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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Felt like a rehash von book 3. it was alright but not overwhelming
Also, Anne was really grinding my gears in this one
Also, Anne was really grinding my gears in this one
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Murder
Minor: Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Trafficking
As always the Alex Verus books are easy to read, which is just what I needed right about now. I also really appreciate that the author repeat himself so much throughout the series because it's been a couple of years since I read the previous book, so I'd forgotten quite a few details about the characters. Overall quite enjoyable. Alex is the kind of kind-of-an-asshole character that I really like reading about.
3,5/5. Both Chosen and Hidden are improvements over the first three novels, charcters are gaining depth, and while the plot is still somewhat predictable, it's rather enjoyable nonetheless.
Hidden mainly takes place in one (creepy) location, and the plot is largely devoted to Anne. I must confess, I don't like Anne, she's like the girls in older thrillers who was all «Guns are bad and if you own one you should feel bad!» I always found such views sheltered, sanctimonious and plain stupid. Tp be pissed that your friend offed someone in self-defence isn't only stupid though, it's downright bitchy. So while I was interested in her backstory, I couldn't empathize with her at all.
Villains were written competently, but they were rather dry. Sagash in particular needed more development, maybe in Anne's memories, or flashbacks, but right now he's kinda thin as a character..
My main gripes with the series are the same — many characters are kinda flat, main plot twists are easily predictable, also the author still can't get women quite right. But the action, descriptive writing, and interesting magic balances out most of the negative points.
Hidden mainly takes place in one (creepy) location, and the plot is largely devoted to Anne. I must confess, I don't like Anne, she's like the girls in older thrillers who was all «Guns are bad and if you own one you should feel bad!» I always found such views sheltered, sanctimonious and plain stupid. Tp be pissed that your friend offed someone in self-defence isn't only stupid though, it's downright bitchy. So while I was interested in her backstory, I couldn't empathize with her at all.
Spoiler
Also, just a couple of duels to the death and that's it? After Chosen and all its rape, abuse and emotional trauma it just seems, well... Her reaction is probably realistic if we take our world, but for UF genre it's both rather wimpy and overdramatic.Villains were written competently, but they were rather dry. Sagash in particular needed more development, maybe in Anne's memories, or flashbacks, but right now he's kinda thin as a character.
Spoiler
Crystal, on the other hand, is as a paper-thin thin villain as she was in a third novel. Sociopathic frigid bitch, with a single v motivation — to live forever. Blessingly, she's a secondary villain, so she doesn't grates and has a functional roleMy main gripes with the series are the same — many characters are kinda flat, main plot twists are easily predictable, also the author still can't get women quite right. But the action, descriptive writing, and interesting magic balances out most of the negative points.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
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:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Not really sure about this one. I remember when I first read it thinking it was rather predictable and that didn't change on the re-read. Alex Versus can be a surprisingly whiny cringe fest which makes the enjoyability of the series go down every time he has an outburst.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
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