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britelmer 's review for:
Pestilence
by Laura Thalassa
This was probably a 2.5/5 that I rounded up to 3/5.
I had high expectations going into this and I think that led to my disappointment. I really disliked the Pestilence character from the first interaction and it took me almost 2/3-3/4 of the book to feel anything other than irritation and dislike for the character. And even then I was more confused about how I was supposed to view this character. I felt very mixed signals and unclear messages regarding his character, motives, and values. Sometimes, even in the same chapter, the message was "hold him accountable" but then several paragraphs later "he's a victim".
I liked Sara, mostly, she was funny and kept things light. Her internal dialogue was very witty. But I was unable to believe that she fell for Pestilence. I don't believe in the traitorous body trope; we are all in control of our bodies and actions. Your hormones do not overrule your conscious brain unless you want them to. So, when Sara blames her traitorous body for why she seems to be falling for Pestilence after he ties her up, forces her to run for hours behind his horse, shoots her in the back with arrows, then drags her injured body for miles, I'm not buying it. Also, throughout the book Pestilence invades other people's homes so Sara can have food and place to sleep. Everyone in the house is immediately infected and die horrible deaths within days. I lost track of how many scenes exist with Sara and Pestilence having a moment while children are gruesomely dying in the other room. Like seriously!?!? How are you even anywhere in the mood much less for the being that is actively and willingly causing that much suffering. It also got a bit repetitive.
I have no idea what the message or point I was suppose to take away from this book was. I get the feeling a point was being made but it was very unclear on what that was. There were so many different moral stances scattered throughout the book that I was unable to find any common theme or direct message. I've been told the next one is better so I will be continuing with the series but with different expectations.
I had high expectations going into this and I think that led to my disappointment. I really disliked the Pestilence character from the first interaction and it took me almost 2/3-3/4 of the book to feel anything other than irritation and dislike for the character. And even then I was more confused about how I was supposed to view this character. I felt very mixed signals and unclear messages regarding his character, motives, and values. Sometimes, even in the same chapter, the message was "hold him accountable" but then several paragraphs later "he's a victim".
I liked Sara, mostly, she was funny and kept things light. Her internal dialogue was very witty. But I was unable to believe that she fell for Pestilence. I don't believe in the traitorous body trope; we are all in control of our bodies and actions. Your hormones do not overrule your conscious brain unless you want them to. So, when Sara blames her traitorous body for why she seems to be falling for Pestilence after he ties her up, forces her to run for hours behind his horse, shoots her in the back with arrows, then drags her injured body for miles, I'm not buying it. Also, throughout the book Pestilence invades other people's homes so Sara can have food and place to sleep. Everyone in the house is immediately infected and die horrible deaths within days. I lost track of how many scenes exist with Sara and Pestilence having a moment while children are gruesomely dying in the other room. Like seriously!?!? How are you even anywhere in the mood much less for the being that is actively and willingly causing that much suffering. It also got a bit repetitive.
I have no idea what the message or point I was suppose to take away from this book was. I get the feeling a point was being made but it was very unclear on what that was. There were so many different moral stances scattered throughout the book that I was unable to find any common theme or direct message. I've been told the next one is better so I will be continuing with the series but with different expectations.