A review by lovepotion
Scarred by Emily McIntire

dark fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Scarred is the second in The Never After series and the last available book I read. I was kind of waiting this one out for a while because I read mixed things, but I was pleasantly surprised. Hooked is still so far my favorite. But this one is definitely up there. 

I enjoyed Sara’s characterization. I like a female character who is a little stubborn and knows how to handle a weapon. She’s a wolf in sheep clothing in novel and I thought she was kinda a baddie. I think what I liked about her the most was that, even though people underestimate her- because she is innocent looking or because she is woman- yet she always lands on top.
The only critique I have of Sara was when saw Tristan’s Hyena tattoo and then was later realized he was the rebel king, like she couldn’t put two and two together when she first saw the tattoo. 

“𝘐’𝘮 𝘯𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦’𝘴 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘯. 𝘐’𝘮 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯.”

I loved the banter between Tristan and Sara. I felt like they had such a strong bond and great chemistry. Every scene they had together, quickly became a page turner for me. The lingering stares, the secret hook ups, the intense chemistry, all too perfect. Tristian and Sara were cut from the same cloth as they both suffer for the need of revenge. That shared piece of darkness they each endure is what makes each other their perfect match. 

Tristian, oh my sweet, Tristan. Mcinitire has yet to disappoint me with her morally grey characters. He was such an interesting character. He’s the jealous, possessive, cunning man, who is still absolutely ruthless and isn’t afraid to stop anyone who gets in his way. Yet, he still has a soft gentle side, as he’ll show only to certain people. 

One minute he is torturing someone, the next he is on his knees, pathetically in tears, confessing her love for Sara. Just gets me absolutely feral. Would 10/10 let this man call his little doe. 

But I’m always obsessed with a dark character with a complicated history and still manages to become to anti-hero despite their messy past. (I sorta envisioned Tristian as Loki. Sara, I imagined as Katherine from the Vampire Diaries) 

It’s a slow burn and it’s quick read. I thought the pacing was good, for the most part, up til the end. I wanted a bigger battle scene, I want to see more Tristan and Sara afterwards. I want to know more about the status of their relationship, where they stand in the kingdom, etc. I need more from the ending. It was too quick for me. 

The rebel king subplot was interesting. However, I would like go a little deeper in the world building. Same goes for Tristan and Michael’s parents. I don’t know the status of the former queen in the end. As well as Michael’s reasoning for killing his father seemed a little weak. 

I felt like the mad king subplot was underwhelming. In general, I would have liked to see more of Michael. I felt like his character fell a little flat and he could been an interesting villain. 

The smut was decent- there was this whole wax thing, wasn’t for me. But everything else was pretty good. Oh and that tattoo thing, I don’t know- seemed a little cliche, but hey, Tristan is a very possessive man. 

Overall, I thought this was a great retelling of lion king- I just craved more. Still worth the read, would recommend. 

Tropes
✓ enemies-to-lovers 
✓forbidden love 
✓touch her and you die 
✓ villain gets the girl 
✓ court intrigue



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