I went into this one with rather high expectations considering the other books I've read by this author in the past. I'm SO glad this one didn't disapI went into this one with rather high expectations considering the other books I've read by this author in the past. I'm SO glad this one didn't disappoint! This was amazing! The characters had dimension and actual stakes. People almost died. The world-building was fascinating. This was a wonderful read!
The only thing that ruined it was the dry hacking cough I'm sporting thanks to getting the common cold. Coughing and audiobooks don't go together. Looking forward to picking up the next book when this cough leaves me alone.
P.S. The narrators were fantastic! The male narrator even got me to start to *gasp* like his narration. The world may be ending because if you've followed me long enough you know I usually dislike any and all male narrators. There have been exceptions and this guy is one of them ♡...more
Yet another book that I'm SO glad it's finally over. It started off strange when I had the biggest bout of deja vu I've ever had with a book in my lifYet another book that I'm SO glad it's finally over. It started off strange when I had the biggest bout of deja vu I've ever had with a book in my life. I swear that I read the first half of this book word for word before in another completely different book. It was weird. The guys were indistinguishable from each other in my head. It was off-putting and dull. By the end, I really couldn't care less. I'm glad this is over. I will not be getting into the next book in this series. Hopefully the next book I pick up is better than the last two ♡...more
This was almost a DNF. The last hour or so was hell. Everyone was bland and unmemorable except the soon-to-be ex-husband. He was just plain infuriatinThis was almost a DNF. The last hour or so was hell. Everyone was bland and unmemorable except the soon-to-be ex-husband. He was just plain infuriating. The heroine did nothing to stop him. It was annoying to read about. I could barely tell the guys apart. They went about talking to her about their peculiarities in the worst way possible. She was unreasonably butt hurt about it too. What did she expect? On the first meeting with Aleric for him to come out with it and tell her while not knowing her/trusting her. He would have come off as having a few screws loose and being even scarier. Come on. *facepalm*
I think I'll pass on this series as a whole....more
I truly liked this book but it doesn't mean it was without its faults. I disliked how slow it was paced. I can enjoy a slow-paced book but I need someI truly liked this book but it doesn't mean it was without its faults. I disliked how slow it was paced. I can enjoy a slow-paced book but I need some bread crumbs to string me along. This one was so slow-paced that the whole book takes place in the span of 3 days. So rationally that isn't even enough time for the characters to find time to have a conversation about what's going on and inform the heroine about it. The repetitive inner monologue was also rough. I didn't need that much information to always be reached from different points of view. Just one was fine. I can fill in the rest, I promise!
On a positive note, I liked the guys! I wish with all the repeating the author did in the inner monologues that she would comment on their appearance because I had a hard time differentiating one from the other after they were first introduced but maybe that's just me? Overall, I liked that they treated her with respect from the very beginning and that treatment continued and only got more and more possessive as the book progressed (even though only 3 days pasted)....more
My opinions on this book can all be summarized in one word: Meh.
In fact Ashley S.'s review (here) was right on the money when it comes to my opinionsMy opinions on this book can all be summarized in one word: Meh.
In fact Ashley S.'s review (here) was right on the money when it comes to my opinions on this story. Head on over and give her review a like!
The last 4 or so hours of this book were painful. I had to speed it up to 2x because I simply did not want to finish this book by that point. The heroine got on my nerves. The hero was amazing but he did not make this story pleasant to sit through because there was a point where I was simply OVER IT.
I'm glad I got through it. It's too bad that this was my first read of 2024. Here's hoping 2024 only gets better from here ...more
There was something about this book/the writing that simply did not mesh well with me. It felt like the author expected me to already know the world sThere was something about this book/the writing that simply did not mesh well with me. It felt like the author expected me to already know the world she was working in without actually telling me anything about it. I didn't look too deep into this series before starting it so maybe I missed that there was a series before this that I should have started with instead?
The first 30 or so minutes of this book were just the 4 guys talking and everything they said went entirely over my head. Their POV's were the worst parts of this book. I would have rather had the story be told only from the heroine's POV. Also, why did we need 4 different male narrators? If I'm being honest they all sounded the same anyway. Why not make this a full-cast situation where the narrators cut into each other as the dialogue progresses?
I'd also like to mention how the chemistry between the heroes and the heroine was nowhere to be found. All their interactions were just awkward and strangely off-putting. It was weird to say the least. I don't think I'll be continuing on in this series....more
This started off interesting and continued to be interesting until about halfway through. My biggest issue was how one-dymentional the guys were. The This started off interesting and continued to be interesting until about halfway through. My biggest issue was how one-dymentional the guys were. The author only managed to flesh out one: Ragner. The rest are one big blur. Which is unfortunate because there is enough of a story to keep me interested in everything.
The big mystery surrounding the heroine and her sisters was pretty cool too. It's disappointing that there were no answers to any of my questions to be had in this first book. I think I'm hooked enough to give the next book a try. Overall, it passed the time just fine and was an okay filler book between. major book release dates ♡
* I won the audiobook for this novel in a giveaway. All opinions are my own....more
OK, so this is one of those books that I always see on and off when I'm scrolling through book twitter. I've seen people be scandalized by its contentOK, so this is one of those books that I always see on and off when I'm scrolling through book twitter. I've seen people be scandalized by its content. I've heard it is SO HAWT and smutty and spicey. Walking into it with that mindset this was almost underwhelming. I've read much much "spicier" books than this one will ever be.
Overall this was a nice fluffy alien romance but it was far from the best book or the hawtest book I've ever read. The hero was downright adorable with how careful and caring he was of the heroine. Though he lowkey assaults her when they meet considering she was unconscious when he (view spoiler)[did sexual things to her (hide spoiler)]. She enjoyed it and never questioned it but still kinda sorta ick. The heroine was great. I liked how open-minded and sassy she was. I loved how she took matters into her own hands when situations got tough.
I don't think I liked this book enough for me to continue with the series right at this moment. Maybe in the future when I'm in a mood and this sparks my interest I'll pick it up. We'll see ♡...more
I cannot begin to describe to you how absolutely bored out of my mind I was while listening to this book. It started off fine and seemed like it wouldI cannot begin to describe to you how absolutely bored out of my mind I was while listening to this book. It started off fine and seemed like it would get better but it just got worse. Everyone is unlikable. One love interest basically blackmails her through his dad and her family to get with him and stay with him (all the while pressuring her to get in his bed). The other one turns out to be a bully after they meet up again a few years down the line. The author never successfully redeemed him in my eyes. The heroine was very much a naive doormat for 80% of the book. It changed out of nowhere by the end and it didn't seem natural in her "evolution". The chemistry was nowhere in sight.
I don't know how many books by this author that I've fully read or picked up and DNFed by this point but I'm starting to understand that her books just don't work for me. For the most part, they are usually lukewarm to me so this is probably where I stop trying. One thing this author does extremely well though? Her covers! They are fantastic! Probably the reason why I want to like these books so much because they would look SO DAMNED GOOD on a shelf ♡...more
I'm SO GLAD this series is over (for me). The heroine and "heroes" got more and more unhinged as the books progressed. It was like they became a caricI'm SO GLAD this series is over (for me). The heroine and "heroes" got more and more unhinged as the books progressed. It was like they became a caricature of their former selves. The ending was meh. I disliked that everything was a "test". I was zoning out for the duration of this whole book. I fast-forwarded quite a bit just to get it over with because I just wanted to know how it all ended. Her psychotic bestie was such an annoyance. Frankly, when the ferret was introduced I wanted his story over whatever the rest of this book was. I'm just done with this series at this point....more
This one was okay. I actually stopped partway through it to listen to A Soul of Ash and Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout. Something about the story is This one was okay. I actually stopped partway through it to listen to A Soul of Ash and Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout. Something about the story is not doing it for me and I can't quite explain what it is. I disliked how abruptly such a big storyline got simply resolved at the very end. If I'm being honest all the love interests rub me in the worst ways. I'm not a fan of any of them anymore it seems. I'll probably give the next book a go considering I'm still in that weird mood and everything I pick up ends up as a DNF. We'll see how it goes!...more
This was good. I've been in a weird mood (yes I keep mentioning that I know) so maybe this was just what I was in the mood for? I My Rating: 3.5 Stars
This was good. I've been in a weird mood (yes I keep mentioning that I know) so maybe this was just what I was in the mood for? I liked that even though it's a reverse harem the story was in the forefront. The men came second always. I liked some (Jax) better than others (Cobra). I didn't see the betrayal coming which was interesting. I'm reading the next book as we speak. We'll see if I get through it before my brain simply decides that I must read something else *shrugs*...more
This was just okay. The story took a while to get going and when it finally got to it it ended. The hero was wishy washy with the heroine. Gave me whiThis was just okay. The story took a while to get going and when it finally got to it it ended. The hero was wishy washy with the heroine. Gave me whiplash if I’m being honest. The heroine was clearly in a bad situation and the hero, at times, wasn’t a great person. Don’t get me wrong I ADORE an antihero but this one didn’t really captivate me. I’ll think about going into the next book. For now it’s a no from me but that could change in the future if I’m desperate enough for a book. ...more
I don't know something about the characters or maybe it was the way the story was written really rubbed me the wrong way. I dislDNF At 22% (Audiobook)
I don't know something about the characters or maybe it was the way the story was written really rubbed me the wrong way. I disliked the heroine right off the bat after she introduced herself as a doctor and then proceeded to shame people who went to her ER in pain and seeking pain relief as drug addicts. The hero is just meh. Granted at 22% he had maybe 10 minutes of scene time. Overall, I thought I would love this and ended up DNFing it. Life is too short to push myself to read books I don't enjoy....more
Ok, so it's clear from my initial review that I was going through quite a bit. I'm going to disagree with my past self when I said this bAugust 2023 -
Ok, so it's clear from my initial review that I was going through quite a bit. I'm going to disagree with my past self when I said this book slowed down. I did not see that this second time around. I enjoyed the book much more as well. The hero continues to be one of my favorites and I can't wait to see where this story is going with the next book! Still a 5 star read ♡
_______________ April 2023 -
While reading this book, I was going through/still am going through a lot in life. It was one of the few things that kept me sane. For that reason alone it deserves 5 stars.
I loved the morally grey hero. He was fantastic. I loved how he warmed up to the heroine... eventually. I liked that he learned the equivalent of ASL in the universe the author created to communicate with her.
The heroine and sassy, hardheaded, and awesome to read about. However, her inner monologues could have been cut down a bit.
The universe the author created was different from past books I've read. I liked the color magic system. The world was explained well enough to where I didn't feel lost and it didn't feel unbelievable.
My only critique of this book was how slow it was towards the middle to end. There were quite a few times during my read that I was almost DNFing because nothing was happening. The last hour or so did wonders for the story. I wish more of the story felt like that last hour. I hope that next book will be available as an audiobook because I'm invested in this story very much....more
Ok, so I have a bone to pick with this book. I ADORED the first book and the reread of the second book did make me understand the need for it. This onOk, so I have a bone to pick with this book. I ADORED the first book and the reread of the second book did make me understand the need for it. This one however was not what I was expecting nor was it something that I wanted. It truly feels like the author has no clue what she's doing with the plot because it's nowhere to be found at this point in this series. Yes there's a vague *thing* the hero and heroine have to accomplish but nothing they do move them any closer to accomplishing it and it's beyond frustrating. Also, the amount of gore/torture and VERY detailed descriptions of it throughout this book multiple times was stomach-churning. I didn't expect it therefore I did not like it or see the need for it. I really wish the audiobook had the narrator say what/if any content warnings there were for this book.
I don't mind the long books this series features. I just wish there was more of a plot running through them. This series reminds me a lot of my all-time favorite: The Blood And Ash Series By Jennifer L. Armentrout. The difference between them is that even though JLA has a lot of fluff embedded in her story she eventually does get to the point and ends things with a disbelieving bang. HLW on the other hand is trying and failing to execute that.
(view spoiler)[If I'm being honest the best part of this whole story was the last 3 or so hours. I wanted the whole book to feel like those 3 hours. Apart from that I was either bored out of my mind or riddled with anxiety because I couldn't see a point to what was happening. The annoying part now is that we get the next book in the series featuring only the heroine (I'm assuming because of the cliffhanger this book left off on). I'm sorry but Kaldris is the best part of this story. I want more of him in the story not less. (hide spoiler)]...more
This is yet another one of those books that are in the same vein as the Blood And Ash series AND I LOVED EVERY SINGLE SECOND OF IT! Romantasy (romantiThis is yet another one of those books that are in the same vein as the Blood And Ash series AND I LOVED EVERY SINGLE SECOND OF IT! Romantasy (romantic fantasy) seems to be my newest obsession and may be on its way to become my favorite genre. Maybe surpassing paranormal romance?! GASP I KNOW! We'll see as time progresses.
It has a steady enough pace that didn't make me bored out of my mind. There's always something happening or a worry for the future to keep me preoccupied. The chemistry between the heroine and the hero was off the charts. It definitely has the spice factor down pat. The cliffhanger was something I saw coming but it was by no means less impactful. I was still on the edge of my seat (more like wide awake in my bed at midnight) when the cliffhanger finally hit....more
As interesting and compelling as this story is it's severely lacking the in the romance department. Considering I'm under the impression that this is As interesting and compelling as this story is it's severely lacking the in the romance department. Considering I'm under the impression that this is being marketed as a romantasy (romance fantasy) I'm having to squint really hard to find it in there. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing but again I was under the impression this was a romantasy so I'm expecting it and it just isn't there.
All the Blood And Ash comparisons are definitely out the window by this point. I'm still very much enjoying the characters and the story. The twists that are creeping up are fantastic but I'm losing the wind in my sails for moving forward with this series....more
I loved this one SO much! It's very reminiscent of the Blood And Ash Series By Jennifer L. Armentrout. Though I don't know if that's because the same I loved this one SO much! It's very reminiscent of the Blood And Ash Series By Jennifer L. Armentrout. Though I don't know if that's because the same person narrates it and I've just connected the two or because the stories are similar. I mean, it's a very basic romantasy so things are bound to overlap. I'm just thrilled to have found this series because I very much still have a hole-shaped like the Blood And Ash Series in my heart because I'm waiting for more books to be released.
I have to mention that I seriously felt like I had missed an introduction book for this series because SO MUCH of the worldbuilding just isn't explained. It's simply mentioned and you're supposed to take that as fact. Due to that, I'm still very lost on all the terminology and the out-there names didn't help my last two functioning neurons. I tried my best but I'm still lost. It probably will get better as I listen to the next books *fingers crossed*. I also had to nitpick that there's a lot more telling than showing. Which isn't bad but the story would benefit from the inverse of that in quite a few situations.
Legion was fantastic! I kinda guessed his twist but the reveal was still very anxiety-inducing though. He's a tortured morally grey hero and I can't wait for him to make me question why I'm still on his side. He's hot okay? That's all you need to know ...more