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1.16k reviews by:
abinthebooks
Hello and welcome to: THE MCU AND ITS CONSEQUENCES. Also big rant & minor spoilers, you’ve been warned.
This was actually one of the worst comics I’ve ever read; and I’ve read plenty of Marvel Knights and Ultimate Comics. I’ve been warned by plenty of people that this comic has very OOC comic Nat, and they are so right. This comic has anti-winterwidow (please be so frl rn Kelly), an unnecessary amnesia storyline that makes no sense, completely weak Natasha and OOC Yelena, and an odd Yelena and Natasha friendship (again, the MCU and it’s consequences).
I think the thing about this that made me the most pissed off was giving Natasha a child and a husband, acting like she hasn’t lost a child and husband before in Name of the Rose. Not only that, but she also “lost” Alexei Shostakov, her second husband, who has abused, mind-raped, brainwashed, and married her when she was underage, and she lost Bucky Barnes who is quite literally her best (and only valid) love interest. And following that, this Natasha was obviously based off MCU Natasha who has no agency, no concrete storyline, and is only on screen for sex appeal.
I’m so sick of comic writers writing this character as some mindless sex symbol, making her completely OOC, and giving her more trauma just for the hell of it. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THIS, especially because she’s pretty much gone through this exact fucking storyline twice before. Also the fact Hydra was involved in this was laughable. Once again I say, the MCU and it’s consequences. Both Natasha and Bucky are Russian; they are Russian spies and assassins, they were trained in Russia with The Red Room and they are not involved in Hydra in any way as is changed in the MCU. This again leads me to believe this story is semi-based off the MCU and that this comic writer does not understand comic Natasha or Bucky whatsoever. And it does show.
I reiterate again, this was one of the worst comics I’ve read, and honestly fucking offensive to Natasha as a character. If I wanted to watch Natasha be disgraced, I’d watch Age of Ultron again. For this storyline actually done right read Name of the Rose by Marjorie Lu. One of the best comics ever written imo, and completely sweeps this piece of garbage off the board. Anyways, this had fantastic art, but a absolute shit storyline and depiction of this character (who if y’all can’t tell is my fave comic book character). I know this is angry, I know I sound mad, but it gets exhausting reading about someone fucking up your favorite character time and time again. Natasha is more than just her trauma and her sex appeal and I want to see more of her just being actually in character and in a healthy relationship (with Bucky ofc). So thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.
This was actually one of the worst comics I’ve ever read; and I’ve read plenty of Marvel Knights and Ultimate Comics. I’ve been warned by plenty of people that this comic has very OOC comic Nat, and they are so right. This comic has anti-winterwidow (please be so frl rn Kelly), an unnecessary amnesia storyline that makes no sense, completely weak Natasha and OOC Yelena, and an odd Yelena and Natasha friendship (again, the MCU and it’s consequences).
I think the thing about this that made me the most pissed off was giving Natasha a child and a husband, acting like she hasn’t lost a child and husband before in Name of the Rose. Not only that, but she also “lost” Alexei Shostakov, her second husband, who has abused, mind-raped, brainwashed, and married her when she was underage, and she lost Bucky Barnes who is quite literally her best (and only valid) love interest. And following that, this Natasha was obviously based off MCU Natasha who has no agency, no concrete storyline, and is only on screen for sex appeal.
I’m so sick of comic writers writing this character as some mindless sex symbol, making her completely OOC, and giving her more trauma just for the hell of it. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THIS, especially because she’s pretty much gone through this exact fucking storyline twice before. Also the fact Hydra was involved in this was laughable. Once again I say, the MCU and it’s consequences. Both Natasha and Bucky are Russian; they are Russian spies and assassins, they were trained in Russia with The Red Room and they are not involved in Hydra in any way as is changed in the MCU. This again leads me to believe this story is semi-based off the MCU and that this comic writer does not understand comic Natasha or Bucky whatsoever. And it does show.
I reiterate again, this was one of the worst comics I’ve read, and honestly fucking offensive to Natasha as a character. If I wanted to watch Natasha be disgraced, I’d watch Age of Ultron again. For this storyline actually done right read Name of the Rose by Marjorie Lu. One of the best comics ever written imo, and completely sweeps this piece of garbage off the board. Anyways, this had fantastic art, but a absolute shit storyline and depiction of this character (who if y’all can’t tell is my fave comic book character). I know this is angry, I know I sound mad, but it gets exhausting reading about someone fucking up your favorite character time and time again. Natasha is more than just her trauma and her sex appeal and I want to see more of her just being actually in character and in a healthy relationship (with Bucky ofc). So thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.
Forgot to update this, but I unhauled this book last month, so this is now a permanent dnf ✌️
* * *
DNF FOR NOW @ 29%
I’m listening to this one on audio and it’s not working for me. There are too many characters for me to be listening to this on 2.5 speed. I have no idea what in the hell is going on. So I’m going to come back to this one in a few months and read it physically.
* * *
DNF FOR NOW @ 29%
I’m listening to this one on audio and it’s not working for me. There are too many characters for me to be listening to this on 2.5 speed. I have no idea what in the hell is going on. So I’m going to come back to this one in a few months and read it physically.
*3.5
finally finished a book this month!!!!!!! anyways RTC bc it’s 2:15 AM as I write this…
finally finished a book this month!!!!!!! anyways RTC bc it’s 2:15 AM as I write this…
OH MY GOD!!!! OH MY GOD!!!!! I LOVED THIS SM!! RTC THIS WAS AMAZING
I loved this book SO VERY MUCH!!!! Helen and Winterborne immediately captured my attention in the first book in this series, Cold-Hearted Rake, which was definitely not about a cold-hearted rake. Helen and Winterborne have a secondary romance in that book, and I was so excited when I learned they had a book of their own.
I loved Marrying Winterborne just as much (if not more) than it’s predecessor! Helen and Rhys were so fucking sweet together, and their relationship made me cry happy tears more than once. Helen is a very soft spoken, and shy heroine and Rhys fit her personality perfectly. Very much, “I hate everyone in the world but you”, and when I say this man would do anything for Helen, he would absolutely tear the world apart for her. I just cannot even begin to express how much I loved these two together. The way they loved each other, the way Rhys treated Helen. He was literally so sweet to her, and him figuring out that he needed someone to love him and cherish him the way Helen did was just beautiful.
I love Lisa Kleypas so much. She writes some of (if not) the best historical romance stories with fantastic heroines, and absolutely beautiful romances. I seriously cannot begin to express my love for Marrying Winterborne, and I wish it went on forever and ever and ever. I’m also really excited to read book 3 of this series, but I’m going to have to read The Wallflowers first due to the next book being about Evie and Sebastian St. Vincent’s son (from Devil in Winter). But anyways, this is probably my new favorite historical romance, ever, and I’m going to try and force everyone I know to read about Helen and Rhys.
Cold-Hearted Rake - ★★★★★
Marrying Winterborne - ★★★★★
5 stars
I loved Marrying Winterborne just as much (if not more) than it’s predecessor! Helen and Rhys were so fucking sweet together, and their relationship made me cry happy tears more than once. Helen is a very soft spoken, and shy heroine and Rhys fit her personality perfectly. Very much, “I hate everyone in the world but you”, and when I say this man would do anything for Helen, he would absolutely tear the world apart for her. I just cannot even begin to express how much I loved these two together. The way they loved each other, the way Rhys treated Helen. He was literally so sweet to her, and him figuring out that he needed someone to love him and cherish him the way Helen did was just beautiful.
I love Lisa Kleypas so much. She writes some of (if not) the best historical romance stories with fantastic heroines, and absolutely beautiful romances. I seriously cannot begin to express my love for Marrying Winterborne, and I wish it went on forever and ever and ever. I’m also really excited to read book 3 of this series, but I’m going to have to read The Wallflowers first due to the next book being about Evie and Sebastian St. Vincent’s son (from Devil in Winter). But anyways, this is probably my new favorite historical romance, ever, and I’m going to try and force everyone I know to read about Helen and Rhys.
Cold-Hearted Rake - ★★★★★
Marrying Winterborne - ★★★★★
5 stars
Update
After almost 2 months of this book sitting in the free little library, someone has finally taken it!!!
After almost 2 months of this book sitting in the free little library, someone has finally taken it!!!
*3.75
I’ve been wanting to read Simone St. James for such a long time, but I really wanted to start with her older stuff and work my way through her works via publication order. However, I’ve heard many mixed things about The Haunting of Maddy Clare, and her other earlier stories. And while I do hold some criticisms towards this book, I thought it was really well done.
For this being St. James’s debut, the writing was so atmospheric, creepy, and a touch of gothic. I’m definitely excited to see how she’s improved since this release. I also thought the plot, while not the most original ever, was very well written. I think it had marginally to do with the era the author chose to write this in—a very dry era for historical fiction books—after the First World War, and a little before the Second World War. This author really uses this era to her advantage when writing, and it really added that extra depth and complexity to her story and her characters. The narrative style in this was also very interesting, and one you just don’t see a lot anymore. It almost felt like we were reading the journal of our FMC, Sarah. Past tense storytelling is so much fun, and I thought it was incredibly well done.
Despite what I did enjoy, I didn’t think this was anywhere near perfect. Our main character, Sarah, was a bit annoying at times because she was such a damsel in distress. And if I was Sarah, I’d absolutely be a scaredy cat too, especially if a ghost was haunting me, but it still was a little annoying. I also think the romance could have been a little more fleshed out (that was one of the aspects I was most excited for, and it kinda fell flat). The mystery was also pretty mediocre, mainly because my suspicions for the perpetrators were entirely correct about half way through the book.
But, setting aside my complaints once again, for a debut novel, I thought this was very well written. I’m very excited to read more from Simone St. James. Her prose is beautiful, and this story really was a very fun reading experience (with some definite sad bits inside). This is one of those books I’d recommend pretty widely to people. If you like historical fiction and you want to get into horror/mysteries? Read this. If you like romance and want to get into historical fiction? Read this. If you like a horror mystery and want to try a side of romance? Read this? And so on. However, if you do go into this book and you get triggered easily, PLEASE LOOK UP TRIGGER WARNINGS!!!
3.75 stars
I’ve been wanting to read Simone St. James for such a long time, but I really wanted to start with her older stuff and work my way through her works via publication order. However, I’ve heard many mixed things about The Haunting of Maddy Clare, and her other earlier stories. And while I do hold some criticisms towards this book, I thought it was really well done.
For this being St. James’s debut, the writing was so atmospheric, creepy, and a touch of gothic. I’m definitely excited to see how she’s improved since this release. I also thought the plot, while not the most original ever, was very well written. I think it had marginally to do with the era the author chose to write this in—a very dry era for historical fiction books—after the First World War, and a little before the Second World War. This author really uses this era to her advantage when writing, and it really added that extra depth and complexity to her story and her characters. The narrative style in this was also very interesting, and one you just don’t see a lot anymore. It almost felt like we were reading the journal of our FMC, Sarah. Past tense storytelling is so much fun, and I thought it was incredibly well done.
Despite what I did enjoy, I didn’t think this was anywhere near perfect. Our main character, Sarah, was a bit annoying at times because she was such a damsel in distress. And if I was Sarah, I’d absolutely be a scaredy cat too, especially if a ghost was haunting me, but it still was a little annoying. I also think the romance could have been a little more fleshed out (that was one of the aspects I was most excited for, and it kinda fell flat). The mystery was also pretty mediocre, mainly because my suspicions for the perpetrators were entirely correct about half way through the book.
But, setting aside my complaints once again, for a debut novel, I thought this was very well written. I’m very excited to read more from Simone St. James. Her prose is beautiful, and this story really was a very fun reading experience (with some definite sad bits inside). This is one of those books I’d recommend pretty widely to people. If you like historical fiction and you want to get into horror/mysteries? Read this. If you like romance and want to get into historical fiction? Read this. If you like a horror mystery and want to try a side of romance? Read this? And so on. However, if you do go into this book and you get triggered easily, PLEASE LOOK UP TRIGGER WARNINGS!!!
3.75 stars
”You came for me,” I whispered.
“Always,” he told me.
This series is honestly so fun, and super well written. All my love for this book is pretty much the same things I’ve said in my other reviews. I adore our heroine, Kate, who’s both equal amounts funny and badass. I especially love the romance between Kate and Curran. Their dynamic is very much frenemies vibes, and it’s an absolute delight to read. If you’re looking for a book couple with hilarious, snarky, and downright petty banter, then Kate and Curran are absolutely the slowburn couple for you.
Now despite these books being so focus on the mystery aspects, I’m not too focused on them. I just think there’s too many characters for me to really care. And you’re probably like, “But, Abi these are mystery books first?” Ok? I’m only reading for the characters and the relationships and I’m not ashamed to admit it. Anyways, even though idrc about the mysteries. we got a really big reveal in this one that I didn’t see coming—but definitely should have lol. It actually made the mystery aspect really entertaining, and I’m very intrigued to see what the authors will do with the reveal in the coming books.
This series really is fantastically written. It’s quite impressive how expansive, detailed, and utterly complex this world has become in just 3 books out of 9? 10? 11? Kate is already such a deep dynamic character, as are all of the new and reoccurring side characters. I’m so excited to continue this series; it’s really becoming a new favorite for me and I can’t wait to see whats coming next.
4 stars
“Always,” he told me.
This series is honestly so fun, and super well written. All my love for this book is pretty much the same things I’ve said in my other reviews. I adore our heroine, Kate, who’s both equal amounts funny and badass. I especially love the romance between Kate and Curran. Their dynamic is very much frenemies vibes, and it’s an absolute delight to read. If you’re looking for a book couple with hilarious, snarky, and downright petty banter, then Kate and Curran are absolutely the slowburn couple for you.
Now despite these books being so focus on the mystery aspects, I’m not too focused on them. I just think there’s too many characters for me to really care. And you’re probably like, “But, Abi these are mystery books first?” Ok? I’m only reading for the characters and the relationships and I’m not ashamed to admit it. Anyways, even though idrc about the mysteries. we got a really big reveal in this one that I didn’t see coming—but definitely should have lol. It actually made the mystery aspect really entertaining, and I’m very intrigued to see what the authors will do with the reveal in the coming books.
This series really is fantastically written. It’s quite impressive how expansive, detailed, and utterly complex this world has become in just 3 books out of 9? 10? 11? Kate is already such a deep dynamic character, as are all of the new and reoccurring side characters. I’m so excited to continue this series; it’s really becoming a new favorite for me and I can’t wait to see whats coming next.
4 stars
DNF at 54%
I have absolutely no desire to read anymore of this book, which is a shame because I was really excited for this one. I don’t really know if there was anything “bad” about Just Like Home. I did think the writing was quite lovely, and the audiobook narrator was very good, but I just couldn’t really find myself to care about anything that was happening. This book is marketed as a haunted house story, and while it is that, it’s much more literary in storytelling than the fast-paced horror/thriller story I thought I was going to get. The book is also heavily focused on our heroine, Vera—who I feel very lukewarm about as a character—and her complex relationship with her mother and father. I enjoyed those aspects, but when they started taking away from the haunted house storyline, I just quickly lost interest.
I don’t think this book is bad at all, I just thought I was getting something else than what’s inside. It’s not really the books fault, more a me thing. So, take this review with a grain of salt. Despite me not enjoying this one, I will definitely try from Sarah Gailey in the future. Their writing is quite nice, and their other books sound great (with better ratings than Just Like Home.)
I have absolutely no desire to read anymore of this book, which is a shame because I was really excited for this one. I don’t really know if there was anything “bad” about Just Like Home. I did think the writing was quite lovely, and the audiobook narrator was very good, but I just couldn’t really find myself to care about anything that was happening. This book is marketed as a haunted house story, and while it is that, it’s much more literary in storytelling than the fast-paced horror/thriller story I thought I was going to get. The book is also heavily focused on our heroine, Vera—who I feel very lukewarm about as a character—and her complex relationship with her mother and father. I enjoyed those aspects, but when they started taking away from the haunted house storyline, I just quickly lost interest.
I don’t think this book is bad at all, I just thought I was getting something else than what’s inside. It’s not really the books fault, more a me thing. So, take this review with a grain of salt. Despite me not enjoying this one, I will definitely try from Sarah Gailey in the future. Their writing is quite nice, and their other books sound great (with better ratings than Just Like Home.)