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4.44 AVERAGE
4.44 AVERAGE
This is another Draco/Hermione fanfic called Manacled online. I would love to read the actual story online but I cannot do another 1000 pages right now. I had no idea how long this book was when I requested the ARC. Holy cow! This book is SO dark. There are SO many trigger warnings. Awful things happen they whole 1000 pages so just know that. I was at least hoping for a happy ending and I did get it, but this book is a lot. I was trying to figure out who all of the other characters were as I was reading. Of the three recently published fanfics, I could picture Draco and Hermione the whole time in this one. We start the book as Helena is a prisoner held by Kaine. She has no memory of who she is or why she is there. Kaine must get her memories back. Hermione is the last remaining from the resistance that lost the war and the new regime wants answers. We think we know what happened but then we go back to see how the real story unfolded and it is a doozy. I definitely teared up in places. It is a tough read. I will post my quotes when the book publishes as I do not want to give anything away right now. And now I am off to read something light and fluffy.
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read the last 30% through tears. 10/10 would recommend.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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
I was so excited to be chosen to receive an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. I had read the original material and it had made me sob. I’m not much of a crier when it comes to reading stories but it really was an emotional and dark read. This is the book I was the most excited about reading this year and it did not disappoint.
While this book has a strong plotline, its strength is in the character work. The author did such a great job of investing you in the characters and made you hope the characters would one day have better. I really enjoy her writing style and how she draws you, investing you in even the more villainous characters. Since the story is about war, trauma and loss; it is very dark. Particularly the first part of the book could be difficult for people who struggle with topics like suicide, sexual assault and torture. While these topics are dark, they do serve a purpose to the greater story and the pay off is worth the suffering at the beginning which is a bit of a slower pace. Once you get into part two things really pick up and the characters become more well rounded. You understand their motivations better and how much they are willing to suffer to achieve a better world. I really enjoyed the exploration of the shades of grey in this fantasy world. There is no clear good and no decision is easy for any of the characters. The world has complex politics which adds more difficulty for all the characters and their choices.
I don’t want to go into too much detail about the book. I will just say that if you read the original material you won’t be disappointed. It is just as devastating. I will say the connection to Lucien is a little bit weaker than I would like because we do not get so much of Helena and Luc’s school day history that establishes their close friendship. But overall I was quite happy with all the changes and worldbuilding. I love that the author kept this one all in one book instead of breaking it up into different books. I think it would not hit as hard if it was not one continuous piece. Solid 4.5 out of 5 for me and can’t wait to see how well it will be received. It is going to be a chonker but it earns every page!
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes