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3.25 AVERAGE
3.25 AVERAGE
Up until the last like 100 pages this book is truly Adrian and Isolde fight and fuck matches. I’m gonna lock them in a padded room and make them talk it out like adults. But I loved it.
-spoilers-
(Notes for myself for future reference lol)
Isolde: (previously yesenia) gotta bitten by an aufhocker and turned into this spirit-hybrid-wolf thing, also gotten turned into a vampire, also has figured out some magic elements since the first book. We learn that when she was Yesenia, she was with child before death. She never told Adrian.
Adrian: is Dis’ incarnate, dis can control him which causes him to do insane things like attack Isolde, dis’ possession is causing headaches and other side effects and everyone is concerned he will be lost to Dis. Isolde learns that Adrian is hoping that with her power, and her centuries old spell book “the book of dis” that she can somehow free Adrian of Dis.
Solaris: new character, claims to also be of Dis, has a magical hand, witch Hunter, but divulges to Isolde he only hunts for witches to free him of Dis’ grasp. He resurrected a mortal who died from the blood mist, the human came back as a monster and killed his entire family, because of this, Isolde and Adrian took his non magical hand
Sorin: bitter with his partner Daroc for turning him into a vampire against his will. Is a tracker and a falcon shifter. Was picked to train Isolde on shifting into her Aufhocker form. Ends up being a traitor. When werewolves attacked, he fought them off but then impaled Isolde on his sword, stating that she must end Adrian or the world all end. (This forced Adrian’s hand at turning Isolde into a vampire) sorin ran after that.
Ana: Adrian’s cousin, meant to guard Yesenia’s spell books, divulged to Isolde the secret spell book room in the red castle. At the end, we realize that Ravena is actually Ana. Ana is wanting Isolde to seek revenge on men for what the did to her in her first life.
-spoilers-
(Notes for myself for future reference lol)
Isolde: (previously yesenia) gotta bitten by an aufhocker and turned into this spirit-hybrid-wolf thing, also gotten turned into a vampire, also has figured out some magic elements since the first book. We learn that when she was Yesenia, she was with child before death. She never told Adrian.
Adrian: is Dis’ incarnate, dis can control him which causes him to do insane things like attack Isolde, dis’ possession is causing headaches and other side effects and everyone is concerned he will be lost to Dis. Isolde learns that Adrian is hoping that with her power, and her centuries old spell book “the book of dis” that she can somehow free Adrian of Dis.
Solaris: new character, claims to also be of Dis, has a magical hand, witch Hunter, but divulges to Isolde he only hunts for witches to free him of Dis’ grasp. He resurrected a mortal who died from the blood mist, the human came back as a monster and killed his entire family, because of this, Isolde and Adrian took his non magical hand
Sorin: bitter with his partner Daroc for turning him into a vampire against his will. Is a tracker and a falcon shifter. Was picked to train Isolde on shifting into her Aufhocker form. Ends up being a traitor. When werewolves attacked, he fought them off but then impaled Isolde on his sword, stating that she must end Adrian or the world all end. (This forced Adrian’s hand at turning Isolde into a vampire) sorin ran after that.
Ana: Adrian’s cousin, meant to guard Yesenia’s spell books, divulged to Isolde the secret spell book room in the red castle. At the end, we realize that Ravena is actually Ana. Ana is wanting Isolde to seek revenge on men for what the did to her in her first life.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed this book but damn did Isodel - the FMC piss me off. She was "woes me" "I am the victim" literally the entire time up until she went go get the army. She would throw low blows and get mad when people lashed back out at her. She irritated me! The story had a typical fantasy arc and ended on a cliffhanger 🤦🏾♀️. I think the story was good and the stakes were high. The lore and background were introduced at a good pace. I did not read book 1 - I didn't know this was a series.
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I feel like I'm being generous for me with the rating, but I am afraid that it is not objective. I was so disappointed in this novel. The whole thing is essentially Isolde making demands. When she can't have her way exactly, she throws a fit and fights with Adrian. After that, they bang it out. Over. And
Over. It is a shame because I really loved the first one.
Over. It is a shame because I really loved the first one.
3.25 ⭐
While the first installment of Adrian and Isolde set a high bar, the second book unfortunately fell short in comparison. The story leaned heavily on smut—an overwhelming amount of it. Normally, this wouldn’t be an issue, but here it seemed to serve as the solution to every argument between the characters. This repetitive dynamic detracted from the depth and complexity that made the first book so engaging.
That said, the ending does leave me curious about how the storyline with Dis will unfold. If there’s a third book, I hope it returns to the slower pace and thoughtful buildup of Book 1. A narrative where puzzle pieces gradually fall into place would be far more satisfying than the current pattern of three sex scenes and five arguments per chapter.
While the first installment of Adrian and Isolde set a high bar, the second book unfortunately fell short in comparison. The story leaned heavily on smut—an overwhelming amount of it. Normally, this wouldn’t be an issue, but here it seemed to serve as the solution to every argument between the characters. This repetitive dynamic detracted from the depth and complexity that made the first book so engaging.
That said, the ending does leave me curious about how the storyline with Dis will unfold. If there’s a third book, I hope it returns to the slower pace and thoughtful buildup of Book 1. A narrative where puzzle pieces gradually fall into place would be far more satisfying than the current pattern of three sex scenes and five arguments per chapter.
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was overall a downer. I felt a lot of the same issues were rehashed by Isolde and Adrian while new ones piled up. We still have the majority of Isolde's first-person POV with some Adrian chapters.
Still plenty of spice though each of them wields it like a weapon at some point. The honeymoon period is fully over for these two.
The magic in this world is still unclear, I forgot a lot of names (especially enemies), but there are two big betrayals. That contributed a lot to the downer feel of the book.
Yes, Isolde makes a few interesting decisions, but overall not a lot seems to happen. Or at least it didn't hold my attention much beyond the close of the book. I don't have an emotional attachment to this world and these characters.
Still plenty of spice though each of them wields it like a weapon at some point. The honeymoon period is fully over for these two.
The magic in this world is still unclear, I forgot a lot of names (especially enemies), but there are two big betrayals. That contributed a lot to the downer feel of the book.
Yes, Isolde makes a few interesting decisions, but overall not a lot seems to happen. Or at least it didn't hold my attention much beyond the close of the book. I don't have an emotional attachment to this world and these characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Blood
Minor: Sexual assault
I enjoyed the first book but it’s hard to focus and stay interested in this one.
I feel like all they do is fight and fuck.
I feel like all they do is fight and fuck.