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thebooseller's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is quite possibly the most infuriating book I've read this year, and I've read over 150.
A general review: This book is not for plot girlies. It's 95% smut, 5% plot. The smut is good, but I wish there was a little more action to the plot. It was a whole lot of exposition, so maybe the rest of the books will be stronger. But for this one, I always felt like I'd read 1,000 pages, just to look down and see I was only 32% of the way through the book. And there are plenty of errors and earcorns and it was sometimes a little painful.
That said, I think I hate these characters so much that I kind of like them, and at the very least, I can't take my eyes off the absolute trainwreck that is this story.
A more detailed review: Raven is somehow worse than Feyre Archeron and every one-dimensional heroine. And to be fair, it works for her—but only to an extent. She's been sheltered her whole life, which explains so much about her character; on that front, I applaud the author's accuracy. But my god, is she the most immature, insecure, selfish 20-something-year-old FMC. The only reason there's any relationship tension in this book is because she overhears some shit or sees something out of context and takes a hot air balloon ride to whatever worst case scenario her little bird brain (pun intended) can devise.
But again, that's gotta all be by design given how few people she's had in her life and how remote her kingdom is. Doesn't mean I don't hate it with every ounce of bone marrow in my body and wish she had some goddamn self respect, though. Also, the Jeanine thing? Girl, get a grip. How many times can you beat a horse that was never alive?
Cade? The hardest of passes. Is Zeke toxic as fuck? Absolutely. But does he at least respect Raven as a human being and want to challenge her to be better? You bet your ass. Cade is just such a gross character so I guess once again, the author did a great job of building that out.
He is the most dense motherfucker I've ever read in a book, and that's accounting for Jacob Black. And I don't think I've ever felt nauseated while reading about a character, but here we are. All I gotta say about Cade is that I can't wait for Zeke to kill his ass.
And Zeke. Oh, Zeke. My guy is an alcoholic and a jealous creature, but he's great in bed, and I love that for Raven. Honestly, Raven is the problem here. She's the iceberg that sinks her own damn Titanic—every. time.
Anyway, I just got book 2 on KU so here goes.
A general review: This book is not for plot girlies. It's 95% smut, 5% plot. The smut is good, but I wish there was a little more action to the plot. It was a whole lot of exposition, so maybe the rest of the books will be stronger. But for this one, I always felt like I'd read 1,000 pages, just to look down and see I was only 32% of the way through the book. And there are plenty of errors and earcorns and it was sometimes a little painful.
That said, I think I hate these characters so much that I kind of like them, and at the very least, I can't take my eyes off the absolute trainwreck that is this story.
A more detailed review: Raven is somehow worse than Feyre Archeron and every one-dimensional heroine. And to be fair, it works for her—but only to an extent. She's been sheltered her whole life, which explains so much about her character; on that front, I applaud the author's accuracy. But my god, is she the most immature, insecure, selfish 20-something-year-old FMC. The only reason there's any relationship tension in this book is because she overhears some shit or sees something out of context and takes a hot air balloon ride to whatever worst case scenario her little bird brain (pun intended) can devise.
But again, that's gotta all be by design given how few people she's had in her life and how remote her kingdom is. Doesn't mean I don't hate it with every ounce of bone marrow in my body and wish she had some goddamn self respect, though. Also, the Jeanine thing? Girl, get a grip. How many times can you beat a horse that was never alive?
Cade? The hardest of passes. Is Zeke toxic as fuck? Absolutely. But does he at least respect Raven as a human being and want to challenge her to be better? You bet your ass. Cade is just such a gross character so I guess once again, the author did a great job of building that out.
He is the most dense motherfucker I've ever read in a book, and that's accounting for Jacob Black. And I don't think I've ever felt nauseated while reading about a character, but here we are. All I gotta say about Cade is that I can't wait for Zeke to kill his ass.
And Zeke. Oh, Zeke. My guy is an alcoholic and a jealous creature, but he's great in bed, and I love that for Raven. Honestly, Raven is the problem here. She's the iceberg that sinks her own damn Titanic—every. time.
Anyway, I just got book 2 on KU so here goes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Sexual assault
Minor: Death of parent
hopecobblepotworld's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Stars: 🌟 🌟🌟🌟
Scoville Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶½
Book overview:
At ten years old, Raven was mysteriously willed to be the next ruler of Seolia, a kingdom nestled within the realm of The Four Kingdoms. Orphaned as a baby, she has spent fifteen years ruling over a kingdom she believes she did not earn all while hiding secrets: she possesses dark magic, and she thirsts for blood.
Now at almost twenty-five years old and with a sudden addiction to stealing life, Raven must fight through her new procured darkness to save her soul, but when a mysterious stranger arrives in her kingdom, she starts experiencing vivid dreams that detail who she truly is. As she slowly starts to unravel her story, what she uncovers at the end of the spool will change the course of her life and her kingdom forever.
My Thoughts:
Raven, the FMC of this book, has been lied to by everyone. By her best friend. By her Court. And now by Zeke, our MMC who is tangled in his shadows, shortcomings, and misdirection. Raven rules the small island nation of Seolia but she still doesn't understand why she was chosen. Things unravel to us, the reader, but not to Raven until the end. Raven is caught between two men who seem hell bent on hurting her; secrets about herself; and her evolving magic. While Raven has her Elements, she must learn to depend on herself rather than those who have their own agendas.
One of the things I really enjoyed about this book was the excellent Worldbuilding. I felt totally immersed in the kingdom of Seolia. I loved the village and the progression of Raven's relationships with the villagers. Especially Eva.
Tropes:
🔥Forced Proximity
🌎Abandonment
❄️Love Triangle
⚔️Insta-Lust
🔥Magic
🌎Secrets
❄️One Bed
⚔️Break Up, Make Up, Break Up, etc.
Check for trigger warnings.
Thank you to rrbooktours and authorwhitneydean for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest opinion.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Blood, Violence, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, Confinement, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Torture, Suicide attempt, Stalking, Sexual content, and Rape
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