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prettynerdy3's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Slavery, Torture, and Violence
ophealian's review
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Don't get me wrong, this is definitely an entertaining book. The main character is interesting, the plot is fast-paced, the world-building both fantastical and urban and refreshingly "gritty" in the way that it's very honest about how young 20-somethings think and talk, even when the main character isn't exactly human.
The ONLY thing that I thought was a bit off-putting about this book was how often the narrative would make a SHARP left turn into sex. Now, I'm not prudish by any stretch (being raised by the likes of FF.net and AO3 has cured me of that completely) but it was still a bit jarring for me to be reading about how the main character has someone by the throat with a knife and is literally plundering the depths of their worst fears and then for her to suddenly be like "I can feel his arousal against my leg". Like, wait what?
And maybe that's the point -- maybe fae in this universe are just Horny All The Time (TM) -- the author does make a point to have a character in-universe remark upon this, but just because there's logical explanation for it didn't make it any less whip-lashy of a reading experience.
Fortuna also makes a point to tell you that she's a Virgin. Make do with that info what you will.
But other than that very specific prickle-point, I ripped through this book and really enjoyed it.
It's very effective in its portrayal of the illogical, unreasonable, unwavering love and loyalty that Fortuna has for her brother Damon, and Damon's brokenness and intense Stockholm Syndrome. It works as a reminder that these creatures are not human; in fact they are distinctly inhumane. Their cruelty and carelessness is played in contrast with their beauty, and I think Fortuna's initial confusion in reconciling these dual qualities is very believable.
I had to constantly remind myself that Fortuna is not human, as much as she might act like one.
The ending leaves a lot of mysteries unsolved and propels you right into the next book in the series. The cliffhanger/twist? *chefs kiss*
The ONLY thing that I thought was a bit off-putting about this book was how often the narrative would make a SHARP left turn into sex. Now, I'm not prudish by any stretch (being raised by the likes of FF.net and AO3 has cured me of that completely) but it was still a bit jarring for me to be reading about how the main character has someone by the throat with a knife and is literally plundering the depths of their worst fears and then for her to suddenly be like "I can feel his arousal against my leg". Like, wait what?
And maybe that's the point -- maybe fae in this universe are just Horny All The Time (TM) -- the author does make a point to have a character in-universe remark upon this, but just because there's logical explanation for it didn't make it any less whip-lashy of a reading experience.
Fortuna also makes a point to tell you that she's a Virgin. Make do with that info what you will.
But other than that very specific prickle-point, I ripped through this book and really enjoyed it.
It's very effective in its portrayal of the illogical, unreasonable, unwavering love and loyalty that Fortuna has for her brother Damon, and Damon's brokenness and intense Stockholm Syndrome. It works as a reminder that these creatures are not human; in fact they are distinctly inhumane. Their cruelty and carelessness is played in contrast with their beauty, and I think Fortuna's initial confusion in reconciling these dual qualities is very believable.
I had to constantly remind myself that Fortuna is not human, as much as she might act like one.
The ending leaves a lot of mysteries unsolved and propels you right into the next book in the series. The cliffhanger/twist? *chefs kiss*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Murder, Emotional abuse, Death, Child death, and Child abuse
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