lexisreadingagain's reviews
294 reviews

Brynne Weaver absolutely SLAYYYYYYED. Lark & Lachlan were perfect. I loved them both from the minute we meet them on that dark road in the middle of the night. And their journey to finding their happiness was the perfect combination of dark, gory and lovely that I’ve come to expect of Brynne’s writing.

Lark is sunshine and glitter and exclamation points. She’s a people pleaser, a giver, an optimist (or as much as a multiple deleter with unresolved trauma can be). I wanted to wrap her in a warm, fuzzy pink blanket and give her forehead kisses. She’s a little crazy and a hell raiser, but she has so much love to give her little family. She’ll be a character I always love for both her humor and strength.

Lachlan is everything she isn’t. Reserved, cynical, solitary. He only has room in his heart for his two younger brothers, Rowan and Fionn, and everyone else is just barely tolerable. He’s been stuck cleaning up after other people his whole life, shackled to an unfulfilled life he didn’t ask for. I was literally swooning for this broody, tattooed feckin’ oaf of a man within minutes. He’s a little nerd at his core, don’t let the hot muscles and lethal abilities fool you lmao.

When they crash into each other’s lives that first time, they never expected it to be permanent. But protecting their loved ones is the one thing they agree they can put ahead of themselves. These two are chaotic and messy and somehow that works for them. I loved their equal levels of possessiveness. And I was panting after their concert scene IYKYK!!! 

I absolutely cannot wait for book three after this ending because ROSE YOU ARE MY GIRLLLLL. RIDE OR CROAK BETCH!!!!

I truly don’t know if I’ve ever read a more deranged, morally black MMC until Aero. He belongs behind bars or in a padded room for sure. But somehow… I love him anyway ?!? I need serious therapy I think 🙂‍↕️ actually scratch that— I know I do. The things that this made me feel are alarming. I never expect to love the masked st*lker romance trope as much as I do, and the cheating trope OMFG who am I lately, because that atttttttte.

The way he manipulates people and orchestrates scenarios in order to transform and hone Briony into the weapon that will reap her own vengeance without her even being aware until the end?! HOT AND PSYCHOTIC AND I LOVED IT 🥰

there were moments I wanted to give both of them a hug. They’ve both been hurt and tossed aside by their church and community, looked at as wrong and something to tolerate (until it no longer serves them). And watching them find power in each other’s sick and twisted form of love was somehow as beautiful as it was messed up.

This would’ve been perfect for me if the conflict was squeezed into the last 25% percent. I have no issues with how it played out, but frankly I wanted more of the actual revenge 😏 give me more of Aero and his Briony terrorizing people hahaha. But otherwise a fantastic dark romance & definitely not my last Jescie Hall book.

Finally, one of my most anticipated reads of the year! The minute that Karina announced she was writing another pirate inspired dark fantasy romance, I was blocking off my calendar to make sure I could binge it upon release. and WOW, did this live up to all my depraved little hopes.

I definitely want to start off saying that despite this being a standalone spin-off of A Ship of Bones and Teeth (FMC of OOSAS is related to FMC of ASOBAT), I would recommend reading that first if it's already on your TBR, because it will only enhance the experience. You'll have a much better sense of the nature of Karina's syren lore and the side character's importance later on.

All that said, this was such a fun read! Perfect way to add a little heat on a summer day heheh. This is definitely both smut and character heavy as opposed to an action-packed and plot heavy story, and YUM honestly. Our hot, tortured vampire turned priest turned pirate is literally something right out of my secret fantasies, and the way that Karina writes obsession and desire in mmc's always has me weak in the knees. I would bleed for Priest in a heartbeat, please, I beg. And Larimar. Beautiful and deadly Larimar, as monstrous and blood-thirsty as the man who captures her... and eventually her heart. AHHHH. Her rage is so hot. I love the banter between these two, because it's literally two equally morally grey characters discovering that the object of their desires is as black-hearted as they are. Here for it soooo much!

This was a funny and whimsical read!! While I thought Red Tower imprint is typically NA (??) this book in particular definitely read YA to me, but I still really enjoyed! Evie and The Villain’s banter was goofy and adorable. I honestly had no idea how the book was going to end lol. Evie’s family issues, her mission helping The Villain, his vendetta against King Benedict. I actually was a little surprised with how things played out, but maybe I’m just dumb🤣

The Villain is your typical hot, broody, morally grey grump. I loved his POV, where we heard just how down bad he is for Evie constantly hahah. He’s a literal unaliver, hanging severed heads from the ceiling and torturing people in his office, but the minute she steps into his line of sight, he’s a bumbling fool. Here for it 🤌🏼

I liked Evie’s little office friendships with everyone, especially Blade 🐉 and Kingsley 🐸 and her in the last 30% was a slay, practically blushing while The Villain unalived people for her & taking charge after the cliffhanger! although I definitely think she had some moments where her naivety bordered on juvenile behavior, but I’m hoping we see some more character development & less quips from our gal because I think she could knock book two out of this park.

I love this book & these characters with every fiber of my being. I am literally weeping — WEEPING — I tell you with both joy and sadness. I will riot if all of my loves aren’t happy and healthy by the end of this series. Oh my gods. I don’t know that another book boyfriend will ever top Samkiel for me after this. Jfc. The last 15%? On my knees for the King of Gods 🧎🏽‍♂️