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smuttymcbookface's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Being an impatient person, I read this as my first book in the series, and it has definitely convinced me to go back and try more!
I found the mixture of plot and romance perfectly balanced in this. It was wonderful to see strong characters express vulnerabilities, and watch the masks come down to humanise them.
The tension and intimacy scenes for this were beautifully written, and probably some of the best I've ever come across. There was vulnerability and mix-ups that added a touch of reality to them.
Two plots within the story cemented my love of the characters.It was wonderful to read about a virgin hero in a historical romance that was happy to be guided, without shame. He was open about his lack of knowledge, but still confident so as not to betray his character. It was also wonderful to read about infertility in a raw and open manner, and to see the characters addressing it realistically. Isabel's painful relationship with Christopher, and her ability to speak about her guilt and shame, was beautiful.
All-in-all, I thought this was an amazing book that kept you guessing through it. Although some parts were a little too crude to read true (e.g. calling d'Arde a pedophile in public), there was so much reality in the characters, even with an almost-fantastical plot.
___
Re-read again, going through the series from the start this time. I've upped my rating to a 5. Winter's patience and Isabel's vulnerability were so beautifully written.
I found the mixture of plot and romance perfectly balanced in this. It was wonderful to see strong characters express vulnerabilities, and watch the masks come down to humanise them.
The tension and intimacy scenes for this were beautifully written, and probably some of the best I've ever come across. There was vulnerability and mix-ups that added a touch of reality to them.
Two plots within the story cemented my love of the characters.
All-in-all, I thought this was an amazing book that kept you guessing through it. Although some parts were a little too crude to read true (e.g. calling d'Arde a pedophile in public), there was so much reality in the characters, even with an almost-fantastical plot.
___
Re-read again, going through the series from the start this time. I've upped my rating to a 5. Winter's patience and Isabel's vulnerability were so beautifully written.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Medical trauma, Classism, and Gore
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Grief, and Pregnancy
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