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exquisite_tragedy's review against another edition
3.0
Tropes/Themes:
-MM new adult paranormal romance
-Necromancer x Witch
-Hate to love
-Feuding families (Romeo & Juliet but ends with a HEA)
-Forced proximity
-Dark academia setting
-Dual POV
-Book #1 in an interconnected standalone series
CWs for loss of a loved one (including death of a child), animal cruelty (off page), substance abuse, graphic violence, murder, suicide (off page), dubious consent
Story: 3/5
Audiobook: 5/5 (narrated by JF Harding)
Length 12h7min
-MM new adult paranormal romance
-Necromancer x Witch
-Hate to love
-Feuding families (Romeo & Juliet but ends with a HEA)
-Forced proximity
-Dark academia setting
-Dual POV
-Book #1 in an interconnected standalone series
CWs for loss of a loved one (including death of a child), animal cruelty (off page), substance abuse, graphic violence, murder, suicide (off page), dubious consent
Story: 3/5
Audiobook: 5/5 (narrated by JF Harding)
Length 12h7min
sjcass's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
witchy_book_babe's review against another edition
3.0
If I could take out all the Spice scenes from this book and bind it in it’s very own novel this would be 10 stars! Beyond the spicy scenes, the plot could not hold my attention. I was not a fan of the constant repetition of a certain issue, even when the MC’s seemed to make considerable progress in their relationship. This issue seemed to drag on until nearly the very end of the book. This book did not end up working out for me.
meggkey08's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 Stars
If you love MM Romance this needs to be on your TBR
If you love MM Romance this needs to be on your TBR
kzimm2024's review against another edition
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Oh my god what a terrible book. 1 star and finished due to a buddy read.
The group comments were hilarious. Comments like these sex scenes make you suspend disbelief and "This book has no build up. It’s like watching two characters being forced together by a child with two dolls." LOL
Immature and angsty characters. Didn't someone die in Romeo & Juliet? This is no retelling and that actually would have helped the plot.
Almost every trope is represented: enemies to lovers (actually lovers to enemies as was pointed out), forced proximity, soul mates, etc.
There was no basic communication, in fact it was the typical "nothing" response.
Whiplash emotions and stupid dialogue:
Fuck you, No fuck you, No fuck you- sigh.
Actual example (after more than 1 sexual encounter):
“Yeah, but who would do that?” The horror was back in his tone.
When I spun abruptly, it was on his face, too, mixed with confusion. “Oh my God. Do you know anything about Necromancy beyond the scary stories you good little witches tell each other at sleepovers?”
“I know all I need to know about Necromancy,” he spat back.
Eyes narrowed, I took a step forward, praying he did something stupid. “This ought to be good. Lay it on me, genius.”
“You people are the reason the witchcraft trials even started!” he said with a snarl. “If you weren’t so obsessed with demonic magic, none of this would have happened and we wouldn’t have to hide who we are! But no. Power-hungry Necromancers couldn’t leave well enough alone!”
“I am so fucking sick of you looking down your nose at us! You’re no better than the magistrates who signed the fucking death warrants! Better to kill what scares you, rather than try to understand it, right? You people hate what you fear and it’s pathetic!”
UGH.
They have sex, they fight and say mean things, then they have sex and fight and say mean things, you get the picture...
and:
I let all four books fall to the floor and stepped over the pile, closing the distance between us. “Do you always have to be such a hard ass?”
“Do you always have to be such a pain in the ass?”
“Only if you want me to, baby.”
OMG shoot me now- I hate that he starts calling him "baby"...
Helpful tip:
“Well, I’m glad you’re back, man. Try not to do anything freaky, though, ok? Dad comes home tomorrow and blood is really fucking hard to get out of the carpet.”
“I told you, you have to get it while it’s fresh. Otherwise, let it dry and then use a brush to break up the particles.”
I pantomimed scrubbing and gave him a warm smile, knowing it was completely at odds with the subject matter.
Spoilers because I hated this:
They have a sexual encounter right away, 5%,and continue like little horn dogs until the author realizes she needs to wrap up some kind of a finish to the plot and then the last 15% of the book is actually interesting. Once the adults get involved.
But then it is ruined by a lame ass marriage proposal. Such sap, made me burst out laughing.
I have to say- the lack of helpful information about prepping for and having anal sex and healthy standards is such a disservice.
The lack of condom usage is appalling- they should have been there from the start and the fact that the author doesn't understand that the example she is spreading is against the general public's health is downright irresponsible.
She could have introduced MAGIC or just actual standards.
The group comments were hilarious. Comments like these sex scenes make you suspend disbelief and "This book has no build up. It’s like watching two characters being forced together by a child with two dolls." LOL
Immature and angsty characters. Didn't someone die in Romeo & Juliet? This is no retelling and that actually would have helped the plot.
Almost every trope is represented: enemies to lovers (actually lovers to enemies as was pointed out), forced proximity, soul mates, etc.
There was no basic communication, in fact it was the typical "nothing" response.
Whiplash emotions and stupid dialogue:
Fuck you, No fuck you, No fuck you- sigh.
Actual example (after more than 1 sexual encounter):
“Yeah, but who would do that?” The horror was back in his tone.
When I spun abruptly, it was on his face, too, mixed with confusion. “Oh my God. Do you know anything about Necromancy beyond the scary stories you good little witches tell each other at sleepovers?”
“I know all I need to know about Necromancy,” he spat back.
Eyes narrowed, I took a step forward, praying he did something stupid. “This ought to be good. Lay it on me, genius.”
“You people are the reason the witchcraft trials even started!” he said with a snarl. “If you weren’t so obsessed with demonic magic, none of this would have happened and we wouldn’t have to hide who we are! But no. Power-hungry Necromancers couldn’t leave well enough alone!”
“I am so fucking sick of you looking down your nose at us! You’re no better than the magistrates who signed the fucking death warrants! Better to kill what scares you, rather than try to understand it, right? You people hate what you fear and it’s pathetic!”
UGH.
They have sex, they fight and say mean things, then they have sex and fight and say mean things, you get the picture...
and:
I let all four books fall to the floor and stepped over the pile, closing the distance between us. “Do you always have to be such a hard ass?”
“Do you always have to be such a pain in the ass?”
“Only if you want me to, baby.”
OMG shoot me now- I hate that he starts calling him "baby"...
Helpful tip:
“Well, I’m glad you’re back, man. Try not to do anything freaky, though, ok? Dad comes home tomorrow and blood is really fucking hard to get out of the carpet.”
“I told you, you have to get it while it’s fresh. Otherwise, let it dry and then use a brush to break up the particles.”
I pantomimed scrubbing and gave him a warm smile, knowing it was completely at odds with the subject matter.
Spoilers because I hated this:
They have a sexual encounter right away, 5%,and continue like little horn dogs until the author realizes she needs to wrap up some kind of a finish to the plot and then the last 15% of the book is actually interesting. Once the adults get involved.
But then it is ruined by a lame ass marriage proposal. Such sap, made me burst out laughing.
I have to say- the lack of helpful information about prepping for and having anal sex and healthy standards is such a disservice.
The lack of condom usage is appalling- they should have been there from the start and the fact that the author doesn't understand that the example she is spreading is against the general public's health is downright irresponsible.
She could have introduced MAGIC or just actual standards.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
lucindarie's review
dark
fast-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? It's complicated
1.0
Book would probably be best read backwards. Enemies to lovers is definitely not the case. Whole book is backwards, no means yes and vice versa. It will never happen again means it’ll happen again two pages later. Everything you want anticipation and build up to is just thrown at you. The ending makes no sense and any hope at redemption is gone. I’m not even sure why it’s 1 star. I think it’s a pity star.
gmv's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.75
This book was something.
Buddy read was great- the only reason why I kept going.
I would've DNF-ed this at the 10 percent mark.
Actual rating is 0.75 stars.
The ending was a little too much for me based on what happened throughout the book.
I did not connect with the characters.
They were excessively flawed without the charm of a loveable douche.
The adults were great. I wish we had more of that.
Just toss the 19-year-olds out and keep all the old bad asses in.
There is not enough necromancy.
Too much teen drama. Young adults? No. Teens. The whiplash of emotions is on the same level as a 13-year-old hitting puberty.
Entertainment value from the buddy read 5/5.
Entertainment value from the book? 0.75/5
Buddy read was great- the only reason why I kept going.
I would've DNF-ed this at the 10 percent mark.
Actual rating is 0.75 stars.
The ending was a little too much for me based on what happened throughout the book.
I did not connect with the characters.
They were excessively flawed without the charm of a loveable douche.
The adults were great. I wish we had more of that.
Just toss the 19-year-olds out and keep all the old bad asses in.
There is not enough necromancy.
Too much teen drama. Young adults? No. Teens. The whiplash of emotions is on the same level as a 13-year-old hitting puberty.
Entertainment value from the buddy read 5/5.
Entertainment value from the book? 0.75/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Grief, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Drug use, Ableism, Addiction, Classism, Death, Alcohol, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual assault, Stalking, Violence, Sexual harassment, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Vomit
opalez's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
5.0
outlawreader's review against another edition
So juvenile, everyone was stupid in the exact same way, no character had any thoughts of their own and it felt a YA high school book rather than a new adult college romance.