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toopunkrockforshul's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Probably one of the most unique vampire books I have read. The worldbuilding was so rich and layered, and really played with a lot of the expectations and typical lore I had from other books. Definitely a book I will be thinking about for a long while.
Graphic: Gore, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Violence, Confinement, Murder, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Mental illness and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: War and Animal death
mswarning's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is maybe the third time I've read this book. I don't think choosing it for a readathon near the end of the month when you're trying to read like 5 books in 5 days was the best decision on my part. I definitely needed a higher ratio of action/vampire interaction to worldbuilding, so the fault was mine.
The frustration I'm seeing from people reviewing this book stems from the fact that something traumatic happens near the beginning of the book. Sunshine acts like many people do, they avoid talking about it or making a big deal about it. And the avoidance informs the slow-pacing. The worldbuilding nicely sits in the spots between the bigger, weightier parts of the story. Each scene with Constantine leaves you wanting more. And you're kind of anxiously waiting for more to happen as pressure keeps building up.
If I had rated this book when I finished it, I think I'd have rated this readthrough a 3.5 or 3.75. Time has been kind, and I've been able to separate time management frustration from my opinion of the book. I think a sequel could be amazing, but I also think it would not live up to my expectations.I want Sunshine and Constantine to have a continued relationship. Not necessarily romantic, but maybe that could work somehow. More about her magic-handling abilities and more about vampires, master vampires, and how Constantine is different from other vampires. More about vampires being more dangerous and ruining civilization. And more Sunshine coming to terms with her abilities and turning into someone who can emotionally handle killing vampires. Or maybe about what happens with her combined bloodlines from both sides of her family since there's many different possibilities to explore there.
Read the content warnings.
The frustration I'm seeing from people reviewing this book stems from the fact that something traumatic happens near the beginning of the book. Sunshine acts like many people do, they avoid talking about it or making a big deal about it. And the avoidance informs the slow-pacing. The worldbuilding nicely sits in the spots between the bigger, weightier parts of the story. Each scene with Constantine leaves you wanting more. And you're kind of anxiously waiting for more to happen as pressure keeps building up.
If I had rated this book when I finished it, I think I'd have rated this readthrough a 3.5 or 3.75. Time has been kind, and I've been able to separate time management frustration from my opinion of the book. I think a sequel could be amazing, but I also think it would not live up to my expectations.
Read the content warnings.
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Confinement, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Violence and Animal death
Minor: Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Sexual content
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