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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
trayslays's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Sexual content, and War
Moderate: Cursing and Sexual harassment
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
ashlikes's review
adventurous
medium-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
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Blood, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Abandonment, Animal death, and Emotional abuse
Minor: War, Vomit, and Death of parent
triple_m's review
adventurous
slow-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? No
4.0
(I’m writing this review after finishing the trilogy.)
I really loved this book and I think it was a strong start to the series. Tiffany Roberts does an excellent job building the world and introducing us to the Vrix species and culture.
This book is honestly a slow burn and I really like it that way. It takes Ivy and Ketahn a while to get used to one another and learn how to communicate, so I’m happy that the romance wasn’t rushed.
This book sets up the trilogy well while still being very interesting on its own.
I really loved this book and I think it was a strong start to the series. Tiffany Roberts does an excellent job building the world and introducing us to the Vrix species and culture.
This book is honestly a slow burn and I really like it that way. It takes Ivy and Ketahn a while to get used to one another and learn how to communicate, so I’m happy that the romance wasn’t rushed.
This book sets up the trilogy well while still being very interesting on its own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Violence
kam_be's review
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? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death
Minor: Murder, Kidnapping, War, Violence, and Sexual harassment
zir_readsalot's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Spice? A-
This book has A LOT of worldbuilding and is a slow burn -- it'll need your undivided attention. So worth it, though.
This book has A LOT of worldbuilding and is a slow burn -- it'll need your undivided attention. So worth it, though.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Blood, and Death
katiekeske's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.75
I had heard about this for a while, and I was not disappointed! I was pleasantly surprised with how well this was written and the world-building for this alien romance.
I love sweet, protective Ketahn. I didn't rate this a full 5 stars because I wish Ivy had talked to Ketahn about consent at some point, especially given her sexual history (past abusive boyfriend). I give Ketahn a little bit of break because he's a giant spider man with some strong basic instincts.He "claims" her without explaining his feelings or how things work. She is attracted to him and enjoys it, but I wish there had been a conversation beforehand.
I love sweet, protective Ketahn. I didn't rate this a full 5 stars because I wish Ivy had talked to Ketahn about consent at some point, especially given her sexual history (past abusive boyfriend). I give Ketahn a little bit of break because he's a giant spider man with some strong basic instincts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death
Minor: Violence, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, and War
mx_virg's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Violence, Death, Toxic relationship, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Animal death and Blood
Minor: Confinement and Emotional abuse
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