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tiffanysmith's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I also don’t enjoy the romance between Hunt and Bryce. Their relationship doesn’t feel genuine, as it’s more of a secondary subplot to the character development. Going into this series, I knew that it wasn’t as romantically based as ACOTAR, so I don’t mind that it’s not the main point of the story, but their relationship evolved so quickly and *surprise*
The series does have some interesting quality. I’m captivated by SJM’s world that she has constructed. I only wish that it was executed better. If this book had been editing down and had the plot properly foreshadowed and fleshed out, it would have been really interesting! Alas, SJM leaves us with killer cliffhangers in the final pages. I was genuinely thinking of not continuing this series, but the curious part of me needs to know what happens next. So, I suppose I will read the third book and experience the same cycle of emotions of being annoyed at the writing and then stunned by the ending.
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Gore, Blood, and War
Minor: Drug use, Torture, and Sexual harassment
melaniesw13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence and Drug use
picaresquedreamer'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
4.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Police brutality, Genocide, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Toxic relationship, Death, Confinement, Murder, Classism, Colonisation, Sexual content, Racism, and Slavery
Moderate: Grief, Drug use, War, and Gaslighting
Minor: Child abuse
lauracollins096's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: War, Violence, Sexual content, Cursing, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual violence, Slavery, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Drug use, Gore, Colonisation, Death, and Infertility
itssable's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Grief, and Rape
amy_in_the_city'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
3.5
As a result of trying to cram in the various plotlines and other character POVs, I feel like Bryce and Hunt got lost in the shuffle. I was hoping to learn more about the main couple and see more of their relationship, but they were mostly in the story to serve the plot instead of the plot serving them. I missed seeing cute relationship moments like we had in the first book, and I don't feel like we really learned any more about Bryce and Hunt's pasts or struggles. I was hoping to see Hunt working through his emotions about the awful things he's done as the Umbra Mortis, his trauma from being enslaved, etc. but it seemed like all of that mostly went away or got brushed aside.
I loved seeing more of Ruhn and enjoyed his storyline of
Ithan seemed like an OK character, but I'm just tired of every guy in this book being in love with Bryce for some reason, and I wish that wasn't part of Ithan's character. I have hopes he'll be better in the next book as they seemed to be setting up some interesting storylines for him.
Everyone seemed to be making stupid decisions in this book. They're
I really didn't like that the book ended on such a cliffhanger. I get that it's a series, but when I finish reading a romance book, I don't want to be left feeling worried for characters who <spoiler are in mortal peril and are going to be tortured for who knows how long. If I wanted that, I'd go read a normal fantasy series, not a romance fantasy. The only solution I can think of for how to avoid having such a stressful ending for the readers while still having plenty of stakes for Bryce in the next book is if
Graphic: Death, War, Slavery, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Murder, Infidelity, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Confinement, Cursing, and Colonisation
Moderate: Blood, Child abuse, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Gun violence, Trafficking, Domestic abuse, Kidnapping, Genocide, and Grief
Minor: Drug use and Sexual assault
yarisbooksandbevs'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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Blood, Cursing, Grief, Sexual content, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Bullying, Alcohol, and Gun violence
Minor: Torture, War, Drug use, Infertility, Infidelity, and Child abuse
indusnm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
There's a lot to unpack here, but I thought this book was great for world-building. I had some issues with the first one, which felt like way too much information too quickly, but this one was better paced for me in terms of information dumps, action, and character development. Our main characters felt somewhat superficial to me; I know there was something there, but I couldn't see it. And thankfully a lot less slut-shaming being used as a device to make the main character seem a victim to the readers.
Well, I see it now, and I have to say that I have a better handle on Hunt and like him more. I felt the same way for most of the characters, especially Ruhn and Ithan. I liked Therion more in the first book but in this one he mostly came of as a hot mess. I really liked Cormac; where the others feel like they're playing at helping "lesser" Fae, he actually works for it. But Bryce? Still loved by everyone though she manipulates them and uses them constantly, with the worst main character syndrome and a ridiculous amount of power and ability to do anything. It's so annoying.
Graphic: Violence, Slavery, Colonisation, and Genocide
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, and War
samellecooke'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? It's complicated
5.0
This was emotionally draining (in the best way), but I'm so thrilled SJM wrote this book, this series, to tie in her other worlds. Gotta love a multiverse.
The ending to this book didn't get me quite like HOEAB did and I have to say, I'm little sadden by this. I'm so used to the trauma that only SJM can deliver. My resolve was hardened and it wasn't needed, lol. Nevertheless, I am beyond excited for CC #3 and cannot wait to see how SJM ties everything together and what is next for our band of magical friends.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Kidnapping, Death, and Sexual content
Moderate: Drug use
_alyssar_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Grief, Murder, Slavery, Violence, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Gun violence
Minor: Sexual assault, Torture, Child abuse, Alcohol, Sexual violence, Drug use, Physical abuse, Medical content, Rape, Colonisation, Infidelity, and Addiction