Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.24 AVERAGE
3.24 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really said, “hold my purse, I’m reading all the bodice ripper romances.”
Unfortunately, I wanted less out of this? It felt like the wildest soap opera. There was so much going on and it was a lot to follow, imo.
Unfortunately, I wanted less out of this? It felt like the wildest soap opera. There was so much going on and it was a lot to follow, imo.
It was fun up till a point; every other page was a new problem similar to the last and it just got tiring. Definitely a rollercoaster, my favorite part was the "hero" got one of his balls cut off. Still makes laugh; he deserved it. If only they chopped it all off.
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The story's like soap opera full of shocking twists and turns.
OK, i'm a sick fuck. No, really. I'm being very honest here. The stuff i sometimes read and like can make hardcore people wince and run for the hills. The people who know me are well aware that i have a soft spot for bodice rippers and when i say bodice rippers, i do mean serious bodice rippers. Sure, i do get about 5 seconds of regret every time for loving these books so much, but that's about it before i go back to being a sadistic, book loving freak. Stormfire can be considered the King of this genre as far as i'm concerned (I'll add [b: The Silver Devil|425516|The Silver Devil|Teresa Denys|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1290290139s/425516.jpg|414576] as a close second). It's dark, it's cruel, it's twisted and it makes you wail and maybe throw a few things at the wall, but you sorta end up loving it.
At some point in the book, i was sure as hell that it will not end well for neither of them, with all the love-hate relationship going on and all that abuse just pilling up into a skyscraper
I mean, i could be mean and tell you how it ends, if the uncertainty is eating at you so much,, but let's just be serious here, it would be useless without reading at least twice the entire book and agonising over it before finding out what the epilogue has in store.
Considering how much i love reading books with very dubious consent, it's a wonder churched don't collapse every time i walk past them. Now, if only i could find this book in paperback so i can buy it and add it to my beloved collection...
At some point in the book, i was sure as hell that it will not end well for neither of them, with all the love-hate relationship going on and all that abuse just pilling up into a skyscraper
Spoiler
i mean, the hero does rape the chick, but hey, it's a bodice ripper, what do you honestly expect?Spoiler
but i was proven wrong, so there is a silver lining at the end to sooth your frustrations and, no doubt, demands some HEAI mean, i could be mean and tell you how it ends, if the uncertainty is eating at you so much,
Spoiler
they have a kid together and after more than some very serious 7 years after he first saw her (and by saw her i mean captured/kidnaped her) they finally get married and return with the kiddo to IrelandConsidering how much i love reading books with very dubious consent, it's a wonder churched don't collapse every time i walk past them. Now, if only i could find this book in paperback so i can buy it and add it to my beloved collection...
Actually, up to the middle of the book, I was ready to give it 5 stars. I had so conflicted feelings about it, about Sean's behavior and Catherine's feelings despite of it. However, it all was written in such a splendid manner, that I enjoyed every bit of it. I lived all that hell together with both of them, aching for both of them. I loved that both characters were so believable. I loved also the historical background.I simply loved the writing style of Christine Monson.
And then it all went for worse and worse. There were way too many events and plot-twists for my taste, and the closer it got to the end of the book, the more hasty it all appeared, until I could not wait for the book to end. It was just quickly telling what's happening, not letting me live through it with the heroes but simply stand by and watch.
All in all, I'm quite happy for the chance to have read a story so unique and powerful (at least half of it). It just could have ended differently, without gazillion things happening in between.
And then it all went for worse and worse. There were way too many events and plot-twists for my taste, and the closer it got to the end of the book, the more hasty it all appeared, until I could not wait for the book to end. It was just quickly telling what's happening, not letting me live through it with the heroes but simply stand by and watch.
All in all, I'm quite happy for the chance to have read a story so unique and powerful (at least half of it). It just could have ended differently, without gazillion things happening in between.
It was a five star read that I couldn't put down for the first 2/3 rds of the book. It went downhill in the end though and the plot got ridiculous. The heroine was wanted by every single man including Napoleon, dukes, princes etc. etc. etc. Every man in Ireland, France and England wanted a turn. Injuries, shootings, poisoning etc. that would have for sure killed someone during these times happened multiple times to the two main characters. The political intrigue and all the ridiculous drama(which you expect in a romance novel but this was over the top) and vying of these historical figures ruined the end of the book for me. I struggled to finish it.
What a bonkers book. There’s so many turns that I just did not see coming. This an old style romance but darker than I remember reading when I first started romance novels.
Call me crazy but I loved this one.
Yes, it's dark. There's rape and Stockholm Syndrome and torture and castration involved.
BUT...
There is also an amazing story told here, full of excitement and intrigue, in addition to a seemingly impossible love story between star-crossed lovers. As I read, I found myself completely enraptured by the drama of the story, which was quite substantial. It absolutely played with my emotions: At first came outrage. Then came the roller coaster. I experienced anger, dismay, horror, and disgust, as well as heartbreak, fear, and disbelief.
This story is complex (to say the least) and probably not everyone's cup of tea, but despite said complexity, within its pages is perhaps the fiercest love story I've ever read. In fact, I was completely swept away by it. Mind you, it's a love story chock-full of pain - physical, emotional, and psychological. I found myself in tears as I read, several times. But - for me - it was all well worth it. In fact, as a reader, there's nothing better than a book that can drag you through the darkest pits of emotional hell, only to bring you to the precipice of joy, where you willingly let yourself fall, peril be damned.
So, this (often) stingy-with-the-five-stars reviewer happily gives Stormfire the elusive 5-star rating, without question.
Yes, it's dark. There's rape and Stockholm Syndrome and torture and castration involved.
BUT...
There is also an amazing story told here, full of excitement and intrigue, in addition to a seemingly impossible love story between star-crossed lovers. As I read, I found myself completely enraptured by the drama of the story, which was quite substantial. It absolutely played with my emotions: At first came outrage. Then came the roller coaster. I experienced anger, dismay, horror, and disgust, as well as heartbreak, fear, and disbelief.
This story is complex (to say the least) and probably not everyone's cup of tea, but despite said complexity, within its pages is perhaps the fiercest love story I've ever read. In fact, I was completely swept away by it. Mind you, it's a love story chock-full of pain - physical, emotional, and psychological. I found myself in tears as I read, several times. But - for me - it was all well worth it. In fact, as a reader, there's nothing better than a book that can drag you through the darkest pits of emotional hell, only to bring you to the precipice of joy, where you willingly let yourself fall, peril be damned.
So, this (often) stingy-with-the-five-stars reviewer happily gives Stormfire the elusive 5-star rating, without question.
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes