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thecolouryes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Moderate: Murder, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Gore, Blood, Classism, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Body horror, Death of parent, and Misogyny
pedanther's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
It says something that I've gone on so long about the book: I don't usually have this much to say about books I really dislike (or books I really like). This one's in that middle ground where it was good enough that I want to be just to it, but not good enough that I really liked it. Not sorry I gave it a shot, not likely to read any of the sequels.
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Kidnapping, Classism, Torture, Medical trauma, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Sexism, Blood, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Racism, Stalking, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, Body shaming, and Confinement
Minor: Death, Death of parent, Infertility, Mental illness, Murder, Self harm, Genocide, Gore, Police brutality, War, Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, and Cursing
ramakn22's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Funny and heartwarming in all the right places and an introduction to my absolute favorite Vampire of all time.
Graphic: Blood, Confinement, Death, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Torture, Violence, and Body shaming
Minor: Sexual content, Classism, and Dysphoria
pattyblom's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Fatphobia, Kidnapping, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Body shaming, and Cursing
Minor: Sexual content, Self harm, and Torture
booksthatburn's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Alexia and the London werewolf Alpha, Conall, have chemistry built on mutual annoyance. He enjoys someone who will surprise and stand up to him (a limited commodity when one is the Alpha of a pack of werewolves), and she seems surprised when annoying him for fun turns into something more. Professor Lyall is his Beta, a competent and unassuming older werewolf who is a quiet, steady presence. Ivy, Alexia’s hat-obsessed friend, is one of my favorite characters but this isn’t yet the book where she shines. Lord Akeldama is a flamboyant and well-informed vampire who is utterly delightful.
The worldbuilding is cohesive and worked naturally into the story. Alexia and Conall both have to think in order to stay in step with social expectations (or notice whenever they flout them), which provides opportunities for many details about the setting without distracting from the story. I read this series so many times in high school that I’m having trouble distilling my thoughts about the series generally into what just applies to this book. It sets up the cephalopod-obsessed organization which will continue to have a presence in the series, as well as establishing (at least by mention) many of the characters who will matter as the series continues.
I love this series and it’s so nice to dive into it again.
Graphic: Sexual content, Kidnapping, Confinement, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Sexism, Misogyny, Torture, Death, Racism, Gore, Genocide, Xenophobia, and Murder
Minor: Religious bigotry, War, Animal death, Death of parent, Dementia, and Domestic abuse
flohbeutel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Medical content, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Fatphobia, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Body shaming, Cursing, Classism, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Death of parent, Sexual content, and Misogyny
apuskas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
This (maybe) satisfies prompt #16 from Book Riot’s Read Harder Challenge 2022. (Read a book recommended by a friend with different (?) reading tastes. I am not sure how different my reading tastes are from Corrin’s.)
Graphic: Violence and Sexual content
Moderate: Torture, Death of parent, Kidnapping, and Gore
Minor: Religious bigotry
saffire_sky's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Torture
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, Murder, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body horror, Misogyny, and Sexism
bluejayreads's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content, Body horror, Kidnapping, and Confinement
Moderate: Medical content and Torture
Minor: Sexism, Body shaming, and Racism
stormywolf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Read my full review at The Wolf's Den
Overall, this was a fun and funny foray into a combination urban fantasy, historical romance, cozy mystery. Whether you've picked a side in the age-old supernatural debate, or are keeping both avenues open, there's plenty of fang-filled lore to sink your teeth into, and characters of both persuasions to fall for. Having been published over a decade ago, along with being set more than a century ago, there are undoubtedly some uncomfortable references and ideologies that come up, but I still have faith that more positive messages will come forth as the series progresses. So if you're up for some Victorian-age snark with a side of steampunk and a lot of bite, I'd recommend checking out Soulless tonight.
Graphic: Blood, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Xenophobia, and Confinement
Moderate: Sexual content, Torture, Death, Kidnapping, Medical content, and Body shaming
Minor: Misogyny and Racism
Hate crimes/experimentation & racism are committed against supernatural beings. The main character is taught by her mother (& society?) to believe she is unattractive because of her tan skin and large nose, owing to her Italian father, and she curses her skin/nose/attitude and her Italian blood throughout the book.