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229 reviews
House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I originally rated this 4 stars... but on second thought, I've changed my mind. 3 stars is the best I can give it... Which is sad considering I am someone who LOVES the ACOTAR/CC/TOG universes....
1st we will address the cross over.... It was nothing but fan service.90% of it was either storytelling (tell- not show) and Bryce being "all powerful" and Bryce being a selfish cunt toward the ACOTAR characters. I wish we had seen more of these characters because I truly feel this was the bare minimum... I was expecting far more.
2nd.... Bryce was a cunt during this.She hates the fae for how they treat humans- but she was willing to treat all fae like crap (including the fae of the acotar world) because shes got daddy issues? The way she freed the dagglan- just for Nesta to have to clean up her mess and then Bryce has the ADAUCITY to get upset she wasn't able to do more? GIRL- GET FUCKING REAL. Then she straight up STOLE from the ACOTAR characters. Just to come back and gaslight her "mate" and try to manipulate him out of his valid feelings. Her "I didn't know if I'd ever get to come back home, or if I'd ever see my family and friends again, I didn't know if I'd get to see my mate again!" pissed me off so bad. He didn't know if he was ever going to get to go back home. He didn't know if he'd ever see his family or friends again. He didnt know if he'd ever see his mate again. He also had already been through this once, lost everyone important to him, was enslaved for a fuckton of time, finally got his freedom and is being dragged back into the same thing- in which he was then tortured and had to watch his friends be tortured! HER OBJECTIVELY HAD IT WORSE THAN YOU DID IN THE ACOTAR WORLD!!!! SO SHUT THE FUCK UP AND LEAVE HIM ALONE. "its like you dont wanna be here"- NONE OF THEM DO!!!!!! none of them WANT to be there, fighting people, risking their lives and loved ones. ---Then you have her taking over 2 royal courts and disbanding everyone else. Like, they can't have power to dictate- but you can? She also wasn't any better than the fae. She was prepared to treat the fae like shit and righteous in it. Bryce lost me in this.. The way she seemed to be oh so special over everyone? Yea, no. She gave "pick me".
Lidia was AMAZING in this. Honestly, carried the entire story. I never seen her having kids coming- which is both good and bad. Her having them in a magical ceremony kinda came out of nowhere and her having children/a past life wasn't really hinted to that I remember... So while it was an awesome reveal- I feel like she could have hinted at it to add a bit more impact and make us think back and go "HOW DID I NOT KNOW?!" but truthfully, I'd bet this was something she came up with on the spot while writing& that would explain why it wasn't foreshadowed at all. Ruhn was weird tho... Like a wet sock... There but not useful for much.
Ithan and Therion were..... there... Therion made every stupid decision he could and Ithan swiftly followed in his footsteps.I was PISSED when Therion jumped onto the pod. Like you selfish fucker. Have you not caused enough problems and burned enough bridges for one day?! Then for Ithan to constantly be on about that fucking Fendyr heir- who's purpose I still don't understand other than being cannon fodder. Also, Don't get me started on the antidote. SO MUCH time was spent on that freaking antidote and all the vials FOR NOTHING. Also, the Perry thing?
Overall, I loved the book and the characters. Just.... disappointed. This book had SO MUCH potential. and honestly, I don't see why she'd write a fourth book.. She's defeated the big bad- why create so many lose, mediocre plot lines to leave unraveled for a 4th book when she could have easily just tied everything up nicely and finished book 3. It's like she's milking it because there really is no reason to keep the story going....
1st we will address the cross over.... It was nothing but fan service.
2nd.... Bryce was a cunt during this.
Lidia was AMAZING in this. Honestly, carried the entire story. I
Ithan and Therion were..... there... Therion made every stupid decision he could and Ithan swiftly followed in his footsteps.
Overall, I loved the book and the characters. Just.... disappointed. This book had SO MUCH potential. and honestly, I don't see why she'd write a fourth book.. She's defeated the big bad- why create so many lose, mediocre plot lines to leave unraveled for a 4th book when she could have easily just tied everything up nicely and finished book 3. It's like she's milking it because there really is no reason to keep the story going....
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Violence, Genocide, Murder, War, Classism, Confinement, Hate crime, Torture, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Grief, Police brutality, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Racism, and Gun violence
Don't Stop by Lauren Biel
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Read this while hospitalized and my nurse was not prepared for the random page she opened my book onto to see what it was about xD I’m new to erotic horror but I genuinely enjoy this book. There were several times my eyebrows were practically in my hairline! Super short, quick read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Gore, Torture, Sexual violence, Murder, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Kidnapping, and Violence
Moderate: Cannibalism, Stalking, Gun violence, Drug abuse, Animal death, Death, Drug use, Alcohol, Rape, and Addiction
Your soul is ours by Tanya Lynn
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Received as an ARC!
First off, let me say- we better get a book 2!!! That ending was UGHHHH! Amazing. I need a closer look at this world!
Let’s start with the serious review: First off, If you relate to this story anywhere NEAR as much as I did- please call a therapist or a trusted loved one that you can discuss your feelings with. I prefer to go into my books “blind” and I rarely read trigger warnings- but pls, take into account the triggers for narcissistic parental abuse, suicidal ideation/suicide and thoughts of harming those who abused you. I have extreme deeply rooted trauma- a lot of which stems from the abuse I faced from my narcissistic parents- and even knowing that I am not easily triggered… there were times where I needed to set the book down, take a breather and come back to myself. I am far enough along in my healing journey (and distanced enough from the abuse being NC) that these triggers were not a major problem for me but please, be mindful.
I loved the connection Sebastian and Marla had. Sebastian is the perfect mix of “let me save you” and “you’re absolutely amazing in every way.” He didn’t feel like he wrote off her mental health issues. He let her know that despite her negative feelings- he does not feel that way- but regardless, her feelings are valid and he is willing to work on and make the changes she feels necessary.
The spice was great! The connection between the two was hard hitting and intense and I feel the scenes portrayed that.
Jess was an amazing inclusion. Her story was so sad but was a wonderful way to drive the story.
As I stated earlier, my connection to Marla is unparalleled in many ways. I’ve never read an FMC that seemed to merge with my mind in the way Marla has. As someone who has struggled with thoughts of hurting myself and others due to the abuse I faced and the lack of help when I spoke out about the abuse- I found myself understanding her motivations in a way I don’t normally and found myself rooting for her in the most unlikely of ways.
I also found myself relating to Sebastian. In the beginning, before I spoke out about my struggles and sought help- My mental traumas were shown via anger and violence. So hearing someone who is also self aware of their anger issues and they way their childhood contributed to that was refreshing.
Despite all this serious talk, this is along the lines of a horror fantasy than strict horror imo. The inclusion of the “other world” and how the mental illnesses are manifested is a unique take on not only mental illness, but suicide and I am thoroughly excited to see where Tanya takes the world building in the next installment. By the end of this book, you’ll be rooting for Sebastian and Marla above all else.
-Spoilers Start HERE-
In the end, I found both to be an amazing representation of 2 different ways your mental traumas can present: violence against others and violence against oneself. Sebastian liked to punish based off the crimes they committed on themselves- His violence was spotlighted on the crimes of others and how others were negatively impacted. Marla on the other hand- all her victims were those were being punished based off the crimes they committed on Marla. Her violence was more internalized and focused on how it negatively impacts her.
Another way this was shown was in their deaths. Sebastian chose to commit his suicide in a public place, taking revenge on the crime committed against someone else, waiting for death to be his last option. Marla chose to commit her suicide in the privacy of her safe space, even hiding from those she sees most and was motivated but the crimes committed against her. Now, you may say “but she killed herself bc of Jess!” But 1) she expressed how she never thought of how Jess was affected. She didn’t worry if Jess was scared or had someone to hold her hand. She was focused on the crimes committed against HER. ‘They took my friend from me’ rather than ‘my friend lost her life’. Marla’s focus throughout the entire story is her and her trauma first and foremost. Jess being Marla’s friend was about Jess making Marla feel good- not Marla making Jess feel good. Meanwhile, Sebastian being Marla’s friend was about making Marla feel good- not about making Sebastian feel good. And 2) Her suicide was brought on by feelings of despair that SHE wouldn’t get help and that even if she did, it wouldn’t help.
Another way this parallel was played with was in the difference between not getting help and getting help (Sebastian wasn’t mandated to the clinic and seemed to have found a better handle on his traumas (at least being able to focus on crimes committed against others) meanwhile Marla was seeking help and was still stuck in the thorough of the traumas and crimes committed against her. Jess played an interesting character here in showing that it doesn’t exactly matter which way you go because the help or no help, internalized or projected, violence against oneself or others- all are determined by the individual person and traumas.
I am interested to see how this parallel will play out with them in the “otherworld”.
First off, let me say- we better get a book 2!!! That ending was UGHHHH! Amazing. I need a closer look at this world!
Let’s start with the serious review: First off, If you relate to this story anywhere NEAR as much as I did- please call a therapist or a trusted loved one that you can discuss your feelings with. I prefer to go into my books “blind” and I rarely read trigger warnings- but pls, take into account the triggers for narcissistic parental abuse, suicidal ideation/suicide and thoughts of harming those who abused you. I have extreme deeply rooted trauma- a lot of which stems from the abuse I faced from my narcissistic parents- and even knowing that I am not easily triggered… there were times where I needed to set the book down, take a breather and come back to myself. I am far enough along in my healing journey (and distanced enough from the abuse being NC) that these triggers were not a major problem for me but please, be mindful.
I loved the connection Sebastian and Marla had. Sebastian is the perfect mix of “let me save you” and “you’re absolutely amazing in every way.” He didn’t feel like he wrote off her mental health issues. He let her know that despite her negative feelings- he does not feel that way- but regardless, her feelings are valid and he is willing to work on and make the changes she feels necessary.
The spice was great! The connection between the two was hard hitting and intense and I feel the scenes portrayed that.
Jess was an amazing inclusion. Her story was so sad but was a wonderful way to drive the story.
As I stated earlier, my connection to Marla is unparalleled in many ways. I’ve never read an FMC that seemed to merge with my mind in the way Marla has. As someone who has struggled with thoughts of hurting myself and others due to the abuse I faced and the lack of help when I spoke out about the abuse- I found myself understanding her motivations in a way I don’t normally and found myself rooting for her in the most unlikely of ways.
I also found myself relating to Sebastian. In the beginning, before I spoke out about my struggles and sought help- My mental traumas were shown via anger and violence. So hearing someone who is also self aware of their anger issues and they way their childhood contributed to that was refreshing.
Despite all this serious talk, this is along the lines of a horror fantasy than strict horror imo. The inclusion of the “other world” and how the mental illnesses are manifested is a unique take on not only mental illness, but suicide and I am thoroughly excited to see where Tanya takes the world building in the next installment. By the end of this book, you’ll be rooting for Sebastian and Marla above all else.
In the end, I found both to be an amazing representation of 2 different ways your mental traumas can present: violence against others and violence against oneself. Sebastian liked to punish based off the crimes they committed on themselves- His violence was spotlighted on the crimes of others and how others were negatively impacted. Marla on the other hand- all her victims were those were being punished based off the crimes they committed on Marla. Her violence was more internalized and focused on how it negatively impacts her.
Another way this was shown was in their deaths. Sebastian chose to commit his suicide in a public place, taking revenge on the crime committed against someone else, waiting for death to be his last option. Marla chose to commit her suicide in the privacy of her safe space, even hiding from those she sees most and was motivated but the crimes committed against her. Now, you may say “but she killed herself bc of Jess!” But 1) she expressed how she never thought of how Jess was affected. She didn’t worry if Jess was scared or had someone to hold her hand. She was focused on the crimes committed against HER. ‘They took my friend from me’ rather than ‘my friend lost her life’. Marla’s focus throughout the entire story is her and her trauma first and foremost. Jess being Marla’s friend was about Jess making Marla feel good- not Marla making Jess feel good. Meanwhile, Sebastian being Marla’s friend was about making Marla feel good- not about making Sebastian feel good. And 2) Her suicide was brought on by feelings of despair that SHE wouldn’t get help and that even if she did, it wouldn’t help.
Another way this parallel was played with was in the difference between not getting help and getting help (Sebastian wasn’t mandated to the clinic and seemed to have found a better handle on his traumas (at least being able to focus on crimes committed against others) meanwhile Marla was seeking help and was still stuck in the thorough of the traumas and crimes committed against her. Jess played an interesting character here in showing that it doesn’t exactly matter which way you go because the help or no help, internalized or projected, violence against oneself or others- all are determined by the individual person and traumas.
I am interested to see how this parallel will play out with them in the “otherworld”.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Medical trauma, Suicide, Self harm, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Stalking, Torture, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Gun violence, and Violence
Narcissistic Parental Abuse
Styxx by Sherrilyn Kenyon
5.0
Styxx, the brother of Acheron, was a hated character before I read this book. Hearing his side of the stories changes the family dynamic. The selflessness he displayed throughout the historical section, the love he lost for thousands of years, the yearning for a family.. it was an amazing read but truly heart wrenching. Another book that deserves a trigger warning for abuse, drug use and sexual assault.
Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian
4.0
Great book series. Lucan is a favorite character of mine. This was a book I read as a teenager and kept thinking about, so at 26 I ordered the entire series. Gabrielles gift was a wonderful twist on her career and I highly enjoy the concept of breedmates. Good book if you enjoy erotic vampire romance.
Circus of the Damned: An Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Novel by Laurell K. Hamilton
5.0
Great book. Again, Anita Blake is my favorite series. I’ve read them multiple times. This book has the amazing introduction of Richard. (I’m team BOTH. Let a girl have her cake and eat it too). The “big bad” of the book is kinda goofy. I don’t enjoy how they attempted to take the two bad guys and intertwine them- Oliver should have been held off for the next book rather than cramming both into one book. It’s like they when you watch a movie and you only have 20 minutes left but they haven’t figured out who the bad guy is- so in that 20 minutes they stuff figuring out who the bad guy is, the fight, resolving the fight and lead up to the sequel.
The Laughing Corpse: An Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Novel by Laurell K. Hamilton
5.0
With every book you are able to see more into the mind of Anita. I’m not a huge fan of the murder mystery for this book but it’s not bad. It honestly felt like something that would have been harder to fight. The necromancer should have been a reoccurring bad guy with how powerful she was supposed to have been. Seems like they killed her off too easy. With every book, you are introduced to a lot of reoccurring characters and start to see how their minds work. We haven’t gotten into the thick of the characters yet but that comes with time.
Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton
5.0
Great book. I’ve read the series multiple times now& it’s definitely listed as my favorite. Allows for a great introduction of characters that become vital to the series. Anita is in her “virginal” phase for the first few books& it kind of gives her a “holier than thou” mindset. Definitely a “Mary-Sue” in terms of book characters.
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
5.0
I always feel odd when I say this is a good book. It’s an interesting look in the mind of a pedophile. As I was reading, I could remember myself in her shoes as a child and made me understand the actions and motivations of my abuser. Incredibly odd but amazing story to read, not so much to live. I would recommend to anyone wanting a kind of “out there” book that is still good.
Kiss of Crimson by Lara Adrian
4.0
Dante was a far more complex character than Lucan was. The visions had an odd twist considering the first book has introduced that breedmates had special abilities but not there was no mention of the breed having them. I won’t fault the book for that- it was still a great either way. I highly enjoy the follow through with the previous books villain. A lot of books, I feel they rush to the conclusion of fighting the “big bad” but this is doing nicely to drag out. The introduction of Harvard was great. I haven’t gotten further in the series but I’m already shipping Harvard and his dead brothers breedmate. That probably sounds bad but oh well.