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angelina_wlf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Gore, Sexual content, Stalking, Mental illness, Murder, Emotional abuse, and Misogyny
Moderate: Death, Grief, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Body horror, Cursing, and Child abuse
Minor: Death of parent and Alcoholism
hereiskyra's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
This was… different, to say the least. I’m finished and still not sold on Cole, though. Honestly, all of these characters range from a little bit fucked in the head to a lot fucked in the head and I don’t know who I even like. But I know I love effed up books and this one is no different.
Mara went through some serious trauma before Cole got ahold of her (because of Cole, but that isn’t really the point here). Then, like any gentleman would, he inflicts more trauma on her because after all he is a psychopath and he doesn’t really need to worry about the lines he is crossing to get what he wants.
I like the thriller/serial killer aspects of this book the most, definitely more than the overall romance between the two MC’s. Excited to see where we go from here.
Tropes/themes:
Stalker/Obsessive MMC
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Mara went through some serious trauma before Cole got ahold of her (because of Cole, but that isn’t really the point here). Then, like any gentleman would, he inflicts more trauma on her because after all he is a psychopath and he doesn’t really need to worry about the lines he is crossing to get what he wants.
I like the thriller/serial killer aspects of this book the most, definitely more than the overall romance between the two MC’s. Excited to see where we go from here.
Tropes/themes:
Stalker/Obsessive MMC
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Medical trauma, and Mental illness
cash_mama's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
2.5
I wanted to like this book. Cole was supposed to be complicated but turned out so 1 dimensional. Mara was just kind of dumb through the whole thing. The book started great with Mara being so strong but the more she was built, the less interesting she got.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Classism, Kidnapping, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Alcohol, Physical abuse, and Mental illness
chelsea_96's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
I thought I’d try and different genre so I got this. Now the fact I’m disturbed, still trying to process what the heck just happened. But this genre is not for me
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Mental illness and Murder
I am disturbed, confused, still processing. What did I just readlillyrb's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
I don’t think I can give this book a standard star rating of any kind, which doesn’t mean it’s a particularly bad or good book i’m just not quite sure how to feel about this.
I read this book because I didn’t know what to read next and a trusted reviewer (any book i’ve read after their recommendation has been great) really loves this book. Disclaimer, I did not know what I was getting myself into. I’ve never read a dark romance before and I really was not prepared. The beginning made me really quite uncomfortable. However, Sophie Lark’s writing style is incredible and the way she details the thoughts and feelings of the main characters is simply fascinating. Ultimately, I decided to read the whole thing because I enjoyed the writing, was taken with the psychological implications (?) of the main characters and I really really wanted to know what other people see in this book.
I didn’t not enjoy the book but I also didn’t like it in the way I usually enjoy reading books. It’s certainly a gripping read and the characters and writing are intriguing but overall the book not something I could describe as liking. I will read the second book because, again, I kind of need to know what other people are seeing in this and how the story develops, but I don’t think I can rate this book in any comprehensive way.
I read this book because I didn’t know what to read next and a trusted reviewer (any book i’ve read after their recommendation has been great) really loves this book. Disclaimer, I did not know what I was getting myself into. I’ve never read a dark romance before and I really was not prepared. The beginning made me really quite uncomfortable. However, Sophie Lark’s writing style is incredible and the way she details the thoughts and feelings of the main characters is simply fascinating. Ultimately, I decided to read the whole thing because I enjoyed the writing, was taken with the psychological implications (?) of the main characters and I really really wanted to know what other people see in this book.
I didn’t not enjoy the book but I also didn’t like it in the way I usually enjoy reading books. It’s certainly a gripping read and the characters and writing are intriguing but overall the book not something I could describe as liking. I will read the second book because, again, I kind of need to know what other people are seeing in this and how the story develops, but I don’t think I can rate this book in any comprehensive way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Gore, Stalking, Violence, Murder, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Mental illness, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Vomit, Self harm, Suicide, Rape, Misogyny, and Abandonment
dracomalfoi's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Death, Emotional abuse, Murder, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Violence, Stalking, Sexual violence, and Rape
christikb's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I am officially down the rabbit hole of dark, forbidden romance and I am perfectly fine with that fact. I have read almost every book that Sophie Lark has written and I am also fine with that fact.
Let me begin by saying that There Are No Saints is DARK. Cole Blackwell is a gorgeous, renowned artist who has a...dark passenger, shall we say (props for those who get the Dexter reference, I'll be here all week), and a severe rivalry with Alastor Shaw, a fellow artist and the Beast of the Bay, a brutal Ted Bundy-esque killer. One night, in an effort to shatter Cole's careful control, Shaw kidnaps a woman who caught Cole's eye and leaves her just dead enough to tempt Cole; he leaves her for dead in the barren minefield, but, through sheer determination, she manages to escape and find help, leading to a dark story of obsession, sex, and murder.
Unlike many other readers, I didn't find this story slow to start at all, but I think that's largely because I went in expecting the beginning to set the stage for rival serial killers, which would ultimately lead to spice. Sophie set this one up beautifully, ensuring that the relationship (whatever it might actually be) between Mara and Cole feels earned, particularly given Cole's own lack of emotion. It actually may be my favourite book of hers because it doesn't move as quickly as the Brutal Birthrights or Underworlds so there's time to flesh out and develop the transition from uncaring to obsessed, while maintaining the coldness that is completely paramount to the MMC.
When I say this is dark, I am NOT kidding, but it's more emotionally dark (except for Mara's graphic kidnapping and leaving for dead) than anything else. All of the characters are deeply broken and, while they are absolutely not lovable, they are UNBELIEVABLY COMPELLING. So compelling, in fact, that I read this book in one sitting in just under two hours.
Let me begin by saying that There Are No Saints is DARK. Cole Blackwell is a gorgeous, renowned artist who has a...dark passenger, shall we say (props for those who get the Dexter reference, I'll be here all week), and a severe rivalry with Alastor Shaw, a fellow artist and the Beast of the Bay, a brutal Ted Bundy-esque killer. One night, in an effort to shatter Cole's careful control, Shaw kidnaps a woman who caught Cole's eye and leaves her just dead enough to tempt Cole; he leaves her for dead in the barren minefield, but, through sheer determination, she manages to escape and find help, leading to a dark story of obsession, sex, and murder.
Unlike many other readers, I didn't find this story slow to start at all, but I think that's largely because I went in expecting the beginning to set the stage for rival serial killers, which would ultimately lead to spice. Sophie set this one up beautifully, ensuring that the relationship (whatever it might actually be) between Mara and Cole feels earned, particularly given Cole's own lack of emotion. It actually may be my favourite book of hers because it doesn't move as quickly as the Brutal Birthrights or Underworlds so there's time to flesh out and develop the transition from uncaring to obsessed, while maintaining the coldness that is completely paramount to the MMC.
When I say this is dark, I am NOT kidding, but it's more emotionally dark (except for Mara's graphic kidnapping and leaving for dead) than anything else. All of the characters are deeply broken and, while they are absolutely not lovable, they are UNBELIEVABLY COMPELLING. So compelling, in fact, that I read this book in one sitting in just under two hours.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, Physical abuse, and Mental illness
Moderate: Forced institutionalization and Child abuse
molliundera_'s review against another edition
dark
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
0.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Domestic abuse, Death, Kidnapping, Murder, Torture, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Stalking, Violence, Blood, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
amanda_reads13's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- 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
3.0
Mara is a struggling artist who is working 3 jobs just to get by. One evening at a show, she catches the attention of 2 of San Francisco's most notable artists, Cole and Alister. Unfortunately for Mara, both men are sociopaths and serial killers.
Mara has had a troubled life. She has survived her alcoholic/abusive mother and abusive stepfather. She is on her own in San Francisco trying to get by day to day. She has been through hell. She is very feisty and independent. As her career takes off, her reliance and dependence on Cole becomes stronger. He is responsible for all of her success and he is the one protecting her from Alister. As their relationship progresses, she begins to change to reflect what Cole wants her to be. So the question is, is she being manipulated by Cole or is he opening her up to who she truly is? I think he is preying upon her trauma to manipulate her into becoming who he wants her to be. Had she never meet him, I doubt she would have ever gone so far as to kill her mother. Before Cole, she was trying to move on with her life and did not want to get revenge on her mom and stepfather.
Cole is a sociopath and murderer who cares about nothing other than getting what he wants. He is devoid of empathy, ruthless, and powerful. He and Alister have being in competition with each other since art school. Alister was obsessed with getting Cole's attention and wants him to collaborate on a "project". Mara is the unsuspecting victim that Alister chooses. He leaves her to die near Cole's dumping ground, knowing that he will find her and hoping that he will kill her. Cole does not want to play this game with Alister. So, being the psycho that he is, when he finds her, he leaves her to die. After learning that Mara managed to survive, he becomes obsessed with her and begins to stalk her. He engrains himself into her life and makes her reliant on him. She becomes the center of his universe and he will stop at nothing to protect her, especially from Alister. Cole has convinced himself that he loves Mara, but can a sociopath truly feel love? I think for Cole, his attachment to Mara is completly self-serving. Mara is under his control and he is able manipulate her into becoming what and who he wants.
Tropes: taboo/dark romance
Mara has had a troubled life. She has survived her alcoholic/abusive mother and abusive stepfather. She is on her own in San Francisco trying to get by day to day. She has been through hell. She is very feisty and independent.
Cole is a sociopath and murderer who cares about nothing other than getting what he wants. He is devoid of empathy, ruthless, and powerful. He and Alister have being in competition with each other since art school. Alister was obsessed with getting Cole's attention and wants him to collaborate on a "project". Mara is the unsuspecting victim that Alister chooses.
Tropes: taboo/dark romance
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Death, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Abandonment, Grief, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, Stalking, and Emotional abuse
ginniereads's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Child abuse, Death, Kidnapping, and Physical abuse