The story was simple, but nice. The art is also quite pretty, tho don't expect any complicated backgrounds. There is some miscommunication, but nothinThe story was simple, but nice. The art is also quite pretty, tho don't expect any complicated backgrounds. There is some miscommunication, but nothing extremely frustrating. ...more
I prefer the approach of "even if they say no, if you don't give up and be relentless, pushy, even blackmaily, they'll eventually say yes" in my dark I prefer the approach of "even if they say no, if you don't give up and be relentless, pushy, even blackmaily, they'll eventually say yes" in my dark romances, not in a cutesy school romance, thank you very much, so I just wasn't sold on the couple at all. It's getting two stars for the ghost stuff, but I wish there was more of it. It took half the book for Lin Feiran to get over his fear of seeing ghosts and there was stuff I absolutely wasn't interested in and would cut out to get there faster. I'm just not invested enough to get the next vol, especially as there is no cliffhanger at the end of the book, and it's wrapped up well enough that it can stand on its own....more
Dnf at 70% The pacing just drove me crazy, I really don't need to know in details about every little thing that happens in the span of just a few daysDnf at 70% The pacing just drove me crazy, I really don't need to know in details about every little thing that happens in the span of just a few days. There is a deathly miasma but considering how they are bumbling about, it gives the feeling like it is no threat at all. Hoped some exciting action would happen when they finally set off to the capitol (view spoiler)[ and then they just went on a shopping date and that was it. Directly after we get a two months time skip and that was the point where I just gave up (hide spoiler)]...more
I was conflicted about this book for quite a long time during reading. Firstly, the drama between Levi and his boyfriend gives me one of the biggest iI was conflicted about this book for quite a long time during reading. Firstly, the drama between Levi and his boyfriend gives me one of the biggest ick. It was handled really well, so it wasn't the execution of it, it was just a me problem. But the "you should give up your work because it's too dangerous and I can't live with you knowing you are putting your life on the line every day." just makes me see red. Especially with all the other things Mr. Boyfriend also pulled, like bad for you sir you can't, then better look for someone else then... I'm also not the biggest fan of hunk men built like a buldozer, but again, that's a me problem. So I wasn't convinced of Levi and Dom as a couple at first, but as I read on, they have won me over, even giving me some "naww, adorable" reactions. Looking back, their relationship progress was actually written very well. (view spoiler)[ I really like that they haven't become a couple by the end of the book, even though they both are clearly very interested heading that way (hide spoiler)] And so was the crime plot, it was interesting and engaging. Both crime plot and romance plot were also very well balanced in my opinion and at no point did I feel like the whole book's focus was more on one while the other was just a background noise. So in the end the book deserved four stars and I'm definitely interested in the next book in the series. (view spoiler)[ Also kudos for the writing in the sex scenes, especially Dom's and Levi's sex scene was very hot :) (hide spoiler)]...more
I'm honestly at a loss what rating to give here. While I really like the setting of a blood market that had a bit of cyberpunky feel and some ideas weI'm honestly at a loss what rating to give here. While I really like the setting of a blood market that had a bit of cyberpunky feel and some ideas were unique in a nice way, some ideas just left me wondering what the author was smoking (view spoiler)[A vampire turning into a pterodactyl??? Really??? (hide spoiler)] Sotetsu feels contradictory, yet I'm also not sure about that (view spoiler)[He constantly asks how does his blood taste, even asks Mozu how to make his blood taste better, and then he does everything in contradicting to what might improve its taste. What is your goal here sir? (hide spoiler)] The end left me kinda confused about what the hell just happened, but I suppose we will get more explanation on that in the next vol. What brings the biggest confusion here, though, is the translation itself. It's horrible. Really, really bad... There are points in the text that made me break my brain twice over trying to figure what the person meant. And then I looked up a fan translation of these parts and lo and behold, it made so much more sense! The meaning was often even completely different than what was in the 7S version I held in my hand! I feel like I would have better chances understanding the originals with my broken Japanese than the sense the 7S release made...
I will leave it without a star rating for now and will see if I get to read the next two vols. I will not be getting the 7S releases though, that's for sure....more
2,5* The first story was fine and I enjoyed it, the second I didn't much care for and the third one filled me with rage at how stupid the woman was wri2,5* The first story was fine and I enjoyed it, the second I didn't much care for and the third one filled me with rage at how stupid the woman was written....more
Wow, what a case of don't judge a book by its cover. I was completely lured in by the gorgeous cover, going into the book with much excitement, and itWow, what a case of don't judge a book by its cover. I was completely lured in by the gorgeous cover, going into the book with much excitement, and it has failed me badly. Mind you, I was actually having fun at first, it was funny and witty and both Vin and Wes were dorkily adorable. But as I progressed, as I watched Vin's and Wes' decisions, watched the story points and splot drivers, the stars on my initial rating dropped more and more. For a long time it was still hovering around 3 stars, but the last 1/4 of the book has killed my whole enjoyment. It felt like a very badly written fanfiction and I wanted to throw it. And when all was done in the final act, these two didn't talk to each other for a goddamn month because of the most stupid plot device ever.
So in the end, this gets one star for the narrator, because his voice and performance was exquisite . Maybe I could scrape half a star together for Vinny, because I have a bit of soft spot for him and for the (view spoiler)[ "the vampire is the pathetic one for once and it's the human, who has to kill, in order to protect him" thing, even though the execution of it wasn't exactly my most favorite. (hide spoiler)] Safe to say, I also won't be picking up the rest of the series....more
4.5 rounded up? 4.75 rounded up? I'm honestly still riding a high of "Amazing! Perfect! 20 stars!", so it's hard to say.
I can say, however, that I ab4.5 rounded up? 4.75 rounded up? I'm honestly still riding a high of "Amazing! Perfect! 20 stars!", so it's hard to say.
I can say, however, that I absolutely love this book. Does it have flaws? Sure! But it also has so much of what I want in a book that I'm very willing to overlook these. I adore both Walter and Bez. They're both delightful on their own and their interactions are just chef's kiss. I could read an 800 pages book with only them bantering and not get bored. There are also some very charming side characters and some I wanted to punch in the face so hard their teeth fell out and all of these are masterfully crafted. As is the worldbuilding. Oh, the world building! That made the lore nerd in me quiver. The world is so lush and alive and I want to dive into its history. I love all the moments where we were deceived, made to believe something that wasn't true. That one moment towards the end of the book? That broke my heart a little (or a lot), when I realized what was happening. The only issue I had was with the action/fighting scenes. They felt too descriptive, sometimes getting too lost in the thoughts of the characters, which slowed their pace down and took some of the tension away, as well as made them hard to follow at some points. Yet I love this book. I'm a slow reader and I flew through this. I wanted to reread it from the beginning as soon as I got to the last period. I had so much fun reading this book I didn't want it to end. I love the characters, the story, the world building, the writing and so, even though it's not a flawless book, it's a 5 stars book for me. ...more
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