Reviews with content warning for Suicide - Scarred

This has easily already made it's way to my top books of the year. I finished this last night but was too busy silently screaming about so I wouldn't wake anyone up lol. I went feral for this book. The tension, the angst, the chemistry, the slow burn, the enemies to lovers, the forbidden love, the drama, the action... 10/10. This is a million times better than the last book. Everything about this was perfect.

This is a reimagining (idk if that's the right word) of the lion king but it's "scar's story". I loved the little references to the movie and I recognized a bit of Hamlet in there too. Tristian is great. He's smart, powerful, witty, sarcastic but also kinda soft?? Sara is a bad bitch. She's strong, a leader, intelligent, definitely one of the more stronger fmc's. Them together was amazing. The way he literally killed people for her was just... and the way she fought for him omg. Their banter was also great. The actual plot of the book was really good too not just the romance. I feel like if I say anything about that I might accidentally spoil something so I won't. There was a lot of theories I had while I was reading and some I was right about and with some I was wrong but that's okay. I can see myself re reading my annotations in the future lol. Overall I loved this one so much and would highly recommend reading.

Content Warnings

lovepotion's review against another edition

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dark fast-paced

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

4.25

Scarred is the second in The Never After series and the last available book I read. I was kind of waiting this one out for a while because I read mixed things, but I was pleasantly surprised. Hooked is still so far my favorite. But this one is definitely up there.

I enjoyed Sara’s characterization. I like a female character who is a little stubborn and knows how to handle a weapon. She’s a wolf in sheep clothing in novel and I thought she was kinda a baddie. I think what I liked about her the most was that, even though people underestimate her- because she is innocent looking or because she is woman- yet she always lands on top.

The only critique I have of Sara was when saw Tristan’s Hyena tattoo and then was later realized he was the rebel king, like she couldn’t put two and two together when she first saw the tattoo.

“𝘐’𝘮 𝘯𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦’𝘴 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘯. 𝘐’𝘮 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯.”

I loved the banter between Tristan and Sara. I felt like they had such a strong bond and great chemistry. Every scene they had together, quickly became a page turner for me. The lingering stares, the secret hook ups, the intense chemistry, all too perfect. Tristian and Sara were cut from the same cloth as they both suffer for the need of revenge. That shared piece of darkness they each endure is what makes each other their perfect match.

Tristian, oh my sweet, Tristan. Mcinitire has yet to disappoint me with her morally grey characters. He was such an interesting character. He’s the jealous, possessive, cunning man, who is still absolutely ruthless and isn’t afraid to stop anyone who gets in his way. Yet, he still has a soft gentle side, as he’ll show only to certain people.

One minute he is torturing someone, the next he is on his knees, pathetically in tears, confessing her love for Sara. Just gets me absolutely feral. Would 10/10 let this man call his little doe.

But I’m always obsessed with a dark character with a complicated history and still manages to become to anti-hero despite their messy past. (I sorta envisioned Tristian as Loki. Sara, I imagined as Katherine from the Vampire Diaries)

It’s a slow burn and it’s quick read. I thought the pacing was good, for the most part, up til the end. I wanted a bigger battle scene, I want to see more Tristan and Sara afterwards. I want to know more about the status of their relationship, where they stand in the kingdom, etc. I need more from the ending. It was too quick for me.

The rebel king subplot was interesting. However, I would like go a little deeper in the world building. Same goes for Tristan and Michael’s parents. I don’t know the status of the former queen in the end. As well as Michael’s reasoning for killing his father seemed a little weak.

I felt like the mad king subplot was underwhelming. In general, I would have liked to see more of Michael. I felt like his character fell a little flat and he could been an interesting villain.

The smut was decent- there was this whole wax thing, wasn’t for me. But everything else was pretty good. Oh and that tattoo thing, I don’t know- seemed a little cliche, but hey, Tristan is a very possessive man.

Overall, I thought this was a great retelling of lion king- I just craved more. Still worth the read, would recommend.

Tropes

✓ enemies-to-lovers

✓forbidden love

✓touch her and you die

✓ villain gets the girl

✓ court intrigue

Content Warnings

alilbitofeveryth1ng's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark tense slow-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? No

4.0

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keira4's review against another edition

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2.0

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anaya_reads's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny inspiring fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I honestly loved this. I really enjoyed Tristan’s character especially seeing his childhood and how it affected him. Also HES OBSESSED and I LOVE IT. Sara is also a bad bitch and I love how Simon balances out their bad deeds. 9/10 smut

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