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angelofthetardis's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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
3.5
Diamonds are a girl's best friend... unless your Dad is the owner of the biggest diamond business on the planet and is planning to marry you off to a random rich tycoon just so that he doesn't have to worry about his business being run by a girl after he's gone. So when his dark, mysterious, slightly terrifying and incredibly handsome right-hand man discovers that you might have already given your heart away, he also spies an opportunity to grab hold of everything he's ever desired...
Once again, the author spins a well known fairy tale into something modern, dark and sexy, employing tropes that, by now, are becoming the hallmarks of her work; a big city, a character in a position of power in a business with a shady side, willing to murder to keep their place in the world and a female lead with Daddy issues. It's strange how these stories have very quickly become 'comfortable'; a familiar pattern and guaranteed resolution that makes them easy to read and end enjoy, even though the subject matter is often far from cozy. It's not really necessary to engage your brain too much while reading these stories; just chill and enjoy the ride!
This instalment did feel like it had a slightly different tone to it; there were a couple more sub-plots than usual, which gave the story a little more depth than the last. However, they weren't necessarily woven into the main narrative as well as they could have been; in a couple of places there may as well have been big neon arrows pointing to a phrase or action screaming 'important plot point here!' It's by no means bad writing, and it is definitely better than the last one, but it just feels a little 'safe', like the author has found her niche and is resolutely sticking with it rather than taking a risk and trying to stick with the theme but take a different approach.
However, there were a couple of brief shining moments where I did get hooked into thinking she might go a different way. Part of me was expecting that this villain's happily ever after would be being king of his castle after dispatching all those in his way, which certainly would have been a twist! But while I can't say there are any out and out surprises, there are a few nice little moments that might not be quite what you were expecting.
I didn't really warm to the character in the same way as the earlier books; both the leads feel like they have been a little forced into their roles to fit the narrative. For example, Julian didn't need his 'sideline' - he could have been just as sly, manipulative and villainous as a legitimate businessman. Except, although not central to the story, the glimpses at Julian's childhood give him a vulnerability that explain his personality somewhat and allow the reader to sympathise a little when he does turn to the darker aspects of his role. It's not enough to justify his actions (and therefore the author's choices in this regard), but it's that chink of light that good girls look for in bad boys!
Conversely, while I get Yasmin loves her father and would do anything to make him happy, her complete surrender to his will made me want to grab her by the shoulders and shake some sense into her right from the word go. There's nothing in her personality that redeems her as a character for me.
The extended epilogue to this one is also very one-dimensional; there really is nothing to it save for an excuse for one more round of sexy-times.
Overall, I had hoped for better, but am confident that this is an improvement on 'Wretched'.
Once again, the author spins a well known fairy tale into something modern, dark and sexy, employing tropes that, by now, are becoming the hallmarks of her work; a big city, a character in a position of power in a business with a shady side, willing to murder to keep their place in the world and a female lead with Daddy issues. It's strange how these stories have very quickly become 'comfortable'; a familiar pattern and guaranteed resolution that makes them easy to read and end enjoy, even though the subject matter is often far from cozy. It's not really necessary to engage your brain too much while reading these stories; just chill and enjoy the ride!
This instalment did feel like it had a slightly different tone to it; there were a couple more sub-plots than usual, which gave the story a little more depth than the last. However, they weren't necessarily woven into the main narrative as well as they could have been; in a couple of places there may as well have been big neon arrows pointing to a phrase or action screaming 'important plot point here!' It's by no means bad writing, and it is definitely better than the last one, but it just feels a little 'safe', like the author has found her niche and is resolutely sticking with it rather than taking a risk and trying to stick with the theme but take a different approach.
However, there were a couple of brief shining moments where I did get hooked into thinking she might go a different way. Part of me was expecting that this villain's happily ever after would be being king of his castle after dispatching all those in his way, which certainly would have been a twist! But while I can't say there are any out and out surprises, there are a few nice little moments that might not be quite what you were expecting.
I didn't really warm to the character in the same way as the earlier books; both the leads feel like they have been a little forced into their roles to fit the narrative. For example, Julian didn't need his 'sideline' - he could have been just as sly, manipulative and villainous as a legitimate businessman. Except, although not central to the story, the glimpses at Julian's childhood give him a vulnerability that explain his personality somewhat and allow the reader to sympathise a little when he does turn to the darker aspects of his role. It's not enough to justify his actions (and therefore the author's choices in this regard), but it's that chink of light that good girls look for in bad boys!
Conversely, while I get Yasmin loves her father and would do anything to make him happy, her complete surrender to his will made me want to grab her by the shoulders and shake some sense into her right from the word go. There's nothing in her personality that redeems her as a character for me.
The extended epilogue to this one is also very one-dimensional; there really is nothing to it save for an excuse for one more round of sexy-times.
Overall, I had hoped for better, but am confident that this is an improvement on 'Wretched'.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Torture, Sexual content, Murder, Violence, and Misogyny
Moderate: Alcohol, Toxic relationship, and Cancer
vault_assassin_01's review against another edition
dark
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
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, and Gun violence
Moderate: Death of parent and Death
jacintajeffriesss's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Blood, Cancer, Torture, Death, Cursing, Death of parent, Gun violence, Terminal illness, Child abuse, and Violence
lollyac01's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Sexual content, Child abuse, Gore, Terminal illness, and Murder
Moderate: Gun violence and Kidnapping
evaadamiak's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer and Child abuse
kiwij96's review against another edition
dark
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? Yes
4.0
Having heard about the Never After series for a while, I thought I'd give it a try and honestly I think I'm in love. Aladdin is one of my favourites so I loved the obvious references to it throughout the book. The plot itself was great, and you can see the characters developing chapter after chapter. Maybe I should have been prepared for the plot twist that came right at the end there, but I was not, and it actually surprised me. However, I would happily go the rest of my life without hearing or reading the words "my wife" again bc this book used that phrase so much it lost all meaning. Definitely check the trigger warnings on the website though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Terminal illness, Blood, Child abuse, Cursing, Murder, Violence, Cancer, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
what_karla_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Cancer, and Death
kerrythefire's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Good stuff. Emily McIntire consistently delivers. And I love me a good enemies to lovers!
The tone of this book was different from the previous three in the Never After series in that it wasn't quite as explicit in its brutality. (Ignoring the implicit brutality of the diamond trade in reality, of course.) Light torture and really only one moment of gore. Without it and the murder, it honestly could have been a "regular" (read 'not dark') romance.
Julian's anti-hero also felt a little different from the others. A little less unhinged. (Even though he did go around killing people, so there's that.) Hard to explain, but I think it's that this book really drew the strong connections between the things that happened in his past and why he is the way he is... So his character and character development felt believable. The peeks into his emotions and vulnerability with Yasmin (and Ali some) also added more dimensions to him. He felt human. And the "are you mine?" bit... Oof 🥴
Yasmin had the makings of the type of heroine I don't like - damsel in distress, helpless, an emotional doormat who lets people walk over her - and I was kind of frustrated with her loyalty to her father at the beginning. In real life I also get frustrated with people pleasers, but I totally get that her behavior is a real thing so her character was believable. But I ended up liking her ok because she wasn't actually meek, she did have some comand and fire in her, and I liked that it added to the story that is was Julian who really brought that out in her. I like when the MCs have that push and pull and fierce tension with each other (which is probably why Scarred is my other favorite hero/heroine pairing in the series).
Small thing, but I also really liked the resolution between Julian and his mother.Too often these kinds of toxic and abusive relationships with parents are just closed up nice and tidy in books, with the child finding forgiveness and the relationship being miraculously saved or on the mend by the end of the book. Not only does that not always happen in real life, but it's also not the default desired outcome I think should be pushed. In real life and books I am fully team cut toxic, abusive people out of your life. Blood be damned. History be damned. We don't owe our abusers shit, regardless of who they are. It was super gratifying that part of Julian's growth was to set that boundary and release himself from his mom and his guilt tied up in it.
And as always, love the little sprinkling in of nods to the original fairy tale.
The tone of this book was different from the previous three in the Never After series in that it wasn't quite as explicit in its brutality. (Ignoring the implicit brutality of the diamond trade in reality, of course.) Light torture and really only one moment of gore. Without it and the murder, it honestly could have been a "regular" (read 'not dark') romance.
Julian's anti-hero also felt a little different from the others. A little less unhinged. (Even though he did go around killing people, so there's that.) Hard to explain, but I think it's that this book really drew the strong connections between the things that happened in his past and why he is the way he is... So his character and character development felt believable. The peeks into his emotions and vulnerability with Yasmin (and Ali some) also added more dimensions to him. He felt human. And the "are you mine?" bit... Oof 🥴
Yasmin had the makings of the type of heroine I don't like - damsel in distress, helpless, an emotional doormat who lets people walk over her - and I was kind of frustrated with her loyalty to her father at the beginning. In real life I also get frustrated with people pleasers, but I totally get that her behavior is a real thing so her character was believable. But I ended up liking her ok because she wasn't actually meek, she did have some comand and fire in her, and I liked that it added to the story that is was Julian who really brought that out in her. I like when the MCs have that push and pull and fierce tension with each other (which is probably why Scarred is my other favorite hero/heroine pairing in the series).
Small thing, but I also really liked the resolution between Julian and his mother.
And as always, love the little sprinkling in of nods to the original fairy tale.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Sexual content, and Child abuse
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Terminal illness, and Torture
Minor: Death of parent
emiliamaria76's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Kidnapping, Terminal illness, Toxic friendship, Violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Cultural appropriation, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gore, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Grief, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
sawdustie's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Murder, and Violence