Scan barcode
billypeanuts's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This first book in the series. The rest of them are Not worth the price of admission imo, but this one is a dark and sexy romance story that I think stands on its own legs. The back half of the book is loaded with triggering content though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Classism, Confinement, and Torture
Moderate: Self harm, Vomit, and Sexual content
Minor: Cursing
orchidlilly's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
Oh boy, so many things to say here. First of all, this was the first series in over 10 years that I DNF'd (never got past the first book). The writing is mediocre at best, the descriptions are trite and cliche, and it reads like fanfiction written by a middle-schooler. The main character, Feyre, is whiny, unlikable, and overall bland and annoying, she reads like a textbook self-insert mary sue who is the best at everything, except being girly because she's "not like other girls". The plot makes no real sense, and the story takes forever to move forward, usually with more focus on the smutty romance bits than the actual storyline. This story has just taken Katniss from the Hunger Games, poorly reskinned her, and dumped her in a wannabe dark and raunchy beauty and the beast ripoff. I could maybe see how it could be enjoyable for a horned up middle schooler/ early high schooler, but this book is not for anyone who wants actual substance to their stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Animal death, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Violence, Death, Body shaming, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Confinement, Death of parent, Stalking, Alcohol, Abandonment, Ableism, Misogyny, Cursing, Blood, and Classism
dogearedqueer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief, Gore, and Sexism
maychan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Maybe 2.5 stars would be more accurate than just a 2 star?? I mean it was boring at first it but then it got pretty good by the end, I didn't care about the characters that much but gosh did I hate Rhysand, not sure why anyone would like him when he's literally awful, the villain was evil too but her evilness felt cartoonish, not sure if I like that or not tbh. The romance didn't make that much sense to me, like why did Feyre and Tamlin even fell for each other ??? I didn't get it, so yeah idk what to feel about this book really but then again it's better than I was expecting so... That's good I guess
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Cursing, Blood, Violence, and Body horror
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexism
Minor: Misogyny
looooorush's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Sexual content, Vomit, War, Blood, Cursing, Murder, Physical abuse, Violence, Classism, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Alcohol, Confinement, Gore, Death, Sexism, Torture, and Death of parent
jenna_justi2004's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Chronic illness, Classism, Confinement, Gore, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Stalking, Torture, Toxic friendship, Adult/minor relationship, Biphobia, Blood, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Mental illness, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, and War
solypoly's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Death, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Vomit, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Gore, Drug use, and Murder
naza16's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Torture, Slavery, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexism and Injury/Injury detail
midnacine's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Update: Six Months Later
I really hated this series, and after a friend spoiled the ending of House of Sky and Breath for me, I've decided I'm never picking up another SJM book ever again. I'm dropping my rating to 2 stars because in retrospect I just don't like any of these books lmao, thanks for coming to my TED talk
Okay... so I loved this book, but I have a lot of feelings. I usually write reviews on my phone but I had to come onto my laptop to type this one. That says a lot for me, because I'm lazy and pulling out my laptop is a hassle. Just a fair warning, my emotions WILL lead to cussing.
Just as a spoiler-free tidbit before I continue: great book, highly recommend if you're into high fantasy and heartbreaking romance.
I'd like to preface this saying I had the endgame couple spoiled for me long before I even bought this book, so if you haven't seen the fanart like I have, please do NOT continue reading this. Knowing is what made it difficult to read.
All in all, I really enjoyed this! I mean, clearly, because you see the five star rating. I love how the reader is introduced to this series with a twist on a classic fairytale. I think I remember my friend telling me it was a Beauty and the Beast reimagining years ago when she first recommended it, but I definitely didn't realize it until like halfway through lol. The characterization and the world building is so beautifully done. I feel connected to Feyre and the Spring Court fae, my heart aches for Tamlin, and Lucien is my precious snarky boy. Now, when it comes to Rhysand........... Rhysand is where the majority of my issues lie. Again, I know he ends up becoming the love interest for Feyre over Tamlin. What I can't figure out is WHY.
I published several of my Kindle notes on Goodreads, and if I were able to post them here, you'd notice the majority of them are from the last quarter of the book. When Rhysand first appeared at the Great Rite, I was like "oh okay cool this is gonna be like a ASITE/Plated Prisoner thing where everyone's terrified of him because he can kill people but he's actually a really wholesome guy who just doesn't wanna see people get hurt". And then we find out he's the one who sent the disembodied head to be displayed on Tamlin's fountain AS A JOKE and my brain turned into that clip of Tyra Banks saying "We were rooting for you! We were ALL rooting for you!"
Rhysand DRUGGED Feyre and forced her to give him lap dances in front of Tamlin nearly every night for three months. THREE MONTHS. Oh but he healed her arm and used his magic tattoo to help her win the second task because she can't read. Like big fuckin deal. He laughed at her pain, literally marked her as his property, and purposefully dressed her up in skimpy clothing she felt embarrassed in because he wanted to make Tamlin angry. Way to just objectify this woman and use her as a tool to hurt the guy she actually loves.
And then this mans has the AUDACITY to excuse his behavior and justify it by saying that he didn't want history to remember him as someone who stood in the background and did nothing, that you wanted to be written down as someone who fought against Amarantha "at the end". But bitch where were you BEFORE all of that??? Acting as her damn lackey and having sex with her. And worse of all - Feyre actually starts feeling for him! You're just gonna let three months of abuse slide under the table because "he feels as though no one should die alone just like I do!"
I just know this is gonna turn into a Severus Snape thing where the whole audience is expected to forgive this asshole for treating Feyre like garbage because he's dark, mysterious, and did a couple not-shitty things. Tbh most of the reason I wanna continue the series is because I wanna know what happens to Tamlin and I've heard Cassian is way better than Rhysand.
Okay I'm done ranting for now, if I have anything more to add I'll edit this some other time when it's not 2 AM and I'm being fueled by rage.
I really hated this series, and after a friend spoiled the ending of House of Sky and Breath for me, I've decided I'm never picking up another SJM book ever again. I'm dropping my rating to 2 stars because in retrospect I just don't like any of these books lmao, thanks for coming to my TED talk
Okay... so I loved this book, but I have a lot of feelings. I usually write reviews on my phone but I had to come onto my laptop to type this one. That says a lot for me, because I'm lazy and pulling out my laptop is a hassle. Just a fair warning, my emotions WILL lead to cussing.
Just as a spoiler-free tidbit before I continue: great book, highly recommend if you're into high fantasy and heartbreaking romance.
I'd like to preface this saying I had the endgame couple spoiled for me long before I even bought this book, so if you haven't seen the fanart like I have, please do NOT continue reading this. Knowing is what made it difficult to read.
I published several of my Kindle notes on Goodreads, and if I were able to post them here, you'd notice the majority of them are from the last quarter of the book. When Rhysand first appeared at the Great Rite, I was like "oh okay cool this is gonna be like a ASITE/Plated Prisoner thing where everyone's terrified of him because he can kill people but he's actually a really wholesome guy who just doesn't wanna see people get hurt". And then we find out he's the one who sent the disembodied head to be displayed on Tamlin's fountain AS A JOKE and my brain turned into that clip of Tyra Banks saying "We were rooting for you! We were ALL rooting for you!"
Rhysand DRUGGED Feyre and forced her to give him lap dances in front of Tamlin nearly every night for three months. THREE MONTHS. Oh but he healed her arm and used his magic tattoo to help her win the second task because she can't read. Like big fuckin deal. He laughed at her pain, literally marked her as his property, and purposefully dressed her up in skimpy clothing she felt embarrassed in because he wanted to make Tamlin angry. Way to just objectify this woman and use her as a tool to hurt the guy she actually loves.
And then this mans has the AUDACITY to excuse his behavior and justify it by saying that he didn't want history to remember him as someone who stood in the background and did nothing, that you wanted to be written down as someone who fought against Amarantha "at the end". But bitch where were you BEFORE all of that??? Acting as her damn lackey and having sex with her. And worse of all - Feyre actually starts feeling for him! You're just gonna let three months of abuse slide under the table because "he feels as though no one should die alone just like I do!"
I just know this is gonna turn into a Severus Snape thing where the whole audience is expected to forgive this asshole for treating Feyre like garbage because he's dark, mysterious, and did a couple not-shitty things. Tbh most of the reason I wanna continue the series is because I wanna know what happens to Tamlin and I've heard Cassian is way better than Rhysand.
Okay I'm done ranting for now, if I have anything more to add I'll edit this some other time when it's not 2 AM and I'm being fueled by rage.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Kidnapping, Sexism, Sexual assault, Drug abuse, Toxic relationship, Drug use, Child abuse, and Torture
lorenasanz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Drug use
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Sexism
Minor: Animal death