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xwritingstoriesx's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
4.5 stars! What an ending! I loved every single second of this book but the ending was something else entirely. I cannot wait to pick up the next book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Torture, Violence, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Child death and Grief
lizbein's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
4.0
Definitely going to finish this series, but my interest is starting to wane (I started the fourth when it came out two months ago and have barely made it past the 10% marker)
I love love Poppy and Casteel, they're sweeties that deserve the world, but the whole "I have a question" "big surprise" banter is getting to me, as it seems to be the only way things are explained - I'm sure there are more effective story building methods out there
If I reviewed this right after finishing it (way back in Jan I think, now June) I might've given a 4.5 or closer to 5 star bc I was caught up in the swell of it all, which isn't a bad thing, but time and space has made me view it a little more critically lol
I love love Poppy and Casteel, they're sweeties that deserve the world, but the whole "I have a question" "big surprise" banter is getting to me, as it seems to be the only way things are explained - I'm sure there are more effective story building methods out there
If I reviewed this right after finishing it (way back in Jan I think, now June) I might've given a 4.5 or closer to 5 star bc I was caught up in the swell of it all, which isn't a bad thing, but time and space has made me view it a little more critically lol
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: War, Murder, and Gore
kodafaith's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Murder, Blood, Sexual content, Confinement, and Death
eve_reads'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ If I could describe this book in one word, that word would be repetitive. Within itself and in comparison to the previous books in the series, the same scenes just keep repeating themselves over and over.... and over.
⁕ There's a lot of fluff without much consequence for the story. Romance books have to have romance, but after a while it stops adding value. I wish there was less of it and more of the political intrigue that is present in first book.
⁕ Poppy's character is too overpowered. Every time a new challenge arises she develops special abilities out of nowhere that perfectly address whatever the given situation is. It takes all the conflict and tension out of the story.
⁕ At this point, the only reason I will finish the series is solely because I need to know how it ends and not because I actually enjoy the act of reading it.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
⁕ If I could describe this book in one word, that word would be repetitive. Within itself and in comparison to the previous books in the series, the same scenes just keep repeating themselves over and over.... and over.
⁕ There's a lot of fluff without much consequence for the story. Romance books have to have romance, but after a while it stops adding value. I wish there was less of it and more of the political intrigue that is present in first book.
⁕ Poppy's character is too overpowered. Every time a new challenge arises she develops special abilities out of nowhere that perfectly address whatever the given situation is. It takes all the conflict and tension out of the story.
⁕ At this point, the only reason I will finish the series is solely because I need to know how it ends and not because I actually enjoy the act of reading it.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Gore, Torture, Violence, Confinement, and War
abby_warren's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, War, and Sexual content
wackly93's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Blood and War
folkofthebook's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
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? No
3.5
While enjoyable, my main complaint is the repetition in this book. JLA has a tendency to repeat jokes, phrases, and reiterate information a bit much in all her series, but this book really pushes it for me. Of course Poppy's going to have a million questions, she was raised in an extremely controlled environment and part of a society that's been lied to for centuries about their entire history and even the present day. Give her a break.
At this point, I'm feeling like books 1 & 2 should've been combined, and I have a feeling I'm going to think this book and book 4 should as well. The series needn't be drawn out the way she's deciding to go because it's sacrificing the quality of storytelling for readers in favor of selling more books.
I know you love to write JLA but I'm begging you to hire a new developmental editor again.
That being said, I still love Cas and Poppy (and no I won't lose my shitwhen there's threesome/throuple Joining. )
At this point, I'm feeling like books 1 & 2 should've been combined, and I have a feeling I'm going to think this book and book 4 should as well. The series needn't be drawn out the way she's deciding to go because it's sacrificing the quality of storytelling for readers in favor of selling more books.
I know you love to write JLA but I'm begging you to hire a new developmental editor again.
That being said, I still love Cas and Poppy (and no I won't lose my shit
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual content, Cursing, Blood, Body horror, and Gore
Minor: Child death, War, Confinement, and Death of parent
hannalizzy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book was incredible. My favorite in the series so far! Poppy’s character development in this book is fierce, and one to admire. There were a few jaw dropping moments where I audibly gasped, and I burned through the book very quickly because I could hardly put it down. Casteel and Poppy are one of my favorite fictional couples ever and Poppy is SO badass. I CANNOT wait for the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Moderate: Death, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Torture, War, and Kidnapping
abbs15norm's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Blood, Death, Murder, Sexual content, and War
heyymishh's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Still loving this series, the lore is fantastic and I love Poppy and Casteel’s relationship. Casteel always strives to provide Poppy her freedom and ensure she has a choice in all her decisions in life. I loved his way of encouraging her throughout the book. She’s such a strong character and the author writes all the female characters in a similar fashion.
I also loved the relationship/friendship that builds between Poppy and Kieran 🥺. Kieran has become one of my favorite characters. Rating 4 stars because some of the writing felt like filler and repetitive. Poppy’s inner monologue and constant questions became a bit tiresome - I wanted the plot to just move forward instead of her constant “thinking”. The book would have been about 100 pages shorter cutting some of the filler out.
However, when the plot moves - it’s so addicting to read and Armentrout loves to leave us on a cliffhanger! I can’t wait for the next addition to release in March and see more of Poppy’s growth.
I also loved the relationship/friendship that builds between Poppy and Kieran 🥺. Kieran has become one of my favorite characters. Rating 4 stars because some of the writing felt like filler and repetitive. Poppy’s inner monologue and constant questions became a bit tiresome - I wanted the plot to just move forward instead of her constant “thinking”. The book would have been about 100 pages shorter cutting some of the filler out.
However, when the plot moves - it’s so addicting to read and Armentrout loves to leave us on a cliffhanger! I can’t wait for the next addition to release in March and see more of Poppy’s growth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Minor: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and War