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A review by starcrossreverie
Bonded by Thorns by Elizabeth Helen
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
⭐⭐⭐ out of 5 stars.
🌶️🌶️🌶️ spice level.
I just started getting into retellings of old Disney movies, and I love that these types of books exist. This is the second Disney retelling I'm reading!
The story started off really good and held strong until chapter 45, and then things started happening way too fast. No build up to Keldarion professing his love to Rosalina (only little hints from the other princes' POVs), and it seems the rest of the chapters were rushed to reach the end. The story could've been a wonderful 5 star for me if it wasn't for the last few chapters. It does make me hesitant to start the second book, but I'm also curious to see what happens.
Spice rating also took a hit due to the sex scenes between Dayton and Farron having no preparation time. I really hate it when female authors write gay sex and either have the men shove it inside without stretching their partner or only do minimal stretching. It's supposed to come across as feral and hot, but just reads as the author not doing their research.
Back to the story, my first impression was that I really loved Rosalina's name. It's so beautiful.
I didn't like how Lucas carved his name into her arm. I still think that was cartoonishly evil and it didn't really add to the story. The way he treated Rosalina was enough for me to not like him. The carving just felt unnecessary. Another issue was how quickly Rosalina loses her squirrely personality and she starts to express herself outwardly. I guess it can be chalked up to almost dying and then being imprisoned, but I felt she lost her first personality way too quickly.
I enjoyed the way she meets the princes and her interactions with them. Right from the start I knew this story was centered around Rosalina's horniness and I loved that. It didn't affect the worldbuilding in a bad way. Both smut and plot blended together perfectly (until those last few chapters).
Also love that two of the princes have white and red hair! Those hair colors drive me wild <3
As for the beasts they turn into, I love the extra details added to their wolf forms. I also LOVE that the servants turn into animals instead of furniture. It was so cute!
Overall, it was a pretty good story. Loved the writing style, the characters, and the world. I just wish chapter 45 and after weren't so rushed.
🌶️🌶️🌶️ spice level.
I just started getting into retellings of old Disney movies, and I love that these types of books exist. This is the second Disney retelling I'm reading!
Spice rating also took a hit due to the sex scenes between Dayton and Farron having no preparation time. I really hate it when female authors write gay sex and either have the men shove it inside without stretching their partner or only do minimal stretching. It's supposed to come across as feral and hot, but just reads as the author not doing their research.
Back to the story, my first impression was that I really loved Rosalina's name. It's so beautiful.
I didn't like how Lucas carved his name into her arm. I still think that was cartoonishly evil and it didn't really add to the story. The way he treated Rosalina was enough for me to not like him. The carving just felt unnecessary. Another issue was how quickly Rosalina loses her squirrely personality and she starts to express herself outwardly. I guess it can be chalked up to almost dying and then being imprisoned, but I felt she lost her first personality way too quickly.
I enjoyed the way she meets the princes and her interactions with them. Right from the start I knew this story was centered around Rosalina's horniness and I loved that. It didn't affect the worldbuilding in a bad way. Both smut and plot blended together perfectly (until those last few chapters).
Also love that two of the princes have white and red hair! Those hair colors drive me wild <3
As for the beasts they turn into, I love the extra details added to their wolf forms. I also LOVE that the servants turn into animals instead of furniture. It was so cute!
Overall, it was a pretty good story. Loved the writing style, the characters, and the world. I just wish chapter 45 and after weren't so rushed.