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chloewiart's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-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? N/A
3.0
I liked this one better than the first one ! Where I thought the spice was way too important in the first book and took over the plot completely, here I found the plot entertaining and captivating (even though the spice still has an important place)
It was a fun read, and I'm still not over the Neverending story reference.
It was a fun read, and I'm still not over the Neverending story reference.
becksgoesbookish's review
4.0
Daddy death is back y’all!
So everyone knows I’m obsessed with River of Shadows, which in turn made Crown of Crimson one of my most anticipated new releases of the year and it definitely does not disappoint!
Crown of Crimson is book #2 in the Underworld Gods series by @authorhalle (that’s right, I said SERIES!
So everyone knows I’m obsessed with River of Shadows, which in turn made Crown of Crimson one of my most anticipated new releases of the year and it definitely does not disappoint!
Crown of Crimson is book #2 in the Underworld Gods series by @authorhalle (that’s right, I said SERIES!
joanareads_29's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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? No
4.25
thewordslinger's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I don't think I have ever read a story before that was <i>quite</i> so utterly devoid of emotional connection between the main characters. Death's and Hanna's relationship is based PURELY on lust and sex.
In book 1, Death announces that Hanna will marry him, doesn't give her an option, doesn't propose, nothing even remotely romantic. And though Hanna's ideologically against it, she goes along with it, doesn't fight.
Which was odd. But whatever fine, she'd proposed the deal and it could be seen as fulfilling it regardless of how she felt about it.
In this book. On her wedding day, Hanna is 'rescued' by Rasmus. She actively makes the choice to go with him.
In retaliation, when Death finally gets her back, he marries her (again, without giving her an option) and then tosses her down an oubliette to rot.
And when she finally gets out she goes to find him with the intent to yell at him and ends up letting him fuck her instead. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the last of that would-be argument.
Hands up, who here would let a guy just fuck their way out of throwing you down an well and leaving you forever?
No one? Shocking.
So, needless to say, there's nothing...absolutely <i>nothing</i> to tie these two together beyond sex.
This woman's allowing this dude to torment and abuse her, to lock her up and dictate every action and decision. Why? Because he's got a big dick.
It's revolting.
I get an enemies to lovers relationship. I get a dark morally-gray MMC. I get this being a dark romance. But I need the ROMANCE aspect to at least be written on the walls somewhere.
There is none.
At the end of the book, Hanna admits that she loves Death (Only God knows why) and he doesn't say it back. Just asks her to fuck him (which, obviously, she does).
It's sad, actually. Because I'm genuinely invested in the plot. I loved the training and watching Hanna's powers emerge. The mystery surrounding Hanna's parentage and the prophesies was interesting. I loved hearing the lore and seeing more of the world and the gods and beings that reside in it. The story is good. It's the relationship I'm not at all invested in.
And because it's Karina Halle, there's so much sex in here (including a VERY odd menage et trois with Death, Death's shadow self and Hanna). Emotionless, empty, meaningless sex with people who have every right to distrust and hate each other.
Just ew.
In book 1, Death announces that Hanna will marry him, doesn't give her an option, doesn't propose, nothing even remotely romantic. And though Hanna's ideologically against it, she goes along with it, doesn't fight.
Which was odd. But whatever fine, she'd proposed the deal and it could be seen as fulfilling it regardless of how she felt about it.
In this book. On her wedding day, Hanna is 'rescued' by Rasmus. She actively makes the choice to go with him.
In retaliation, when Death finally gets her back, he marries her (again, without giving her an option) and then tosses her down an oubliette to rot.
And when she finally gets out she goes to find him with the intent to yell at him and ends up letting him fuck her instead. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the last of that would-be argument.
Hands up, who here would let a guy just fuck their way out of throwing you down an well and leaving you forever?
No one? Shocking.
So, needless to say, there's nothing...absolutely <i>nothing</i> to tie these two together beyond sex.
This woman's allowing this dude to torment and abuse her, to lock her up and dictate every action and decision. Why? Because he's got a big dick.
It's revolting.
I get an enemies to lovers relationship. I get a dark morally-gray MMC. I get this being a dark romance. But I need the ROMANCE aspect to at least be written on the walls somewhere.
There is none.
At the end of the book, Hanna admits that she loves Death (Only God knows why) and he doesn't say it back. Just asks her to fuck him (which, obviously, she does).
It's sad, actually. Because I'm genuinely invested in the plot. I loved the training and watching Hanna's powers emerge. The mystery surrounding Hanna's parentage and the prophesies was interesting. I loved hearing the lore and seeing more of the world and the gods and beings that reside in it. The story is good. It's the relationship I'm not at all invested in.
And because it's Karina Halle, there's so much sex in here (including a VERY odd menage et trois with Death, Death's shadow self and Hanna). Emotionless, empty, meaningless sex with people who have every right to distrust and hate each other.
Just ew.
cemyers42's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Kinda predictable, but moderately interesting. I'll keep going for now.
bmrtnz92's review
4.0
· Book 2 of the Underworld Gods series ✔️
So far I'm really enjoying these books! I am eating them up so quickly & I'm excited to dive into book 3! Some of the cool things about this series that I'm loving so far
So far I'm really enjoying these books! I am eating them up so quickly & I'm excited to dive into book 3! Some of the cool things about this series that I'm loving so far
devansbooklife's review
5.0
Wow. What keeps this interesting is the small attention to detail that Karina Halle utilizes in her writing. It is addictive and left me wanting more. These characters consumed me and there was nothing, despite my very large to do list, that I could do but go along for this ride. It is spicy. It is a little dark. But it is exciting and full of terror. I enjoyed immensely.
samkat418's review
3.0
This will be a four book series per KU. I surprisingly liked this series. Modern Nordic retake of Greek mythology and the underworld. Book two left on a cliffhanger. Book three was to be release end of January. The author made public announcement due to personal issues, all pending books at on hold. It’s an easy read, 3.5/5 rating overall and 2/5 for spice.
the_bookish_coven's review
5.0
The story continues..
This book was such a great addition to the first. You learn much more about Hanna and what she is capable of but it also just barely grazes the surface. I do wish there was a little bit of grovel for the punishment Death chooses for Hanna. I really enjoyed Death’s POV though. It really made me feel for him and understand him more. I would say this ends on a very MILD cliffhanger… it really could have been much worse and when you read the ending, you’ll know what I mean, ha. I was left smiling at the end though and I cannot wait for the next book! Of course there has been much buzz about a certain chapter and it was
This book was such a great addition to the first. You learn much more about Hanna and what she is capable of but it also just barely grazes the surface. I do wish there was a little bit of grovel for the punishment Death chooses for Hanna. I really enjoyed Death’s POV though. It really made me feel for him and understand him more. I would say this ends on a very MILD cliffhanger… it really could have been much worse and when you read the ending, you’ll know what I mean, ha. I was left smiling at the end though and I cannot wait for the next book! Of course there has been much buzz about a certain chapter and it was
jordanm13's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0