Scan barcode
everybody's review against another edition
3.0
There are interesting and original parts to this story but overall it just didn't work for me.
My suspension of disbelief got stretched too far too often to stay immersed.
There are just too many plot holes and too little logic and the romance is just too clichéed in a bad way.
The original parts of the setting and the world-building are interesting but if you look behind the curtains of the setting there is nothing but the same old romance story.
My suspension of disbelief got stretched too far too often to stay immersed.
There are just too many plot holes and too little logic and the romance is just too clichéed in a bad way.
The original parts of the setting and the world-building are interesting but if you look behind the curtains of the setting there is nothing but the same old romance story.
teamwombat's review against another edition
2.0
This book is a mess jumping all over the place and it ends on a cliff hanger which is infuriating
lux_klara's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
This was disappointing. I didn't have Great expectation, I didn't start the book thinking It would be absolutely amazing BUT I did expect to enjoy It more than I did. I expected a fun read...and I Just ended up feeling VERY indifferent to It all.
Overall, the characters and their relationship felt very constructed to me. Like, the author had defined idea of who they were and how their relationship had to progress, tried to convey it in the book but It wasn't really convincing in the way she wrote them. With the end result that they feel like...well...characters, an amalgamation of personality traits, rather than feeling like "real" people...which of course, ended up showing in their relationships as well, because those felt just as artificial.
I didn't feel the chemistry between the leads, I didn't feel invested in their relationships with the secondary characters and the intrigue/mystery wasn't intriguing
I also think there were scenes that should have been cut. I can't believe I am saying this, because I usually very much prefer longer books and additional scenes rather than the opposite...but I think some scenes were utterly unnecessary. And the mystery and political machinations weren't executed that well (part of why it wasn't interesting).
That said, I don't think this is an atrocious book. Yes, there are some issues and the book is far from perfect, but I also think part of the problem is also incompatibility.
I didn't gel with the writing style. I didn't feel immersed in the story and I'm not a fan of how a certain Trope/story development was execution (can't Say more because it's spoiler).
So yeah, this book wasn't for me.
But as I said, It wasn't horrible, the executed. It wasn't convincing for me.
But I could see other people enjoying the writing style and feeling more immersed in the story.
Either way, it was still disappointing and I feel like I should have just DNF the book.
Overall, the characters and their relationship felt very constructed to me. Like, the author had defined idea of who they were and how their relationship had to progress, tried to convey it in the book but It wasn't really convincing in the way she wrote them. With the end result that they feel like...well...characters, an amalgamation of personality traits, rather than feeling like "real" people...which of course, ended up showing in their relationships as well, because those felt just as artificial.
I didn't feel the chemistry between the leads, I didn't feel invested in their relationships with the secondary characters and the intrigue/mystery wasn't intriguing
I also think there were scenes that should have been cut. I can't believe I am saying this, because I usually very much prefer longer books and additional scenes rather than the opposite...but I think some scenes were utterly unnecessary. And the mystery and political machinations weren't executed that well (part of why it wasn't interesting).
That said, I don't think this is an atrocious book. Yes, there are some issues and the book is far from perfect, but I also think part of the problem is also incompatibility.
I didn't gel with the writing style. I didn't feel immersed in the story and I'm not a fan of how a certain Trope/story development was execution (can't Say more because it's spoiler).
So yeah, this book wasn't for me.
But as I said, It wasn't horrible, the executed. It wasn't convincing for me.
But I could see other people enjoying the writing style and feeling more immersed in the story.
Either way, it was still disappointing and I feel like I should have just DNF the book.
anniesreading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
miss_alyssa113's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
red_raven22's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? No
4.5
bookishbyrenee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
tense
4.5
House of Bane and Blood by Alexis Menard
-Order and Chaos Book 1-
4.5/5⭐️
1/3🌶️*
2/3🦋
•My Thoughts•
What a RIDE! This world was absolutely fascinating with its 1920s mafia vibes meets magic. The characters and enemies to lovers storyline hooked me from the beginning - add in a marriage of convenience and a dash of mystery and I ate👏🏻it👏🏻up👏🏻. Milla’s growth was so good and I was cheering for her as she became more confident! I also loved Niko and his back story and resilience. These are imperfect characters you find easy to love, root for and I became enamored with their slow but steadfast (if reluctant) support of each other. I did find the government structure a little confusing but didn’t want to slow down enough stop and figure it out (if anyone reads it an wants to make a chart, please share it with me 🤣). This book was violent but also mesmerizing and full of hope for a better future. I loved the big family dynamics and the never ending plot twists that kept me guessing. This is a completed duology and with that ending, you BET I’m immediately reading book 2.
*I rated this a 1/3🌶️ because there were only a few scenes with on page intimacy. However, I would like to note that the spice involves kink: breath play.
birdyinthewild's review against another edition
5.0
Dear House of Bane and Blood,
1. Yes, I pictured Cillian Murphy as Nico. This is the perfect Peaky Blinders-ness
2. Metal hand Daddy- say no more.
3. Gas lamps are a vibe.
4. Secret societies, arcane magic 👏
5. Thank goodness the sequel is out because that ending…. 💔🤬😱
1. Yes, I pictured Cillian Murphy as Nico. This is the perfect Peaky Blinders-ness
2. Metal hand Daddy- say no more.
3. Gas lamps are a vibe.
4. Secret societies, arcane magic 👏
5. Thank goodness the sequel is out because that ending…. 💔🤬😱