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A review by kzimm2024
Malum Discordiae by Ashlyn Drewek
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Oh my god what a terrible book. 1 star and finished due to a buddy read.
The group comments were hilarious. Comments like these sex scenes make you suspend disbelief and "This book has no build up. It’s like watching two characters being forced together by a child with two dolls." LOL
Immature and angsty characters. Didn't someone die in Romeo & Juliet? This is no retelling and that actually would have helped the plot.
Almost every trope is represented: enemies to lovers (actually lovers to enemies as was pointed out), forced proximity, soul mates, etc.
There was no basic communication, in fact it was the typical "nothing" response.
Whiplash emotions and stupid dialogue:
Fuck you, No fuck you, No fuck you- sigh.
Actual example (after more than 1 sexual encounter):
“Yeah, but who would do that?” The horror was back in his tone.
When I spun abruptly, it was on his face, too, mixed with confusion. “Oh my God. Do you know anything about Necromancy beyond the scary stories you good little witches tell each other at sleepovers?”
“I know all I need to know about Necromancy,” he spat back.
Eyes narrowed, I took a step forward, praying he did something stupid. “This ought to be good. Lay it on me, genius.”
“You people are the reason the witchcraft trials even started!” he said with a snarl. “If you weren’t so obsessed with demonic magic, none of this would have happened and we wouldn’t have to hide who we are! But no. Power-hungry Necromancers couldn’t leave well enough alone!”
“I am so fucking sick of you looking down your nose at us! You’re no better than the magistrates who signed the fucking death warrants! Better to kill what scares you, rather than try to understand it, right? You people hate what you fear and it’s pathetic!”
UGH.
They have sex, they fight and say mean things, then they have sex and fight and say mean things, you get the picture...
and:
I let all four books fall to the floor and stepped over the pile, closing the distance between us. “Do you always have to be such a hard ass?”
“Do you always have to be such a pain in the ass?”
“Only if you want me to, baby.”
OMG shoot me now- I hate that he starts calling him "baby"...
Helpful tip:
“Well, I’m glad you’re back, man. Try not to do anything freaky, though, ok? Dad comes home tomorrow and blood is really fucking hard to get out of the carpet.”
“I told you, you have to get it while it’s fresh. Otherwise, let it dry and then use a brush to break up the particles.”
I pantomimed scrubbing and gave him a warm smile, knowing it was completely at odds with the subject matter.
Spoilers because I hated this:
They have a sexual encounter right away, 5%,and continue like little horn dogs until the author realizes she needs to wrap up some kind of a finish to the plot and then the last 15% of the book is actually interesting. Once the adults get involved.
But then it is ruined by a lame ass marriage proposal. Such sap, made me burst out laughing.
I have to say- the lack of helpful information about prepping for and having anal sex and healthy standards is such a disservice.
The lack of condom usage is appalling- they should have been there from the start and the fact that the author doesn't understand that the example she is spreading is against the general public's health is downright irresponsible.
She could have introduced MAGIC or just actual standards.
The group comments were hilarious. Comments like these sex scenes make you suspend disbelief and "This book has no build up. It’s like watching two characters being forced together by a child with two dolls." LOL
Immature and angsty characters. Didn't someone die in Romeo & Juliet? This is no retelling and that actually would have helped the plot.
Almost every trope is represented: enemies to lovers (actually lovers to enemies as was pointed out), forced proximity, soul mates, etc.
There was no basic communication, in fact it was the typical "nothing" response.
Whiplash emotions and stupid dialogue:
Fuck you, No fuck you, No fuck you- sigh.
Actual example (after more than 1 sexual encounter):
“Yeah, but who would do that?” The horror was back in his tone.
When I spun abruptly, it was on his face, too, mixed with confusion. “Oh my God. Do you know anything about Necromancy beyond the scary stories you good little witches tell each other at sleepovers?”
“I know all I need to know about Necromancy,” he spat back.
Eyes narrowed, I took a step forward, praying he did something stupid. “This ought to be good. Lay it on me, genius.”
“You people are the reason the witchcraft trials even started!” he said with a snarl. “If you weren’t so obsessed with demonic magic, none of this would have happened and we wouldn’t have to hide who we are! But no. Power-hungry Necromancers couldn’t leave well enough alone!”
“I am so fucking sick of you looking down your nose at us! You’re no better than the magistrates who signed the fucking death warrants! Better to kill what scares you, rather than try to understand it, right? You people hate what you fear and it’s pathetic!”
UGH.
They have sex, they fight and say mean things, then they have sex and fight and say mean things, you get the picture...
and:
I let all four books fall to the floor and stepped over the pile, closing the distance between us. “Do you always have to be such a hard ass?”
“Do you always have to be such a pain in the ass?”
“Only if you want me to, baby.”
OMG shoot me now- I hate that he starts calling him "baby"...
Helpful tip:
“Well, I’m glad you’re back, man. Try not to do anything freaky, though, ok? Dad comes home tomorrow and blood is really fucking hard to get out of the carpet.”
“I told you, you have to get it while it’s fresh. Otherwise, let it dry and then use a brush to break up the particles.”
I pantomimed scrubbing and gave him a warm smile, knowing it was completely at odds with the subject matter.
Spoilers because I hated this:
They have a sexual encounter right away, 5%,and continue like little horn dogs until the author realizes she needs to wrap up some kind of a finish to the plot and then the last 15% of the book is actually interesting. Once the adults get involved.
But then it is ruined by a lame ass marriage proposal. Such sap, made me burst out laughing.
I have to say- the lack of helpful information about prepping for and having anal sex and healthy standards is such a disservice.
The lack of condom usage is appalling- they should have been there from the start and the fact that the author doesn't understand that the example she is spreading is against the general public's health is downright irresponsible.
She could have introduced MAGIC or just actual standards.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content