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gmarie03's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
3.25
g_marie_grillo's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
3.25
cinnamon's review
1.0
This was a huge disappointment. And I'm not saying that lightly.
I love most of KA Merikan's work, from The Cattery to Kings of Hell MC. I've come to expect angsty books with an emotional core, and that's what I went into this thinking it would be. Genuinely, I thought it might become my all-time favorite book, edging out even Gray's Shadow (also by KA Merikan), because of how good it looked.
It was not good.
It felt like a strange hodgepodge blend of a Wattpad romance with a Quotev fanfiction with a side of literally zero useful plot. The suspense was hugely ratcheted down and the tension almost nonexistent when the characters decided they would just wait a whole MONTH after killing two people in quick succession to do ANYTHING interesting. Right after this decision, they go to a diner and, I swear, discussed things like their favorite colors. No bearing on the plot. No useful information for the reader. Then they have bland sex scenes every ten percent or so, which, frankly, I could not make myself read. There was no emotional connection between them, so what was the point of reading the sex scenes in a romance novel??
They felt like two cardboard cutouts that were together because the authors wanted them to be together.
This book was not at ALL what I was hoping it would be. I thought it would be like Gray's Shadow, with two characters who were so clearly meant for each other that one of them was literally the other's shadow come to life.
It was not. The characters were dry, tedious, and boring, the plot was slow and bland, the tension and stakes felt almost nonexistent for the entirety of the story (WHY would you just say that it's God's will that they won't be found out??? WHY would you remove suspense from the most exciting thing, which is that they're going around killing half a dozen people???), and by the end of the book, even with all the twists and reveals, all I could think was that it wasn't too little too late, it was way too late and way too over-the-top to compensate.
Frankly, this was an exceptional disappointment.
This also took me from August 6th to August 14th to wade through. I have read entire series in less time than that--hell, it took me five days to read the last four books of Kings of Hell MC. Definitely going to be checking reviews for KA Merikan's books before I read them from now on.
I love most of KA Merikan's work, from The Cattery to Kings of Hell MC. I've come to expect angsty books with an emotional core, and that's what I went into this thinking it would be. Genuinely, I thought it might become my all-time favorite book, edging out even Gray's Shadow (also by KA Merikan), because of how good it looked.
It was not good.
It felt like a strange hodgepodge blend of a Wattpad romance with a Quotev fanfiction with a side of literally zero useful plot. The suspense was hugely ratcheted down and the tension almost nonexistent when the characters decided they would just wait a whole MONTH after killing two people in quick succession to do ANYTHING interesting. Right after this decision, they go to a diner and, I swear, discussed things like their favorite colors. No bearing on the plot. No useful information for the reader. Then they have bland sex scenes every ten percent or so, which, frankly, I could not make myself read. There was no emotional connection between them, so what was the point of reading the sex scenes in a romance novel??
They felt like two cardboard cutouts that were together because the authors wanted them to be together.
This book was not at ALL what I was hoping it would be. I thought it would be like Gray's Shadow, with two characters who were so clearly meant for each other that one of them was literally the other's shadow come to life.
It was not. The characters were dry, tedious, and boring, the plot was slow and bland, the tension and stakes felt almost nonexistent for the entirety of the story (WHY would you just say that it's God's will that they won't be found out??? WHY would you remove suspense from the most exciting thing, which is that they're going around killing half a dozen people???), and by the end of the book, even with all the twists and reveals, all I could think was that it wasn't too little too late, it was way too late and way too over-the-top to compensate.
Frankly, this was an exceptional disappointment.
This also took me from August 6th to August 14th to wade through. I have read entire series in less time than that--hell, it took me five days to read the last four books of Kings of Hell MC. Definitely going to be checking reviews for KA Merikan's books before I read them from now on.
shu_long's review
4.0
This book had me shifting my understanding of genre three ways to Sunday. It's one of the times where I thought I was reading one thing and it turns out I was reading another and I wasn't even mad about it! Certainly not a book for everyone. There's a LOT of violence, but it will keep you hooked and the loving is shamelessly devoted.
sappho119's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
petra_reviews_mm's review
5.0
So I freaking loved this. And I'm glad I did not let myself be influenced by the lower rating.
raisbookcase's review
5.0
Oh. My. God. or should I say Abaddon?
This book was a wild ride from beginning to end. The sweet moments mixed with psychological suspense and paranormal themes was thrilling. Add in the main pairings relationship??? Oh my. Loved it from beginning to end!
This book was a wild ride from beginning to end. The sweet moments mixed with psychological suspense and paranormal themes was thrilling. Add in the main pairings relationship??? Oh my. Loved it from beginning to end!
wildfaeriecaps's review
5.0
This story was so wild. Just wow. The twist at the end wasn't really a twist for me--I saw it coming from near the beginning, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the ride. I adore how twisted and just absolutely messed up this was. I'm sure that says unsavory things about me, but I really liked this book.
meatloafqueen's review
3.0
This is the story of Gabriel and Abaddon, the fallen angel who is born to avenge Gabriel’s rape & torture.
This story is pretty dark. Gabriel was abused, gaslit for years and forced to see his abusers every day. It’s satisfying to see him get his revenge by unaliving those people with his hot new savior
Because of the lies he’s been fed, he can’t trust himself to know what is real and what’s not. As the reader you are wondering, what can I believe?
Unfortunately for me I didn’t really feel a connection between the characters and their romance. I liked the beginning and the twist towards the end but the middle felt a bit slow
This story is pretty dark. Gabriel was abused, gaslit for years and forced to see his abusers every day. It’s satisfying to see him get his revenge by unaliving those people with his hot new savior
Because of the lies he’s been fed, he can’t trust himself to know what is real and what’s not. As the reader you are wondering, what can I believe?
Unfortunately for me I didn’t really feel a connection between the characters and their romance. I liked the beginning and the twist towards the end but the middle felt a bit slow
jmpres's review
2.0
Didn’t realize that romantic horror was a type of book that existed until I read this one, but that’s exactly what this felt like to me. Not a preferred genre for me, if I’m honest. The plot twist wasn’t wholly surprising, but the hints leading to it only started to appear maybe halfway through the book.
Lots happening at the beginning and the end with slower pacing in the middle. Not a great book for me personally, but that’s more because of my preferred genres rather than because of the book itself.
I echo what other reviewers have said: check the content warnings before proceeding!! There is some dark stuff in this book, and there’s a lot of it. So be prepared going in.
Lots happening at the beginning and the end with slower pacing in the middle. Not a great book for me personally, but that’s more because of my preferred genres rather than because of the book itself.
I echo what other reviewers have said: check the content warnings before proceeding!! There is some dark stuff in this book, and there’s a lot of it. So be prepared going in.