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novellearts's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book needed some further editing done. There were some grammatical and structural errors throughout the book that I found but it was otherwise, pretty well written.
I enjoyed the first book much more than the second. I'm not really sure what went wrong in this one, but it felt lacking to me. It took me quite a while to finish due to not really being super interested in the story. Some aspects of the story felt forgotten.I didn't get the discussion between Milla and Nico about Milla's time spent as a prisoner that I was hoping for. It almost felt like it was swept under the rug and dismissed. I didn't think this book showed a realistic depiction of the trauma and healing that she inevitably would've had to go through after being held prisoner and being tortured. Unless she is just incredibly resilient, I suppose.
I also felt let down by Camilla's use (or lack of use) of her powers. Camilla was set up to be a powerhouse of a character with really intriguing abilities, but we didn't get to see much display of them except when she was forced to use them as a prisoner. Once she was freed, she (for the most part) went back to avoiding her powers and how she learned to use them.
The story was repetitive for me as well. The conflicts seemed flat and overused. I felt as though I kept reading the same conflict interactions throughout the whole book and ultimately they all had the same resolutions. The ending also seemed rushed.We find out that Camilla's mother is still alive and looking to be found by Camilla and then the book simply ends! It felt as though there should've been at least 1 more book in this series.
I'm upset because I really wanted to like this! Book 1 was better rounded, overall more enticing and enjoyable.
I enjoyed the first book much more than the second. I'm not really sure what went wrong in this one, but it felt lacking to me. It took me quite a while to finish due to not really being super interested in the story. Some aspects of the story felt forgotten.
I also felt let down by Camilla's use (or lack of use) of her powers. Camilla was set up to be a powerhouse of a character with really intriguing abilities, but we didn't get to see much display of them except when she was forced to use them as a prisoner. Once she was freed, she (for the most part) went back to avoiding her powers and how she learned to use them.
The story was repetitive for me as well. The conflicts seemed flat and overused. I felt as though I kept reading the same conflict interactions throughout the whole book and ultimately they all had the same resolutions. The ending also seemed rushed.
I'm upset because I really wanted to like this! Book 1 was better rounded, overall more enticing and enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Violence, Blood, Torture, Drug use, Murder, and Physical abuse
howboutjane's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
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
4.5
If you like peaky blinders, magic, and old western movies then this one's for you!
The MMC gives Inspector gadget for adults vibes and the FMC gives serious mob wife energy. Romance is more steam than spice - a deliciously sinful slow burn with off the charts chemistry that will leave you panting.
I did find I was a little bit confused with the world buidling and magic systems in the beginning chapters, but they are expanded on and explained more as you go through the book. The plot is solid with captivating storytelling. There's drama, suspense, betrayal, passion, love. There's even a scene with a fight on a moving train - THIS BOOK HAS EVERYTHING. Such a riveting experience and an immersive read. Would recommend. ๐๐ฝ๐๐ฝ
The MMC gives Inspector gadget for adults vibes and the FMC gives serious mob wife energy. Romance is more steam than spice - a deliciously sinful slow burn with off the charts chemistry that will leave you panting.
I did find I was a little bit confused with the world buidling and magic systems in the beginning chapters, but they are expanded on and explained more as you go through the book. The plot is solid with captivating storytelling. There's drama, suspense, betrayal, passion, love. There's even a scene with a fight on a moving train - THIS BOOK HAS EVERYTHING. Such a riveting experience and an immersive read. Would recommend. ๐๐ฝ๐๐ฝ
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, and Cursing
Moderate: Sexual content and Confinement
Minor: Death of parent and Child death
mwalsh97's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
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
5.0
This book started as like a 2.5 star book but it quickly won me over into a 5 star book. I love the Peaky Blinders meet Romeo and Juliet in a steampunk and nontraditional magic world. It's dark and dreary and full of tension. The back and for with Milla and Nico is so well written it had me giggling like a teen with their first crush. This book perfectly balances good plot with spice. You could take the spice out of the story and the characters would still work, as would the plot. The spice is just that, spice. Wonderfully delicious spice.
I love even more that it is only a duology. So many authors these days seem to write unending series or stretch their plots way to thin. This plot feels perfectly paced for two books.
I love even more that it is only a duology. So many authors these days seem to write unending series or stretch their plots way to thin. This plot feels perfectly paced for two books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence and Blood
Minor: Suicide
danilouisev's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Pros: the concept is really unique, I am invested in the characters and the story & will read the second book. I do think thereโs something really creative & interesting here!
Cons: writing style - just not 100% for me. I know itโs an independently published book and I could tell. I donโt want to to knock it for that, but it could use a few more rounds of editing. The pacing felt a bit off at times; while I believed and understood the attraction between the MCs, their physical relationship needed more development imo. The smut was just so-so.
Cons: writing style - just not 100% for me. I know itโs an independently published book and I could tell. I donโt want to to knock it for that, but it could use a few more rounds of editing. The pacing felt a bit off at times; while I believed and understood the attraction between the MCs, their physical relationship needed more development imo. The smut was just so-so.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Gun violence, and Violence
rheagoveas's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Violence
Moderate: Murder
tguccione's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Classism, Murder, Physical abuse, Blood, Death of parent, Violence, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Medical content, Body horror, Confinement, Grief, and Police brutality
Minor: Suicide and Sexual harassment
katieklysmic's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Child death, Gun violence, and Death of parent
karapillar's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Stalking, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Abandonment, Death, Grief, War, Alcohol, Body horror, Confinement, Torture, Sexual content, Blood, Sexual violence, Murder, Child death, Gore, and Death of parent
Moderate: Hate crime
Minor: Cursing, Xenophobia, Medical content, Colonisation, Vomit, Trafficking, Racial slurs, Gaslighting, Infidelity, and Slavery
teaand_tomes's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
House of Bane and Blood is a captivating adult fantasy romance that takes place in a post-industrial age setting with a touch of the 1920s and the atmosphere of Peaky Blinders. Alexis L. Menard skillfully combines elements of magic, mythology, and a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance to create an engaging and immersive story.
The world-building in this novel is exceptional, with the magical Isle serving as the backdrop for a city divided into two opposing sides. I was fascinated by the exploration of power, bloodlines, secrets, and the consequences of choices made in the name of love and family.
The characters in House of Bane and Blood are richly developed and compelling. I was particularly drawn to the relationship between Camilla Marchese, the heiress, and Nicolai Attano. Their journey from enemies to friends to lovers was beautifully portrayed, and their chemistry leapt off the pages.
The plot was filled with twists and turns, and the suspenseful narrative kept me on the edge of my seat. The book ended with a tantalizing cliffhanger that left me eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.
Overall, House of Bane and Blood exceeded all my expectations. Alexis L. Menard's exquisite writing style, combined with the intriguing setting, engaging characters, and the perfect blend of romance and fantasy, make this a must-read for fans of adult fantasy and romance genres. I highly recommend diving into this enchanting world crafted by Alexis L. Menard.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Child death and Death of parent
nikzbookcorner's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
House of Bane and Blood takes the very fabric of the Peaky Blinders world and weaves a most intriguing magical essence through it, which makes the Peaky Blinders x Grishaverse descriptor very on point. But that comparison is completely on a surface level because it delves so much further than that.
House of Bane and Blood follows two rival families, the Attanos and the Marcheses, in a twisted game of depravity, hidden schemes, magical intrigue, and forbidden love.
One family is broke and desperate to keep their familyโs legacy and syndicate in a position of power. The other is looking for an opportunity to secure their station, take absolute control of the district, and keep other rivals at bay. So a marriage is brokered between Nicolai Attano and the Steam Princess, Camilla Marchese. Worlds collide when two people from opposite sides of the river Ada are brought together - both looking for a means to an end, and their freedom, but finding so much more than they ever bargained for.
The world they must navigate is dark and teeming with unbridled magical influence and those who would oppose it. The magic systems, which are reminiscent of the Grishaverse, are very interesting and provide a undercurrent to an already sinister plot. It makes the scale seem so much grander and mysterious once the powers come into play because not only does it delve in magic, but thereโs also elements of the mystical, science, and alchemy. A whole amalgamation of the best in fantasy.
Nico and Camilla are two very strong and determined characters that bring a lot of life to the page. On their own, they are forces to be reckoned with. But together? Lord have mercy. Neither one backing down from the other and rising to each and every challenge. Their hate banter and flirting created such a delectable tension that had me strangling my paperback book to its limits. I may have slapped it down on my bed once or twice. Probably more. The slow burn, rivals to lovers romance was done SO incredibly well. It was all I couldโve hoped for.
Which now brings me to the writing and it IS exceptional, creating such a vivid + expressive story with characters and a world that were easy to get lost in. And I WANTED to get lost in it. Honestly I wouldnโt have complained if this book was 800 pages. The plot twists and reveals really kept the pace flowing at consistent rate and provided more than a few HOLY SH*T moments. Book 2 cannot get here fast enough!!!!
God. Gaslamp fantasy is one of those niche genres I wish I saw more of. Alexis Manard, thank you for reminding me how much I love it.
โก ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ : 5/5
โก ๐๐ฉ๐ข๐๐: 2/5
โก ๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ฌ: Dual POV, post-industrial age gaslamp setting, morally gray characters, gangster families, power play, marriage of convenience, rivals to lovers, slow burn romance, forced proximity, witty banter, found family, mystical + elemental magic systems, science + alchemy, secrets, betrayal, cliffhanger ending
โก ๐๐: profanity, tobacco/alcohol use, violence, death, kidnapping, guns and weaponry, gaslighting family members, mentions of suicide
โก ๐๐ฉ๐ข๐๐: 2/5
โก ๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ฌ: Dual POV, post-industrial age gaslamp setting, morally gray characters, gangster families, power play, marriage of convenience, rivals to lovers, slow burn romance, forced proximity, witty banter, found family, mystical + elemental magic systems, science + alchemy, secrets, betrayal, cliffhanger ending
โก ๐๐: profanity, tobacco/alcohol use, violence, death, kidnapping, guns and weaponry, gaslighting family members, mentions of suicide
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Sexual content, and Gaslighting