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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
- Characters: 6/10 I suppose they grew on me but they were each a little pigeon holed in a way I didn’t like
- Atmosphere/Tone: 7/10 the roses and magic did start to draw me in
- Writing/Style: 8/10 she is a talented writer and I enjoyed that!
- Plot: 7/10 I’ll admit I wanted to know how it ended
- Pacing 6/10 dilly dallied with some of the characters but I did read it in a few days so can’t complain too much
- Worldbuilding NA
- Relationships 5/10 good but not great a little predictable (also
sad for Becket what the hell why does he have to suffer alone ) - Enjoyment: 5/10 I liked it but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it
- Spice: 6/10 good but better when the relationships were newer
- Bonus points: -5 for
incest , +2for everyone half heartedly planning to off themselves
47/80=0.588 = 3.25
Oh
My
F'ing
GOD!!
This went so slow but so fast at the same time. I wanted an ending but I didn't want an END. If that makes sense. Maybe ending isn't the right work, but I did NOT want this story to end AT ALL.
When we were in book 1 I was all about Auden. Then I was a St. Sebastien fan, THEN I was all about the BECKET. Poe is one lucky lady to have all three. I love how Auden puts it. She loves St. Sebastien. Becket loves her. I feel Auden Loves Saint the most and Saint loves Auden the most. But there is love all around.
Then we have Delph and Rebecca and while they are part of the 6 they are most definitely their own.
I'm still not sure how I feel about how it all panned out. I think it went in the direction it needed to go, but I still want so much more. I need more. You'll want more.
My
F'ing
GOD!!
This went so slow but so fast at the same time. I wanted an ending but I didn't want an END. If that makes sense. Maybe ending isn't the right work, but I did NOT want this story to end AT ALL.
When we were in book 1 I was all about Auden. Then I was a St. Sebastien fan, THEN I was all about the BECKET. Poe is one lucky lady to have all three. I love how Auden puts it. She loves St. Sebastien. Becket loves her. I feel Auden Loves Saint the most and Saint loves Auden the most. But there is love all around.
Then we have Delph and Rebecca and while they are part of the 6 they are most definitely their own.
I'm still not sure how I feel about how it all panned out. I think it went in the direction it needed to go, but I still want so much more. I need more. You'll want more.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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:
Complicated
I never wanted this series to end - maybe that’s why it took me months to finish. By far my favourite Sierra Simone series
3 out of 5
This series is very unique, which is what I love about it. It’s dark academia mixed with romance/erotica and some fantastical elements. It definitely isn’t for everyone since it’s quite graphic and also deals with some very taboo topics. But what is great about it is that regardless of what I just mentioned, the plot was genuinely so captivating. Sierra Simone truly knows how build a plot that doesn’t let you put the book down.
With Door of Bruises, I was expecting it to explore more of the mysticism around Thornchapel and it’s rituals, but it really let me down in that regard. Considering this is the last book of the series and we still had so many unanswered questions about it, it was barely touched upon it in the second half. I don’t expect every single question that we had answered but it left me unsatisfied with what we were given. It felt like it was built up so much to just simply be brushed off easily.
Our cast of characters also felt somewhat detached. They were dealing with a lot of serious things, but I couldn’t bring myself to care as much. The conflicts of the main pairings have been dragged on far to much at this point that I was completely over it. I even found myself just feeling tired of reading their scenes. I wanted a shift of focus on the dynamics of different romances, for example that of Poe and Becket. Which brings me to my next point:
Poe and Becket are probably by far the most interesting characters with what little that we got, and they had little to no relevance in this book. I’m genuinely upset with how Poe’s character has been written with each book, almost being made a side character. Same with Becket with only about three appearances total in this one and considering he had a huge revelation to make at the end, a lot of potential was lost with his storyline. And to add salt to the wound, the way Poe and Becket play a critical role in the climax didn’t add weight to the situation because we rarely had any time to form attachment to them as individual characters.
How the overall series concluded, however, I actually really enjoyed it. It add a whimsical touch to the series I was not expecting. Simone left the ending open enough that it allows the reader to come up with their own personal ending for these characters. We still were left wondering what was truly on the other side of the door, which I really liked!
It was a solid book, just the journey to the end was not as enjoyable as I had hoped. Maybe my own personal expectations is what didn’t let me enjoy it as much. I would still recommend the series to anyone that want to try something very different than what they typically read, BUT are comfortable enough with the topics that are dealt with. It will definitely hold a special place in my book-loving heart.
This series is very unique, which is what I love about it. It’s dark academia mixed with romance/erotica and some fantastical elements. It definitely isn’t for everyone since it’s quite graphic and also deals with some very taboo topics. But what is great about it is that regardless of what I just mentioned, the plot was genuinely so captivating. Sierra Simone truly knows how build a plot that doesn’t let you put the book down.
With Door of Bruises, I was expecting it to explore more of the mysticism around Thornchapel and it’s rituals, but it really let me down in that regard. Considering this is the last book of the series and we still had so many unanswered questions about it, it was barely touched upon it in the second half. I don’t expect every single question that we had answered but it left me unsatisfied with what we were given. It felt like it was built up so much to just simply be brushed off easily.
Our cast of characters also felt somewhat detached. They were dealing with a lot of serious things, but I couldn’t bring myself to care as much. The conflicts of the main pairings have been dragged on far to much at this point that I was completely over it. I even found myself just feeling tired of reading their scenes. I wanted a shift of focus on the dynamics of different romances, for example that of Poe and Becket. Which brings me to my next point:
Poe and Becket are probably by far the most interesting characters with what little that we got, and they had little to no relevance in this book. I’m genuinely upset with how Poe’s character has been written with each book, almost being made a side character. Same with Becket with only about three appearances total in this one and considering he had a huge revelation to make at the end, a lot of potential was lost with his storyline. And to add salt to the wound, the way Poe and Becket play a critical role in the climax didn’t add weight to the situation because we rarely had any time to form attachment to them as individual characters.
How the overall series concluded, however, I actually really enjoyed it. It add a whimsical touch to the series I was not expecting. Simone left the ending open enough that it allows the reader to come up with their own personal ending for these characters. We still were left wondering what was truly on the other side of the door, which I really liked!
It was a solid book, just the journey to the end was not as enjoyable as I had hoped. Maybe my own personal expectations is what didn’t let me enjoy it as much. I would still recommend the series to anyone that want to try something very different than what they typically read, BUT are comfortable enough with the topics that are dealt with. It will definitely hold a special place in my book-loving heart.
I actually had to take a break in the middle of this one, because I inhaled Thornchapel #1-3 and then it just got to be a little too much. That having been said, I picked up right where I left off, was sucked back in, and then a little wistful when it finished. I love that everyone was true to themselves to the very end, I love that there was an actual conclusion, and despite everything in me hating these sad emo boys, I do love Auden and Saint. What a fun whirlwind this series was.
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes