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micaelamariem's reviews
728 reviews
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
For Rue, at least, sex without emotional intimacy is her maladaptive way of coping with a troubled childhood or food insecurity and constantly feeling like not enough. I appreciated Rue as a character. She wasn’t very likable, but she was different, closed-off and traumatized. Having her perspective really helped to understand her.
And I love Eli. I want to be adored by someone the same way he adored Rue.
The descriptions, as usual with Hazelwood, were good. I could feel myself in a lab (or in the bedroom 👀), yeah, the spicy scenes were 🔥 🔥 🔥 And the writing style was easy to read, relatable, but still contained a deep emotional dive.
The plot with a romance will usually follow the same general lines. However, adding in the drama of the workplace and what might happen to it if it was sold to new buyers, etc. added to the intrigue. While I knew what would happen with the main characters (hello, love 💕), I wasn’t always sure what might happen with the workplace.
Logically may be where some of this falls apart. I’m not sure that these two characters could legally be involved with the dispute going on. I also don’t know if the villain of this story, per se, could actually have gotten away with half the stuff they did.
I’m also slightly disappointed that there wasn’t a bigger plot line with Rue’s aggressive brother. There were two or three scenes with him, and his part of the story did provide a glance deeper into Rue’s character, but it was almost too neatly wrapped up, the brother being swept under the rug.
Still, the thing that matters most is enjoyment. While the book had a slow start and I initially had my doubts, the last half had me in love and I was head over heels for it.
So, despite its flaws, I have to give this book four stars. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
But, though I liked it, this book isn’t for everyone. Check the content warnings: hunger, sex, kink, abandonment, aggression, poverty, and curse words
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Addiction, Bullying, Sexism, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Bullying, Grief, and Classism
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
What I think could be the reason was most of the characters were unlikable and unempathetic. Even coming from a culture that craves war and bravery, I’d expect some empathy; especially when they reviled Freya for doing the same things they did. That, combined with a slow start (though there were action scenes, it seemed the plot itself didn’t pick up until the final third of the book), didn’t bode well for my enjoyment of reading.
I will say, though, the author did a good job at setting the scene and describing each place we journeyed to. I particularly liked the Draug scene and wish the whole story could have kept that pacing along with the good writing style.
Unfortunately, I saw the plot twist from a mile away. (Maybe because I read too much and have been burned by characters before).
So…am I going to read the sequel? Probably but I’m not going to try to get it right when it comes out. I just hate leaving things unfinished. And hey, maybe it’ll be better.
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
- 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
4.5
The setting was also cool as we got to travel with Celeana on her missions and punishments, experiencing the continent and beyond, showing a clear detail to worldbuilding. (And there’s a map!)
I also like SJM’s writing style, but I always have. It’s descriptive enough to paint a portrait but not too overly purple prose-ish. I’m amazed at how she can write fight scenes. I know nothing about dodging a punch and the way she can write pages of different techniques astounds me.
More on my blog as it didn’t let me copy everything! But 4.5 stars rounded up to 5!
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Child abuse and Cursing
Minor: Bullying, Racism, Sexual content, Slavery, Religious bigotry, and Abandonment
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
My one drawback was the whole “Christmas” aspect was a little forced, even though it was a fun idea.
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
But my review here is honest and 100% my own.
I really enjoyed this book. It was the type of romantasy I fall for. Yes, the characters were full of tropes and the plot was a bit cliche and easy to guess the twists, but a plot full of arranged political marriages, folkloric creatures, a war against magic, and a mysterious past is something I will eat up every time. I deeply loved the two main characters, while also deeply hating Gale—oh sorry, I mean, Stig. I wish there was more of the sisters, too.
The writing itself was beautiful but not over flowery to make it difficult to read. The descriptions and worldbuilding was just immersive enough.
One thing I wish was that the ending wasn’t so rushed. I think the author could have make the book a little longer—which wouldn’t be unprecedented for fantasy—and taken time to flesh out the plot twists and characters’ reactions to them.
Still, I am excited to read the sequel when it comes out.
If you like dragons and enemies to lovers type of stuff, this is for you.
3.5 stars rounded up
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
As a middle grade novel, it’s fine. It’s not necessarily spectacular but it has some heartwarming lessons on self-acceptance.
Otherwise I didn’t feel or see anything new. Maybe that’s also the problem with movie tie-ins, I don’t know.
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism