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thegabscast's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Spicy meter: This is spice with heavy themes, so I’m not quite sure about this one.
Note: PLEASE read the trigger warnings and make sure you have a good understanding of them. The author did provide a comprehensive list of them and even lists a chapter to avoid. This book is not meant for everyone and the trigger warnings should not be overlooked.
Who this book is for: Fans of truly dark romance, a gothic setting, Victorian London, vampires, supernatural creatures, flawed characters. If dark romance, erotica, blood, or any of the things mentioned in the first two pages of the book are not things you’re comfortable with, then this book isn’t for you and that’s okay.
This book brought me out of a months-long reading slump and I’m still digesting it. I was really excited to read it and am now trying to figure out how I feel about it overall? Without giving too much away, the premise is a poisoner (overly- curious woman in STEM with a flawed sense of justice) catches the attention of a vampire when she fails to poison him and her whole life is turned upside down. All of the characters are deeply flawed and more morally super dark gray than anything. If I could have, I would have read this all in one sitting because I wanted to know where the story was going. I truly appreciated the way the exposition was done and the writing style overall. The author’s take on vampires was interesting, some parts I didn’t love (the spikes). This does lean more towards spice with a story, but the story was so intriguing. The characters didn’t really get to the “love” part. This book really was such a different read that it’s hard for me to articulate how I felt about it. However, the story did feel rushed towards the end and I do feel like that could have come together more cohesively while also being a cliffhanger. Silas did act out of character and I’m curious what his plan was because he really failed to protect or help Alina. She also had a major point in that he could have just not gone to see her and THAT one additional traumatic scene could have been avoided. Also, Phoebe…wtf…. I understand all of the characters are deeply flawed, but it kinda felt like who they were supposed to be throughout the story was lost at the end. I was truly drawn in and then the last few chapters kind of fell apart. I am curious enough to want to read the next one and find out where everything is going. But, I cannot emphasize this enough, PLEASE mind the trigger warnings and skip this book if you do not feel comfortable.
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Trafficking
isabelleroyall's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Stalking, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
souleater_'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
livfowler's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The main characters’ internal dialogue is sometimes a little stilted, especially at the beginning, but improves a lot as their interactions become more frequent and the stakes become higher.
Smutty bits were *chef’s kiss* delectable. Had me making feral clicking sounds that I didn’t think possible.
I think my favorite part of this book was that I predicted one plot twist from a mile away, but I was so focused on it that the next twist hit me like a train.
Speaking of, there’s a little train action (like actually on a locomotive train, get your head out of the gutter), and I sincerely hope for more in the next installment. Picture the already
All in all, dying of thirst for book 2.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism