Reviews with content warning for Gaslighting - The Awakening

This is my first proper adventure into bully romance (The cruel prince was a toe in the water) and parts were a bit tough to swallow. I am curious to see how the relationships play out and how they move on especially after the the events book 1 left off from.

Things I liked:
• the storyline- really want to know more. And there’s a huge world that you’re being introduced to and I can’t help but want to know more about it beyond the Acadamy.
• I like the characters and especially the twins
• I’m on the fence about the Heirs, but not in the way that I don’t want to read about them, because I clearly have a thing for morally questionable characters…..

Things that bugged me (but not enough to put me off):
• some of the writing, past and present tense. Some minor grammar errors and I think American idioms….. idioms are not deal breakers but some are just personally a tad annoying for me.

Overall I enjoyed it and will continue the series. Read it yourself and make up your own mind.

Content Warnings

monica0309's review

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dark mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Content Warnings

tabathapaine's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

SPOILERS!!
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I was torn between liking this book and hating it for MOST of it. The bullying and torture that the Heirs do to the twins (like forcing vampire bites, which is 100% assault… and almost drowning one of them) is almost what made me close the book entirely, yet there’s a big part of me that wants to see these women come back and fight for their throne. I want VENGEANCE, and that’s what is going to keep me reading.

As for characters, the twins can be likeable in their own ways. Tory the rebel with a sassy attitude and fierce protection of her sister, and Darcy the sweet one that still takes no shit from anyone. I found that I expected them to spend more time trying to build on their powers since they knew so many people wanted to cause them harm, but instead they got distracted by the gorgeous assholes that were the ringleaders of their misfortunes. Sophia is just wonderful, sweet and smart and a dedicated friend, Diego is also protective and caring to the twins.

Now to the unlikeable characters. I’ll start with Orion, since it’s kind of a battle between hating him and liking him throughout the book. I think he has some redeeming qualities and keeps most of his icy cold attitude to weather the storms of the cruel fae world. As for the heirs, all of them are spoiled, self righteous, narcissistic assholes that have ZERO redeeming qualities that can save them. Their cruelty and savagery are too thick for any other qualities that could set them part from each other to show through.

I am very interested to see where the authors take the Vega twins from here, and to see what may be lying beneath (if there IS anything) the heirs and Orion.

On to Book 2!

Content Warnings