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emmabean30's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
gatonolivro's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ekolach's review
5.0
wtf just happened. there is so much violence in this book my goodness. some truly fucked up stuff happens. do not mess with the mafia folks. not a good idea.
this series continues to be horrifyingly engaging. neil and andrew need to kiss now. and also go to all the therapy please.
this series continues to be horrifyingly engaging. neil and andrew need to kiss now. and also go to all the therapy please.
nea43's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
21_marlen's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
wingfooted's review against another edition
5.0
I mentioned in my review of the first book that, first and foremost, a huge suspension of disbelief is necessary to get through these books. That holds true for the second book as well, but I'm not going to dock it any stars for that this time. I figure if you've made it through the first book and continued on, it's not a big problem for you.
What I love about this book is the sheer level of humanization that happened with the characters. Our villains are still largely just that, but our anti-heroes are really coming into their own. I hated most of the protagonists in the first book. They were horrible and cruel and seemed genuinely unlikable. This book took that, acknowledged it, and gave us a huge dose of "why" to help us empathize with those characters. It took me from strong dislike for them to a protective streak a mile wide. I love each of these characters now for different reasons. They are flawed, but they are beautiful, and I think that is really what this book did well.
Yes, the story was interesting and had me drawn in as well, but the true strength here was in the revelation of the characters and in watching their interpersonal relationships begin to grow and develop. Watching Neil's perception of the world around him change, watching him integrate himself into this new group of people, watching him learn to relate to them, and watching them slowly begin to learn about him were all things that will stick with me.
This story, enjoyable and engaging though it may be, is absurd. These characters, however, were made real in this book, and it was both energizing and painful to read. I really enjoyed it and am so ready to see how this ridiculous story with these wonderful characters ties up in the third book.
What I love about this book is the sheer level of humanization that happened with the characters. Our villains are still largely just that, but our anti-heroes are really coming into their own. I hated most of the protagonists in the first book. They were horrible and cruel and seemed genuinely unlikable. This book took that, acknowledged it, and gave us a huge dose of "why" to help us empathize with those characters. It took me from strong dislike for them to a protective streak a mile wide. I love each of these characters now for different reasons. They are flawed, but they are beautiful, and I think that is really what this book did well.
Yes, the story was interesting and had me drawn in as well, but the true strength here was in the revelation of the characters and in watching their interpersonal relationships begin to grow and develop. Watching Neil's perception of the world around him change, watching him integrate himself into this new group of people, watching him learn to relate to them, and watching them slowly begin to learn about him were all things that will stick with me.
This story, enjoyable and engaging though it may be, is absurd. These characters, however, were made real in this book, and it was both energizing and painful to read. I really enjoyed it and am so ready to see how this ridiculous story with these wonderful characters ties up in the third book.
trintrin's review against another edition
dark
sad
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? Yes
5.0
I don’t even have words to express how much this book broke me
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Torture, Violence, Rape, Sexual assault, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Pedophilia, Homophobia, Religious bigotry, Child abuse, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Drug use, Addiction, Confinement, Alcohol, Gore, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Mental illness
Minor: Car accident, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
nestasbff's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
3 ⭐️ |
was this better than the first book? definitely.
but, was it <u>actually</u> good? not really.
while the writing definitely improved, everything felt so slow and repetitive, i got bored in the middle chunk, and the characters still felt pretty one dimensional.
Neil is <i>fine</i>… i don’t love him, but i also don’t hate him. his relationship with Andrew made this book somewhat bearable, but let me tell you, i <u>like</u> slow burn, but <i>this</i>? no. this is like the slowest burn ever that isn’t making me root for the couple at all.
the only true saving grace of this book was Riko.
yes, he’s a terrible person and the worst man alive, but at least he shook things up and made things interesting (especially at the end).
i will read the last book, but only because the girlies said it’s <i>worth it</i>. *sigh*
was this better than the first book? definitely.
but, was it <u>actually</u> good? not really.
while the writing definitely improved, everything felt so slow and repetitive, i got bored in the middle chunk, and the characters still felt pretty one dimensional.
Neil is <i>fine</i>… i don’t love him, but i also don’t hate him. his relationship with Andrew made this book somewhat bearable, but let me tell you, i <u>like</u> slow burn, but <i>this</i>? no. this is like the slowest burn ever that isn’t making me root for the couple at all.
the only true saving grace of this book was Riko.
yes, he’s a terrible person and the worst man alive, but at least he shook things up and made things interesting (especially at the end).
i will read the last book, but only because the girlies said it’s <i>worth it</i>. *sigh*