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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence
I didn't know that this was going to be a duology or series, I'm not sure exactly what it'll be but it makes the ending make more sense. I was really intrigued with this story because I absolutely loved and devoured Give Me More by Sara Cate, and I felt that the tropes were similar which made me think that I would enjoy it. I ended up enjoying it but there were moments that left me with more questions or just being lost I guess, I'm not exactly sure how to describe it. My emotions were mostly to the fact that I thought this was a standalone so I felt like the ending was being a bit rushed but in actuality, it left me gasping with shock since I'm not sure what's going to happen next.
The first 50-70% truly centers around Mark and Tristan which I enjoyed so much! I truly think the forming of their relationship was well done and has you rooting that they're able to have their happily ever after but with the synopsis letting you know that there's Isolde in the mix, it left me wondering how this would all fit. I felt like building Tristan and Mark's relationship was super important for both Tristan and the story. I do wish that we were able to see more cute moments between them which were sparse but it makes sense since Mark is the definition of a morally dark character. We know exactly how Tristan thinks and feels which helps you understand what's to come but Isolde was just a mystery until the end.
Adding Isolde in the last 10-15% did feel a bit rushed for me because it didn't make it feel totally plausible that Tristan could fall in love with her that quickly. I think if we were given a bit more adorable and growing scenes of them being together would make me believe it more. It would've been more believable if it ended with Tristan realizing that his curse of being totally obsessed with people was happening with Isolde, that would've left the ending more shocking as well.
The ending was truly interesting, I'm not saying that me being shocked was because there was a big event that happened but more to the fact that I'm not sure what will happen to Tristan in the next book. This secret that Isolde and Tristan were supposed to have might not be able to be that secret so it leaves me wondering what their relationship would be like and the same with Tristan with Mark.
Overall, this is definitely a book that I would recommend. Especially, if you enjoy books by Sara Cate since it gives you similar vibes. Something that I haven't mentioned but I absolutely devoured was naming the characters, Isolde, Tristan, and Mark. If you don't know there's a story named Isolde, an Irish princess, and Tristan, a knight, that are in a tragic love affair. I feel like this might be a retelling to that story since Isolde ends up married to Mark who is Tristan's uncle but he's also in love with Isolde. This is so similar to the story and I'm in no way saying she copied the story because the situation is definitely different. However, it's something that I really enjoyed reading about since I was obsessed with Tristan and Isolde when I was in middle school. This was just an overall such a fun and I totally enjoyed reading this.
The first 50-70% truly centers around Mark and Tristan which I enjoyed so much! I truly think the forming of their relationship was well done and has you rooting that they're able to have their happily ever after but with the synopsis letting you know that there's Isolde in the mix, it left me wondering how this would all fit. I felt like building Tristan and Mark's relationship was super important for both Tristan and the story. I do wish that we were able to see more cute moments between them which were sparse but it makes sense since Mark is the definition of a morally dark character. We know exactly how Tristan thinks and feels which helps you understand what's to come but Isolde was just a mystery until the end.
Adding Isolde in the last 10-15% did feel a bit rushed for me because it didn't make it feel totally plausible that Tristan could fall in love with her that quickly. I think if we were given a bit more adorable and growing scenes of them being together would make me believe it more. It would've been more believable if it ended with Tristan realizing that his curse of being totally obsessed with people was happening with Isolde, that would've left the ending more shocking as well.
The ending was truly interesting, I'm not saying that me being shocked was because there was a big event that happened but more to the fact that I'm not sure what will happen to Tristan in the next book. This secret that Isolde and Tristan were supposed to have might not be able to be that secret so it leaves me wondering what their relationship would be like and the same with Tristan with Mark.
Overall, this is definitely a book that I would recommend. Especially, if you enjoy books by Sara Cate since it gives you similar vibes. Something that I haven't mentioned but I absolutely devoured was naming the characters, Isolde, Tristan, and Mark. If you don't know there's a story named Isolde, an Irish princess, and Tristan, a knight, that are in a tragic love affair. I feel like this might be a retelling to that story since Isolde ends up married to Mark who is Tristan's uncle but he's also in love with Isolde. This is so similar to the story and I'm in no way saying she copied the story because the situation is definitely different. However, it's something that I really enjoyed reading about since I was obsessed with Tristan and Isolde when I was in middle school. This was just an overall such a fun and I totally enjoyed reading this.
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I feel like the book did not actually develop much of a plot until the last 20% of the book.
I think that there was a lot of roundabout exploration of the protagonist feelings and conflicting self-awareness towards their evolving sexuality and infatuation with their love interest.
I felt like the first half did an interesting job of really focusing on this emotionally repressed, traumatized, former soldier. Once the story focused on the advancement of a sexual, sub/Dom relationship, the story only progress through the medium of “having sex in different locations, with uncertain purpose “
As the characters become more flushed out and with the third player in the love triangle being added, I expect that the story will evolve. But for this telling, I was unsatisfiedwith the lack of character development before feeling as if the plot was finally put together towards the end only to give us a cliffhanger
I think that there was a lot of roundabout exploration of the protagonist feelings and conflicting self-awareness towards their evolving sexuality and infatuation with their love interest.
I felt like the first half did an interesting job of really focusing on this emotionally repressed, traumatized, former soldier. Once the story focused on the advancement of a sexual, sub/Dom relationship, the story only progress through the medium of “having sex in different locations, with uncertain purpose “
As the characters become more flushed out and with the third player in the love triangle being added, I expect that the story will evolve. But for this telling, I was unsatisfiedwith the lack of character development before feeling as if the plot was finally put together towards the end only to give us a cliffhanger
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was a fun read (if kink and spice is your thing!)
I found the MMC Tristan more insufferably needy and whiny than I could tolerate at times (reminds me of a person I stopped seeing because why are you being clingy like this lol)
Mark is an intriguing character that gave “I own everything I see” energy, and I loved Isolde, the sweet bb she is!
I plan on reading the prequel and already have the next one on my TBR!
I found the MMC Tristan more insufferably needy and whiny than I could tolerate at times (reminds me of a person I stopped seeing because why are you being clingy like this lol)
Mark is an intriguing character that gave “I own everything I see” energy, and I loved Isolde, the sweet bb she is!
I plan on reading the prequel and already have the next one on my TBR!
dark
emotional
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes