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Reviews tagging 'Torture'
The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley
17 reviews
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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: Death, Violence, Medical content
Minor: Torture, Kidnapping
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for an ARC of this book.
I'm a huge fan of Brigitte's fanfiction so I was immediately so excited to read this book. I manifested receiving the arc for weeks after hearing the announcement and apparently during a bout of fever and the flu, I mumbled about the book in my sleep for a week!
I have been rationing the book since February, treating myself to a chapter at time, trying to drag it out and savour it, but alas, I got half way through and could not put it down again.
Firstly, Brigitte's world building. Phenomenal. Don't get me wrong, it was confusing and felt rushed at times but I fear that is how all fantasy books make me feel. Yet, she was able to explain sufficiently enough the details needed for the plot and not do so in an overwhelming way. It was really smooth. I did not feel too confused to comprehend but enough to wonder and want to read more.
I feel the magical system and the different Order's was a really interesting concept. The book felt new and yet familiar at the same time.
Secondly, the writing. God it was so beautiful. A mixture of crass, blunt snips of humour and beautiful prose. I loved the style of writing - it definitely made me crack open the dictionary a few times - and I do not think it will be for everyone, but I really enjoyed it. The way Brigitte describes inexplicable things genuinely tugs at my soppy little heart.
Most importantly, the BANTER. As always Brigitte's writing is so freaking witty. I NEVER laugh out loud at books, or tv or most media, but I was repressing giggles and bursts of laughter at work... which is inconvenient seeing as I work in a library. The humour in this book is un-paralleled and I genuinely loved the relationship between Aurienne and Osric. It was definitely toxic and a perfect enemies-to-lovers but it was so bloody funny and I found myself excited for more interactions between them, just to see what weird situations they find themselves in and how hilarious they will be.
The romance was SLOW. Yet it felt natural for the characters. When I say they are enemies, I mean genuine hatred. So anything faster than was was written would have felt strange for the characters. I would have liked a few more tense moment throughout but if anything it made me more excited to see how they relationship progresses in the next book. The ending did feel a bit abrupt but again it made me want to read more so I'm not too mad about it.
I will be thinking about this book for a long time to come and I may have to re-read some parts to fill the void inside. I definitely recommend to everyone who loved hilarious, witty, enemies-to-lovers set in a unique fantasy world.
I'm a huge fan of Brigitte's fanfiction so I was immediately so excited to read this book. I manifested receiving the arc for weeks after hearing the announcement and apparently during a bout of fever and the flu, I mumbled about the book in my sleep for a week!
I have been rationing the book since February, treating myself to a chapter at time, trying to drag it out and savour it, but alas, I got half way through and could not put it down again.
Firstly, Brigitte's world building. Phenomenal. Don't get me wrong, it was confusing and felt rushed at times but I fear that is how all fantasy books make me feel. Yet, she was able to explain sufficiently enough the details needed for the plot and not do so in an overwhelming way. It was really smooth. I did not feel too confused to comprehend but enough to wonder and want to read more.
I feel the magical system and the different Order's was a really interesting concept. The book felt new and yet familiar at the same time.
Secondly, the writing. God it was so beautiful. A mixture of crass, blunt snips of humour and beautiful prose. I loved the style of writing - it definitely made me crack open the dictionary a few times - and I do not think it will be for everyone, but I really enjoyed it. The way Brigitte describes inexplicable things genuinely tugs at my soppy little heart.
Most importantly, the BANTER. As always Brigitte's writing is so freaking witty. I NEVER laugh out loud at books, or tv or most media, but I was repressing giggles and bursts of laughter at work... which is inconvenient seeing as I work in a library. The humour in this book is un-paralleled and I genuinely loved the relationship between Aurienne and Osric. It was definitely toxic and a perfect enemies-to-lovers but it was so bloody funny and I found myself excited for more interactions between them, just to see what weird situations they find themselves in and how hilarious they will be.
The romance was SLOW. Yet it felt natural for the characters. When I say they are enemies, I mean genuine hatred. So anything faster than was was written would have felt strange for the characters. I would have liked a few more tense moment throughout but if anything it made me more excited to see how they relationship progresses in the next book. The ending did feel a bit abrupt but again it made me want to read more so I'm not too mad about it.
I will be thinking about this book for a long time to come and I may have to re-read some parts to fill the void inside. I definitely recommend to everyone who loved hilarious, witty, enemies-to-lovers set in a unique fantasy world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Medical content, Murder, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Toxic relationship, Alcohol
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Vomit, War
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
oh okay so its just going to end like that huh?
I don't even know how to put into words the experience that was this book.
It was that good.
My god.
Bi4Bi
dramione coded (obviously)
POC characters
and I'm counting the costs as disability rep. Even if its 'healed' the next day, its something that is constant and will always come back.
I don't even know how to put into words the experience that was this book.
It was that good.
My god.
Bi4Bi
dramione coded (obviously)
POC characters
and I'm counting the costs as disability rep. Even if its 'healed' the next day, its something that is constant and will always come back.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Kidnapping, War
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Before getting into the content of this book, a warning: it isn't a complete story. It's an alleged duology that is clearly actually one story cut in two - there are no resolved arcs in this book, it simply stops. Because of this, the pacing is very odd and there's no complete structure.
That said, it is also quite fun. The world-building is done with a light touch but makes for a satisfying setting, in a magical Britain (although the story focuses on England) which did not fall to the Norman Conquest. Magic users are mostly members of different orders, some focusing on doing good and others on killing for money. The titular enemies are a healer and an assassin, forced to work together when the assassin is struck with a seemingly incurable affliction. In return for healing he becomes involved in investigating the spread of a mysterious disease, being forced to spend more and more time with the healer as the intrigue ramps up. As the title makes clear, sexual tension starts to become a factor as they are compelled to get to know each other.
It turns out that this author is a well-known fanfiction author. Fanfic tropes - like everyone being bi/pansexual and continual snarky banter - are present, and although this is apparently not a reworking of an existing piece it does make sense that Knightley wrote a high profile Draco/Hermione story. However, this novel should appeal to a wider romantasy audience that isn't immersed in fandom. Some incongruously modern language does creep in but in a AU story with a vague timeline it's hard to be too strict.
I enjoyed it while i was reading it and would have given it a cheerful four stars if it had any kind of resolution. Unfortunately the non-finish and consequent structural failures lose a star for me. I came away from the book feeling somewhat cheated.
Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
That said, it is also quite fun. The world-building is done with a light touch but makes for a satisfying setting, in a magical Britain (although the story focuses on England) which did not fall to the Norman Conquest. Magic users are mostly members of different orders, some focusing on doing good and others on killing for money. The titular enemies are a healer and an assassin, forced to work together when the assassin is struck with a seemingly incurable affliction. In return for healing he becomes involved in investigating the spread of a mysterious disease, being forced to spend more and more time with the healer as the intrigue ramps up. As the title makes clear, sexual tension starts to become a factor as they are compelled to get to know each other.
It turns out that this author is a well-known fanfiction author. Fanfic tropes - like everyone being bi/pansexual and continual snarky banter - are present, and although this is apparently not a reworking of an existing piece it does make sense that Knightley wrote a high profile Draco/Hermione story. However, this novel should appeal to a wider romantasy audience that isn't immersed in fandom. Some incongruously modern language does creep in but in a AU story with a vague timeline it's hard to be too strict.
I enjoyed it while i was reading it and would have given it a cheerful four stars if it had any kind of resolution. Unfortunately the non-finish and consequent structural failures lose a star for me. I came away from the book feeling somewhat cheated.
Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Torture, Sexual harassment
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
I love Brigette and have since DMATMOOBIL but I could've done with 90% less crude body humor. Became repetitive and distracting. I'm still going to read the next one though as the ending had less of that and more plot movement that was really interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Child abuse, Physical abuse
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
First off, thank you to Goodreads giveaways and Penguin Random House for providing me with an ARC of this book!
Dramione girlies, I can't wait for y'all to experience this one!
Brigitte Knightley, you are a queen, and you've had my heart since the DMATMOOBIL days. TIUTFFYE has really cemented you in there.
This book was delightful. I loved the world-building and magic (or should I say, seith) system in this one. Set in an alternate version of England where the Norman conquest failed and the British Isles just never quite became able to put the U in the UK — this felt familiar but with a new enough spin to feel so fantastical.
One of my biggest qualms with so many of the enemies-to-lovers stories I've read in recent memory is that the enemies never really *enemy.* It's always instalove, there is never enough tension or loathing that is overcome for a truly satisfying fall. TIUTFFYE broke from that norm and is bringing back enemies in a big way. This book was a low and slow burn. So slow that I found myself appreciating the little tidbits we were thrown more than usual. The graze of a cheek had me squealing, throwing my book down, and taking a few laps around my living room. A hand kiss actually sent me into orbit.
And the BANTER. Don't get me started on how delightfully funny this book was. I adored the ways the characters quipped with each other. I felt so many echoes of DMATMOOBIL here.
Which brings me to my final point for now (I'm riding a high of just finishing this book and am sure I'll have more to say on it later) — I went into this expecting a retelling of DMATMOOBIL, partly because the other Dramione GOATs being tradpublished this year actually are direct adaptations and partly because I wasn't paying attention to Brigitte's social channels were she cleared the issue up and stated that this is an original story. So to be clear, TIUTFFYE is an original story and not a retelling of DMATMOOBIL. I do fear that some will do this story a disservice by going in with expectations on the contrary. I think that any lovers of DMATMOOBIL will absolutely love this as a sibling, not a twin to that story. There are plenty of similarities, but it is its own media and I absolutely love it for that.
4.5 stars, I cannot wait for the next installment of the story!
Dramione girlies, I can't wait for y'all to experience this one!
Brigitte Knightley, you are a queen, and you've had my heart since the DMATMOOBIL days. TIUTFFYE has really cemented you in there.
This book was delightful. I loved the world-building and magic (or should I say, seith) system in this one. Set in an alternate version of England where the Norman conquest failed and the British Isles just never quite became able to put the U in the UK — this felt familiar but with a new enough spin to feel so fantastical.
One of my biggest qualms with so many of the enemies-to-lovers stories I've read in recent memory is that the enemies never really *enemy.* It's always instalove, there is never enough tension or loathing that is overcome for a truly satisfying fall. TIUTFFYE broke from that norm and is bringing back enemies in a big way. This book was a low and slow burn. So slow that I found myself appreciating the little tidbits we were thrown more than usual. The graze of a cheek had me squealing, throwing my book down, and taking a few laps around my living room. A hand kiss actually sent me into orbit.
And the BANTER. Don't get me started on how delightfully funny this book was. I adored the ways the characters quipped with each other. I felt so many echoes of DMATMOOBIL here.
Which brings me to my final point for now (I'm riding a high of just finishing this book and am sure I'll have more to say on it later) — I went into this expecting a retelling of DMATMOOBIL, partly because the other Dramione GOATs being tradpublished this year actually are direct adaptations and partly because I wasn't paying attention to Brigitte's social channels were she cleared the issue up and stated that this is an original story. So to be clear, TIUTFFYE is an original story and not a retelling of DMATMOOBIL. I do fear that some will do this story a disservice by going in with expectations on the contrary. I think that any lovers of DMATMOOBIL will absolutely love this as a sibling, not a twin to that story. There are plenty of similarities, but it is its own media and I absolutely love it for that.
4.5 stars, I cannot wait for the next installment of the story!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Medical content, Murder
Minor: Torture, Sexual harassment