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samandthebookstack's Reviews (99)
medium-paced
Started a reread in anticipation of this year's release of the rest of this series and although I first read this at the very beginning of 2022, I found that I loved it just as much the second time around. Scarlett's writing carries with it a certain kind of charm and a lack of pretension that feels a bit like settling into a cozy, oversized chair (except the chair is actually the lap of one ridiculously hot Greek god of the dead).
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I first read this back in 2022 and started a series re-read in preparation for the release of the remaining books in the series. I enjoyed the books in this series the first time around, but the second read made me love the characters more.
I think when dealing with stories based on Greek mythology specifically, it's important to remember that one of the hallmarks of the original stories themselves is how flawed the gods truly are. In these original stories, the gods display flaws that are considered very human and these flaws often set them up for great strife or failure. I really like that Scarlett has preserved that even more in this book specifically. Persephone loves the upperworld, but she really doesn't understand what it means to be mortal and she clearly struggles with the notion that she IS a goddess and regardless of how much she wishes to be different than the other gods, there will be things she cannot help. Hades and Persephone both struggle to communicate properly with one another and that lack of communication causes them both great pain but we get to see them begin to explore ways to avoid those issues.
I think when dealing with stories based on Greek mythology specifically, it's important to remember that one of the hallmarks of the original stories themselves is how flawed the gods truly are. In these original stories, the gods display flaws that are considered very human and these flaws often set them up for great strife or failure. I really like that Scarlett has preserved that even more in this book specifically. Persephone loves the upperworld, but she really doesn't understand what it means to be mortal and she clearly struggles with the notion that she IS a goddess and regardless of how much she wishes to be different than the other gods, there will be things she cannot help. Hades and Persephone both struggle to communicate properly with one another and that lack of communication causes them both great pain but we get to see them begin to explore ways to avoid those issues.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Sexual content
Moderate: Suicide, Kidnapping, Car accident
medium-paced
First and foremost, that cover is absolutely stunning.
The story itself isn't necessarily original, there are plenty of familiar themes and characterizations that fans of this genre will recognize. I guessed the way the plot was going rather quickly, but I did enjoy this as a quick, light read.
Some things to look out for:
✔️ Fake Relationship
✔️ Enemies to lovers
✔️ Forced proximity
✔️ Touch her and die
✔️ Seelie and unseelie courts with plenty of court intrigue
✔️ FMC who isn't a blade wielding baddie but is instead compassionate
✔️ Hidden powers and hidden past
✔️ Spice
✔️ MMC falls first
✔️ Curvy FMC (this representation could've been less self-deprecating)
✔️ Powers giving Hades/Persephone vibes
✔️ Non-intensive world-building
Some reasons I deducted stars:
The writing: While not terrible, there were clearly things that were missed in the editing/beta reading process that made me a little frustrated. There were bits of dialogue that didn't make sense, instances where a character was being referred to incorrectly (he instead of she when it was clear who was speaking), rampant misspellings. I felt that if this had been more polished, it could have easily been a 4 star read for me or higher given that the themes and characterizations were ones I tend to like.
The curvy FMC: I love seeing women of every skin tone and body type represented well in the stories I read. I was thrilled when Ember is presented as a girl with curves and then she goes on to speak about herself in a self-deprecating way that wasn't positive. For example, she lauds her best friends looks and figure as being prettier than hers because she's slimmer. It gave me whiplash that one minute Ember speaks as though she's attractive, but then downs her own looks as lesser. I never see slimmer characters speaking about themselves that way and I didn't think it was great to see a curvier character put herself down even a little. Let FMCs be curvy and it be completely normal and them be characterized as beautiful (because they are). Let FMCs be slimmer and it also be completely normal etc. The whole "I'm not as pretty as xxx because I am curvier" thing is a no for me. Give me FMCs who own the ever living shit out of every bit of themselves, please and thank you.
Trigger warnings:
One very sleezy male character with rapey vibes, death, sexual content, fire, murder, death of parent(s),
The story itself isn't necessarily original, there are plenty of familiar themes and characterizations that fans of this genre will recognize. I guessed the way the plot was going rather quickly, but I did enjoy this as a quick, light read.
Some things to look out for:
✔️ Fake Relationship
✔️ Enemies to lovers
✔️ Forced proximity
✔️ Touch her and die
✔️ Seelie and unseelie courts with plenty of court intrigue
✔️ FMC who isn't a blade wielding baddie but is instead compassionate
✔️ Hidden powers and hidden past
✔️ Spice
✔️ MMC falls first
✔️ Curvy FMC (this representation could've been less self-deprecating)
✔️ Powers giving Hades/Persephone vibes
✔️ Non-intensive world-building
Some reasons I deducted stars:
The writing: While not terrible, there were clearly things that were missed in the editing/beta reading process that made me a little frustrated. There were bits of dialogue that didn't make sense, instances where a character was being referred to incorrectly (he instead of she when it was clear who was speaking), rampant misspellings. I felt that if this had been more polished, it could have easily been a 4 star read for me or higher given that the themes and characterizations were ones I tend to like.
The curvy FMC: I love seeing women of every skin tone and body type represented well in the stories I read. I was thrilled when Ember is presented as a girl with curves and then she goes on to speak about herself in a self-deprecating way that wasn't positive. For example, she lauds her best friends looks and figure as being prettier than hers because she's slimmer. It gave me whiplash that one minute Ember speaks as though she's attractive, but then downs her own looks as lesser. I never see slimmer characters speaking about themselves that way and I didn't think it was great to see a curvier character put herself down even a little. Let FMCs be curvy and it be completely normal and them be characterized as beautiful (because they are). Let FMCs be slimmer and it also be completely normal etc. The whole "I'm not as pretty as xxx because I am curvier" thing is a no for me. Give me FMCs who own the ever living shit out of every bit of themselves, please and thank you.
Trigger warnings:
One very sleezy male character with rapey vibes, death, sexual content, fire, murder, death of parent(s),
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Death of parent, Sexual harassment
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I have been simmering over this book for days while I have pondered exactly what to say about it.
First things first: I have a hang-up about first person present tense POV. It stems from one very badly written story I read a while ago and the sour taste for this POV has lingered ever since. Because of that, I nearly set this book down. The start is a tad slow, but something urged me to keep reading despite this (it was probably the allure of dragons and the promise of a lead MMC who rivals Rhysand...what can I say, I have a type). I am so glad I kept going. By chapter 10 I literally could not stop.
I have suffered with chronic illness and disability for a long time and I saw myself in Violet in a way I've never seen myself before in a fantasy book. I saw myself trying to do basic every-day tasks on my farm and nearly yanking my shoulder out of socket but pushing onward anyway the same way Violet did when she was training. I saw my own resilience and determination displayed in her as a character and unlike me, never once did Violet act ashamed of what her body could and could not do, she just bad-assed her way forward like the queen she is. For me, that was the kind of representation that really means something. I cried multiple times, especially when Violet (view spoiler)
For me, the hype on this one was deserved and I cannot wait to dive into the rest of this series as it is released.
First things first: I have a hang-up about first person present tense POV. It stems from one very badly written story I read a while ago and the sour taste for this POV has lingered ever since. Because of that, I nearly set this book down. The start is a tad slow, but something urged me to keep reading despite this (it was probably the allure of dragons and the promise of a lead MMC who rivals Rhysand...what can I say, I have a type). I am so glad I kept going. By chapter 10 I literally could not stop.
I have suffered with chronic illness and disability for a long time and I saw myself in Violet in a way I've never seen myself before in a fantasy book. I saw myself trying to do basic every-day tasks on my farm and nearly yanking my shoulder out of socket but pushing onward anyway the same way Violet did when she was training. I saw my own resilience and determination displayed in her as a character and unlike me, never once did Violet act ashamed of what her body could and could not do, she just bad-assed her way forward like the queen she is. For me, that was the kind of representation that really means something. I cried multiple times, especially when Violet (view spoiler)
For me, the hype on this one was deserved and I cannot wait to dive into the rest of this series as it is released.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Violence, Death of parent, War
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
I jumped into this story having no idea what to expect. I usually don't vibe with stories with heavy apocalyptic themes, especially ones that lean heavily on christian or related religious theology. But this story posed some very interesting questions about humanity that made this a very compelling read beyond the romance aspect.
The FMC (who is human) is kept as a prisoner by the MMC who is essentially an angel tasked with bringing about the end of humanity due to their wickedness. But the way this story conveys these themes relies very little on strained reimaginings of scripture and the apocalyptic christian worldview that I personally grew up with (and loathed). So it wasn't nearly as uncomfortable to read as I assumed it would be. The MMC, Pestilence, ended up being a very interesting character and I found myself a little bummed out by the end that I still had a lot of questions about his nature and his mission and his reasons for making the decisions he did. In the end though, this is an enemies to lovers tale with some heavy themes (mind the trigger warnings) that ended up taking me by surprise with how much I really enjoyed it.
A few trigger warnings to consider: death, violence, fire injury, sexual content, torture, animal abuse/death, illness with vivid descriptions of something akin to the black plague
The FMC (who is human) is kept as a prisoner by the MMC who is essentially an angel tasked with bringing about the end of humanity due to their wickedness. But the way this story conveys these themes relies very little on strained reimaginings of scripture and the apocalyptic christian worldview that I personally grew up with (and loathed). So it wasn't nearly as uncomfortable to read as I assumed it would be. The MMC, Pestilence, ended up being a very interesting character and I found myself a little bummed out by the end that I still had a lot of questions about his nature and his mission and his reasons for making the decisions he did. In the end though, this is an enemies to lovers tale with some heavy themes (mind the trigger warnings) that ended up taking me by surprise with how much I really enjoyed it.
A few trigger warnings to consider: death, violence, fire injury, sexual content, torture, animal abuse/death, illness with vivid descriptions of something akin to the black plague
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
London in the 1850s is not a kind place for a young woman with no one to rely on but herself.
Genevieve Timmons is a spiritualist, but not an authentic one. While her moral compass doesn't exactly point due north, she uses the skills her mother taught her to conduct seances that bring peace to the living and line her pockets just enough so that she can get by, all she needs is this one last job and she'll be on a train out of London for good.
But when her last job goes horribly wrong, Genevieve finds herself in jail awaiting the gallows and has no choice but to accept an offer to conduct another seance in an effort to soothe the sorrows of one Mr.Pemberton, master of Pemberton Park, an estate near the sea.
But all is not what it seems and a mystery is afoot. Mr.Pemberton's betrothed is believed to have committed suicide and everyone at Pemberton Park believes the estate is haunted and its family cursed. Genevieve will have to sift through the lives of everyone there to determine the truth and conduct a seance believable enough to root out a murderer-her life depends on it.
Trigger warnings: suicide, death of a parent, mental illness, miscarriage, sexism, incest, pregnancy
I really enjoyed this one. The mystery itself had enough twists and turns that I didn't immediately guess what I suspected might happen, although I knew early on which characters were not trustworthy. The romance wasn't overbearing to the overall plot and the story does give us a very satisfying HEA. All in all, it was an enjoyable read. If you're looking for a light read with morally gray characters, gothic romance (light on the romance), and a murder mystery with paranormal themes then you'll probably enjoy this.
Genevieve Timmons is a spiritualist, but not an authentic one. While her moral compass doesn't exactly point due north, she uses the skills her mother taught her to conduct seances that bring peace to the living and line her pockets just enough so that she can get by, all she needs is this one last job and she'll be on a train out of London for good.
But when her last job goes horribly wrong, Genevieve finds herself in jail awaiting the gallows and has no choice but to accept an offer to conduct another seance in an effort to soothe the sorrows of one Mr.Pemberton, master of Pemberton Park, an estate near the sea.
But all is not what it seems and a mystery is afoot. Mr.Pemberton's betrothed is believed to have committed suicide and everyone at Pemberton Park believes the estate is haunted and its family cursed. Genevieve will have to sift through the lives of everyone there to determine the truth and conduct a seance believable enough to root out a murderer-her life depends on it.
Trigger warnings: suicide, death of a parent, mental illness, miscarriage, sexism, incest, pregnancy
I really enjoyed this one. The mystery itself had enough twists and turns that I didn't immediately guess what I suspected might happen, although I knew early on which characters were not trustworthy. The romance wasn't overbearing to the overall plot and the story does give us a very satisfying HEA. All in all, it was an enjoyable read. If you're looking for a light read with morally gray characters, gothic romance (light on the romance), and a murder mystery with paranormal themes then you'll probably enjoy this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Miscarriage, Suicide, Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexism
Minor: Incest, Police brutality
medium-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I hate leaving less than stellar reviews. I absolutely loathe to be brutal about something I know someone has poured a lot of time and effort into, but it can't be helped.
Trigger warnings to consider: multiple mentions and threats of sexual assault (like a lot), death, violence, ailing parent
Tropes: Cinderella/Beauty and the Beast/HadesxPersehpone vibes, MMC falls first, instalove, mild touch her and die vibes
First, the good: The cover is absolutely gorgeous, obviously. The premise was promising. I got Cinderella and Hades/Persephone vibes. Death is a pretty intriguing character, and a total cinnamon roll.
The bad: (there are mild spoilers below...)
Trigger warnings to consider: multiple mentions and threats of sexual assault (like a lot), death, violence, ailing parent
Tropes: Cinderella/Beauty and the Beast/HadesxPersehpone vibes, MMC falls first, instalove, mild touch her and die vibes
First, the good: The cover is absolutely gorgeous, obviously. The premise was promising. I got Cinderella and Hades/Persephone vibes. Death is a pretty intriguing character, and a total cinnamon roll.
The bad: (there are mild spoilers below...)
- There are four men worth mentioning in the beginning of the book that are not the male main character: Hazel's stepbrothers (there are two of them), her father (who is never really explored on page because he's dying, and Lord Payne. One of Hazel's stepbrothers is in love with her, but never really does a damn thing to help her aside from displaying violence in response to her other stepbrother who repeatedly tries to sexually assault her. Lord Payne, Hazel's betrothed, is essentially an extension of this theme. Basically, all the dudes in this story aside from Hazel's father and Death himself, all just want to assault her. While I have zero problems with reading novels containing dark themes, the way this was executed within this story felt shallow and gimmicky, as though the author wanted to write a dark romance, but thought that meant just making the FMC a constant target for men who want to harm her. It was gross. It didn't lead to the FMC growing any sort of backbone or learning anything about her own inner strength, it was simply there as a mediocre plot device.
- Then there's the matter of the wicked stepmother. The woman is a damned monster. But much the same as it was with the sexual assault, the stepmother is incredibly abusive and the way it was written left me feeling gross. Again, I have read plenty of dark fantasies and dark romances, but this felt like violence against a helpless FMC for the sake of a plot device (and a shallow one at that).
- Then there's the matter of the point of view. I'm not particularly picky about which POV an author opts to write in. This story is written in the first person present tense which means that there are a lot of "I's" and "as I" used in such repetition that it really began to bother me. The writing was choppy and frustrating and really would have benefitted from some additional editing and beta reading. There were so many repetitive phrases that could've been eliminated for the sake of clarity, that I skimmed the last 100 pages of this 247 page novel. I feel like the whole book would've benefitted from being written in any other POV than first person present.
I had to force myself to finish this one and I am not sure if I'll be able to read the last two books in this series. While I remain intrigued by Death's character, there was just simply not enough there to entice me to continue reading. I was 50% of the way into the book before I felt like anything was really even happening. And...there was no smut, which kind of sucked.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Sexual violence
Moderate: Violence
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
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Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault, Violence