Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'

Queen of Myth and Monsters by Scarlett St. Clair

35 reviews

gattolinos_nerdy_nook's review against another edition

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challenging dark tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Whilst I didn't like this book as much as the first one I still think it was good and eventually found it's foot towards the last half.

The lore and world building for this series is still very well done in my opinion. We keep learning more history and why certain things are the way they are in their current timeline compared to the past. I think a lot of the secondary characters really pulled the story along and kept it going since Isolde and Adrian were not a highlight this book. The plot of the book was also lackluster but did at least build to a hopefully a more interesting third book.
The real issue I had with this story was Isolde and Adrian and their relationship. It felt very toxic on both sides, a lot of their actions didn't feel like they matched their characters at all. The book bought up so many issues between them and then made waved it away with sex between them. 
In particular I felt that Isolde was abusive towards Adrian. She would yell and event hit him at times when she was angry at something Adrian did and never apologised for her actions whilst whenever Adrian was in the wrong he at least apologised eventually and in character. Adrian on the other hand doesn't feel like he understand that Isolde is not her past life at all despite what he says. It's not even a struggle that we really see play out and that he comes to terms with, this is a words don't match actions issue. I didn't feel like he loved Isolde at all but only what she was in the past and keeps comparing the two.
 

Event after everything I will still read the third book and see if any of the build up pays off and hopefully there are some much needed improvements.
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booksbytheglass's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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? It's complicated

3.5

this series is absolutely nuts!! I swear, scarlett st clair must put crack in her writing because the plot is so repetitive, the dialogue is weak, and the characters seem to be regressing on their personalities - BUT I COULD NOT STOP READING THIS!

the secrets and betrayals of war really made this one for me! I appreciated the decrease in spice scenes from the first one to make way for more world building and characterization - except it felt like a lot of the characters definitely were weaker emotionally and physically compared to the first book…

and the plot itself was beyond repetitive, especially when isolde gets betrayed and stabbed by those she trusted approximately three different times đź«  like, we couldn’t switch it up? just betrayal after betrayal? 

I felt like I was reading ten fantasy novels at once, and while it felt like lazy writing and editing, I also really loved it so please don’t change hahaha! this review is really just a contradictory mess pls excuse me 

and that cliffhanger? that I have to now wait 6+ months on? I shouldn’t be this invested in what happens next, but boy am I 👀 sometimes we need a hot messy book to get us going okay

now delaney needs to hurry up and finish too so we can scream together!!!

rating: 3.5 stars
wine pairing: beaujolais nouveau 
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thestickwitch's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

For me this was more of a back story book that really got you connected with the characters and their traumas with some sprinkles of happy moments and spicy scenes. While also showcasing how the character navigate through the traumas even in times of strife. I will be waiting in anticipation for book 3.
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julienicole1106's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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booksnsyringes's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

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darcona's review against another edition

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adventurous dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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yilliun's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-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

3.75

The story and world building got much better in this book. I was more invested in Isolde/ Yesenia’s past. The characters felt much more fleshed out and less two dimensional than in the previous novel. I especially felt that Isolde had much more personality and agency in this book. The fighting then fucking cycle did become annoying especially since that’s carried over from the previous book.

That being said, I feel like some plot points were fairly predictable and easily guessed
even Sorin’s betrayal before I read the chapter where it was confirmed. Adrian aside, he seemed the most revolted by what he and his friends had become. However, I absolutely could not have guessed how Ana “betrayed” Isolde and Adrian. I did find it hard to believe that Ana killed Isla (despite it being unintentional, I think). 

I don’t buy into the whole for the greater good thing, especially with Violeta’s death. Killian saying goodbye to her had me tearing up. And Isolde’s conversation with her mother about has me sobbing
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stephwatsford's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-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? It's complicated

3.5

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millies_mini_library's review against another edition

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challenging dark medium-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? Yes

3.75

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ambervincenzo's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I liked the first book. This one I had to force myself to finish. I just got bored and didn’t care about what was happening. I listened to it and I did like the female narrator but the male one did not fit. 
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