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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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
I read Nocticadia first and found this one to be disappointing in comparison.
This book suffered from slowness in the upfront build, but it did have a good payoff. My first critique is some of the reveals were obvious, despite their resolutions being quite satisfying.
Overall, I was surprised at how gruesome this one was and I'm not sure I'm content with the write-off on the MMCs involvement in some of the darker elements that were introduced. Not sure there was a better way forward without overpowering his character further, but at least the FMC's acceptance of his reasons for staying involved needed to be developed more.
I loved the gothic feel and the mystery that wound its way around their fated romance. If you can handle some loose ends remaining at the end, this is a great choice for someone craving a dark, romantic mystery/thriller.
This book suffered from slowness in the upfront build, but it did have a good payoff. My first critique is some of the reveals were obvious, despite their resolutions being quite satisfying.
Overall, I was surprised at how gruesome this one was and I'm not sure I'm content with the write-off on the MMCs involvement in some of the darker elements that were introduced. Not sure there was a better way forward without overpowering his character further, but at least the FMC's acceptance of his reasons for staying involved needed to be developed more.
I loved the gothic feel and the mystery that wound its way around their fated romance. If you can handle some loose ends remaining at the end, this is a great choice for someone craving a dark, romantic mystery/thriller.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Rape
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2.5/5
The potential in this book was huge, but there was so many wrong things, that just made me lower my rating. Two stars are for the plot, because I finished this book in two days. I only read it because I wanted to know all the secrets from Lucien and his family.
If you are looking for a romance book, you should look for something different. First genre when you look on goodreads says this is supposed to be a dark-fantasy-gothic-romance, and romance in this book is probably one of the reasons why my rating is so low. The relationship between Lucian and Isadora started with lust, but it's not even the worst thing anyway, because the worst thing is that Lucian was interested in Isadora mainly because she was young (he is 19, he is 33) and she was a "forbidden fruit". I love age gap romances but the romance in this book was just bad.
I had the feeling that in the first 50% this book was more about Lucien and Isadora is just the background In his story because there were so many chapters from his younger years. I know this chapters were important to the story, but some of them were really unnecessary.
Maybe this book just wasn't for me, it was my first book by this author and I really want to give her books one more chance, so I will probably read her other works in the near future.
The potential in this book was huge, but there was so many wrong things, that just made me lower my rating. Two stars are for the plot, because I finished this book in two days. I only read it because I wanted to know all the secrets from Lucien and his family.
If you are looking for a romance book, you should look for something different. First genre when you look on goodreads says this is supposed to be a dark-fantasy-gothic-romance, and romance in this book is probably one of the reasons why my rating is so low. The relationship between Lucian and Isadora started with lust, but it's not even the worst thing anyway, because the worst thing is that Lucian was interested in Isadora mainly because she was young (he is 19, he is 33) and she was a "forbidden fruit". I love age gap romances but the romance in this book was just bad.
I had the feeling that in the first 50% this book was more about Lucien and Isadora is just the background In his story because there were so many chapters from his younger years. I know this chapters were important to the story, but some of them were really unnecessary.
Maybe this book just wasn't for me, it was my first book by this author and I really want to give her books one more chance, so I will probably read her other works in the near future.
Please please read triggers before reading this book.
It is a very dark romance.
Gave Crimson Peak, and Woman in Black vibes. Loved it.
Unpopular opinion probably but I would have loved a pregnancy haha.
I will definitely be checking out this authors other books.
It is a very dark romance.
Gave Crimson Peak, and Woman in Black vibes. Loved it.
Unpopular opinion probably but I would have loved a pregnancy haha.
I will definitely be checking out this authors other books.
The only thing keeping this from 5 stars for me is the relationship development. It wasn't exactly insta-love but it seemed to go from one extreme to another VERY quickly, which seemed oddly contrary to both characters.
I really enjoyed the characters and the setting. Lucian Blackthorne in particular, had an interesting backstory along with his infamous status in town. Isa, while we didn't get the detailed chapters of backstory like Lucian, we learned about her troubled past throughout the book.
Of course, Blackthorne Manor had its own charm as well. The setting was well described throughout the book.
The plot twists at the end...I found most predictable but as I read a lot of thrillers, plot twists are often easy for me to guess. Still, I enjoyed the book and guessing didn't take away from that.
I really enjoyed the characters and the setting. Lucian Blackthorne in particular, had an interesting backstory along with his infamous status in town. Isa, while we didn't get the detailed chapters of backstory like Lucian, we learned about her troubled past throughout the book.
Of course, Blackthorne Manor had its own charm as well. The setting was well described throughout the book.
The plot twists at the end...I found most predictable but as I read a lot of thrillers, plot twists are often easy for me to guess. Still, I enjoyed the book and guessing didn't take away from that.