Lili V
Really intriguing protagonist and plot but the character interactions were lackluster. I couldn't empathize with any one of them. With the main character being a cage fighter with a tragic background and dealing with the aftermath of a car accident, the plot was thrilling and easy to get lost in. I really wish I could say the same about the characters. There just wasn't an emotional connection that I could tether myself to with the characters. Even when something emotional was happening I couldn't get lost in the characters' feelings. There was character development in the sense that characters overcame their flaws. However, there wasn't enough build up of the character–their motivation, their passion, to really resonate with me while reading.
Great start to a series, really loved how confident and independent Arianna was, she acts like a leader to her people and I enjoyed reading about her. The writing was fast-paced and highly entertaining. A lot of the world-building and political climate was being established in this book as well as new threats were being uncovered. There's political intrigue which is something I love to read about in my fantasy books, and can't wait to read more about it in the next book.
I definitely thought the premise of this book was really intriguing and I looked forward to reading about the tension between the main girl and guy. This book did pretty well executing a whole fantasy world and just taking the reader along for the ride, though, at times, geographically it was a bit hard to follow. The main snag for me were the characters. I applaud the author when it to portraying the main characters flaws. However, they were made so obvious from the very beginning and were continuously pointed out by other characters that it just felt like their development was dragging on and on throughout the book. For example, no spoilers, but for the main character, I'd say her biggest flaw was pride and it led her into constant situations where she wanted to be independent but ended up just making herself a damsel in distress way too many times.
Overall I really liked the plot, definitely appreciated the banter and tension between the characters but I would not pick up the second book because the ending of this book was just too transparent and disappointing.
One of my favorite things about this conclusion to the trilogy was probably the main thing that it focused on and that was the plot. However, since it was the only thing that it really focused on, I think the pacing, writing, and character building kind of suffered for it. In this last book in the series the pacing was a lot slower than the last two books and was too drawn out for me to really follow along with the pretty fantastic world-building. There was so much effort put into foreshadowing the plot lines and destinies of certain characters that I was never able to fully enjoy the challenges the characters were facing in the moment. If there hadn't been such a huge focus on drawing out the plot then I think the author could have included the endings that were so obviously set aside to be split into their own individual stories. Now I don't think I'm going to read the quad's stories because this book didn't really do a good job of investing time into their characters for me to care.
Reading this series is a little like being hopped up on sugar. You know what's about to happen but you can't stop it from coming at you like a freight train. Even though the pacing of this book is hella fast I wouldn't want it any other way. A lot of the questions left up in the air at the ending of the last book were answered and again the structure of this second book reminds me a bit of the Forever Evermore trilogy. The main group of characters are taken to a remote sanctuary after being threatened by an outside force in their home setting. Relationships between them further develop and the overarching plot thickens.
I really liked the premise of this book and werewolves are probably my favorite supernatural creatures to read about. I liked the characters a lot, especially the main character because I usually like characters that have a calmer temperament and can deal with the situations around them with a clear head. I didn't expect to enjoy the writing as much as I did because there was a lot of exposition about the world but it was done through dialogue and I usually like that method rather than the narrator explaining the dynamic of the world.
Something I really appreciated was the fact that the romance was completely at the forefront of the book. There were definitely moments when I thought Caia thought a bit too much about Lucien but in the second half there was a lot tension that really built a solid relationship between the two. I worried that the misunderstanding that came towards the end would really frustrate me since the book is told through multiple POVs. However, Caia was mature enough to realize that communication is necessary in order to get her point across to her potential partner. (Something a lot of YA and NA novels don't seem to understand, COMMUNICATION IS KEY. One of my biggest peeves is misunderstandings/miscommunication between the MCs.)
I look forward towards the development of Caia's abilities and seeing how the dynamic in the romantic relationship shift and change.
Another pretty damn amazing read by Mariana Zapata. I really liked this book, a lot more than expected because I wasn't sure I'd want to read Diana's story but how could I have any doubts? Winnipeg is still my favorite but this is definitely my second.
I loved reading about how Diana took care of her nephews in light of the tragedy in her family. She's such a genuinely caring person that it was beautiful to read about how she loved her sons. Dallas was a really cool guy but I wish there had been more to his background in the story. There were some loose ends that I wish we had gotten the answers to but overall he was noble man.
Really am enjoying this series. The MC is hilarious and overall a really well-rounded and quirky character. I saw this ending coming since I finished book one so it wasn't a surprise but everything that led up to it was; and it was really fun to read. The Abcurses were their usual steamy selves and it made the MC appropriately swoony but overall I really love how their friendship has become stronger in this book. It was nice to see how they developed a connection that's slowly becoming the basis of their slow relationship.
So I kept starting this book over and over again trying to get into it and today I finally stuck with it long enough that it was able to suck me in. But man was I waiting for a moment when SOMEBODY would tell the protagonist SOMETHING about what she really was. The author put if off for so long that by the end–after all the bullshit the main character was thinking she was crazy even though she knew the guy she had feelings for (and was a dumb jackass) knew what was going on–I didn't even care what the girl was. God, I feel like this should be one of those books that people take apart quote by quote to show how dumb it was. Seriously, to paraphrase, there were moments when the main character was mad at herself for feeling hot and bothered while also being absolutely terrified by the male love interest. I mean, come on. I have NOTHING against bad boys. When they're not absolute assholes who are so hot and cold you no longer ship the main couple, you just want to punch the guy and hope the main girl gets a clue. Ugh, as I'm typing this I'm changing my rating from 2 to 1 stars, because there really wasn't anything to redeem this book.
A good RH series, but sometimes a bit dull due to boring plot decisions. Took me a long time to finish the series even though I only had two chapters left. I've gotten the “we all want a relationship together” from the main girl and guys so I don't think I will continue with the series anytime soon.
Holy CHIT! This was definitely the darkest ddlg that I've ever read. I skimmed over the torture scene (which did not involve the main female character) because hello, I'm only here for the sexy times. Suffice to say that this is definitely not like anything I've read before in the all-encompassing romance genre. I'd equate this book's darkness to the level of twisted-ness (not the same thing) in the The Original Sinners series by Tiffany Reisz.
So if you've read King Cave, you've pretty much read this book. It's very similar in structure and the characters are also very similar but the world-building is unique. The plot worked the same way though the relationships were a bit muted compared to the Forever Evermore trilogy.
Basically a reverse harem but the main character–Jessa–mainly focuses on one guy though all of them love each other dearly as friends. Another female comes into play and share the relationship that the two main female characters in King Cave shared, a sisterly friendship. The future relationships that will occur are only hinted at in this book and I'm guessing that just like the Evermore trilogy, things will get a bit steamier and more developed later on. I enjoyed the plot in this book a lot more because it wasn't as dramatic as the Evermore trilogy, that is to say, none of the characters that we're introduced to in this first book died. Something that I couldn't never really get behind in the other trilogy was how dire everything had to be. It was either sex or something horrible is about to happen, there was no middle ground in the Evermore trilogy. Mind you, there's not really a middle ground here either but as the plot progressed the circumstances and the emotional reaction weren't as drastic and my heart really appreciated that. These supernatural new adult series never give you a moment to breathe and just connect to the characters, the plot is always churning up new dramatic challenges that the characters have to figure their way out of, it's exhausting to read at times; especially if you like to read your books in one- to two-sittings like I usually do nowadays.
Do you know how hard it is to find legit reverse harems that don't make you cringe or want to pull your hair out for whatever reason? And this was so DAMN GOOD! It had some awesome characters: a great female friendship, a colorful (literally could not keep the colors straight-hair, eyes, personality) group of guys, and a pretty awesome female lead. This book was pretty hilarious with Willa's antics and dialogue. The world-building was enticing and was easy to picture because the writing was enthralling and nicely descriptive. I wasn't sure at first what type (if any) reverse harem this was going to be, but the authors did a great job splitting Willa's screen time with each guy. I would classify this as a YA RH because there weren't any sexy times (though lots of nude moments by the female lead which I loved because her personality is funny, fatalistic and just all around awesome.) I usually like to go for more smexy reads when it comes to RHs but I really enjoyed this one. It reminded me how “innocent” reads really build up the tension between the characters a bit better. It also made me remember how I felt when I was reading C.L. Stone's Academy books, which are honestly tough to match.
I'm so happy this book ended the way it did, but I guess I should say relieved. I was expecting the dreaded cliffhanger while I was reading the book since the title is referencing one of the guys and this is just book one but I should have given it more credit. It ended very well and I can't wait to read the next in the series.
Where do I even begin? I know I won't be able to do this book justice with just one read-through. There's so much to unpack, so much that I related to, so much that just made me feel. I'll try to illustrate some of those feelings here, though it surely won't be in any way articulate.
How often do you read a book that comes at just the right time? That can take you out of your head, but simultaneously feel like it's a mirror of your life, or more specifically, how you currently feel in your instance of life? In order for you to fully understand how deeply I connected with Scarlet, I need to give you a little background of my life. My mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer when she found out she was pregnant with me. She was given the choice of having me, or taking the fetus out and saving herself. Miracle child does not even begin to describe the blessings I've had in my life, and the sacrifices my mother has made in order for me to have them. Something that will probably shock some is that I completely agree with Scarlet's stance on modern medicine and her approach to healing herself. Even though modern medicine saved my mother's life, there's instances where I know that what it cost her was a lot more than she was ever willing to give. I'm not trying to spoil anything in the book, just stating my truth. I've been vegetarian for a while now, trying to be vegan. (Have convinced my mom to mostly follow in my footsteps.) I've been making this transition because of the things I've learned doing my own personal research. We have one life, I'm not going to let any entity dictate what I put into my body but me.
I digress. Scarlet's life before her journey for self-discovery is a lot like how mine is currently planned out. Obviously not the more fantastical bits of being a third-generation thief, but having a relatively laid-out life. But something I pride myself on that I don't ever mention is that I try to go into those planned out aspects of my life with eyes wide open. Yes, there will come a day when I might just say f it and follow whatever passion I have, but growing up the way I did, paycheck to paycheck, I want to know what financial stability is like first. Money may not buy happiness, but it sure as hell helps you find it.
I'm all over the place with this “review”, but really I feel like this book has transcended itself in my mind and let loose this fountain of feelings that I've been holding in during this transition period that I'm currently in. In about a month, I begin another new chapter of my life, and I have no idea how it's going to go. But, like Scarlet, I'm going in with eyes wide-open, taking nothing for granted, listening when someone talks to me, make actual connections no matter how intangible a goal it may seem. It's hard not to get lost in other peoples' lives and just live our own. It's hard to navigate our own emotions and thoughts when they're so entangled with the actions of others, but I'm going to continue to be aware of my existence so I don't get lost and lose myself in the chaos.
One of the many incredible accomplishments of this book is that it managed to show so many different faces of the main characters. How is it that the author can portray the human condition in such raw moments? I know I need to reread this book because there are so many quotes and eccentricities that make it unique but ultimately relatable and I don't want to forget any of them.