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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
fast-paced
Ideas are interesting but the execution is lacking.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
Ben Alderson's “Alpha of Mortal Flesh” is a thrilling addition to the Darkmourn Universe, offering a unique retelling of the Red Riding Hood tale full of suspense and spicy romance. The story is well-crafted, with characters that are both engaging and complex, and the addition of the werewolf lore in this book takes the existing world-building to the next level. Alderson's writing style is immersive, drawing the reader into the story from the first page and keeping them hooked until the very end.
“The story focuses on our two main characters, Rhory Coleman, a witch, and Calix Grey, a werewolf. Rhory is trapped in an abusive relationship with the Head of the Crimson Guard, and Calix has lost his entire family. Despite their difficult circumstances, fate brings them together, and they both discover that their unique talents will be needed to face a common threat.
The peace in Darkmourn is threatened by the corrupted Crimson Guard, and there are unsolved murders and tangled family secrets that must be brought to light. To uncover the truth, they would have to work together to overcome all obstacles and bring peace to their world”.
The book is for adults, it features spicy content that never feels out of place; instead, it adds layers of thrills and depth to our main characters love story. The domestic abuse and violence included in the story make it a dark and at times difficult read, but it is handled with the appropriate sensitivity and does not detract from the overall plot. Please check out content warnings before diving in.
One of the strengths of this book is the way that it intertwines elements of traditional folklore with a modern twist, creating a world that is both familiar and yet completely unique.
Overall, “Alpha of Mortal Flesh” is a must-read for fans of queer, spicy, and dark fantasy stories. It is a beautifully crafted book that offers both thrills and heart, and is a testament to the ongoing brilliance of the Darkmourn Universe.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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:
Complicated
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Blood, Death of parent
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
This is by far my favorite Ben Alderson book. I don't even know if I can formulate a proper review because I'm still emotionally hungover with how amazing this book is.
The Darkmourn Universe is wonderful and it gets better and better. Alderson is BRILLIANT at fairy tale reimagining, picking certain familiar elements and tropes and then creating something new with different stakes, all the queerness, and so much emotional damage.
Rhory deserves all the love, let's just get that out of the way now. His brand of magic is a special kind of hurt and I just really love how deeply we as the reader can connect with him. I just want to hug him and kiss his forehead all the time. He deserves that. My heart cannot contain the lvoe I have for him.
Calix, oh my dear Calix. My heart broke so many different ways for him. In other reviews, I have seen people say they don't really care of him because he seems flat. But I could not disagree more. His character developed for the readers at the exact pace that Rhory witnessed/discovered more about Calix. AND there is a reason for that which I will not spoil. I loved seeing more and more layers to him as the book went on, and it just made me love him more.
Also, just have to say, Eamon's character is so damn well done. Both Rhory and Eamon suffered trauma due to the death of a parent and Alderson does an amazing job and showing how people can respond to it differently. Also! Loved that there was no romanticizing of this which I appreciated and no romanticizing of the domestic abuse. Please read the content warning in the beginning of the book or the author's website.
My only only only slight gripe is the flashback chapters. I've gotten very used to authors actually titling the chapters with the character POV's or it being more noticable due to the 3rd person POV being named in teh first sentence. Because it takes a few sentences, sometimes paragraphs to realize who is actually narrating that flashback POV as the rest of the book is in Rhory's POV. BUT! I still loved the different insight into the different characters.
Overall, I loved loved loved this book and will be rereading it and buying it in every format so that I have it always.
The Darkmourn Universe is wonderful and it gets better and better. Alderson is BRILLIANT at fairy tale reimagining, picking certain familiar elements and tropes and then creating something new with different stakes, all the queerness, and so much emotional damage.
Rhory deserves all the love, let's just get that out of the way now. His brand of magic is a special kind of hurt and I just really love how deeply we as the reader can connect with him. I just want to hug him and kiss his forehead all the time. He deserves that. My heart cannot contain the lvoe I have for him.
Calix, oh my dear Calix. My heart broke so many different ways for him. In other reviews, I have seen people say they don't really care of him because he seems flat. But I could not disagree more. His character developed for the readers at the exact pace that Rhory witnessed/discovered more about Calix. AND there is a reason for that which I will not spoil. I loved seeing more and more layers to him as the book went on, and it just made me love him more.
Also, just have to say, Eamon's character is so damn well done. Both Rhory and Eamon suffered trauma due to the death of a parent and Alderson does an amazing job and showing how people can respond to it differently. Also! Loved that there was no romanticizing of this which I appreciated and no romanticizing of the domestic abuse. Please read the content warning in the beginning of the book or the author's website.
My only only only slight gripe is the flashback chapters. I've gotten very used to authors actually titling the chapters with the character POV's or it being more noticable due to the 3rd person POV being named in teh first sentence. Because it takes a few sentences, sometimes paragraphs to realize who is actually narrating that flashback POV as the rest of the book is in Rhory's POV. BUT! I still loved the different insight into the different characters.
Overall, I loved loved loved this book and will be rereading it and buying it in every format so that I have it always.