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rosebelle's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
Well, if you're into human trafficking, groups of rich perverts, nonconsensual beatings, sexual assault, poorly constructed plots, and abrupt cliffhangers, do I have the book for YOU! But if that sounds like a terrible book to you, I would say far, far away from Counsellor, and I'm assuming the rest of this series. I'm not going to finish it. I'm sorry that I picked this book up. I'm not going to torture myself with the rest. If you have any trigger issues for any sexual violence or violence in general, just stay far away. Far, far away.
I was under the impression that this was going to be some kind of contract/BDSM kind of book. The contract books are a little iffy when it comes to consent as it is. When you add in a dark romance to it, that usually goes out the window, but I was willing to give it a try. This was not that. This was not even a romance. This was a woman getting abused and tortured with some sex thrown in. The book blurb says there's "elements of BDSM." No there's not. BDSM requires consent and trust. If you don't have those things, it literally is just rape and torture. Authors who don't understand this do the community a real disservice and make something that's already taboo look terrible.
Let's pretend for a moment, though, that those terrible problems don't exist in the book. Let's just look at the book's story elements. The story is still incredibly problematic. The characters are either cardboard cutouts or complete idiots. The plot doesn't follow basic story structure. It's more a series of events, strung together by the common motif of violence. Things like rising action and climax don't actually happen because the story just cuts off at the end by a lackluster cliffhanger. There is not one thing that is a resolution, not one ounce of satisfaction the reader gets from finishing the book, except for one new piece of information thrown like a dog's scrap. But you'll have to buy the next book to see anything done with that. Can't stand these romance trilogies.
Anyhow, the only thing that would actually save these books is if Stella left Sinclair's mansion after finding out that tidbit of information at the end and getting ticked and then taking every single one of those "high society" people out, vigilante-style. I'd read that.
I was under the impression that this was going to be some kind of contract/BDSM kind of book. The contract books are a little iffy when it comes to consent as it is. When you add in a dark romance to it, that usually goes out the window, but I was willing to give it a try. This was not that. This was not even a romance. This was a woman getting abused and tortured with some sex thrown in. The book blurb says there's "elements of BDSM." No there's not. BDSM requires consent and trust. If you don't have those things, it literally is just rape and torture. Authors who don't understand this do the community a real disservice and make something that's already taboo look terrible.
Let's pretend for a moment, though, that those terrible problems don't exist in the book. Let's just look at the book's story elements. The story is still incredibly problematic. The characters are either cardboard cutouts or complete idiots. The plot doesn't follow basic story structure. It's more a series of events, strung together by the common motif of violence. Things like rising action and climax don't actually happen because the story just cuts off at the end by a lackluster cliffhanger. There is not one thing that is a resolution, not one ounce of satisfaction the reader gets from finishing the book, except for one new piece of information thrown like a dog's scrap. But you'll have to buy the next book to see anything done with that. Can't stand these romance trilogies.
Anyhow, the only thing that would actually save these books is if Stella left Sinclair's mansion after finding out that tidbit of information at the end and getting ticked and then taking every single one of those "high society" people out, vigilante-style. I'd read that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Confinement and Classism
maihohmann's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Slavery and Violence
Minor: Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Suicide attempt