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shebby1991's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Death, Murder, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault
questionable_reader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Rape, Kidnapping, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Physical abuse
simmonsj's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
It was fun to see how the author made gore, torture, and murder light hearted, but that's really how it read. I actually liked those parts, that this is just the daily life of a Villain and it's all a little hum drum. I liked Evie Sage, she doubts and debases herself at times but does grow through the novel and has moments of fun feminist bad@$$ery. She stands up to people just fine and can disarm through her supposed innocence. She's also learning that she really doesn't mind the torture and villainy like she knows she's supposed to.
The plot is fine, it leans more towards romantasy than anything else. The romance is very, very slow burn but kind of cute. Many of the thoughts of the two characters got repetitive though. The backend plot is finding a traitor - without the relationship/romance/Evie growth pieces, this plot would have been drawn out way too much and been disappointing. The ending was good as far as learning the identity of the traitor, which was a surprise for me, but it also leaves several unanswered questions, wide open for the sequel coming in August.
The writing lets the book down some. I lost track of how many heads "whipped back" and how our Villain had muscular thighs, a strong chest, and eyes to fall into. We get it, he's lovely, move on. The last quarter of the book picked up speed and had less repetitions.
Overall it was a fun little foray into the world of Villainy and a little romance. Nothing too striking but an easy read and a little getaway book. While one should note there is torture, gore, and murder in this book (and talk of it. A lot), it is treated rather lightheartedly. Oddly, it reminds me of something Mel Brooks would write a movie of - quirky murder in a fantasy village and with a love story tied in.
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Misogyny, Blood, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Death, Grief, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Confinement and Chronic illness
callidoralblack's review
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Violence, and Cursing
Minor: Medical content, Abandonment, Alcohol, Blood, Toxic relationship, Terminal illness, Torture, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Murder, Confinement, and Sexual assault
helen7mc's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Minor: Child death, Abandonment, Torture, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Violence
cerys1411's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Terminal illness and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Physical abuse, Gore, and Child death
Minor: Sexual assault
busyknitting's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Graphic: Physical abuse, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
Minor: Child death, Kidnapping, Abandonment, and Trafficking
meah_cookie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Besides that, I enjoyed the overall plot and characters. Id say this is a more plot focused book than character based, at least compared to my other recent reads. Pretty good mystery element and I did appreciate the alternating pov’s though Im not sure it was 100% needed…
Definitely going to read the next book, and am excited for it to come out soon!! 2 things I hope for the next book is: 1. Better narration for the audio 🤷♀️ 2. More character external dialogue and development!!
Graphic: Gore, Murder, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Emotional abuse, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
Minor: Kidnapping and Abandonment
wickeddelights's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Some of the names of characters felt very out of place in a fantasy environment. And the characters could act downright cartoonish at times (ie, waving their arms wildly around, or quite literally rolling on the floor laughing)
I don't think it is meant to be taken too seriously, but there were so many instances where it felt like there should be a Disney sitcom laugh track playing in the background.
It just wasn't for me.
Minor: Physical abuse, Chronic illness, Classism, Cursing, Violence, Kidnapping, Bullying, Torture, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Alcohol, and Blood
merylas's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Minor: Death, Physical abuse, Animal cruelty, Confinement, Gore, Body horror, and Injury/Injury detail