edgybutfemme's reviews
44 reviews

Irresistible Devil by Jenny Nordbak

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dark emotional fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I knew as soon as I was finished with Wicked Pursuit that this had to be the next one I read because I like Reaper so much. His aesthetic is compared to David Bowie in Labryinth multiple times and, listen, I'm weak for that energy and his smug confidence. 

I am in love with the dynamic between Reaper and Juliet. I love that he sees her and how smart she is and accepts her flaws and all. I love that one of the first things he does when they make a deal is make use of the accounting degree she worked so hard on when she thought he'd just want her sexually. I love that he finds himself willing to do anything for her.
They've also been through the same kind of trauma and having someone who understands so viscerally can be so validating. Honestly I do just wish Juliet would have let him get her out of her absuive situation sooner.
 

I really appreciated that Reaper is a sex worker and sex club owner and that's depicted positively and with care. I am really glad Jenny Nordbak is planning to write more stories about the various staff of the club because I love them and I am SO READY for their stories. 

Mind the content warnings at the front of the book. One of the characters is in a forced marriage and dealing with domestic abuse (not with the love interest) for most of the book and, though well handled, that can be a rough read. Spoiler for the end:
but goddamn is it satisfying when her abusive husband and her abusive father are killed.
Anyway, looking forward to checking out more books by Jenny Nordbak because I had a great time here.
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Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel) Vol. 8 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu

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adventurous lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book was exactly what I wanted the wrap up on the series to be. The final battle with the big bad was excellent (and kind of what I expected and didn't get from the last volume).
I also really enjoyed the surprise of Hua Cheng breaking Xie Lian's shackles by kissing him and overloading him with spiritual energy. I was so upset right along with Xie Lian that Hua Cheng temporarily died.
The extras were exactly what I wanted as well: frequent confirmation that they have good sex and that they are living happily and domestically post canon. The Cave of Ten Thousand Gods extra was definitely my favorite  followed closely by the Xie Lian amnesia extra. Overall, a delight! So glad I finally finished this excellent series, and it is definitely the MXTX series I am going to recommend the most for others wanting to get into danmei (and start with a well known/big fandom series. Ao3 has So Much good content for the MXTX books).
A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske

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adventurous hopeful 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? Yes

5.0

This might be my favorite book that I've read this year so far! It's one of those books that feels like it changes your brain chemistry. I loved everything about this book: the character dynamics, the magic system, the beautiful descriptions. I'm usually someone who doesn't always vibe with very descriptive environments in books, but this book gives places personality and feels actually deeply grounded in it's historical setting. Also, I am obsessed with the relationship arc and how they grow and learn to communicate with each other, learn to want. It doesn't hurt that there are also several incredibly well written sex scenes and I love a high spice book. The magic system and worldbuilding are also deeply compelling and I cannot wait to read the next book.
Wicked Pursuit by Katee Robert

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dark emotional 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

4.25

This was a really fun read, especially since it was the first audiobook I've listened to in awhile and the dual narration was really good (especially jack calihan with that russian accent!!). Seriously mind the content warnings on this one though folks, I'd say it's darker / had more niche kinks than your average katee robert book (specifically:
stalking, consensual nonconsent, and predator/prey
) but I really enjoyed it and always look forward to seeing what kink katee will write about next. I'm looking forward to the rest of the second gen wicked villains books.
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Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel) Vol. 7 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu

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adventurous emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The boys are reunited and we are really properly into the end game plot! As always, a pleasure to read, though I docked it a half of a star because I ultimately expected more flirting and less surprise mech battles
Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel) Vol. 6 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu

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dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I love this series a lot but I am always going to like the flashback volumes less than the others just because poor xie lian suffers so much and he doesn't even have a grown up ghost king to comfort him yet. The writing is excellent, the plot is compelling, but I am looking forward to getting back to the modern day when my good boys can flirt again.
Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel) Vol. 5 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu

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adventurous emotional 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? Yes

5.0

This one might be my favorite so far! They are both on screen working together for the entire novel and there are so many good side character backstories that get fully fleshed out. I am so in love with their dynamic
Hitman vs Hitman by L.A. Witt, Cari Z

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funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A delightful gay romp, exactly what I was hoping for. I love their bickering and how much they care about each other even though for a lot of the book they would hate to admit it. I'm looking forward to reading the rest.
Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 1 by Tang Jiu Qing

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  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I think this is going to be a new favorite danmei series! I really hope 7seas picks up more by this author. I really enjoyed the political scheming and the relationship dynamic was incredibly fun and spicy
So This Is Ever After by F.T. Lukens

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funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book was a funny and delightful read, exactly the sort of light and fun romance that I needed after a hard week. This book felt like the exact book I wished existed when I was younger in the best and most heal your inner child sort of way. FT Lukens describes it in the acknowledgements as a romcom set in a fantasy castle, and it really is exactly that. Honestly, this book was pitched exclusively to me as a romance, but I found myself delighted most by the story of an adventuring party/found family having to figure out how to run a country together after they defeated the big bad and fulfilled the prophecy.