Scan barcode
lerl_'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? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Misogyny and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
liesthemoontells's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
For the first 2/3, I felt as if I were reading two different books. One was a compelling fantasy world, dominated by witches with a complex magic system and sociopolitical clan structure. The other was a crappy Throne of Glass Chaol/Celaena fanfic if Chaol was built like a literal bear. While the plot geared up in the last third and the two began to mesh together, I still feel extremely resentful for having to read the early stages of the enemies to lovers plot.
Lou is a very charming protagonist. She has an excellent sense of humour, and as a narrator she drops exposition naturally. Her internal conflict is believable, as are the choices she makes even when they go against her ethics and morals.
The early to middle sections from Reid's perspective are odious and exhausting. Maybe it benefits straight female readers with terrible romantic partners to read the POV of a misogynistic, rage-filled asshole who is changed by the diamond level pussy of his lady love, but I struggle to understand why even they would enjoy it. I guess it's a testament to Mahurin that I didn't still absolutely LOATHE him by the end of the book, but I still dislike him as a character and find their romance plot exhausting.
Some of the sillier plot points are resolved by the end, but others, such as
Unfortunately, the book ends with an EXTREMELY COMPELLING cliffhanger about the second major witch clan that inhabits the Serpent & Dove universe, so shit, it looks like I'm going to have to read the sequel.
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
librosdeunamestiza'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? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual assault, Torture, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Vomit
llsacco's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I listened to the audiobook version of this book and could not get passed how terrible the voice acting was for the male character, especially when relaying lines for the female character.
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Hate crime, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Murder, Gaslighting, and Classism
nicamo's review against another edition
Graphic: Misogyny and Vomit
greeeer_e_rutt's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, War, and Classism
Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Cursing, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
ghoulsrfools's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Violence and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Sexual content, Blood, and Medical content
Minor: Misogyny and Stalking
brothels/prostitution (minor)corabookworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Death, Self harm, Sexual content, Violence, Murder, and War
Minor: Confinement, Cursing, Misogyny, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
galdra's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
The romance could have been paced a bit slower, but that's only my preference. It still took a while to develop compared to other books. And they had a very good dynamic together. The plot, stakes, and their own arcs wove well into their love story for a satisfying and captivating journey from beginning to completion.
If you're after a fun read with a mix of romance, drama, magic, and adventure, then this is right for you.
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Child death, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, Murder, Abandonment, and War
bookishlittlebird'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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, War, and Classism