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caroline_ck's review against another edition
I could not get into this book. The audio narrator was rough, to begin with. But even without that, the story jumps you into a story without any explanation of how the world works and expects you to fall for a love interest who is verbally abusive the entire time. I made it 40% and I was suffering. DNF.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
ladyethyme's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
I would honestly give this a negative star if I could. The fact that this is catered toward YA readers for me is absolutely revolting.
Tedious and mediocre storytelling. The pacing was a complete slag. Some of the narrative itself was written relatively well, everything else in this book suffers.
Completely flat and one dimensional characters. Mary Sue main female character, a VERY special snowflake, with absolutely no explanation as to how her magic even works. She just speaks the words and somehow it happens. But she's so clumsy! And plain! And has super special magic powers! Where have we read this before…🙄
The entire magic system is honestly completely ridiculous.
Emotionally absent and abusive love interest, with literally zero chemistry between the protagonists. He's a completely arrogant, entitled, abusive, narcissistic asshole for no apparent reason, other than the fact that he wants to be one.
'The Dragon' continuously insults her, berates her, yet she she falls for him. Literally forces her to wear things she doesn't want to, she's sick and exhausted but he forces her to clean up her own vomit, and serve him without any instructions or help whatsoever. Se literally crawls on her hands and knees back up to her tower room. And he forced her to do this.
But she falls for him. Because "reasons".
He snarls and insult her, call her names, and then forces her to kiss him. The sex scene comes out of absolutely nowhere; it is so inappropriate and disturbing to the point I really wonder about this author's mental health.
Abuse is not romantic. I don't care how many authors try to make it sexy and romantic. It's not.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Slavery, and Toxic relationship
orchidlilly's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Overall, subpar. The magic and world building are far more interesting than any of the characters could ever dream of being, which is a shame because we don't get to see much of it. The premise was interesting, the plot was an actual plot, but it could have been fleshed out so much better if it only had a bit more time. The ending was a semi-refreshing subversion of the expected romance ending, but it felt a bit rushed. The romance part itself was, in my opinion, wholly unnecessary and a bit unpleasant. The main romantic interest is an immortal while our mc is... 17-ish. Not to mention the attempted rape scene.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Fatphobia, Gore, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, and War
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Torture, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, and Alcohol