Overall: 🐢🐢🐢
Storyline:
Writing Style:
Character Development:
Enjoyment:
“There is beauty to be found in the dark, just as there is horror within the light.”
How Does It Feel? by Jeneane O’Riley
The Story:
THE HUMAN
When a trip into the forest to collect a rare mushroom goes horribly wrong, I find myself falling through a fairy portal and straight into the arms of the Unseelie Fae prince. The dangerously unhinged and handsome Unseelie Fae prince.
What could be more horrible than that? He thinks I’m an assassin sent by the humans to kill him, not a biologist.
Determined to kill me first, and rid himself of the human he has unwillingly grown obsessed with, yet also needing to entertain his people, the villain challenges me to three deadly trials.
If I survive, I gain my freedom. But if not…
THE FAE
I’ve never felt anything but hate and loathing until my eyes found hers–the vile human assassin’s. She is a parasite that has mercilessly latched onto my mind and won’t let me free.
My hand itches to be ungloved and feel her smooth skin, even though I would never. The Unseelie Fae royals would rather burn than touch a repulsive human.
I fear that if I do not destroy the girl soon, she may be the only thing that’s capable of truly destroying me.
Key Elements:
New Adult, Fae, Dark, Romance, Animals, Death, Deals, Realms, Capture, Enemy to Lover, Obsession, Death Trials, Science, Prince
Why This Rating?
There was plenty to like in this book. We are given a nerdy, animal loving, tragic background woman as a main character. Who clearly has some darkness inside her bubbly light personality. There is – eventually – a dark, blood-thirsty, brooding male who everyone fears. But might have a kernel of kindness somewhere in his black soul?? Somewhere?? And there is also fae, so bonus points for that statement alone. Calling all enemy-to-lover readers! Just don’t come in expecting a super spicy read with all the juicy bits. You get a bunch of teasing happening and some moments of more, but overall, it was more tame than I was expecting. Heads up, our villain is constantly hopping between “I’m gonna kill you!” and “I desire you” in the 2-ish weeks of being near her, whiplash much? Also, the trials are very reminiscent of Sarah Maas’ ACOTAR trails – just saying.
The writing was… odd.. to say the least. Not unpleasant to read. Clearly I managed to make it through and I’m giving it fairly good marks in the star field. But it almost felt like there was a conflict from the author and her writing it. The book felt like it couldn’t decide what age group it was attempting to hit. The first half of the entire book, I had to remind myself this was a New Adult and Romance genre book. It felt like it was completely a Young Adult read in the beginning. Rainbows, glitter, bright colors, and light everywhere. Ok, maybe not literally all of that stuff, but pretty damn close. Hell, the other characters and even the narration happening is hammering in the idea that our main character is a freaking Disney princess. All because she is super great with animals. Honestly, it was getting super annoying. And there was a TON of set up. But then the flip happens and talk about extreme changes! The last half of the book is all black, blood, suffering, hate filled people – you get the picture. And we find the New Adult level of readings finally. Goes to show, you never quite know what people are capable of because damn Cally, show your colors girl. It took quite a minute for sure. I really really like the contrast that happened between the two sections and here writing to show these extremes was great!
One more writing knock that was also a bit annoying, the author tried being way to ambiguous in her story. I get the idea of pulling your audience along. It’s smart and keeps us reading for more. When chunks of your story is nothing but things like: “but the he would never enter her life again if she never… I can’t think like that.”, “I can’t relive that moment ever again.”, “‘You wouldn’t dare, they will call for blood”. Those aren’t exact quotes, just examples. And there is never any context to go with the vague phrases. We get some clarity way way past those scenes. But come on, Give the audience some of the knowledge so we can play along with the secrets, please! Yes, keep some to yourself/characters, but you don’t have to keep everything from us.
I felt like the whole ending was a bit on the obvious for the audience in the world of plot ideas. With the exception of one character and the importance that that person held, there were very few of the “shocking” or plot twist moments that really came across as surprises to me. It didn’t ruin the story for me. If anything, I enjoyed being able to confirm my guesses as the answers were revealed. Overall, it was a decent read. A bit hard to get through in the beginning and that ending was better, but it wasn’t a story that blew my socks off. I will probably keep going with the series to figure out what will happen after the cliffhanger we are left with. I don’t feel the need to go rushing out and finding the second one though. I’ll get around to it eventually.
Side Note: Whats up with the title? It barely plays into the story. Maybe mentioned as an interaction question here and there, but minor in my opinion. Could have picked something a bit better fitting than this. It is unique though!
Time to get lost in the next story!
