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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
I liked the first one better, but this had a lot of really interesting world-building and just when I got frustrated with it seeming to go in one direction, it went a little different one. Enjoyable, and also that cover is beautiful.
That was a damn good book, let's hope I stay on the role of 4 star books with the next one
Went on for much too long. And don't even get me started on the love triangle. Had too many expectations for this after reading and loving Cruel Beauty.
Audio
Initial impressions. I enjoyed this novel more than I did Cruel Beauty. I am sure this had a lot more to do with the lead. I liked Rachelle and could identify more with her cynical character that had seen more of the world and the black, white, and very, very gray parts of it. I know that Eric was never the hero of this story, but I couldn't help but love him anyway.
Initial impressions. I enjoyed this novel more than I did Cruel Beauty. I am sure this had a lot more to do with the lead. I liked Rachelle and could identify more with her cynical character that had seen more of the world and the black, white, and very, very gray parts of it. I know that Eric was never the hero of this story, but I couldn't help but love him anyway.
Young Rachelle was trained to protect her people from the dark creatures that surround them, which she has always been determined to do. But she hasn't wanted to simply defend, she wants to boldly attack them. She learned the hard way that, unfortunately, sometimes the only effective way to attack the darkness is to embrace it. Now she clings desperately to her soul as one of those creatures, trying to hold off the darkness within herself while still protecting the people. And her work has moved her from a woodland village to the court of the king.
Hodge has meshed a nice array of elements into an enjoyable story. The mythology of looming darkness, with the Devourer at its heart and "forestborn"--which felt to me like a cross between vampires and woodland fairies--as its agents, and with legends of the ancient heroes who previously defeated it. A strong, complex, conflicted heroine. A not-awful love triangle (though I didn't feel it the way I would have liked). High society intrigue plus action plus horror. Writing that at times was lovely (and at times was repetitive). Intriguing secondary characters. I found myself quite caught up in all of it and recommend it to anyone intrigued by the sound of it.
Hodge has meshed a nice array of elements into an enjoyable story. The mythology of looming darkness, with the Devourer at its heart and "forestborn"--which felt to me like a cross between vampires and woodland fairies--as its agents, and with legends of the ancient heroes who previously defeated it. A strong, complex, conflicted heroine. A not-awful love triangle (though I didn't feel it the way I would have liked). High society intrigue plus action plus horror. Writing that at times was lovely (and at times was repetitive). Intriguing secondary characters. I found myself quite caught up in all of it and recommend it to anyone intrigued by the sound of it.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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:
Yes
I really liked this :) I didn't love it as much as Cruel Beauty but ya know beauty and the beast...sigh ♡♡♡ but still really great book!!!
I'd heard many recommendations for this book and was very excited to read it. With the bar set so high going in, I was pleasantly surprised it was able to live up to the hype. The story is definitely a type of dark fairy tale with complex characters and MANY twists to the story. Unlike Rosamund Hodge's other book, [b:Cruel Beauty|15839984|Cruel Beauty|Rosamund Hodge|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1371652590s/15839984.jpg|21580669], this one took a little more time to connect with the characters and build a full understanding of the story. However, once attained, I was unable to put this book down. Rosamund Hodge is an amazing writer and I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a bit of dark suspense to sink their teeth into!