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keioyana's review
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
* Stuck between a 4.25-4.5 star rating if I'm being honest !!
This was such an interesting experience! I would say that there are a lot of topics touched upon in this book that would be triggering to others -Heavy descriptions of abuse from a heavily intoxicated mother, collective homophobia in a conservative community, corruption in religious organisations, etc, etc.
The writing is not too wordy or dense for it taking place in a more fantastical setting. I will say that the usage of modern lingo did throw me for a loop for a story that takes place in the 1920s, but I was alright with letting it slide under the guise of it being in a fantasy world far unlike our own. Who knows, maybe they're just more advanced in terms of language? Lol.
Ilya and Danya's relationship was so... Domestic. They're so soft with one another that they just grew on me. I think that their contrasting personalities fit well together. I loved how much they showed care for one another, how their relationship blossomed as the story progressed... I think it's just so well-crafted.
All in all, great read. It got me out of a depressive reading slump!!
This was such an interesting experience! I would say that there are a lot of topics touched upon in this book that would be triggering to others -
The writing is not too wordy or dense for it taking place in a more fantastical setting. I will say that the usage of modern lingo did throw me for a loop for a story that takes place in the 1920s, but I was alright with letting it slide under the guise of it being in a fantasy world far unlike our own. Who knows, maybe they're just more advanced in terms of language? Lol.
Ilya and Danya's relationship was so... Domestic. They're so soft with one another that they just grew on me. I think that their contrasting personalities fit well together. I loved how much they showed care for one another, how their relationship blossomed as the story progressed... I think it's just so well-crafted.
All in all, great read. It got me out of a depressive reading slump!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Homophobia, Child abuse, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Death of parent
cryscries's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I really like the authors writing style from devout an anthology and took a crack of reading Mercy. For a moment I thought the story was connected to the short story in devout but it is not- however I am very excited if there is going to be a sequel to this book as I feel like there was still unanswered questions.
It definitely feels like a slow burn and everything happens near the very end. The book did a really good job with character building. There were times where I felt a bit confused about the time period and setting of the characters because I imagine it to be both very old timey but it also is very modern but I don’t by how much so I would just like more world building.
It definitely feels like a slow burn and everything happens near the very end. The book did a really good job with character building. There were times where I felt a bit confused about the time period and setting of the characters because I imagine it to be both very old timey but it also is very modern but I don’t by how much so I would just like more world building.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Violence, Physical abuse, and Religious bigotry
There is graphic or moderate descriptions of sex - I personally don’t feel any way about it but if it makes you uncomfortable to read it’s definitely okay to skip them not all of it really is needed for the plot - the last page does end with the characters having a sort of marriage night but the very last page describes mostly the open ended possibility of another book.maximauve's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death of parent, Grief, Homophobia, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, and Bullying
discarded_dust_jacket's review
It’s not that I think the writing is necessarily bad, but this book would benefit from a few more rounds of editing. The author has definite potential, but this story needs some work, and I didn’t want to continue forcing myself to push through.
The anachronistic language took me out of the story every time. It’s supposed to be set in the 1920s but the characters use modern day colloquialisms. The dialogue in general just feels a bit odd and forced, sometimes even downright cringey.
The narrative pushes forward at a pretty quick pace right off the bat, but it isn’t really properly contextualized through any meaningful worldbuilding. I couldn’t get a solid grasp on the religion in particular. Who are the hunters? What and why are they hunting? Why does Ilya keep referencing a time when he “burnt out his eyes” as part of some ritual, without giving any further explanation?
Now granted, I did give up after only 45 pages so maybe these issues would have resolved themselves, but nothing about what I read thus far incentivized me to continue further.
The anachronistic language took me out of the story every time. It’s supposed to be set in the 1920s but the characters use modern day colloquialisms. The dialogue in general just feels a bit odd and forced, sometimes even downright cringey.
The narrative pushes forward at a pretty quick pace right off the bat, but it isn’t really properly contextualized through any meaningful worldbuilding. I couldn’t get a solid grasp on the religion in particular. Who are the hunters? What and why are they hunting? Why does Ilya keep referencing a time when he “burnt out his eyes” as part of some ritual, without giving any further explanation?
Now granted, I did give up after only 45 pages so maybe these issues would have resolved themselves, but nothing about what I read thus far incentivized me to continue further.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gore, Death, Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, and Mental illness
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse, Drug use, Terminal illness, and Cancer
puttingwingsonwords's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Religious bigotry, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Death, and Cursing
Minor: Vomit, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Body horror, Cannibalism, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury
reila's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The concept and cover art piqued my interest to pick up this book! Ah, but perhaps I put too much in the action/fantasy element, what with the premise of a priest staving off creatures of the Night and all. No, the monsters our pairing fights off are the people and the environment. The denizens of whom our priest Ilya is in service are very ungrateful and hateful to him---especially his mother. These grown adults have been beefing with Ilya since he was 7 years old over something he had no control over. The self-deprecation and angst run strong. My man is 30 and doing his best.
Said townsfolk and alcoholic/abusive mother do not get better. RIP. When Ilya comes out to his surrogate grandmother/guardian, it's painful that she isn't immediately accepting. It sucks being in that situation. Berta is our one supporter, thanks to her positive relationship with Danya. But when the time comes to show solidarity, it's at a strained time where, even if she said something sooner, it wouldn't do anything for the unfolding events.
Our former beast/angel Danya isn't what you'd expect. 'Angel' wouldn't be the first thing you think of with the sailor mouth he has, but the contradictory nature is the allure of the pairing(bad-mouthing angel himbo and his repressed slutty priest---is it really a spoiler? You know why you picked up this book :) LOL) . His past and potential unfold as he realizes his raison d'etre: to protect, love, and support his Beloved. A very sweet 'we complete one another' sentiment. Their confession is quite the scene.
Because of the baggage our poor priest has, processing the immensity of his hurts made it a slow read to savor. Consent and aftercare are important and very sexy, by the way. I admit the liberal use of curse words and contemporary-isms consistently threw me from the world, but it also had the secondary effect of snapping me out of Ilya's ruminations---*raises glass* <i>heed this lesson, fellow overthinkers</i>---apart from being relatable, I thought it was funny (which is very much a 'me' thing). So, if you're in the mood for a comfort/hurt romantic fantasy, come get your food!
Our former beast/angel Danya isn't what you'd expect. 'Angel' wouldn't be the first thing you think of with the sailor mouth he has, but the contradictory nature is the allure of the pairing
Because of the baggage our poor priest has, processing the immensity of his hurts made it a slow read to savor. Consent and aftercare are important and very sexy, by the way. I admit the liberal use of curse words and contemporary-isms consistently threw me from the world, but it also had the secondary effect of snapping me out of Ilya's ruminations---*raises glass* <i>heed this lesson, fellow overthinkers</i>---apart from being relatable, I thought it was funny (which is very much a 'me' thing). So, if you're in the mood for a comfort/hurt romantic fantasy, come get your food!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Blood, Cursing, Child abuse, Grief, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Homophobia, and Alcoholism
atlastheninth's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
5.0
I read this book because I loved the authors short story in "Devout" and I was not disappointed!
This was the perfect book for me: A queer angel, pining, a bit of hurt/comfort and great character development. There even was a bit of plot, good plot! The ending was very satisfying, but still set up the story for the next book in this series and I will definitly read that too.
While this is a romance book, the world-building (mostly religion-building I suppose) was nicely weaved into it.
Now most of the book is told from Ilyas POV, but there are a few chapters told from Danyas. And I love both of them so much. Danya who just wants to protect Ilya, take car of him and show him how much he loves him. And Ilya who is hated by the whole village, who's never felt unconditional love, who thinks that he will die alone and unloved and who that he's not even worthy of love, let alone of Danyas.
The pacing was great too. The slow change of Ilya from this to allowing himself to be loved was *chefs kiss*.
Also splitting the books into two parts (a "before" and "after") and calling the first one "Night" and the second one "Day"? Genius, I love it.
I have no notes.
"They were both impossible men who had been hurt by so many things, trying to heal the other and find comfort in them. [...] They would come out of this together, stronger together, happier together."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual harassment, and Homophobia
Minor: Emotional abuse, Child abuse, and Death of parent
abusive parent, abusive church dynamics
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