Scan barcode
xapoptosisx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Child death, Death of parent, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Sexual content, Blood, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Cursing, Addiction, and Classism
Moderate: War, Sexual violence, Grief, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
mr05e's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The world-building didn’t seem very well thought out. Some of the details made it sound like it was a Victorian-inspired fantasy story, but then the author uses words like “leggings,” “bralette,” “sundress,” and “hooded sweater” (what’s wrong with just a cloak 🥹). Those parts would take me right out of the story.
I also wish Rune was given more time to shine as a vigilante-witch! It’s just explained that she has saved a bunch of witches from prison and helped them escape. I wanted part of the plot to be her saving people and being a badass. It’s a lot of talking about what her plan is and her internal struggle as a witch in hiding. Just wish there was more of her taking action/vigilantism to supplement her internal conflict.
The plot twist with
The enemies to lovers aspect of this romantasy was solid, probably the best part of the book. A little more “cat and mouse” action would’ve made it even better (aka more scenes where Gideon and Rune interact as blood guard vs crimson moth,
📚TLDR: Good enemies to lovers plot, just wished the characters and the world they are in were fleshed out better—more “show” and less “tell”.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Violence, Sexual violence, and Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Death, Blood, Gun violence, and Sexual assault
Minor: War
llychu's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
however kinda disappointing 😭
this book lowk tore me apart at the end
ima say it was good…. and i loveeeeeelovelove the witches and i think the magic system is super cool and interesting
and the plot twist at the end was just like crazy
HOWEVER…
for the book’s actual content (my opinion could be different because i have the BOTM version, not the regular one) it was a bit too long
like if ima be totally honest there wasnt a lot that happened… but something abt the book was js so entertaining that i barely even noticed it at times
also wish Rune was more of a girlboss like my expectations were that she was some vigilante going out at night and knows how to fight to save these witches yadayadayadaaaa
like dont get me wrong she was def a girlboss at times but dont go into this book expecting her to like kick ass all the time
overall fine, js a bit of a let down from the hype online, sadly, even tho it sounds SOOOSO up my alley with all the witchy stuff
+ i felt like the beginning set us up for a mystery as to what Seraphine needs to tell Rune, but i was disappointed at the end like nothing was even revealed 💀
love cressida’s character (not cs shes likeable but js cs she seems to have so much depth compared to the others)
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Child death, Death of parent, Grief, Drug abuse, Drug use, Murder, Gun violence, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Self harm, Alcoholism, Blood, Classism, Addiction, and Alcohol
annamay1021's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Self harm, Blood, Violence, Gun violence, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Rape
ruth_a's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Blood, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Religious bigotry, Drug use, Physical abuse, Murder, Violence, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Addiction, Toxic relationship, Drug abuse, Police brutality, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, and Grief
kirsty_irwin's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Genocide, Murder, Religious bigotry, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, and Violence
Moderate: Violence, Torture, Outing, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Self harm, and Gaslighting
Minor: Addiction, Fire/Fire injury, Child death, Self harm, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Animal death, Rape, and Sexual assault
frantically's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
–
I was enthralled from page one and god, Rune and Gideon have my heart 🥹 these two, you guys!! This is fake dating/betrothal and enemies to lovers at its absolute finest
While the worldbuilding feels a bit weak at times, I loved the morally grey aspect of all it. Both sides are kinda...shit and while the eradication of witches is obviously wrong, we learn so much about the Witch Queens that it's kinda hard to root for them, too!
The ending was a bit too rushed for me (and I think Alex was boring lol) but I'm still so so ready for the next book hihi
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Violence, Sexual content, Death, Child death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Gore
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gun violence and Suicide
jordanog4's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Death, Blood, Sexual assault, Violence, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Gun violence
rachelblair's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: War, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Classism, Violence, Death of parent, and Death
rachtmh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Blood and Death
Moderate: Grief, Drug use, Alcoholism, Gun violence, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship