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3.43 AVERAGE
3.43 AVERAGE
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Incest, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Forced institutionalization
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I love this book! I love ember and the boys. Fantastic story. It's dark, sexy, and still a bit sweet.
this book has an interesting enough plot, and i would like to see the whole deal with Odette and why she’s such a monster.
however, the lackluster sex scenes and inexplicable character choices make it difficult to actually stick with anyone in this.
everyone in this book is in love after like 6 hours together.
and, most annoyingly, we get a warning in the form of an author’s note in the beginning defending Ember as not being the author’s “typical FMC.” i think she’s trying to say ember isn’t as “badass” as they usually are, but i usually hate books with “badass FMCs,” because that usually just means that they’re narcissistic and mean and refuse to take others into consideration when making choices.
so i was actually kind of excited to see a more realistic character. however, for this author, it seems like there are two types of women: “badasses” and crybabies.
i swear to god, you don’t get through more than 10 pages where she’s not either crying or fucking.
this could’ve been fun with a stronger beginning, a longer timeline, and clearer motivation for the characters, but without those things, the reader just isn’t sure why anything is happening the way it is.
however, the lackluster sex scenes and inexplicable character choices make it difficult to actually stick with anyone in this.
everyone in this book is in love after like 6 hours together.
and, most annoyingly, we get a warning in the form of an author’s note in the beginning defending Ember as not being the author’s “typical FMC.” i think she’s trying to say ember isn’t as “badass” as they usually are, but i usually hate books with “badass FMCs,” because that usually just means that they’re narcissistic and mean and refuse to take others into consideration when making choices.
so i was actually kind of excited to see a more realistic character. however, for this author, it seems like there are two types of women: “badasses” and crybabies.
i swear to god, you don’t get through more than 10 pages where she’s not either crying or fucking.
this could’ve been fun with a stronger beginning, a longer timeline, and clearer motivation for the characters, but without those things, the reader just isn’t sure why anything is happening the way it is.
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Check TWs/CWs before reading.
Actual rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice level:
Check TWs/CWs before reading.
Actual rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice level:
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Cinderella can be tough for a retelling as it is so well known but there is enough of Rosa Lee's unique dark story telling in this that it still managed to shock me when certain things happen. Ember, the FMC, is so much more than the stereotype Cinderella is usually reduced to; from the fact her dad calls her "Little Spark" (which I just loved) to her showing that being vulnerable doesn't make you weak as she overcomes several personal battles and trauma throughout the story. Odette is also a fantastic take on the classic wicked stepmother; getting to see her POV's was a highlight when her true nature comes out.
Prince, Oct, Kit and Cas (the names were great nods) each have their own baggage when they come into Ember's life as a package deal with her stepmother. Prince in particular just broke my heart. This has dark themes and some very dark moments (although most of it is off page) but there are moments of humour like the scene in the gallery with the little girl as well as some sweetness as the guys realise just how much Ember means to them with a lot of spice in between. We also get some major teases to future stories in this universe - I am so ready for The Fallen's story!
My interpretation of the star system;
3 stars - I enjoyed it; would read the author again
4 stars - I really liked it; I am invested and definitely want more from this author/series
5 stars - I loved it; I engaged with this book completely and I have added all the authors works to my TBR
Prince, Oct, Kit and Cas (the names were great nods) each have their own baggage when they come into Ember's life as a package deal with her stepmother. Prince in particular just broke my heart. This has dark themes and some very dark moments (although most of it is off page) but there are moments of humour like the scene in the gallery with the little girl as well as some sweetness as the guys realise just how much Ember means to them with a lot of spice in between. We also get some major teases to future stories in this universe - I am so ready for The Fallen's story!
My interpretation of the star system;
3 stars - I enjoyed it; would read the author again
4 stars - I really liked it; I am invested and definitely want more from this author/series
5 stars - I loved it; I engaged with this book completely and I have added all the authors works to my TBR
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Sad, Sweet, and Dark. Tarnished Embers is a stand alone spicy Cinderella retelling. I really appreciated that Lee took inspiration from the Story of Cinderella but didn’t feel the need to keep every plot point from the original story. This was nice because there were still moments in the story that were new and surprising. Lee also explores what it’s like to heal from trauma, from finding others that can relate to your experience to forgiving those who have harmed you.