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akirokis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Moderate: Grief and Suicide
lillelow's review against another edition
- 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 they… very explicitly… everywhere. Yeah, I don’t get it.
As to Alan, he is constantly moody and depressed and not at all the mischievous, fun “sure let’s get into trouble” 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 he’s 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 character’s backstories, and they’re written to overcome them, but I simply didn’t enjoy listening to half a book about moody characters who only complains. And no, adding kinky hate fuck scenes that I really didn’t understand the point of didn’t 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 action… but in the end, I didn’t care much about ‘the Last contract’. 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 didn’t understand most of was going on, who people were and why things happened.
Final rant: I expected Hawthorne’s sister‘s death to have MUCH more relevance. Adding Mrs Doufey only felt like a way to dump exposition no one asked for. WHY didn’t Adelaide get her own point of view? The grand showdown was underwhelming and quite confusing. I didn’t understand what happened to the last contract 🤷🏼♀️
Graphic: Sexual content, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Violence, Grief, Classism, and Suicidal thoughts
Explicit, spicy, kinkybeepbeep101'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
frenchpants'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
3.75
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Murder, Suicide, and Death
Minor: Homophobia, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, and War
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
carolined314'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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Physical abuse, Torture, Grief, Death, Violence, Blood, Child death, and Colonisation
Minor: Suicide and Alcohol
carbs666's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Murder, Sexual content, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Suicide
cyberhavok'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
4.75
Graphic: Sexual content, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Blood, Grief, Violence, and Classism
Minor: Sexual assault, Rape, Infidelity, and Pregnancy
elizas'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
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 it’s 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 he’s up against Jack Cheetham, Lord Hawthorn. The power should be all Lord Hawthorn’s, but somehow Alan manages to win every showdown. If you like gay romantic fantasy with a good magic system and lots of spicy sex, you’ll love this book.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Classism, Death, Grief, and Blood
Minor: Sexual harassment