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A review by whrohala
Credence by Penelope Douglas
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
To be honest, I was disappointed by this book. It was really hyped up by booktok, but then didn't deliver on its promise. #1 offense: not actually reverse harem in my opinion. Just a FMC with multiple partners, who is brutally shamed for that fact by 2 out of 3 of them. There were some moments where the shaming was so over the top, and the FMC just accepted it, that I felt like this book was more of a way for the author to express their internalized slut-shaming more than anything else.
The female MC ends up with the man who nearly rapes her TWICE, hits her across the face for being "hysterical" while getting stitches in a kitchen with no pain meds or anesthetic, and attacts and spits in her face when she sleeps with someone other than him, in addition to many other things. In my opinion, that speaks volumes to how this author views her female characters.
Only reason it isn't getting a 1 is because the quality of writing was good overall, despite what the plot lacked. And it delivered on the spice, though more of a slow burn than advertised.
Only reason it isn't getting a 1 is because the quality of writing was good overall, despite what the plot lacked. And it delivered on the spice, though more of a slow burn than advertised.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Drug use, Incest, Infidelity, and Sexual assault