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A review by readingwithhippos
The Rakess by Scarlett Peckham
5.0
One of my most-anticipated releases of this spring, and sweet sassy molassy is it good. Scarlett Peckham is one of my top five favorite romance authors. She’s the total package: whip smart, a huge history nerd, and feminist to the core. The quality of her writing is among the best in the business. What impresses me most, though, is her ability to explore incredibly difficult, painful themes without sending me spiraling into depression. I truly don’t know how she manages to turn such heart-wrenching situations into a life- and love-affirming reading experience. That said, I suggest checking content warnings on this one if you have any topics you prefer not to read about because there’s a lot of tough stuff going on.
Seraphina, based on the real historical figure Mary Wollstonecraft, is a woman who challenges society’s norms in pretty much every way. She’s the first romance heroine I’ve ever read who has all the stereotypical alpha hero traits--she drinks too much, she’s emotionally closed off, and best of all, she’s filled with rage. Before this book, I hadn’t realized how rare it is to see a heroine in a romance be properly angry, and it electrified me. I’ve read plenty of books where the dark, brooding hero is borderline frightening to his partner, but I’d never read a scene in which the heroine’s lashing out actually scares the hero, and I was absolutely fascinated watching Sera and Adam navigate that moment together.
Anyway, I adored this, 10/10 will read anything Peckham writes forever, highly recommended.
Seraphina, based on the real historical figure Mary Wollstonecraft, is a woman who challenges society’s norms in pretty much every way. She’s the first romance heroine I’ve ever read who has all the stereotypical alpha hero traits--she drinks too much, she’s emotionally closed off, and best of all, she’s filled with rage. Before this book, I hadn’t realized how rare it is to see a heroine in a romance be properly angry, and it electrified me. I’ve read plenty of books where the dark, brooding hero is borderline frightening to his partner, but I’d never read a scene in which the heroine’s lashing out actually scares the hero, and I was absolutely fascinated watching Sera and Adam navigate that moment together.
Anyway, I adored this, 10/10 will read anything Peckham writes forever, highly recommended.