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s_holdthebus's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The bullying was way more abusive than I thought it was going to be, once I learned it was a bully romance. I didn’t mind most of it, but the constant “freaking” and “bitches” felt really juvenile. And the SA scene felt really gratuitous. We already knew the guy was an asshole, we didn’t need to go that far. It was a bit triggering for me. The end finally picks up when you learn about her gifts and they are cool, I just wish the whole book wasn’t “I ran away from my bonds (at 14) and now they hate me but I can’t share why”.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
velichor_gremlin's review against another edition
I really see the potential here and maybe it will pick up in the next couple books but after one of the five MMCs calls the FMC a bitch for like the fifth time I'm just over it.
Alot of being told and not shown with regards to world building and very repetitive hint dropping about what I assume will be a big reveal in the last 10% of this first book.
Alot of being told and not shown with regards to world building and very repetitive hint dropping about what I assume will be a big reveal in the last 10% of this first book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Misogyny, and Death of parent
min_grachi's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
wtf
Are we supposed to like these guys? What the fuck was that SA scene!? Are people high when reading this type of shit? Because at this point I don't know what to believe.
Are we supposed to like these guys? What the fuck was that SA scene!? Are people high when reading this type of shit? Because at this point I don't know what to believe.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
melissa_rueff's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book is a good example of poly rep but filled with horrid misogyny. Every part of this book is just the main character shitting on women for being feminine or pretty or interested in men. The main character just is just screaming internalized misogyny all over the book. Honest to God I almost didn’t finish the book because it was so misogynistic. I finished it because I like the poly concept, but I really really think that the author
is a “not like other girls” girl and that’s really disappointing to me. Like the concept that you can write about a poly relationship yet you can’t think that other women who are feminine are not shitty for being so.
is a “not like other girls” girl and that’s really disappointing to me. Like the concept that you can write about a poly relationship yet you can’t think that other women who are feminine are not shitty for being so.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Stalking, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Medical trauma, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
The relationship depicted is severely abusive. I believe the author did that intentionally to create plot points, but the fact that the main character doesn’t recognize and then states the treatment as domestic abuse at the level it is really makes me question what this author thinks is okay. because everything that is happening here is domestic abuse and not even light abuse like horrid treatment is astounding to me. If you’ve experienced any form of like gaslighting, or like control, this might not be the novel for you, I say all of that is a warning because I don’t feel like I was warned getting into this book. I did enjoy this novel it has a lot of fun plot points is an interesting concept. There are redeeming characters, but the fact of the matter is, there’s not enough of a warning how severe the domestic abuse is, and it’s never really touched on even later on in the other novels and nobody really apologizes for the severe severe abuse outside of like “I’m sorry that happened but it had to happen because of the plot points that wr as the character expierenced so it’s excuse” which is a shit excuse and also abuse in itself. Understand me I like this novel but I am warring you it’s a bad time.bangiebangs's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Oh this was a tricky one.
Things I liked:
- the writing (notwithstanding occasional typos)
- the mysterious setup... this feels like a pretty new take (maybe I just havent read the book series similar to this one?)
- Gryphon. Also Atlas. They seem like rounded people who think before they act. (The rest of the bonds are just insufferably childish, self-centered dudes)
Things I disliked
- he world-building. There is some info about what these bonds are and how they work, but why, when do you usually learn about your bonds, how do you find them (like, some people are "waiting to find" them? Also, seems like you can reject a bond, what happens then? How is power heightened or acquired when a bond is completed? So many questions, but not in a good "mystery we will uncover" way, but more a "causes confusion when reading" way. Also, what is the Resistance resisting against and why? No idea. But they seem to be the baddies for some reason?
- the FMC's naivité. Annoying as hell. I'm personally not a fan of mysteriously self-sacrificing characters, especially when it is then used to explain some shitty behavior without much context?
- description of FMC through the book. She seems to have a normal (or even hot) body in the beginning, enjoying her food, and as soon as she is forced to do more physical exercise the fact her clothes don't fit and are too big gets mentioned a lot. I find that annoying.
- How old are the bonds? Like, all around same age, or some way older? Some are councilmen and uni professors, others students?
But overall... I read this quickly, and I was hooked. Spice is not happening here (0.5/5 for some drooling over hot bodies), but that's likely because this is setting up the series. Wished that I wasn't so confused half of the time when it comes to in-world politics, but hoping that things will clear up.
Things I liked:
- the writing (notwithstanding occasional typos)
- the mysterious setup... this feels like a pretty new take (maybe I just havent read the book series similar to this one?)
- Gryphon. Also Atlas. They seem like rounded people who think before they act. (The rest of the bonds are just insufferably childish, self-centered dudes)
Things I disliked
- he world-building. There is some info about what these bonds are and how they work, but why, when do you usually learn about your bonds, how do you find them (like, some people are "waiting to find" them? Also, seems like you can reject a bond, what happens then? How is power heightened or acquired when a bond is completed? So many questions, but not in a good "mystery we will uncover" way, but more a "causes confusion when reading" way. Also, what is the Resistance resisting against and why? No idea. But they seem to be the baddies for some reason?
- the FMC's naivité. Annoying as hell. I'm personally not a fan of mysteriously self-sacrificing characters, especially when it is then used to explain some shitty behavior without much context?
- description of FMC through the book. She seems to have a normal (or even hot) body in the beginning, enjoying her food, and as soon as she is forced to do more physical exercise the fact her clothes don't fit and are too big gets mentioned a lot. I find that annoying.
- How old are the bonds? Like, all around same age, or some way older? Some are councilmen and uni professors, others students?
But overall... I read this quickly, and I was hooked. Spice is not happening here (0.5/5 for some drooling over hot bodies), but that's likely because this is setting up the series. Wished that I wasn't so confused half of the time when it comes to in-world politics, but hoping that things will clear up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Lesbophobia, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Car accident, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Gun violence and Abortion
sexual assault neglect (FMC is left without food for days on end, not being taken care of later in the book) FMC is violently implanted with a tracker (against her will)zc2's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I was told it was going to be like Haunting Adeline, however it feels like a darker version of the Shatter Me Series. I will probably continue the series although with reading shatter me before hand, it does feel like a reread but with smaller twist. There wasn’t much background information so I kinda felt confused the whole time. The characters were kinda difficult to remember, like it was hard to match personalities with names. Not terrible but could be better.There weren’t really intense parts except for the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Genocide, Misogyny, Sexual content, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
ka_ke's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Well consider me intrigued. I downloaded the other five books before I even finished Broken Bonds. I guarantee Nox gets a redemption arc, North can get bent but Gabe, Griffin and Atlas are warming up to me. I love Sage, and I want to protect her with all my heart, please don’t kill her!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, and Classism
Moderate: Gun violence, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Medical content, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Car accident, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
souraya's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- 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
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Rape
Moderate: Bullying
storieswithbee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Just under an average book. I feel like this storyline was stretched out so much for the sake of putting further progression into the sequel. I’m hoping it’s not like that throughout the whole series.
The writing felt repetitive and a little bland at times. I am curious about the next book though so I’m looking forward to it
The writing felt repetitive and a little bland at times. I am curious about the next book though so I’m looking forward to it
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, and Trafficking
meirinasoe's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
Is girl-on-girl hate still in trend these days?
I thought it died down in the 2000s…
Let’s see how the FMC describe other women in this book:
“…or that bitch Giovanna?”
“It kills me how little she thinks of herself thanks to Giovanna” (while it’s her best friend’s bond who betrayed her, not Giovanna)
“Nothing would make me happier than killing that bitch”
“completely insane girls”
“giggling airheads”
“…the rest of her is fucking disgusting. I don’t know how Riley can’t stand touching her because her looks can’t compensate for the shitty personality”
“would mess her up right now”
“I’ll end up hunting her down and ruining her.”
“I need to forget what that bitch’s voice sounds like.”
“…that tanned skank of a woman.”
“How fucking evil bitch she is.”
“something about a girl who’s skating by completely on her looks”
“You are an absolute cunt!”
“Motherfucking cocksucking, cunt of a thing,”
“…we hate Giovanna and want to murder her”
“that nightmare of a girl”
“Fuck that, I want her dead.”
“Amy, who’s name I know because Sage loathes her, and even the sound of her voice has my hackles rising.”
“I don’t know this girl but her shirt is so low that I’m sure Nox is getting a great view of her nipples right now.”
"at least ten other girls here rocking a better rack than mine, and Gabe has probably fucked them all,"
"...in a tiny bikini that makes mine look freaking supersized. To be honest, it’s not even a bikini, she’s wearing some red string that just barely covers her nipples and slit."
"I’m not trying to slut-shame, but it’s just impractical." (LMAO!! YOU SURE???)
"she’s pissed that I've come back and now she has to compete with me."
"I’m higher up the food chain than those little bitches, so far higher, that they’re nothing to me…"
Also:
‘Nox smirks and raises an eyebrow back at him. "She didn't say no. Not once. She came on my hand so no, brother, I didn't rape her.”’
No, he literally just forced himself on her ON-SCREEN while she struggled to pull away from him. Gross.
Sexual arousal ≠ consent
Consent is the presence of a "yes"
and not the absense of a "no"
Why can't smut writers understand how simple it is??
How did this abomination got almost 4.5 stars rating?
I thought it died down in the 2000s…
Let’s see how the FMC describe other women in this book:
“…or that bitch Giovanna?”
“It kills me how little she thinks of herself thanks to Giovanna” (while it’s her best friend’s bond who betrayed her, not Giovanna)
“Nothing would make me happier than killing that bitch”
“completely insane girls”
“giggling airheads”
“…the rest of her is fucking disgusting. I don’t know how Riley can’t stand touching her because her looks can’t compensate for the shitty personality”
“would mess her up right now”
“I’ll end up hunting her down and ruining her.”
“I need to forget what that bitch’s voice sounds like.”
“…that tanned skank of a woman.”
“How fucking evil bitch she is.”
“something about a girl who’s skating by completely on her looks”
“You are an absolute cunt!”
“Motherfucking cocksucking, cunt of a thing,”
“…we hate Giovanna and want to murder her”
“that nightmare of a girl”
“Fuck that, I want her dead.”
“Amy, who’s name I know because Sage loathes her, and even the sound of her voice has my hackles rising.”
“I don’t know this girl but her shirt is so low that I’m sure Nox is getting a great view of her nipples right now.”
"at least ten other girls here rocking a better rack than mine, and Gabe has probably fucked them all,"
"...in a tiny bikini that makes mine look freaking supersized. To be honest, it’s not even a bikini, she’s wearing some red string that just barely covers her nipples and slit."
"I’m not trying to slut-shame, but it’s just impractical." (LMAO!! YOU SURE???)
"she’s pissed that I've come back and now she has to compete with me."
"I’m higher up the food chain than those little bitches, so far higher, that they’re nothing to me…"
Also:
‘Nox smirks and raises an eyebrow back at him. "She didn't say no. Not once. She came on my hand so no, brother, I didn't rape her.”’
No, he literally just forced himself on her ON-SCREEN while she struggled to pull away from him. Gross.
Sexual arousal ≠ consent
Consent is the presence of a "yes"
and not the absense of a "no"
Why can't smut writers understand how simple it is??
How did this abomination got almost 4.5 stars rating?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Rape