Scan barcode
folded_between_pages_of_books's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Blood, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Body horror, and Death of parent
caitlinspeachyreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Blood, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Police brutality, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Slavery, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death of parent, Drug use, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Torture, and Rape
chasinggrace's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Now, there are a few things I would change. In the first 100 pages, the author repeats herself a LOT, with very similar sentence structures and identical descriptions (of a witch’s first bleed, of how Rune played into her Nan’s death, etc.) I found it annoying and it took me out of the story. Secondly, boxing? The way the characters speak and dress and transport themselves, this story takes place in the “past.” But boxing? With gloves, in a ring? This could’ve easily been a fighting ring or sparring, but boxing took me out of the story as well. It didn’t seem to fit.
Graphic: Death, Blood, Gaslighting, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic relationship, Classism, Addiction, Body horror, Rape, and Sexual content
suzi_is_cake's review against another edition
Graphic: Body horror, Sexual assault, Torture, Blood, Suicidal thoughts, Drug abuse, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, and Self harm
bookishkale's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book has a heavy lean on four stars for me. I liked the magic system, I think the consequences of the hard spells and some parts of it were interesting and made for a fun time. It's a blood-based magic system, and I thought it was smart of the author to utilize period blood. I liked Rune a lot, I can see where she grew and where she still is young. I liked her socialite life, I was intrigued by her story with her grandmother, and the responsiblity she takes on from that. The overall world has some good worldbuilding, and while the author struggles a little bit with some lore dumping, it does make sense so I can look past that. I felt like there was lots of imagery, and I wanted to see some art of her house, cause it sounds gorgeous. I think the ending of the book sells it for me, honestly. I had fun reading this, which makes what I didn't like easy to ignore.
I wasn't Gideon's biggest fan? I liked him a lot more at the end, but there were some things that I could have done without. He tends to lean a little too much on whiney BUT I may be being too harsh. I did enjoy the flirting and the banter. It's been a while since I read Enemies to Lovers that felt like there was some hatred and being hesitant while falling for each other. A little Insta lusty/insta love, so if you aren't fond of that, that's a heads up. Some of the secondary characters are forgettable. There is a sort of love triangle... but uh, I wouldn't worry too much about it by the end. There were some pacing things where I am not even sure how many days the book takes place over. The first 25% of the book or so seemed like it took place over 24 hours. I also just need the author to be a little more clear in the rough time period she's trying to take inspiration from, some of her language was too modern for the era I think she was trying to convey.
Overall, a fun romantasy enemies to lovers, with an interesting magic system around blood. You have some good banter, and a fun main couple. Some of the plot twists were a little obvious, but if you read a lot of this genre, I wouldn't be surprised if you can pick up things. I would also check out the content warnings, cause it's a little dark in some areas.
Graphic: Blood, Torture, Violence, Murder, and Body horror
bratiani's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Minor: Body horror, Hate crime, Blood, and Death
nikkic66's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Death, and Violence
Minor: Addiction, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, and Self harm
soniajoy98's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Torture, Death, Gun violence, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Grief, Murder, and Self harm
Moderate: Drug use, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Child death, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Classism, and Police brutality
Minor: Body horror, Toxic friendship, and Emotional abuse
steen19's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Body horror
Minor: Sexual content
camiclarkbooks's review against another edition
- 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
I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Moderate: Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Blood, Death, Murder, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: War, Addiction, Child death, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Medical content, Slavery, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Police brutality, and Sexual assault