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neuem's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ashleybrancato's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
rhidee's review
4.0
Interesting dip
I really didn't expect to like this book as I have no interest in this side of the paranormal genre at all, but I was curious. And in the end, Alisa's writing style kept me interested to the end. Will be checking out more books by this author - perhaps a different series as I'm still not 100% convinced on dragons.
I really didn't expect to like this book as I have no interest in this side of the paranormal genre at all, but I was curious. And in the end, Alisa's writing style kept me interested to the end. Will be checking out more books by this author - perhaps a different series as I'm still not 100% convinced on dragons.
jackiehorne's review
1.0
Another instafreebie disappointment. Why are there so few paranormal het romances with female protagonists who act, rather than get acted on? This one started out promising, with our heroine working as a lawyer for abused women, and holding her own against a man who is attacking her. But of course our hero, dragon shifter prince Lucien, barges in and rescues her. And then takes her to his lair to seduce her into becoming his mate and bearing his dragonling. And of course she is kidnapped by the bad dragons and is threatened with sexual abuse. And is rescued by the hero. The only active choice our heroine makes is to reject the hero's lies that he doesn't love her (sacrificing himself to protect her).
Really really hate paranormal/romantic suspense that is all about putting the female in sexual danger, and then saving her from same: "Oh God... she recognized that look. That horrible, terrible look in a man's eyes when he knows he has all the power to hurt you any way he wishes... and he wishes to very much. Oh, fuck" (1891). Being a voyeur to a woman's impending violation just grosses me out.
Really really hate paranormal/romantic suspense that is all about putting the female in sexual danger, and then saving her from same: "Oh God... she recognized that look. That horrible, terrible look in a man's eyes when he knows he has all the power to hurt you any way he wishes... and he wishes to very much. Oh, fuck" (1891). Being a voyeur to a woman's impending violation just grosses me out.
sandyfleener's review
4.0
Really hate cliffhangers! But, I liked the female character so I'm going to stick with 4
gaymoonreader's review against another edition
4.25
**trigger warning for domestic violence, rape, attempted rape, spousal abuse, PTSD, and sexual assault**
This book is bloody amazing. I absolutely loved this book. It is so heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. I am having trouble putting my thoughts together, but it is one of my favorite books of the year. And also there’s dragons in this book. Like come on. It’s guaranteed to be amazing.
The love story was very complicated. You knew bits and pieces before it all started to come together. The turmoil Lucian goes through in this book absolutely broke my heart, so there is a good deal of PTSD in this book both from Lucian and Arabella, so keep that in mind.
Arabella broke my heart the whole entire way through this book. She is an advocate for women who are victims of domestic violence while also being a victim herself. She is so traumatized that it affects the way her body functions, and that feeling is like nothing else. The feeling that you’re broken because of a monster is absolutely damaging to you and the way you view relationships.
The pacing was also really great. For a lot of books that I read, the pacing can be a bit weird and it doesn’t work with the story most of the time. With this book, however, you got this feeling that you were building up to something, and we got a payout to that. It was really satisfying because it actually correlated to the story and fit with the narrative.
That ending like broke me, though, and I need the next book like today. I have to know what happens! I also really loved the writing, and I just overall think this was a fantastic way to start off the series!
This book is bloody amazing. I absolutely loved this book. It is so heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. I am having trouble putting my thoughts together, but it is one of my favorite books of the year. And also there’s dragons in this book. Like come on. It’s guaranteed to be amazing.
The love story was very complicated. You knew bits and pieces before it all started to come together. The turmoil Lucian goes through in this book absolutely broke my heart, so there is a good deal of PTSD in this book both from Lucian and Arabella, so keep that in mind.
Arabella broke my heart the whole entire way through this book. She is an advocate for women who are victims of domestic violence while also being a victim herself. She is so traumatized that it affects the way her body functions, and that feeling is like nothing else. The feeling that you’re broken because of a monster is absolutely damaging to you and the way you view relationships.
The pacing was also really great. For a lot of books that I read, the pacing can be a bit weird and it doesn’t work with the story most of the time. With this book, however, you got this feeling that you were building up to something, and we got a payout to that. It was really satisfying because it actually correlated to the story and fit with the narrative.
That ending like broke me, though, and I need the next book like today. I have to know what happens! I also really loved the writing, and I just overall think this was a fantastic way to start off the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
lexhuffy's review
adventurous
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Loving that he calls her “my treasure”! Love me some big broody dragons. This was pretty decent, I do however wish there was a bit more world building but there’s like 8 more books in this series so maybe that’s coming. The narrators were two of my favorites. I went into this book blind purely because of who the narrator were and knowing love anything either of them do!
laura_devouring_books_crumpets's review
4.0
3.5
I felt the relationship was a bit too easy and sporadic....
I loved the supernatural world that had started to build, along with a brpthers unrequited love and
the others promiscuity, i definitely want to see how things will progress in book two
I felt the relationship was a bit too easy and sporadic....
I loved the supernatural world that had started to build, along with a brpthers unrequited love and
the others promiscuity, i definitely want to see how things will progress in book two
lifeand100books's review
2.0
This was rough. The way that Arabella's strength is talked about makes it seem like she's going to be this great character, and instead she's just left to be a damsel in distress almost this entire book.
Not a fan.
Readers should note: this ends in a cliffhanger.
Not a fan.
Readers should note: this ends in a cliffhanger.