Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

What Lies Beyond the Veil by Harper L. Woods

25 reviews

kingrosereads's review

adventurous dark funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

Look. Was it good? Not really. Will I be reading the sequel? Absolutely. This is the kind of trash reading I really enjoy. If you like ACOTAR or FBAA, this definitely has borrowed themes and characters and plots from them, but very loosely developed. I do like the concept of the Veil and human mates. Caelum is an acquired taste for sure but I enjoy the bantering between him and Estrella. Not a fan of the “little one” nickname. “My star” is fine and very endearing but “little one” is so cringe. “Little” anything is barf. I didn’t like how he became super possessive towards the end especially since Estrella has always been at the mercy of other men and not having any choice in life. This book feels more like the base of a story that you go back and actually develop upon. It’s basically the skeleton of a good story. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism

Moderate: Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Gaslighting, Death of parent, Death, Violence, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, Kidnapping, Gore, Blood, and Physical abuse

Minor: Pedophilia and Stalking

_savannahreads_'s review

adventurous dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Sexual violence, Violence, and War

ka_ke's review

relaxing medium-paced

• 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

Overhyped. The writing team promised a sexy fae romance and there was none? There is no plot and no character growth. The only reason I kept reading it was because the spicy scenes were very well done. I won’t be picking up the sequel. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Cursing, Gaslighting, Grief, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Rape

franccescareads's review

challenging emotional mysterious slow-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? It's complicated

3.75

If anyone knows me, they know I love a good fantasy book with spice. I actually search for it and when I saw this book trending, everyone talking about it, I had to read it.

So let’s get right into it. The first half of the book is HARD. It’s really hard to read. Estrella is a good FMC but there’s something off about her. I still can’t quite describe it but there’s something I just don’t like. 
Cael I’m is practically every girls dream. I mean come on, the guy is freaking tall, muscled, well defined (in every area) and has a God damn mouth on him. What’s not to love? And the way he does everything FOR her and would do ANYTHING for her, I’m in awe.

Again, the writing style is difficult to read. I found myself sometimes having to read the same page a few times or skimming, it’s sad but true. The world that it’s set is a bit strange but understandable (after a few reads). Every character we meet is complex, they each have strong personalities. The ending was kind of predictable but still has a bit of a shock value to it.

Having said all that, I give this a 3/3.5 ⭐️. The spice in it really is amazing. That’s why I’m giving it more cause wow, give me a Caelum.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Death of parent and Emotional abuse

Minor: Gaslighting, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Sexism

sarahbythebook's review

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

3.0

I need the next one now! August seems so far away!

This was a fun read, quick paced and exciting, but I didn’t love any of the characters. Caelum rubbed me wrong for the entirety of the book

maybe he’s supposed to given the ending?

, and I found Estrella frustrating at times, acting in ways that didn’t fit with the characterization the author laid out.  There’s an overuse of cursing at times that feel unnatural for dialogue, and the whole everyone-has-secrets-but-no-one-shares-them works for me only if they get revealed eventually— too much is left unsaid (looking at you Brann) and too often the MC just goes with it no questions asked. 

It wasn’t amazing, but I enjoyed it

though the coerced exhibitionism was uncomfortable

. An interesting book and I’m excited for the next one, but won’t be a favorite for me.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content