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A review by anneliseleonard2
Johann by Grae Bryan
4.0
3.5 stars. Johann is the fourth in a series about vampires finding their mates. I enjoyed it overall, but I felt it to be the weakest in the series so far. I really, really loved Lucien.
What I Loved:
Jay is the sweetest, most considerate vampire. He’s very precious, maybe too precious, but I found I didn’t mind because our continued understanding of his past led me to feel like his personality and reactions were appropriate. Alexei isn’t particularly nice, but he isn’t as bad as he thinks he is, either. He loves Jay and makes sure to give Jay everything he needs to thrive. Thank goodness, because Jay deserves it.
Jay and Alexei’s relationship is very sweet and kind of spicy. Their mutual protectiveness, understanding of each other’s wants and needs, and work toward breaking through each other’s barriers was lovely.
But both Jay and Alexei have trauma in their pasts that color the way they interact with the world around them, including each other. Jay’s growth arc was pretty well done. I enjoyed seeing him grow into a more confident person, now more able to have messy spaces, speak up for himself and his friends, and make demands of Alexei (in all five love languages).
The bonus epilogue. If you haven’t read it, you need to. It’s wonderful!
What I Didn’t:
Alexei’s character wasn’t developed enough for me. He didn’t have much natural growth and his arc was the weakest of any in the series so far. I agree with him;.
In one of the previous books, someone said something (it might have been Jaime in Lucien) about how. I would have liked to see this explored.
I’m concerned about the language and misbeliefs surrounding Wolfe being a “psychopath” and his supposed inability to love. It’s problematic at best. I’m hopeful that the next book will actually fix this common misconception, but I’m worried that it will just perpetuate stereotypes and falsities. The problematic language began in Johann, but I’m worried about it being way worse in the next book (probably named Wolfgang).
What I Loved:
Jay is the sweetest, most considerate vampire. He’s very precious, maybe too precious, but I found I didn’t mind because our continued understanding of his past led me to feel like his personality and reactions were appropriate. Alexei isn’t particularly nice, but he isn’t as bad as he thinks he is, either. He loves Jay and makes sure to give Jay everything he needs to thrive. Thank goodness, because Jay deserves it.
Jay and Alexei’s relationship is very sweet and kind of spicy. Their mutual protectiveness, understanding of each other’s wants and needs, and work toward breaking through each other’s barriers was lovely.
But both Jay and Alexei have trauma in their pasts that color the way they interact with the world around them, including each other. Jay’s growth arc was pretty well done. I enjoyed seeing him grow into a more confident person, now more able to have messy spaces, speak up for himself and his friends, and make demands of Alexei (in all five love languages).
The bonus epilogue. If you haven’t read it, you need to. It’s wonderful!
What I Didn’t:
Alexei’s character wasn’t developed enough for me. He didn’t have much natural growth and his arc was the weakest of any in the series so far. I agree with him;
Spoiler
he exists to be Jay’s mateIn one of the previous books, someone said something (it might have been Jaime in Lucien) about how
Spoiler
each vampire’s mate was turned in a brutal or violent way and that there must be a reason for itI’m concerned about the language and misbeliefs surrounding Wolfe being a “psychopath” and his supposed inability to love. It’s problematic at best. I’m hopeful that the next book will actually fix this common misconception, but I’m worried that it will just perpetuate stereotypes and falsities. The problematic language began in Johann, but I’m worried about it being way worse in the next book (probably named Wolfgang).