood from his hand. “No,” he said softly. “No one ever has.”
I was certain I wouldn't be interested in new characters, but I was so wrong. Marcella's story was laid out so gradually and perfectly, that I sincerely felt that betrayal by Marcus. I felt that bond between them in the past and it hurt when it ended like that. The female rage in this is *chef's kiss*.
“The life I had is gone. There’s no getting it back. I’d rather make a new one. A better one. One where I don’t have to pretend to be weak to survive.”
June is one more intriguing character, and I honestly hope we get to see her more. It was nice to see Sydney to have someone to talk to. But still, the ending though? However, I do hope that when we are presented with the found family trope, it should play out in the end. And also, I believe in Sydney's power, both as EO and as someone who is very attached to her physical embodiment of "home".
“She met his eyes. Those eyes that after everything still felt like family, like safety, like home.”
Meanwhile, I see Victoria Schwab publishing another book, and I am really excited for her, but I can only pray and hope that she's working on "Victorious" too.
emalemxo's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
serena_shah's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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? No
5.0
darkblueem's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This one lost me a bit. every chapter there is a time jump, and they became really hard to keep track of. I HATED Eli the whole time, and Victor wasn't much better
evaroyter's review against another edition
5.0
what a fantastic duology oh my god
the cat and mouse relationship that is eli and victor’s is so GOOD. The way you could send the seething hate is just so so captivating.
also the way schwab wrote marcella as a far more sexual character than anyone else in the series was such a perfect contrast to victor’s asexuality + the fact that her murdering is based partly in hate for her husband/the way he treated her compared to just the sheer loathing and hate based revenge on victor/elis part. absolutely gold
the cat and mouse relationship that is eli and victor’s is so GOOD. The way you could send the seething hate is just so so captivating.
also the way schwab wrote marcella as a far more sexual character than anyone else in the series was such a perfect contrast to victor’s asexuality + the fact that her murdering is based partly in hate for her husband/the way he treated her compared to just the sheer loathing and hate based revenge on victor/elis part. absolutely gold
jessgburton's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
alli_grunk's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jakey_smits's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
3.75
shinizzel's review against another edition
3.0
3,5/5. enjoyed everything that involved victor once again. Absolutely love his character and everything he does. Loved to see his vulnerability in this one! Ending was kinda disappointing, not gonna lie :(