4.5 Diamond Nipple Stars⭐
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

I basically inhaled this book at the fastest speed my brain could comprehend the words my eyes were seeing. I practically read this in one sitting (probably would have definitely if I didn't start the book at midnight last night), which is quite an achievement for me at the moment since I have been going through quite a little bit of a slump and slowly getting out of it.

This was the first book since my slump started that I felt completely enraptured, enamoured and thrilled by what I was reading, that I just kept devouring it and wanting to read.

This is a third-person paranormal fantasy with a main focus on Aurora (Rory), who is a fae and also happens to be a little bit of a vigilante murderer. She is caught and instead of being sent to hell, she is sentenced to Vincula the prison realm for committing 13 brutal murders. When she gets to this realm, she's literally plonked at the feet of King, Caius and from very early on is barraged by the consequences of her perceived actions as a Butcher by many of the inmates.

I really liked Rory. It's not every day you see a book with a sassy strong female FMC who is a beautiful shade of morally grey. I like that she was not a perfect little angel. She had killed people by her own moral code and this made her a great complex character, especially given how she developed and progressed through the story. She's gone through some trauma and has made some bad decisions and has to deal with the repercussions of her trauma. I also like the fact that she still managed to find a family, grow into herself, and stand up for herself. Maybe not all the time, but she wanted to do it for her, so she wouldn't feel weak

Caius was broody, grumpy, powerful, and I'm just weak at my knees because he's a FUCKING SHADOW DADDY and he uses those shadows so spectacularly well. I would not have complained if there was a little bit more usage of those shadows. But I mean...who knew shadows could vibrate and be that enticing??????

The side characters in this were also fantastic and the found family element leaves a smile on your face. All the characters that are close to Rory (irrespective of the realm) feel like they really cared about her. It was awesome to see how much care, compassion and thought were taken into formulating these relationships and these friendships. I just wanna HUG SAM!!!!!

The thing that really stood out for me is that in the beginning, you were given a guide on the realms, races and magic. I loved this as this is normally included at the end and by that part it's ALWAYS TOO LATE. I was a little bit scared going into this after reading the guide but throughout the story, Jamie Applegate Hunter did such a good job of explaining the world-building. It felt rich, and unique that I had never actually seen something like this (this might be because I don't read A LOT of PNR but I still found it fantastic). It was very structurally formulated and convoluted, but pretty simple to understand and grasp.

The one thing that kept this book from being utterly spectacular is that even though the characters were slightly older, there were aspects of this that felt very juvenile. Our main character goes through a period of being a little bit (read a lot) jealous and almost has a temper tantrum because she thinks he hooks up with somebody. That just feels like a little bit of high school drama! BUT I do appreciate that they do seem to talk out their differences.

Basically, I had a great time! It was a FANTASTIC book that I would recommend.

The Trope In This:
▶ Enemies to Lovers
▶ SUPER SEXY SHADOW DADDY
▶ Who did this to you
▶ One Bed
▶ Bath and Shower Scenes
▶ Fated Mates
▶ Found Family
▶ Paranormal Characters (Fae, Angels, Shifters etc)
▶ Morally Grey FMC and MMC 

This book has to be in my top ten favorite books of 2022, but I am a little upset that no one told me the ending would break my heart. I haven't had a book physically break me in a very long time and I loved it. I loved that both characters didn't instantly give in to their feelings. I loved that  Aurora “Rory” Raven was a badass heroine that we all needed.  Plus this book was very diverse will all the different type of characters. I really need the next book ASAP. I would check the TW/CW before picking up this book.  I really didn't affect me but really please check them before you read. They are on the author's website.