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A review by readwithev
Flock by Kate Stewart
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I feel very conflicted about this. People on Booktok were really hyping this up, but I’m not 100% sold. It is NOT plot heavy.
The majority of the story is Cecelia falling in love with Sean and Dominic, being in a strange hot/cold relationship with them, and being naive about their criminal involvement. I high key cannot take her seriously when she refers to their organization as “the hood.” It’s just silly and sounds very juvenile.
Also, she was giving me whip lash bouncing back and forth between being strong, independent and wanting to carve her own path versus being in love, blinded by lust and wanting to trust Sean and Dominic’s every word. Like damn girl, make a choice! She started to develop a spine in chapter 41, but was immediately back to loving them at the last chapter!
I also felt like things with Cecelia’s mom are confusing. Even in the last few chapters, Cecelia did not make any attempt to help her mom with her alcoholism. Her mom is just kind of…there to watch movies with her for one scene. Like wtf? No resolution or initiation of a conflict? It’s not clear what her role in the story. So far, she doesn’t add anything vital to move the plot.
Also, nothing about the story was very shocking. It was glaringly obvious that Sean was using her for something. The no phone rule. Smashing her apple smart watch. Isolating her from others during their dates. Like come on now? How obvious could he be? Moreover, all the vague answers he and Dominic gave her, the fact that they illegally street race, Dom is an MIT grad working in a small town at a garage? plus their ranting about the capitalism’s yoke controlling all of us? Be for real🙄 Also, her dad being shady and cold hearted? That was not shocking either. He is literally estranged from her and gave her the bare minimum financial support when she was a kid. He also owns the whole town?and I was really expected to be shocked?
The only thing that shocked me was that Dominic is NOT the Frenchman (aka he is not the leader of their “hood.”)
Overall, I’m disappointed in the plot. I had to read 65% of the book for any “exciting plot points” To be revealed. And again, they were not shocking. I never felt like any of the characters were in danger. I would have appreciated a few chapters from Sean or Dominic’s point of view that maybe would have conveyed the risks and danger of their Ravenhood gang more🤷🏻♀️ every chapter is 1st person form Cecelia’s perspective and it doesn’t stir any tension in the story imo.
The smut is pretty good. However that is not enough to redeem this book. I nearly DNF-ed at the 70% point but chose to trudge through to the end.
Also, she was giving me whip lash bouncing back and forth between being strong, independent and wanting to carve her own path versus being in love, blinded by lust and wanting to trust Sean and Dominic’s every word. Like damn girl, make a choice! She started to develop a spine in chapter 41, but was immediately back to loving them at the last chapter!
I also felt like things with Cecelia’s mom are confusing. Even in the last few chapters, Cecelia did not make any attempt to help her mom with her alcoholism. Her mom is just kind of…there to watch movies with her for one scene. Like wtf? No resolution or initiation of a conflict? It’s not clear what her role in the story. So far, she doesn’t add anything vital to move the plot.
Also, nothing about the story was very shocking. It was glaringly obvious that Sean was using her for something. The no phone rule. Smashing her apple smart watch. Isolating her from others during their dates. Like come on now? How obvious could he be? Moreover, all the vague answers he and Dominic gave her, the fact that they illegally street race, Dom is an MIT grad working in a small town at a garage? plus their ranting about the capitalism’s yoke controlling all of us? Be for real🙄 Also, her dad being shady and cold hearted? That was not shocking either. He is literally estranged from her and gave her the bare minimum financial support when she was a kid. He also owns the whole town?and I was really expected to be shocked?
The only thing that shocked me was that Dominic is NOT the Frenchman (aka he is not the leader of their “hood.”)
Overall, I’m disappointed in the plot. I had to read 65% of the book for any “exciting plot points” To be revealed. And again, they were not shocking. I never felt like any of the characters were in danger. I would have appreciated a few chapters from Sean or Dominic’s point of view that maybe would have conveyed the risks and danger of their Ravenhood gang more🤷🏻♀️ every chapter is 1st person form Cecelia’s perspective and it doesn’t stir any tension in the story imo.
The smut is pretty good. However that is not enough to redeem this book. I nearly DNF-ed at the 70% point but chose to trudge through to the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcoholism and Death of parent