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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I kinda wanted a sad ending.
This book has a great exploration of how people are vulnerable to cults, and how once out of them we are still vulnerable to a certain type of people, and sometimes it is hard to recognize how we fall into the same toxic, manipulative type of relations because we believe that is the norm.
This book has a great exploration of how people are vulnerable to cults, and how once out of them we are still vulnerable to a certain type of people, and sometimes it is hard to recognize how we fall into the same toxic, manipulative type of relations because we believe that is the norm.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was darker than I thought it would be, but I was sufficiently warned. Read content warnings before reading. My only real criticism of this book is that the evolution of the characters felt very fast, almost too fast - like a switch had been flipped. However, the two main characters had amazing chemistry, and while this is not a life I would like to experience, that chemistry is everything I dream of. I will definitely be reading book two!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Cannibalism, Abandonment
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Liza James has completely obliterated me with this beautifully raw and entrancing story. This was my first FF book and won’t be my last. But what I loved about this book more than anything was that it was about gender, it wasn’t about sexuality, it was about a deep rooted connection that transcends all else, a vibe.
“Gender doesn’t register in my radar anymore because as I’ve gotten older, the more I’ve realized how important the connection actually is.”
Aura and Ruby’s connection was electric. It was unlike anything I have ever experienced before. Their ties, their connection, went deeper than attraction or lust. It was like this cosmic shift when they each laid eyes on each other. Like their worlds now revolves around one another. Like a piece they never knew was missing. Each other light at the end of the tunnel.
The strength that both Ruby and Aura exuded was captivating in every sense of the word. They took a world that time and time again tried to break them, that tried to smother them in its darkness, and turned it into something transcendent. The way they could take pride in the powerful and confidence they garnered from each other and on their own was astounding. Two truly magnificent characters.
“But she changes everything. She’s taken her tragedy and transformed it into a masterpiece of redeeming stokes. Paint splashed in red and green and blue and pink. That’s how I see her, a mix of countless shades coloring her energy in beauty.”
More than anything else, this book was steeped in freedom and vulnerability. Taking pride in and having courage to be who you are fully despite societies standards or what others tell you is right or wrong. To be who you want to be, love who you want to love.
“Our own happiness and strength is derived from ourselves. No one else.”
This is truly one of the best books I have ever read. Liza James creates a story and characters is instantly and strongly connected with. There was a vulnerability and power that flowed so effortlessly from the pages. A powerful that resonated such a strong and important message regardless of who you are, where you come from, who you love. This story is one everyone can connect to on some level.
This book is an absolute MUST READ!
“Gender doesn’t register in my radar anymore because as I’ve gotten older, the more I’ve realized how important the connection actually is.”
Aura and Ruby’s connection was electric. It was unlike anything I have ever experienced before. Their ties, their connection, went deeper than attraction or lust. It was like this cosmic shift when they each laid eyes on each other. Like their worlds now revolves around one another. Like a piece they never knew was missing. Each other light at the end of the tunnel.
The strength that both Ruby and Aura exuded was captivating in every sense of the word. They took a world that time and time again tried to break them, that tried to smother them in its darkness, and turned it into something transcendent. The way they could take pride in the powerful and confidence they garnered from each other and on their own was astounding. Two truly magnificent characters.
“But she changes everything. She’s taken her tragedy and transformed it into a masterpiece of redeeming stokes. Paint splashed in red and green and blue and pink. That’s how I see her, a mix of countless shades coloring her energy in beauty.”
More than anything else, this book was steeped in freedom and vulnerability. Taking pride in and having courage to be who you are fully despite societies standards or what others tell you is right or wrong. To be who you want to be, love who you want to love.
“Our own happiness and strength is derived from ourselves. No one else.”
This is truly one of the best books I have ever read. Liza James creates a story and characters is instantly and strongly connected with. There was a vulnerability and power that flowed so effortlessly from the pages. A powerful that resonated such a strong and important message regardless of who you are, where you come from, who you love. This story is one everyone can connect to on some level.
This book is an absolute MUST READ!
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This one was a bit of a spontaneous read. I didn’t know too much going into this, so it did take me some time to understand what was going on but overall I actually enjoyed it. I had a hard time differentiating Aura’s flashbacks, so I was a little confused at the beginning of this. This was my first cult read and man oh man was it interesting. I kept asking myself why would someone put their family through something like this. From an outsider's perspective it seems extremely bad, and seems like the only rational decision would be to up and leave, but then again things are easier said than done. But most people in cults are conditioned as children, it’s harder to leave something when it’s all you’ve ever known and were taught. And that's something I had to remind myself while reading this. After doing so it was easier to see why Aura had a hard time adjusting to life outside the cult. Her actions and behavior. Not to mention the fact that she was constantly seeking Bethie and Hawk’s approval. Even she herself was still trying to find out who she truly was. I wanted to punch both Bethie and Hawk in the face so many times though. All they seemed to do was push Aura into doing this she wasn’t comfortable with, and when she did have the courage to venture off, they criticized her for it. Some “friends” they were.
Knowing how Ruby and Aura truly met after one night, which resulted in Aura cheating on her piece of shit boyfriend, although I don’t stand for cheating you couldn’t help but root for them. While reading I couldn’t help but picture Ruby, as Ruby Rose. I love Ruby Rose and that only added to me rooting for the two more. I especially loved how Aura started to open up and be her true self around Ruby. And Ruby would only encourage her to do so.
I wish Ruby’s background was explained more. We got a glimpse of her background, but it wasn’t anything too detailed. Also I want to know what happened to Bethie throughout the book. She seemed to play a role in the beginning, but as the story progressed she kind of disappeared and then showed up at random in the end to save Aura and Ruby. Now although Aura and Ruby forgave Bethie for what she did. Personally I couldn’t. She was such a terrible person to them, especially Aura. And Bethie doing one good thing wouldn’t clear up all the wrong she did in my book. I still don’t like her. Overall this was all around one of the better F/F romances. There was chemistry, lovable characters, villains, plot twists, personal growth, change and I can’t wait to read more of Liza’s work.
TW- Sexual Assault, Rape, Violence, Cult, Death, Pediphillia, Drug use, etc.
Knowing how Ruby and Aura truly met after one night, which resulted in Aura cheating on her piece of shit boyfriend, although I don’t stand for cheating you couldn’t help but root for them. While reading I couldn’t help but picture Ruby, as Ruby Rose. I love Ruby Rose and that only added to me rooting for the two more. I especially loved how Aura started to open up and be her true self around Ruby. And Ruby would only encourage her to do so.
I wish Ruby’s background was explained more. We got a glimpse of her background, but it wasn’t anything too detailed. Also I want to know what happened to Bethie throughout the book. She seemed to play a role in the beginning, but as the story progressed she kind of disappeared and then showed up at random in the end to save Aura and Ruby. Now although Aura and Ruby forgave Bethie for what she did. Personally I couldn’t. She was such a terrible person to them, especially Aura. And Bethie doing one good thing wouldn’t clear up all the wrong she did in my book. I still don’t like her. Overall this was all around one of the better F/F romances. There was chemistry, lovable characters, villains, plot twists, personal growth, change and I can’t wait to read more of Liza’s work.
TW- Sexual Assault, Rape, Violence, Cult, Death, Pediphillia, Drug use, etc.