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eastofreality 's review for:
Savage Blooms
by S.T. Gibson
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book ostensibly takes place in Scotland, but I’d have believed if it someone told me it took place in Madrid, Montana, or any other place. That’s how little the world matters in this book. So, if the location is this grand estate … is the estate, then, a character, a place of note? Nope. It’s a big gray box with bedrooms, and other rooms meant for fucking in. That’s it. Call it Craigmar or The Manor or the Shack. It’s all the same, with zero personality, zero weight, zero charisma.
So, with no setting, what about the vibes? Are there vibes? No, no there are not. There is also no tension between the characters, no sense that they’re logical, thinking, feeling beings. Instead they’re four bored people who want to fuck — and do — in a variety of pairings and trios. So, the sex scenes must be good, right? No, no they are not. They’re bland, boring, and it feels like the author is smashing dolls together.
The dialogue is all hollow, people talking at each other in the blandest of voices while inwardly, supposedly, seething with angst and lust. There’s not a single interesting moment in this book, not a single character I’m going to remember beyond this review, and nothing to recommend this book for. So, what about the hook, the promise of faeries and a curse?
They show up in a few chapters from a character long dead (Adam’s grandfather), stories from Eileen and Finley — both of whom might be lying — and a moment in the pond that might be real or not. So, no. No evil faeries. No faeries at all, to be honest.
This book isn’t gothic, it isn’t erotic, and most of all, it isn’t fun to read. Honestly, I was bored, and pushed myself to finish just because I wanted to see if it ever went anywhere. There are plenty of people out there who like this book, and good for them. For me, I regret the day I spent making myself read it.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.