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adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
<strong>Another junk food book</strong>
I read the reviews and still read it anyway, so I have no one to blame but myself. This book is in dual first-person POV from Malina and Julian, so that was nice at least. The Ancient Rome setting was also a nice change from quasi-Renaissance. But this is a messed up book y'all.
Roman setting or not, this is fantasy so the author picked and chose what she wanted to include. Malina and Julian first meet when she is a free woman (though a much lower class and different nationality, heck different species), and that's when their "bond" forms. But the meat of their relationship starts years later when he makes her his actual slave.
Julian could have freed her, immediately. His father did free his mother to marry her. And while Julian even tells Malina that story...he never frees her! At least nothing official and binding. She even brings up the stark disparity in their situation and how it doesn't give them room for an honest relationship. What a mess...
The dragon natures are interesting to be fair. There are different colors and different forms but no magic beyond the transformation itself. Malina has magic and is branded as a witch...in a world with shape-changing DRAGONS. Always blaming the women, somehow!
The romance is nearly insta-love for him, she takes a bit longer. Being ENSLAVED and all. There is a lot of spice but the descriptions don't start fun but rather show the evil dragon emperor's debauchery. Not a pleasant start to a book.
Lots of doom and gloom in this story, only little points of lightness.
I read the reviews and still read it anyway, so I have no one to blame but myself. This book is in dual first-person POV from Malina and Julian, so that was nice at least. The Ancient Rome setting was also a nice change from quasi-Renaissance. But this is a messed up book y'all.
Roman setting or not, this is fantasy so the author picked and chose what she wanted to include. Malina and Julian first meet when she is a free woman (though a much lower class and different nationality, heck different species), and that's when their "bond" forms. But the meat of their relationship starts years later when he makes her his actual slave.
Julian could have freed her, immediately. His father did free his mother to marry her. And while Julian even tells Malina that story...he never frees her! At least nothing official and binding. She even brings up the stark disparity in their situation and how it doesn't give them room for an honest relationship. What a mess...
The dragon natures are interesting to be fair. There are different colors and different forms but no magic beyond the transformation itself. Malina has magic and is branded as a witch...in a world with shape-changing DRAGONS. Always blaming the women, somehow!
The romance is nearly insta-love for him, she takes a bit longer. Being ENSLAVED and all. There is a lot of spice but the descriptions don't start fun but rather show the evil dragon emperor's debauchery. Not a pleasant start to a book.
Lots of doom and gloom in this story, only little points of lightness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Slavery, Sexual harassment, War
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Trigger warns galore, definitely look into this book before reading. There was lots of violence and blood, slave ownership, uncomfortable sex scenes, rape situations…just beware.
I’m making this my lowest rated book of the year which feels a little odd cause I feel like it was easier to read than my other lowest rated read but I enjoyed that one more which is to say not that much. I really should have DNF’d this at the beginning but I held out thinking maybe it’ll get better and I was reading it for a readathon so I didn’t want to give up. So I suffered through uncomfortable scenes and was mostly bored out of my mind.
The idea of it sounded good but certain topics I felt like could have been handled better and the characters were just so bland. I really didn’t care about the main characters at all and did not care for their romance. I didn’t feel why they should be together, it just felt like we slapped mating bond on them and that’s why. And try as I might I could not picture the dragons in half-skin and tbh I don’t think I want to.
I’m making this my lowest rated book of the year which feels a little odd cause I feel like it was easier to read than my other lowest rated read but I enjoyed that one more which is to say not that much. I really should have DNF’d this at the beginning but I held out thinking maybe it’ll get better and I was reading it for a readathon so I didn’t want to give up. So I suffered through uncomfortable scenes and was mostly bored out of my mind.
The idea of it sounded good but certain topics I felt like could have been handled better and the characters were just so bland. I really didn’t care about the main characters at all and did not care for their romance. I didn’t feel why they should be together, it just felt like we slapped mating bond on them and that’s why. And try as I might I could not picture the dragons in half-skin and tbh I don’t think I want to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Blood, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-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
There was some awkward writing throughout the book such as almost identical sentences being repeated multiple times on the same page. It made me think that I kept accidentally rereading the same paragraph.
Be that as it may, this was still a really fun read! Ancient Rome? Yes, please! A fun Medusa-inspired retelling? Amazing! Dragon shifters? Say no more! The world building was relatively easy since it was based on real history but with a little twist. I loved all the side characters and wish the best for them. Also really hate all of the villains and wish the worst for them. Exactly how I should feel while reading the book. There wasn't a single character that I didn't care about what happened to them. Can't wait for the next one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Blood
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book is like gladiator with dragons. It really is an interesting story and was a decent read/listen, but it wasn't a favorite. Would I read it again? maybe? Would I read the next book? Possibly, but it's not high on my list. There was more gore/violence than I typically prefer, but is anticipated based on Rome at that time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery
Moderate: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The use of Ancient Rome setting and characters with dragons mixed into Roman mythology and a Shakespearean spin plus a romance story make this a great blend for me. Many readers have cited it as a huge miss due to the master/slave relationship, however, the situation is much more complex than that basic label. Julian claims Malina as his slave to save her life and never interacts with her in any kind of intimate way without her consent. They development a friendship prior to any romance, which I did not expect. Romance almost takes a backseat to the coup plot, except Julian's feelings for her propel events to move more quickly than the conspirators intend. The last quarter jumped quickly between action with a faster pace that does not match the rest of the book, and I do wish that more transition occurred between the battle scenes and the final sweet moments of solace.
Generally, I am not a huge romantasy or romance reader. I read many subgenres of fantasy and even other genres scattered throughout my reading, and some romantasy and romance works for me. The historical ties and dragon lore with Roman mythology roots drew me most to the book, and I stayed fully invested from start to finish. The epic ending has me yearning for book two.
As a final note, disgusted claims of colonization being a theme or the premise of the book seem unfounded or distorted to me. Ancient Rome and the Romans' conquests of a larger empire were a form of colonization, but that is merely part of the book's setting in time and place. Reading the whole book and understanding the nature of Julian shows that the author attempts to convey colonization and conquering people of other lands or cultures is wrong through his motivations.
Generally, I am not a huge romantasy or romance reader. I read many subgenres of fantasy and even other genres scattered throughout my reading, and some romantasy and romance works for me. The historical ties and dragon lore with Roman mythology roots drew me most to the book, and I stayed fully invested from start to finish. The epic ending has me yearning for book two.
As a final note, disgusted claims of colonization being a theme or the premise of the book seem unfounded or distorted to me. Ancient Rome and the Romans' conquests of a larger empire were a form of colonization, but that is merely part of the book's setting in time and place. Reading the whole book and understanding the nature of Julian shows that the author attempts to convey colonization and conquering people of other lands or cultures is wrong through his motivations.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Genocide, Vomit, Colonisation
Minor: Death of parent
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, War
Moderate: Death, Gore, Sexual violence, Slavery, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Colonisation
Minor: Incest, Vomit
Respectfully. This is not okay or good y'all.
Master/Slave dynamics are not healthy, sexy, or romantic. I feel like we shouldn't need to say that but here we are.
Additionally, do y'all know 17 year olds? Does it not make you uncomfortable to read those first few chapters knowing 17 year olds? It sure made me uncomfortable. This was not it.
The butchered mythology here too was weird. I can't put my finger on it but it was... very weird. The retelling of Medusa and the idea of greek gods being dragons? I don't know about it man. It makes for strange context in the rest of the world. Not to mention the very clear coding of the main character as Romani and the further mess that makes of the slavery. Just nah, skip it. And shame on Bramble for not disclosing the actual contents. I wouldn't have bought this if it actually said Slave/Master in the initial marketing.
Master/Slave dynamics are not healthy, sexy, or romantic. I feel like we shouldn't need to say that but here we are.
Additionally, do y'all know 17 year olds? Does it not make you uncomfortable to read those first few chapters knowing 17 year olds? It sure made me uncomfortable. This was not it.
The butchered mythology here too was weird. I can't put my finger on it but it was... very weird. The retelling of Medusa and the idea of greek gods being dragons? I don't know about it man. It makes for strange context in the rest of the world. Not to mention the very clear coding of the main character as Romani and the further mess that makes of the slavery. Just nah, skip it. And shame on Bramble for not disclosing the actual contents. I wouldn't have bought this if it actually said Slave/Master in the initial marketing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Slavery, Violence
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Okay...
I am going to attempt to rate this book without having anyone come for my throat. 💀
First - I, like many others, purchased this book because of the beautiful edges. I currently own three versions of it, and they are seriously gorgeous.
Two - I am a sucker for anything dragon related. I have only recently gotten into Dragon Shifters, so it's been something for sure.
Three - I can see where both sides are coming from.
Now onto the whole slave/slave owner controversy. 😬And yes, she is a slave, not a captive... she has a collar with the "master's" name on it... 😓
I definitely think that the author should have thought twice before going down this road, especially as she probably should have known that this was going to be a controversial subject. I have never read any other books by Juliette Cross, so I am unsure what her other books are written about or anything like that. To me she should have structured it very differently. I understand that Rome had slaves and all that, but I do feel like she romanticized it quite a bit in this book. I do not agree with that at all.
🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐
Now, onto the writing and book itself. I personally think that there were some very cringey scenes... especially the first one where the Centurion is mesmerized with a 17-year-old girl (underage in our society and time... I am not sure about in Roman time...but does it matter?) This was definitely a spot that I had overlooked at first while listening to the audiobook and only realized late that she was underage when he gave her the coin🪙 and basically claimed her as, mind you....."treasure"😱 (possession?? wow - way to push women back a few decades....)
I think the author could have done this quite differently. She could have written this story and not incorporated slavery at all or underage obsession, or reducing women to objects of value like "treasure". Perhaps if she had empowered the FMC a bit more I would not feel as strongly about this one part, but she was basically a damsel in distress the whole book - she could have been a bad ass part of the revolution...🤷🏽♀️ just my own little opinion.
Now the book, to me, reminds me a lot of Spartacus, and if you watched that show there was a lot of things that made me feel uber uncomfortable. That show basically showed R@pe, sex with underaged girls, and a lot of other iffy subjects. That is where I have the BIGGEST problems with this author.
⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️
WHERE ARE THE TRIGGER WARNINGS?! And the marketing?! WTH was that.. enemies to lovers?? Are you kidding me with that.
All that I read in the beginning of the book was an author note that basically stated that the story was inspired by Rome (which of course was known for their cruelty)
That is where this book lost its glow and stars with me.😥 You can write about a lot, but you NEED to include triggers for people. Not everyone can handle this type of book, and I definitely understand why people were DNF'ing at 20%.
I don't think this book deserves as much hate as it is getting, however I do agree with some of the negative reviews. The main reason being the marketing of this book and the lack of trigger warnings.
I didn't hate this read, I just definitely think it could have been handled better.
I am going to attempt to rate this book without having anyone come for my throat. 💀
First - I, like many others, purchased this book because of the beautiful edges. I currently own three versions of it, and they are seriously gorgeous.
Two - I am a sucker for anything dragon related. I have only recently gotten into Dragon Shifters, so it's been something for sure.
Three - I can see where both sides are coming from.
Now onto the whole slave/slave owner controversy. 😬And yes, she is a slave, not a captive... she has a collar with the "master's" name on it... 😓
I definitely think that the author should have thought twice before going down this road, especially as she probably should have known that this was going to be a controversial subject. I have never read any other books by Juliette Cross, so I am unsure what her other books are written about or anything like that. To me she should have structured it very differently. I understand that Rome had slaves and all that, but I do feel like she romanticized it quite a bit in this book. I do not agree with that at all.
🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐
Now, onto the writing and book itself. I personally think that there were some very cringey scenes... especially the first one where the Centurion is mesmerized with a 17-year-old girl (underage in our society and time... I am not sure about in Roman time...but does it matter?) This was definitely a spot that I had overlooked at first while listening to the audiobook and only realized late that she was underage when he gave her the coin🪙 and basically claimed her as, mind you....."treasure"😱 (possession?? wow - way to push women back a few decades....)
I think the author could have done this quite differently. She could have written this story and not incorporated slavery at all or underage obsession, or reducing women to objects of value like "treasure". Perhaps if she had empowered the FMC a bit more I would not feel as strongly about this one part, but she was basically a damsel in distress the whole book - she could have been a bad ass part of the revolution...🤷🏽♀️ just my own little opinion.
Now the book, to me, reminds me a lot of Spartacus, and if you watched that show there was a lot of things that made me feel uber uncomfortable. That show basically showed R@pe, sex with underaged girls, and a lot of other iffy subjects. That is where I have the BIGGEST problems with this author.
⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️
WHERE ARE THE TRIGGER WARNINGS?! And the marketing?! WTH was that.. enemies to lovers?? Are you kidding me with that.
All that I read in the beginning of the book was an author note that basically stated that the story was inspired by Rome (which of course was known for their cruelty)
That is where this book lost its glow and stars with me.😥 You can write about a lot, but you NEED to include triggers for people. Not everyone can handle this type of book, and I definitely understand why people were DNF'ing at 20%.
I don't think this book deserves as much hate as it is getting, however I do agree with some of the negative reviews. The main reason being the marketing of this book and the lack of trigger warnings.
I didn't hate this read, I just definitely think it could have been handled better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Slavery
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: War
This book needs to have trigger warnings.
dark
emotional
hopeful
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault
Moderate: Slavery
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was not it. The plot was lacking, the characters were annoying. The smut was random and uncomfortable. Would not recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Grief, Sexual harassment, War
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment
Minor: Death, Grief, Death of parent