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redsrecs's Reviews (310)
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-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
๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฑ.35 vines for A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair
โ๐๐ฆ๐ด๐ฑ๐ฆ๐ค๐ต ๐ค๐ฐ๐ถ๐ญ๐ฅ ๐ฃ๐ถ๐ช๐ญ๐ฅ ๐ข๐ฏ ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ช๐ณ๐ฆ. ๐๐ณ๐ถ๐ด๐ต ๐ค๐ฐ๐ถ๐ญ๐ฅ ๐ฎ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆ ๐ช๐ต ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ฃ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐ฃ๐ญ๐ฆ. ๐๐ฐ๐ท๐ฆ ๐ค๐ฐ๐ถ๐ญ๐ฅ ๐ฎ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆ ๐ช๐ต ๐ญ๐ข๐ด๐ต ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ท๐ฆ๐ณ.โ
๐น๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐:
Plot: 5
Pacing: 5
Writing: 4
Language: 5
Characters: 5
World building: 5
Romance: 4
Spice: 3
Hades x Persephone retelling. Slow burn. Enemies to lovers. Found family.
This book was such a fun easy read. The plot and pacing throughout kept my attention, the slow burn had me constantly reading to get to the romance, the plot twists and the character development gave me life!
The spice, although there are a fair amount of spicy scenes, is quite basic and only starts in the last third of the book.
Itโs obvious that the characters have a lot of passion between them but overall we have 90% missionary position and overall the descriptive words used throughout the sex scenes seemed as if Scarlett was looking to use any word except what the anatomy is actually called.
Overall I HIGHLY recommend this book for any fantasy/romance lovers.
โ๐๐ฆ๐ด๐ฑ๐ฆ๐ค๐ต ๐ค๐ฐ๐ถ๐ญ๐ฅ ๐ฃ๐ถ๐ช๐ญ๐ฅ ๐ข๐ฏ ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ช๐ณ๐ฆ. ๐๐ณ๐ถ๐ด๐ต ๐ค๐ฐ๐ถ๐ญ๐ฅ ๐ฎ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆ ๐ช๐ต ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ฃ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐ฃ๐ญ๐ฆ. ๐๐ฐ๐ท๐ฆ ๐ค๐ฐ๐ถ๐ญ๐ฅ ๐ฎ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆ ๐ช๐ต ๐ญ๐ข๐ด๐ต ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ท๐ฆ๐ณ.โ
๐น๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐:
Plot: 5
Pacing: 5
Writing: 4
Language: 5
Characters: 5
World building: 5
Romance: 4
Spice: 3
Hades x Persephone retelling. Slow burn. Enemies to lovers. Found family.
This book was such a fun easy read. The plot and pacing throughout kept my attention, the slow burn had me constantly reading to get to the romance, the plot twists and the character development gave me life!
The spice, although there are a fair amount of spicy scenes, is quite basic and only starts in the last third of the book.
Itโs obvious that the characters have a lot of passion between them but overall we have 90% missionary position and overall the descriptive words used throughout the sex scenes seemed as if Scarlett was looking to use any word except what the anatomy is actually called.
Overall I HIGHLY recommend this book for any fantasy/romance lovers.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-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
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
sad
tense
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:
Yes
This was a reread and I loved this story as much as the first time.
I love the premise, the plot, the magic and the world.
I love that itโs dystopian with a touch of abilities. I love the rebellion.
100% recommend this book for YA and dystopian lovers.
I love the premise, the plot, the magic and the world.
I love that itโs dystopian with a touch of abilities. I love the rebellion.
100% recommend this book for YA and dystopian lovers.
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
tense
slow-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
With the controversy surrounding this book the online reviews have either been really good or really bad and I was honestly a bit scared to get into this book.
Ultimately I got this book because it was pretty and I needed a pick-me-up. Thank you to Alicia for reading this book with me!
Here is my honest unbiased review.
Firstly we need to consider the fact that this in fact considered a young adult book. That being said, it contains more spice than most YA books would, but overall it's done really well. This also impacts a lot of the language being used such as calling the sun yolky, a cliff cliffy, or mentioning starsticks, Moonlings, Wildlings, Sunlings; you get the picture.
This language isn't prominent throughout but it was weird reading it initially, overall you do get used to it though especially since the writing is really good.
The plot isn't straightforward in the beginning but as we progress things become more interesting and in the last third of the book things really pick up and become exciting. In parallel the pace was similar, starting out slow and moving into a faster pace.
The world-building is done fairly well although I do still have questions around exactly where the realms are since there is no map in this book and it's not explained in detail.
Moving on to the characters, there are so many whom I really enjoyed, but our FMC got on my nerves for a while. Once again, consider that this book is YA. Isla (pronounced EYES-la) is very naรฏve and indecisive and seems to be unable to choose anything for herself. She grew up sheltered and dependent on those around her and she brings that with her into the Centennial even after being trained her entire life for it. Luckily, there is some serious character development towards the end of the book and overall she becomes a character that I can love.
Lastly, there ends up being two love interests (of course) and you go on first-time romance ride with Isla figuring out how to love and how she feels about it. There are mentions of spicy dreams that she has as well as a spicy scene at one point with one of our love interests.
Overall I really enjoyed Lightlark and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys YA writing.
Ultimately I got this book because it was pretty and I needed a pick-me-up. Thank you to Alicia for reading this book with me!
Here is my honest unbiased review.
Firstly we need to consider the fact that this in fact considered a young adult book. That being said, it contains more spice than most YA books would, but overall it's done really well. This also impacts a lot of the language being used such as calling the sun yolky, a cliff cliffy, or mentioning starsticks, Moonlings, Wildlings, Sunlings; you get the picture.
This language isn't prominent throughout but it was weird reading it initially, overall you do get used to it though especially since the writing is really good.
The plot isn't straightforward in the beginning but as we progress things become more interesting and in the last third of the book things really pick up and become exciting. In parallel the pace was similar, starting out slow and moving into a faster pace.
The world-building is done fairly well although I do still have questions around exactly where the realms are since there is no map in this book and it's not explained in detail.
Moving on to the characters, there are so many whom I really enjoyed, but our FMC got on my nerves for a while. Once again, consider that this book is YA. Isla (pronounced EYES-la) is very naรฏve and indecisive and seems to be unable to choose anything for herself. She grew up sheltered and dependent on those around her and she brings that with her into the Centennial even after being trained her entire life for it. Luckily, there is some serious character development towards the end of the book and overall she becomes a character that I can love.
Lastly, there ends up being two love interests (of course) and you go on first-time romance ride with Isla figuring out how to love and how she feels about it. There are mentions of spicy dreams that she has as well as a spicy scene at one point with one of our love interests.
Overall I really enjoyed Lightlark and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys YA writing.
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-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
This was a reread for me. Last time I read this book was just as the Netflix series came out and I was knee deep in a multi year reading slump.
I had no issues with this reread, the pace was fast so I never felt bored even knowing what would happen in this book.
I really liked Alinaโs character development and the complexity of her relationships and friendships with everyone around her.
The world building and magic system was done gradually and was easy enough to understand.
Overall a really fun and quick read
I had no issues with this reread, the pace was fast so I never felt bored even knowing what would happen in this book.
I really liked Alinaโs character development and the complexity of her relationships and friendships with everyone around her.
The world building and magic system was done gradually and was easy enough to understand.
Overall a really fun and quick read
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Read this โfor scienceโ. I regret my choices.
This is actual trash. If it wasnโt blatant beastiality and we replaced the main dino with a person. It would still be trash.
This is actual trash. If it wasnโt blatant beastiality and we replaced the main dino with a person. It would still be trash.
dark
emotional
reflective
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:
Yes
This book was a whole ass ride!
It spoke to so much of my personal trauma but was done so respectfully you canโt not love this book.
Raven Kennedy writes gold, pun intended.
Itโs dark, but we get so much character development. The world building as it has been in previous books, is perfection; the plot is amazing, the pace is perfect.
There is a lot of abuse between Auren and Midas and he becomes completely unhinged so definitely keep that in mind.
On the bright side, we have some real romance and spice and I squealed. This was the most amazing slow burn, it pained me in the best way every step of the way.
This book had me sharing in Aurenโs emotions every step of the way and Iโm ready for more. Here to willingly drown in the gold that is this series!
It spoke to so much of my personal trauma but was done so respectfully you canโt not love this book.
Raven Kennedy writes gold, pun intended.
Itโs dark, but we get so much character development. The world building as it has been in previous books, is perfection; the plot is amazing, the pace is perfect.
There is a lot of abuse between Auren and Midas and he becomes completely unhinged so definitely keep that in mind.
On the bright side, we have some real romance and spice and I squealed. This was the most amazing slow burn, it pained me in the best way every step of the way.
This book had me sharing in Aurenโs emotions every step of the way and Iโm ready for more. Here to willingly drown in the gold that is this series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting
Minor: Addiction, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Grief, Murder
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I went into this read with high hopes.
The pace was perfection, the spice was soooo good and the world the author created is freaking phenomenal.
Unfortunately things didnโt stay perfect. As much as I LOVE the entire premise of our FMC, Rory and the fact that sheโs a vigilante serial killer, she became a bit boring. The side characters are so cool but add almost nothing tot he plot and the MMC was your typical predictable aloha male.
On top of this there was no character development other than one moment with Caius at the very end of the book.
The plot started out really strong but fell away during the middle and until almost the end of the book.
At times the writing became questionable. I felt lost in-between multiple character povโs, weird wording and having to reread sentences to understand it.
In terms of the romance we have insta-lust and a fairly quick and questionable transition from enemies to lovers. If this is right up your alley, you do you boo.
Me on the other hand, I would have liked some slow burn angst with a smoother transition into lovers. I do get this series will only be a duology, but maybe it was a bit rushed.
Overall I read the book quite quickly which is a good sign of enjoyment on my part and I will be reading the second book to get my fix of this really cool world and magic system.
I really hope the author either extends this series or writes more books in this world because itโs so unique and there is so much that can be done with it.
The pace was perfection, the spice was soooo good and the world the author created is freaking phenomenal.
Unfortunately things didnโt stay perfect. As much as I LOVE the entire premise of our FMC, Rory and the fact that sheโs a vigilante serial killer, she became a bit boring. The side characters are so cool but add almost nothing tot he plot and the MMC was your typical predictable aloha male.
On top of this there was no character development other than one moment with Caius at the very end of the book.
The plot started out really strong but fell away during the middle and until almost the end of the book.
At times the writing became questionable. I felt lost in-between multiple character povโs, weird wording and having to reread sentences to understand it.
In terms of the romance we have insta-lust and a fairly quick and questionable transition from enemies to lovers. If this is right up your alley, you do you boo.
Me on the other hand, I would have liked some slow burn angst with a smoother transition into lovers. I do get this series will only be a duology, but maybe it was a bit rushed.
Overall I read the book quite quickly which is a good sign of enjoyment on my part and I will be reading the second book to get my fix of this really cool world and magic system.
I really hope the author either extends this series or writes more books in this world because itโs so unique and there is so much that can be done with it.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to Jonathan Ball Publishers for gifting me an ARC of this book!
First off, the ADHD FMC view throughout this book was so innovative. It had me questioning a lot of what was happening throughout the story and where the plot was going.
The writing throughout was really good and the pacing even though it started out a bit slower and there was a bit of a lag in the middle, was still really enjoyable. The last 50% of the book I ended up completing in a day because of this.
The plot twists come seemingly out of nowhere, as much as I knew there would be plot twists, I never would've guessed them even though I generally try really hard.
The premise of the entire book is so interesting and you're kept on your toes throughout. The characters although not necessarily loveable, were easy to understand and as a whole they made for an interesting dynamic. Except for Oliver. Oliver sucks. I wanted to punch him in the throat multiple times.
The ending had me in tears... except it wasn't quite the end. I loved how there was more information after the last chapter around the happenings of the evening as well as where some of the characters ended up. I would've likes a bit more, but that's just coming from my background of mostly reading romantasy series. As a whole, the book was interesting and ended in a way that gave you peace after an entire story filled with suspense.
10/10 recommend this book if you like YA mystery/thrillers.
First off, the ADHD FMC view throughout this book was so innovative. It had me questioning a lot of what was happening throughout the story and where the plot was going.
The writing throughout was really good and the pacing even though it started out a bit slower and there was a bit of a lag in the middle, was still really enjoyable. The last 50% of the book I ended up completing in a day because of this.
The plot twists come seemingly out of nowhere, as much as I knew there would be plot twists, I never would've guessed them even though I generally try really hard.
The premise of the entire book is so interesting and you're kept on your toes throughout. The characters although not necessarily loveable, were easy to understand and as a whole they made for an interesting dynamic. Except for Oliver. Oliver sucks. I wanted to punch him in the throat multiple times.
The ending had me in tears... except it wasn't quite the end. I loved how there was more information after the last chapter around the happenings of the evening as well as where some of the characters ended up. I would've likes a bit more, but that's just coming from my background of mostly reading romantasy series. As a whole, the book was interesting and ended in a way that gave you peace after an entire story filled with suspense.
10/10 recommend this book if you like YA mystery/thrillers.