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megnut's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Confinement and Sexual content
Minor: Suicide attempt
corydory's review against another edition
Slow, boring, unlikeable characters
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Gaslighting
ishura's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I genuinely would've DNF'd this book 18 pages in but the only reason I didn't is because it was the FIRST subscription box book I'd picked up and I was *so* determined to finish it so I could finally say I read one (ugh).
I honestly have so many complaints, I'm not sure where to start. Almost all of the characters felt shallow and had no personality. Hektor was an evil caricature, Nyte was just horny, Rose was the Badass Independent Girl. I'm not even sure Cassia and Zath had much personality outside of the other characters to ascribe anything to them... but *Astraea* was by far the worst offender because while she *had* personality, she was a naive, wet rag of a FMC who could literally never make up her mind as to whether she trusted Nyte or not. I read another review that said she kept changing her mind up to the last page and I thought that was a joke - no, dear reader, she does in fact go from loving him to hating him probably 20+ times in the last few chapters (sometimes multiple times a page, nevermind THE WHOLE ENTIRE REST OF THE BOOK).
I genuinely could not believe that Astraea was supposed to be some "mythical savior of mankind" considering that she a) was constantly in distress and always needed saving, b) could not make decisions for herself at all, and c) felt so immature. Something about the way she acted was too childish for my liking? I'm not sure if that was because of her memory loss or the abuse she'd experienced making her extremely sheltered, but for a 100+ year old character who'd literally fought in celestial wars, Astraea had no real emotional maturity. I *think* it was probably supposed to convey that she's just got an open heart and really cares for everyone, but the execution fell too flat for me. Also - it's giving a little too "pure innocent woman" and "evil corrupting love influence" which, blegh.
It sucks because I actually really like stories that deal with a character overcoming heartbreak/abuse and even though a solid 20% of this book focused on Astraea leaving her abusive relationship, it felt like the most stereotypical unserious take on an abusive relationship? She hardly ever thought about him once she left (no guilt?? no struggle? that's it?) and when he *was* weaponized against her in the later part of the book, she genuinely considered going back to him (LIKE DID YOU LEARN NOTHING?????). I think if the story had painted her waffling mistrust of Nyte more as a reaction to the abuse she suffered at the hands of Hektor it would've been more compelling, but instead it was absolutely frustrating!!
Don't even get me started on Cassia's plot either. I couldn't be bothered to care for her or her characterization so when *things* started happening and Astraea almost unalived herself over it, it just did not hit for me at all. I hate comparing books, but Crescent City had such a similar plotline (re: the relationship between the FMC and their best friend) and yet that one made me feel *far* more for Bryce/Danika than this one ever did with Astraea/Cassia.
Also, I have to say I think the writing style was one of this book's biggest failings. It felt like it was meant to be poetic, but instead came across as extremely passive and stilted. It was just *off*. Like, here's a few examples:
"At first glance, the sky was a blanket of tiny crystals, but there were layers I could measure the distance between, and the sizes, they blinked."
"My eyes didn't get the chance to fully express their incredulity before his grin dimpled one cheek, showing off his brilliant teeth."
"His switch of tone coiled my gut, racing my blood with alarm as I tried to find what had caused such a lethal, firm guard on his face."
I genuinely think that if the writing style had been tighter/more coherent, I could've given the poor characterization and predictable plot a pass, but there were soooooo many times a wacky sentence took me out of the book.
I was combing through a lot of other reviews and saw people say Nyte was the most interesting part. I gotta agree, but only after *finishing* the book (with what's revealed about his backstory at the end). The other 90% of the book and his interactions with Astraea was entirely him just wanting to screw her, which uuuggggghhhhh. Like how is the entire middle of this book **just** him coming onto her and her changing her mind every page about whether she's into it or not. I can't! I just can't!!
Weirdly, though, I think this book had the best spice of any adult book I've read (which is not saying much because that's like 4 total)? There's only two *full* on scenes (and one other bit of third base, iirc), and yet for as much as I hated the two main characters I had to say I was into it. THAT SAID, I did hate that the book made Astraea immediately despise Nyte after their first time together, it just felt so icky!! Do not have her finally get intimate with him only to then suddenly feel horrified and distrust him! (fwiw it was not because they got intimate, only because she learned something about him she didn't like... but STILL. would've been better as a slow burn).
I gotta say - for all the flaws, I think the premise and setup was actually interesting enough I'd be super interested in a prequel? I want to know how Nyte and Astraea originally met, the whole enemies-to-lovers story and everything (especially since it paints her as a far more capable person than she is during this plot). The fact that they legit led *wars* against each other and fell in love despite it all is intriguing to me! But honestly... I do not care to see the rest of this story through for all of book 1's disappointing bits, so I don't think I'll be finishing the trilogy. It was just so utterly frustrating from start to finish.
I honestly have so many complaints, I'm not sure where to start. Almost all of the characters felt shallow and had no personality. Hektor was an evil caricature, Nyte was just horny, Rose was the Badass Independent Girl. I'm not even sure Cassia and Zath had much personality outside of the other characters to ascribe anything to them... but *Astraea* was by far the worst offender because while she *had* personality, she was a naive, wet rag of a FMC who could literally never make up her mind as to whether she trusted Nyte or not. I read another review that said she kept changing her mind up to the last page and I thought that was a joke - no, dear reader, she does in fact go from loving him to hating him probably 20+ times in the last few chapters (sometimes multiple times a page, nevermind THE WHOLE ENTIRE REST OF THE BOOK).
I genuinely could not believe that Astraea was supposed to be some "mythical savior of mankind" considering that she a) was constantly in distress and always needed saving, b) could not make decisions for herself at all, and c) felt so immature. Something about the way she acted was too childish for my liking? I'm not sure if that was because of her memory loss or the abuse she'd experienced making her extremely sheltered, but for a 100+ year old character who'd literally fought in celestial wars, Astraea had no real emotional maturity. I *think* it was probably supposed to convey that she's just got an open heart and really cares for everyone, but the execution fell too flat for me. Also - it's giving a little too "pure innocent woman" and "evil corrupting love influence" which, blegh.
It sucks because I actually really like stories that deal with a character overcoming heartbreak/abuse and even though a solid 20% of this book focused on Astraea leaving her abusive relationship, it felt like the most stereotypical unserious take on an abusive relationship? She hardly ever thought about him once she left (no guilt?? no struggle? that's it?) and when he *was* weaponized against her in the later part of the book, she genuinely considered going back to him (LIKE DID YOU LEARN NOTHING?????). I think if the story had painted her waffling mistrust of Nyte more as a reaction to the abuse she suffered at the hands of Hektor it would've been more compelling, but instead it was absolutely frustrating!!
Don't even get me started on Cassia's plot either. I couldn't be bothered to care for her or her characterization so when *things* started happening and Astraea almost unalived herself over it, it just did not hit for me at all. I hate comparing books, but Crescent City had such a similar plotline (re: the relationship between the FMC and their best friend) and yet that one made me feel *far* more for Bryce/Danika than this one ever did with Astraea/Cassia.
Also, I have to say I think the writing style was one of this book's biggest failings. It felt like it was meant to be poetic, but instead came across as extremely passive and stilted. It was just *off*. Like, here's a few examples:
"At first glance, the sky was a blanket of tiny crystals, but there were layers I could measure the distance between, and the sizes, they blinked."
"My eyes didn't get the chance to fully express their incredulity before his grin dimpled one cheek, showing off his brilliant teeth."
"His switch of tone coiled my gut, racing my blood with alarm as I tried to find what had caused such a lethal, firm guard on his face."
I genuinely think that if the writing style had been tighter/more coherent, I could've given the poor characterization and predictable plot a pass, but there were soooooo many times a wacky sentence took me out of the book.
I was combing through a lot of other reviews and saw people say Nyte was the most interesting part. I gotta agree, but only after *finishing* the book (with what's revealed about his backstory at the end). The other 90% of the book and his interactions with Astraea was entirely him just wanting to screw her, which uuuggggghhhhh. Like how is the entire middle of this book **just** him coming onto her and her changing her mind every page about whether she's into it or not. I can't! I just can't!!
Weirdly, though, I think this book had the best spice of any adult book I've read (which is not saying much because that's like 4 total)? There's only two *full* on scenes (and one other bit of third base, iirc), and yet for as much as I hated the two main characters I had to say I was into it. THAT SAID, I did hate that the book made Astraea immediately despise Nyte after their first time together, it just felt so icky!! Do not have her finally get intimate with him only to then suddenly feel horrified and distrust him! (fwiw it was not because they got intimate, only because she learned something about him she didn't like... but STILL. would've been better as a slow burn).
I gotta say - for all the flaws, I think the premise and setup was actually interesting enough I'd be super interested in a prequel? I want to know how Nyte and Astraea originally met, the whole enemies-to-lovers story and everything (especially since it paints her as a far more capable person than she is during this plot). The fact that they legit led *wars* against each other and fell in love despite it all is intriguing to me! But honestly... I do not care to see the rest of this story through for all of book 1's disappointing bits, so I don't think I'll be finishing the trilogy. It was just so utterly frustrating from start to finish.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Suicide attempt