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novellearts's reviews
1516 reviews
The Poisoner by I.V. Ophelia
I did mostly enjoy the banter in this book, but I wish that it centered more around Alina's job and her actually poisoning men.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
No star rating yet as I'm not sure how I feel about this one at the moment. I picked this book up for the beautiful cover and because I thought it was a horror book. I was very surprised once I started getting into it and finding out that it was more vampiric dark romance.
That being said, I liked Alina a lot as a character, I liked Silas a lot less. There were some really hot scenes and there were some that I didn't care for. I will say that I personally hate when books include any version of knotting. I find the concept repulsive and invasive especially as the books that include knotting usually love to use it as a "surprise."
That being said, I liked Alina a lot as a character, I liked Silas a lot less. There were some really hot scenes and there were some that I didn't care for. I will say that I personally hate when books include any version of knotting. I find the concept repulsive and invasive especially as the books that include knotting usually love to use it as a "surprise."
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, kissing the skin on my shoulder and up to my neck, his fingers tangling in my hair and keeping me in place, pushing his hips firmly into mine. “You said you wouldn’t,” I breathed. “I lied,” he said lowly. “Why?” “Because you are mine.” - Quote of Silas and Alina's conversation after he knotted her, saying that he wouldn't and that he "doesn't do that to humans."
I did mostly enjoy the banter in this book, but I wish that it centered more around Alina's job and her actually poisoning men.
Overall, I think I liked this until around chapters 46 and on. Up until this point, there were definitely a lot of instances of abuse, stalking, and toxicity but (and I know this sounds crazy) it was a tolerable level. Both characters mostly reciprocated the same energy to each other and it wasn't completed unwanted. Chapters 47 and on took a turn. Chapters 48 and 50 were not my cup of tea. The rape scene with Viktor in Chapter 48 really pissed me off, especially with how he "revealed" what he did to Silas. Then in Chapter 50 with Viktor and Silas both feeding from Alina.
The Poisoner story felt incredibly reminiscent of Haunting Adeline to me. It just felt like a vampire version. Though I will say, I liked this story more than Haunting Adeline and I liked the characters much more. I also kept finding myself wishing that Alina would just end up with Phoebe, because let's be honest, that would've been much better than Silas or Viktor.
The ending of this was unsatisfying to me as well. It was so rushed and incredibly open-ended. We didn't learn as readers howAlina and Phoebe made it out or what happened to anyone in the Nest. I understand that this is book 1 and that it'll most definitely be covered in book 2, but I personally would've liked a lot less ambiguity here.
The Poisoner story felt incredibly reminiscent of Haunting Adeline to me. It just felt like a vampire version. Though I will say, I liked this story more than Haunting Adeline and I liked the characters much more. I also kept finding myself wishing that Alina would just end up with Phoebe, because let's be honest, that would've been much better than Silas or Viktor.
The ending of this was unsatisfying to me as well. It was so rushed and incredibly open-ended. We didn't learn as readers how
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cannibalism
This Close to Okay by Leesa Cross-Smith
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The first 3/4 of this book was a 4 star rating for me but the ending 1/3 of the book was 2 or 3 stars.
I didn’t care for Emmett’s big reveal. It felt far-fetched in the scope of the rest of the book. The ending was okay otherwise. I could understand and appreciate the choice to have Emmett and Tallie’s story end the way that it did.
I didn’t care for Emmett’s big reveal. It felt far-fetched in the scope of the rest of the book. The ending was okay otherwise. I could understand and appreciate the choice to have Emmett and Tallie’s story end the way that it did.
The Between by Tananarive Due
4.0
This is the third book that I’ve read by Tananarive so far and I’ve been pretty impressed with all of them. It might be time to read her whole backlist.
The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
I really wanted to like this but it was so slow and boring to me. I wasn’t compelled by any of the characters and the story started to lose its luster for me. I would’ve DNF’d this book had I not purchased it.