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celestitty's review against another edition
the story is dragged and the writing is bleh. maybe i’ll pick it back up again but there’s other books i’d rather be reading
_lilian_m's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? N/A
3.75
gabbybabe's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
pinkypinky's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
brittanica_bold's review against another edition
4.0
A very fitting end to the story of Lenore. As someone who intentionally didn't read vampire/paranormal books for the longest time, The Dark Eyes series really opened my world to how well written and great these stories can truly be.
What I liked about this book
1. Characters:
Absolon was still great. We got to see more of his tender side in this book, and I loved it.
Kaleid and Natalia were both great, in their own ways. I loved the introduction of them, but equally hated both of their endings.
As for Dracula, I soooo excited to hear he will be getting his own book! I have a feeling he is going to be a much more badass version of Absolon and I'm going to be all about him later!
2. I really liked the worldbuilding done in this book. I felt like we got glimpses and some information in the first book, but everything was totally created and involved in this second installment. I also liked getting more of a peek into who Absolon was before he was turned into a vampire.
3. Of course, as the hopeless romantic that I am, I loved the ending.
4. I LOVE that Lenore saved herself, not Absolon. As I kept reading, I was sure Absolon was going to get himself out of trouble and then save her, but NOPE! Our girl saved herself!
Why I didn't give it a 5-star rating:
1. Characters:
Lenore was still good, but not great. Still definitely too good at new things for it to make sense and still very innocent/unrealistically optimistic.
There was definitely not enough Wolf and Amethyst!!! They are why I started this series to begin with. At least there is still [b:Nightwolf|57661722|Nightwolf|Karina Halle|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1634523349l/57661722._SX50_.jpg|90317435].
Jeremias and Skarde, for how much each of you were built up, I really didn't feel it with you two. I wanted a battle royale between you two, or at least fitting for each of you, but alas, Lenore couldn't be a Mary Sue if that happened, now could she?
2. I definitely felt like this book dragged a lot more than the first one. With all the worldbuilding, that is bound to happen, but it's still a complaint of mine.
3.5 dark stars!
What I liked about this book
1. Characters:
Absolon was still great. We got to see more of his tender side in this book, and I loved it.
Kaleid and Natalia were both great, in their own ways. I loved the introduction of them, but equally hated both of their endings.
As for Dracula, I soooo excited to hear he will be getting his own book! I have a feeling he is going to be a much more badass version of Absolon and I'm going to be all about him later!
2. I really liked the worldbuilding done in this book. I felt like we got glimpses and some information in the first book, but everything was totally created and involved in this second installment. I also liked getting more of a peek into who Absolon was before he was turned into a vampire.
3. Of course, as the hopeless romantic that I am, I loved the ending.
4. I LOVE that Lenore saved herself, not Absolon. As I kept reading, I was sure Absolon was going to get himself out of trouble and then save her, but NOPE! Our girl saved herself!
Why I didn't give it a 5-star rating:
1. Characters:
Lenore was still good, but not great. Still definitely too good at new things for it to make sense and still very innocent/unrealistically optimistic.
There was definitely not enough Wolf and Amethyst!!! They are why I started this series to begin with. At least there is still [b:Nightwolf|57661722|Nightwolf|Karina Halle|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1634523349l/57661722._SX50_.jpg|90317435].
Jeremias and Skarde, for how much each of you were built up, I really didn't feel it with you two. I wanted a battle royale between you two, or at least fitting
Spoiler
deaths2. I definitely felt like this book dragged a lot more than the first one. With all the worldbuilding, that is bound to happen, but it's still a complaint of mine.
3.5 dark stars!
megmeb's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Torture
dowryofbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I don't need trigger warnings, I'll pretty much read anything. And I'm still giving this 5 stars..... but that tail scene did psychological and unrepairable damage, I'm never gonna be able to get the image out of my head. So thanks for that, Karina Halle.
But no, seriously this book was amazing. Even better than the first one if possible. Engaging and action-packed from the first chapter all the way through the end. The stakes felt higher. I was so invested. I love Lenore and Solon, but this book had me way more interested in the plot than the romance. I love that Karina Halle put the same amount of depth in her plot and the world as well as the romance because I feel like most fantasy romance I read lacks in one area or another.
Some of the things the characters do/say are so ridiculous and will either make me laugh or cringe, but its all part of this series' charm. It has plenty of intense moments, but doesn't take itself too seriously either.
I'm so excited to read Wolf and Amethyst's story, and then Dracula's story. I'll read whatever books come out set in this world because I love love love it.
But no, seriously this book was amazing. Even better than the first one if possible. Engaging and action-packed from the first chapter all the way through the end. The stakes felt higher. I was so invested. I love Lenore and Solon, but this book had me way more interested in the plot than the romance. I love that Karina Halle put the same amount of depth in her plot and the world as well as the romance because I feel like most fantasy romance I read lacks in one area or another.
Some of the things the characters do/say are so ridiculous and will either make me laugh or cringe, but its all part of this series' charm. It has plenty of intense moments, but doesn't take itself too seriously either.
I'm so excited to read Wolf and Amethyst's story, and then Dracula's story. I'll read whatever books come out set in this world because I love love love it.
shanayaareads's review against another edition
3.0
It took me way longer than it should have to finish this one.
I loved Black Sunshine. It was such a refreshing little read at a time where I hadn’t read a vampire romance in what felt like an eternity. I fell absolute in love with Absolon and Lenore and their story and the world the author had built.
However, The Blood is Love in comparison, fell flat for me.
I can see what the author was trying to do, but in my heart or hearts I think Black Sunshine would have been better served as a stand-alone book and not a duology. The Blood is Love felt highly unnecessary, almost like it was trying too hard.
Even saying that makes my heart sad because I really love these characters.
The drama, the climax of the story again fell flat for me. All this build in in Black Sunshine to have it all be a bit underwhelming and anticlimactic. Skarde was not as “scary” as I had hoped he would be. Jeremiah’s presence was not what I expected either. Not quite the big bad witch I had expected either.
Despite the fact that I feel like it all didn’t fit well, I liked the introduction of newer characters. Valtu and Kaleid were nice to see. Even Skarde was nice to meet and it felt good to see Lenore embrace her magic.
All in all, it was a nice moment getting back with some of my favorites but it was something I could have done without, if I’m being honest. It just didn’t do it for me.
I loved Black Sunshine. It was such a refreshing little read at a time where I hadn’t read a vampire romance in what felt like an eternity. I fell absolute in love with Absolon and Lenore and their story and the world the author had built.
However, The Blood is Love in comparison, fell flat for me.
I can see what the author was trying to do, but in my heart or hearts I think Black Sunshine would have been better served as a stand-alone book and not a duology. The Blood is Love felt highly unnecessary, almost like it was trying too hard.
Even saying that makes my heart sad because I really love these characters.
The drama, the climax of the story again fell flat for me. All this build in in Black Sunshine to have it all be a bit underwhelming and anticlimactic. Skarde was not as “scary” as I had hoped he would be. Jeremiah’s presence was not what I expected either. Not quite the big bad witch I had expected either.
Despite the fact that I feel like it all didn’t fit well, I liked the introduction of newer characters. Valtu and Kaleid were nice to see. Even Skarde was nice to meet and it felt good to see Lenore embrace her magic.
All in all, it was a nice moment getting back with some of my favorites but it was something I could have done without, if I’m being honest. It just didn’t do it for me.
christinevdv's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.25