Reviews

Fallen Thorns by Harvey Oliver Baxter

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abipepper's review

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

korrinstar's review

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dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

books_coffee_cornwall's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious reflective fast-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? No

4.5

I've been following the author of this book pretty much since I began my account. We seem to enjoy similar kind of books, so when they wrote their own, I was super excited. I made my local library buy a copy and I hope more people pick it up.

I had no idea I needed a an aroace vampire story in my life. The found family/ band aspect was excellent, I loved the dark academia undertones and the relationships were very cute. Lucy gave me major Darla vibes (the vampire in Buffy, not my cat) and I loved Rani as the best friend.

I was pretty tired when I finished the book, so I'm not quite sure I understood the ending. I'm planning on getting it on kindle for a reread, so I'm sure it will make sense then.

belle2022's review against another edition

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4.0

Disclaimer: part of the authors beta team and received an early physical arc, all my own honest thoughts.

You know I wouldn’t recommend anything less than what I think is incredible regardless of who wrote it. But this? Was phenomenal. Once I got into the book I was totally mesmerised by the original world, characters and plot. I’ve known Harvey a long time and am proud to call them my friend. But reading this from them as their author self was a truly eye opening experience.

The characters! Arlo just absolutely stole my heart and he goes through so much in this book I’m almost mad. I felt like there’s something about Arlo that all readers can relate to. I’ll let you decide what that is. Him struggling with identity and feeling unlovable and like something is wrong with him? Yeah I get that. I absolutely love his relationship with his friends especially Rani. The emphasis on different kinds of love too and one of my absolute favs is platonic love and friendship. I also really liked the character of Marianne.

I also really enjoyed the pacing. At the start it felt a little slow for me but I think that was just to develop character and scene and I’m so glad it did because I just then grew more attached to characters. This supernatural world is different and I honestly dig it so much.

The plot too was so immersive. I could not put the book down. And then as things started to tie together and finally as the reader you understand what’s going on. That realisation had me reeling. There was such a big confrontation which was so hard to read. And the ending! Oh my god the ending! I couldn’t believe what I read it was incredible. And the slight cliffhanger was unfair. BUT THE ENDING. I need book 2 right now.

ayaotters's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

frankly I only was able to read this because of the possession and that friendship is power crap didn't save him from the creature

mylocalghxst's review against another edition

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Was not for me. I’m sure it would have worked well for someone that needs representation of autistic coded struggles and the comfort of being accepted in lgbt relationships, but since I’m fairly self assured it all felt way too over explained for me to really get into the story and Arlo’s perspective and the temptation and adoration of a vampire series wasnt enough to pull me in. It did seem very interesting and I’m sure others love it, just not for me.