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agnebru's review
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? It's complicated
3.75
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review
4.0
Ever since I read the first book by Eva Chase I fell in love with her work. She has the unique talent to really bring a strange world, within our own, to life with words. Apart from that she writes layered and unique characters. And after I finished the Royals of Villain Academy last week, it was now time for my next book by her. And since this was the only paperback I had left (more are on the way) I picked this one up without even reading the blurb.
And once more does Chase prove that she can create an amazing atmosphere and setting. This entire book takes place in a castle and Chase really brings the castle, the woods around it and the mystery of it to life. Ever since we stand in front of the gate I got this shill rolling down my spine and that feeling only grew stronger and stronger while reading.
Chase also throws us right into the middle of the story. She doesn't explain things that the characters don't feel like explaining. Of course, that's partly to protect the mystery, but it also helps to make their thought patterns seem natural. Because let's be honest, we're not explaining ourselves in our minds either. I love how she offers us more pieces of the puzzle every time and the closer I got to the ending, the more I moved to the edge of my seat and just didn't wanna stop reading any more.
It also helped that the characters were really interesting and that the romance was a slow burn. I personally like it when characters bond before something happens, it helps me to connect with the characters and to actually enjoy them growing closer. And these characters have a lot of secrets and a lot of things they want to keep hidden for the world and each other. It's therefore even more fun to slowly see more and more of them.
And after the ending of this book, that was just really amazing, I can't wait to read the next book in this series! There are so many questions I need answered and so many thrilling curses that need to be broken. But, the next book isn't out yet. I'm gonna try and wait as patiently as possible.
And once more does Chase prove that she can create an amazing atmosphere and setting. This entire book takes place in a castle and Chase really brings the castle, the woods around it and the mystery of it to life. Ever since we stand in front of the gate I got this shill rolling down my spine and that feeling only grew stronger and stronger while reading.
Chase also throws us right into the middle of the story. She doesn't explain things that the characters don't feel like explaining. Of course, that's partly to protect the mystery, but it also helps to make their thought patterns seem natural. Because let's be honest, we're not explaining ourselves in our minds either. I love how she offers us more pieces of the puzzle every time and the closer I got to the ending, the more I moved to the edge of my seat and just didn't wanna stop reading any more.
It also helped that the characters were really interesting and that the romance was a slow burn. I personally like it when characters bond before something happens, it helps me to connect with the characters and to actually enjoy them growing closer. And these characters have a lot of secrets and a lot of things they want to keep hidden for the world and each other. It's therefore even more fun to slowly see more and more of them.
And after the ending of this book, that was just really amazing, I can't wait to read the next book in this series! There are so many questions I need answered and so many thrilling curses that need to be broken. But, the next book isn't out yet. I'm gonna try and wait as patiently as possible.
diana8524's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
cris3ma's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
3.0
gypsydawn's review
I stopped at 15% - I just couldn't catch up to it, but that is more due to my reading mood than the actual material. This is a mystery wrapped around a paranormal, and I just wasn't for it atm. I'll try again another time, as I love Eva Chase.
greek_myth5's review
4.0
Different take on a classic
This book was a bit of a different take on The Beauty and the Beast tale. Different but good. Can't wait to see how it all unfolds.
This book was a bit of a different take on The Beauty and the Beast tale. Different but good. Can't wait to see how it all unfolds.
mariefun's review
1.0
I've liked other series by Eva Chase, like Royals of Villains Academy and Witch's Consorts, but I have to be honest: I really hated this book. From the very first page, nothing made any rational sense. A few examples:
- The school administration has no record of her brother being there yet they allow her to stay on and ask around as if there's a possibility of finding him
- She decides to claim a random bed in the dormitory and no one kicks her out.
- She starts attending classes despite never paying tuition or being told she had to take classes.
- Despite her mission being to find her brother, and then to figure out what's up with the school, she asks questions that go nowhere and gives up immediately when someone gives an obtuse answer.
Schools don't work that way, and people don't work that way, and there's no reason given for why it feels like you're in a dream where all logic is thrown out the window until the end reveal. And even then, it doesn't explain everything. There's simply too much information being held back from the reader until the end, making it way too ambiguous. I seriously started coming up with theories like, "Maybe they're all in hell or purgatory," because it felt too bizarre.
Then on top of that, the romances had no foundation whatsoever. I had no clue why any of the male characters felt attached to her or she to them. This is only partly explained by the twist ending, but it doesn't make for good storytelling.
- The school administration has no record of her brother being there yet they allow her to stay on and ask around as if there's a possibility of finding him
- She decides to claim a random bed in the dormitory and no one kicks her out.
- She starts attending classes despite never paying tuition or being told she had to take classes.
- Despite her mission being to find her brother, and then to figure out what's up with the school, she asks questions that go nowhere and gives up immediately when someone gives an obtuse answer.
Schools don't work that way, and people don't work that way, and there's no reason given for why it feels like you're in a dream where all logic is thrown out the window until the end reveal. And even then, it doesn't explain everything. There's simply too much information being held back from the reader until the end, making it way too ambiguous. I seriously started coming up with theories like, "Maybe they're all in hell or purgatory," because it felt too bizarre.
Then on top of that, the romances had no foundation whatsoever. I had no clue why any of the male characters felt attached to her or she to them. This is only partly explained by the twist ending, but it doesn't make for good storytelling.
my_romance_bookclub's review against another edition
4.5
Another happy surprise! I expected this to be similar to other paranormal boarding school bully romances I’ve read in the past, but I ended up being so wrong. This truly unique storyline is about what defines good vs evil and is redemption always possible? Overall, it’s unlike anything else I’ve read. The spice was nice, but definitely secondary to the incredible story. Don’t be fooled by its almost cliche appearance. There is a lot more to this series than meets the eye!
josiee19's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5