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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
hopeful
slow-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
Madeline and Apollo are by far my favorite couple in the series. The communication between them made their relationship so much stronger. And I enjoyed getting dual POVs even if the majority of the book was from Maddie.
At first I actually didn’t want them to be together, but once their relationship started I was rooting for them all the way. And the progression felt realistic because entering the relationship, they had to consider so many factors. The development with the children felt realistic, and the fact that Maddie had a lot of trauma to overcome made sense why she never felt like she was enough. The title fits her story.
Side note: these books play heavily on gender stereotypes and that can be annoying. I also do not like that the only people who are slaves/own slaves, are the people of color in this book. It just feels very racist that the brown and black people in this world are the “savages” and “primitive” people.
3.5/5 this was by far the spiciest book in the series. These two definitely have some kinks, which aren’t explicitly stated, but much raunchier than the other couples.
At first I actually didn’t want them to be together, but once their relationship started I was rooting for them all the way. And the progression felt realistic because entering the relationship, they had to consider so many factors. The development with the children felt realistic, and the fact that Maddie had a lot of trauma to overcome made sense why she never felt like she was enough. The title fits her story.
Side note: these books play heavily on gender stereotypes and that can be annoying. I also do not like that the only people who are slaves/own slaves, are the people of color in this book. It just feels very racist that the brown and black people in this world are the “savages” and “primitive” people.
3.5/5 this was by far the spiciest book in the series. These two definitely have some kinks, which aren’t explicitly stated, but much raunchier than the other couples.
This is a typical KA book but parallel universe style.
This is my least favourite of this series.
Apollo for me challenges the most faithful die hard fans. He brings alternate Ilsa to his world where her version of Apollo is an abusive thug of a husband.
He is pinning for his dead wife, his version of Ilsa and he is surprised that as she looks identical that there are problems, for him and his children.
He does many things wrong, he does redeem himself but for me he is not very likeable.
It is strongly connected to the previous books in the series, although each couple have a book, the main enemy fight runs as a thread through the series and comes to a conclusion in this book.
My response is always Don t get me started on Apollo.
This is my least favourite of this series.
Apollo for me challenges the most faithful die hard fans. He brings alternate Ilsa to his world where her version of Apollo is an abusive thug of a husband.
He is pinning for his dead wife, his version of Ilsa and he is surprised that as she looks identical that there are problems, for him and his children.
He does many things wrong, he does redeem himself but for me he is not very likeable.
It is strongly connected to the previous books in the series, although each couple have a book, the main enemy fight runs as a thread through the series and comes to a conclusion in this book.
My response is always Don t get me started on Apollo.
Wonderful book
KA never disappoints and this one doesn't either. After ripping our hearts out, she puts them back together and gives a HEA.
KA never disappoints and this one doesn't either. After ripping our hearts out, she puts them back together and gives a HEA.
Although there is another book to come in this series, it felt like the end and it was a great ending. Although no one can beat Lahn and Circe in my eyes, Apollo and Maddie were too cute. He had some really dickhead moments and she had too many moments where she doubted and underestimated herself, but it all worked out in the end, once they both got their heads out of their butts. All the couples finally face the witches who have kind of been behind a whole lot throughout this series (even if you didn't know it at first), so that provided a lot of action and understanding. And it was great to see how the other couples were doing and getting updated on them. Looking forward to the next installment.
3 1/2 stars
Great book, but not the best of KA. Still, it kept me awake for a long time and it was a struggle to put it down. I had some problems with Maddie (who I found to be a bit pushover) and Apollo (who was insensitive, jumping to conclusions jerk from time to time). But they were different from KA's other characters. Both of them more flawed and because of that more real. They had issues and they worked through them during the whole length of the book. Their relationship didn't happen at once and was in no way perfect. But in a way this made it perfect.
Great book, but not the best of KA. Still, it kept me awake for a long time and it was a struggle to put it down. I had some problems with Maddie (who I found to be a bit pushover) and Apollo (who was insensitive, jumping to conclusions jerk from time to time). But they were different from KA's other characters. Both of them more flawed and because of that more real. They had issues and they worked through them during the whole length of the book. Their relationship didn't happen at once and was in no way perfect. But in a way this made it perfect.
Dude was an ass that totally loved his wife WAY more then the h. She deserved better...
better then the last book not as fun as books 1 and 2.... Ulf made me want to smack him a few times more than the usual smacks I want to give to KA heroes. Maddy deserved better. Then Pol and Apollo both.. Asshat. That extra star is for Maddy and for the other ladies and the overall arc....
Re-read this today (05212021).
Still as special as the first time I read it. It's even a blessing that I have forgotten most of the plot because this book just made me feel amazing all over again! :)
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This book is everything I have hoped for... and then some.
I really set myself up to finish this book on the first day of January. I figured, why not start the new year with a bang? I was not wrong. I succeeded in choosing the best book to start my year off.
Broken Dove is a book that I've been waiting for ever since I started this series. I had so many speculations whether I'd hate Apollo or feel sorry for Ilsa. As it turns out, my worries weren't ever necessary. Kristen Ashley gave two strong characters again. They were not perfect, in fact, I kinda believe that these two are the weakest among the couples because of the way their pairing started. However, they made reading this book worthwhile because they admitted their imperfections. KA showed us the ugly side of a relationship here. She also showed that where there is ugliness, there's always beauty.
How do I describe Apollo and Maddie (yes, Maddie)? Whirlwind. These two were a such a whirlwind that I had to stop a few times to say "Now that was too fast!". One must understand that these two are already connected one way or another before they even met. They were what the other was looking for way before their story started, so as a reader, I forgive their whirlwind-ness.
Maddie had such a traumatic past with Apollo's other world twin that it was hard to trust Apollo at first. Apollo is of course, still grieving his wife who looked exactly like Maddie, so we can just imagine how he felt. What a pair right? They managed to get past that FAST and thus, their romance begin.
The plot was more complicated than the other books. This time, it's more focused on the war.
Honestly, it was like watching a soap opera. Connivance, betrayals, loyalties etc by the people around them. The issue of Maddie looking like the deceased wife was totally explored. It was just normal, I guess, but it was still annoying to some extent especially when it was Apollo's child who was affected by it. I'm glad that it was resolved. There was also a matter of guys falling for Maddie and Maddie helping a friend out with her own love story. Gosh, there are just so many things to take note of in this book.
A LOT OF THINGS SHOULD ALSO BE SAID ABOUT HOW HOT THIS BOOK IS. The steamy scenes, I can say, compared to the other books are off the charts. I think. It rivals the scenes in Golden Dynasty, and those were intense! hot hot hot ;D
There were also some action parts wherein the guys were all heroes. I loved reading about how the other couple's are fairing. I love how the other characters were all here and were all necessary to the story.
Of course, this book is also humorous. I love how each character finds the bright side of things. :)
I guess all I can do now is wait for Noc's story. My hero from the normal world. :) Hey hotstuff! See you next time!
All in all, I love this book. I love this series and I still totally love Kristen Ashley. This is indeed, a good start for my year! :D
Still as special as the first time I read it. It's even a blessing that I have forgotten most of the plot because this book just made me feel amazing all over again! :)
---------------------------------------------
This book is everything I have hoped for... and then some.
I really set myself up to finish this book on the first day of January. I figured, why not start the new year with a bang? I was not wrong. I succeeded in choosing the best book to start my year off.
Broken Dove is a book that I've been waiting for ever since I started this series. I had so many speculations whether I'd hate Apollo or feel sorry for Ilsa. As it turns out, my worries weren't ever necessary. Kristen Ashley gave two strong characters again. They were not perfect, in fact, I kinda believe that these two are the weakest among the couples because of the way their pairing started. However, they made reading this book worthwhile because they admitted their imperfections. KA showed us the ugly side of a relationship here. She also showed that where there is ugliness, there's always beauty.
How do I describe Apollo and Maddie (yes, Maddie)? Whirlwind. These two were a such a whirlwind that I had to stop a few times to say "Now that was too fast!". One must understand that these two are already connected one way or another before they even met. They were what the other was looking for way before their story started, so as a reader, I forgive their whirlwind-ness.
Maddie had such a traumatic past with Apollo's other world twin that it was hard to trust Apollo at first. Apollo is of course, still grieving his wife who looked exactly like Maddie, so we can just imagine how he felt. What a pair right? They managed to get past that FAST and thus, their romance begin.
The plot was more complicated than the other books. This time, it's more focused on the war.
Honestly, it was like watching a soap opera. Connivance, betrayals, loyalties etc by the people around them. The issue of Maddie looking like the deceased wife was totally explored. It was just normal, I guess, but it was still annoying to some extent especially when it was Apollo's child who was affected by it. I'm glad that it was resolved. There was also a matter of guys falling for Maddie and Maddie helping a friend out with her own love story. Gosh, there are just so many things to take note of in this book.
A LOT OF THINGS SHOULD ALSO BE SAID ABOUT HOW HOT THIS BOOK IS. The steamy scenes, I can say, compared to the other books are off the charts. I think. It rivals the scenes in Golden Dynasty, and those were intense! hot hot hot ;D
There were also some action parts wherein the guys were all heroes. I loved reading about how the other couple's are fairing. I love how the other characters were all here and were all necessary to the story.
Of course, this book is also humorous. I love how each character finds the bright side of things. :)
I guess all I can do now is wait for Noc's story. My hero from the normal world. :) Hey hotstuff! See you next time!
All in all, I love this book. I love this series and I still totally love Kristen Ashley. This is indeed, a good start for my year! :D
This book is a lot longer than the previous two. It could have been quite a bit shorter. I liked the culmination of the storyline from the previous books and the hero and heroine. A pretty solid read.