You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.4 AVERAGE
4.4 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
👀Tropes: DARK Monster romance, Folklore-esque horror, Obsession + Stalking, HEA
☠️CW: Animal Abuse/Attack/Death, Blood, Cannibalism, Child Abuse (Mention of), Cursing, Death, Gore, Mental Illness, Murder, Self Harm, Sexual Content, Sexual Harassment, Stalking, Suicide (Mention of), Vomit
📚Read Method: Kindle eBook - I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
✨My Thoughts: This is my first book of AJ Merlin's. And I need MORE. I have to read more of their backlog. I highlighted sooooo much in this book. There are many many triggers in this book, so please look for them and look out for yourself. But if you can work past the triggers and read this book, it's fantastic. I love the folklore, the gore, the possessiveness. I love the love, the devotion, the care. I don't like leaving spoilers, so just know that the monsters are MONSTERS (like scary people eating monsters) and there's some really great character growth for the main character.
💖Quotes:
"...I know once I get {home} and can decompress by myself, maybe scream into a pillow or cry in the shower, I'll be fine." Same girl, same
"Good girl!" But not what you think!
"'Just let me take care of you.' One hand disappears, and I watch as he drizzles shampoo onto his palm."
"You can't live in his world when you're just a human. But what if you... weren't?" AHHHHHHH
"Good girl!" But not what you think!
"'Just let me take care of you.' One hand disappears, and I watch as he drizzles shampoo onto his palm."
"You can't live in his world when you're just a human. But what if you... weren't?" AHHHHHHH
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Sexual content, Blood, Cannibalism, Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Self harm, Stalking, Sexual harassment
Minor: Child abuse, Suicide, Vomit
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, Blood
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Death of parent
Minor: Self harm
This book was crazy good I love the concept of the story plot and I was definitely engaged in seeing how the mc involved with one another great weekend read
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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:
Yes
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Looking for something spooky, creepy, tense, and sexy to read this October? Or just because you like spooky, creepy, tense, and sexy books?
Rest assured, the dog DOES NOT DIE. She is a good dog and she lives happily ever after (or at least through the epilogue).
That missing half star was only because one line gave away exactly how the conflict would end, and the reasons for the greater conflict between the protagonist and antagonist was a bit flimsy and not (pardon the pun) fleshed out.
Overall, quite enjoyable, and one I’d have on my shelves.
Rest assured, the dog DOES NOT DIE. She is a good dog and she lives happily ever after (or at least through the epilogue).
That missing half star was only because one line gave away exactly how the conflict would end, and the reasons for the greater conflict between the protagonist and antagonist was a bit flimsy and not (pardon the pun) fleshed out.
Overall, quite enjoyable, and one I’d have on my shelves.
Content Warnings
Cannibalism. That’s the warning. You’ve been warned.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
“They aren’t like us, and they’re so hungry."
But who are these strangers that wander the woods and mountains? Fern isn't sure but against her own better judgement she's going to find out.
Cairo is another mystery Fern can't quite figure out. He seems to be everywhere and nowhere exactly when she needs him to be. But what does he want from her?
I enjoyed the mystery, the monsters, the mental health representation, the mayhem and gore. The only part that I had a hard time with is it was a little slow at times making the momentum a little inconsistent. But I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good monster tale.
I have voluntarily left this review.
“They aren’t like us, and they’re so hungry."
But who are these strangers that wander the woods and mountains? Fern isn't sure but against her own better judgement she's going to find out.
Cairo is another mystery Fern can't quite figure out. He seems to be everywhere and nowhere exactly when she needs him to be. But what does he want from her?
I enjoyed the mystery, the monsters, the mental health representation, the mayhem and gore. The only part that I had a hard time with is it was a little slow at times making the momentum a little inconsistent. But I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good monster tale.
I have voluntarily left this review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Blood, Cannibalism, Murder
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Forced institutionalization, Stalking, Abandonment
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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:
Complicated
Starve is an erotic horror book - there is a HEA but it's complicated. Check triggers before reading.
This was a great jump into spooky season for me - a short(ish) erotic horror set in an insane asylum "haunted" by monsters. The FMC, Fern, is sent there for a 72-hour mental health hold, but when she arrives, she finds there's more than meets the eye.
Fern is an interesting FMC - I wouldn't say she's strong to begin with, but she certainly finds her footing and owns her power as the story evolves. I found the MMC, Cairo, much more captivating - without spoilers, I won't be able to say much, but needless to say he's spellbinding and attractive in a very dark way.
As a relatively short story, this is excellent, but I also found myself wishing for a longer story and more depth to the MCs. I wanted to really immerse myself in the struggle between the darkness and owning the monster inside you vs. the desire to protect those you love, and the brevity of the MCs' romance here made it feel like a bit of a tease. Even so, Cairo's internal battle and Fern's choice to confront her hunger made for a very captivating read.
Thanks to the ARC team for an advance copy!
This was a great jump into spooky season for me - a short(ish) erotic horror set in an insane asylum "haunted" by monsters. The FMC, Fern, is sent there for a 72-hour mental health hold, but when she arrives, she finds there's more than meets the eye.
Fern is an interesting FMC - I wouldn't say she's strong to begin with, but she certainly finds her footing and owns her power as the story evolves. I found the MMC, Cairo, much more captivating - without spoilers, I won't be able to say much, but needless to say he's spellbinding and attractive in a very dark way.
As a relatively short story, this is excellent, but I also found myself wishing for a longer story and more depth to the MCs. I wanted to really immerse myself in the struggle between the darkness and owning the monster inside you vs. the desire to protect those you love, and the brevity of the MCs' romance here made it feel like a bit of a tease. Even so, Cairo's internal battle and Fern's choice to confront her hunger made for a very captivating read.
Thanks to the ARC team for an advance copy!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Cannibalism
Moderate: Confinement, Suicide attempt