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thebiglittlelibrary's Reviews (622)
4 ⭐️ Great sequel that continues to build the story
#1 Gild — 4 Stars
#2 Glint — 4 Stars
#3 Gleam — 4.5 Stars
#4 Glow — 4 Stars
Trigger Warning (18+): This series contains explicit content and darker elements/themes, including human trafficking, Stockholm Syndrome, gaslighting, non-consensual sex, violence, and mature language.
First off, I want to say that I like this story. Auren's time with the Fourth Kingdom’s Army and Commander Rip was both entertaining and very key to her character development. These interactions really helped Auren understand personal freedom and see the truth about her life with Midas.
My biggest complaint is that I found myself wanting things to hurry along.
Part of this was because the story was so focused on Auren’s mental and emotional struggles. The journey she goes through is 100% necessary for character development (and watching her grow was amazing), but some of her internal dialogue or arguments with others get repetitive after a while.
The other reason is that the story’s setting generally stays the same. We know Auren is traveling with the Fourth Army through the Sixth Kingdom, but 90% of the scenes occur whenever they made camp for the day. Of course, it would be boring to read about Auren stuck in a carriage while the army marches, but only sharing moments in the army camp made things stagnant. I’m not sure if this makes sense, but it’s the best way I can describe it.
While that plot twist at the end was awesome, it was predictable. Maybe it's because I've read so much fantasy that I’m able to pick on clues and foreshadowing.
#1 Gild — 4 Stars
#2 Glint — 4 Stars
#3 Gleam — 4.5 Stars
#4 Glow — 4 Stars
Trigger Warning (18+): This series contains explicit content and darker elements/themes, including human trafficking, Stockholm Syndrome, gaslighting, non-consensual sex, violence, and mature language.
First off, I want to say that I like this story. Auren's time with the Fourth Kingdom’s Army and Commander Rip was both entertaining and very key to her character development. These interactions really helped Auren understand personal freedom and see the truth about her life with Midas.
My biggest complaint is that I found myself wanting things to hurry along.
Part of this was because the story was so focused on Auren’s mental and emotional struggles. The journey she goes through is 100% necessary for character development (and watching her grow was amazing), but some of her internal dialogue or arguments with others get repetitive after a while.
The other reason is that the story’s setting generally stays the same. We know Auren is traveling with the Fourth Army through the Sixth Kingdom, but 90% of the scenes occur whenever they made camp for the day. Of course, it would be boring to read about Auren stuck in a carriage while the army marches, but only sharing moments in the army camp made things stagnant. I’m not sure if this makes sense, but it’s the best way I can describe it.
While that plot twist at the end was awesome, it was predictable. Maybe it's because I've read so much fantasy that I’m able to pick on clues and foreshadowing.
4 ⭐️ A dark fantasy series that will leave you captivated and enraged. I couldn't put it down!
#1 Gild — 4 Stars
#2 Glint — 4 Stars
#3 Gleam — 4.5 Stars
#4 Glow — 4 Stars
Trigger Warning (18+): This series contains explicit content and darker elements, including human trafficking, Stockholm Syndrome, gaslighting, non-consensual sex (dub-con, sexual assault, rape - side character), violence, and mature language.
This story is fantastic! I’m surprised people give it less than 4-stars. It’s definitely more of an intro book with loads of world-building and a slow, yet intriguing storyline. However, I enjoyed every minute of it.
The world building and storytelling are wonderful! Raven Kennedy does an incredible job describing everything from the history of Orea to the general setting. It's easy to get confused while reading fantasy series, but that's not the case here. Everything is slowly introduced so you'll have time to digest all the information before learning something new.
Auren is a fantastic character. She's funny, intelligent, caring, quirky, and brave. But unfortunately, she also suffers from Stockholm Syndrome. As a child, Auren was sex trafficked, and then saved by Midas, who then manipulated and gaslit her into believing he loved her and would keep her safe. For 10 years she's lived in his gilded cage, believing every lie.
I love that this story is in Auren's POV because we really get to see her mental health struggle. While she occasionally has negative emotions about her situation, she quickly tries to see things 'on the bright side' and reminds herself of the 'love' between her and Midas. As the reader, it's difficult to read when Auren defends her abuser but you understand why. It's a fascinating but sickening dynamic that Raven Kennedy does an excellent job exploring!
And even though Auren often justifies her situation, it’s a relief when she starts feeling trapped and ends up standing up for herself - like when she says no to King Fulke or demands to ride horseback. By the end of the book, and the further she is from Midas, Auren starts to see the truth behind her life and starts to demand more from it. I love this growth and can't wait to see what becomes of her in the next book!
Be prepared to sit with a lot of dark emotions and situations. This world is absolute sh*t, where people like King Midas take what they want without regard for anyone else's feelings. By the end, I wanted to murder every man in this book except Digby and Sail. However, Midas and Captain Fane (that muther-fucker) would be at the top of the list. The last time I hated a character so much was Captain Jack Randall from the Outlander series.
#1 Gild — 4 Stars
#2 Glint — 4 Stars
#3 Gleam — 4.5 Stars
#4 Glow — 4 Stars
Trigger Warning (18+): This series contains explicit content and darker elements, including human trafficking, Stockholm Syndrome, gaslighting, non-consensual sex (dub-con, sexual assault, rape - side character), violence, and mature language.
This story is fantastic! I’m surprised people give it less than 4-stars. It’s definitely more of an intro book with loads of world-building and a slow, yet intriguing storyline. However, I enjoyed every minute of it.
The world building and storytelling are wonderful! Raven Kennedy does an incredible job describing everything from the history of Orea to the general setting. It's easy to get confused while reading fantasy series, but that's not the case here. Everything is slowly introduced so you'll have time to digest all the information before learning something new.
Auren is a fantastic character. She's funny, intelligent, caring, quirky, and brave. But unfortunately, she also suffers from Stockholm Syndrome. As a child, Auren was sex trafficked, and then saved by Midas, who then manipulated and gaslit her into believing he loved her and would keep her safe. For 10 years she's lived in his gilded cage, believing every lie.
I love that this story is in Auren's POV because we really get to see her mental health struggle. While she occasionally has negative emotions about her situation, she quickly tries to see things 'on the bright side' and reminds herself of the 'love' between her and Midas. As the reader, it's difficult to read when Auren defends her abuser but you understand why. It's a fascinating but sickening dynamic that Raven Kennedy does an excellent job exploring!
And even though Auren often justifies her situation, it’s a relief when she starts feeling trapped and ends up standing up for herself - like when she says no to King Fulke or demands to ride horseback. By the end of the book, and the further she is from Midas, Auren starts to see the truth behind her life and starts to demand more from it. I love this growth and can't wait to see what becomes of her in the next book!
Be prepared to sit with a lot of dark emotions and situations. This world is absolute sh*t, where people like King Midas take what they want without regard for anyone else's feelings. By the end, I wanted to murder every man in this book except Digby and Sail. However, Midas and Captain Fane (that muther-fucker) would be at the top of the list. The last time I hated a character so much was Captain Jack Randall from the Outlander series.
3.5 ⭐️ Slow beginning and middle, stellar ending
"You are my everything. My first love, my wife, the first and last Queen of the Underworld." ❤️
#1 A Touch of Darkness— 4 Stars
#2 A Touch of Ruin — 3 Stars
#3 A Touch of Malice — 3.5 Stars
I have a lot of thoughts about this book so let's get right into it.
Everything that was wrong with A Touch of Ruin was rectified in A Touch of Malice. Persephone wasn't a whiny or insecure, and she gets some good character development . There actually was a plot to follow besides the relationship drama between Persephone and Hades. Plus, there were ten times as many sex scenes. All of these changes definitely enhanced my reading experiences. I really don't think I could have handled Persephone acting like a child for another whole book.
I can't believe I'm saying this, BUT there were too many sex scenes. There are 16 total, and more than half seem to be used to avoid important conversations between Hades and Persephone. Don't get me wrong, I love a good spicy scene, but not when it takes the place of important relationship development between our beloved main characters. Also, the sex scenes felt extremely rushed. But I think this might just be Scarlett St. Clair's writing style.
"You are my everything. My first love, my wife, the first and last Queen of the Underworld." ❤️
#1 A Touch of Darkness— 4 Stars
#2 A Touch of Ruin — 3 Stars
#3 A Touch of Malice — 3.5 Stars
I have a lot of thoughts about this book so let's get right into it.
Everything that was wrong with A Touch of Ruin was rectified in A Touch of Malice. Persephone wasn't a whiny or insecure, and she gets some good character development . There actually was a plot to follow besides the relationship drama between Persephone and Hades. Plus, there were ten times as many sex scenes. All of these changes definitely enhanced my reading experiences. I really don't think I could have handled Persephone acting like a child for another whole book.
I can't believe I'm saying this, BUT there were too many sex scenes. There are 16 total, and more than half seem to be used to avoid important conversations between Hades and Persephone. Don't get me wrong, I love a good spicy scene, but not when it takes the place of important relationship development between our beloved main characters. Also, the sex scenes felt extremely rushed. But I think this might just be Scarlett St. Clair's writing style.
2 ⭐️ A story about how Hades’ d!ck gets hard every time Persephone walks in the room
This story added absolutely nothing of value to this series. Sure, it’s nice to have Hades POV but not when there’s hardly any depth to him. I felt like I understood his character more from A Touch of Darkness.
And the way this story was told . . . it was disjointed, often skipping from one scene to the next without any warning. I never felt like I had time to connect to what was going on before we moved onto another scene.
The romance (if you could even call if that) was nonexistent. Its was all about sex for Hades, even though we know that’s really not true. But that’s how it comes across. Every fucking time Hades sees Persephone, his dick gets hard and he’s on the verge of coming. First off, slow down buddy, she’s more than just a piece of ass. Second, it’s like the author forgot to write about their emotional connection and made their relationship entirely superficial. Plus, all the sex scenes were rushed. One minute they’re playing cards and the next he’s making her scream his name while ‘balls deep’ inside her. The way their entire relationship was written is such a turn off.
Here are just a few (ridiculous) examples of Hades getting horny:
When he sees Persephone for the first time:
"His cock grew hard, pinned against his leg and trousers."
When he thinks about Persephone:
"His head started to rush, and a warmth spread through him that went straight to his cock. He groaned; he was going to have to expel some of this energy."
When Persephone looks at him:
"She lifted her chin and narrowed those lovely eyes, and he had the fleeting thought that he would like for her to look at him like that while she rode his cock, hard and fast."
When Persephone leaves him:
"Hades teleported to his chambers, naked, cock straining, desperate for release. . . he braced himself against the table and wrapped his fingers around his swollen length, gritting his teeth and closing his eyes."
When they play strip poker:
"Lust ran through his veins, straight to his cock. . . He wanted her naked, spread before him. He wanted to be balls-deep inside her."
When he wakes up next to Persephone:
"Hades woke instantly, his cock hard."
When they have an argument:
"She crossed her arms over her chest, and he couldn’t help letting his gaze fall there. . . "
*Eyes up, buddy.
When Persephone dances:
"It wasn’t long before she approached him, eyes burning and body dripping in gold. It was something out of a fantasy, and he could not help imagining her kneeling before him to take his cock into her mouth. Already it strained, restricted by his robes."
When Persephone teaches him how to bake:
"Hades left the kitchen, disappearing down a hallway until he found the bathroom. He shut himself inside and leaned against the door, reaching into his pants and clasping his cock. He’d have much rather had Persephone’s hand on him, her mouth around him, her sex clenching his own, but this would have to suffice until they were alone. He worked himself until he came."
*This one is ridiculous. He legit has to go to the bathroom to rub one out. He couldn't wait a few hours till they were alone and could bang??? Good gods, he has no control.
Hades is a horny mofo, and honestly, it's a bit much. He's over a million years old, so why is he acting like a horny teenager? It's one thing to be desired, but an entirely different thing when it becomes a weird sexual obsession. I was really hoping for some good insight into Hades' emotional connection to Persephone, but all we got was horny Hades. I know he views Persephone as more than just something to put his d!ck in, he even says it, but there wasn't enough character development or inner dialogue for me to actually believe otherwise.
The only thing I enjoyed was the additional world building aspect i.e. learning more about the Gods, Fates and the storyline with Sisyphus. These side plots were interesting and helped explain the politics, history, and personalities of the gods of Olympus. I especially loved every encounter Hades had with Hecate, Hephaestus, and Hermes. But while I enjoyed these scenes, I was mostly reading for Hades x Persephone, and that aspect of the book sucked. . . so hence, the overall disappointment.
While this book did not live up to my expectations, I'll still continue reading the series because I’m intrigued by the general storyline and I like the world-building. Just hoping that Scarlett St. Clair finds a way to show depth between Hades and Persephone in the next books.
This story added absolutely nothing of value to this series. Sure, it’s nice to have Hades POV but not when there’s hardly any depth to him. I felt like I understood his character more from A Touch of Darkness.
And the way this story was told . . . it was disjointed, often skipping from one scene to the next without any warning. I never felt like I had time to connect to what was going on before we moved onto another scene.
The romance (if you could even call if that) was nonexistent. Its was all about sex for Hades, even though we know that’s really not true. But that’s how it comes across. Every fucking time Hades sees Persephone, his dick gets hard and he’s on the verge of coming. First off, slow down buddy, she’s more than just a piece of ass. Second, it’s like the author forgot to write about their emotional connection and made their relationship entirely superficial. Plus, all the sex scenes were rushed. One minute they’re playing cards and the next he’s making her scream his name while ‘balls deep’ inside her. The way their entire relationship was written is such a turn off.
Here are just a few (ridiculous) examples of Hades getting horny:
When he sees Persephone for the first time:
"His cock grew hard, pinned against his leg and trousers."
When he thinks about Persephone:
"His head started to rush, and a warmth spread through him that went straight to his cock. He groaned; he was going to have to expel some of this energy."
When Persephone looks at him:
"She lifted her chin and narrowed those lovely eyes, and he had the fleeting thought that he would like for her to look at him like that while she rode his cock, hard and fast."
When Persephone leaves him:
"Hades teleported to his chambers, naked, cock straining, desperate for release. . . he braced himself against the table and wrapped his fingers around his swollen length, gritting his teeth and closing his eyes."
When they play strip poker:
"Lust ran through his veins, straight to his cock. . . He wanted her naked, spread before him. He wanted to be balls-deep inside her."
When he wakes up next to Persephone:
"Hades woke instantly, his cock hard."
When they have an argument:
"She crossed her arms over her chest, and he couldn’t help letting his gaze fall there. . . "
*Eyes up, buddy.
When Persephone dances:
"It wasn’t long before she approached him, eyes burning and body dripping in gold. It was something out of a fantasy, and he could not help imagining her kneeling before him to take his cock into her mouth. Already it strained, restricted by his robes."
When Persephone teaches him how to bake:
"Hades left the kitchen, disappearing down a hallway until he found the bathroom. He shut himself inside and leaned against the door, reaching into his pants and clasping his cock. He’d have much rather had Persephone’s hand on him, her mouth around him, her sex clenching his own, but this would have to suffice until they were alone. He worked himself until he came."
*This one is ridiculous. He legit has to go to the bathroom to rub one out. He couldn't wait a few hours till they were alone and could bang??? Good gods, he has no control.
Hades is a horny mofo, and honestly, it's a bit much. He's over a million years old, so why is he acting like a horny teenager? It's one thing to be desired, but an entirely different thing when it becomes a weird sexual obsession. I was really hoping for some good insight into Hades' emotional connection to Persephone, but all we got was horny Hades. I know he views Persephone as more than just something to put his d!ck in, he even says it, but there wasn't enough character development or inner dialogue for me to actually believe otherwise.
The only thing I enjoyed was the additional world building aspect i.e. learning more about the Gods, Fates and the storyline with Sisyphus. These side plots were interesting and helped explain the politics, history, and personalities of the gods of Olympus. I especially loved every encounter Hades had with Hecate, Hephaestus, and Hermes. But while I enjoyed these scenes, I was mostly reading for Hades x Persephone, and that aspect of the book sucked. . . so hence, the overall disappointment.
While this book did not live up to my expectations, I'll still continue reading the series because I’m intrigued by the general storyline and I like the world-building. Just hoping that Scarlett St. Clair finds a way to show depth between Hades and Persephone in the next books.
3.5 ⭐ Thanks to Jewish wedding customs, light consent play, and safe words, Nora and Dagesh find their groove
4 ⭐ Enjoyable! Marlene is a little French minx and Zennek is a shy puppy ♥️
Ice Planet Barbarian Books + Ratings
Ice Planet Barbarian Books + Ratings
3 ⭐ Meh, it was fine. Some funny moments.
Idk why but I wasn't into Veronica and Ashtar's story. He was so pushy but in a selfish way for 75% of the story. And I definitely prefer the big blue guy's anatomy over the dragon. Not sure a cat-like tongue (which btw cats have barbed tongues) and claws is really suitable for sensitive human lady parts. I'm just saying.
Icehome Books + Ratings
Idk why but I wasn't into Veronica and Ashtar's story. He was so pushy but in a selfish way for 75% of the story. And I definitely prefer the big blue guy's anatomy over the dragon. Not sure a cat-like tongue (which btw cats have barbed tongues) and claws is really suitable for sensitive human lady parts. I'm just saying.
Icehome Books + Ratings
4.5 ⭐ Ariana and Zolaya are now one of my favorite IPB couples.
I was NOT looking forward to reading Ariana's story because, in the other books, the other human girls constantly complain about her and her annoying crying. But I'm mad at them now for being judgemental and not really trying to understand. Thank goodness for Zolaya and Marlene.
I was NOT looking forward to reading Ariana's story because, in the other books, the other human girls constantly complain about her and her annoying crying. But I'm mad at them now for being judgemental and not really trying to understand. Thank goodness for Zolaya and Marlene.
4 or 4.5 ⭐ Book 1 of Ice Home did NOT disappoint!!
I am obsessed with the story. Lauren and Marisol (2 of the new humans who woke up from the slavers ship) accidentally get stranded on the volcanic island across the sea. To their surprise, they meet and resonate to alien men that can camouflage - one even has four arms. But they are not safe. The island is a caldera and if the increasing amounts of earthquakes is any indication, the volcano is going to erupt once more. Lauren must find a way convince the few aliens who remain on the island to cross the sea, back to her tribe.
The romance was good, but nothing crazy. Sure, her mate having four hands automatically makes it different from the other stories, but it wasn't super sexy IMO. At least he has a spur and massive d0ng.
I am obsessed with the story. Lauren and Marisol (2 of the new humans who woke up from the slavers ship) accidentally get stranded on the volcanic island across the sea. To their surprise, they meet and resonate to alien men that can camouflage - one even has four arms. But they are not safe. The island is a caldera and if the increasing amounts of earthquakes is any indication, the volcano is going to erupt once more. Lauren must find a way convince the few aliens who remain on the island to cross the sea, back to her tribe.
The romance was good, but nothing crazy. Sure, her mate having four hands automatically makes it different from the other stories, but it wasn't super sexy IMO. At least he has a spur and massive d0ng.
3.5 ⭐ The beginning and end were the best parts.
I liked that the romance between Brooke and Taushen was different from the others, but Brooke gave me whiplash with her constantly changing feelings so that annoyed me.
The sex scenes were a tad different from the other books which made them more entertaining.
Ice Planet Barbarian Books + Ratings
I liked that the romance between Brooke and Taushen was different from the others, but Brooke gave me whiplash with her constantly changing feelings so that annoyed me.
The sex scenes were a tad different from the other books which made them more entertaining.
Ice Planet Barbarian Books + Ratings