Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

God of Fury by Rina Kent

32 reviews

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny informative mysterious reflective 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

(just because I think there should also be added more trigger warnings - possible to add mental health issues like PTSD, dissociative identity disorder, and ADHD)

It's so "funny" (and, yes, I'm being sarcastic). In the introductions, Rina Kent wrote that this book was not as dark as the previous one in the series, while in my opinion, it is the darkest one. The issues addressed in this book were some of the most heartbreaking and soul-shattering ever (swear, I felt the same twisting feeling as when I read Hunting Adeline 1st half of the book)

To the ones who scream in silence.

With this book, I emphasize the need to read and understand all triggers. This was not an easy read.

And I'm beyond sad and distraught thinking that so many readers are so closed-minded and homophobic and couldn't see beyond MM relationship to understand the whole other and more important topic described in the book. 

Thank God for the perfectly executed banter (chemistry was out of the charts), and for transforming one of the most questionable MMCs in the greenest of the green flags ever. And thank God for the sensitivity in understanding and describing the complex behavioral development in the adolescent/ young adult age. - one undoubtedly fantastic educational read for a parent (especially parents of teens).

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dark sad tense fast-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

truly carried the Legacy of Gods series 

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dark funny 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

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dark emotional sad tense 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: Complicated

 (If you are thinking of wanting to read this but not the rest of the LoG books. It will spoil those books but if you don't care about that, you will not be lost. I wasn't)

Plot: 4/5
Spice: 4/5
Characters: 5/5

Overall reco: Fantastic read. Absolutely one of my top 5 books. I can remember at one point when I was up late trying to find a point to stop for the nice and just so lost in the characters. Usually there is a level of disconnect between me and the page. I found that blurring often in this book. It wrenched my heart from my body and was absolutely what I was looking for.
This would easily be a 6 star for me. I will probably reread this book in the future.

“Because I never wanted a prince. I prefer an unhinged motherfucker.”

Tonight is just a fucked-up fucking case of fucking fuckery!


(Other Notes)
I want to start this by saying I have not read any of the other books by Rina Kent, it was highly suggested I start with at least the LoG #1 but I didn't want to I only was looking for an MM story. So I think its important to note that if you are like me, and don't want to read the rest, you will be fine. Yes, reading the others will give you like all this extra knowledge but if you truly don't GAF about the rest then you will be fine.
I do want to say that it took me about 3 tries to start the book. Bran is the first chapter and it took me a few ttries to get used to his narrating style. Once I did it was off to the races. I didn't have as hard a time getting used to Niko's narration, but I really enjoyed how different they narration styles were. It made it EASY to tell and remember who I was 'in' in a chapter. I've read a bunch of multi-pov books that it doesn't change more from character to character. You get their internal thoughts but its not in their 'style'. If this is the case for the other books by Rina Kent she may become an author I will need to consume regularly. 

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dark emotional informative inspiring sad tense medium-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’ll wait until you’re comfortable.”
“Please let me hold you like this, it doesn’t hurt when you touch me.”
“Even if you hate your yourself, I’ll love you for the both of us.”
“Thank you for bringing me back.”

Please check content warnings.

Wow. Wow. I am stunned beyond words. This was such an impressive read and it didn’t disappoint. I listened to the audio and I really think it’s best to take this story in through audio. The voice actors brought the characters to life and add so much to the numerous vulnerable conversations and raw feelings throughout the story. Unpopular opinion but Niko’s POV was fine with me, it was kind of a breathe of fresh air because the other MMC from the other books in this series were too similar to be honest so the funny commentary / immaturity POV of Niko was fine with me! I actually liked it. The thing I loved most about their story was the way they described how they saw the other, the numerous euphemisms, similes, metaphors, almost sounded so poetic and further showed how down bad they both are for each other even in their dark moments.

Brandon and Niko’s story was written so beautiful. The push and pull between the two of them and the numerous scenarios / banter between them was perfect. I really loved how Niko gave Brandon grace and time for him to come to terms with/ accept himself and his sexuality, his constant care for Brandon did not go unnoticed! However his fury was definitely demonstrated through out the book, it was moments I liked that Niko stood up for himself in terms of what he also wanted out of their developing relationship.

Oh Brandon.. Where to begin. The raw emotions and feelings and inner dialogue of Brandon and his internal struggles with mental health was ground breaking. The way the author was able to write such a complex character that not only went through so much but also his stages of acceptance of coming out was written so beautifully. The ups and downs, the highs and lows were throughout the story which further showed how important / made the experience feel very real.

The private conversations with their families and their friends talking about the other was so bitter sweet! I loved the constant support and love surrounding them and I’m so glad they got their HEA! They deserve the happiness. 

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dark emotional 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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Niko is violent, abusive, and stalks/sexually harasses/sexually takes advantage of Brandon until he falls in love... I understand Niko has trauma, but that’s no excuse for how he acts.
Overall this book is a romanticized toxic relationship. It’s smut; not even well written smut.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional funny sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional funny fast-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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
fast-paced

Really didn’t like the couple. I don’t think I could’ve rooted for two people less. 

And I really didn’t like how Brandon’s story was handled. If the SA was planned from the start, the romance between him and Niko is so flawed and toxic. This doesn’t read as love or of a happily ever after, instead, it appears Brandon’s reliving his trauma every day with a new face. Someone violent, doesn’t take no for an answer, is rough, doesn’t give him space— is that not Grace? Now if this was a tell about him picking people who force him into a traumatic head space so he can continue his self loathing, that’ll be good. If there was no SA in the first place, would be better. However this went from “oh fun story about two assholes who deserve each other” to “what the fuck…” real fast for me. Brandon’s assault wasn’t handled with grace. The fact Niko continued to watch it after putting it together? HUH? Actually what!

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