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challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Murder
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Murder, Sexual harassment
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Suicide attempt
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
slow-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
I think Kent did a lot of things well in this book, especially considering she normally writes MF romance. Niko and Bran were both really unique and compelling characters and I was rooting for them. I appreciated the trigger warnings, we knew that we were getting into from the jump.
I do wish she would have handled Niko’s medication issues differently. While some people do experience negative side effects from psychiatric medications, it isn’t typically to the extreme described (and usually that just means a lower dosage is needed). Because of so many people’s hesitancy to use psychiatric medications it’s frustrating to see an author write a stereotype that is rare and prevents people from using life saving medication. Especially when she handled all of the other mental health conditions with such care through out the story.
I do wish she would have handled Niko’s medication issues differently. While some people do experience negative side effects from psychiatric medications, it isn’t typically to the extreme described (and usually that just means a lower dosage is needed). Because of so many people’s hesitancy to use psychiatric medications it’s frustrating to see an author write a stereotype that is rare and prevents people from using life saving medication. Especially when she handled all of the other mental health conditions with such care through out the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Murder
dark
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed the characters in this book (especially Nikolai) but the plot and execution were lacking. Nikolai was funny and absolutely unhinged, which worked as a perfect opposition to the closed-off, repressed Bran. Nothing about Nikolai's approach was healthy or acceptable, but that's given in a dark story like this. Although the mafia theme was rather ridiculous, especially when you compare the blurbs of the other books in the series (God of Fury is the only one that I've read) to the actual characters in the background. :D Let's take Killian, who's depicted as a dangerous monster wherever you look, and what he does in the background of this book is mostly cuddle and kiss his girlfriend. All the killing, torturing, and violence is mostly on the periphery (except things like Grace's death which was another level of unhinged, and not in a good way ). Some emotions were very surface-level, especially on Bran's side (surprisingly). There were moments when I was wondering whether it was inspired by "For The Fans" in some way, especially Bran's staring at a mirror, "not your baby", repressed trauma that makes you conceal your sexuality, the new Instragram photos every day, the "bimbo" character and so on .
Most of the "dark" characters seemed rather playing at mafia than actually being a part of it, and the book could have been half of its length if the author got rid of all the repetitions and unnecessary scenes, but being in Nikolai's head was so funny, and I liked how they opened up to one another in the end.
Most of the "dark" characters seemed rather playing at mafia than actually being a part of it, and the book could have been half of its length if the author got rid of all the repetitions and unnecessary scenes, but being in Nikolai's head was so funny, and I liked how they opened up to one another in the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Acephobia/Arophobia
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think Bran deserves a better person to be with him.
I do not like the way this author writes MM, I know it's her first, but I also think it should be her last.
Nikolai is absolutely the reason why I didn't like this book. I do not find him funny, nor a good character at all, he pretty much doesn't have a personality, besides thinking about his dick and violence.
Brandom also fell flat, we don't really have a view of him in some ways besides his trauma and some struggles.
I'm not a fan of the parents chapters, mainly because they're SO bland...
Also these book all follow THE EXACT same formula, c'mon rina, give us something more exciting.
I basically am forcing myself to finish this series, and I just know eli and ava is going to be disappointing.
I do not like the way this author writes MM, I know it's her first, but I also think it should be her last.
Nikolai is absolutely the reason why I didn't like this book. I do not find him funny, nor a good character at all, he pretty much doesn't have a personality, besides thinking about his dick and violence.
Brandom also fell flat, we don't really have a view of him in some ways besides his trauma and some struggles.
I'm not a fan of the parents chapters, mainly because they're SO bland...
Also these book all follow THE EXACT same formula, c'mon rina, give us something more exciting.
I basically am forcing myself to finish this series, and I just know eli and ava is going to be disappointing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Sexual content
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
Minor: Sexual assault
dark
emotional
funny
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
This book!!! Oh. My. God!!!!!!! This book was the best way to start this new year. Niko and Bran’s story is for the history books! Unconventional. Sweet. Perfect. Still in my feels thinking about it.
The audiobook took this experience to the next level! Teddy Hamilton, Shane East - May your toasters always pop up with perfectly golden optimism, you magnificent doers of great things! 💛💛
If you read only one book this year, let this be it! And for the love of all that is holy, GET THE AUDIOBOOK!!!
Some highlights for me (possible spoilers ahead):
* Niko’s regular heart to heart conversations with Koyla have to be the funniest things I’ve read in a while 😂😂😂
* Niko’s internal monologues, in general 😂😂😭😭
* Teddy Hamilton as Nikolai, ah! Perfection! 🤌🏾
* Shane East’s portrayal of Brandon’s frustration with Nikolai at the start of the book - 5 ⭐️
* F*cking Clara 🙄
* Brandon’s struggle with his sexuality 🥺
* Niko’s respect for consent and the need for aftercare - 5 ⭐️
* Take a shot every time Bran says “Don’t f*cking touch me!” - Actually don’t. Won’t end so well. 🫠
* Bran’s struggle with the black ink. My heart broke for him 😢🫂💔
* Loved how raw, open and honest the book was about the challenges of different mental health conditions - 5 ⭐️
* Niko is just absolutely MENTAL, an unhinged psychopath but deep down, a ride or die teddy bear 💛
* Their countless sweet interactions - Niko only being able to sleep on a bed when Bran is there 🥹, he googled the meaning of his name 🥹, Bran managing Niko’s supply of macarons 🥹, he counts his lashes almost every night 😭😭😭😭
* Cecily and Glyn’s reaction to Bran finally coming out 💛💛
* His parents’ reaction 💛💛
* Levi’s existential crisis when he meets Niko 😂😂😂😂
* Niko’s new tattoo 😍😍
* Bran’s new tattoo 😍😍
* Vengeance for Bran 😡
* Niko’s relationship with his dad! 🥹🥹
The audiobook took this experience to the next level! Teddy Hamilton, Shane East - May your toasters always pop up with perfectly golden optimism, you magnificent doers of great things! 💛💛
If you read only one book this year, let this be it! And for the love of all that is holy, GET THE AUDIOBOOK!!!
Some highlights for me (possible spoilers ahead):
* Niko’s regular heart to heart conversations with Koyla have to be the funniest things I’ve read in a while 😂😂😂
* Niko’s internal monologues, in general 😂😂😭😭
* Teddy Hamilton as Nikolai, ah! Perfection! 🤌🏾
* Shane East’s portrayal of Brandon’s frustration with Nikolai at the start of the book - 5 ⭐️
* F*cking Clara 🙄
* Brandon’s struggle with his sexuality 🥺
* Niko’s respect for consent and the need for aftercare - 5 ⭐️
* Take a shot every time Bran says “Don’t f*cking touch me!” - Actually don’t. Won’t end so well. 🫠
* Bran’s struggle with the black ink. My heart broke for him 😢🫂💔
* Loved how raw, open and honest the book was about the challenges of different mental health conditions - 5 ⭐️
* Niko is just absolutely MENTAL, an unhinged psychopath but deep down, a ride or die teddy bear 💛
* Their countless sweet interactions - Niko only being able to sleep on a bed when Bran is there 🥹, he googled the meaning of his name 🥹, Bran managing Niko’s supply of macarons 🥹, he counts his lashes almost every night 😭😭😭😭
* Cecily and Glyn’s reaction to Bran finally coming out 💛💛
* His parents’ reaction 💛💛
* Levi’s existential crisis when he meets Niko 😂😂😂😂
* Niko’s new tattoo 😍😍
* Bran’s new tattoo 😍😍
* Vengeance for Bran 😡
* Niko’s relationship with his dad! 🥹🥹
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Sexual assault