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A review by jen1804
Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
My overall feeling having finished book one of The Bargainer series is ‘hmm that was kind of a weird read’. I really, really enjoyed the set up and the first few chapters where the reader starts to learn about Callie’s past versus what she’s up to now.
The age of Callie when she first meets the bargainer and starts spending so much time with him is a little problematic, why couldn’t Laura Thalassa have made Callie a few years older and that whole problematic-veering-on-the-line-of-child-grooming-thing could have been avoided. I get that Callie refers to him as acting like a nun around her when she’s younger etc etc and nothing technically ever happens between them until he returns later on when she’s 24, and it’s explained that the moment they met he knew she was his mate which is why he kept coming back to spend so much time with her, but that he wouldn’t let himself touch her because she was so young - so guy’s obvs got standards, but it still feels a bit morally grey to me.
The plot itself is kinda bizarre, I don’t feel as though there was quite enough world building or character development along with the narrative for the plot to wholly work. Everything seemed to happen so very quickly! There wasn’t enough detail in the scenes for me to fully grab hold of time passing or relationships growing or fear building etc. it all felt really rushed, when the equilibrium becomes disrupted for example, it’s not for very long.
I’m not in love with Callie/Des’ relationship the same way I am with other book couples because I just don’t feel I have enough depth from the characters yet. I will continue with the series though and will see how things progress.
Satisfactory ending? Meh.
The age of Callie when she first meets the bargainer and starts spending so much time with him is a little problematic, why couldn’t Laura Thalassa have made Callie a few years older and that whole problematic-veering-on-the-line-of-child-grooming-thing could have been avoided. I get that Callie refers to him as acting like a nun around her when she’s younger etc etc and nothing technically ever happens between them until he returns later on when she’s 24, and it’s explained that the moment they met he knew she was his mate which is why he kept coming back to spend so much time with her, but that he wouldn’t let himself touch her because she was so young - so guy’s obvs got standards, but it still feels a bit morally grey to me.
The plot itself is kinda bizarre, I don’t feel as though there was quite enough world building or character development along with the narrative for the plot to wholly work. Everything seemed to happen so very quickly! There wasn’t enough detail in the scenes for me to fully grab hold of time passing or relationships growing or fear building etc. it all felt really rushed, when the equilibrium becomes disrupted for example, it’s not for very long.
I’m not in love with Callie/Des’ relationship the same way I am with other book couples because I just don’t feel I have enough depth from the characters yet. I will continue with the series though and will see how things progress.
Satisfactory ending? Meh.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Alcohol
Forced pregnancy