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ridesthesun's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Freya Marske, miracle worker. This woman actually made me fall in love with Jack's character, something i swore was impossible. I really loved Jack and Alan's povs, and I would fight to the death for both of them fr.
I.... never really got invested in their relationship at all. Like, I love them individually, I love them in the larger group, I enjoyed their banter, and the sex was hot.... but I just didn't care about them as a couple. I was hoping that would change but it never did. Ah well, I don't think it's a problem with the writing, it's just not a dynamic for me.
BUT the group dynamic was SO good. I love how balanced it felt, and how natural the back-and-forth was. The people who gelled, the ones who bumped heads. It all felt so real and GOOD. beloved shenanigan havers.
I think the difference for me in the books and couples in this series, is that while books 2 and 3 were far more plot heavy, with murder mysteries and heists and the downfall of magic as we know it etc, and the romantic relationships came along in the gaps between, almost the whole plot of book 1 WAS the relationship. It was world building in such an intimate, casual way, that left so much room for Edwin and Robin as characters and as a couple. Also I think their dynamic was just one more suited to me anyways. BUT. Series as a whole is so beloved. The plots of each are so fun, and stand well individually and as a whole. Fantasy can sometimes feel so overwhelming, but this had the worldbuilding and magic system woven in so naturally, I never really felt lost or overwhelmed. A++++++ all around ššš
(i also wonder if this would have felt different if i read instead of listened. the narration was not as good as the other two; i struggled to differentiate who was speaking when, and whether a person was speaking out loud or just in their narrative pov. led to some confusing moments, which maybe took part of the enjoyment away for me? idk)
Graphic: Sexual content, Gaslighting, and Classism
lillelow's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
3.25
It is not the sweet sweep-me-of-my-feet kind of romance turned fiery passion, but rather some weird angry hate-fuck setup that has its only, very shallow, foundation in that Hawthorn is filthy rich and Alan is poor. This, to Alan, seems to be the most awful thing a person can be, so for most of the book he complains about how horrible everyone is and how he hates them. Especially Hawthorne. And still theyā¦ very explicitlyā¦ everywhere. Yeah, I donāt get it.
As to Alan, he is constantly moody and depressed and not at all the mischievous, fun āsure letās get into troubleā pickpocket from the second novel. The same change goes for Hawthorne. I was beginning to like him in the second novel, seeing him warming up to the others and somewhat reluctantly joining the crew. Yet in this one heās just grumpy again, and not in the somewhat shy and caring way. I get that these are character traits that are well founded in both characterās backstories, and theyāre written to overcome them, but I simply didnāt enjoy listening to half a book about moody characters who only complains. And no, adding kinky hate fuck scenes that I really didnāt understand the point of didnāt help.
I felt there was a shift about halfway through the book though, where things started to gain pace. We did get some heist action and some grand magical gala actionā¦ but in the end, I didnāt care much about āthe Last contractā. Which I guess is the actual plot of the series (adding so much focus on relationships makes one loose track of the overall goal). I did expect answers in this one, but sadly realised I still didnāt understand most of was going on, who people were and why things happened.
Final rant: I expected Hawthorneās sisterās death to have MUCH more relevance. Adding Mrs Doufey only felt like a way to dump exposition no one asked for. WHY didnāt Adelaide get her own point of view? The grand showdown was underwhelming and quite confusing. I didnāt understand what happened to the last contract š¤·š¼āāļø
Graphic: Sexual content, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Violence, Grief, Classism, and Suicidal thoughts
Explicit, spicy, kinkyreinynights's review against another edition
Graphic: Violence, Child death, and Sexual content
Moderate: Murder, Classism, Grief, Bullying, and Death of parent
beepbeep101'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
4.5
Graphic: Death, Blood, Classism, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Torture, and Violence
toopunkrockforshul'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
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Cursing, Classism, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content
Moderate: Rape, War, Alcohol, and Suicide
Minor: Vomit, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Infidelity
abnormal_shadow's review against another edition
- 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
I started this book series like I start all the books i read: Bliond. I didnt know what i was getting into and i am happy to say that I had a wonderful experience with this book. The characters are all distinct and identifiable, all we it different interesting and complementing personalities. The twists that made me gasp the biggest gasps and the the loudest "omg nooooooooooo". Everyone seems to have this mutual queer understanding ang it thinks their entire friend group is astonishing. If I don't get to be the Addie in room with Violet, Maudie, Robion, Edwin, Alan and Jack, will I don't want the fucking group.
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Misogyny, Blood, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, and Classism
Moderate: War, Racism, Gore, Religious bigotry, Child death, and Torture
Minor: Alcohol, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gun violence, and Toxic relationship
raptorq'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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Violence and Suicide
cyberhavok's review
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Sexual content, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Blood, Grief, Violence, and Classism
Minor: Sexual assault, Rape, Infidelity, and Pregnancy
elizas's review
- 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
I have to admit that the obnoxious Lord Hawthorn grabbed my interest in the first book in the series, and midway through the second book it became pretty clear that he would be the hero of this third book. But itās the son of lower-class Italian immigrants who steals the show. Alanzo Cesare Rossi (making his way in the hidebound London world as Alan Ross) can never resist waving a red flag at a charging bull, especially when heās up against Jack Cheetham, Lord Hawthorn. The power should be all Lord Hawthornās, but somehow Alan manages to win every showdown. If you like gay romantic fantasy with a good magic system and lots of spicy sex, youāll love this book.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Classism, Death, Grief, and Blood
Minor: Sexual harassment
imds's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Gun violence, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Blood, Murder, Violence, Death, Kidnapping, Classism, Confinement, Police brutality, Racism, and Grief
Minor: Pregnancy and Rape