Scan barcode
rainyghost's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Animal death, Gaslighting, Violence, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Racism, Vomit, Torture, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual assault
notsohopelessromantic's review
- 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
5.0
The kindling romance between Darlington and Alex is just that. Kindling. If you wanted romance, boy howdy let me tell you it's a slow burn. A very confused, hesitant flame, with a very eager wick, on a willing candle. That might not make sense to you but it does to me.
Anyway, the book was very good. Much like the first where it just seems to be one thing after another, after another. Nonstop misfortune, bad luck, catastrophe. It really makes you wanna tear your hair out. But, to be fair, they did manage to get Darlington back from the Underworld, something I truly did not believe would happen until the 3rd book with the way things were looking. I am grateful to at least have that issue resolved, if only temporarily.
There is most definitely something off about the current Praetor. He knows more than he's letting on, I'm just not sure why. I probably won't know until it's literally spelled out to us in the next book.
I loved the character development on all fronts. Learning that Turner wasn't as straight-laced as we all thought, that Tripp isn't all that harmless or innocent, that Mercy is stronger than she seems. And speaking of Tripp, I do love what was done with his character at the end of the book. That will be interesting to see play out in the next one. Dawes has grown even more as well, becoming less timid, more sure of herself, confident in her abilities; very much the witch Alex saw her to be. I know that there is even more to unpack with Alex and why she's been described as sitting on a throne with a crown on her head, Darlington her faithful servant (and lover 👀). I can't wait for it all to unfold.
The book truly twisted and turned at all of the unexpected, and expected, moments, making this one helluva ride (read). I cannot wait to receive news on the final book in the trilogy and can only hope that I won't have to suffer for very long. Though if Darlington can survive over a year in hell, then I can certainly wait that long to be saved too.
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Gore, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Animal death, Drug use, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Blood, Mental illness, and Violence
Minor: Torture, Cancer, Cursing, and Grief
lancemama's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Classism, Grief, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, Addiction, Blood, Body horror, Cursing, Drug abuse, Death, Gore, Murder, Colonisation, and Violence
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
Minor: Death of parent, Gaslighting, Fire/Fire injury, Drug use, and Forced institutionalization
stephliljazz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
"People shouldn't have to march through the world fighting all the time."
"I will serve you till the end of days."
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Drug use, Blood, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Torture, Body horror, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, and Gore
Moderate: Abandonment, Slavery, Stalking, Grief, Vomit, Addiction, Animal cruelty, Fire/Fire injury, Cursing, Death, Animal death, Alcohol, Violence, Torture, Classism, and Police brutality
Minor: Classism
felixfue's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Torture, Suicide, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Animal death, War, and Child death
jillyjills's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Police brutality, Racism, Animal death, Addiction, Confinement, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Rape, Violence, and Torture
circe813's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Animal death, Blood, Confinement, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Police brutality, Cursing, Drug use, Drug abuse, Gore, and Gun violence
jla'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? It's complicated
3.75
The world is interesting, but the books really don't need to be this long. The middle 1/3 of this book was unnecessary. There were 2 times I wanted to throw this book across the room. The 1st was vampires, and the second was the first failed trip to Hell. The paranormal aspect went from gothic to campy.
The Darlington situation is super frustrating. Is he a main character? Is he a supporting character? Is he just a way to move the plot along? Is there supposed to be chemistry and tension between them. What's with the weird references to erections, carnal urges, and sexual penetration?
Graphic: Torture, Drug abuse, and Drug use
marg0tte1109'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Addiction, Sexism, Torture, Classism, Gore, Self harm, Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Violence
jg34's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Tripp as a himbo vampire!!?!? I will read a book just about that please.
Am a bit nervous about all that will go down in the next book with the gate to hell open and one vampire to save and one vampire to kill (is this now Supernatural?? I love it).
These books are so nerve wracking!!!! But obviously I will continue despite not being a thriller or mystery girlie. I’d say this one was better than ninth house, maybe because being the second book it obviously didn’t need all the build up and explanations they were just able to jump right into action. And boy did they jump
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Torture