Take a photo of a barcode or cover
Reviews tagging 'Child death'
The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley
31 reviews
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
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
The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley is the first book in the Dearly Beloathed series. Osric is in desperate need of help from someone of the Haelan Order. But he is a member of the Fyren Order, assassins who are not well liked. He makes Aurienne and the Haelan Order an offer they cannot deny. In order to help each other out, they have to work together, which is not easy as natural enemies that have some chemistry.
I am very unsure about this book. I found it on social media and immediately pre-ordered it as it seemed right up my ally. Enemies to lovers, fantasy, slow burn. However, I have a kind of love-hate relationship with this book. On one hand, I understand the hype, on the other, I don't. Brigitte Knightley's writing style is quite poetic. I had a really hard time getting into the book. English is not my first language and I had to translate several words to get what they were talking about (let's not talk about the fact that I study this language...). So the text per se was hard for me to comprehend. Secondly, I did not the fully warm with the main characters. I think that this goes hand in hand with my understanding problems, but Osric and Aurienne seemed too distant. They also lack chemistry. I liked them more towards the end, but I still can't grasp them fully.
Don't get me wrong. I really enjoyed the plot. I love fantasy books with new plots and this book is definitely one of them. And don't get me talking about the cover. It is gorgeous! I will definitely read the next book, because I want to know what is going to happen to Osric, to all the children with Pox and to Osric's and Aurienne's relationship. Because this book is a real slow burn romance! I enjoy that.
As I said, I don't fully get the hype, but I enjoyed the book. Oh, and it has a map included which I LOVE!
I am very unsure about this book. I found it on social media and immediately pre-ordered it as it seemed right up my ally. Enemies to lovers, fantasy, slow burn. However, I have a kind of love-hate relationship with this book. On one hand, I understand the hype, on the other, I don't. Brigitte Knightley's writing style is quite poetic. I had a really hard time getting into the book. English is not my first language and I had to translate several words to get what they were talking about (let's not talk about the fact that I study this language...). So the text per se was hard for me to comprehend. Secondly, I did not the fully warm with the main characters. I think that this goes hand in hand with my understanding problems, but Osric and Aurienne seemed too distant. They also lack chemistry. I liked them more towards the end, but I still can't grasp them fully.
Don't get me wrong. I really enjoyed the plot. I love fantasy books with new plots and this book is definitely one of them. And don't get me talking about the cover. It is gorgeous! I will definitely read the next book, because I want to know what is going to happen to Osric, to all the children with Pox and to Osric's and Aurienne's relationship. Because this book is a real slow burn romance! I enjoy that.
As I said, I don't fully get the hype, but I enjoyed the book. Oh, and it has a map included which I LOVE!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Sexual content, Medical content, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Child abuse, Torture, Death of parent, War
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Child death, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content, War
adventurous
funny
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Suicide, Terminal illness, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Child death, Sexual content, Torture, Violence
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
You know what? I liked it and I just need to deal with that.
Another illumicrate sub that I might not have picked had I actually read the little teaser but it was good.
This used to be Dramione FanFic and while I knew that, and the art definitely confirms it, I wouldn’t have noticed if I hadn’t known though. Yes, their appearance descriptions were pretty close to Dramione, it just felt like regular OCs and not like already established characters.
The world was very interesting, though there were way to many made up words for things that didn’t need made up words in the slightest, especially in the first couple pages.
The idea of the Tācn and Deoful was really cool though and I did enjoy those immensely.
For some FanFics-turned-published-Book it’s really noticeable and it feels like only the names have been changed but this world had enough ideas to stand on its own two feet.
The Enemies to Lovers part was okay-ish done, in a way that they never truly felt like enemies, more like opponents which was a lil misleading by saying its Enemies to Lovers but I do get it and their opposites-attract kind of thing was well done.
The plot-based reveal near the end was foreseeable but that ain’t a bad thing, I’d rather foresee it than be completely blindsided because it doesn’t make any sense.
The romance was surprising me as well, in so far that I didn’t expect it too be slow-burn at all and was kinda prepared for insta-love. Which, thankfully it wasn’t and I do enjoy a good slowburn.
There’s probably going to be a second book and I’d definitely give it a shot.
Another illumicrate sub that I might not have picked had I actually read the little teaser but it was good.
This used to be Dramione FanFic and while I knew that, and the art definitely confirms it, I wouldn’t have noticed if I hadn’t known though. Yes, their appearance descriptions were pretty close to Dramione, it just felt like regular OCs and not like already established characters.
The world was very interesting, though there were way to many made up words for things that didn’t need made up words in the slightest, especially in the first couple pages.
The idea of the Tācn and Deoful was really cool though and I did enjoy those immensely.
For some FanFics-turned-published-Book it’s really noticeable and it feels like only the names have been changed but this world had enough ideas to stand on its own two feet.
The Enemies to Lovers part was okay-ish done, in a way that they never truly felt like enemies, more like opponents which was a lil misleading by saying its Enemies to Lovers but I do get it and their opposites-attract kind of thing was well done.
The plot-based reveal near the end was foreseeable but that ain’t a bad thing, I’d rather foresee it than be completely blindsided because it doesn’t make any sense.
The romance was surprising me as well, in so far that I didn’t expect it too be slow-burn at all and was kinda prepared for insta-love. Which, thankfully it wasn’t and I do enjoy a good slowburn.
There’s probably going to be a second book and I’d definitely give it a shot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Kidnapping, War
adventurous
emotional
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Like many, I come from the fanfic fandom and I was really looking forward to the authors first published works. I’m disappointed to say I’m disappointed that part one of this duology was mostly world building with a hint of insta-lust and love towards the end. I remained interested only because I know what the author can bring to the table. Sadly I must wait another year to read the next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Torture, Violence
Moderate: War
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness
Moderate: Child death, Violence, Death of parent
adventurous
funny
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
The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy by Brigette Knightley
Is Immersive.
We follow two people from juxtaposed magical orders as they both try to come out a winner in what starts out as a transactional relationship, but their relationship soon turns into a quest to understand a deadly outbreak infecting mostly children uncovering those that wish to see it continued. Of course, being beautiful, smart and equally arrogant from being the best of the best, they start to feel attraction for one another. Pursued quickly, as if by a bear, by disgust for one another and themselves.
Some fanfic fiends may know this author and enemies to lovers storyline from Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being in Love. However this novel stands outside that of the Harry Potter world. Knightley does a decent job world building and finding ways magic can work without wands, Apparition, flow networks and portkeys. They do an even better job to remove the animosity from school yard building and a racist war, by creating magical orders of basically the killers and healers living in a semi dukedom Europe.
All together it becomes a bit muddled at points. We lose the understanding of these characters' inner lives and upbringing, we get lost in the explaining of the world rather than in the quest and romance. All the foundational stuff leaves you questioning. What time period is this, they talk about London, but the use of oil lamps, they seem to have no taboo about sex, women healers, but talk about ball gowns, ankles showing, servants, the nouveaux rich, and unclaimed bastards. It sort of makes one question and thus pulls one out of the story. How do they talk about cream pies and oil lamps or walking as transport at the same time?
Regardless of this shaky world building the story is good, and vastly different that those who enjoyed the fan fic will be entertained. I’m excited for the second novel, as Knightley is a very good comedic writer with a sizzle. Much more haha romance than steamy but still sex positive, and not in a YA off page style, rather full on descriptive scenes even if it was just solo sessions.
This novel is for anyone who is ready for a funny adventure novel, not just those who read the fan fic.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Death, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What you should know going into this book is that it isn't Objectively Good, but it does know what it is, and that's what makes it good.
This book has no pretenses. It isn't setting up an epic fantasy arc. It doesn't claim to be the next ACOTAR or Fourth Wing. This book knows its destiny is to be a romp of devilry and charm. It's irreverent, it's delightful caricature, it's pure fluff for when you just want an easy read with a healthy dose of mostly well-executed banter.
The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy has a dark humor to it that belies its lightheartedness, which is what I think worked so well for me. You'll either enjoy it or you'll hate it, but either way, you'll finish and immediately look up when the sequel releases.(Allegedly July 2026.)
This book has no pretenses. It isn't setting up an epic fantasy arc. It doesn't claim to be the next ACOTAR or Fourth Wing. This book knows its destiny is to be a romp of devilry and charm. It's irreverent, it's delightful caricature, it's pure fluff for when you just want an easy read with a healthy dose of mostly well-executed banter.
The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy has a dark humor to it that belies its lightheartedness, which is what I think worked so well for me. You'll either enjoy it or you'll hate it, but either way, you'll finish and immediately look up when the sequel releases.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Child death, Sexual content, Murder, Classism
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Sexual harassment, Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Death, Blood, Classism
adventurous
dark
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
Excellent, creative world building and characters who are introspective, A+ writing!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Pandemic/Epidemic