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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
mysterious
fast-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Mhmmm..
Mhmmm..Mhmmm, yup, I'm buying what Charlotte Mallory is selling.
Some books just hit different, right? Some books just grab you from the beginning, and by the end of the first chapter I said to myself: "Self,....this is gonna be one of those books I never shut up about"
Jane has been hiding from her past and tucking away tattoos and secrets, and she's pretty good at it. Introduced as a "kicking ass and taking names" kinda gal, she's just likable right away.
Insert Soren. He's a gruff, red leather clad mercenary looking for someone who perfectly fits Jane's profile. He's also sarcastic and full of witty banter and could convince me to leave my husband with a single glance... but I digress.
From here we follow Soren, Jane and a few other secondary, but none the less fun- I'm looking at you Bones- characters.
Secrets from both Jane and Soren's backgrounds unfold, pirate gangs abound and even some Sirens join the story. Fun, fun, fun.
Book One of the Improper Bastards Series, the only negative I can list is that Book Two isn't out yet. Go get this if you've always wondered what Pirates of Caribbean would be like with πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ.
Also- the Audible version is a delight. A freaking delight.
Mhmmm..Mhmmm, yup, I'm buying what Charlotte Mallory is selling.
Some books just hit different, right? Some books just grab you from the beginning, and by the end of the first chapter I said to myself: "Self,....this is gonna be one of those books I never shut up about"
Jane has been hiding from her past and tucking away tattoos and secrets, and she's pretty good at it. Introduced as a "kicking ass and taking names" kinda gal, she's just likable right away.
Insert Soren. He's a gruff, red leather clad mercenary looking for someone who perfectly fits Jane's profile. He's also sarcastic and full of witty banter and could convince me to leave my husband with a single glance... but I digress.
From here we follow Soren, Jane and a few other secondary, but none the less fun- I'm looking at you Bones- characters.
Secrets from both Jane and Soren's backgrounds unfold, pirate gangs abound and even some Sirens join the story. Fun, fun, fun.
Book One of the Improper Bastards Series, the only negative I can list is that Book Two isn't out yet. Go get this if you've always wondered what Pirates of Caribbean would be like with πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ.
Also- the Audible version is a delight. A freaking delight.
fast-paced
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This audiobook features two of my favorite narrators, Jacci Prior & Anthony Palmini! They truly did an amazing job bringing out the emotions in these characters and making the story come to life. I donβt think I would have liked the characters as much if I had just been reading on page. I also enjoyed the thematic elements in the audiobook such as music & sound effects.
This book is on the darker side of the dark fantasy romance spectrum. The primary focus of the story is the relationship between Jane and Soren. Jane has lots of trauma and uses her sarcasm & feistiness to cope. The biting banter between her and Soren is perfect. Soren is almost morally black, towards the cruel side, but he did warm on me throughout the book.
The book is not as heavy on world-building as some fantasy, but I really enjoyed learning about the Zenith and Skullβs Row. As emphasized in the title, Jane has secrets that will shock you. This book ends on a cliffhanger that leaves me needing book two!
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this audiobook. This review is voluntary, and all opinions expressed are my own.
This book is on the darker side of the dark fantasy romance spectrum. The primary focus of the story is the relationship between Jane and Soren. Jane has lots of trauma and uses her sarcasm & feistiness to cope. The biting banter between her and Soren is perfect. Soren is almost morally black, towards the cruel side, but he did warm on me throughout the book.
The book is not as heavy on world-building as some fantasy, but I really enjoyed learning about the Zenith and Skullβs Row. As emphasized in the title, Jane has secrets that will shock you. This book ends on a cliffhanger that leaves me needing book two!
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this audiobook. This review is voluntary, and all opinions expressed are my own.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
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
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book 100% worth the hype, and draws you in with the grit and toughness of the characters from page one. Jane is no prim and proper lady, fighting and cursing from the get go and I am absolutely here for it! Soren is her perfect match, and their chemistry literally flies off the page.
The plot is engaging, full of secrets, action and mystery and I cannot wait for book 2! I got serious Witcher and Black Sails vibes from this book which I absolutely LOVED!
@cmalloryauthor has a good one here, donβt sleep on it!
β οΈ Enemies-to-Lovers
The plot is engaging, full of secrets, action and mystery and I cannot wait for book 2! I got serious Witcher and Black Sails vibes from this book which I absolutely LOVED!
@cmalloryauthor has a good one here, donβt sleep on it!
β οΈ Enemies-to-Lovers
I'm not going to lie... I was expecting a "she's not like other girls" type of story, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that that's not the case here at all! Jane and Soren are like fire and gasoline. They feed off each other in the best possible ways and I'm fucking here for it! So many secrets! And that ending! Wow! Can I have book 2 please?!
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
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I've previously read this book (4.5 stars), so this review will focus on audiobook narration and production.
I don't even know where to start β I loved every single second of this audiobook!
This audio is done in duet style (where the female narrator voices all the female parts, the male narrator voices all the male parts, and the narrators are often both heard within each chapter), and it was bloody amazing! Both narrators had a great vocal range, giving each character a unique voice, so it was always easy to know who was speaking.
Can I also just say, the narration for Soren, the MMC, was π₯π₯΅.
I also loved the production of this audio β each chapter starts with a short musical intro (different for both Jane and Soren), plus there are some sound effects throughout that really give a sense of what's happening around the characters in the background, which made imagining it that much better!
π»πππππ π° πππππππ ππππ: duet narration, unique voices for all characters, production with musical chapter intros & sound effects, captive x captor, she's stΓ’bby, he gives chase, one horse, one bed, morally grey everyone, magic, steamy hate to...
βI received an ALC of this book from the author. All thoughts are my own honest opinions.β
ππ§π€ππͺππ©ππ€π£: βββββ
ππ₯πππ: πΆπΆπΆπΆ
I've previously read this book (4.5 stars), so this review will focus on audiobook narration and production.
I don't even know where to start β I loved every single second of this audiobook!
This audio is done in duet style (where the female narrator voices all the female parts, the male narrator voices all the male parts, and the narrators are often both heard within each chapter), and it was bloody amazing! Both narrators had a great vocal range, giving each character a unique voice, so it was always easy to know who was speaking.
Can I also just say, the narration for Soren, the MMC, was π₯π₯΅.
I also loved the production of this audio β each chapter starts with a short musical intro (different for both Jane and Soren), plus there are some sound effects throughout that really give a sense of what's happening around the characters in the background, which made imagining it that much better!
π»πππππ π° πππππππ ππππ: duet narration, unique voices for all characters, production with musical chapter intros & sound effects, captive x captor, she's stΓ’bby, he gives chase, one horse, one bed, morally grey everyone, magic, steamy hate to...
βI received an ALC of this book from the author. All thoughts are my own honest opinions.β
The was everything I want in a dark fantasy romance.
Everyone has secrets, but Jane harbours ones that could get her killed. When sheβs captured and forced home, a place she vowed to never return, will she survive the council of warlords and the city of murderers? And can Jane survive her maddeningly handsome captor who has taken an interest in siphoning her secrets from her by any means necessary?
This story was so much more complex than I originally thought; this is not your standard dark fantasy romance. There was a complexity to both MCβs (and many other side characters) that just had layers upon layers of depth that made them feel like real people. There was always solid reasoning and explanations behind motives or actions, be they selfish intentions or past traumas. Jane was written extremely well. I donβt hate βMary Sueβ characters but I can safely say Jane was far from it. This woman is far from perfect and I love her. And Soren is a bastard and I also love him.
The plot followed the same complexity given to the characters, including a revelation I did not see coming. The story has excellent world building and information, and while there is a lot, it is given to the reader over the course of the book and is far from being overwhelming or βinfo dumpyβ. I enjoyed the writing style and I got swept up in the storytelling.
It was very nice to see that the FMC friend is actually integral to the story. Sheβs not mentioned once then killed off for plot devices, sheβs present throughout Janeβs journey and actively takes part.
The enemies-to-lovers was amazingly written. I did not once question the authenticity of Jane and Sorenβs relationship as it changed into something else. Which is a feat in itself with a dark romance, as sometimes the switch from enemies to lovers comes across as unnatural, forced, or unrealistic. The spice was perfect with the tone of the book, not too little and not too much. It had me blushing, giggling, and kicking my feet β I can see how Jane might struggle to keep her distance from Soren.
This book did end on a cliffhanger that made me go feral. I cannot get over this. I am in need of answers right now.
If you are looking for your next dark fantasy romance read then look no further. This book has compelling storytelling, enemies-to-lovers, spice, she runs-he chases, and forced proximity β all the best components.
Thank you to Book of Matches Media and Charlotte for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Everyone has secrets, but Jane harbours ones that could get her killed. When sheβs captured and forced home, a place she vowed to never return, will she survive the council of warlords and the city of murderers? And can Jane survive her maddeningly handsome captor who has taken an interest in siphoning her secrets from her by any means necessary?
This story was so much more complex than I originally thought; this is not your standard dark fantasy romance. There was a complexity to both MCβs (and many other side characters) that just had layers upon layers of depth that made them feel like real people. There was always solid reasoning and explanations behind motives or actions, be they selfish intentions or past traumas. Jane was written extremely well. I donβt hate βMary Sueβ characters but I can safely say Jane was far from it. This woman is far from perfect and I love her. And Soren is a bastard and I also love him.
The plot followed the same complexity given to the characters, including a revelation I did not see coming. The story has excellent world building and information, and while there is a lot, it is given to the reader over the course of the book and is far from being overwhelming or βinfo dumpyβ. I enjoyed the writing style and I got swept up in the storytelling.
It was very nice to see that the FMC friend is actually integral to the story. Sheβs not mentioned once then killed off for plot devices, sheβs present throughout Janeβs journey and actively takes part.
The enemies-to-lovers was amazingly written. I did not once question the authenticity of Jane and Sorenβs relationship as it changed into something else. Which is a feat in itself with a dark romance, as sometimes the switch from enemies to lovers comes across as unnatural, forced, or unrealistic. The spice was perfect with the tone of the book, not too little and not too much. It had me blushing, giggling, and kicking my feet β I can see how Jane might struggle to keep her distance from Soren.
This book did end on a cliffhanger that made me go feral. I cannot get over this. I am in need of answers right now.
If you are looking for your next dark fantasy romance read then look no further. This book has compelling storytelling, enemies-to-lovers, spice, she runs-he chases, and forced proximity β all the best components.
Thank you to Book of Matches Media and Charlotte for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.