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moraa's review
2.0
Not exactly what I was hoping for but the writing was okay. Too much focus on sex and the relationship between the protagonists as opposed to the actual story. 2.5 stars
thelibraryofalexandra's review
2.0
I honestly believe that you need to read the entire series and not read Twisted Threads as a standalone like I did, even though supposedly you can. It started off strong, and I was really enjoying it, but then it lost me. I was not invested with the characters at all and I found the story quite lacklustre. There was not enough action, not enough thrills and suspense, and I did not care for the romance. Akira/Mariko Mitsui would have been an awesome character, she has all the characteristics of being a kick-ass female protagonist, but her character lost momentum. It started off super strong and then I felt as though the 'action' aspect of the storyline (i.e. her mission to figure out who killed Keiko Mitsui, the sister of Mistui-san who is the leader of Zakua-kai Yakuza family, and assassinate them) for the romance element.
Devon Lyons, the main male love interest, was okay as a character, and I honestly think that if I read the full series I would better understand his character and feel more for him, but I honestly didn't whilst reading this book. The explicit love-making scenes were, again, okay and their relationship was average. The premise was so interesting and awesome-sounding, but it really disappointed with how the story was executed. He just reminded me of a stereotypical douche. Claiming that he isn't quick to love because of how his mother 'disappeared' and left him resulted in him not trusting love, and then previous to him stating that, he was literally bemoaning how he's problem is falling in love with women too quick. Make up your mind, man!
One super major problem I had with this book was how it painted a rape scene. It was written like a kinky exploration into BDSM, and not the fact that Devon did not consent to sex with Yuki. It was a very problematic scene, and I still don't understand why Yuki suddenly became a BDSM mistress and outfitted chains just for the possibility of this scene. Yuki herself was not even an interesting villain! She lacked depth, and maybe because I haven't read the entire series, she wasn't entirely super clear about her motivation for all the murders she has committed. But it did lead the way for her to let it spill that Akira/Mariko was the possible long-lost daughter of Mitsui-san - and even that was anti-climatic! And you know what else was anti-climatic? The unmasking of who 'the watcher' was, was not well done. I had no reaction, I didn't gasp in surprise, I just rolled my eyes and finished the book. There should have been more depth, more intensity and more excitement to add to the thrill of the suspense.
This sounded like a rant, and I apologise, but I was slightly disappointed by this book.
Devon Lyons, the main male love interest, was okay as a character, and I honestly think that if I read the full series I would better understand his character and feel more for him, but I honestly didn't whilst reading this book. The explicit love-making scenes were, again, okay and their relationship was average. The premise was so interesting and awesome-sounding, but it really disappointed with how the story was executed. He just reminded me of a stereotypical douche. Claiming that he isn't quick to love because of how his mother 'disappeared' and left him resulted in him not trusting love, and then previous to him stating that, he was literally bemoaning how he's problem is falling in love with women too quick. Make up your mind, man!
One super major problem I had with this book was how it painted a rape scene. It was written like a kinky exploration into BDSM, and not the fact that Devon did not consent to sex with Yuki. It was a very problematic scene, and I still don't understand why Yuki suddenly became a BDSM mistress and outfitted chains just for the possibility of this scene. Yuki herself was not even an interesting villain! She lacked depth, and maybe because I haven't read the entire series, she wasn't entirely super clear about her motivation for all the murders she has committed. But it did lead the way for her to let it spill that Akira/Mariko was the possible long-lost daughter of Mitsui-san - and even that was anti-climatic! And you know what else was anti-climatic? The unmasking of who 'the watcher' was, was not well done. I had no reaction, I didn't gasp in surprise, I just rolled my eyes and finished the book. There should have been more depth, more intensity and more excitement to add to the thrill of the suspense.
This sounded like a rant, and I apologise, but I was slightly disappointed by this book.