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A review by rai_ishardtoplease
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
3.25
“It must be tiresome, being a decent person, and I can’t relate. I revel in my moral flexibility.”
So. Like. I’ve read a lot of Omegaverse in my time. Mostly manga and manhwa, but a little fanfic too.
What makes this stand out from the… pack *wink* *wink* (I’m not funny) is that Hazelwood does more than just introduce the concept of a secondary sex, she also introduces the concept of shifting and Vampires—sorry, Vampyres—who drink blood for sustenance (does blood have calories???) and can thrall (hypnotize) non-Vampyres.
If you’re thinking, “that sounds pretty standard for paranormal fantasy,” I have news for you:
This isn’t paranormal fantasy. There is no magic at play here. It’s all grounded in science and biology, and rather selectively, at that.
And I just… don’t… really… like… that????
Like, I would rather an author just explain it all away with the blanket CURSE?? WITCHCRAFT?? ESOTERIC DIETY?? excuse. It’s not ideal, but we’re all used to it by now. It’s a petty crime as far as literary transgressions go.
But as soon as you start trying to, yk, make it make sense, I’m forced to turn my brain on. And as any neurodivergent with ADHD and/or a sprinkle of the ‘tism can tell you, that is the beginning of the end. That is the nudge that sends us spiraling down a highly unsatisfying rabbit hole of questions-I’ll-never-get-the-answer-to. Which isn’t unlike crawling towards the exit of a never ending hallway. Whilst on fire. And also, somehow, wearing perennially wet jeans.
So. Like. Fun.
6.5/10. Wouldn’t NOT recommend.
So. Like. I’ve read a lot of Omegaverse in my time. Mostly manga and manhwa, but a little fanfic too.
What makes this stand out from the… pack *wink* *wink* (I’m not funny) is that Hazelwood does more than just introduce the concept of a secondary sex, she also introduces the concept of shifting and Vampires—sorry, Vampyres—who drink blood for sustenance (does blood have calories???) and can thrall (hypnotize) non-Vampyres.
If you’re thinking, “that sounds pretty standard for paranormal fantasy,” I have news for you:
This isn’t paranormal fantasy. There is no magic at play here. It’s all grounded in science and biology, and rather selectively, at that.
And I just… don’t… really… like… that????
Like, I would rather an author just explain it all away with the blanket CURSE?? WITCHCRAFT?? ESOTERIC DIETY?? excuse. It’s not ideal, but we’re all used to it by now. It’s a petty crime as far as literary transgressions go.
But as soon as you start trying to, yk, make it make sense, I’m forced to turn my brain on. And as any neurodivergent with ADHD and/or a sprinkle of the ‘tism can tell you, that is the beginning of the end. That is the nudge that sends us spiraling down a highly unsatisfying rabbit hole of questions-I’ll-never-get-the-answer-to. Which isn’t unlike crawling towards the exit of a never ending hallway. Whilst on fire. And also, somehow, wearing perennially wet jeans.
So. Like. Fun.
6.5/10. Wouldn’t NOT recommend.