this was unneccesarily messy. i literally had to read the same pages over and over because i couldn't undestand a freaking thing of what was beimeeeeh
this was unneccesarily messy. i literally had to read the same pages over and over because i couldn't undestand a freaking thing of what was being described. i'm not actually sure i did, even after i finished it, to be honest. ...more
I'm so glad I gave this a chance because it was simply amazing. There are only a couple things I didn't like, but aside from those, I had the best funI'm so glad I gave this a chance because it was simply amazing. There are only a couple things I didn't like, but aside from those, I had the best fun with this book.
"Taking a life is no small thing, but doing so to save your own does not make you a monster." A tear fell onto her cheek. She let her head fall unti
"Taking a life is no small thing, but doing so to save your own does not make you a monster." A tear fell onto her cheek. She let her head fall until her brow pressed against my chest. "What if I am?" "Then you are the most beautiful monster I've ver seen."
re-read august 2024: who gave this book the right to be so good ...more
I'm saying this with all the love and appreciation I have for this story and its author: this book needs editing so so so bad.
I love this story to piI'm saying this with all the love and appreciation I have for this story and its author: this book needs editing so so so bad.
I love this story to pieces, which is why it pains me to deprive this book of a star that would have been more than well deserved had my enjoyement of it not be spoiled by the poor translation.
Let me elaborate. I felt like many phrases were translated word for word instead of picking up their idiomatic counterpart expression, which, in my opinion, caused the dialogues to sound weird and kind of grating. For example, I came across this line, on chapter 5. "Look who’s talking, the guy who gets his hair done every three for two." You see, in Italian we have this saying where someone does something ogni tre per due, which means very often. If you translate it literally to English, it makes no sense. I think I was able to acknowledge this (and be bothered by it) because I know how Italians speak and I'm used to reading my books in English, which gave me the chance to compare the two and notice the difference a good translation can make. This was only one of the many cases in which I felt this story could have benefited from a better editor, and I'm sad to say the entire novel and consequently my reading experience, suffered from the lack of one. I kept to myself stuff like "This would sound great in Italian" or I cringed when I caught myself thinking about the idioms I would have used instead or the one that ere written, and all this mental revising got tiring after a while.
Bad translation aside, I loved this. The story was so damn interesting, and very unique, as were the characters. Elena Locatelli has a fresh imagination and was able to create a new, immersive world using elements that arevery well known in the romantasy universe. The world-building was perfect; I was able to picture vividly every new setting the author presented, and I guess the fact that I got to do so while having trouble with the writing (read: the translation, not the prose. The prose was impeccable), proves the author is someone to keep an eye out for. Selene is a very likeable main character and I love that this was a multi-pov kind of novel, because it gave me the opportunity to get to know the other characters a little more. The romance was a little predictable, but I enjoyed it, nonetheless. I know I was supposed to root for Selene and Killian, and I did, but my favorites were Chandra and Calder. What can I say, I have the softest spot for the grumpy and bitchy lady x flirty and sexy fae boy pairing. If you know, you know. You know. [image] Anyway, I had tons of fun with all of it and the story flowed so well I totally would have finished it in two hours had I not be super busy with work.
I'm gonna add the detailed chart later, and maybe add something to this review, as well. Also, that cover alone is worth 10 stars. Elena, if you're reading this: sei fantastica! Can't wait for the next installment....more
After a few days, and after I've had the chance to properly sit down and think back about this book
"You want me to fuck you over the throne or...?
After a few days, and after I've had the chance to properly sit down and think back about this book, I've sadly decided to take down half a star from its initial 4-star ratings and round it down to 3. While I've had fun with this and still consider Clare Sager and her writing a gift to humanity, I couldn't get past some technicalities, and had some problems getting through the second part. The first half of the book had me excitedly enthralled; I could never really relate to Kat, but I liked her character despite and because of her faults. The plot was interesting and the romance kept me on my toes. Unfortunately, the pace started slowing down and the scenes became repetitive. I still had no trouble finishing this and reading it didn't feel like a chore, but I wished it kept my interest alive like it did at the start and there were a few things that don't make much sense I wish I could overlook, but inevitably can't. As much as I loved the romance and was totally into Bastian's charm, I felt like something was missing about his character, something I can't pinpoint. I also expected more groveling, on both parts and there were moments I felt bored with it all, and didn't find the characters fascinating enough to keep me guessing their next move. But, of course, it had its good and very enjoyable moments, too. For one, Sager's dialogues are always exquisite. I love her banter so much and her writing is easy to follow and not pompous at all. The spice was simply excellent and some of the first interactions betweeen Kat and Bastian were so full of sexual tension I had butterflies. I also loved the Beneath Black Sails references and Vice and Knigh's appearance. I've already mentioned that Kat and I don't resonate on a deep level, but I appreciated how tenacious she was.
Overall, this was very entertaining and I'm pretty sure I'll read the second book when it comes out. Clare Sager proved once again that she knows how to write a spicy story when needed. The fact that I buddy read this with the Glitchread Girls, made it even more special.
wanna know what happens when i let my cat pick up my next read? this happens.
ugggggghhhhhhhhhhh i'm so mad at this book for starting so well, for decwanna know what happens when i let my cat pick up my next read? this happens.
ugggggghhhhhhhhhhh i'm so mad at this book for starting so well, for deceiving me into believing i was going to love it to pieces, for gaslighing my mind into imagining a mixture between henry cavilla and baldur's gate's astarion as darriel, only for the entire book to fall apart and consequently take an unfortunate 180 turn in a shittier direction that left me unsatisfied, frustrated and confused af. damn you, ariana cane. i've already bought book 2. you better fix this mess and give me the problematic vampire boyfriend love i was promised. ...more
jokes aside, im really struggling with this book. the biggest issue i have with the story is that the world building ilittle fire...yeah, in my pants.
jokes aside, im really struggling with this book. the biggest issue i have with the story is that the world building is chaotic af but im also having a hard time with the fmc and the way she kept doing anything in her power to put herself in trouble. the romance was also pretty meh. DNFing at 37%...more
"Are you afraid?" She kept hr voice soft. "No." His hot breath tickled the back of her neck, sending pleasant shivers down her spine, then he whispe
"Are you afraid?" She kept hr voice soft. "No." His hot breath tickled the back of her neck, sending pleasant shivers down her spine, then he whispered, "I'm terrified." A jolt went through her at his admission, but she didn’t turn. “Why?” She wanted to break down that wall gently, brick by brick if she had to. “Because you can hurt me in ways I’ve never been hurt. Without lifting a finger, you could shatter me completely.”