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4.31 AVERAGE
4.31 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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
emotional
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
SPOILERS
Never in my life have I ever been so disinclined to read a sequel following a book. I had very high hopes for this book because it was rated a 4.5 on KU and the reviews praised it endlessly and KU reviews have very rarely steered me wrong in the past. The beginning of the book was wonderful; well-written, good pace, strong characters, sensible plot. The last half of the book ran in circles, was dragged out, no character development compared to the first half OR if there was, it was completely out of character.
I get the sense Hawke was trying too convey the extreme sense of guilt that Lance was feeling, which was accomplished, but I think not resolving his moral dilemma in this book removes sorely needed depth to the plot. Scarlett has a modicum of growth but there is only the most minuscule amount of progress in relationship with her brother and Lance has absolutely zero progress with his family. I will say, I think the emotional distance between Mason and Scarlett is shown quite skillfully but the huge blowout between Nina and Mason lies just outside my suspension of belief because we know that Mason is capable of forming healthy, long-lasting, relationships (look at his friend group).
Lance being an underlying villain (the path to hell is paved with good intentions) also seemed out of character because the first half of the book is spent emphasizing how Lance is actually a really close, trusted, friend of Mason's friend group. The motivation to protect his friends is understandable, as well as the questionable decisions made under Ben's influence are also understandable, but Lance coming up and agreeing with the plot to blow Mason's life sky-high without even consulting Mason is hard for me to believe. Why, after years of friendship is Lance so reluctant to bring this subject up, ESPECIALLY if Mason has a crazy ex. Would he not be more inclined to hear out his friend's concerns?
Lance killing Joey at the end was completely out of character. Lance is morally torn but at no other point in the book does he show the motivation or the capability of firing a gun and killing someone. I think it would have been more realistic to have Lance maybe throw himself between Scarlett and the danger, but the whole scene happening AFTER Lance is reconciling with the guilt of his biggest mistake and heaviest sin, I find it extremely hard to believe that he would act that violently or rashly. Overall, I feel that JC didn't have a good grasp on her own characters, what would motivate them, where their hard moral lines lie, etc etc and that she was writing for spectacle.
Ugh. I deeply regret reading this book.
Never in my life have I ever been so disinclined to read a sequel following a book. I had very high hopes for this book because it was rated a 4.5 on KU and the reviews praised it endlessly and KU reviews have very rarely steered me wrong in the past. The beginning of the book was wonderful; well-written, good pace, strong characters, sensible plot. The last half of the book ran in circles, was dragged out, no character development compared to the first half OR if there was, it was completely out of character.
I get the sense Hawke was trying too convey the extreme sense of guilt that Lance was feeling, which was accomplished, but I think not resolving his moral dilemma in this book removes sorely needed depth to the plot. Scarlett has a modicum of growth but there is only the most minuscule amount of progress in relationship with her brother and Lance has absolutely zero progress with his family. I will say, I think the emotional distance between Mason and Scarlett is shown quite skillfully but the huge blowout between Nina and Mason lies just outside my suspension of belief because we know that Mason is capable of forming healthy, long-lasting, relationships (look at his friend group).
Lance being an underlying villain (the path to hell is paved with good intentions) also seemed out of character because the first half of the book is spent emphasizing how Lance is actually a really close, trusted, friend of Mason's friend group. The motivation to protect his friends is understandable, as well as the questionable decisions made under Ben's influence are also understandable, but Lance coming up and agreeing with the plot to blow Mason's life sky-high without even consulting Mason is hard for me to believe. Why, after years of friendship is Lance so reluctant to bring this subject up, ESPECIALLY if Mason has a crazy ex. Would he not be more inclined to hear out his friend's concerns?
Lance killing Joey at the end was completely out of character. Lance is morally torn but at no other point in the book does he show the motivation or the capability of firing a gun and killing someone. I think it would have been more realistic to have Lance maybe throw himself between Scarlett and the danger, but the whole scene happening AFTER Lance is reconciling with the guilt of his biggest mistake and heaviest sin, I find it extremely hard to believe that he would act that violently or rashly. Overall, I feel that JC didn't have a good grasp on her own characters, what would motivate them, where their hard moral lines lie, etc etc and that she was writing for spectacle.
Ugh. I deeply regret reading this book.
emotional
slow-paced
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-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
“When the sun sets, and you start to forget me, remember every moment you fell in love with me in this meadow. Please, baby.”
I was lucky to be selected to receive an ARC for The Grand Ruin (book two in The Grand Men series) JC Hawke's newest book.
The Grand Ruin is the first book by JC Hawke that I have read, and I loved it so much that I went and brought all her other books as soon as I had finished reading this one.
The Grand Ruin is part one of Lance & Scarlet’s story. Their story was so heartbreakingly beautiful, and I did not want it to end.
The author has such a way with words that I could feel every emotion these characters felt while reading their story.
I was not expecting to be taken on such an emotional roller coaster while reading this book. It had me laughing and crying and broke my heart as well.
Chapter 3 (IYKYK) had me in absolute fits of laughter! It was so much fun to read.
Thank you so much to JC Hawke for this ARC and the opportunity to read Lance and Scarlet’s story
I was lucky to be selected to receive an ARC for The Grand Ruin (book two in The Grand Men series) JC Hawke's newest book.
The Grand Ruin is the first book by JC Hawke that I have read, and I loved it so much that I went and brought all her other books as soon as I had finished reading this one.
The Grand Ruin is part one of Lance & Scarlet’s story. Their story was so heartbreakingly beautiful, and I did not want it to end.
The author has such a way with words that I could feel every emotion these characters felt while reading their story.
I was not expecting to be taken on such an emotional roller coaster while reading this book. It had me laughing and crying and broke my heart as well.
Chapter 3 (IYKYK) had me in absolute fits of laughter! It was so much fun to read.
Thank you so much to JC Hawke for this ARC and the opportunity to read Lance and Scarlet’s story
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
