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lillelow's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Sadly, a quite weak ending to a series with great potential. I feel that it tries a bit too much in being both a spicy romance *and* a magical period drama. I believe focusing on one of the genres would have worked better. In the end, I guess this is a series for those who want to read romance sprinkled with some magic, whereas I would rather have a faster pace, action and magic guide the story.
I tend to not read the blurbs of books once I’ve started a series, so upon beginning this audiobook, I was surprise to find that we were not returning to Edvin and Robin from the first novel, nor Maude or Violet from the second - but rather that the first point of view was Hawthorne’s. I was even more surprised once the second was revealed to be Alan’s, and quite disappointed. I expected the series to tie back to the beginning and starting to wrap things up by returning to Robin and Maude, the siblings. But instead it adds and revolves around a new relationship, weirdly sardonic and much harder to relate to this time, an angle I felt only served the purpose of not repeating the trope of the first two novels again.
It is not the sweet sweep-me-of-my-feet kind of romance turned fiery passion, but rather some weird angry hate-fuck setup that has its only, very shallow, foundation in that Hawthorn is filthy rich and Alan is poor. This, to Alan, seems to be the most awful thing a person can be, so for most of the book he complains about how horrible everyone is and how he hates them. Especially Hawthorne. And still they… very explicitly… everywhere. Yeah, I don’t get it.
As to Alan, he is constantly moody and depressed and not at all the mischievous, fun “sure let’s get into trouble” pickpocket from the second novel. The same change goes for Hawthorne. I was beginning to like him in the second novel, seeing him warming up to the others and somewhat reluctantly joining the crew. Yet in this one he’s just grumpy again, and not in the somewhat shy and caring way. I get that these are character traits that are well founded in both character’s backstories, and they’re written to overcome them, but I simply didn’t enjoy listening to half a book about moody characters who only complains. And no, adding kinky hate fuck scenes that I really didn’t understand the point of didn’t help.
I felt there was a shift about halfway through the book though, where things started to gain pace. We did get some heist action and some grand magical gala action… but in the end, I didn’t care much about ‘the Last contract’. Which I guess is the actual plot of the series (adding so much focus on relationships makes one loose track of the overall goal). I did expect answers in this one, but sadly realised I still didn’t understand most of was going on, who people were and why things happened.
Final rant: I expected Hawthorne’s sister‘s death to have MUCH more relevance. Adding Mrs Doufey only felt like a way to dump exposition no one asked for. WHY didn’t Adelaide get her own point of view? The grand showdown was underwhelming and quite confusing. I didn’t understand what happened to the last contract 🤷🏼♀️
It is not the sweet sweep-me-of-my-feet kind of romance turned fiery passion, but rather some weird angry hate-fuck setup that has its only, very shallow, foundation in that Hawthorn is filthy rich and Alan is poor. This, to Alan, seems to be the most awful thing a person can be, so for most of the book he complains about how horrible everyone is and how he hates them. Especially Hawthorne. And still they… very explicitly… everywhere. Yeah, I don’t get it.
As to Alan, he is constantly moody and depressed and not at all the mischievous, fun “sure let’s get into trouble” pickpocket from the second novel. The same change goes for Hawthorne. I was beginning to like him in the second novel, seeing him warming up to the others and somewhat reluctantly joining the crew. Yet in this one he’s just grumpy again, and not in the somewhat shy and caring way. I get that these are character traits that are well founded in both character’s backstories, and they’re written to overcome them, but I simply didn’t enjoy listening to half a book about moody characters who only complains. And no, adding kinky hate fuck scenes that I really didn’t understand the point of didn’t help.
I felt there was a shift about halfway through the book though, where things started to gain pace. We did get some heist action and some grand magical gala action… but in the end, I didn’t care much about ‘the Last contract’. Which I guess is the actual plot of the series (adding so much focus on relationships makes one loose track of the overall goal). I did expect answers in this one, but sadly realised I still didn’t understand most of was going on, who people were and why things happened.
Final rant: I expected Hawthorne’s sister‘s death to have MUCH more relevance. Adding Mrs Doufey only felt like a way to dump exposition no one asked for. WHY didn’t Adelaide get her own point of view? The grand showdown was underwhelming and quite confusing. I didn’t understand what happened to the last contract 🤷🏼♀️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Violence, Grief, Classism, and Suicidal thoughts
Explicit, spicy, kinkyreinydays's review against another edition
While Jack turned out to be my favorite character out of the entire bunch, I was having a difficult time maintaining interest in the main conflict of the series that often felt like a second thought over the spicy scenes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Child death, and Sexual content
Moderate: Murder, Classism, Grief, Bullying, and Death of parent
beepbeep101's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Classism, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Torture, and Violence
toopunkrockforshul's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
I just think this series is so great and I thought this was a really nice conclusion to it. I absolutely love the worldbuilding and magic descriptions in this, loved seeing the characters from the other books again, and as expected, loved Jack and Alan's relationship.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Cursing, Classism, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content
Moderate: Rape, War, Alcohol, and Suicide
Minor: Vomit, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Infidelity
abnormal_shadow's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
I LOVE THIS BOOK SERIS!!!!!
I started this book series like I start all the books i read: Bliond. I didnt know what i was getting into and i am happy to say that I had a wonderful experience with this book. The characters are all distinct and identifiable, all we it different interesting and complementing personalities. The twists that made me gasp the biggest gasps and the the loudest "omg nooooooooooo". Everyone seems to have this mutual queer understanding ang it thinks their entire friend group is astonishing. If I don't get to be the Addie in room with Violet, Maudie, Robion, Edwin, Alan and Jack, will I don't want the fucking group.
I started this book series like I start all the books i read: Bliond. I didnt know what i was getting into and i am happy to say that I had a wonderful experience with this book. The characters are all distinct and identifiable, all we it different interesting and complementing personalities. The twists that made me gasp the biggest gasps and the the loudest "omg nooooooooooo". Everyone seems to have this mutual queer understanding ang it thinks their entire friend group is astonishing. If I don't get to be the Addie in room with Violet, Maudie, Robion, Edwin, Alan and Jack, will I don't want the fucking group.
ʕ•́ᴥ•̀ʔっ♡
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Misogyny, Blood, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, and Classism
Moderate: War, Racism, Gore, Religious bigotry, Child death, and Torture
Minor: Alcohol, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gun violence, and Toxic relationship
raptorq's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Violence and Suicide
cyberhavok's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Blood, Grief, Violence, and Classism
Minor: Sexual assault, Rape, Infidelity, and Pregnancy
elizas's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
5.0
How can I rate a book as both dark and light-hearted? Somehow, Freya Marske pulls this off. The themes are dark, people’s lives are constantly on the line, but the banter among the seven main characters sometime made me laugh out loud.
I have to admit that the obnoxious Lord Hawthorn grabbed my interest in the first book in the series, and midway through the second book it became pretty clear that he would be the hero of this third book. But it’s the son of lower-class Italian immigrants who steals the show. Alanzo Cesare Rossi (making his way in the hidebound London world as Alan Ross) can never resist waving a red flag at a charging bull, especially when he’s up against Jack Cheetham, Lord Hawthorn. The power should be all Lord Hawthorn’s, but somehow Alan manages to win every showdown. If you like gay romantic fantasy with a good magic system and lots of spicy sex, you’ll love this book.
I have to admit that the obnoxious Lord Hawthorn grabbed my interest in the first book in the series, and midway through the second book it became pretty clear that he would be the hero of this third book. But it’s the son of lower-class Italian immigrants who steals the show. Alanzo Cesare Rossi (making his way in the hidebound London world as Alan Ross) can never resist waving a red flag at a charging bull, especially when he’s up against Jack Cheetham, Lord Hawthorn. The power should be all Lord Hawthorn’s, but somehow Alan manages to win every showdown. If you like gay romantic fantasy with a good magic system and lots of spicy sex, you’ll love this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Classism, Death, Grief, and Blood
Minor: Sexual harassment
imds's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Gun violence, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Blood, Murder, Violence, Death, Kidnapping, Classism, Confinement, Police brutality, Racism, and Grief
Minor: Pregnancy and Rape
hannahrogers's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Death
Moderate: Classism, Blood, Torture, Murder, Grief, and Bullying
Minor: Rape, War, Alcohol, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Sexism, and Suicide