Reviews with content warning for Emotional abuse - Never A Hero

Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Never A Hero by Vanessa Len

6 reviews

bookishmillennial's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial

I can only take so many love triangles! This definitely felt like a filler book in the way that it’s hoping to convince readers that Nick is a viable partner for Joan. It really just felt like the thesis: making a case for Nick! Lol. Anyway, it was entertaining enough and I will finish the series but I’m not convinced on Nick!!!!!! 😭

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azrah786's review against another edition

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4.25

**I was provided with an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

CW: violence, blood, torture, death, death of parent, confinement, emotional abuse, racism, grief

Never A Hero is just as exciting and full of time travel shenanigans as Only A Monster and I had so much fun reading it.

Considering the circumstances from the end of book 1 I was super excited to see the characters in a new light and I was not disappointed. All the angst and tension that comes with one character remembering everything whilst everyone else is in the dark was written so so well. Yes there was less Aaron in this book thus less banter between him and Joan but I just loved seeing how fate brought all the characters together again.

Joan was a bit repetitive in her inner monologue and musings and of course having to bring everyone up to speed in order for them to face the wider threat that is still lurking and this did make me feel like I probably could have skipped the book 1 reread beforehand. However, this also allowed us to rediscover and learn more about the Monster world. From more details on the history and lore, to understanding more about the Monster court and seeing more of the Monster families with their distinct powers coming into play in the narrative the worldbuilding was enriched in the best way!

The time travel elements were once again really interesting and regardless of the plot feeling a bit messy (as time travel stories quite often are) and slowing down towards the middle there were some great curveballs thrown into the story keeping me just as hooked as I was with the first book.

The ending was particularly engrossing and has laid out the foundations for what will no doubt be an thrilling finale! I can’t wait for book 3!

Final Rating – 4.25/5 Stars

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palmkd's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

I love this world of monsters and humans and the moral dilemma of it all. This is the follow up to Only a Monster where Joan learns of her family's power and that being a monster was not just a family joke. In actuality, Monsters can travel in time. It seems pretty cool but the catch is they can only travel using time they steal from humans.
Joan's introduction to the monster world was brutal to say the least. In book 2, Joan has to deal with the results of her previous decisions and figure out what to do next as her world continues to be flipped upside down.

The only bad thing about this book is that the conclusion to the trilogy (I think it's a trilogy) is not yet released, so back to anxious awaiting I go.
The audiobook is also really well done, strongly recommend!

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