Scan barcode
nikitanavalkar's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This might be getting repetitive, but my Zodiac obsession is getting way out of control. In the last week or so, I have missed meals and sleep and given up on a social life entirely; when I do sleep, it’s thinking of these characters and wake up dreaming of them (I swear it happened this morning and it took me a while to figure out where I was). I had to physically tear myself away from the book last night so I could get a few hours of shuteye and even then it wouldn’t let me go. I’ve had obsessions before, but the this series has ensnared me so completely it’s disturbing in normal human terms. But the shadows own me now and apparently I enjoy that shit.
We often compare stories to roller coaster rides, but this book (which is like 3 books in one) was like getting on a roller coaster only to be zip lined on to a plane from which you were flung off into a sky dive that ends bungee jump, with no harness so you’d think you’d fall splat on the earth but you only end up falling in the squishy mud, getting up, dusting yourself off, and begging for more even as you’re vibrating with adrenaline and confused emotions ranging from joy to pain to thrill to devastation and everything in between.
Now expect some spoilers from this point on because what in holy volcanic eclipse of Solaria was that? This is my brain right now: 🤯🤯🤯😳😱😩😭🥺🥵😍😭🤯🤯🤯
We start with some necessary angst due to the last book’s climactic events, but then we get some warm fuzzies thanks to some adorable bonding and much needed romance. And then it’s all a cycle between Heir viciousness and Vega badassness and bromance and sisterhood and cute camaraderie and soft/steamy couple moments interspersed with an array of action and devastation I don’t even know how to explain. And through it all, it manages to maintain a joyful, if dark thread of humor. We get an unexpectedly hilarious pairing between a certain siren and Cerberus I didn’t know I needed and that restored my faith in the universe. A certain wolf continues to be a little B, the Bromance between dragon boy and grumpy vamp teacher is cute as shit. There were some moments that made me internally squeal in both pain and delight, like how?! The one thing I never wanted to happen to my favorite sisters happened but it’s fine it’s fine it’s going to be fine. Right?
I almost like Orion better in his psycho teacher mode because I’m weird that way, and no matter how he’s described, all I can think of is professor Damon Salvatore crossed with Alaric Salzman. Yum. He and Darcy fudging break my heart and heal it all at once but of course they can’t catch a break. Grumpy dragon Darius and Tory circling around each other is at once the most frustrating and rewarding interlude in an enemies to lovers/bully romance pairing I’ve ever read. Because as much as I need them to Fae up and be together already, this is exactly what a tormentor should have to go through before deserving the love of his tormentee. They never grovel enough if you ask me. Tory puts him through his paces and I won’t be blaming her for demanding some goddamn respect from her supposed soulmate. (She said as she was sobbing inside). The authors pulled a bold move with a trope I’ve always wanted to see in action and broke me in the process so that’s great I guess. I wanted to be mad at Tory, but at the end of the day, we know Darius was doing it for all the wrong reasons. Unghhh. The two of them are like pitting fire against fire, grumpy vs grumpy, no sunshine to be found, and when they collide? BOOM. Earth shattering fireworks. Their every interaction rips my soul apart.
I knew the climax we were hurtling towards was bad news and we could see it coming realms away because of their shady AF plans, and then bam. It all went to the nine circles at the end, and it was like standing in the middle of an earthquake followed by an atomic explosion. Trauma. It’s all unraveling and I am not okay. I don’t even know how to rate this, I might go back and rearrange all my ratings for the series depending on how it all ends. Istg authors, y’all better give me HEAs for my girls or else 😭
We often compare stories to roller coaster rides, but this book (which is like 3 books in one) was like getting on a roller coaster only to be zip lined on to a plane from which you were flung off into a sky dive that ends bungee jump, with no harness so you’d think you’d fall splat on the earth but you only end up falling in the squishy mud, getting up, dusting yourself off, and begging for more even as you’re vibrating with adrenaline and confused emotions ranging from joy to pain to thrill to devastation and everything in between.
Now expect some spoilers from this point on because what in holy volcanic eclipse of Solaria was that? This is my brain right now: 🤯🤯🤯😳😱😩😭🥺🥵😍😭🤯🤯🤯
I almost like Orion better in his psycho teacher mode because I’m weird that way, and no matter how he’s described, all I can think of is professor Damon Salvatore crossed with Alaric Salzman. Yum. He and Darcy fudging break my heart and heal it all at once but of course they can’t catch a break. Grumpy dragon Darius and Tory circling around each other is at once the most frustrating and rewarding interlude in an enemies to lovers/bully romance pairing I’ve ever read. Because as much as I need them to Fae up and be together already, this is exactly what a tormentor should have to go through before deserving the love of his tormentee. They never grovel enough if you ask me. Tory puts him through his paces and I won’t be blaming her for demanding some goddamn respect from her supposed soulmate. (She said as she was sobbing inside). The authors pulled a bold move with a trope I’ve always wanted to see in action and broke me in the process so that’s great I guess. I wanted to be mad at Tory, but at the end of the day, we know Darius was doing it for all the wrong reasons. Unghhh. The two of them are like pitting fire against fire, grumpy vs grumpy, no sunshine to be found, and when they collide? BOOM. Earth shattering fireworks. Their every interaction rips my soul apart.
I knew the climax we were hurtling towards was bad news and we could see it coming realms away because of their shady AF plans, and then bam. It all went to the nine circles at the end, and it was like standing in the middle of an earthquake followed by an atomic explosion. Trauma. It’s all unraveling and I am not okay. I don’t even know how to rate this, I might go back and rearrange all my ratings for the series depending on how it all ends. Istg authors, y’all better give me HEAs for my girls or else 😭
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Violence
katevhutchinson's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The moment I started reading these books, I knew they weren't 'good'. I'm a sucker for a 'bad' book that's really enjoyable regardless. So the writing really lacks, to the point where there are odd exchanges of dialogue which slip out of character a lot for me, eg. Orion suddenly making exclamations and bouncing on his heels. Orion. Eternally serious, stoic and sexy, Orion. But having read the first 3 I knew this, and this book doesn't really pick up in that respect, along with odd typos and inconsistency in the magic system etc. Also in order to drill into us the characters, they get incredibly repetitive (Seth likes to touch people WE GET IT). I find myself jarring out of the story to edit the text, half the book could be cut out with the amount of unnecessary repetitions of tedious description. So I mostly skim read all of that now, it's just not needed.
Tory and Daruis are the most infuriating characters simply because I don't feel like their motives match up to their actions. Tory being an ice queen bitch and Darius bullying her just doesn't carry enough for me, like they could both realistically stop doing both of those things and then boom no more strife? Tory acts like Darius destroyed her life and I don't reaaaallly get that? In the grand scheme of things? With everything everyone's ever done to you your souly blaming THIS guy? I get what they were trying to do, but if you're that low and offered a way out of if you'd jump on it, no? You grow up with no love apart from your sister and the ACTUAL STARS give you a love forever and you say 'na can't trust him' ?? it doesn't make sense for me but, whatever you go with it.
We love Geraldine, a queen in her own right. In fact, so many of the side characters I feel are written way more consistently than the actual main characters (Sofia, Tyler, etc).
I think myself, along with so many other readers actually prefer Darcy because she's far more well rounded than Tory, feeling a whole spectrum of emotions as apposed to just rage, which makes Darcy more engaging in my opinion. The whole soulmate thing is also so confusing, why would Darius be Tory's mate but Orion isn't Darcy's? Why would your mate for life try (repeatedly) to kill you? That struggle is so confusing to me and seems like an odd way for the writers to create conflict in that. Surely the conflict based on the fact theyre Heirs is more true to the characters and not just ragingly hating each other. I DIGRESS.
I actually eye roll when I see a Tory chapter, because its just her moaning for 5 pages (a bit like this review). I do love her sexual empowerment, and all the feminist vibes it tries to give us with Tory, however it just ends up falling a bit flat for me because it's giving self destruct vibes instead. Just wanna shake her and tell her to get a grip, really.
Could have done without Max's chapters too, couldn't care less about him or his disheveled mohawk. But we march on.
It would have been a 3, but that 0.75 is for the fact that even with all of these things, I'm still gonna read the next one, and probably the one after that. And credit where credit us due for reeling me in. Mostly just want a Darcy book so I'm holding out for that.
We love Geraldine, a queen in her own right. In fact, so many of the side characters I feel are written way more consistently than the actual main characters (Sofia, Tyler, etc).
I think myself, along with so many other readers actually prefer Darcy because she's far more well rounded than Tory, feeling a whole spectrum of emotions as apposed to just rage, which makes Darcy more engaging in my opinion.
I actually eye roll when I see a Tory chapter, because its just her moaning for 5 pages (a bit like this review). I do love her sexual empowerment, and all the feminist vibes it tries to give us with Tory, however it just ends up falling a bit flat for me because it's giving self destruct vibes instead. Just wanna shake her and tell her to get a grip, really.
Could have done without Max's chapters too, couldn't care less about him or his disheveled mohawk. But we march on.
It would have been a 3, but that 0.75 is for the fact that even with all of these things, I'm still gonna read the next one, and probably the one after that. And credit where credit us due for reeling me in. Mostly just want a Darcy book so I'm holding out for that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Self harm, Blood, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
charhollyx's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
What the fuck was that ending for? Do the writers ENJOY inflicting that kind of heartbreak?!
Honestly this book had me along the entire spectrum of emotion, turning my love for some characters into hatred and my hatred for other characters into love.
There wasn’t a great character development for the main and side characters, whilst one characters development crashed and burned entirely.
if Orion is dead I’ll scream.
I can’t believe Tory and Darius and Elysian Mates, it doesn’t really make sense. Yes their desire is deep but their hatred CLEARLY ran deeper. It makes me question whether Darcy and Orion are mates because his love outweighed any other feeling and responsibility he had.
I wouldn’t mind if Tory died, sacrificing herself for Darcy as she keeps foreshadowing. Soon, ideally.
I get the reason she had for rejecting the bond, but did she really HAVE to reject it anyway? She saw that her mother loved her evil father despite his flaws, why couldn’t she follow suit?!
Diego is 100% evil, I’m calling it.
If book 5 doesn’t mend my heartbreak then idk what I’m going to do
Xavier is the best character. Nobody else will compare. If he dies I’ll scream.
Honestly this book had me along the entire spectrum of emotion, turning my love for some characters into hatred and my hatred for other characters into love.
There wasn’t a great character development for the main and side characters, whilst one characters development crashed and burned entirely.
I can’t believe Tory and Darius and Elysian Mates, it doesn’t really make sense. Yes their desire is deep but their hatred CLEARLY ran deeper. It makes me question whether Darcy and Orion are mates because his love outweighed any other feeling and responsibility he had.
I wouldn’t mind if Tory died, sacrificing herself for Darcy as she keeps foreshadowing. Soon, ideally.
I get the reason she had for rejecting the bond, but did she really HAVE to reject it anyway? She saw that her mother loved her evil father despite his flaws, why couldn’t she follow suit?!
Diego is 100% evil, I’m calling it.
If book 5 doesn’t mend my heartbreak then idk what I’m going to do
Xavier is the best character. Nobody else will compare. If he dies I’ll scream.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Blood, and Abandonment
_savannahreads_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol
sam019's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The books just keep getting better and better. My absolute new favorite series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Alcohol
bekand1's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Death of parent
psydneigh's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Holy shit. This book hurts. I hope there is a way to reverse being star crossed because wtf I don’t understand Tory’s anger. I get that she is angry but to that degree it just feels unreasonable. I hope the next book gets happier, damn.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Grief, and Abandonment
jaymrtn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
All I want to say is that if I saw Tory on the street or anywhere. I would try to kidnap her. Take her to the Grand Canyon just so I could throw her off a cliff. Then bash what was left of her stupid body.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
lotte5322's review against another edition
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
ac02's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Child abuse and Physical abuse