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daniofthewood's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Moderate: Torture, Cursing, Murder, Physical abuse, Violence, War, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Blood, Confinement, Death, and Misogyny
Minor: Suicide, Gun violence, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
summer_myers's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
I almost didn’t finish this book because it was taking me FOREVER to read it. I got kind of bored in the middle with all the running around trying to find the boy, and them deciding whether to partake in rebel activity or not. There wasn’t much action, to me, in the middle. The story kept rolling along, but I wanted to get the good stuff. Man am I glad I finished it because that ending was great! I loved the plot twists that was thrown at us towards the end. It has me wanting to jump into the third one to find what happens next.
I gave 3.5 stars because it didn’t have me hooked the entirety of the book like I had hoped, but I still loved the story and the characters.
Graphic: Death, Blood, Physical abuse, and Sexual content
barbarianmissy's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book was a rollercoaster start to finish. I loved seeing everyone’s personalities truly unfold and the relationships build. I really loved the scooby gang camaraderie between all the main group.
Also, SJM seriously knows how to turn out a PLOT TWIST! I gasped “WHAT?!?” In happiness, anger, surprise, and disgust multiple times!
Although, I was quite pleased with myself that I was able to figure out a big twist in who Day was pretty early on!
A few new favs worth honourable mention:
- I will always and forever be obsessed with fire sprites, they’re my girlies. The triplets have taken my whole heart.
-Ithan, you sweet little man, you. I hope you and no-name-dunk-tank-alpha-mystic-wolf-lady are mates, I’d love that for you.
-Baxian, don’t die even though I feel like you will. I want you to find happiness again pls. Don’t make the next book a puppy snuff book, SJM (I’m aware it’s already written, but I’m manifesting)
I want to put Cormac on my list but I honestly never took to him. He was meh. Tamlin vibes are never good vibes. Glad he took about Pippi Longstocking though, she was a BEEEEYOTCH!
Side note: Danika was not a good friend??? Like Bryce didn’t even know her in the least bit. She didn’t even share that she had a friggin mate with Bryce in idle girl talk???? Like???? I feel bad for Bryce who literally told her absolutely everything, her deepest, darkest secrets, and loved her so much and she pretty much got a hollow party girl stranger who didn’t trust her in return.
IN CONCLUSION! I can’t wait for book 3!!! I can’t believe all of my old imaginary friends may be becoming friends with my new imaginary friends. We should all have a sleepover!
🕺💃
Anywho! HOUSE OF FLAME AND SHADOW IM COMING FOR YOU!
Moderate: Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Alcohol, Animal death, Violence, War, Cannibalism, Cursing, Death, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Torture
amartin48's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
That being said, I REALLY loved the world and lore expansion in this book. And I’m a huge fan of crossover series! This book left me satisfied with our FMC/MMC relationship, hopeful for new relationships, and SO excited to revisit old favorites.
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Blood, Body horror, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Bullying, Trafficking, Child abuse, Classism, Confinement, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Death, Infertility, Sexual harassment, Stalking, and War
breazy777'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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
Minor: Child death
amy_in_the_city's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
As a result of trying to cram in the various plotlines and other character POVs, I feel like Bryce and Hunt got lost in the shuffle. I was hoping to learn more about the main couple and see more of their relationship, but they were mostly in the story to serve the plot instead of the plot serving them. I missed seeing cute relationship moments like we had in the first book, and I don't feel like we really learned any more about Bryce and Hunt's pasts or struggles. I was hoping to see Hunt working through his emotions about the awful things he's done as the Umbra Mortis, his trauma from being enslaved, etc. but it seemed like all of that mostly went away or got brushed aside.
I loved seeing more of Ruhn and enjoyed his storyline of
Ithan seemed like an OK character, but I'm just tired of every guy in this book being in love with Bryce for some reason, and I wish that wasn't part of Ithan's character. I have hopes he'll be better in the next book as they seemed to be setting up some interesting storylines for him.
Everyone seemed to be making stupid decisions in this book. They're
I really didn't like that the book ended on such a cliffhanger. I get that it's a series, but when I finish reading a romance book, I don't want to be left feeling worried for characters who <spoiler are in mortal peril and are going to be tortured for who knows how long. If I wanted that, I'd go read a normal fantasy series, not a romance fantasy. The only solution I can think of for how to avoid having such a stressful ending for the readers while still having plenty of stakes for Bryce in the next book is if
Graphic: Death, War, Slavery, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Murder, Infidelity, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Confinement, Cursing, and Colonisation
Moderate: Blood, Child abuse, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Gun violence, Trafficking, Domestic abuse, Kidnapping, Genocide, and Grief
Minor: Drug use and Sexual assault
thebookishbinder's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Cursing, Mental illness, Addiction, Blood, Death, Grief, Physical abuse, War, Abandonment, Body shaming, Torture, Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Confinement, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Slavery
unboundbooklover's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Death, Gun violence, Grief, Emotional abuse, Torture, Violence, Murder, and Sexual content
_alyssar_'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Grief, Murder, Slavery, Violence, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Gun violence
Minor: Sexual assault, Torture, Child abuse, Alcohol, Sexual violence, Drug use, Physical abuse, Medical content, Rape, Colonisation, Infidelity, and Addiction
cdoubet's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Kidnapping, Hate crime, Death, Alcohol, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, War, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Gore, Murder, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Violence, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Colonisation, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Blood, Confinement, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Sexism, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Medical content, Sexual violence, Slavery, and Torture
Minor: Pregnancy, Death of parent, Incest, Panic attacks/disorders, Infidelity, Rape, Abandonment, and Child abuse