4.25 stars Wow, so I have been waiting for this story for how many books now? 7? 8?? I have been SUCH a Blay and Qhuinn fan from the beginning and have4.25 stars Wow, so I have been waiting for this story for how many books now? 7? 8?? I have been SUCH a Blay and Qhuinn fan from the beginning and have happily gulped up every little bit we got of them in the previous books, waiting—just WAITING—for the day when I would finally get to their book and see their long-awaited romance come to beautiful fruition.
The book definitely draws things out, and it kind of has to. As opposed to the couple getting together and then an issue cropping up, the issue is already present from the beginning and once it gets sorted out, they'll be in the free and clear, so essentially there is a looooot of will they or won't they—first, in regards to sex, and once that finally starts happening (woohoo!!), in regards to them being open and honest about their true feelings for one another. Because once that happens, everything will be hunky dory, so it was a struggle to not pull my hair out in frustration over Blay not seeing that Qhuinn is in love with him or over Qhuinn not coming out and explaining to Blay that he's not who he used to be and has been aware of his real feelings for awhile now.
Ward dragged it out deliciously and as painful as it was, it was a lovely and delightful pain all the same. Wish we had gotten just a pinch more of them after they get together (and also wish it hadn't all played out the Iron Mask, what was up with that??), but whatever, one of the great things is that I know I'll now see them in future books and I can't wait!! Definitely among my favorite MM romance relationships....more
“Jesus fucking Christ!” Wrath bit out. “Can we get a break around here?” (Normally I have a romantic quote here, but this one fits the book so well!)
Ov
“Jesus fucking Christ!” Wrath bit out. “Can we get a break around here?” (Normally I have a romantic quote here, but this one fits the book so well!)
Overall Rating: 3.75 stars Romance Book Rating: 3.5 stars I don't think I've ever split a rating like this, but I really had to here. Anyone who has read this series knows that there are a lot of POVs going on throughout each book and in both this one and the last one, they almost overwhelmed and overshadowed the romance aspect. In Book 6, Lover Enshrined, it truly feels like the same weight was given to Phury and Cormia's relationship as was given to other threads in the book.
Given that these characters are strangers at the beginning, it therefore made it really hard for me to connect with their supposed "love" and really believe in it. Especially since Phury has been so, SO into Bella for so long (whether it was real "love" or actually platonic love, as Bella insists).
I was wary going into the story, because all of the Chosen seem so placid and milktoast, but I quickly grew to love Cormia and it was a pleasure watching her discover the world and herself away from the Other Side.
Phury, on the other hand, who has been an angel throughout this series and one of the nicest and sweetest characters and Brothers, was at times quite unlikable in this, his own book. Now, there is a big focus on his addiction and we see it get worse and worse, so that no doubt contributed to my frustration with him, but there were also many things beyond that—his "love" for Bella, not giving Cormia any attention or guidance and not putting himself in her shoes after he drags her to a world she knows nothing about, his unwillingness to meet head-on his duties as Primale (whether to renounce or accept them, either way, but at least do something), and more. These things are also all tied up in his addiction and his self-hatred, so there is definitely of overlap, but it was just surprising to be confronted with a hero whom I have heretofore adored, but in his own book somewhat disappointed me.
Didn't mind several of the POVs here, especially the boy trio—John Matthew (whom I have always adored!), Qhuinn, and Blaylock. Lot of stuff going on there in this book for all of them, and really great build-up to their own books....more
Really great psychological thriller. Went a bit slow at times, but I liked the twists and turns and found the characters compelling, generally-speakinReally great psychological thriller. Went a bit slow at times, but I liked the twists and turns and found the characters compelling, generally-speaking. Some things I guessed, some things I didn't, which is a mark of a good thriller, no? I don't read that many, but I've always wanted to get going on a psychological thriller kick, and hopefully this was the beginning of a good one.
Not sure how to write reviews for these books though ... because don't want to give anything away. Lol. Will say that I think Anna's portrayal was quite well done; she wasn't idealized, and you see all the ugliness and horror that is mental illness/mental health issues. Some of the descriptions and scenes were so apt when it comes to depression, and I say this from personal experience....more
The perverse thing about our current racial structure is that it has always fallen on the shoulders of those at the bottom to change it. Yet racism is
The perverse thing about our current racial structure is that it has always fallen on the shoulders of those at the bottom to change it. Yet racism is a white problem. It reveals the anxieties, hypocrisies and double standards of whiteness. It is a problem in the psyche of whiteness that white people must take responsibility to solve. You can only do so much from the outside. (p.219)
4.5 stars I thought this was a very powerful and engaging read, and I feel like unfortunately my review will not do the book proper justice, but I will do my best to briefly explain what was so great about it!
I had seen it on bookstagram and was automatically intrigued by the book title; I got it from the library assuming it was about race in the U.S., so was surprised when I started it to see that it was actually about race in Britain. For that reason, it was also very educational for me and I learned a lot more about race in the U.K. than I had previously known; it was interesting learning that and contrasting it with the situation and dynamic in the United States. There were some points where I was definitely missing context or references that a British person would have immediately gotten, but on the whole, Eddo-Lodge did a good job of providing the background necessary for it to be accessible for non-British people.
As my frequent updates show, I was consistently struck by parts of the book and found myself wanting to take notes and mark things down to revisit them later. I think it was very informative on the history of race in Britain, and on black Britain specifically. It also provided very accessible insight into what it is like to be black and British in the UK today, and as a white American, I felt that Eddo-Lodge really gave me a window into what life has been like for her. Finally, I think the book did a great job of reminding us "allies" of what our role is, can, and should be. It was a humbling reading experience, and I found myself regularly questioning myself, my reactions, and my assumptions—all very good things, in my mind.
Some highlights:
How can I define white privilege? It’s so difficult to describe an absence. And white privilege is an absence of the consequences of racism. An absence of structural discrimination, an absence of your race being viewed as a problem first and foremost, an absence of ‘less likely to succeed because of my race.’ It is an absence of funny looks directed at you because you’re believed to be in the wrong place, an absence of cultural expectations, an absence of violence enacted no your ancestors because of the colour of their skin, an absence of a lifetime of subtle marginalisation and othering—exclusion from the narrative of being human. (p.86)
—
Asking for a sliver of disproportional power is too polite a request. I don’t want to be included. Instead, I want to question who created the standard in the first place. After a lifetime of embodying difference, I have no desire to be equal. I want to deconstruct the structural power of a system that marked me out as different. I don’t wish to be assimilated into the status quo. (p.184)
3.75-4 stars Short review: I liked the idea of Vishous and Jane—and the reality—but don't feel like we got enough to believe in their incredible bond a3.75-4 stars Short review: I liked the idea of Vishous and Jane—and the reality—but don't feel like we got enough to believe in their incredible bond and love. When compared to the couples of previous books, their relationship seemed to have lest substance and be flimsier. Again, so many different POVs, though I'm thankful we had none from the lessers this time. I also dislike the lesser subplot and was pleased that it featured very little here.
So many moments of heartbreak for different characters throughout this book, and I almost teared up several times. From Vishous to John to Phury—oh it was dagger after dagger after dagger (no pun intended). Ward clearly continues to be able to play up my emotions with her characters and stories, despite whatever shortcomings I find, because it's very rare that I become this (type of) emotional during a romance....more
Juliana Philippa
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