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abby_can_read's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I went back and forth on what I wanted to rate this. I have mixed feeling about this book.
Based on the blurb, I was excited. I thought this sounded great. I think this book had a great start and based on the summary, I knew the love story of Diana and Matthew was coming. I liked that Diana was older and she had life experience before meeting Matthew and them getting involved.
I started to lose interested around the time Matthew watched her sleeping, but I stuck with the book. I lost more interest as the relationship between Diana and Matthew developed.
I went into this book hoping it was a more mature and developed version of Twilight -- mainly featuring a better female character and a better romance. I don't think I had unreasonable hopes/expectations. But neither of those panned out for me.
The plot wasn't horrible, though I found to be predictable. The writing style was okay. The characters, mainly Diana, had me going back and forth and I still can't really decide how I feel beyond I think they were flat and some of the character development went backwards. I'm not really sure what I think about the relationships, mainly the one between Matthew and Diana. I can't decide if it's better or worse than Edward and Bella.
Despite my mixed feelings, overall I did enjoy reading this book. I plan to read the sequel. I have low exceptions and I'm curious how this series will compare to Twilight.
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Torture
Moderate: Kidnapping, Death of parent, Stalking, Confinement, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gore, Sexism, Xenophobia, Medical content, and Misogyny
gillian_aftanas's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Torture, Death of parent, Xenophobia, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Death, Animal death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Stalking, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Murder, and Kidnapping
Minor: Cursing, Child death, Sexual content, Misogyny, and Infertility
dizzyappealam's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Abandonment, Animal death, Blood, Grief, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Gore, Murder, and War
amy_reading_23's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, and Medical content
Moderate: Misogyny, Gore, Domestic abuse, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, and Kidnapping
Minor: Stalking and Suicidal thoughts
flyintothestorm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Gore, and Torture
Moderate: Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, and Stalking
kat1105's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Death of parent, Violence, Gore, Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, Animal death, Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Torture, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: War and Sexual content
arsrose's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
Graphic: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
Moderate: Kidnapping, Torture, and Confinement
theespressoedition's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Before I began reading this book, someone told me that a lot of people will say it feels like Twilight for adults, but it really isn't that. Someone else told me that it reads like a textbook. And yet another person said they'd only recommend the show. So, I had a lot to consider going into this, but I did form my own opinions, not to worry.
I immediately understood why people make the Twilight comparison. There's a pretty possessive vampire love interest (he even gives the "I'm dangerous and you shouldn't trust me" speech) and a female protagonist who basically gives up her own life entirely to follow said vampire wherever he may go. However, there are some pretty distinct differences. First of which being that Diana is a witch, not a human, and she has power of her own from the get-go, making her a very strong character. She's also really smart (though she doesn't necessarily display the full degree of her intellect when it comes to anything regarding Matthew). I found her likable and interesting.
I also understood the comparison to a textbook. There is an almost unnecessary amount of information - and if you don't have a strong interest in alchemic history, there might be some times where the text loses you. I felt my mind wandering on several occasions - as the book is nearly 800 pages long and at least a quarter of the story is taken up by intense intellectual argument or discussion. However, it was also really key to the story, and I think if I had spent too much time skimming through it, I would have been confused by several of the action sequences.
While some people may say this is better as a show, I don't have an opinion on that yet. My plan is to finish the series before I even attempt to embark on the television series. I like having sound judgment going into something like that and my mind would be swayed if I didn't read the entire story first and know all the characters and plot by heart.
At first, I planned to give this book 3 stars - only because of the pacing, honestly. After finishing it, I realized it was the only book I wanted to talk with others about for nearly a week straight, which proved that it deserved a higher rating. It has now been nearly a month since I finished it and so much of it is still fresh in my mind, plus I'm still interested in seeing what happens next. All good signs! I look forward to reading the sequel and seeing how the time travel plays a part in this tale.
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Gore, and Torture
katielaine_w's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Moderate: Blood, Body horror, Death of parent, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Grief, Medical content, Murder, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Violence
paigereadsaw's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Torture, Death, Death of parent, Violence, and Gore