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mikaylabelles's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-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
Rhapsodic (The Bargainer #1)
3/5 Stars
I struggled with rating this book. I did enjoy it, but there was just so much about it that made me cringe inside while I was reading and there were some things that I felt didn’t need to be included or shouldn’t have been the way that they were.
This book follows Callypso after the murder of her father, after making a deal with the Bargainer, aka Desmond Flynn. It is a dual timeline novel from when Callypso is 16-17 and to present time 8 years after the ordeal.
I really liked the premiss of this book, I liked the aspects that could have been so much better if they had been done well. But there was so much in the book that I felt was so unnecessary and probably deserved a trigger warning or two.
I’m not the biggest fan of dual timelines, especially when they’re for the same characters. I wish it had been a then vs now rather than a dual timeline. I also wish there had been a bit of a trigger warning on the fact that Desmond grooms Callypso and expects her to be the same or to have the same feelings for him as she did as a traumatized 16-year-old, along with the rape and forced pregnancy.
The book is dark, it is a NA book, which levels out some of the content of it, but it still doesn’t really bypass the issues I have with the book.
I do wish the descriptions were more in depth, and that it took longer to explain some things rather than tossing it onto the page and expecting everything to be A-OK with it right after. I know it’s a fictional story, but it really lacks the realism that makes these kinds of stories pop and stand out.
Callie’s relationship with her friend is sweet, but it’s also very cringey the way that they talk to each other. I little bit too over the top, if it was toned down a bit, perhaps it would have been more bearable to get through their interactions.
Desmond kind of rubs me the wrong way, despite being in love with Callie, it came across more as obsessed, and holding her bargains against her definitely rubbed me the wrong way – especially as she obtained them when she was a minor and he wants some of them to be exchanged for sexual favours, or to change parts of her life that he shouldn’t have a say in (her consuming alcohol for example.)
A lot of this book had a lot of toxicity when it came to relationships and friendships, and despite being a darker novel, it didn’t come across very well overall.
Hopefully the rest of the series gets better and more palatable now that the dual timeline is over.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Violence
Moderate: Rape and Pregnancy
rachelcabbit's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This book has some sizzling chemistry between our protagonist, Callie, and The Bargainer. There is good banter, some fluffy scenes and slow some dark snd possessive moments as to be expected when the love interest is part of the fae.
It flashes between present and past, building the relationship between our protagonists but also has an intriguing mystery plot.
It flashes between present and past, building the relationship between our protagonists but also has an intriguing mystery plot.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Sexual harassment, Kidnapping, and Confinement
Minor: Rape, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Death, Domestic abuse, and Alcohol
lilli0311's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Torture
alaskayoung1734's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Grief, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Pregnancy
emilyvreads's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Was Callie as thick as a brick wall at times? Yes. The main guy was hot and broody though so that balances it out.
The plot was close to being nicely rounded out but it fell flat. Will read the sequel
The plot was close to being nicely rounded out but it fell flat. Will read the sequel
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, and Sexual assault
sarah_br's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
3.5
I liked it but didn't love it. The storyline was interesting, some minor plot twists kept it interesting, love Callie as a character, although is story may be considered problematic due to the relationship between Callie and Desmond beginning when she was 16/17, classic "hundreds of years old male love interest" trope, and that it could be considered unrealistic and cliche how quickly she's able to come to terms with her trauma because she's with Des
I'll continue go read the rest of the series to see where it goes, especially after the last few chapters where the plot kicked in more.
I'll continue go read the rest of the series to see where it goes, especially after the last few chapters where the plot kicked in more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Sexual assault, Stalking, and Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Murder, Pregnancy, and Vomit
bookwormymegan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Rape, and Sexual assault
roseamillerg's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I thought this book was going to be kinda fun and I heard it was very spicy but the romance was very clean (felt like YA) and the romance was boring.
Also, the second-hand embarrassment experienced while reading the flashbacks where to seven years ago, was excruciating.
**also the book had multiple typos🥴
Also, the second-hand embarrassment experienced while reading the flashbacks where to seven years ago, was excruciating.
**also the book had multiple typos🥴
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Trafficking
Minor: Slavery
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