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litty_lydi's Reviews (123)
Some same, some new. Both in terms of plot points, characters, dialogue and my gripes.
Probably somewhere between a 3.5-4 star for me.
Overall, good, I still need to think more as to where I place this relative to TCOGB, i.e. did I like it more or less .. I think they both suffered from pacing issues, but I think overall this book was still better paced than TCOGB. The end of this one definitely felt rushed, but the middle didn't drag as much ...
The repetition of some dialogue (both within this book but also between books) becomes very obvious and makes my eye twitch a bit, as well as the random out of place modern dialogue and/or references that took me out of the book for a few minutes (the "rent free in my head" line still makes me wince when I think about it).
I think all the pieces are there and it is pretty well developed, but I do think this series is suffering from the lack of some serious editing. I know we all love the short turn around in the book publications that this provides us, but I personally would sacrifice a few more months between books if that time was dedicated to a good thorough editing job.
some more NSFW/spoilery unfiltered thoughts re: the plot below the cut
Within the first chapter I was completely thrown off, because I was going into this expecting the whole "seduce the enemy blah blah blah" trope, WHICH I WAS EXCITED FOR. Then of course that all got shattered and we got this instead ... I would've preferred the former. The reveal that Ash was Nyktos took way too long, especially since we as readers definitely already knew, it was obvious. So the first half of the book felt a bit draggy there because the entire time I'm thinking "ok but when is she going to realize this is Nyktos".
Also, this book was heavily hyped as being super spicy and hot etc etc.... here is a real time comment:
"450 pages into ASITE, do they ever fuck or are we just finger banging forever"
Miss JLA made me wait till ALMOST 90% THROUGH FOR SOME P IN V ACTION. Look I'm not a smut hound (maybe I am) but when you hype it they way she did... I was expecting more, and more sooner. (But I wanted more with good quality, not the more we got in ACOGB). I think part of this disappointment ties into the plot "change" or "shift" ...
I went into it expecting a fast paced "gonna seduce you for political gain, so lots of fucking, and then you'll dick me down so good I fall in love" BUT INSTEAD I GOT A SLOW BURN.
WHICH IS FINE. I LOVE A GOOD SLOW BURN. THATS MY TAG.
JUST NOT WHAT I EXPECTED/ANTICIPATED
I think that about sums up my major thoughts.
Am I gonna get flagged for this review haha.
Probably somewhere between a 3.5-4 star for me.
Overall, good, I still need to think more as to where I place this relative to TCOGB, i.e. did I like it more or less .. I think they both suffered from pacing issues, but I think overall this book was still better paced than TCOGB. The end of this one definitely felt rushed, but the middle didn't drag as much ...
The repetition of some dialogue (both within this book but also between books) becomes very obvious and makes my eye twitch a bit, as well as the random out of place modern dialogue and/or references that took me out of the book for a few minutes (the "rent free in my head" line still makes me wince when I think about it).
I think all the pieces are there and it is pretty well developed, but I do think this series is suffering from the lack of some serious editing. I know we all love the short turn around in the book publications that this provides us, but I personally would sacrifice a few more months between books if that time was dedicated to a good thorough editing job.
some more NSFW/spoilery unfiltered thoughts re: the plot below the cut
Spoiler
Within the first chapter I was completely thrown off, because I was going into this expecting the whole "seduce the enemy blah blah blah" trope, WHICH I WAS EXCITED FOR. Then of course that all got shattered and we got this instead ... I would've preferred the former. The reveal that Ash was Nyktos took way too long, especially since we as readers definitely already knew, it was obvious. So the first half of the book felt a bit draggy there because the entire time I'm thinking "ok but when is she going to realize this is Nyktos".
Also, this book was heavily hyped as being super spicy and hot etc etc.... here is a real time comment:
"450 pages into ASITE, do they ever fuck or are we just finger banging forever"
Miss JLA made me wait till ALMOST 90% THROUGH FOR SOME P IN V ACTION. Look I'm not a smut hound (maybe I am) but when you hype it they way she did... I was expecting more, and more sooner. (But I wanted more with good quality, not the more we got in ACOGB). I think part of this disappointment ties into the plot "change" or "shift" ...
I went into it expecting a fast paced "gonna seduce you for political gain, so lots of fucking, and then you'll dick me down so good I fall in love" BUT INSTEAD I GOT A SLOW BURN.
WHICH IS FINE. I LOVE A GOOD SLOW BURN. THATS MY TAG.
JUST NOT WHAT I EXPECTED/ANTICIPATED
I think that about sums up my major thoughts.
Am I gonna get flagged for this review haha.
Atmosphere in this book is top notch.
Classic fairytale story with VVitch vibes. Super enjoyable as an audiobook too!
Classic fairytale story with VVitch vibes. Super enjoyable as an audiobook too!
It’s IPB, what more is there to say.
Based on recent developments though I have no choice but the read Ruby Dixon’s catalogue.
Based on recent developments though I have no choice but the read Ruby Dixon’s catalogue.
This is definitely one of my top reads of the year. Which is a double edged sword because now that’s it over I feel that book hangover creeping in…
I am both glad it’s a standalone, because not enough good standalone fantasies exist, but also slightly disappointed because I did not want to leave this world and the characters.
Part of me thinks it may have benefited by maybe being split up in a duology, as a lot happens, but generally it’s handled very well and I’ll take not having to wait a year or more for the sequel.
There is quite a bit of mythos that is told to you via stories told by the characters which can feel like a lot of info at once but I thoroughly enjoyed it, and the world/atmosphere that Ava Reid created in this book.
Excellent debut and I will definitely be pre-ordering her next books!
I am both glad it’s a standalone, because not enough good standalone fantasies exist, but also slightly disappointed because I did not want to leave this world and the characters.
Part of me thinks it may have benefited by maybe being split up in a duology, as a lot happens, but generally it’s handled very well and I’ll take not having to wait a year or more for the sequel.
There is quite a bit of mythos that is told to you via stories told by the characters which can feel like a lot of info at once but I thoroughly enjoyed it, and the world/atmosphere that Ava Reid created in this book.
Excellent debut and I will definitely be pre-ordering her next books!
Blah.
I think the problem for me was that I just did not buy them as a couple. It felt like I was robbed multiple chapters in the beginning for me to really believe they could actually be in love with each other after a couple of weeks. Insta-love is just not my trope
I think the problem for me was that I just did not buy them as a couple. It felt like I was robbed multiple chapters in the beginning for me to really believe they could actually be in love with each other after a couple of weeks. Insta-love is just not my trope
WHY AM I SO INVESTED
BUCKLE UP!!
----
Okay, it's the following morning, let me now add some actual coherent thoughts.
First of all, I am a firm advocate for more soulmate trope in published fiction, there just isn't enough, so this automatically gets a thumbs up from me.
Now, soulmate trope AND the MC doesn't want to be with her mates to protect them because magical power reasons, which means a SLOW BURN?! SIGN ME UP.
This is my first RH, and I think I might be spoiled now because this actually has a good plot with world building, and really solid slow burn HAH. I am along for the ride.
My main man right now is Gryphon, make of that what you will. Something about the strong silent type. Bottom of my list is Atlas, I get he's nice, but he's annoying me :)
BUCKLE UP!!
----
Okay, it's the following morning, let me now add some actual coherent thoughts.
First of all, I am a firm advocate for more soulmate trope in published fiction, there just isn't enough, so this automatically gets a thumbs up from me.
Now, soulmate trope AND the MC doesn't want to be with her mates to protect them because magical power reasons, which means a SLOW BURN?! SIGN ME UP.
This is my first RH, and I think I might be spoiled now because this actually has a good plot with world building, and really solid slow burn HAH. I am along for the ride.
My main man right now is Gryphon, make of that what you will. Something about the strong silent type. Bottom of my list is Atlas, I get he's nice, but he's annoying me :)
