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kat_twn's review
2.0
Based on the other reviews I had expected this book to turn my world upside down, it did not. The writing itself is incredibly beautiful, the author definitely knows how to charm words to create a richly coloured scene. However, the characterisation and plot of the story are where it was entirely lacking for me. In the story we follow the perspective of Constanta who we follow for hundreds of years - yet it is only about 75% of the way through the book where any part of her character changes at all! I felt like I was not given enough reason in the slightest to root for her character other than her caring for others. There was huge dissonance in Magdalena's character. She is apparently one of the smartest people alive with a political mind that plays with world politics like a lyre and yet she lives with a narcissistic manipulative abuser for centuries without ever making a fuss or attempting to escape at all. The only person who tried to truly speak against their abuser was Alexi - and that was only at the very end of the book, (I recognise that this sounds rather rude but it is also my honest experience and the energy I felt from the book and the words written in comparison to the rest of the book) by the time he arrived to the story I felt as though the author had given up on it and was slurring it along in order to finish it fast enough. If you read through the passage when Constanta meets Magdalena versus the one where she meets Alexi, this difference is palpable. The attention to detail in the explanations and emotions experienced throughout the scene, they are a world apart. Honestly, I was sad about it because I was so excited to see the meeting with Alexi after how richly written the one with Magdalena was. Anyway obviously this is all entirely subjective, but I suppose I have no patience for narcissism so to see three powerful vampires put up with it for centuries made me bored and feel as though they had no autonomy (because they weren't fully realised characters!!!) I wish more attention had been put into each character's growth and their time and experiences together that didn't revolve around the other guy being an absolute dick.
markedwithanm's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death, Gaslighting, Blood, Murder, Toxic relationship, and Grief
beetlebecca's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.0
candizluv4books's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
emilliedaisey's review against another edition
3.0
writing style was different, but i didn’t hate it
manders_mae's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
laurah44's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
ezrasupremacy's review
5.0
first five star read of the year. i truly cannot even begin to put into words how much i loved this book. from the way it was written, to the characters, to the fun little bits of history woven throughout - just absolutely drop-dead gorgeous, i have no idea how i will move on from this story.
connyvice's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
never read letter styled books but i liked this one
amk472's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5