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mirandap442's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Death, Excrement, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Murder, Sexual content, Addiction, Alcohol, Blood, Child death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
Moderate: Drug use and Cursing
Minor: Stalking
abby_shupe's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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
3.75
I like how reading both POV’s, the reader gets the ability to piece some things together that with only Ava’s, they wouldn’t have. Like how Ava concedes that Alex doesn’t show emotion: jealousy, disgust, fear, happiness. But we see the emotions play out when Ava is oblivious, since she’s the subject of said emotions. Or when Alex tells her, “If I wanted you, I would’ve taken you already”, Ava thinks he’s turning her down, but we know Alex already declared that Ava is his - from the moment she walked into the ballroom.
I personally don’t 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, “you’re about to find out what happens when you invite yourself into the lion’s den”. And “with her doe eyes and innocent features, she resembled a sacrificial virgin awaiting defilement. My cock throbbed harder”, … yeah.
I also didn’t 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 you’ll 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 Ava’s 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 Asher’s work, I would say the two authors wrote similar dynamics, but Huang writes heavier smut with darker and dramatic plot lines, though I prefer Asher’s writing style.
Alex and Ava are like a couple you see in an amusement park line, full of PDA. I wasn’t necessarily rooting for the two, but they’re 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 I’ve been reading lately.
I personally don’t 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, “you’re about to find out what happens when you invite yourself into the lion’s den”. And “with her doe eyes and innocent features, she resembled a sacrificial virgin awaiting defilement. My cock throbbed harder”, … yeah.
I also didn’t 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 you’ll 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 Ava’s 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 Asher’s work, I would say the two authors wrote similar dynamics, but Huang writes heavier smut with darker and dramatic plot lines, though I prefer Asher’s writing style.
Alex and Ava are like a couple you see in an amusement park line, full of PDA. I wasn’t necessarily rooting for the two, but they’re 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 I’ve been reading lately.
Content Warnings
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
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