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queenie_ofthe_void's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Moderate: Blood, Child abuse, Gun violence, Sexual content, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Body horror, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
danaegg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
the only one of the series i really had an interest in was the third book, but i thought i would read this one first as josh and jules are extremely close with alex and ava. but ofc now im a teeny bit interested in the second book so sigh
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Body horror, and Violence
Moderate: Drug use, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Toxic relationship
freakofafangirl's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Gore and Body horror
abby_shupe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I personally donât like how the first plot twist was carried out, it seemed too unrealistic, like a soap opera. And the second, way too predictable, Which leads me to say, this whole book is a complicated soap opera. Interesting, unrealistic, dramatic, dark. Some parts were cringy, some predictable.
And specific quotes did make me want to throw up, but you get through it. Specifically, âyouâre about to find out what happens when you invite yourself into the lionâs denâ. And âwith her doe eyes and innocent features, she resembled a sacrificial virgin awaiting defilement. My cock throbbed harderâ, ⌠yeah.
I also didnât expect to agree with reviews I had read beforehand, but the Sunshine nickname got old quick.
I mean, halfway though the book I was rolling my eyes when the first plot twist rolled in, and youâll find out why. I was throwing my book down, looking to the ceiling, exasperated. Like what the fuck.
I read reviews mentioning Alex groveling, and I suppose I pictured him at Avaâs feet pleading, because the reality was underwhelming.
I expected in one of the many sex scenes, for the dynamic to change, Ava to take a little charge. Nope. The smut was still great though, Huang definitely has talent in that department.
If you like Lauren Asherâs work, I would say the two authors wrote similar dynamics, but Huang writes heavier smut with darker and dramatic plot lines, though I prefer Asherâs writing style.
Alex and Ava are like a couple you see in an amusement park line, full of PDA. I wasnât necessarily rooting for the two, but theyâre cute together.
Still, it was a very interesting book, and I do recommend it since it was a great break from all the YA books Iâve been reading lately.
Graphic: Alcohol, Death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Sexual content, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Child death, Sexual violence, and Child abuse
Moderate: Blood, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, and Vomit
Minor: Addiction, Excrement, and Drug use
agnesbebon's review against another edition
2.5
I asked for something fast and spicy, and I got it. I love a morally grey MC/love interest and dual POV.
The hotel scene was hot, the book is fast paced and easy to read. The epilogue was cute, the spice was there (though I do wish there was more). The thirty or so pages (this could be the completely wrong number, Iâm bad at math) in the uncles house was the best part of the book and really had me. I wish it was more like that. Every once in a while there was a beautifully written sentence of passage, so I absolutely see the potential for the series to get better.
I did not like the use and frequency of flashbacks, and I found them poorly written. They felt thrusted into the middle of scenes and used as a way to just tell the reader whatâs going on. There was a a lot of summarizing of the plot and this book wouldâve benefited from more show less tell.
I wanted some more development before Alex and Ava got together. Really felt like it was missing the development before getting to the alumni gala, and I think more show less tell wouldâve helped with that. Same goes for when she just suddenly comes to terms with her nightmares being memories.
While I appreciated the fast pacing of the book, I will say the timeline was confusing to a point where it took away from the overall plot.
Also why did Alex sing at the end? I hated that.
While I did not love this book, I would say I generally enjoyed it and Iâm excited to read the rest of the series!
Graphic: Abandonment, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, Child death, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, Violence, Suicide, Body horror, Blood, and Physical abuse
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
thefatpaperback's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Child death, Death of parent, Death, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Infidelity, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Body horror, Torture, and Kidnapping
Minor: Rape