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sweetsoverloaad's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
ajneumann21's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
catsandcliterature's review against another edition
5.0
I highkey fuck with Zade & Addie killing every person involved in her being trafficked.
tkrassas01's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.0
bowbeforeloki's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
pbest811's review against another edition
4.0
Gotta say I had a lot of feelings from this book, some good some bad. The beginning was hard to read at first so I had to listen to it instead. It started getting good and I enjoyed the plot but I was a little mad at how drawn out it was, it made me feel like the book could have easily ended with 200 pages less.
highladyofdelulu's review against another edition
5.0
Not sure yet, what it says about me, but this book spoke to a part of me that I have never been willing to acknowledge.
It’s a dangerous and fragile line that is being walked here. One I have contemplated a lot in my life, though always in silence:
It’s the question of what can be forgiven, bending the lines of good and bad. The question of whether self justice is redeemable or even necessary when a moral compass shifts, when you have been on the receiving end of those that don’t have one.
I’m not saying I would react to this exact kind of story in the exact same way if it was something I witnessed as bystander in the real world (bc I can’t know if that’s true). But there are so many layers to this story, because it can never be black and white, and I love how H.D. Carlton guides us through all of them. (whether it is with Rio, Addie’s dad or even Sibby.)
And though Zades methods might not be for everyone, the justification of them such a fragile, subjective thing, I do admire the love story that was created here. The contradiction of any sort of legitimation of sexual abuse is something I always thought I had a clear opinion of, until H.D. Carlton confronted me with these different perspectives.
And though it should not have any layers, it somehow does… and though I, too, consider it to be rape what Zade did in the beginning of the first book, it is also only Adeline’s judgement that can condemn it as such.
Even in fiction, it is only in her power to decide and forgive. Especially after she is no longer a victim, but a survivor, who grew into her strength.
I have absolute respect for H.D. Carlton as to how she guided Zade, Addie and us through the PTSD and healing. Not only did she do that, she also did it using and honouring the open sexuality that Addie has come to embrace as part of who she is.
Not only because it fuels Addie’s power and helps her be a survivor, but also to overcome (and help us overcome) the taboo and condemnation society still holds for women embracing their sexuality.
The first third of the book was obviously not easy to read, and I had to finish it in one sitting because it would have given me nightmares if not. Although I had to skip some parts, I do appreciate the skill that goes into writing these scenes without sugar coating.
For me personally, the only thing I could’ve done without, is the conspiracy layer so close to the actual conspiracy theories floating around. Though I guess they have a validity if they are important to the author and I do understand their necessity for the plot.
It’s a dangerous and fragile line that is being walked here. One I have contemplated a lot in my life, though always in silence:
It’s the question of what can be forgiven, bending the lines of good and bad. The question of whether self justice is redeemable or even necessary when a moral compass shifts, when you have been on the receiving end of those that don’t have one.
I’m not saying I would react to this exact kind of story in the exact same way if it was something I witnessed as bystander in the real world (bc I can’t know if that’s true). But there are so many layers to this story, because it can never be black and white, and I love how H.D. Carlton guides us through all of them. (whether it is with Rio, Addie’s dad or even Sibby.)
And though Zades methods might not be for everyone, the justification of them such a fragile, subjective thing, I do admire the love story that was created here. The contradiction of any sort of legitimation of sexual abuse is something I always thought I had a clear opinion of, until H.D. Carlton confronted me with these different perspectives.
And though it should not have any layers, it somehow does… and though I, too, consider it to be rape what Zade did in the beginning of the first book, it is also only Adeline’s judgement that can condemn it as such.
Even in fiction, it is only in her power to decide and forgive. Especially after she is no longer a victim, but a survivor, who grew into her strength.
I have absolute respect for H.D. Carlton as to how she guided Zade, Addie and us through the PTSD and healing. Not only did she do that, she also did it using and honouring the open sexuality that Addie has come to embrace as part of who she is.
Not only because it fuels Addie’s power and helps her be a survivor, but also to overcome (and help us overcome) the taboo and condemnation society still holds for women embracing their sexuality.
The first third of the book was obviously not easy to read, and I had to finish it in one sitting because it would have given me nightmares if not. Although I had to skip some parts, I do appreciate the skill that goes into writing these scenes without sugar coating.
For me personally, the only thing I could’ve done without, is the conspiracy layer so close to the actual conspiracy theories floating around. Though I guess they have a validity if they are important to the author and I do understand their necessity for the plot.