Scan barcode
annick's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
I was hoping for more spice earlier on. This was more about adventurous sea fare. sex came around 82%.
I docked a whole star because the decision to not admit about the inked paper was a plot device. I lost faith in the author for creating a more textured plot.
I’ll continue with book two to resolve the cliffhanger ending. But I doubt this will be as spiced as like like
I docked a whole star because the decision to not admit about the inked paper was a plot device. I lost faith in the author for creating a more textured plot.
I’ll continue with book two to resolve the cliffhanger ending. But I doubt this will be as spiced as like like
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, Suicide, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Death, Blood, and Alcohol
rmarcher's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
As far as the quality of the writing goes, this book is a 4-star (maybe 4.5-star) read. As far as being able to recommend it, due to the content it's only a 1- or 2-star read depending on the age, marital status, and specific content preferences of the person asking.
For a year or two I've been wanting to find books that portray arranged marriage well, i.e. that show the couple in an arranged marriage making the marriage work instead of trying to avoid it at all costs. So when I read the description for this book, I was thrilled. It wasn't quite a normal situation for an arranged marriage, but just the fact that they weren't trying to get out of the arrangement was a great start.
And then the book hooked me with its worldbuilding and action, drawing me in immediately with its twists and turns and the richness of the setting. I love deep worldbuilding that's integral to the plot, and this book wholly delivered on that front. The world is rich and deep, and it has impact on the characters and the characters impact it in turn. It's also richly described; description is definitely one of Jensen's strong points. Which is a two-edged sword in this book, given how much she decides to describe of the sexual tension and sexual interaction between the main characters. I skipped multiple portions.
The characters are also interesting, with firm values (some positive, some negative) and believable relationships. They all have notable characteristics that cause them to stand out, and most were enjoyable to read about. (Nana was not. Grandmothers oughtn't be so despicable.) Most of them cursed and made crude jokes and comments in excess, which is my other issue with the content of this book. (I am frustrated that I found this book in the YA section, since it would be R-rated by film standards, but that's a matter to take up with the bookstore that shelved it. NA should arguably be placed in the adult section rather than the YA section, at least nine times out of ten. But anyway.)
Overall, I enjoyed the bulk of this book. It was certainly well-written (aside from the excess of language) and I'm pleased to see an indie book that was so well-edited and well-formatted that I would have assumed it was traditionally published. But ultimately my enjoyment was dampened way too many times by the levels of adult content and I wouldn't be able to comfortably recommend this book to almost anyone I know.
For a year or two I've been wanting to find books that portray arranged marriage well, i.e. that show the couple in an arranged marriage making the marriage work instead of trying to avoid it at all costs. So when I read the description for this book, I was thrilled. It wasn't quite a normal situation for an arranged marriage, but just the fact that they weren't trying to get out of the arrangement was a great start.
And then the book hooked me with its worldbuilding and action, drawing me in immediately with its twists and turns and the richness of the setting. I love deep worldbuilding that's integral to the plot, and this book wholly delivered on that front. The world is rich and deep, and it has impact on the characters and the characters impact it in turn. It's also richly described; description is definitely one of Jensen's strong points. Which is a two-edged sword in this book, given how much she decides to describe of the sexual tension and sexual interaction between the main characters. I skipped multiple portions.
The characters are also interesting, with firm values (some positive, some negative) and believable relationships. They all have notable characteristics that cause them to stand out, and most were enjoyable to read about. (Nana was not. Grandmothers oughtn't be so despicable.) Most of them cursed and made crude jokes and comments in excess, which is my other issue with the content of this book. (I am frustrated that I found this book in the YA section, since it would be R-rated by film standards, but that's a matter to take up with the bookstore that shelved it. NA should arguably be placed in the adult section rather than the YA section, at least nine times out of ten. But anyway.)
Overall, I enjoyed the bulk of this book. It was certainly well-written (aside from the excess of language) and I'm pleased to see an indie book that was so well-edited and well-formatted that I would have assumed it was traditionally published. But ultimately my enjoyment was dampened way too many times by the levels of adult content and I wouldn't be able to comfortably recommend this book to almost anyone I know.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Cursing, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault and Vomit
More...