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the_bookworm_rabbit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Sara, at least at a couple of points in the story, seems like a badass firefighter with her head screwed on right. Unfortunately, that is not the case as she seems to be content with forgiving Pestilence for abusing her in some of the worst ways possible just because he's attractive.
As someone who enjoys a dark romance, I have found that there's a fine line between having a love interest whom you can understand the protagonist falling for, and someone who is basically unredeemable. The mental and physical abuse Sara is put through is vile, yet somehow she still falls for Pestilence just because he shows a few moments of regret (which is a common abuse strategy).
This was not the book for me.
Graphic: Physical abuse and Emotional abuse
ellalife's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
0.5
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Torture, Gore, Genocide, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Hate crime, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Slavery, Sexism, Misogyny, and Kidnapping
unsuttefing. the main love intrest is litteraly discusting, misogenitic inhuman guy.ellyg_97's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Graphic: Physical abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
konniesbb'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? Yes
4.0
Set in an apocalyptic world, Sara Burns is set to kill Pestilence the Conqueror, the first of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Unfortunately, Sara's attempt to assassinate the horseman fail and instead she is held prisoner by him.
The book is very dark and quite detailed and gruesome in its descriptions of violence, death and abuse. This did not affect my enjoyment of the book, as I did feel it added to the sinister backdrop it takes place in, but I do think it may be too much for some readers.
Naturally, this being an enemies-to-lovers romance (and an extreme one at that!), the relationship portrayed in the book is incredibly toxic and unhealthy. However, I don't think the author is trying to glamourise this kind of behaviour or relationship and, at the end of the day, it's not meant to be taken too seriously.
I really enjoyed the author's style of writing - it was rich in detail while still remaining fast-paced and dramatic. I enjoyed the first-person narration from Sara's POV and how we got to see her relationship with her captor change through her eyes.
I felt the last few chapters were rather rushed as though we were rather barreling toward the end of the story. The resolution at the end could've been a little more involved, plus it all felt a little too neatly tied up considering the circumstances; but again, I don't think it should be taken too seriously. Good setup for the next book in the series as well - I think I might give it a go.
On the whole, a very enjoyable read which kept me hooked! Would recommend to fans of fantasy romances, enemies-to-lovers, slow burns etc.
Graphic: Violence and Death
Moderate: Physical abuse and Emotional abuse
cinderrunner's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Animal death, Blood, Bullying, Grief, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual content, Torture, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Excrement, Gore, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting, Rape, Death, Kidnapping, Misogyny, and Murder
cluckieduck's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The sex scenes were rough (and not in a good way) - poor Sara’s vag deserves a break from all the furious pounding. Much like the rest of the story, it’s overly repetitive and not written well. A very underwhelming read.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Cursing, Kidnapping, Sexual harassment, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Murder, Physical abuse, Violence, Vomit, Sexual content, and Torture
Minor: Rape
ka_ke's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Emotional abuse, Grief, Blood, Body horror, Death, Cursing, Gun violence, Medical trauma, Murder, and Sexual content
c_dmckinney's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, War, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Torture, Violence, Classism, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Genocide
books_bunny's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Genocide, Gun violence, Murder, Terminal illness, Violence, Sexual content, and Torture
Moderate: Child death, Toxic relationship, Grief, Kidnapping, Animal cruelty, and Blood
Minor: Confinement, Vomit, and Medical content
jasirepe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Violence