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whatthefridge's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I’m rating this based solely on vibes, and since I don’t have any major complaints, well, may as well.
Haven’t read an action thriller in a long while, and I forgot just how edge-of-your-seat stressful it can get lol. The romance is truly a B-plot to the urban fantasy, but it’s a damn good romance with the rare sex scenes being actually good.
This comes with dense worldbuilding, but it manages to hook me regardless. I like Patrick’s snarkiness, which makes sense since he’s got that resigned Constantine vibe to him. The things that damned him have become his greatest assets, and he’s stuck being the best at something that’s only chipping away at him. So of course his sense of humor is going to be cynical, and it works.
Jono’s role is really to be Patrick’s anchor, in every sense of the word. We don’t get a lot of time in his head, but he’s a chill dude who’s able to maneuver around Patrick’s personality.
If I had any complaints about he story, they're pretty mild:
Haven’t read an action thriller in a long while, and I forgot just how edge-of-your-seat stressful it can get lol. The romance is truly a B-plot to the urban fantasy, but it’s a damn good romance with the rare sex scenes being actually good.
This comes with dense worldbuilding, but it manages to hook me regardless. I like Patrick’s snarkiness, which makes sense since he’s got that resigned Constantine vibe to him. The things that damned him have become his greatest assets, and he’s stuck being the best at something that’s only chipping away at him. So of course his sense of humor is going to be cynical, and it works.
Jono’s role is really to be Patrick’s anchor, in every sense of the word. We don’t get a lot of time in his head, but he’s a chill dude who’s able to maneuver around Patrick’s personality.
If I had any complaints about he story, they're pretty mild:
- The way PoC characters are described feels a bit forced at times, but at least it’s on the clinical side, not lingering or over-emphasizing.
- No way is a “billionaire” slumming it with normies. Marek wouldn’t be allowed to hang out casually with the Poors.
- No way is a “billionaire” slumming it with normies. Marek wouldn’t be allowed to hang out casually with the Poors.
- I was also a little bummed when Hades was associated with Hell, but thankfully it ended up more nuanced than just having Hades be evil.
- As always I gotta side-eye copaganda, but it is what it is. At least it’s not an incompetent military like in Hollywood.
- There’s a tiny plot inconsistency near the end where Jono is told not to break his lease that’s ending in 6 months, but then we get Jono and Patrick moving in together a month later anyway with no mention of that lease.
Overall, while I was reading this book, I told my friends it felt like I was binge watching an entire season on Netflix. Fortunately, there’s more books in the series if I want to keep going. I’m kind of worried where it’ll take the story since the stakes were already very high here. Very easy to jump sharks, but I’m cautiously optimistic.
- As always I gotta side-eye copaganda, but it is what it is. At least it’s not an incompetent military like in Hollywood.
- There’s a tiny plot inconsistency near the end where Jono is told not to break his lease that’s ending in 6 months, but then we get Jono and Patrick moving in together a month later anyway with no mention of that lease.
Overall, while I was reading this book, I told my friends it felt like I was binge watching an entire season on Netflix. Fortunately, there’s more books in the series if I want to keep going. I’m kind of worried where it’ll take the story since the stakes were already very high here. Very easy to jump sharks, but I’m cautiously optimistic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Sexual content, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Torture
Moderate: Alcohol and Gun violence
Minor: Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, and Child abuse
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