EDIT: Had to dock my rating lower because the more I sit on the cave scene, the more I dislike it. Initially because I enjoyed the other aspects of the book (the OG villain's backstory, LBH's father's backstory, etc.), I took that scene as the one aspect I disliked, but the more I think about the main couple and how their arc has been handled, the more problems I find.

Builds up to a lot of action that never actually happens - just melodramatics for the sake of drama. The character development is very weak and questionable, especially because it tries to pass off sob stories as complexities and stops at that?? Which is interesting in its commentary because the characters literally discuss how sob stories make characters more likeable/appealing but the MC also criticizes it with the argument that there should be more to a character than their sadness so...?

I enjoyed this entry more than the rest but the cave scene was absolutely unbearable and unnecessary. Nothing made me root for the main couple, so I donโ€™t think Iโ€™ll be rereading this series. Not sure if I have it in me to finish the next volume but Iโ€™ll try. 
zpdlffl's profile picture

zpdlffl's review

4.0
adventurous funny sad fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Loveable characters: Yes
lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
rosegoldbird's profile picture

rosegoldbird's review

4.0
adventurous emotional funny medium-paced
adventurous emotional funny lighthearted fast-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
carrie_avm's profile picture

carrie_avm's review

3.0
adventurous funny

It's not bad, I just couldn't connect to the characters in the same way as I could with MXTX's other books. I've seen that some people prefer the series when they read it for the second time, so maybe I'll try that at some point in the future

I need to read or watch someone much smarter than me do a chapter by chapter character/relationship analysis so that I can be Stockholmed into this pls and thank you

Anyway I'm glad this wasn't my first MXTX work ๐Ÿ˜…๐Ÿ˜…๐Ÿ˜…

staygoldab's review

4.5
adventurous dark hopeful mysterious tense 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

animanmei's review

4.0
adventurous dark emotional funny fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
violentends's profile picture

violentends's review

5.0
emotional funny medium-paced