Reviews tagging 'Gun violence'

House of Bane and Blood by Alexis L. Menard

10 reviews

novellearts's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

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

4.0

This book needed some further editing done. There were some grammatical and structural errors throughout the book that I found but it was otherwise, pretty well written.

I enjoyed the first book much more than the second. I'm not really sure what went wrong in this one, but it felt lacking to me. It took me quite a while to finish due to not really being super interested in the story. Some aspects of the story felt forgotten.

I didn't get the discussion between Milla and Nico about Milla's time spent as a prisoner that I was hoping for. It almost felt like it was swept under the rug and dismissed. I didn't think this book showed a realistic depiction of the trauma and healing that she inevitably would've had to go through after being held prisoner and being tortured. Unless she is just incredibly resilient, I suppose.

I also felt let down by Camilla's use (or lack of use) of her powers. Camilla was set up to be a powerhouse of a character with really intriguing abilities, but we didn't get to see much display of them except when she was forced to use them as a prisoner. Once she was freed, she (for the most part) went back to avoiding her powers and how she learned to use them.

The story was repetitive for me as well. The conflicts seemed flat and overused. I felt as though I kept reading the same conflict interactions throughout the whole book and ultimately they all had the same resolutions. The ending also seemed rushed.

We find out that Camilla's mother is still alive and looking to be found by Camilla and then the book simply ends!

It felt as though there should've been at least 1 more book in this series.

I'm upset because I really wanted to like this! Book 1 was better rounded, overall more enticing and enjoyable.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Violence, Blood, Torture, Drug use, Murder, and Physical abuse

howboutjane's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense 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? It's complicated

4.5

If you like peaky blinders, magic, and old western movies then this one's for you!

The MMC gives Inspector gadget for adults vibes and the FMC gives serious mob wife energy. Romance is more steam than spice - a deliciously sinful slow burn with off the charts chemistry that will leave you panting.  

I did find I was a little bit confused  with the world buidling and magic systems in the beginning chapters, but they are expanded on and explained more as you go through the book. The plot is solid with captivating storytelling. There's drama, suspense, betrayal, passion, love. There's even a scene with a fight on a moving train - THIS BOOK HAS EVERYTHING. Such a riveting experience and an immersive read. Would recommend. 👍🏽👍🏽

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, and Cursing

Moderate: Sexual content and Confinement

Minor: Death of parent and Child death

Cliffhanger ending text

danilouisev's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Pros: the concept is really unique, I am invested in the characters and the story & will read the second book. I do think there’s something really creative & interesting here!
Cons: writing style - just not 100% for me. I know it’s an independently published book and I could tell. I don’t want to to knock it for that, but it could use a few more rounds of editing. The pacing felt a bit off at times; while I believed and understood the attraction between the MCs, their physical relationship needed more development imo. The smut was just so-so. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Gun violence, and Violence

tguccione's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Classism, Murder, Physical abuse, Blood, Death of parent, Violence, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Medical content, Body horror, Confinement, Grief, and Police brutality

Minor: Suicide and Sexual harassment

katieklysmic's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Child death, Gun violence, and Death of parent

karapillar's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Stalking, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Abandonment, Death, Grief, War, Alcohol, Body horror, Confinement, Torture, Sexual content, Blood, Sexual violence, Murder, Child death, Gore, and Death of parent

Moderate: Hate crime

Minor: Cursing, Xenophobia, Medical content, Colonisation, Vomit, Trafficking, Racial slurs, Gaslighting, Infidelity, and Slavery

jilliri's review against another edition

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? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Gun violence, War, Classism, Alcohol, Death, Gore, Blood, Toxic relationship, and Car accident

Moderate: Sexual content, Classism, Confinement, and Death of parent

Minor: Kidnapping and Vomit

vi_holmes's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-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

4.0

I really enjoyed this book, especially the first half! Camilla is a great character! A real badass, witty, and smart. The Attano family were also a big highlight for me. So many great personalities. Nonna had me cackling.

My only complaints are that Camilla's willfully blind faith in her brothers (especially Aramis) got tiring.

I didn't care for his explaination for his behaviour either. He would have been a better character for me if he remained cold and selfish as he was portayed.

And the ending felt rushed. I'm very keen to see where it will lead in the next book, but I just didn't love the ending. But I will say

Giles deserved better

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Alcohol, Abandonment, Classism, Gore, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, and Sexual content

Minor: Death of parent, Child death, War, Gaslighting, and Torture

sienasummerrreads's review

dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

“He was a mistake, the most gorgeous one I would ever make” 

This follows the heiress Camilla whose family is well known with power in Lynchaven. They own the Iron Saint Railway which has been in the family a long time and they will do anything to make sure it doesn’t go under. Then along comes Nicolai an enemy and part of a rival family who has an offer that she has no choice to refuse. 

What a book. I went into this all because I saw the author say she binge-watched Peaky Blinders for three days straight and that’s how the book was born. THIS DID NOT DISAPPOINT. You could feel the Peaky Blinders inspiration in this book which I loved so much. The magic system and the storyline created by Alexis was fantastic. Camilla and Nico are both strong leads. They had this hate banter and tension between them which made you fall in love instantly. The things that man said in this book have me weak and wanting more. The slow burn wait to the spice was worth it. Chapter 35 was perfection I was screaming. Then we get to Chapter 41 I’m in shock I’m questioning did I read that, it can’t be real. Chapter 42 I was balling my eyes out and I couldn’t carry on. I had to take a breath before finishing. Once I got myself together I was back at it and then I finished the Epilogue. To say I’m excited for the next book is an understatement. It consumed my every thought for the past three days I honestly didn’t want it to end.

If you love: 

🔹Adult Fantasy Romance 
🔹Marriage Of Convenience 
🔹Rivals 
🔹Magic System 
🔹Slow Burn
🔹Perfect Amount Of Spice 

Genre/Type: Adult Fantasy Romance 18+
APK: Physical Read 
Pages: 434
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️.5
Series or Stand Alone: Book 1 In The Order And Chaos Series 
Tropes or Themes: Marriage Of Convenience, Rivals To Lovers, Found Family, Slow Burn, Protective MMC, Strong FMC, Contracts, Magic System, Prison, Power, Betrayal, Secrets, Mine, Jealousy, My Wife, Eyes On Me, Taken Care Of, Guns, Murder, Sexual Content, Virgin, Praise, Breath Play, Injury, Death, Cursing and Cliffhanger.
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫 

All Round Romance Reader 
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Everand | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Sexual content, Murder, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Grief

nicole_thereader's review against another edition

adventurous challenging lighthearted tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Torture, Violence, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Alcohol, Blood, Child death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Murder, and Suicide