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xangemthelibrarian's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
🤌🤌🤌
This is good. One or two typos, one or two things that happened that made me go 🤨 but overall what a good story. Monsterfucker is so my genre.
I agree with many of the reviews on here already: the blurb is misleading. This is a slow burn romance about two strangers with a language and cultural barrier falling in love as they learn about each other. They're different species, they aren't even from the same planet. But they take the time to learn each other's language. To communicate and to be patient with each other. And honestly it was so pure and lovely watching their relationship flourish.
From now on, I'm viewing relationships with others as an interconnected spiderweb. You can't change my mind.
This is good. One or two typos, one or two things that happened that made me go 🤨 but overall what a good story. Monsterfucker is so my genre.
I agree with many of the reviews on here already: the blurb is misleading. This is a slow burn romance about two strangers with a language and cultural barrier falling in love as they learn about each other. They're different species, they aren't even from the same planet. But they take the time to learn each other's language. To communicate and to be patient with each other. And honestly it was so pure and lovely watching their relationship flourish.
From now on, I'm viewing relationships with others as an interconnected spiderweb. You can't change my mind.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, Sexual content, and Death
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
Minor: War
shinyfox's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, Animal death, Violence, Murder, Blood, Gore, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexism, Adult/minor relationship, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Vomit, Death of parent, Grief, War, and Abandonment
greystory's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
I got talked into finally digging into this one by Opal Reyne's new discord. Overall, enjoyed, and especially loved the worldbuilding and the way we eventually come to meet the female main character, Ivy.
I liked Ivy quite a bit. While her story was sad, she was still determined and strong and doing her best in a really shit situation, both prior to meeting Ketahn and afterwards.
Ketahn. Man, I really wanted to like Ketahn more. In general he was alright and there were times I could really dig him but then he'd go and do something pretty dub-con-y with Ivy and I'd be very displeased with him again.
Although Ivy is ultimately always OK with whatever bullshit he pulls, it's clear it's not always immediately consensual or wanted. I was always hoping they'd at least address it afterwards or something but nope, they never do.
The closest they get is actually the worst offense when they first mate and she tries to talk about it. He reiterates that she's been claimed and when she tries to say "you can't just decide that!" he becomes threatening. Instead of it turning into sex (and only sex), I would have really loved a moment of them connecting on another level and communicating better. Why couldn't he just explain what a claiming is and how it works instead of insisting on his own way?Like why did he never actually say the dress he made was supposed to be a wedding dress?? That alone could have made the tone of the initial claiming way different and maybe Ivy wouldn't have been so scared? (WHY was she even written as scared to begin with???)
One of the things he did do well was be a complete smartass about the self-centered shitty queen. I especially loved this little comeback:
I liked Ivy quite a bit. While her story was sad, she was still determined and strong and doing her best in a really shit situation, both prior to meeting Ketahn and afterwards.
Ketahn. Man, I really wanted to like Ketahn more. In general he was alright and there were times I could really dig him but then he'd go and do something pretty dub-con-y with Ivy and I'd be very displeased with him again.
Although Ivy is ultimately always OK with whatever bullshit he pulls, it's clear it's not always immediately consensual or wanted. I was always hoping they'd at least address it afterwards or something but nope, they never do.
The closest they get is actually the worst offense when they first mate and she tries to talk about it. He reiterates that she's been claimed and when she tries to say "you can't just decide that!" he becomes threatening. Instead of it turning into sex (and only sex), I would have really loved a moment of them connecting on another level and communicating better. Why couldn't he just explain what a claiming is and how it works instead of insisting on his own way?
One of the things he did do well was be a complete smartass about the self-centered shitty queen. I especially loved this little comeback:
Telok straightened also, drumming his forelegs on the branch. “And you, Ketahn. I am glad she did not eat you alive.”
“Had she done so, I would have used my final breath to ensure she choked.”
Again, the worldbuilding was cool and I was very engrossed in the mystery of the story around Ivy's people.
That ending kinda sucked. It was very abrupt, no resolution.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Violence, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, and Gore
Moderate: War and Religious bigotry
kbairbooks's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The smut didn’t start until 84% of the way through which, considering I was under the impression this was more smut than romance (my bad), was disappointing. I could see why it was set up that way but it was a bit disappointing. The ending had me enraptured though and I’m excited to see what happens in book 2.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Grief, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Gore, Sexual violence, Blood, Bullying, Gaslighting, Murder, Sexual harassment, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
risseandshine's review
emotional
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I never expected to give a romance book with a spider alien as a hero 5 full stars, yet here I am doing exactly that.
This surprisingly ooey gooey sweet ride of a book follows Ivy, a human woman who crash lands (literally) into the life of Ketahn, a spider-looking alien, when he accidentally finds her alive among the remains of the ship she was aboard in.
First off: I love the alien world. I admit that I had no idea what the hell I was reading in the first few pages but once I got it, I was HOOKED. I especially appreciate that this alien world is a matriarchy. Their queen might be a bit (a lot) cuckoo, but the fact that they place the greatest importance on females is amazing.
Ivy as a human woman trying her best to acclimate to this foreign world she finds herself into and eventually finding a home was such heartwarming to read. I especially loved being in her head as she finds herself with a dilemma in slowly falling for this alien creature who may not be human, but only treats her with so much care and respect.
And Ketahn???? Wow. This hero. He does have his alpha tendencies yet he's SO. SWEET. I couldn't handle it at times! I think the only thing I have to say is that if men on earth acted more like him, this planet would be a better place to live in.
I loved loved LOVED the romance between our hero and heroine. The amount of moments that made me want to swoon? Too many to count. This couple is meant to be, humans and aliens be damned.
I'm most definitely going to continue with this trilogy. When that's going to be I have no idea BUT I HAVE TO FINISH THIS SERIES.
This surprisingly ooey gooey sweet ride of a book follows Ivy, a human woman who crash lands (literally) into the life of Ketahn, a spider-looking alien, when he accidentally finds her alive among the remains of the ship she was aboard in.
First off: I love the alien world. I admit that I had no idea what the hell I was reading in the first few pages but once I got it, I was HOOKED. I especially appreciate that this alien world is a matriarchy. Their queen might be a bit (a lot) cuckoo, but the fact that they place the greatest importance on females is amazing.
Ivy as a human woman trying her best to acclimate to this foreign world she finds herself into and eventually finding a home was such heartwarming to read. I especially loved being in her head as she finds herself with a dilemma in slowly falling for this alien creature who may not be human, but only treats her with so much care and respect.
And Ketahn???? Wow. This hero. He does have his alpha tendencies yet he's SO. SWEET. I couldn't handle it at times! I think the only thing I have to say is that if men on earth acted more like him, this planet would be a better place to live in.
I loved loved LOVED the romance between our hero and heroine. The amount of moments that made me want to swoon? Too many to count. This couple is meant to be, humans and aliens be damned.
I'm most definitely going to continue with this trilogy. When that's going to be I have no idea BUT I HAVE TO FINISH THIS SERIES.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, and Gore
Minor: Domestic abuse
anastasialovesbooks's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I usually love these authors books but I heard this was a trilogy so I waited for all of them to come out. I also didn't mind spoilers so I read reviews and wasn't sure I was going to like it.
The start was rocky for me. I understand trying to world build but it wasn't engaging enough for me to not want to skip ahead to when they meet, but I pushed through. When I did get to the part were they met I did get more interested in what was happening. The relationship was great except for two parts. Which I've seen in a few reviews, he molests her.
*
**
***
*Spoilers* *Triggers*
The first time is when they hardly understand each other. He's just taken her to rinse of and noticed the outline of her figure. I understand curiosity when he starts to touch her but he starts to fondle her chest and she slaps his hand away and tells him no but he holds her arms out away from her and does it anyway along with pulling off her clothes. She's still telling him to stop even while her body is reacting. While I can understand curiosities even with her chest because he didn't seem like he would know that was a private area. I can give him a little give on that however still doesn't take away from the fact that he knows she doesn't like him doing it and does it anyway. The next part is a big no, no he basically touches her down there while she keeps telling him to stop. By this point he has to know he's touching a private area even in his thoughts he knows what he's touch and continues to do so despite her protests. You could argue he was over come by her sent but that doesn't fly with me considering he's always resisted the queen in the past when she tried to over whelm him with her sent. Even if he does seem to like Ivy's sent more. When he finally comes out if his lusty haze he basically tells her he's sorry for frightening her not for the fact that he took advantage of his strength and molested her. It's was mostly the same when it came to the first time they really slept together. He new what he was doing and should know how it would feel to get touched without consent considering the queen does it every time she sees him. You would think he was a little more compassionate about respecting someone's boundaries. Especially when he let's Ivy explore him as a sort of payback for him touching her. When she gets to his area he says no and she backs off. Again I do like the relationship because they do seem to build a good one. However these parts almost messed it up for me.
*End of spoilers*
I did enjoy the book for the most part. Idk if I'll read the rest though. I haven't decided just yet.
The start was rocky for me. I understand trying to world build but it wasn't engaging enough for me to not want to skip ahead to when they meet, but I pushed through. When I did get to the part were they met I did get more interested in what was happening. The relationship was great except for two parts. Which I've seen in a few reviews, he molests her.
*
**
***
*Spoilers* *Triggers*
The first time is when they hardly understand each other. He's just taken her to rinse of and noticed the outline of her figure. I understand curiosity when he starts to touch her but he starts to fondle her chest and she slaps his hand away and tells him no but he holds her arms out away from her and does it anyway along with pulling off her clothes. She's still telling him to stop even while her body is reacting. While I can understand curiosities even with her chest because he didn't seem like he would know that was a private area. I can give him a little give on that however still doesn't take away from the fact that he knows she doesn't like him doing it and does it anyway. The next part is a big no, no he basically touches her down there while she keeps telling him to stop. By this point he has to know he's touching a private area even in his thoughts he knows what he's touch and continues to do so despite her protests. You could argue he was over come by her sent but that doesn't fly with me considering he's always resisted the queen in the past when she tried to over whelm him with her sent. Even if he does seem to like Ivy's sent more. When he finally comes out if his lusty haze he basically tells her he's sorry for frightening her not for the fact that he took advantage of his strength and molested her. It's was mostly the same when it came to the first time they really slept together. He new what he was doing and should know how it would feel to get touched without consent considering the queen does it every time she sees him. You would think he was a little more compassionate about respecting someone's boundaries. Especially when he let's Ivy explore him as a sort of payback for him touching her. When she gets to his area he says no and she backs off. Again I do like the relationship because they do seem to build a good one. However these parts almost messed it up for me.
*End of spoilers*
I did enjoy the book for the most part. Idk if I'll read the rest though. I haven't decided just yet.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Violence
Unconsentual touching.
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