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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
dark
medium-paced
[2 Star] WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK? Every male character in this book is an abusive ass, and Mac is constantly shit all over. I’m just done with this bullshit. I hate these characters. I hate Mac. I hate bullshit “DEATH BY SEX FAE” like I just fucking hate it all. No answers. No story progression. Just twists to confuse. New random things that pop out of nowhere. New horrors piling on to each other without any relief. I don’t know if I’ll read the others, but I’m sure as hell done with this series for now.
ETA: Ok. I’ve cooled off a bit and come back to discuss more thoughts. I get why this book series appeals to so many people. It’s dark, twisty, angsty, and everyone is a shade of grey. There is some appeal to that.
It isn’t often that I read a series where the protagonists lean so heavily to the dark side. I would enjoy that aspect of the book if I understood everyone’s motivations a LITTLE better. If the characters felt less flat. As of right now, I’m not convinced by any one’s actions. I don’t know why they do what they do and that makes them characters I can’t connect with AT ALL.
I’ve read and loved books with really unlikeable characters. The magicians series comes to mind. For some reason, those characters made sense to me and I loved them despite how fucked up they were. This series so far? The character development and plot progression are outlandish. Nothing really falls into place and I’m constantly baffled at character’s actions.
I also want to say that this world is not kind to Mac. I would say no one is kind to her. That is... often frustrating and upsetting. I hate how quickly she “forgives” and I hate how no one works with her, and I hate the end of this book with a fiery passion. It felt added to titillate in a fucked up way and I’m not about that life.
I need a break from this series for now. I have a feeling I’ll come back to it eventually. I’m curious how the mess all of the characters are in gets resolved, and I want to know wtf Barrons actually is. Bleh. If this series was better written (same plot and characters just written differently and may be in third person?), I’d probably enjoy it a LOT more.
ETA: Ok. I’ve cooled off a bit and come back to discuss more thoughts. I get why this book series appeals to so many people. It’s dark, twisty, angsty, and everyone is a shade of grey. There is some appeal to that.
It isn’t often that I read a series where the protagonists lean so heavily to the dark side. I would enjoy that aspect of the book if I understood everyone’s motivations a LITTLE better. If the characters felt less flat. As of right now, I’m not convinced by any one’s actions. I don’t know why they do what they do and that makes them characters I can’t connect with AT ALL.
I’ve read and loved books with really unlikeable characters. The magicians series comes to mind. For some reason, those characters made sense to me and I loved them despite how fucked up they were. This series so far? The character development and plot progression are outlandish. Nothing really falls into place and I’m constantly baffled at character’s actions.
I also want to say that this world is not kind to Mac. I would say no one is kind to her. That is... often frustrating and upsetting. I hate how quickly she “forgives” and I hate how no one works with her, and I hate the end of this book with a fiery passion. It felt added to titillate in a fucked up way and I’m not about that life.
I need a break from this series for now. I have a feeling I’ll come back to it eventually. I’m curious how the mess all of the characters are in gets resolved, and I want to know wtf Barrons actually is. Bleh. If this series was better written (same plot and characters just written differently and may be in third person?), I’d probably enjoy it a LOT more.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not quite as enjoyable to me as the first two books in the series. This one felt vaguely repetitive in a way that the others didn't. Mac's inner monologue is tiring, because it's mostly the same thoughts over and over again. She still makes poor decisions and acts based on incomplete information, but I don't mind that so much because it gives her room to grow as a character. I just didn't fully like the character she was in this book, and the way anything outside of character interactions felt a bit repetitive and dull. I also fully didn't expect the ending and didn't love it, not only because I'm worried for Mac now, but because I despise the type of action that took place in those final scenes. I didn't love reading it. Anyway I will 100% continue the series because I know that this is a "it gets worse before it gets better" situation and I still don't know nearly enough about Jericho Barrons, who is the single most interesting character so far.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Started this straight after b2 & wow I was not ready! This ratcheted everything up a notch. We got some answers but even more questions. You really have no idea who to trust.
I’m not gonna lie that ending was BRUTAL & if CWs trouble you I will let you know there is SA. While it’s on page it isn’t descriptive in any way, but it emotionally impacts you non the less. I couldn’t believe it. So much happened in this book & i can’t even begin to imagine how this will imapct the world from here
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Blood
Minor: Sexual assault
That ending was something else's...... didn't expect that to happen
Holy Smoly. Ummm I am just so heartbroken. This feels so wrong and vile.
The hope for a hero in this story just blew up. I need a break before I go to book 4. Wooo Saaaaaaahhhhh.
The hope for a hero in this story just blew up. I need a break before I go to book 4. Wooo Saaaaaaahhhhh.
2⭐️ I’m really feeling like we are sllllowly peeling away the layers and finding out all about this world and the main characters. It’s frustrating bc we don’t have a lot of solid answers and the main relationship is so back and forth that you just want it figured out! Are they interested and going to be together or just working partners? Tell us all ready!! There’s also a bit of a triangle feel going on with V’lane. Super light flirting again here. The ending also had a huge cliff hanger that leaves Mac hanging!!
Worth the read?: EH
Reread?: NO
Worth the read?: EH
Reread?: NO
I just don't think any of these books will ever get more than 3 stars from me. And honestly if I didn't have an hour to an hour and a half commute to and from work everyday and all of these books on audio book from the library I would not be reading it.
Mac is still pretty annoying, still some instances of future Mac butting her big head into the story, and still the occasional pink nail polish name drop. Whats worst though is how she refers to herself in 3rd person as Mac 1.0, 2.0, and so on. UGH.
Barrons is still an ass but might actually be my favorite character in the series. He is not apologetic about himself at all which I hate as the reader because I want to know everything about but also love as a reader because it is refreshing! I still have no idea what he is, and at this point and am almost losing interest in it all together. His secret has been drawn out for 3 books now so I am kinda over it, and now care about other more important things like the walls falling, the book turning into a Beast, etc.
This book had a lot of information given, especially from V'Lane but seriously lacked in action. I was bored at points just waiting for Mac to DO SOMETHING. ANYTHING. Of course when she did she still seemed to make a lot of stupid decisions, but that is just her character I guess.
My main beef with this series - actually with the author - is that every book is ended on a major cliff hanger! I want to read the next book in a series because the series itself is awesome and holds my attention. I don't want to have to read book 4 just to find out the ending to book 3. To me this is weak. If an author cannot keep a hold of their readers without major cliffhangers then they need to rethink their writing style or plots.
Oh well, I will be starting book 4 tomorrow on my way to work so at least I won't have to wait a year to find out what happened to Mac.
Mac is still pretty annoying, still some instances of future Mac butting her big head into the story, and still the occasional pink nail polish name drop. Whats worst though is how she refers to herself in 3rd person as Mac 1.0, 2.0, and so on. UGH.
Barrons is still an ass but might actually be my favorite character in the series. He is not apologetic about himself at all which I hate as the reader because I want to know everything about but also love as a reader because it is refreshing! I still have no idea what he is, and at this point and am almost losing interest in it all together. His secret has been drawn out for 3 books now so I am kinda over it, and now care about other more important things like the walls falling, the book turning into a Beast, etc.
This book had a lot of information given, especially from V'Lane but seriously lacked in action. I was bored at points just waiting for Mac to DO SOMETHING. ANYTHING. Of course when she did she still seemed to make a lot of stupid decisions, but that is just her character I guess.
My main beef with this series - actually with the author - is that every book is ended on a major cliff hanger! I want to read the next book in a series because the series itself is awesome and holds my attention. I don't want to have to read book 4 just to find out the ending to book 3. To me this is weak. If an author cannot keep a hold of their readers without major cliffhangers then they need to rethink their writing style or plots.
Oh well, I will be starting book 4 tomorrow on my way to work so at least I won't have to wait a year to find out what happened to Mac.
I'm going to give this series another try BUT this time I'll start with book 1 lol
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault