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ClareR (5681 KP) rated The Betrayals in Books

Dec 14, 2020  
The Betrayals
The Betrayals
Bridget Collins | 2020 | Dystopia, Fiction & Poetry, Mystery, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Firstly, I should say that The Betrayals is a phenomenal book. It opens up a whole new world to the reader. It brought to mind the type of society that I imagine we would have had under National Socialism: men in charge and better educated than women, women expected to know their place, only state sanctioned religion permitted, and those of other religions or schools of thought are ‘disappeared’. I really would have liked to have read more about this outside world, but I don’t feel short changed at only having read about what happens within the confines of Montverre. It is strange actually, that such a major part of Montverre, the grand jeu, is never explicitly talked about. We get the impression as a reader that it’s a performance consisting of maths, music, philosophy and state sanctioned religion. It’s held in extremely high regard: studying it is a sure fire open door to a position of power afterwards.

So what IS The Betrayals about? Well, betrayal, actually. Everyone is backstabbing and lying to everyone else in this book, and they’re lucky if they live to regret it. It’s the cloistered version of Dallas (with less sex)! I loved it. This was a hard book to put down, and one I steamed through far too quickly. This ticks a lot of boxes for me: historical fantasy (double whammy straight away), a mystery to solve, dystopian and a smattering of magical realism. I’m glad it looks like a book that could have a sequel - even if it never as one. It leaves the reader able to make up their own next moves (yes, I do that).

Huge thanks to the publisher for providing me with a NetGalley copy of this book - it was one of my reading highlights of 2020.
  
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I was offered this it was described as being like 50 Shades of Grey and the Crossfire series. Having liked both of these I thought I’d give it a go. In a way it was like them: young girl meets wealthy business man and can’t deny the sexual attraction. Unfortunately for me, it didn’t quite measure up. It didn’t draw me in straight away.

In fact, it took me a while to get into it. That might have been down to Gustav’s attitude and the fact he wasn’t very good at explaining what he wanted. It put me off a bit, I guess, and I couldn’t always understand the attraction. Serena, too, was a bit of a puzzle. The way she reacted sometimes; though that could probably be put down to her age.

After finishing the story I’ve been left with some questions. Why wouldn’t Gustav kiss her until near the end? Why did he with-hold from having sex with her for so long? What sort of lifestyle were Gustav and his wife involved with before? And why were Serena’s “parents” so horrible to her?

I suppose since this is the first in the trilogy that we will get answers to some of these in the following books. If I’m honest, I’m not sure if I’d be interested in continuing the series, though that ending has most definitely whetted my appetite.

Overall it was a god story that kept me wondering where it was heading but for me, having read 50 Shades and the Crossfire series, it just didn’t quite do it for me.

That being said, don’t dismiss a book without at least trying it for yourself first.
  
Audience/ Reading Level: 18+

Interests: Erotica, Romance, BDSM, Virginity, High School, Internet Dating, Money for Sex.

Point of View: Third Person

Insights: Okay, I’m going to be a little salty about this series. But, there were grammatical errors littered throughout the entirety of the novels. THIS MAKES IT SO HARD TO READ. The characters were developed very poorly and the ending just came abruptly. Like it was legit the stupidest and most horrific ending you could ever think of. As a reader, it almost seemed like the author (no offense Jacey) just got too busy to really put any care into the ending. It. Literally. Ended. Like. This. Not the greatest and nothing really special that’s different from other writers.

Will I reread? I think not satan. Honestly, the story seems either like it shouldn’t have been written or that it should have had an entirely different plotline. Do I recommend? This is a hard one because I want too. To help an author out. But I just can’t.

Favorite Quotes: “She was the hundred thousand dollar girl, and she was untouchable.”

“Because I don’t want to be one of those sorts of girls.”

○ interested in its physical book
○ a continuous read / page-turner
○ diverse in any way
● something’s lacking
○ took me a long time to finish
○ an LMAO read
○ I laughed more than a few times
● it’s j u s t awkward
○ gave me goosebumps
○ one of the best books I’ve read
○ painful & sad
○ tear-jerker
○ a roller-coaster of emotions
○ thrilling
● confusing
○ sooo relatable
● it is kind of annoying
○ it has a lot of flashbacks
○ it moved me
○ would recommend!
○ great even for a reread
○ definitely a YAY
● I’m sorry it’s a NAY
○ it’s between YAY and NAY
  
Audition (1999)
Audition (1999)
1999 | Horror, Thriller
Be careful what you wish for!
A middle-aged man with a teenage son and a dead wife is longing for love. He is encouraged to start dating and devises a plan to find hiss new love. With his friend, they concoct an elaborate ruse placing an ad for an "audition" for a fictitious movie where actresses will come seeking the part. From there, the man may be able to find the new love of his life. After long hours he finally meets the seemingly young, timid and demure Asami whom he is immediately infatuated with.

His friend soon discovers she is not what she seems when her resume references do not check out. Mr. Infatuation doesn't care and continues to pursue his new mysterious love anyways. After a few dates, they meet at a hotel for sex. However, before the relationship is consummated, he must profess his undying love for her. (Boy was that a mistake!).

Without wanting to ruin the ending for you, it is one of the most unique, riveting and disgusting I have ever seen. It sort of seems like it comes from nowhere as you are watching, but makes sense the more you think about it. The are flashback scenes scattered throughout the film giving more backstory to Asami and helps the audience understand her motivations. Her solution to her problems is extreme and has been going on for some time, and the current widower boyfriend is just the latest victim.

The cold, heartless treachery is almost unbelievable and will definitely turn off anyone who is not in the mood for this type of film. The slow buildup and entertaining romance and detective story doesn't prepare you for what is to come.

Be warned!

  
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Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Pleasure Unbound (Demonica, #1) in Books

Aug 26, 2019 (Updated Sep 3, 2019)  
Pleasure Unbound (Demonica, #1)
Pleasure Unbound (Demonica, #1)
Larissa Ione | 2008 | Fiction & Poetry
8
9.3 (6 Ratings)
Book Rating
Admittedly it's been a while since I read and enjoyed a paranormal romance but since that's what 75% of my paperbacks are at the minute, I decided to try this series.

And I was pulled in fairly quickly. It was straight into the action at Eidolon's demonic underground hospital in New York dealing with injuries and his brothers. And Tayla--an Aegis, the demons mortal enemy--ends up being one of his patients.

Within the first 25 pages we had a rather steamy sex scene and though I was surprised by the enemies turned lovers actions, I was intrigued on what would end up happening. Would she betray the Aegis for him? Would he defend her against all the demons who wanted her dead?

It was pretty non stop with stuff going on. It wasn't always just from Eidolon and Tayla's POV. We saw the odd scene from someone related to the hospital who was being hunted by the Aegis and I was very anti-Aegis from pretty early on.
"Tayla...she rocked his underworld"
This was a quote from early on in the book but I found it accurate and rather sweet. The romance was rocky, one minute they were all over each other and the next trying to kill each other--literally. I actually really liked the turmoil, the angst, and devoured the book in about two days when I finally just sat down and started it properly.

There is a story arc starting in this one that involves Gem, a half demon, and her want of Kynan, a human, that we see playing out in the occasional scene that has me intrigued and I'm looking forward to seeing how that plays out in the next book.

I have book 2, Desire Unchained, and book 5, Sin Undone, in paperback, too, and look forward to reading them.
  
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