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alsoiread's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
3.0
Tw // sa
Not as good as first in the series. I really didn't like the part where Matthew was struggling to not be intimate w Arik without his consent. Like why did that need to be in the book? Without it book would've been much better.
Not as good as first in the series. I really didn't like the part where Matthew was struggling to not be intimate w Arik without his consent. Like why did that need to be in the book? Without it book would've been much better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Gore, Confinement, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
Minor: War
kelly04's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Kidnapping, Sexual violence, and Confinement
Minor: Abandonment
_isabel_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
3.5
This was adorable, even though it did make me uncomfortable at times. After the events at the end of book one I was very curious to see what would happen with Matthew and the shaman who put the love spell on him.
I managed to devour this second book in half a day: as the previous novel, this one is quite short and fast-paced, well-thought out, with an amazingly straight-forward world-building and a cast of characters that just beg to be loved.
However it did leave me a bit uncomfortable: I'm okay with nearly all kind of triggers and most of the darker themes (though I do draw the line at some things, mainly taboo stuff), but love-spells and forcing people to fall in love or lust after you is something I don't enjoy in novels. Even though everything works out in the end, it still left be a bit uneasy. I also wasn't the biggest fan of neither Matthew nor Arik: Matthew was a bit difficult to understand at times and since we don't get his POV, he still remains a bit of a mystery in the end; Arik was, fundamentally, an asshole for three quarters of the book, trauma and horrific past aside. I kind of got where he was coming from and I also felt for him, however his "use and abuse or be used and abused" act frustrated be to no end, even though, I understood why he was doing it. He does end up redeeming himself in the end and both he and Matthew together were sweet and hot and hilariously awkward.
I think the main issue was that I missed Ian and Nate frontstage: I can't help it, they were truly wonderful protagonists and I just wish we got a few more books solely about them. I will be continuing this series though: I'm still desperate to see if Dor and Charlie get their story and Colin was kind of intriguing too.
I managed to devour this second book in half a day: as the previous novel, this one is quite short and fast-paced, well-thought out, with an amazingly straight-forward world-building and a cast of characters that just beg to be loved.
However it did leave me a bit uncomfortable: I'm okay with nearly all kind of triggers and most of the darker themes (though I do draw the line at some things, mainly taboo stuff), but love-spells and forcing people to fall in love or lust after you is something I don't enjoy in novels. Even though everything works out in the end, it still left be a bit uneasy. I also wasn't the biggest fan of neither Matthew nor Arik: Matthew was a bit difficult to understand at times and since we don't get his POV, he still remains a bit of a mystery in the end; Arik was, fundamentally, an asshole for three quarters of the book, trauma and horrific past aside. I kind of got where he was coming from and I also felt for him, however his "use and abuse or be used and abused" act frustrated be to no end, even though, I understood why he was doing it. He does end up redeeming himself in the end and both he and Matthew together were sweet and hot and hilariously awkward.
I think the main issue was that I missed Ian and Nate frontstage: I can't help it, they were truly wonderful protagonists and I just wish we got a few more books solely about them. I will be continuing this series though: I'm still desperate to see if Dor and Charlie get their story and Colin was kind of intriguing too.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Sexual violence
triskellionquinn's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
4.0
Immediately picking up where the first one left off was the best way this story could have started. We get to see the aftermath of the ending of Alpha's Warlock, as well as get the other side of the story involving the enemy. Plus more enemies to lovers and it's so good. Arik is a little ball of spite and anger and I love how we immediately get to know him as this selfish prick who will use whatever means necessary to achieve what he wants, and then see him grow from that.
The sequel was more polished I think as well, or I was too busy consuming the story to notice too many inconsistencies or mistakes. There's a few more trigger warnings for this one as well, especially when you start to uncover more of Arik's past.
4/5 stars, I would absolutely recommend. Once again warning that knotting is a thing that exists in this universe so use that information as you please. But these two books were the reason why I now have a 'knotting' tag.
The sequel was more polished I think as well, or I was too busy consuming the story to notice too many inconsistencies or mistakes. There's a few more trigger warnings for this one as well, especially when you start to uncover more of Arik's past.
4/5 stars, I would absolutely recommend. Once again warning that knotting is a thing that exists in this universe so use that information as you please. But these two books were the reason why I now have a 'knotting' tag.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
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