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A review by karmascycles
Pestilence by Laura Thalassa
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"I never asked for your vengeance, I asked for your mercy."
This was the most surprising book I've read in a while. I chose to read this solely based off the cheesy sexy-man cover and discovered that it was actually a serious novel that was often depressing as hell. The summary had me thinking it was definitely going to be a dumb erotica about Sara shaking some ass to distract Pestilence from destroying the world. Instead I found a book that (despite Sara's often cringey stupid inner dialogue) had complex themes centered around the good and evil in humanity, mental trauma and how it can affect your actions, the inability to choose who we love while despising what they are doing around you. The toxicity of their Romance kept this book aflame while the TEARS it sprung from my eyes during the death scenes kept the fires from spreading too far. I mean MY GOD! I thought I was in for some dumb sexy ass shaking and instead I am left lying awake at night questioning the inherent nature of mankind?! HUH?? The way that this author made it so that both characters had their deeply set natures, fully enemies to each other: to heal and to kill, but yet torment them throughout the book to where they both question which they are, their ties to humanity, and their purpose going forward. I am floored.
Oh and the spice was nice.
This was the most surprising book I've read in a while. I chose to read this solely based off the cheesy sexy-man cover and discovered that it was actually a serious novel that was often depressing as hell. The summary had me thinking it was definitely going to be a dumb erotica about Sara shaking some ass to distract Pestilence from destroying the world. Instead I found a book that (despite Sara's often cringey stupid inner dialogue) had complex themes centered around the good and evil in humanity, mental trauma and how it can affect your actions, the inability to choose who we love while despising what they are doing around you. The toxicity of their Romance kept this book aflame while the TEARS it sprung from my eyes during the death scenes kept the fires from spreading too far. I mean MY GOD! I thought I was in for some dumb sexy ass shaking and instead I am left lying awake at night questioning the inherent nature of mankind?! HUH?? The way that this author made it so that both characters had their deeply set natures, fully enemies to each other: to heal and to kill, but yet torment them throughout the book to where they both question which they are, their ties to humanity, and their purpose going forward. I am floored.
Oh and the spice was nice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Pandemic/Epidemic, Toxic relationship, Child death, Terminal illness, Sexual content, Murder, Gun violence, and Grief
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Sexual harassment