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ktbeth143's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
So I normally reserve 1⭐️ ratings for books that I liked nothing about, but I’m making an exception for this one. There were parts that I enjoyed, but overall this is not well written. The writing is a mess. The plot is all over the place. The world building is lacking. And it strays from its original premise so much, it’s riddled with plot holes.
Originally this was suggested to me as a “Swan Lake” retelling, but literally the only similarity between the two stories is that the princess turns into a swan. Then there’s at one point a part that could have been a “Rumpelstiltsken” retelling, but it’s never really explained and it pretty much gets abandoned. And then it turns into a “A Beauty in the Beast” story. So the main problem with this book is that it appears the author couldn’t make up their mind what they wanted to do.
So what did I enjoy? It’s clear the author was trying to write for romantasy readers, as there are several tropes and archetypes employed between the two love interests that are common in this types of stories. So some of the scenes between the FMC and MMC were fun. And others were…confusing. And some were just distracting (I personally am not a fan of spice for the sake of spice).
Overall, this book reminds me of fan fiction written around someone’s favorite tropes and not an actual plot.
Originally this was suggested to me as a “Swan Lake” retelling, but literally the only similarity between the two stories is that the princess turns into a swan. Then there’s at one point a part that could have been a “Rumpelstiltsken” retelling, but it’s never really explained and it pretty much gets abandoned. And then it turns into a “A Beauty in the Beast” story. So the main problem with this book is that it appears the author couldn’t make up their mind what they wanted to do.
So what did I enjoy? It’s clear the author was trying to write for romantasy readers, as there are several tropes and archetypes employed between the two love interests that are common in this types of stories. So some of the scenes between the FMC and MMC were fun. And others were…confusing. And some were just distracting (I personally am not a fan of spice for the sake of spice).
Overall, this book reminds me of fan fiction written around someone’s favorite tropes and not an actual plot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, and Kidnapping
prynne31's review against another edition
Reasons for DNFing:
1. Male MC is suddenly an additional PoV about 1/3 of the way through the book.
2. Narrator for male PoV makes him sound crazy and is somehow less sexy than when the female narrator does his voice.
3. Male MC objectifies female MC but thinks it's okay because "mayes" and because he'd never "force" her. </The real gross part is when he's torturing the guy who got drunk and tried to SA the girl but totally thinking about having sex with her while he's stabbing the guy in his dungeon. Plus, he totally murders her dad, and she knows it and still desires him physically.>
1. Male MC is suddenly an additional PoV about 1/3 of the way through the book.
2. Narrator for male PoV makes him sound crazy and is somehow less sexy than when the female narrator does his voice.
3. Male MC objectifies female MC but thinks it's okay because "mayes" and because he'd never "force" her. </The real gross part is when he's torturing the guy who got drunk and tried to SA the girl but totally thinking about having sex with her while he's stabbing the guy in his dungeon. Plus, he totally murders her dad, and she knows it and still desires him physically.>
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Sexual content, Violence, and Torture
carolzinh4's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Torture and Confinement
kat1105's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexual content, and Sexual assault
apersonfromflorida's review
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, and Child abuse
Moderate: Sexual content, Gore, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual violence, Xenophobia, and Slavery
iamsammie27's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Moderate: Murder and Kidnapping
Minor: Child death
peeshy's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual content
krifz's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Xenophobia, War, and Violence
Minor: Body horror, Sexual harassment, and Sexual content
browneyedbookworm's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
<strong>3.5 stars</strong>
This was my 1st Ella Fields novel. I'd heard that she is a master of banter and Opal and Dade didn't disappoint. The beginning of this book was 3 stars for me. I found myself only really invested when Dade was in the scene. Opal was very immature to me and it was hard to really care for her character. The 2nd half of the book was non stop action and well written steam. I did notice some similarities to ACOTAR which isn't a bad thing. The parts of ACOTAR I liked were present in this book. I wished there were more sciences involving the elves. The way Opal interacted with them was probably my favorite interaction she had. Dade was so broody and I loved it. He was a true anti-hero. His background was explained well so you understood his motivation for his actions. Overall I did enjoy this novel and plan to read more by this author.
This was my 1st Ella Fields novel. I'd heard that she is a master of banter and Opal and Dade didn't disappoint. The beginning of this book was 3 stars for me. I found myself only really invested when Dade was in the scene. Opal was very immature to me and it was hard to really care for her character. The 2nd half of the book was non stop action and well written steam. I did notice some similarities to ACOTAR which isn't a bad thing. The parts of ACOTAR I liked were present in this book. I wished there were more sciences involving the elves. The way Opal interacted with them was probably my favorite interaction she had. Dade was so broody and I loved it. He was a true anti-hero. His background was explained well so you understood his motivation for his actions. Overall I did enjoy this novel and plan to read more by this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content
kshellmdeel's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Cursing